NowThis is my NotThis

I was a follower before of NowThis and NowThis Politics, NOT ANYMORE.

I was really irritated the other day when I saw an edited video shared by a friend from NowThis Politics presenting Florida ‘in the way they wanted to show and highlight’ to the whole ‘social media’ world. They may say that the focus of the video is on the anti-masks people and their ‘stupid’ and ‘irresponsible’ arguments but I see more, their hidden agenda and the liberal propaganda. Too liberal for me though and incomplete, with no proper context and all angles explained so people who actually don’t live here will understand better where those ‘irresponsible’ arguments are coming from. But what can I expect? Political propaganda works better when it is incomplete and misleading. 

We live an hour away from Orlando and Tampa, both considered big cities. Around 5-6 hours from the well known Miami. But our small city, the town where we live, where most people are retired and politically conservative, is PEACEFUL and QUITE. We live around 5 minutes from the town center.

Let me say this, everyone I know here and I myself wore mask whenever and wherever it is required and needed.  However, we understand that we cant force other people to do so or copy us or what we believe is right. Which is why your health, your responsibility. We can’t control other people, only ourselves, we can only require them to follow our rules if they are inside our house. Businesses and organizations, private and public, made their own rules and people who don’t want to follow are not welcome. 

I understand the likes the said video garnered but I hope people will try to ask us, the actual people who live here, on what is our personal experience, observations and opinions about this issue. I hope people who know me will ask and want to know more context. Coming here, and learning U.S. history (and still learning more), I realized and understand why INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, the FREEDOM OF CHOICE is on top of everything here. Their Bill of Rights is a proof of that, their Second Amendment was even made to be sure that the government will always be afraid of the people/their citizens and not vice versa.

I have FB friends, who share my sentiments about issues in the Philippines but we have different opinions about what is happening here in the U.S. and that is ok. If they will read this and still respects me, thank you. I believe that we are all professionals, have the same rational tolerance with other people who don’t share the same mindset.

NowThis News is like the Democrats, the same people here who also called pro abortion as pro choice. Based on history, they were also pro slavery. Sometimes, those who look saviors are villain in disguise. We need to think and know better.

To those who are curious, I just want to share some of these information you might want to read:

1. Overall, we rate NowThis News Questionable based far left bias, promotion of liberal propaganda and five verified failed fact checks. (10/3/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 9/18/2019)

Source: NowThisNews Media Bias/Fact Check

2. In reality, this site has less in common with the Wall Street Journal, which does actual journalism, than it does with the low-level Resistance grift, which relies on social media to distribute viral, hyper-partisan content to eager left-leaning audiences. In fact, the only real difference between the Resistance grifters and NowThis is that the latter is a full-blown organization, as opposed to a single crank with a Twitter account.

Source: NowThis News is not news; it's a straight-up propaganda outlet

3. The fact-checking site Snopes told BBC Trending radio that in the past week, for example, they have debunked many more anti-Republican party stories than pro-Republican ones

Source: The rise of left-wing, anti-Trump fake news

Suggested Read: Propaganda 101

Why I like the Republican Party here in the U.S.?

Back home, I like the Liberal Party or more appropriately speaking I tend to lean more to them than the other parties we have.

I started to care about politics when I was in college. Taking up some minor and major political science courses, I learned some things I wish I knew earlier. It would've been nice if I understood the importance of all these things, which should have been basic knowledge for everyone but sadly no. Even college students, after taking these classes, some intentionally (and unintentionally) forget and brushed off its importance.

Politics sucks. Politicians are corrupt. The government is useless. Politics are becoming synonymous to showbiz, entertainment, scandals in our country. Everyone seemed fake and just up for a show. It is hopeless. The majority tend to be cynical about it already back home.

I remember when I was in grade six during the first impeachment trial of former President Estrada. We only have one T.V. and my dad, a lawyer, wanted to watch it (Of course!). It was boring for me as a child and I have a favorite show I rather watch. We bickered and fought for the remote control, he won of course which resulted of me giving him the 'cold treatment' for a few days until we 'make up'.

When I started talking to my husband, I knew he was 'political', even his profile in the dating site/app where I met him had 'political' as one of his traits. I have the potential to be political too but not as much as he is.

My husband asked me about my political view, he got curious and read also about our political system, its similarities and difference to theirs. Even though we modeled our constitution to theirs, our political system and parties have big differences. They only have two major parties here, whereas, I just read recently, we were also like that before but Marcos changed it to a multi party system for his advantage. Divided and with smaller political parties, it was harder to oppose him.

Coming here in the U.S., learning their history and observing their current events, I began to understand my husband's political view better and deeper. For instance, the Liberal Party in the Philippines is not really like their Liberal or Democratic Party here. The Democrats are more similar to the socialist/communist parties in our country. They are also exaggeratedly liberal in a lot of issues such as supporting abortion which interestingly they call pro choice here. What a nice word to hear, it can easily confused people.

My Filipino Catholic/Christian values are more in line with the values of the Republic Party here which are considered the conservative side.

Now, I may like the Republican Party but will I be a blind supporter? NO. Me liking them more than the Democratic Party doesn't mean that I will blindly support anything they propose. I asked my husband the same thing and he answered the same way.

A blind supporter forgets to weigh all the important factors in an issue that may benefit or destroy their country.

Though I am not yet a citizen of this country, thus I still cannot vote, but as a permanent resident, I pray and hope the best for this country.

My husband's home is my home too.

And just as I love my home country, I can honestly say that I love this country too that I also call my home now.

Suggested Reading:

Being a Filipino American in the Republican Party
Why I am Republican and why Filipinos should vote for Republicans
The Filipino Voice Rises In American Politics
Filipino-Americans finally 'making waves' in politics