Obama's mother is caucation and father african-american (Kenya). Now for the Samoans, anything's possible but it'll be a very long time. If Obama becomes the next president of the United States it would be a blessing for next generation. He represents the new generation of people migrating to this country. I though have yet run into a Samoan or of Samoan blood, born or raised in the United States that was more of an American than a Samoan. Not a bad thing, that if you're not planning to be a president of the United States. Remembering WHERE you came from is good. Living WHERE you came from is not.

The Samoan culture runs pretty deep in us. A president for one of the most powerful country in the world requires an American not a Samoan if you know what I mean. We preach so much about being a Samoan that we start to live like we're in Samoa and forget to live as an American.

This one's open for discussion.......

Fred Taala will be the next Samoan American President .

Obama's father was Kenyan and not AFRICAN-AMERICAN as Loi has mentioned! He met his(Obama's) mother when he went to study in the US. He didn't stay on after his studies but he went back home...

ana e le loto gatasi samoa uma.
faafetai

Nice read Mr. Sioa,

This year’s campaign for the U.S.A. Presidency will definitely go down in history for many reasons. One of these reasons will be Obama, a black man.

Why are minorities so quick to draw on their race, ethnic background & culture when they’re celebrating it to show solidarity, passion, pride and love for that which they identify themselves with?
But when authorities, victims or individuals have to identify them as suspect(s) accordingly to who they are when they commit crimes, offenses, abuses and unruly behavior; you have to make sure they aren’t racially profiled so that political correctness is observed at all cost; so that everyone is color blind and human-beings all of a sudden? Miraculously!

African Americans are voting for O-Bama because he’s precisely “Black/African American” and nothing else. Oh wait, and the fact that Black/African Americans vote predominantly Democrat (socialism/labor) party. That’s a fact in polls done nationally. That’s 96% out of 100% of all Black/African Americans who are registered voters.

Its “obvious” that if 96% of 100% registered “White Americans” were polled and openly stating, “I’m voting McCain because he’s a white man” and nothing else.
The “Race” card would fly out of minority back pockets quicker than “Dirty Harry” can pull out his “six shooter” from the holster at his side.

“Victicrats” from all factions would point fingers, shout racist slurs to White people for practicing the same things that minority do of their race, ethnic and color “pride”.

So if there was an “American Samoan” running for President, are we suppose to vote for the “American Samoan” candidate because of his stance on issues, substance and political views; or do we just play the “Race” card and vote for the “American Samoan” candidate because he/she is one of us?

No doubt we will celebrate the fact that it’s the first time an American Samoan has reached such heights of running for President among our Samoan people; when that day occurs.

Or can we celebrate both the achievement as well as disagree with the candidate’s political views, ideas and issues? So that one’s vote is not because of race but because of the issues.

My views on “Small Government”, “Less Taxes” & “Strong Military” with the opposing party as a “Conservative/Republican”. Is opposite of everything Mr. O-Bama promises in his message of “Hope and Change”.
It’s The Dirty little secret of “Big Government”, “More Taxes” & “Weak Military”.

Makes for such a hot topic for a good debate!

Having said that, I guess one might know which candidate I’m voting for?

Americans do boast of America as being the land where you can “dare to dream”. Not because it’s just a slogan, but because it’s a fact and reality. Through hard work, sacrifice and risk; lays a dream of progression and reward. However far one wants to progress and reward themselves in life?

Some day there will be a Samoan American who will run for President. We have a Samoan Mayor in the city of Honolulu, Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

So when the day arrives where Samoans get to witness an “American Samoan” running for the President of the U.S.A.
I hope Samoans are voting on the issues, substance and political views that align with their beliefs that would better their lives in some way; not just voting for the American Samoan candidate because they are simply Samoan. Because the last thing we want to become are bigots and racist by our own account that we must face in the mirror or be too blind to see.

Soifua,

I hope that day will come when a SamoanAmerican will spread the left wing and the right wing to fly that far. I will not vote for Obama just because he is black and this might be the first time we will ever have a black president, his idea about CHANGE does not fly together with COUNTRY FIRST. America is build on super power and without the Military to fight for our FREEDOM we have no superpower. Military create superpower, economic power etc.. etc..etc and the creation of that american dream will be up to you. Peace.....

