American Politics – A fascinating show

Let me start this off by saying that the political situation in South Africa is hardly a shining beacon of political nirvana. We’ve just had our existing president yanked from under our noses, ‘recalled’ and replaced by temporary one (who appears to be quite sensible, thank goodness) until April, at which time he will be replaced by the leader of the ruling party, a man of exemplary moral fibre. Husband and lover to at least four ‘official’ wives and several girlfriends, father to at least 18 children, he has been implicated in several fraud cases, knowingly slept with a HIV positive woman two years ago without protection, showering afterwards to prevent infection. So, take this from where it comes….

 

After months of resistance, on Friday night I eventually succumbed to the hype of American politics and wasted a good hour and a half trawling various blog posts and video clips about your presidential hopefuls and their running mates. 

 

American politics has always fascinated me. Actually, to this day, I still can’t understand how there can be only two (major) parties who apparently represent an either / or view on a variety of enormously diverse topics. I am fascinated how if you are a Republican, or a Democrat, it means you are for or against a check list of issues as diverse as abortion, debt relief, foreign policy, etc etc. How can one political party represent so much of who you are? How is that even possible? As I said, I don't quite get how it works there.

 

But I think therein lies part of my answer – here in South Africa, if you vote ANC, you are not an ‘ANC’ian’. If you vote DA, you are not a ‘Democratic Ally’. You vote for a political party; but that vote does not become part of how you identify yourself. In America, you are a Democrat. Or you are a Republican. It is how you identify yourself, and especially at a time like this. If being one or the other is part of how you identify yourself, then I suppose I can understand some of the passion.

 

Because, boy oh boy, has there been passion. I watch in amazement at how passionately you defend your political identity, and to be honest, I watch in horror at how polarized some of you have become. Such strong feelings, such vitriol. Very black and white, if I am to be right, you must be wrong. Either / or.

 

I think if I was American, I would probably vote Democrat because from the little I know, they seem to represent the majority of my views. But I have to say that after reading various blog posts, I actually felt sorry for that Palin woman. She is being attacked so viciously. Look, I must say, she doesn’t look like the sharpest tool in the shed, but wow – so much hatred and nastiness directed towards the poor woman. I'd hate to be her right now. She is on a hiding to nothing.

 

You know how it looks to me? It looks to me as if the people who are supporting Obama are doing so with an almost heroic worship. From reading blogs, twitter etc, I get the sense that his supporters are practically swooning with excitement. I get the feeling as if I am in a stadium, watching the fans swoon as their pop idol comes on stage. Not passing judgement on whether he deserves the swooning or not, just saying how it looks to me.  And the poor Republicans. They seem desperate to defend their leaders, old McCain and Palin. Looking for good, desperate to defend their choice. Much less swooning seems to be going on there.  But on both sides defensive and aggressive. Attacking. Frenzied feeding, always searching for weakness. Attack and destroy. Fascinating stuff.

 

Anyway, there is no point to this post really. It just has been interesting to watch from the distant outside. I hope which ever way it works out, it works out best for you, for your country, and of course for the rest of the world.

Isn't democracy a wonderful thing! 

Comments

[Em]

You know? I considered emailing to ask what you thought of the choices (being one of the only non American people I "know") but decided I was being conceited to believe anyone else had an opinion in American politics. I want so much not to be one of "those Americans". I know we aren't the only ones here.

I, personally, register as independant in order to be able to vote either way, and I have. My husband, silly man, is staunchly republican and will defend that party even when it is quite obvious they are wrong. I don't get it either. For what its worth, there are other parties, they just don't get the attention and respect of the country. They seem to be like the little brother (or sometimes, slow cousin) of American politics. Pat on the head and sent on their way.

It has seemed to me, as long as I have voted, that I have been choosing the lesser or two evils. Who will screw this up the least. But this time, I really am excited about Obama. I see, too, the rock star response he gets. I am not sure entirely what to attribute it to. The fact that he is an incredible orator? His age? The promise of change when we so desperately need it? Plus, he is kind of handsome, which, make no mistake, does not a president make - it just might account for a bit of the swooning.

I am curious how this will all work out. I'm very interested to know what other countries think of our candidates (if they care, that is).

