Some of you may have noticed with surprise that over the past few months, out of respect for my Republican blogpals I have - with a tremendous effort of will - refrained from posting about tomorrow's US Presidential election.
I have watched from a safe distance, with varying degrees of horror, fascination and hilarity, the Clinton-Obama bitch-slapping fest, Senator Mc.Cain betraying his own admirable liberal beliefs on immigration to secure the support of the white supremacist, neo-nazi bloc within his party, the exceedingly clever choice of a female Republican running mate when Clinton was dropped by Obama, followed by successive waves of horror (at the realisation that Palin is a God and gun nut) and laughing my fat ass off as soon as she opened her mouth and wrecked any serious chance Mc.Cain might have had.
I have sat and giggled at YouTube videos from both parties ridiculing the other (though I've yet to discern any trace of a policy from either side).
And I have kept my mouth shut until today.
Today, I am not a happy bunny.
Let's get the backlash in early …
While it is true that an Obama victory would be a huge leap forward for black civil rights and humanity in general and would be a cause of worldwide celebration (whereas a Mc.Cain victory would bring hope to the elderly and to Christian fundamentalists but send the rest of the planet running for cover), I remain cynical.
Republican … Democrat …
We've seen them chop and change so many times before and yet US foreign policy - both military and commercial - remains the same shameful and disgusting cesspool of greed, arrogance, criminality and cowardly bullying whoever is in power.
Not since FDR has the US Presidency been worthy of respect in the eyes of the world.
Much as it pains me to say it, I don't see an Obama victory changing a damned thing.
Sure, I'll whoop it up if he wins and start digging a fallout shelter if he loses, but will an Obama victory (even with a huge majority in Congress) bring about a Palestinian state on the lines of the UN resolution?
Will it bring about the end of the embargo on Cuba and compensation for that disgraceful policy?
Will we see a complete military withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan and genuine help to rebuild those countries along the lines THEY choose?
Will it bring about a sea change in US environmental policy?
Will it see an end to the terrorist destabilisation of legitimate and democratically elected left-wing governments in Central and South America by CIA subversion and financial and military support for illegal coups and extreme right-wing dictatorships?
Will we - in effect - see any vestige of respect for international law?
I somehow doubt it very much.
Sad to say, but if Obama becomes President, after the initial euphoria things will remain pretty much the same.
Over here in England we have a similar problem: people will vote for what they see as the lesser of two evils rather than any party that truly represents them. We have not had a major party worth voting for since the war. And those in power slavishly toe the US line in cowardly betrayal of any semblance of justice or indeed reality.
Democracy is a precious and a wonderful concept but we do not live in a democracy. In the current system our votes count for very little.
The United States Declaration of Independence states that:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
Tomorrow's vote will be yet another charade and a mockery of the principle of democracy.
For some light relief, here's Simon Schama in today's Guardian on the disgusting legacy of the Bush years that tomorrow's victor will be burdened with.
39 comments:
I just posted something on my blog about this, Dive.
http://luxuriouschoices.blogspot.com/2008/11/voting-venting.html
And it's true--no matter who wins, they have inherited a domestic and international mess that can't possibly be cleaned up in four years, leaving the new President wide open to a long term of criticism. It would take a miracle, and only one that Congress could pull off, not one the President could do alone.
Oh come on, dive - Obama is gonna change America and the world. Sing with me now... OBAMA -OBAMA -OBAMA.
I'll pop over and have a read, Katherine.
George sure has left a mess.
And his bombing of civilians in Pakistan and Syria to try to bring more countries into his war in the last few days of his Presidency is a truly cynical act that can only bring yet more disgrace on what should be a proud and glorious country.
Rich: Hee hee.
I'm a socialist; I could never vote for someone as right wing as Senator Obama.
HA! Dive, make sure you post that on my blog. People in this country have no f-ing clue what a real socialist is.
You simply must see this:
http://www.jibjab.com/originals/time_for_some_campaignin
Hee hee, Katherine. I had a good cackle at that the other day when Lucio pointed me at it.
Great fun and non-partisan, too.
It does sadden me that nobody in the USA has the faintest idea what socialism means.
Or "patriotism". They seem to constantly confuse that word with "nationalism", to the mocking laughter of the rest of the world.
