(no subject)
Last US election, I was in the middle of the American grad school application process. US politics was one of my biggest reasons not to go; when I sat at my desk in the early morning watching the poll results roll in, I almost stopped the applications right there. Of course, I knew that the result would affect me no matter where I ended up spending the next four years.
I have, more now than then, plenty of critiques to make of the US political system that go far beyond who is running it. I don't think changing the person at the top can really alter all that much. But I still have to believe it can alter something, and I can't help being swept up in Obama. I've almost never come across a mainstream politician who inspired so much of my respect.
I made my decision four years ago in spite of my better judgment, and I don't regret moving here. I love many things about the US and California and my life here, and I will still love them no matter who wins tomorrow. But there are so very many things that I wish would change about this country, this force in the world, and if an election result can't do everything I would like, perhaps it can do something. At the very least something important and symbolic.
I am pretty sure that everyone on my flist who has a vote is voting, and voting for Obama or, in those safe "blue" states, the fringe left candidate of their choice. (If I had a vote, in California where there's no danger of Obama not winning, chances are high I would vote for McKinney. Although possibly Obama fever would carry me away on the day.) I won't insult you by reminding you to vote. Mainly I'm posting to cross my fingers and hold my breath along with everyone else. *crosses fingers, and wishes the best to all of you fighting the good fight making sure people are able to get their votes in*
I saw my first 'Yes on proposition 8' (gay marriage ban) sign today, in the window of a restaurant near my house. I was surprised at how hurt I felt to see that someone whose business I walk past every day wanted to 'protect' marriage from the likes of me and mine, given that if I had my way the institution of marriage would in fact not exist in its current form.
If I have to write this post again, it will be neither so measured nor so detached.
I have, more now than then, plenty of critiques to make of the US political system that go far beyond who is running it. I don't think changing the person at the top can really alter all that much. But I still have to believe it can alter something, and I can't help being swept up in Obama. I've almost never come across a mainstream politician who inspired so much of my respect.
I made my decision four years ago in spite of my better judgment, and I don't regret moving here. I love many things about the US and California and my life here, and I will still love them no matter who wins tomorrow. But there are so very many things that I wish would change about this country, this force in the world, and if an election result can't do everything I would like, perhaps it can do something. At the very least something important and symbolic.
I am pretty sure that everyone on my flist who has a vote is voting, and voting for Obama or, in those safe "blue" states, the fringe left candidate of their choice. (If I had a vote, in California where there's no danger of Obama not winning, chances are high I would vote for McKinney. Although possibly Obama fever would carry me away on the day.) I won't insult you by reminding you to vote. Mainly I'm posting to cross my fingers and hold my breath along with everyone else. *crosses fingers, and wishes the best to all of you fighting the good fight making sure people are able to get their votes in*
I saw my first 'Yes on proposition 8' (gay marriage ban) sign today, in the window of a restaurant near my house. I was surprised at how hurt I felt to see that someone whose business I walk past every day wanted to 'protect' marriage from the likes of me and mine, given that if I had my way the institution of marriage would in fact not exist in its current form.
If I have to write this post again, it will be neither so measured nor so detached.