Congratulations, President-Elect Obama
OK, it's been a long time since I've posted. I haven't had much to say.
As some of you may know, I follow American politics pretty closely (well, more closely than the average American, which may not be saying very much). I also tend to have pretty good faith in opinion polling, so Obama's election came as no surprise to me. It was a joyous evening, to be certain, and I very much felt that it was certainly validation for intellectuals -- a group that I identify with, despite perhaps not belonging entirely to it. Obama's appeal to young voters, and his willingness to listen to them, is a step in the right direction. I have often griped about the American youth's apathy towards politics, and while there is a long way yet to go, I hope that this election motivated young people in America to educate themselves and form rational, logical opinions on American policy. This is the first step to an educated electorate -- it's much too late to educate older Americans, many of whom are prejudiced and bigoted, harboring beliefs that cut sharply against logic. Others vote for leaders they "can have a beer with". Bluntly put, I think this is all sorts of stupid; you're electing the most powerful person in the world, not someone to invite to your next shindig or soiree. However, if the youth can embrace smart governance, there may be hope yet for our nation's future.
What prompted me to make this post was, interestingly, an opinion piece by New York Times columnist Frank Rich. You can read the column here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09rich.html
He expresses pretty well all the reasons why I have, finally, been able to relish this election, which, up until now, I have not had the chance to truly appreciate.
It will be nice to have a president -- a government -- I admire and support. I don't think I ever knew what it's like to be proud of our country, having become aware during the late 90s and early 00s, but I look forward greatly to being able to take pride in being American.
As some of you may know, I follow American politics pretty closely (well, more closely than the average American, which may not be saying very much). I also tend to have pretty good faith in opinion polling, so Obama's election came as no surprise to me. It was a joyous evening, to be certain, and I very much felt that it was certainly validation for intellectuals -- a group that I identify with, despite perhaps not belonging entirely to it. Obama's appeal to young voters, and his willingness to listen to them, is a step in the right direction. I have often griped about the American youth's apathy towards politics, and while there is a long way yet to go, I hope that this election motivated young people in America to educate themselves and form rational, logical opinions on American policy. This is the first step to an educated electorate -- it's much too late to educate older Americans, many of whom are prejudiced and bigoted, harboring beliefs that cut sharply against logic. Others vote for leaders they "can have a beer with". Bluntly put, I think this is all sorts of stupid; you're electing the most powerful person in the world, not someone to invite to your next shindig or soiree. However, if the youth can embrace smart governance, there may be hope yet for our nation's future.
What prompted me to make this post was, interestingly, an opinion piece by New York Times columnist Frank Rich. You can read the column here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09rich.html
He expresses pretty well all the reasons why I have, finally, been able to relish this election, which, up until now, I have not had the chance to truly appreciate.
It will be nice to have a president -- a government -- I admire and support. I don't think I ever knew what it's like to be proud of our country, having become aware during the late 90s and early 00s, but I look forward greatly to being able to take pride in being American.