Whether you're African-American, Samoan-American, German-American, etc., what are your values? What do you stand for? Do you want a government that makes decisions for you, or do you want your freedom to choose what's best for you?
From my experience, I say let government do its job of protecting the people and giving them opportunity..but when they start having to babysit people and enabling them with social programs, that's when people start losing their dream and drive. People begin to depend on government for everything instead of themselves.

Remember the South Pacific Games (SPG) theme...LIVE THE DREAM...we all have our own dreams and only we can accomplish that if given the opportunity. But of course, seeing how Samoa is founded upon God, that's where our strength comes from, not from any one individual or political party.

So no matter the outcome this next week, may the new president help the people by allowing them to exercise their individual right to life, liberty and freedom. In God we trust.

tofa soifua

yeah .. I agree with Teinevaisigano. Pe america , pe samoa... everywhere is the same.... let the govt do their job.... and on the other hand ... lets 'think our our country 1st and not worrying about other nations and how they govern.

Awwwww the election is tomorrow..and i am anxious to see the outcome of it...i know it would be a very interesting outcome with heaps of those who opposed to it....i know there would be something kinky and fishy about it...like that one saying.."every vote counts"...regardless of what...may the best and well qualified man win...someone who will do something for the people and not of greed....i know this much...doesn't matter who or how many people vote..what matter most is what the "electoral " college chooses...they are the one that chooses...if they can't come up with someone then the Supreme Court's turn to choose....How did Bush win? exactly Supreme Court was involved...

Obama will make history if he wins...Whatever the outcome of this election..lets hope this President will help every American....he will be able to lower taxes, create jobs, healthcare, military wise, shoosh just have our economy up you know....

Ah Justice, it does matter who votes and how many people vote. Case and point since you brought this up.

More votes went to the GOP in State of Florida as opposed to the DNC in the year 2000. Because the vote was too close to call, even though the media called it for the DNC early to distortedly give Al Gore the edge. The final count gave the majority to the GOP in Florida. The votes were recounted three different times and the count came back the same giving the majority to the GOP.

The DNC refused to accept the truth and final count even after the State of Florida counted it three different times! to make sure it was accurate! But the DNC was not going to accept anything but a continuous re-count after re-count until the count came back hoping for just once in their favor. Not to mention the DNC embarrassing law suits they filed against the State of Florida.

Ah la, enter the Florida Supreme Court having to step in to rule on the three consecutive counts as being final! So the DNC doesn’t make a mockery of the voting system of re-counting after re-counting until they get what they wanted. Like a spoiled child not getting what they want?

So President Bush did win the State of Florida out-right. But you wouldn’t know that because the conspiracy theorist and leftist nuts of the DNC spun it as an election being robbed by the GOP and suppression of the vote.

I smirk and say, “It was a DNC scam gone wrong and they almost got away with it”.

So it does matter. The more votes for one party among the different parties on the ballot, receives the electoral votes of each given states. Its how the voting system is & works. Not perfect, but it works.

Cheers,

WELL DONE ROBERT.....U SAID IT ALL...VERY WELL WRITTEN..WHAT U WROTE WAS POWERFUL...TOO BAD DAT PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE WHO TO VOTE FOR OBAMA REGARDLESS OF WHAT HIS VIEWS AND POLITICAL CONVICTIONS ARE...UR ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ABOUT THE MAJORITY OF SAMOAN PEOPLE'S MENTALITY...I AM AN INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE WHO VOTED FOR MCCAIN AND PALIN...THEY STOOD FOR LESS GOVERNMENT POWER SO THE PEOPLE CAN HAVE MORE FREEDOM TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO WITH THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY...I FEEL SO SADDEN THAT AMERICA WILL BE A COMMUNIST AMERICA SOON...GOD HELP US....

I voted for Gore in 2000 and then voted for GW in 2004. This election year, I have passed up on eating the "okey doke" and I casted my vote for President-Elect Obama.

By christian extremists and right wing neo-con definition, I am now one that pals around with terrorists and socialists and borderline communists. Soon, I will be asked to present my birth certificate because my place of birth will be questioned. I will be accused of trying to bankrupt the coal industry. They will conveniently find my aunt living in Boston, whos application for asylum has been denied. They will find out that I have a half-brother living in Kenya on only $1 dollar a day. Perhaps, I'll be accused of being a muslim and so what if I am a muslim? This time around, I will call a licensed plumber instead of Joe the Plumber.