[Stefanie]

Where I lived you don't have to register with party. I am an independent. I don't claim the other 2 because they are both corrupt! I can not wait for the election be over!

[Robin from Israel]

(living in Israel but born and raised in the US and a dual citizen - US and Israeli)

I think he gets the pop star treatment because he represents hope to a generation/population that desperately needs it, a modern-day Camelot (JFK) if you will.

Continuing the course that America is on is so deeply frightening to such a large percentage of the population that they are truly in need of a savior, and want desperately to believe that they have found one. Whether he'll turn out to be one or whether he'll end up just another political hack I can't say, but America owes it to itself, to its future, to give him the chance to find out. The alternative is not a future I want to contemplate.

[Lisa]

You make a v. v. good point about the two-party system. It is true that there are other parties, but none that truly have a shot (at least so far) at the presidency. I do wish there was a third party that had any clout. Not only for an additional choice of candidate during elections, but to perhaps be a "tiebreaker" to end the gridlock in our government.

As for the current election, I don't care much for Sarah Palin. Don't care what she does personally, but I don't want her (or anyone else's) strong religious views influencing our laws (should she become president). I do see the swooning to which you refer in regards to Obama also, and agree with Em's reasons above why that may be the case. This is also my first time to really be excited about a presidential candidate, and the first time ever that I have a campaign sign on my front lawn (Obama). Whatever happens, my wish is to see a wise leader who can unify this country and improve our relationship with the rest of the world. After the past 8 years, we sure need it!

So interesting to see how someone in another country views our political system. Thank you for sharing with us. :)

[Christine]

And you, dear Tertia, have hit the nail on the head. There are many truths in your post, from the polarization of the political parties, to the "Obama swoon" and the country's reaction to Sarah Palin. It seems that the nation insists on swaying drastically on the love or hate scale. It's more than bit disconcerting.

Hmmm, I am registered as independent. You would not believe how many folks are negative towards such a decision to remain without a party "Well, you must not be strong enough in your beliefs to decide!" Ah my friends, rather, I am strong enough in my beliefs to develop my own thoughts and perspectives and realize that not one party will have all the answers.

The nation's political system was not originally developed to only host a two party system, but it has developed into such a beast.

I'm very proud of my country, but I remember a quote that said "I'm a patriot, not a loyalist". I like that...I support my country, but I will not blindly follow any leader or group if I don't like where they are taking things. Typical American Chutzpah. ;)

[Beth]

I agree that Obama represents a definate change in the wind that we've all been waiting for. He also is a very very skilled orator, and can electrify an audience with his passionate delivery. (See a YouTube clip of his DNC speech 2004) I'm an independent too, due to the pathetic curruption of both parties. We met Senator Obama though, and both my daughter and I were awestruck. (We are NOT easily awestruck either!)

[kristylynne]

Ardent Democrat and Obama supporter here. I think we Dems are so excited about Obama because he's such a great candidate. Our last candidate was OK, but Obama just kicks ass. He's smart, highly educated, a great speaker, a good human being with (as far as we know) no skeletons in his closet, a family man, a dedicated social servant. He's a life success story - abandoned by his father, raised poor, and rose up to his position through hard work. I love the guy, and his positions on the issues of the day mirror my own quite well.

My in-laws are rabid Republicans. We got into a yelling match with them over Palin a couple of days ago. They refuse to accept that the woman doesn't know what she's talking about and has embarrased herself publicly on several occassions. I kind of feel sorry for Palin too, but on the other hand, she knew when she took the job that the Dems and media would try to tear her apart. If she wasn't up for it, she should have said no.

The Republicans and media have tried to tear Obama apart too, but it seems to roll right off. That's because he is firm in his convictions and eloquent in expressing them.

[Andrea]

I can only speak for myself, but I will say that I don't identify myself as a Democrat or as a Republican. And I will say that I have heard from BOTH sides that since I don't identify with THEM, I must be the OTHER. It's rather annoying for me. The Democratic party represents some of my opinions, the Republican party also represents some of my opinons. And some of my opionions are not represented or even addressed by either party.

