I've done my flailing elsewhere...

[highlyeccentric]

Because there are far more Americans on my fandomflist. And also because I couldn't be bothered changing accounts.

Some things I think:

1. John McCain's concession speech was excellent and commendable. Why is it that politicians often show their best side when they're losing?

2. American elections are all about money. The coverage kept going on about who had out-spent whom in which states. With campaign bills in the MILLIONS. I just don't get it. I don't know what our campaign budgets are like, but with the shorter campaign season they're undoubtedly much smaller. (I wonder what the $/per day ratio would break down to?) And the only time we TALK about them is to criticise them. Australians get *cross* with expensive political advertising.

3. The US had record voter turnout, apparently, although I haven't seen the actual percentage. I remain completely incapable of comprehending how you exist in a country where you have to campaign just to convince people to vote. It is completely burko, you guys.

4. Obama's speech just now is pretty. But, my GOD, between Obama and McCain's speeches, I have only one thing to say: MY GOD AMERICANS ARE ARROGANT. There are other countries out there, you know. They're pretty nice, too. A good deal of them are also trying to do the right thing, [interruption: OMG he's buying the kids a puppy!] trying to make their countries a better place and the world a better place.

5. So, Americans. The ENTIRE WORLD watches your elections. Because we know- even when we don't like it- that your country is nearly as powerful as you think it is. Because we know that the composition of your government affects international treaties, affects wars and truces, affects the global economy and god knows what else. Sometimes I'm a little weirded out by all the foreigners hyping out about Obama and telling you who to vote for, but I understand why.
My best friend said to me last night that she didn't think Australians or anyone else should try to tell Americans how to vote, and that we would get upset if Americans had been blogging and saying things like 'vote Kevin Rudd in 2007'. But, you know what? You should. We all should. We can't sit here on the internet and point and say "you, do this, because it's better for MY country", but we should actually care about what goes on in other countries. So yes, Australians were and should have been blogging their support for Obama (or, for that matter, McCain). And we should do the same when the next British election comes up. And for elections in Germany and Russian and god knows where else.
America: the world is invested in your politics. And there are a lot of you, and you are all over the intarwubs. In the two-and-a-bit-years before you have to start fussing with your next election, use your time to be a little concerned with the politics of the rest of the world. If your country prides itself on being the "leader of the free world" (blech), then you, as individuals, need to care about the rest of the free world. And about the un-"free" world too, for that matter.

6. Aaaand Barack Obama is preaching. These are preacher's techniques, folks. Very pretty, very emotive, and... not really saying very much. Makes me fond of Kevin Rudd and his boring businesslike speeches.

~

ETA: It seems I need to state that I am in fact pleased; 'tis a great day, etc etc. I did flail, I swear, even if it wasn't on this account.

Nor, regarding points 2 and 4-6, do I think all individual Americans are morons, or disinterested in the rest of the world. I'm concerned with the pervading spirit of American political discourse. And I'm concerned with the vast disparity between the number of non-Americans whose LJs show that they were deeply interested in this election, and the number of times I can recall reading posts by an American which show that they're deeply interested in any political activity not immediately affecting America. I'm not saying it doesn't happen; it's just evident that America's privileged economic position means America is of more interest to foreigners than other countries are to America. You can't just take that for granted: your *government* needs to earn it with their economic and foreign policy; and if you personally are going to take pride in your country's leading position in the world, then you need to return the interest of the world you purport to lead.

And, mea culpa, I have not until now been particularly interested in foreign politics. I can remember being disappointed when Bush got back in; I can vaguely remember the change of prime minister in Britain. I had the OPPORTUNITY and good reason to be interested in the French election- I was studying French; I had friends deeply interested in it- and I couldn't be bothered. I don't know who the President of Russia is or even the Prime Minister of Canada (I do remember that the more conservative bloke got in there). Hell, I think Helen Whatshername might not even be PM of New Zealand anymore, and I don't know who is.
That has to change.

Comments

[ashen_key]

I remain completely incapable of comprehending how you exist in a country where you have to campaign just to convince people to vote. It is completely burko, you guys.

YES.

So. Freaking. Bizare.