Gone are the days of a vp nominee that brought laughter to this election by way of Tina Fey and SNL. I will miss Fox Tabloid News, who entertained me when the Colbert Report wasnt showing. CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC, ABC, and CBS, you can start to prepare for the next election.

So while the wonderful supporters of a great american hero, Senator John McCain, sleep with pride in having participated in a historical election...I will sip silently on my tall glass of kool-aid.

God Bless

Congratulations to President elect Obama! History was made last night on Election Day as the American people voted the first African American.

I voted for John McCain and watched Obama turn red States into blue States with a land slide on his way to the White House.

Congratulations.

THE WORLD CELEBRATED OBAMA'S WIN. Kenya declared a national holiday; Japanese villagers in Obama village celebrated; Indonesia celebrated; the whole of Africa celebrated; everywhere was a sea of BLUE!! Never before have you seen people dancing on the streets in front of the White House after an election win!!

This is a moment in history that no matter how much people like Robert and Afano will try and dampen it down with their right-wing ideological rhetoric, nothing can stop the jubilation that went around the nation and the world yesterday. What a great day for America; what a great day for the world. Never has an American election victory been met with so much jubiliation! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

...and if a tax-cut for all those earning under $200,000 a year is considered communism, then I am a PROUD COMMUNIST!

Be prepare to pay 39.5% taxes under his plan. You are so black sole just make sure you know what you are celebrating. Don't be like BETTY she thinks that when Obama wins she won't need to pay her car note and her rent. That 200.00 bs he came up with to win is a scam like everything else he preaches to win.

Tina Fey will never measure up to Sarah Paline.

Tango, if you're earning more than $250,000 a year, then I think you can afford to pay for a little bit more tax to put into public infrastructure. Don't be greedy. What would Jesus do? (He certainly wouldn't be a Republican!!)

Se Sole, what would Jesus have done in this past election? One thing I know for sure is that He certainly wouldn't have voted for Obama either! How could Jesus vote for a President that stands for abortion and gay marriages? The very things we wouldn't even discuss in Samoan politics because innately, we know they're morally wrong. And if I make over $250,000 a year by the sweat of my brow, who the heck are you to tell me I should pay more taxes? Here's what I think the first order of business should be for Mr. President-elect Obama. He should decree that all those colored people that voted for him (including many Samoans) should pull themselves up by their boot straps and get a better education, work harder, and stop looking to the government for handouts (that should help get many young Samoans out of violent gangs in the US). I have a problem with big government, higher taxes, and social welfare programs that have created lazy and unmotivated people who suck the life out of society. And I don't get why Samoans in Samoa are so excited for Obama (can't stand his face on our newspaper web sites). What has he done for Samoa, anyway? I can understand if American Samoans who voted for him get excited. But Upolu? Common, the media people in Samoa should know better than that. Just stick with the Chinese! They've done more to build the Samoan infrastructure than all the American Presidents, including Mr. Obama, combined.

god bless America

Sole,

Your heart is in the right place, but your thinking and logic contradicts with your political views.
So you’re a Democrat and that’s fine, because we tolerate opposing views and ideas in an open society. But you spoke of “tax cuts” as if it’s a communist idea!?! Communism doesn’t give “TAX CUTS” Sole. SOCIALIST / COMMUNIST wouldn’t dare give those who produce and earned their earnings a “TAX CUT”. They just take from you and say it’s for the common good.

A Socialist/Communist takes from one class of wage earners and redistributes it to another class that didn’t do a thing to earn it. Ever heard or read of Karl Marx the Socialist/Communist author & architect; whose saying is, “From each according to their labor; to each according to their needs”?

If you haven’t then I suggest you research some of it and explain how taking from someone who produces and earned his/her wages in society; are penalized by a government to give some of it over to those who did nothing to earn it; make them better people in society?

Jesus Christ that you casually inject into your post wouldn’t even promote such “Class Envy” or behavior of taking from another if one feels like they’re “Entitled” to it. That definitely wouldn’t be “Christ like”.

“Jesus” didn’t preach socialism. He preached “Love and Charity”.

