<To start with I claim no expertise with either Canadian or American politics/economics or their respective politicians/adherents, parties and assorted hooligan fellow travellers.
>
I have to say Ron, that most folks here wouldn't believe it if I told them that I had studied U.S. politics at University for quite a while. Being Canadian, some folks would say that I don't know a). The country b). The issues c). The candidates d). The electorial process e). Jack Shit. LOL.
Yes, Ron, it does indeed affect me, just as the American economy taking a header into the toiletski affects the Canadian economy and is trying to find a partner to float with while the Coriolis Effect plays itself out. I have and will always blame the greed heads and the money mad for creating most of our problems. Those jackasses, the religious extremists, the power mad and easily bought and paid for politicians. Have I forgotten anyone?
I have watched the candidates being selected by their respective parties. I have watched the "final" two select their running mates. I have come to the conclusion that they may be what America wants/deserves. Now now, just listen for a little longer.
Other than Pappy and Df, both whom I respect greatly, I may have the longest view here of Canada and American politics. While Beth, Eric and a number of you may know FAR more about recent politics in the states, the electorial process, how the system works down there, "I" know Canadian politics and the impact of America's selecton better than probably most of you "down there." I live here and experience the fallout of what happens down there and the ripple effect, impact it has up here.
Since we just recently elected the same minority Progressive Conservative gov't with Steven Harper remaining as Prime Minister, with a greatly depleted Liberal party as the official opposition party; there is no strong mandate or political will from the people.
We had the lowest voter turn out EVER, with only 58.9% of the registered voters casting a vote in this past federal election. What does it mean?
To me it means that the average Canadian voter is split on a number of issues, that they are sick and tired of the bullshit, broken promises, irresponsibility of past and present governments and have little faith in the future vis a vis effective government representation of the "people" vs. special interest groups.
To my eye as a Canadian and one with a goodly number of cousins and friends living in the states, I feel that America has reached a crossroads; politically, economically and morally. Both candidates have their strengths and weaknesses. You know that all quite well by now and there is no need for me to enumerate each and every one to "prove" to any of you that I am "cognizant and aware" of what is going on with this election.
Have I followed it as closely as most of you? No. Have I followed it quite closely; yes. Probably even more so than my own country's feeble and sad attempt at electing a majority government with a clear and precise mandate. <Not that a clear and precise mandate will translate itself into clear and precise thinking, action, results and policies. We all know the impact of in-party wrangling, pork barrelling and special interest groups and extra country influences. Need I remind anyone of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow, the most advanced fighter of it's time, soft wood issue et al and the international court decision?
>
Historically, the United States for a long time tried to exercise and stick to an isolationalist policy. They didn't enter the WW1 until 1917. They didn't enter WW2 until almost 1942. With the U.S. troops in Iraq and Canadian troops in Afghanistan, North American influence has extended around the globe. From turning it's back on the rest of the world to influence peddling and intrusive manipulation in foreign governments and ill advised short term expedient policies, the U.S. and Canada are guilty of massive political stupidities.
Two of the greatest countries in the world, with the potentially the greatest citizens and the best natural resources (with the exception of the Amazon basin) have blown almost every opportunity given/presented to them.
Have we had our successes: of course. But it is what we are capable of and how far from that by which we have missed the mark; that is the disturbing part. I surely hope we do better: for ourselves, our descendants and the future world.
How do I feel, what do my instincts tell me? Relevant or not, just this. I think Colin Powell lost a lot of credibility with me when he backed Obama and said it wasn't about race. Umm, no you don't. It seems it is always about race, sadly, in some way, shape or form.
However, let's not forget about power, sex, greed, influence and control. It is also about them. I don't think Obama is the right person of colour to be the first man of colour in office. I flat out don't trust him. He is far too glib. Past history and affliliations have a impact on my assessment of him and his future potential actions.
John McCain I don't trust for other reasons. Rich will protect rich. *sigh* I think it comes down to that I think Obama is for himself and has his own agenda, whatever that may be. Does McCain have the same? Well, duh.
Which "agenda" is potentially less harmful. Let's see: selling out the armed forces, pulling out of Iraq, more government spending and higher taxes vs. same old, same old with rich pricks and influence pedalling? Cripes! Does this shit ever end? Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Do "I" have a legitmate solution? Are you serious? Pfftt. I dig ditches for a living.
What do I know? I do know that the greedy assholes in the lending, banking institutions and on Bay/Wall Street helped us "circle the drain" economically while sucking as much money out of the average joes pocket as fast as they can for their own demented purposes and gain. This shit has to stop, NOW! CEO and other company head honcho remuneration has to reflect the job they do, not their greed or massive egos.
