US Elections: Who To Vote?
The US elections is probably the most internationally watched political struggle to the top of office in one of the most influentially political and cultural countries in the world; land of the free and home of the brave. Also home to the world's largest military industrial complex, spending more than all the military budgets of the United Nation members put together.
The international audience can be any number of Americans or non-Americans, or even un-Americans (depending on whether bin Laden gets cable in his cave), watching from any number of countries in their own living rooms, even without the excitment of being able to text in your vote to a 0900 number at 50p per text, such as that on Big Brother. And why not? You have the long months leading up to the final winner, like in BB. You have the scandals and gossip smeared all over the contestants, like in BB. You have the ex-beauty pageant celebrity with pregnant 17-year old daughter. Like in BB. What's not to like? But when you come to ponder who your favourite presidential candidate is for this fall's elections, it seems like it couldn't be any more of a no-brainer. If you're an not in the US.
Unlike the Americans who are plighted in their own domestic issues, many facing job losses in the tumbling economy, we immerse ourselves only with global issues such as global warming, trade, foreign policies, diplomacy and predominantly the war in Iraq. It seems then that Barak Obama becomes an obvious choice, even if only compared to Senator McCain. The Germans gathered in adoration for Obama's speech in Berlin. Scoring useless points with people who can't even vote for him! Silly man, you may say. So attention-seeking you may say. Like... like Britney or Paris Hilton you might say.
My thoughts exactly. McCain's campaign took this great opportunity to attack, criticising him for a useless tour abroad and waste of resources that could otherwise have been spent connecting with the Americans at home. This I hope is wrong.
Because Berlin this year, has no longer just been remembered for it's history of dictatorship when a man before Obama took to the podium before crowds of German people. By taking his campaign abroad, Obama has demonstrated his incredible likeability on the continent, and perhaps hints that his leadership will return America to the pre-Bush administration era. I hope that it is a sign of things to come. That America will restore her respect from citizens of the world, and return faith to her people, who long ago felt their flag was hijacked. There is no promise of perfection. But there is promise it will not be like the last 8 years.
So then, it is almost unheard of for non-Americans rooting for McCain unless you have some political agenda or diplomatic relation that contractually obliges your nose into Bush's colonic cavity *cough*Tony Blair. In the last 8 years, I can't think of anybody outside of politics or isn't a neo-fascist journalist who has a strong support for Bush, to the point where not liking Bush has become a fashion statement both on American soil and abroad. So if no one liked Bush then, why like the next Republican guy who voted for Bush's policies 100% this year and 90% in 2007 with a strong record of supporting the war in Iraq?
"Is Palin qualified for office" still seems to be the question on everyone's minds. Truth be told, I’m a little disappointed at the playground negative tactics both sides have been using. But I was particularly appalled at some of the slurs and aggression from some of McCain’s audience, although he’s made effort to tame this. Leech correctly points out however, that responding to a woman who calls Obama an "Arab" by saying "he's not an Arab, he's a decent family guy" implies you can only be one or the other. And I feel so racist for not having seen that implication coming. I am a strong believer the results of this election has potential to affect the course of global events greatly. McCain and Palin have earned respect and a reputation from Democrats for going against various core Republican issues. Palin who is anti-abortion even when an underaged girl is raped, did not push a bill to make it illegal in Alaska because she believed it infringed the constitution and/or rights of women, and McCain with his already well-established maverick status. Nonetheless, I can’t come to terms with the possibility of a man who has a track record in recent years, supported most of Bush’s policies including his vigorous support for the war. His comments on Russia’s invasion of Georgia and President Putin at a recent town hall meeting I believe very much shows that his presidency will bring no change to the status quo of America’s reputation around the world; one of aggression and not diplomacy. Palin on the other hand likes to describe herself as a pitbull with lipstick, a hockey mom from a small conservative fundamentally religious right-wing town. She will no doubt play a big part in how America deals with the mess in the Middle East in the coming decade if elected. Imagine that this couple will be the ones sat face to face with leaders of other superpowers like Russia to discuss delicate issues such as Georgia, then the possibility of invading Iran, and inevitably the ties between US and islamic countries. Then they sing the theme to Team America, high five each other and shout together "fuck yeah!" before putting on lipstick and going to a hockey game.
So Obama’s not got the most impressively filling political resume and some say he’s glamorised too much. But I’d rather put my money on the guy who
may offer change, than the guy whom I already know won’t.
"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961
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