Thread by @tonyocruz

Trump is defeated.

Is it possible in and for the Philippines? YES.

But we need to do more than "wishing" it does.

(thread)

In 2018, many aspirants started running, offering different platforms. The primaries offered Americans the chance to choose the nominee, and to debate about the platforms.

People organized, knocked on doors, phoned, donated.

Q: How are we going to choose candidates?

Same is true in all races. Primaries determined the candidates. Organizing was involved at the grassroots.

Q. Are we ready to do the same? Are we gonna allow candidates to choose voters? Or voters should choose candidates? Are we uniting under one party or one coalition?

Candidates at all levels offered platforms to voters -- whether national or local. They engaged in debate with other candidates.

Q: How do we promote platform-based campaigns? Would we demand or require debates?

Coalitions. Candidates were backed by coalitions that came together around their platform. All sorts of coalitions that attract various groups, demographics, persuasions, and those who left the ranks of opponents.

Q: Are you ready to unite with others in coalitions?

In many races, voters themselves donated or entire-funded the campaigns of candidates. They were up against Big Money, but gazillions of small donations helped power the candidates.

Q: Would our candidates rely on Big Money too? Or would they rely on our donations?

Organizing. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns relied on organizing down to the street level. They and their organizers studied the electorate, went to them, discussed with them, won them over, mobilized them. Millions of volunteers.

Q: Would you volunteer to the campaign?

Media. America has a lot of local and national news outlets that could provide adequate and fair coverage of the elections. There's a strong tradition of independent, critical reportage and commentary.

Q: What's the plan FOR media in PH? What's the plan OF media in PH?

Yes, the defeat of Trump should inspire us. But that inspiration should also give us the opportunity to closely examine the wide gap between US and Philippine politics. There are certain realities in the Philippines that pre-determine our choices: Guns, goons and gold.

Right now, the regime is strong, united, disciplined, determined, ready and already preparing. It has a deep bench of candidates. It has the control and support of traditional politicians, political dynasties and the moneyed elite.

Handa na ang kalaban. What are we gonna do?

We must face those realities, friends. Because in so doing, we would perhaps arrive at a common conclusion that we have to be stronger, more united, more disciplined, more determined, more ready and prepare more. We must rely on our people, organize, develop leaders, crowdfund.

2022 presents us an opportunity for New Politics: new ways of choosing candidates, new ways of uniting our people around issues, new candidates, new platforms for campaigns, new organizations and parties, new coalitions, new ways to fund campaigns.

Yes, campaigning for voter registration is important. Even this needs organization. And what better way to inspire new voters than to show they would be part of New Politics: volunteer, campaigns, contribute, new candidates and platforms carrying their issues. Victory.

It is not enough to criticize or wish trapos to disappear.

We should have candidates to compete with them:
12 senators
247 congressmen
61 partylist reps
81 governors/vice governors, 780 board members
1,634 mayors/vice mayors, 13,546 councilors

Ganyan karaming kandidato ang kailangan, friends. Maliban pa sa presidente at bise presidente.

Organization is important for such a complex process. Thus, there are political parties and coalitions.

Our work is not easy, but not impossible. We just have to see what we face ahead lucidly and honestly.

Otherwise, wishful thinking na lang and aasa tayo sa isa na namang superhero na magliligtas sa atin, backed by turncoats from the trapo class we all scorn.

One good start siguro is to expand our democratic vision.

What issues are important to you and millions of others? What concerns could cut across the current divisions?

Another is to ask: Are the voters the enemy? Who's the real enemy?

We should also start to be more concerned with our kababayans in the provinces. Their choices: a rigodon from rival trapos and dynasties who have guns, goons and gold.

How do we help them out? How do we destroy the power of evil trapos in the provinces?

The enemy thinks we couldn't do it, and would do everything to perpetuate itself.

We must outwit, out-organize, and surpass the enemy by offering our people a brand new way of doing politics. History as our reference. Future at stake.

We must and we can.

P.S. I've also posted this on Facebook

facebook.com/tonyocruz/post…