This is American democracy - anyone can worm and talk and inspire and cheat their way up.
I accompanied my friend and Chicago host, Chipo, to her polling station and watched her cast her ballot. She'd tried to do early voting on Saturday but she only had her car share for an hour and since the queues were so long, she was going to do it on Election Day. The same day she was going to volunteer in Voter Protection in Wisconsin and then come back in the afternoon to vote back at her precinct in Chicago. however, until the last minute, she was not given a precinct to go and protect so she ended up having the whole day off and, I got to accompany her when she voted.
I accompanied my friend and Chicago host, Chipo, to her polling station and watched her cast her ballot. She'd tried to do early voting on Saturday but she only had her car share for an hour and since the queues were so long, she was going to do it on Election Day. The same day she was going to volunteer in Voter Protection in Wisconsin and then come back in the afternoon to vote back at her precinct in Chicago. however, until the last minute, she was not given a precinct to go and protect so she ended up having the whole day off and, I got to accompany her when she voted.
She cast her vote at a local school, Joyce Kilmer, and really, there was hardly any rush. This was around 1030 AM. I watched her get her ballot and mutter over various Senators, Judges and issues she was supposed to vote for in addition to the President/Vice-President ticket. As she lightly ranted over something called the "hanging chad's" and "thank God we don't have the crazy ass shit like in Florida," I contentedly watched the great American democratic election process.
The voting was taking place in the school auditorium and I looked up and saw a funny line written over the stage. It went something like "Anyone can write a poem but only God can make a tree."
I watched the ladies behind the desks talk about how early they had to get up and, indeed, there were about 20 Dunkin' Donuts coffee cups all over the place.
Well, it was over in about 10 minutes and we walked out. There actually more tree hugging poems all over the school. It was quite amusing.
So, that was that!
If anything funny happens in Wisconsin, you heard it here first!
As we walked back, I told Chipo that I still think Obama will win. I don't know why but my gut feeling is he will. I'll be very surprised and disappointed if he does not. I've keenly watched the debates and, been amused at how much of a moron Romney is. Of course, the Americans did elect a super moron like George W. Bush and wreaked havoc all over the world and, they have the ability to do it all over again. One would think that the public would like some stability and put their trust in Obama who helped to revive a almost-sunk economy, put in some good measures regarding health care and, has helped the country regain a measure of self respect abroad. One would also think that there would be some suspicion around any Republican at the moment. But apparently, it is a tight race. See an article: "US Votes in Tight Presidential Race." So, this means that a fellow who is apparently worth $ 400 million and been changing sides on critical issues blurringly frequently, still has a big chance to enter the White house.
This is American democracy - anyone can worm and talk and inspire and cheat their way up. It is a confusing process - especially if you try to understand the concept of the electoral college. Moreover, they also changed the law so that allows corporations to be viewed as people and contribute anonymously towards the campaigns. So, apparently, $ 1 billion each has been spent on both sides. If this is democracy, well, mubarik ho! There's been deragoratory debates on rape and pregnancy, that China is a price manipulator and how to contain Iran. It is hard to believe this is a modern country.
Let me not digress with an incoherent commentary. It was nice to see my friend cast her ballot and let's see what happens. I'm quite amused and delighted to be here in the US at this time.
US Foreign Policy still remains self-serving, hypocritical and determined by oil, big money, and neo-imperialist ideology. It affects the rest of us. I've finally arrived in the country which is currently bombing parts of my own! There was such a long time that I would not even entertain the idea of visiting the US.
Here is a good piece talking about the point of view of Palestinian immigrants to the US and how they view these elections: "US Immigrants Reflect on Obama Foreign Policy."
And honestly, Obama has not managed to change anything as far as America is viewed abroad. What can he change anyway? But he is still somehow the lesser of two evils. So, here's an Illustrated Truth about how much the American elections mean to the rest of the world:
US Foreign Policy still remains self-serving, hypocritical and determined by oil, big money, and neo-imperialist ideology. It affects the rest of us. I've finally arrived in the country which is currently bombing parts of my own! There was such a long time that I would not even entertain the idea of visiting the US.
Here is a good piece talking about the point of view of Palestinian immigrants to the US and how they view these elections: "US Immigrants Reflect on Obama Foreign Policy."
And honestly, Obama has not managed to change anything as far as America is viewed abroad. What can he change anyway? But he is still somehow the lesser of two evils. So, here's an Illustrated Truth about how much the American elections mean to the rest of the world:
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