Another election '08 post...
The blogosphere is buzzing with news of Obama’s win. Around the world people are jubilant, hopeful and excited. Others are pleased, but wary. Other still, I’m sure, are disappointed for whatever reason.
In the US there seems to exist a true feeling of optimism for the future. The world has been going in a downwards spiral for a number of years now, and until Tuesday it felt close to hitting bottom. We’re certainly not out of danger yet, but there is certainly a feeling that with Obama at the helm there is hope for the future, no matter how slim.
I’m often wary of getting too involved with the politics of other nations. Canada held their elections recently, and most of the world didn’t even know, let alone care. Both Australia and France had elections within the last year, but for the life of me I can’t tell you when. I hate admitting my own ignorance, but I can’t even pretend otherwise. I’ve never even voted in Britain or The Bahamas, two countries where I hold citizenship (albeit through no fault of my own. I’ve never been over 18 in Britain during an election, and The Bahamas doesn’t allow proxy voting).
But America is different.
Sure, we slam the country for being arrogant, self obsessed, and for getting involved in the business of others. We criticize its influence on the western world’s economy and culture, its warmongering nature and its self-proclaimed leadership of the free world. We criticize seeing Obama bumper stickers on Bahamian cars, Obama posters in the UK and Obama t-shirts in Japan. We think, ‘hey, it’s not your election’.
But in some ways it is our election. For all of our bitching, America is almost inextricably the leader of the free world. It does shape the globe in a myriad of ways, and the lives of almost everyone on earth is intrinsically tied to the success of the United States. I joked the other day that the world should be allowed to vote in the US election… the US meddles in the world so much, why shouldn’t the world meddle in the US. I was being facetious, of course, but in some ways I do feel that. We’re all so affected by American policies and actions that it is our election, and maybe we should have some kind of influence over it.
But back to Obama. Starting in January America will have a young president, an intelligent president, a president who will be able to bring change to the United States, and to the world. America will have a president who isn’t influenced by the religious right and will move the country’s attitudes forward into the 21st Century. American will have a president who inspires hope, who creates optimism, and who will help America reach its potential. The US, under the Republicans, took advantage of a world that loved it well. Obama will help to rebuild that old reputation and will lead the world, not as a dictator but as an ally, in solidarity with its global brothers, into a brighter future.
Finally, I do have to say a few words about John McCain, particularly his concession speech. He was eloquent, honourable, and accepting of his loss. Rather than criticize Obama one last time, he held out his hand in friendship, support, and respect to his new president. His concession, where he took the high road, made up for all of his negativity and mistakes throughout his own campaign. America is headed for a brighter future, and both John McCain and Barack Obama will be a part of it.
In the US there seems to exist a true feeling of optimism for the future. The world has been going in a downwards spiral for a number of years now, and until Tuesday it felt close to hitting bottom. We’re certainly not out of danger yet, but there is certainly a feeling that with Obama at the helm there is hope for the future, no matter how slim.
I’m often wary of getting too involved with the politics of other nations. Canada held their elections recently, and most of the world didn’t even know, let alone care. Both Australia and France had elections within the last year, but for the life of me I can’t tell you when. I hate admitting my own ignorance, but I can’t even pretend otherwise. I’ve never even voted in Britain or The Bahamas, two countries where I hold citizenship (albeit through no fault of my own. I’ve never been over 18 in Britain during an election, and The Bahamas doesn’t allow proxy voting).
But America is different.
Sure, we slam the country for being arrogant, self obsessed, and for getting involved in the business of others. We criticize its influence on the western world’s economy and culture, its warmongering nature and its self-proclaimed leadership of the free world. We criticize seeing Obama bumper stickers on Bahamian cars, Obama posters in the UK and Obama t-shirts in Japan. We think, ‘hey, it’s not your election’.
But in some ways it is our election. For all of our bitching, America is almost inextricably the leader of the free world. It does shape the globe in a myriad of ways, and the lives of almost everyone on earth is intrinsically tied to the success of the United States. I joked the other day that the world should be allowed to vote in the US election… the US meddles in the world so much, why shouldn’t the world meddle in the US. I was being facetious, of course, but in some ways I do feel that. We’re all so affected by American policies and actions that it is our election, and maybe we should have some kind of influence over it.
But back to Obama. Starting in January America will have a young president, an intelligent president, a president who will be able to bring change to the United States, and to the world. America will have a president who isn’t influenced by the religious right and will move the country’s attitudes forward into the 21st Century. American will have a president who inspires hope, who creates optimism, and who will help America reach its potential. The US, under the Republicans, took advantage of a world that loved it well. Obama will help to rebuild that old reputation and will lead the world, not as a dictator but as an ally, in solidarity with its global brothers, into a brighter future.
Finally, I do have to say a few words about John McCain, particularly his concession speech. He was eloquent, honourable, and accepting of his loss. Rather than criticize Obama one last time, he held out his hand in friendship, support, and respect to his new president. His concession, where he took the high road, made up for all of his negativity and mistakes throughout his own campaign. America is headed for a brighter future, and both John McCain and Barack Obama will be a part of it.