The blog world LURVES to hate on the Republicans. As you said, they can tend to worship Obama. So even if I want to vote for him, I almost don't want to align myself with those haters and worshipers (often the same people). And although I agree with some Republican sentiments, some die-hard Republicans I know think all non-Republicans are atheist sodomizing irresponsible bra-burners, and I don't want to align myself with that thinking, either. Sigh. I wish there was a party that didn't have wackos vitriolicly supporting it.

My biggest problem is that I am apathetic, and think that neither party is going to make that big a difference to my life, anyway.

[Lila]

Another Israeli here. Please explain one thing I didn't understand and don't know (sorry for my ignorance). What do you mean by "registered as independent voter"? You have to register to vote, you are not automatically invited to vote? And when you register, isn't everybody an independent voter?

Don't eat me alive but I don't understand that system. I guess many people don't make an effort to vote if they have to register for it. So how high is your voter turnout?

I also don't get the two system party and the strong personalization of politics. And I, too, come from a political madhouse, too, Israel is really a rollercoaster as far as our government is concerned - but a rollercoaster that goes DOWNwards all the time >:-(

So I don't criticize I only wonder. Here in Israel we have probably too many parties. In my native Germany, there are five big parties. And there is also no registration for voters. You get an invitation from the place of residence where you are registered, and that's it.

I follow the American election drama with interest and find in both candidates much to support and admire. I'm sorry for their families, being dragged to the cruel limelights like that. I don't even know how President Peres' wife looks, honestly, and I'm an avid follower of local politics. But it's simply no issue at all. I fear the personal factor can drift into gossipy depths and cloud the objective issues at hand. Because you vote for a program, not only a person.

Palin, well, I'm ambivalent about her. On the one hand, kudos to a mother of five who does an important job and has the personal guts to take on such responsibility like a VP's job offer. She's my age, I have four children, and I can identify with her as a person. On the other hand, listening to her interviews, wow, she sounds a bit flimsy on many, many difficult questions. I'm sorry for her too, I think much of the vitriol against her is not founded on real problems but has irrational roots I prefer not to examine.

So I don't know what I would vote for if I was an American. But yes, I also follow the reports and watch the interviews and read blogs. It's wonderful that our world has become so easily accessible and we can learn so much from each other and about each other.
,

[Egg Donor]

Sarah Palin: thinks abortion should be illegal even in cases of rape an incest. Do you need to know much else about why some of us hate her so deeply? If so, how about the fact that she was largely selected to win over women voters, as though we care only about the gynecology of the vice president and are too dumb witted to consider her misogynistic policies. So yeah, on top of the fact that her policy views are abhorrent, it's also really insulting how she came to be selected.

[Em]

Lila,
I SO agree at how gossipy it seems. That I don't care for. With everything political, it's so hard to see through the smoke and mud. I admire Palin for what she has accomplished as a woman and a mother and I would LOVE to start seeing women in positions as powerful as president and vice president but not any woman and it's my personal opinion that she is underqualified. As my comment above reflects though, my husband disagrees (vehemently). I'm good on people having differing opinions.

As for registering, it is a simple process done at the city hall or even through the mail, I believe. You choose a party to affliate with or you choose to be independent and not join a party. Voter turnout is embarrassing. I looked online and it seems like the numbers are around 64% in 2004. That bothers me because of the sacrifices that we made for us to vote and for all of the people worldwide who would kill or die for the privlege. That said, I make it a point to learn about the candidates and the only thing that scares me more than people not voting is people voting without educating themselves first.

I get very nervous in political discussions because people do take it all very personally.

[Egg Donor]

Sarah Palin: thinks abortion should be illegal even in cases of rape an incest. Do you need to know much else about why some of us hate her so deeply? If so, how about the fact that she was largely selected to win over women voters, as though we care only about the gynecology of the vice president and are too dumb witted to consider her misogynistic policies. So yeah, on top of the fact that her policy views are abhorrent, it's also really insulting how she came to be selected.

