Okay so the United States has not just elected its first Black President. That is amazing considering no more then 60 years ago, the oppression and segregation that this minority faced, to have changed so quickly is nothing short of astonishing, and now they have shown that there is no limit to their freedom of change. However while I do think in many ways Obama was the better candidate I do think his victory was a bit cheated. You are looking at a two strong points in his favor before you even look at what he stands for.
The first is he's Black, yes I know we live in a world where African Americans, or minorities should not be singled out for their skin, but facts are facts, in my life time and well any lifetime there has never been a serious contender for president who came in the form of a black minority. He is making history just by running, imagine what would happen if he didn't win. What would have been the headlines then. Skin shouldn't be a factor but then again it does strike the point of history in the making, and honestly, it is amazing to see it happen.
Secondly, he is following Bush. Bush while admittly not my top choice for all time great leaders faced a lot of issues he was ill prepared to deal with, and as such, he suffered for it, he had the lowest support on record, he was fighting a war in which people were refering to as the new Vietnam of America, and his homeland policies left one looking for reasons. If he had another Term in office, the States might have had another Tea Party and found themself british it was getting so bad. Why does this rob Obama of the credit he deserves, when history looks back on this, it will come to light that the people of the United States wanted change, and no matter what as long as he/she gave them hope, and were not republican they probably would have won. If Obama was on the other side of the political fence, then we would really have a major cause for looking at the history books. Though he did win, is it really him or just the want of change and he fit the bill.
Now don't take this the wrong way, I don't think he should not have one, politics is as much as timing as anything, and he is promising change and hope for a country desperately needing it, I think this is something that the United States needs right now, and really he is the man to bring change in.
But don't go all out yet, he just is off the blocks, he's now starting the real game. I have seen a lot of firsts in my young age, first Female Canadian Prime Minister, she didn't last long nor is she well remembered. First Female Golfer on the PGA, that also did not last long, she was great on paper, but just couldn't play with the guys, etc. The point I'm trying to raise, is these are all monumental moments in social class struggles that have started off with a happy face, but then quickly teetered off into obscurity and failure.
Obama may be the first Black President, but he still has to prove he's a good one. I have to say he has a tough job to do too. He is very inexperinced in large scale politics, only maybe spending 4 years in the real public eye, he is coming into a country which is facing a huge down turn in the economy, facing a two front war, lack of support at home, environment issues, social issues still ongoing, foreign policy with states that are proving less then cooperative on the world stage, plus the humanitarian issues. He has his work cut out for him, he may very well succeed and be one of the great Presidents the United States has ever known and really make this election that important, or he could be mediocre, or even worse. The next 4 years are the real stage we should be looking at, this made history, but what comes now, is what will enshrine it to our minds as the turning point on the road we now walk.
Congrats Obama, you have made history, you have brought change, but most importantly you have your term, now do something with it.
Now onto something else, all over facebook I saw his support causes and people putting in their tags and names that they are rooting for him, Yes I get it you want to see what happens, and I get why the US election is important as it does effect Canada. What I don't get is why I never saw this kind of rally around the Canadian election just over a month ago? Yes I get that it was much the same and people were not feeling that great about the parties, but voting is voting, and if your going to put your two cents in about their election they least you can do is pay attention to ours. How many Canadians watched the debates? How many Canadians voted, it was among the lowest turn outs in recent memory and I have to say I am disappointed in Canadians as they fail to act on the government which directly effects them. Please remember yes our leaders are a lot like those in the United States, but you do not vote for the Party leader, rather your local Member of Parliament. If you follow how the system works you should be looking at local candidates as well the leaders.
It utterly boggles my mind how people can be so interested in something that is outside their range of influence but could influence their own, but do nothing. If our government does not do what you want, don't complain, if you don't vote, you really can't say much about who is in power. The US may affect us, but it doesn't always mean a good thing, and if we don't make a strong body of government for ourself, what can we do. The next time you look south of the border for voting and what goes on, look around you too, Canadian politics matters just as much as anyone else, you never know if your not looking we could get the next Bush.