Dive, this is an eloquent presentation of what a lot of Americans believe. Many of us do hold out hope that there is a true possibility for change. At our core, we are a democracy, but humans being humans will inevitably infect the core with base nature—greed and arrogance and might vs. right. I don't believe Obama is a saviour, but I do believe he has the ability and the heart to lead us out of the muck. I also believe you and I will have to agree to disagree to the definition of "muck" at times, and that even if those of us on the left of the political scale are overjoyed at any improvement, you have a distinct political view that will never be happy with an American policy that is not based on a socialist platform. Hopefully we can find some common ground and praise even an ounce of improvement.
There may well be change in US domestic policy, Robyn, but I fear that - however well intentioned Obama may be - he will learn the same tragic lesson that Jimmy Carter learned; the juggernaut of US commercial interest combined with a terror of the left will effectively stymie any chance of the USA complying with international law and UN resolutions where Palestine, Cuba, South America and the Middle East are concerned.
You are right, of course. I am a Socialist and regard Noam Chomsky as the wishy-washy voice of the US centre, the Democrats as a dangerously right of centre party and the Republicans as the equivalent of our avowedly neo-nazi parties in Europe.
I don't want to see you becoming socialists (for a start, it would deprive me of a juicy, target-rich source of mockery), but I would be very happy - and hugely surprised - if the USA actually started to regard international law and the United Nations with anything other than utter contempt.
And it's going to take the Democrats a lot more than four years to shift all the domestic crap Bush has been gleefully leaving for them to deal with before they can think about the world outside your borders.
Dive
Well seen, well written.
I completely agree.
A lot of thanks.
Thank you, Anonymous.
I wonder if you're from inside or outside the USA?
Gee you British and Americans are a political lot. Over here we just vote for whomever shits us less and then bend over and wait for them to screw us anyway.
At the moment our "esteemed" (and I say that with much sarcasm as we aussies only esteem sports players or so it seems) leader is K Rudd who resembles a thunderbird.
Personally I'll miss old Geroge W, he was always good for a laugh.
I don't think Obama is any kind of saviour but he'd be my choice.
Unfortunately everytime I hear about Obama the word "kennedy" comes to mind.
Australia does seem to treat its politicians with the contempt they deserve, Kate. A wise policy.
The passing of Dubya is being mourned by comedians across the planet. Now they'll actually have to do some work to get a laugh.
Kennedy had better hair than Obama. They both had the luck to marry gorgeous wives, though I sincerely hope Michelle has more luck than Jackie did when it comes to marital fidelity.
Though I suppose you are really pointing out the sad fact that some fuckwit with a gun might want to get his face in the papers as they did with a pair of Kennedies, Martin Luther King Jr and - somewhat bizarrely - even Reagan.
We shall have to wait and see. There's fuck all we can do about it.
:::sigh::: I know I am not voting for McCain, but I'm still undecided about Obama. First of all I can't say his name without singing the Name Game song: Obama, bama, bo bama, banana fanna, bo banna, fi fi fo fama, O-BAMA!
I liked Hilary - and she would have been my first choice. We need a bitch in the White House and she would have been perfect. Just send slick Willy overseas as an ambassador of something so she can come in an clean house without him "screwing around" so to speak.
You are right - it is the lesser of two evils so I think I'm writing in my vote for Summers/Rosenberg in 08!
Holy crap! Much as I love her running mate, that Summers girl is way too unstable for public office. For a start she's been dead twice.
What we need in the White House is a black, gay, Islamic woman as President.
Bring it on.
shazza - would that be Buffy and Willow that you are voting for?
Interesting.
But which buffyand willow may I ask? Buffy and Angel Buffy (read so soppy it made you vomit) or Buffy and Spike Buffy?
And Willow who went through more angsty changes than anyone. Will it be dorky "I love xander" Willow or Willow "i'm a university lesbian" or evil dark hair Willow or maybe willow the vampire.
God forbid its post buffy band camp willow, far to clintonesque.
"I did not have sex with that instrument!"
Hmmmmmm.
Now we're getting down to the REAL issues!
It would have to be Spike-shagging Buffy for me, though any Willow will do, even the "Aww Fuck!" Vampire version.
Though - as you so rightly point out - NOT the post-Willow movie versions.
So now that we have that sorted, where does Faith come into this?
Does she replace Kim Jong Il?
God I need to go to bed!
Kate - yeah Buffy and Willow. I like the Buffy on Spike version and the Dark Willow. She was hot when she was bad!
I think they would shake things up a bit.
Faith can be Secretary of State - you know - just in case.
Dive,
From inside or outside the USA?
Never mind. I'll fall a bit short.
To day, you have opened the Pandore box. Take care dear.