[Em]

Excuse me, where I wrote "we made" was meant to be "were made". The only sacrifice I've made to vote is to go out in the rain. Which is kind of my point

[Beth]

The reason I hate Sarah Palin, if I may use such a strong word, is that her views are completely offensive to me as a woman. As someone said, she is completely "pro-life", which means she wants to take away a woman's right to reproductive freedom. With several of our Supreme Court Justices nearing retirement or death (they serve a life-long term), whoever the next President is will probably have opportunity to nominate at least one Justice, maybe more. The goal of the pro-lifers is to stack the court with pro-life Justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade. Depending on who wins this election there is the very real possibility that we and our daughters will have our rights severely limited. These people are also against stem cell research, and in several states, are trying to make it illegal to do IVF (as they believe each embryo should have full human "rights"). As someone who is currently pregnant from IVF, this makes my skin crawl.

As if that isn't enough, Sarah Palin also is a creationist who believes that the earth is 6000 years old and that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time. I'm a Christian myself, and certainly don't object to someone having a personal faith, but I'd be quite nervous having someone in high office who has so little respect for common sense and scientific evidence.

In that same vein, Sarah Palin also denies that global warming exists, or that climate change is affected by human activity. She is not a conservationist; in fact, believes that polar bears should NOT be on the endangered species list even though their habitat is melting out from under them as we speak. She's adamant about drilling for oil in the Alaskan wilderness; and would never favor policies that would protect the environment from destruction.

Plus, she's arrogant, snarky, divisive, and just plain unqualified. Why would I like her? Why would I want to see her a heartbeat away from the Presidency of my country? It would be a total nightmare...

[Niki]

It was great to read your outside views Tertia. I think you are very right. I'm republican, and why I might not always align myself directly with the parties views, it is often the theology behind how those opinions are made. Rep are all about personal responsibility and small government, and dems are more about having the government regulate everything, trade, medical etc. As for Palin, I'm amazed at how narrow minded some people are about her but then openly welcome Obama. The Republicans in office don't want to make abortions illegal, they want Roe vs. Wade overturned and for it to be handled on the state level because Republicans don't think it's the federal governments right to make such a decision- which goes back to small government.
Both sides are so very passionate about their opinions! I also can't wait for the election to just be over with!

[auburn]

passions are running high because the stakes are very, very high in this election. Between the economy and the war Americans are feeling far more vulnerable than we have in generations. We are getting personal with our criticism of politicians because the stakes are feeling very personal.

[Paz]

oh geez. I live in Washington, DC and I am ready for the election to be over. Both parties are guilty of ridiculous behavior. Have you seen the Palin interview with Katie Couric? Here is a link for anyone interested. She is ill-prepared to be so close to presidency. Ughh!

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/220136.php

Can we get back to matters related to IF now, pleeeeasssseee.

[Anny]

Also- being a "registered member" of a party does not mean anything really because when it comes time to vote you can vote for whoever you want regardless of your registered party. I think the only time it comes into play is during the primaries because in some states you can only vote in whichever party you are registered with.

[Tam]

PP's are saying "independent voter" but I think they mean "NON-PARTISAN". "Independent" is one of the registered voters. Ralph Nader
ran as an Independent. I am registered as "non-partisan" so I can vote in the primary elections (where we narrow the candidates).

I live in Anchorage, Alaska so I'm pretty familiar with Sarah Palin as our Governor. I voted for her as Governor (she was the lessor of 2 evils) but will not vote for her as VP! She's pretty much as you see her ~ straight talk but way too conservative! (for me) She believes in absence instead of sex ed & now she has pg 17 year old...HELLO SARAH!!! Did that theory work? NO!

America is in a bad way & people need to wake up. The current admin is responsible for the poor economic state we're in ~ it's sad. Yesterday in Anchorage there was a huge rally where a few thousand people showed up for an anti-Palin rally. That's a lot of people for Anchorage (Population about 380,000 on a sunny day).

Anyway, thanks for the interesting topic Tertia & glad that you're tuned in on the inpending election.

T

[Chicago]

Ah, Tertia. Your observations and questions about our whacked political system are so spot on it's almost hard to believe you've only just started checking us out. We haven't always been so polarized, nor has political party always been so tied up in one's identity. Happily, I live in the the state of Illinois where we do not have to declare a political party in order to vote in the primaries. (The primaries are preliminary elections where members of a particular party actually run against each other for the honor of representing their party to run against the other party for a particular office). I can vote in the Democratic primary one year and the Republican party the next. Which is good for me because I am an independent.

