Addressing the Top Issues Facing Americans and Filipinos

I pulled this information from a social media scan in early November 2024. Over the past few months, we’ve examined these issues to find effective solutions. Our goal is to foster intelligent discussion and problem-solving based on community goodwill, not personal gain. Unfortunately, the past 25 years have been dominated by self-serving global players.

National Concerns

Here are 10 pressing issues currently concerning Filipinos:	Here are 10 pressing issues currently concerning Americans:
Economic Inequality: A significant portion of the population struggles with poverty, while a small elite controls a disproportionate amount of wealth.	Inflation: Rising prices for goods and services are impacting household budgets.
Corruption: Government corruption remains a persistent problem, hindering development and eroding public trust.	Healthcare Costs: The affordability and accessibility of healthcare remain significant concerns.
Climate Change and Natural Disasters: The Philippines is highly vulnerable to climate change, experiencing frequent typhoons, floods, and droughts.	Climate Change: The effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels, are becoming more apparent.
Education: Access to quality education, especially in rural areas, remains a challenge.	Political Polarization: Deep divisions between political parties are hindering progress on important issues.
Healthcare: The healthcare system faces issues with affordability, accessibility, and quality of care.	Gun Violence: Mass shootings and gun-related deaths continue to be a major problem.
Unemployment and Underemployment: Many Filipinos, particularly young people, struggle to find stable and well-paying jobs.	Economic Inequality: The gap between the rich and the poor is widening, leading to social and economic problems.
Political Polarization: Divisive politics and social issues often lead to heated debates and social unrest.	Immigration: Debates over immigration policy and border security persist.
Infrastructure: The country’s aging infrastructure needs significant investment and modernization.	Job Market: Concerns about job security and the availability of good-paying jobs are prevalent.
Drug Abuse: Drug-related problems, including addiction and crime, continue to plague communities.	Education: The quality and affordability of education are major issues, especially for low-income families.
Human Rights: Concerns over human rights abuses, particularly in relation to the war on drugs, persist.	Social Issues: Divisive social issues, such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, continue to spark debate.
It’s important to note that the specific concerns of Filipinos may vary depending on their individual circumstances and location.	It’s important to note that the specific concerns of Americans may vary depending on their individual circumstances and location.

Education and economy are pressing concerns in both the United States and the Philippines. The primary reason is the dwindling number of people who experienced firsthand the consequences of unchecked greed and avarice. The leaders who navigated the world through the last global catastrophe have passed away, and the survivors of that conflict are few and far between. It’s been 80 years since WWII, and those who fought on the front lines were in their late 20s and early 30s. Their younger siblings are now well into retirement, often isolated in communities designed for the quietude of old age.

Unfortunately, my generation, the Boomers, primarily relied on books and secondhand knowledge. We lacked the firsthand experience of preventing such widespread chaos. Consequently, younger generations, the Millennials and Zoomers, are even less equipped. Some may argue that we’re all narcissistic, but the truth is that it’s easier to blame others than to collaborate. This tendency to point fingers and assign blame hinders our ability to work together for a common goal.

As the Catholic Catechism reminds us, humans are inherently good but flawed. Some individuals are so broken that extreme measures are necessary to prevent harm. This is the tragic lesson of WWII. We have the power to either repair what we’ve broken or let it spiral out of control. The choice to collaborate and shape our collective future lies within our grasp.