Makes me fond of Kevin Rudd and his boring businesslike speeches.

....*eyes you* You mean the speeches where he rambles and never says anything? Boring, yes, but hardly businesslike. Unless you are talking about business jargon.

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

SO WEIRD. I've had pitched fights with Americans over this, but SO WEIRD.

IMHO more things should have compulsory voting. Like Student Unions. You care enough to join? Then you bloody well vote.

Well, his speeches around the election were pretty straightforward. I haven't heard any since then, because who cares once he's in?

[ashen_key]

REALLY weird.

And, yes. That's my opinion also.

People do. I do, actually, given he's rather impressively done very little of import. He has, however, tacked on an extra $250 to my uni fees for "services". Frankly, he should just call it a Student Union fee and be done with it. But, I've been feeling bitter about politics the last few days (thanks, ACT Greens. THANKS LOTS). But, speeches say a lot.

[anachronisma.livejournal.com]

Americans spend an inordinate amount of money on elections, and it makes me sick.

I do, actually, follow the elections around the world. I followed the Russian elections more closely than the one I just voted in. And at the moment I'm more concerned about a bill in San Francisco that would destroy the ability of the police and anti-trafficking agencies to prosecute and arrest human traffickers (by legalizing and protecting prostitution in a way that makes it illegal to make arrests relating to prostitution cases) that I've said fuck all to the presidential campaign and am biting my nails waiting for results back from San Francisco about a little-known bill.

Other than that, agreed with 90% of what you said, particularly #6. Americans are egocentric but we think it's our right.

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

American politics is so WEIRD. The money, and the presidential-adulation, and the ridiculously complex voting system... WEIRD, I tell you. I seriously hope that when the Ruddbot and his minions put together their republic referendum they make sure we don't end up looking like the US.

Ohh, interesting. Bad, but interesting. Lemme know how the bill turns out, would you?

*blinks* now THAT'S weird. I spent the past three years heavily involved in a super-lefty super political church group who really heavily activist, and campaigned as individuals or as a group for everything from compulsory student unionism to ending the slave trade.
I tried a few times to get in on the political thingo, and ended up feeling like a sellout because I was just doing what the group said you had to do to be a Good Christian. I decided I was going to be the person who hung in the background, wrote the newsletter, and did pastoral care sort of stuff. Figured I would never be politically active, and said church group were only making me feel worthless for it.

Bunch of upheaval, left the church, then lost faith... and now here I am all interested in politics. I'm even joining a lobby group. HOW BIZARRE.

[avedaggio.livejournal.com]

I agree with the compulsory voting. Dunno why it's not reality.

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

Because Americans are ridiculously protective of their right to be stupid...

[blackbuttoneyes.livejournal.com]

I agree on the HOW BIZARRE counts, all of them, but tonight, I'm proud.

[anachronisma.livejournal.com]

It may be a while before I can find anything on Proposition K, but will do.

I was raised on a rather-righty (relatively speaking) side of the religious fence, not too interested in politics (unless it has to do with babies), and I've gradually become more and more convinced that my spiritual well-being is directly tied to my social activism, particularly with regard to the issue of human trafficking and poverty. This has less to do with thinking all good Christians should be active and more to do with feeling personally called to bring freedom to oppressed people. (you want to talk about egocentric...!)

...maybe less bizare than you think. Both church and politics have in common a sense of uniting often different people for a purpose that feels larger than themselves. Who knows, maybe through civic faith, you will rediscover a more meaningful understanding of God and religion. Stranger things have happened. ;)

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

I've gradually become more and more convinced that my spiritual well-being is directly tied to my social activism, particularly with regard to the issue of human trafficking and poverty.

See, I was *taught* that... I think it must be something you have to discover out of a sense of personal calling, rather than group membership.

Also, I've ALWAYS been the one to rock the boat. I was strongest in my faith when I was the only liberal Christian in my right-wing school, and saw my liberal church friends a few times a year.

Hmm. The thing I'm enjoying about Having Political Opinions at the moment is that I'm not doing it in a community. Student pollie groups don't appeal to me, I've got a bunch of lefty friends but we're not united by anything in particular. I like the fact that I can decide I'm doing this, because it's right, and not have to think of it in terms of a bigger group campaign.