That said, I am one of those "over the moon" pro-Obama people. I was an infant when John F. Kennedy was killed. Al my life I've wondered why he was so revered when he was only president for such a short time (under 3 years) and had some major international crises handled less than perfectly on his watch (The Bay of Pigs and The Cuban Missile Crisis). I've always been told that it was because he inspired hope and service to others in the people of the U.S. This seemed so weird to me because I couldn't imagine any of the presidents in my lifetime inpiring me in that way.

Then four years ago Barack Obama gave a nationally televised speech as a relative uknown. It was mesmerizing. He described a kind of healing he believed could happen in our polarized, fractured country -- a country torn right down the middle by the presidency of George W. Bush. It was a country I knew we could be again under Obama's leadership. He wasn't even in the Senate yet, so imaginging he might be president some day seemed ludicrous, much less that it could actually be in four short years. I think it is this hope -- for the kind of country we've been told our lives that the U.S. is, even while seeing very little evidence of it -- that makes people so unabashedly devoted to Obama.

The truth is, I agree with Obama on many more policies that I do McCain, but not on everything. Which is why I can't officially call myself a Democrat. McCain used to be very respected by the Democratic party as a Republican who was most like them, but he has tossed all that goodwill aside in order to try and win this election and it is sad to see. He is a legitimate, inpiring hero and I want to respect him and be for him. I just can't.

And, as for Palin, we've endured eight years of a president who wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. With McCain's age and medical history, Palin has probably the best shot of any recent potential VP to wind up president and I just don't think we can risk it with her. I don't know that we've ever had a major party candidate with less experience than she has and it scares me that feminists will vote for her just because she's a woman, even though she doesn't believe in core issues that are important to women like equal pay for equal work. I think the snarkiness you read in left-leaning blogs is due to the frustration that women may be for her without knowing what she stands for.

[Sassy]

I've been waiting to hear your thoughts on the political situation in SA. It looks pretty messy from here.

[Sakoro]

The people who tend to comment on news websites or blogs tend to be WAY more partisan/ fervent about their candidate than the general population. If everyone were that partisan, we wouldn't have any of those undecided swing voters.

I think some of those people are paid to spend all day inserting pro/com comments. Also, as you have found, the anonymity of the internet brings out the worst in us. No, people don't insult each other like that in real life because someone supports a different candidate!

I'm registered as a Democrat, but would consider voting for a Republican depending on the particular situation/ candidate. However, the Bush administration has been very partisan e.g. you're either with us or against us, if you question anything we say, you are supporting the terrorists. As a result, Obama really appeals to me right now. I believe he can restore America's standing in the world, which is at an all-time low at the moment.

Zuma=scary, that's all I can say. And thank god Dr. Beetroot got the boot at long last!

[Kimberly]

Oh Tertia...what a can of worms you've popped open here! ;)

There are other options. I am a member of the Libertarian party and believe you me, I get SUCH crap from people from both parties when I tell them I'm voting for neither one. (Have I mentioned being called a traitor to my gender because I wouldn't support Hillary Clinton?) The crap comes mostly from one party's supporters, though. The other side isn't as judgmental. I'll let you figure out which side is which.

And I do feel sorry for Sarah Palin. She's been scrutinized more than any Vice-Presidential candidate I can remember. She's too socially conservative for my tastes, but people are mocking her religious beliefs and what she named her children, for goodness' sakes!

We're going to have more of the same no matter who gets into office. McCain missed 64% of the Senate votes this term - he's #1 in missed votes. Obama missed 45.9% - #3 in missed votes. You know who's #2? A guy who had a freaking brain hemorrhage! If they don't care about their constituencies right now, I have little faith they'll care about the rest of us once they get the top job.

[pdxem]

I am also an independent voter. We dont have to have party affiliation here.

[Amyinbc]

As a Canadian I know little about American politics (but more than the average American knows about CANADIAN politics for sure!) It would seem if you run for office your life IS scrutinized, critiqued and torn apart. Brutal stuff.