Too Close to Call

The seemingly endless US Presidential campaign is finally drawing to a close, and the American people have a 50% chance of proving my strong belief that democracy doesn’t work. Its innate weakness is the inability of the majority to ponder deeply on the challenges of a global society – and the likelihood that showmanship (money and spin) will trump substance. Put simply, most people don’t know what’s good for them.

The remaining choices for US President exemplify this particular flaw. While the Democrats have promised healthcare reform, and end to the war in Iraq, middle-class tax cuts and to pay attention to the imploding economy – the Republicans are responding with character traits like honour, bravery, experience and propensity to fire a high powered firearm. With most polls showing a dead even race, I can’t help but wonder how this can be so?

Now, McCain has been drifting to the right ever since he last failed to get to the White House in 2000. His former reasonable stances on immigration, abortion, and foreign policy have dissolved in a froth of expediency. His pick of Sarah Palin as running mate, has confirmed that he’s out of drifting room and has crashed aground on Right-Wing Extremist Island. Sarah doesn’t think there is ever a justification for abortion. She’s a gun enthusiast (nut), has no real concept of foreign policy (except living across the water from Russia!), and very recently wondered aloud (and on camera) exactly what is it that the VP does… She was chosen specifically to appeal to the small town folk stereotype that she epitomises – and for the time being, it seems to be working.

I remain hopeful that sanity will prevail. Obama is a strong, articulate man. He’s not only got sound policy positions, but a star quality usually lacking in Democrats (excluding Bill of course). He’s chosen wisely in the experienced Joe Biden as his running mate. Together, they are the intelligent, non working class, non-small town types that I feel should be in charge of leading the free world.

Unfortunately, the international appeal of smart, reasonable men runs a strong chance of succumbing to the US tendency to choose conservative zealots who remind them of themselves. For my sake and yours, I hope this time will be different.