I would like to think that you’re not some “LEFTIST NUT” that thinks you’re “Entitled” to something for nothing; because electing Barrack Obama is now your “FREE MEAL TICKET”.

Try not to let us know that you’re wrapping yourself in your “PROUD COMMUNIST” mantra before you really understand the ideology of the two different parties.

Tax Cuts is a conservative ideology Sole; just so you know.

I don’t speak for others who have similar views on this forum who may not be able to articulate they’re thoughts and views on the topic of “TAX CUTS”. So I’ll enlighten you on some issues we can discuss if you wish to respond.

I’m a conservative/a fiscal conservative first before I’m a Republican. Meaning when I vote, I vote for someone that will keep my taxes as LOW as possible, Keep the government small & out of the people’s business & not taking over private corporations; & last but not least keep the military strong and ready in case “PROUD COMMUNIST” & Dictators are a threat to this great Nation.

Your political party is just the opposite Sole. And yes, I’m also embarrassed to say that my party is guilty of the over-spending in congress, outrageous earmarks in the Senate and the corruption that plagued the house of Republican congress who acted like socialist instead of fiscal conservatives. Not to mention an unpopular President that the American People can’t wait to see exit come January.

The more “TAX CUTS” a person gets in this country the better! But when our new President Elect Barrack Obama openly talks about “REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH” I see a Socialist/Communist.

Two separate issues to share with you. 95% of the American people don’t get a tax cut or break under Obama. The truth is 50% of 95% of the people Obama talks about do not pay earned income taxes. Those people break even or get something back at the end of the fiscal year taxes. More power to them! I don’t think they should pay any taxes and deserve to get tax credits that benefit them in getting money back.

The other 45% of wage earners pay taxes along with the top 5% pay 96.3% of the governments $1.3 trillion dollars in tax revenues.

So how and who defines wealth? Obviously Obama and Joe Biden have done that because only a socialist is able to put a “rich” X mark on the wage earners chart; and say, “this is what rich people make”.

My wife and I are well above the $250,000 a year mark and it’s because we earned it through hard work, sacrifice and risks in investments. When a politician tells the 50% of wage earners who pays no income taxes, they are getting a tax break; it actually means a “stimulus check” the same checks people got from President Bush.
While the other 50% of top wage earners get a tax increase to offset the governments generous “stimulus checks” along with the social welfare that politicians like President Elect Obama promised.

So on top of our 10% tithing to our faith as LDS members, the different charities we donate to and providing for our family; I have to worry about being taxed more because a politician made promises that are going to be costly?
I don’t think so! The top 50% of wage earners would rather pay a CPA $5,000-$50,000 easily to shelter their income and find ways of investing their earnings elsewhere; than to watch the government take it because Joe Biden says, “ITS PATRIOTIC” to pay more taxes.
Yeah, this coming from the Vice President Elect who knows how to hide his money through a personal CPA; while the middle class pays for his social service programs they push and promote in congress.

Anyhow, I’m long overdue on this and my point is: “Charity” is the true form of really helping the less fortunate along with certain government programs. Private Charities and the American people donate thousands of dollars to different private programs to provide goods and services to assist those in need. A lot of these programs are public or private programs with government over-site.

I highly doubt Obama is going to raise any taxes on the upper middle class anytime soon. Because that would be the kiss of death in his early first term as President. Obama will govern from center right on the tax issues and leave the Bush tax cuts alone, for now. The job creators and investors in this country will scramble to put their money elsewhere the moment those taxes go up. That means no new jobs and more jobs going overseas.
The déjà vu of Jimmy Carter 1976-1980 where 24% interest rates by banks and lenders to by a home where astronomical and unemployment at 28% were the fall of his first term in the white house to Ronald Reagan. Oh, and his botched Iran hostage crisis that started the Iranian revolution to the births of Hamas & Muslim extremist.

I only wish for the new President Elect to do well. I don’t ever wish a President to do awful because he has the interest of the country in his hands during his term in office.

But I know Mr. Obama will go from center right with the tax issues to center left when the moveon.org people start calling his number along with the left wing leaders in the house and senate; come knocking on his west wing door. Stay tuned. Time will only tell.

ha ha, what a joke, don't think it will ever happen. he or she won't even get off 1st base. Our own people will be the main ones pulling him down. you know how Samoans hate to see another Samoan get ahead? lol Its sad but very true..