As for God... dunno. Not ruling him out, so to speak. But right now I'm so glad not to have to worry about being part of this church or that group, or about being the 'right' kind of anything, that it will be a while before I can face organised religion again.
Pity, because I'm still fiercely proud of my old denomination...

[avedaggio.livejournal.com]

You realized that I'm an American, right? Do be more responsible and try not to generalize quite so sweepingly.

[anachronisma.livejournal.com]

I like the fact that I can decide I'm doing this, because it's right, and not have to think of it in terms of a bigger group campaign.

This is basically one of the major things that appeals to me about my particular brand of Christianity. I'm a non-affiliated Baptist (in between churches...) for the soul reason that the Baptist credo states that aside for a couple important points to being Christian, you decided everything else about how you interpret scripture, how you determine church leadership, and so on....... for yourself. This is really important to me, and it's important to me politically as well. Nobody ever told me to be an activist. It was something I decided I wanted to do.

Civic faith, like religious faith, ought always to be a journey of choice. We ought to be able to choose what we do, what we don't do, what we believe, what we don't believe.

[sommeille.livejournal.com]

The one thing I didn't like about McCain's speech was that he really did seem to play the race card a bit, as it were. It seemed at times, at least to me, that he was trying to imply that it was his reason for losing. Which clearly was not the case.

Still, otherwise, he took the epic political pwnage quite well.

Brb, drowning in champagne~

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I did think he was a bit patronising toward black americans... like they were the only people who would benefit from an Obama victory. And like it's not a great thing for ALL americans regardless of colour, to be electing their first black president.

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

Actually, I might have thought you were British. But that's neither here nor there. That statement was intended with an eyeroll and a "heh, aren't the americans daft" sort of tone. It *is* characteristic of Americans, collectively, that they're extremely protective of their right to do stupid things. But hey, at least you have a Bill of Rights to protect, some of us don't.

I've gone and put an eta and a mea culpa in the post itself, which should improve matters.

[goblinpaladin.livejournal.com]

He was hella patronising. Also his speech, for all it's class, doesn't detract from the fact that he played a hells malicious campaign.

Did you notice that Obama's crowed cheered at McCain's name, contrasted with what happened when McCain mentioned Obama? Yeah.

That said, the poor bastard looked broken.

[avedaggio.livejournal.com]

You are right, actually... *sigh* Again, I was coming on too strongly and being too touchy. Thank you for being big enough to clarify. :)

[highlyeccentric.livejournal.com]

And it was some weird hour of the night and you had a blinding headache. *shrug* It happens.

Also I have a feeling we're falling afoul of a minor cultural rift here. Australians- or at least the ones I hang out with - are massively cynical about everything, including Australia and especially Australian politicians. I shoulda learnt by now, after six years on the intarwubs, that Americans tend to actually have a positive attitude to their country and the position of president, if not the present incumbent. ;)

[(Anonymous)]

I got a little smile and butterflies when i heard the result. however Obama's term works out, the symbolic victory at least will be there. I also find it hard to understand some of the aspects of US campaigning - the need for everyone (especially liberal democrats?) to talk about God, the money, the fame (talk shows? Really? It was so huge here when K-Rudd went on Rove. Obama was doing it all over the place!)

And especially the patriotism.
Don't get me wrong, it's a healthy thing to recognise the good points of your country, but I was amazed at the footage of people saying they'd vote McCain because "I know he's definately a patriot". Presumably because of his military service.
Of course a president has to look out for their country, but I think it's quite noticable that a lot of the people who have been vocal on US politics but are themselves not US citizens, support Obama. Maybe it is important to think beyond the obvious expressions of patriotism? Diplomatic relations help a country too. What's more patriotic than making non-Americans love the US too?

Anyway, this is not a McCain attack, just some things I think.

Also, are any other Aussies excited about seeing Kevin and Obama together? Does Obama speak Mandarin too? Little Kevin's schoolboy face will light up, and Obama will stand there looking all earnest and handsome. A friend of mine is having flashbacks to the Bush-Howard relationship...