US Elections 2008

. I have to tell you, amiga, since I am here in New York (1991), the American Presidential elections have always fascinated me. But this year it is absolutely awesome: it seems like a Democracy textbook and people are so naturally involved and interested in the process that nobody really knows what will happen. This time we can’t say that people are not participating. 

. The nomination of Barack Obama was something that was never expected a year ago, and it is so interesting, so weirdly competitive and exciting. The Democratic National Convention last week there was must see TV and what a production. It was really Chinese Olympics material (without a bunch of chinese forming images, of course). All seemed conclusive and the choice of Joe Biden balanced the ticket. Obama seemed to be the virtual choice. Then… three days later, John McCain announces his running mate: Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska – surprise! – and it changed everything. Then… when the Republican National Convention is scheduled to begin and hurricane Gustav threatens to land on… where else? New Orleans! Again, it changes everything. It would be hard to tops the grandeur of the Democratic Convention anyway.

. Gustav, the hurricane became an issue because of Katrina, two years ago. Hurricane Katrina was such a sad combination of bad decisions based on the fact that nobody really believed that something that tragic would happen that it would be naive to think that the same mess would happen again now. The media (and, for that matter, everybody else) here likes to blame the Bush Administration for the inaction during Katrina mainly because they really, really dislike George Bush. But deep inside we all know that it was really a bad combo of the local and state government trusting they were able to handle the situation alone, the local people arrogance and over confidence of not evacuating therefore making the task of removing everyone much more difficult (not counting those hideous rape reports and senseless looting) and the Federal Government coming too late when in fact that in these situations, “last minute” action can’t be that efficient but let’s face it, everything eventually happened somehow. This time everyone seems to get it but we all know that if the storm is not that bad it will start the cycle all over again. 

.Anyway, I will not be a citizen in time for these elections. But I am sooo curious to see its development and results. And I wonder what will really decide it: black candidate, old man, experience, woman, hurricane, Iraqis or the Germans… But ultimately, who will decide it is the American voters, divided, in their own say.  We will only know when it happens. Just like Gustav, the Hurricane…

. Life is still not that easy, amiga. But it is still worth the trouble.

Hope you’re fine.

Beijo, tchau

Marcia 

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