Election from Afar
Well here they've put a lot of press into the U.S. elections (of course). Folks seem to believe as many U.S. Americans do, that our president-elect signals a positive change for the United States and abroad, including Latin America:
“América Latina no ha estado en la agenda de Estados Unidos en las últimas dos décadas, salvo el tema migratorio y el narcotráfico, creo que la esperanza es que haya una nueva visión desde Washington que permita establecer nuevas relaciones.” (political analyst)
Which basically translates to: Latin America hasn't been on the radar screen much in the U.S. in the past two decades except when talking about immigration and drug trafficking, and I/we're hoping that's now going to change.
That seems to be the consensus. Cautiously optimistic.
Me, I was a soggy mess last night. It was great to watch, and I stayed up late to hear Obama's speech. Most Americans I know down here are also quite pleased (there are only two Republicans I know of), as well as my German and Peruvian friends who watched for a bit last night. But it's not (yet?) a world-changer down here, so not a topic "around the water cooler."
For me, it's also pleasing to see that folks in Massachusetts (finally) said no to dog racing, yes to decriminalization of marijuana, and recognized overwhelmingly that income taxes are necessary to have a functioning government.
The only dark spot: California voters (propelled in no small part by a confusingly written amendment and millions of advertising dollars funneled in by out-of-state homophobes) decided to ban marriage for lesbians and gays. :(
Well in Massachusetts it'll remain legal, and California will change back one way or another. Meanwhile I'm very proud of my home state, and thankfully again, my country.