If The Elections Were Held Today, Who Would You Vote For President Of The United States And Why?

by Carlota Ader

In less than a month, the United States will vote for its new president who will lead the country. Issues such as the U.S. economy, inflation, tax, immigration and healthcare are front and center in this election.

To find the pulse of the local Filipino community, the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle reached out to six readers for their presidential pick.

HFC asked: If the elections were held today, who would you vote for President of the United States and why?

Fidel Hufana
Retired Mental Health Specialist, WaipahuI asked myself the other day if my family, my state, and my nation are better or worse off than they were four years ago at the start of the Biden-Harris administration. Record inflation levels only show how much more difficult life has been for the average American.

Next, look at how much violence and drug abuse have spiked especially with the recent “soft on crime but tough on cops” approach. And with Kamala Harris in charge of securing the border, there are now millions of illegals, many of them unvetted.

But I remember that we were doing much better during the four years of Trump’s presidency, perhaps eclipsing even the Reagan years. Trump forged peace between North and South Korea, and brokered a peace deal in the Middle East between Israel and its neighbors. I remember greater economic prosperity, secure borders and peace on the world stage.

But under Biden-Harris, there have been upticks in war, rising crime levels, rampant inflation, and social upheaval. And we can expect more of the same under Harris-Walz. I want all of that as much as a punch in the gut.

Trump for 2024!

Frobel Garcia

GUMIL Hawaii President and retired Thermal Insulation Engineer, KaneoheAs a resident of Hawaii and former union leader, I am voting for Kamala Harris for president because she brings the right combination of experience, values and policies to lead the country forward.

Her background as vice president, U.S. senator, and California attorney general shows she has the expertise to tackle the challenges we face as a nation. I support her commitment to expanding affordable healthcare to ensure that every American has access to quality medical care.

Her focus on economic equality, raising the minimum wage, providing tax relief for working families and making education and housing more affordable resonates with my priorities for a fair and just economy.

Harris’s firm viewpoint on climate change is another reason I’m voting for her. She understands the urgency of the climate crisis and supports bold action, including investments in clean energy and rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.

I also appreciate her dedication to social justice and reform, advocating for criminal justice changes, police accountability and dismantling systemic racism that affects marginalized communities. Additionally, Kamala Harris represents the diverse and inclusive leadership that I believe is essential for America’s future.

As the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to serve as vice president, she brings a unique perspective and a voice reflecting our country’s diversity.

For these reasons, I am confident that Kamala Harris is the right choice and her leadership will bring positive change to our country.

Gina Ganitano Foster

Registered Nurse, KapoleiI’m voting for Donald Trump. Democrats and the liberal media have for years painted Trump as evil, wanting us to hate him.

It matters to me that gas prices were low and housing costs were affordable when he was our president. I don’t care if he cheated on his wife—that’s between them.

I care that under Trump, inflation did not make the cost of living impossible. I care that there was once a brief period of peace in the Middle East and Europe while China and North Korea were kept from rattling their sabers.

I care that drug dealers, child sex traffickers, and terrorists are properly vetted so that their real intentions of entering our country are ascertained so that our communities truly remain as safe gathering places for our children, seniors, and every law-abiding citizen—not for rapists or murders to run wild.

I choose good over evil.

Joseph MirandaFood Industry Manager, Honolulu
I’m voting for Donald Trump. Inflation is one of the many problems that families in Hawaii are currently struggling with.

Everything now is so expensive, especially whenever we go grocery shopping. We notice that prices keep going up and we end up bringing home less. It’s the same for other expenses like gas, rent, tuition, and utilities.

I don’t remember the cost of living being so high. When Trump was president, it used to be way more affordable. But with inflation, it seems that the amount two people are paying for now, used to be enough for four.

So many people especially in Hawaii are living paycheck to paycheck but the federal government is not doing anything to lower prices. Instead, they focus on giving away billions of dollars to other countries and to illegals who don’t even belong in this country in the first place—instead of helping the residents of this country, those of us who pay taxes and are law-abiding U.S. citizens.

If Donald Trump did all the right things to make America great, I know he can do it once more.

Lilia Farinas-Herbon

Medical Technologist, Pearl CityI’m voting for Donald Trump. I think he is much better suited to deal with the rising power and threat from China. While serving as president, Trump implemented tougher trade policies with China, which included tariffs on Chinese goods.

His “America First” strategy prioritized American interests and his focus on national security concerns served to limit access by Chinese tech companies to U.S. markets. He also increased U.S. military presence in the Far East region which deterred Chinese aggression.

I also agree with Trump’s immigration policies which deported those individuals with criminal records, those who overstayed their visas and those who entered our country illegally. He also instituted bans on travel to certain countries for the sake of national security.

We are undoubtedly a nation of immigrants. But we must do so legally, rather than through illicit means. It is unfair for those who waited many years for their relatives to lawfully join them here in the U.S. while seeing others illegally cross the border and be granted legal status.

Margie A. Berueda

BusinessOwner and Filipino Business Women’s Association president, HonoluluIf the election is held today, I will vote for Kamala Harris. I think that she has the vision to help the middle class and small business owners like me.

If I’m going to hire a new employee for my company, I’m of course going to pick someone who has a clean record and is not a convicted felon.

Harris is a calm, steady, and honest leader who carries hope for a better future. She has promised to be a president for all Americans, demonstrating her support for the diverse range of people in this country. I think that her biracial identity and positive message of change represent a new way forward.

If Harris wins, I will take pride in knowing that I had a part in shaping history by voting for her—the first female to become president of the United States of America!

Jomar Pedro
Journeyman, Plumber, Pearl City
I’m voting for Donald Trump because he can continue to protect our nation like when he was the president. I was able to bring my kids to eat out once in a while but now, I can not because the food is too expensive. My relative petitioned for her brother ten years ago and up to now there’s no appointment yet scheduled for him so what is that?

Trump could propose better immigration laws and procedures to speed up the process of assisting families to come to America. I like the idea that Trump is looking at Immigration issues. I know that he can close the border if elected so these illegal people can’t enter the U.S. and deprive us Americans of jobs and enjoy better living with our families. Everything is too high even if it says “sale” on items like food or personal needs, it’s still higher than before so I’m banking on Donald Trump to come back and let us enjoy our lives with our loved ones going on trips or outdoor activities because then, I know it will be affordable.

Jean Pascual
Premier Financial Alliance (PFA), Waipahu
I’m voting for Kamala Harris. I’m supporting her because she stands on the topic of abortion and women’s health. An analysis shows that under Harris, more than one million new jobs would be added to the economy and household disposable income would rise more than a Trump presidency. I strongly believe that the middle class is the backbone of America.

The American Action Forum and Tax Foundation found that Trump’s tariffs would raise costs for American families and businesses. The foundation also found that tariffs as high as some of the ones Trump has threatened “will almost certainly” increase the risk of recession. So voters, wake up! Compare and pick a president who can help the younger generation. Join me for a better future under Kamala Harris!