Would I like to see a person of colour in office here or in the states? You betcha! Would I like to see a woman in either office? Well, we had Kim Campbell for a while but that didn't last long. In answer to my own question, yes. Or even, horror of horrors (to the white male rightists) a woman of colour in office? Sure! They couldn't do any worse a job than the current crop of fools have done and they may even be capable of doing a better job than anything/anyone we've had north or south of the border to date.
The critical issue is would they be allowed to do what is in the best interest of the "country?" Aye, there's the rub. Great intentions are like buttholes: everyone has one/them. Good intentions aren't what makes the boat float. Being able to gather and CONTROL the neccessary votes/support on key/critical issues that come to the house/parliament are what counts. Being able to know when to make appropriate compromises at the right time WITHOUT selling out/deviating from the path to a better future for the citizens AND country, is critical. Knowing when to say NO, this is the way it is going to be; is just as critical.
The Patriot Act is a dangerous precedent for the American people, American law, American justice and future. Your own past presidents and great men have stated explicitly and categorically that "the demise of America will not come from without but from ourselves and within." (Paraphrased) The surrendering of civil liberties, an increment at a time, is still surrender. Those that exploit fear thru the trumpeting of "terrorist threats" to strip your liberties and rights are not doing you, themselves or the country AND democracy any favours, now or in the future.
Yet, we still have not learned to deal with our own internal issues: past history, vis a vis African Americans, First Nations People, current history: immigration, undue influence of business and the ultra wealthy, skewed representation, the ecology and attendant hysteria therewith.... the list is endless. the tasks before us a long uphill struggle.
After all this who do I "choose" or believe in? Have I lost my faith in the future, Canada or the U.S.? I would vote for McCain as the lesser of two evils, although, given everything and the changing nature of geopolitical circumstances, I could be dead wrong. It is always a crap shoot with whom you get, what they are willing to try to do and what they end up accomplishing.
Hope? I hope for a fair and honest election. Okay, pick yourselves up off the floor.
I hope that who all y'all elect truly has the best interest of the country and your people in mind and in their heart and ACTIVELY pursue those interests to the best of their abilities in a courageous and responsible fashion. I hope that if McCain is elected that he and his Vice President Palin do the best they can to right the economy and do the best they can on a regular basis for the most Americans, not just for the rich or special interests.
I hope that if Obama is elected that he isn't assassinated which would set America and the world back irrevocably. He and Joe Biden are a formidable team but are they the right team at the right time? I truly don't know and can't say. All I feel is that they don't represent the needs of the country at this time. I also believe that the Latino "vote" may be a huge influence on this election. Interesting that a lot of Latinos aren't that keen on Obama.
The only person/persons I trust and believe in are the "average joes" in Canada and the U.S.. I believe most people want to be fair, are not unduly greedy or stupid and believe that to get ahead as a group we all have to be fair, honest and equitable in our dealings with each other, to the best of our abilities.
I believe that the average joe is the greatest strength of our respective countries. The only way to know true humility is to have struggled and failed. To have wanted and gone wanting. It is only thru resolve and failure, courage developed thru the tempering of the human spirit that "man" can evolve into something greater than our beginnings and present state and situation. Spirit and faith are key here.
It is the will of the average person, to a great extent, that determines what may come. Special interest groups will come and go, terrorists and wars will come and go (the sooner the better with the sh*theads that think violence and coercion are the answer or extremists/bullies of any stripe be they religious, moral, economic, or military.)
Rightly or wrongly, I believe the key to a country's greatness starts and stays with the individual.
May God bless us all so that we may know what is morally right, not just expedient at the time and in the short term. To have the courage to try to understand our duty to ourselves, each other and the coming generations.
To have the right amount of moral fiber to resolve to do the best by the planet; our mother earth whom we have abused mightily but who has forgiven most of our transgressions but will tolerate little more.
To our present and future leaders: may they always have the courage to chart the course to a better "sustainable and fair to all" future that honours the moral relevancy/spirit of man made and natural law; not just the letter of it.
Finally, for each and every one of us to have empathy and compassion for and with each other in acknowledging our differences and similarities and to understand that thought before action may have a greater impact than we think.
There ya go, Ron. Happy now?
P.S.: That was long winded even for me. I think I need a nap.
P.P.S.: I am greatly relieved that Hilary Clinton didn't make it thru. Or John Edwards. Both of dubious moral certainty, to my mind.