In the box,only and alone,HOPE
had been stayed !
Well, I'm not going to weigh in here as I'll be the first to admit I am not good at expressing my views on politics.
I will say that I appreciate this post very much, Dive. I want you to know that I definitely noticed your lack of political venom toward my kind recently. And though I was prepared to mind my own business when you began pimping your politics :D, I wasn't looking forward to running from the "friendly fire" you are capable of scattering without getting anywhere near an actual weapon.
I enjoy reading your uber-educated views on things and you and several other new friends I've made this year really have given me some interesting info to chew on lately.
I am not afraid of people who voice their opinions. In fact, I tend to surround myself with these types whether I am in agreement or not because people with huge opinions are more interesting than people without any.
In sum, Kudos to you on your restraint, but also, keep up the particular dynamic personality expressiveness that is uniquely YOU and no one else. ;)
You make a valid point that regardless of who is president, it will take more than four years to make any difference. First, it will take more than four years to get us back to even before Bush dug such a deep hole. Then it will take many more years to not just repair the damage but to right our course in general.
Congratulations on the post Dive although I didn't much like the Guardian article. More facts and less rhetoric would have made it more powerful.
Now, "Change". If I had my wish I'd change the way in which Presidential campaigns are waged. I'd limit the budgets and media coverage and send the money instead to the hungry of the world or to a trust fund to insure the uninsured US citizens so that they can have decent health cover or, put more pharmaceuticals on the equivalent of a prescribed benefit system. Oh, and I'd increase taxes, progressively, in the US so that the ultra-rich can start handing over some of their ridiculous gains and force them to grow a conscience. I'd abolish guns too and have a good look at the constitution. I'd make geography and comparative religion compulsory subjects for all primary school children. Gosh, I think I must be a socialist at heart but sadly my brain knows better about the mechanisms of running a country. Obama will win and then we'll give him some time to turn the US around. With so much goodwill, his first 100 days should be spectacular.
BTW in Australia, we'll be watching the Melbourne Cup horserace and celebrating my birthday. :)
Kate: Faith replaces Dick Cheney.
Shazza: You take the bad Willow; I'll have the pink fluffy jumper version.
Anonymous: Let's hope you're right.
Shan: Thank you for being so kind and generous.
I've specifically not attacked the McCain campaign because I like and respect the man, and I've laid off the divine Ms.P because she is doing a fine job of self-destruction without my help.
I'm not sure what to make of Senator Obama yet, though as a socialist I find him alarmingly right wing for a professed Democrat.
His wife's cute, but his running mate is painfully dull.
The only thing that's been worrying me about an Obama victory is - as I said to Robyn - that like Jimmy Carter, all his good intentions will come to nothing against a brick wall of commercial self-interest and fear of the left.
I really appreciate your comments today. I needed cheering up after a crappy and much delayed journey home and you brought a smile to my face. Thank you for that and have fun tomorrow, however it turns out.
Hi, Robyn. Back again? Hee hee.
Yes, it will take a lot of time to sort out those particular tangles, and sorting them out is going to upset an awful lot of people. Let's just hope that if Obama wins tomorrow the people will remember it was not his mess in four years time.
Mme: Thank you! Sorry you didn't like Schama's piece; he can be a bit much sometimes but he has a nice turn of phrase.
Hee hee. As I was reading your comment I was thinking "they'll think Mme's turned socialist!"
All that remains for me to say is HAPPY BIRTHDAY for tomorrow (or today as it is is already tomorrow morning where you are … er).
Many happy returns!
X
Thanks again dear for your lovely birthday wishes. Gosh, what a day! A presidential election, a horse race of notoriety and an ordinary birthday. I'm glad I got up early! As for you, off to bed now.
Have a wonderful day, birthday girl.
Your birthday - like everything else about you - could never be ordinary.
I am - as you say - off to bed.
Goodnight!
It's nothing more than a dog and pony show,dive.
I'm ready to move to the UK
You are more than welcome here, Rich.
Now that we've learned how to make decent coffee you may even want to stay.
And thank you for putting Shellac's "Dog and Pony Show" into my head to hum as I go upstairs to bed.
Politics schmolitics...
Dive
Thanks so much for your answers.
(Maybe you haven'correctly understood what I had wanted to ex press with the Pandore Box. Never mind)
What is correct is that Shan says about you: I absolutely agree.
Me too,I like people who voice THEIR opinions.
I hate the "sheep" people,
the hysterical mass phenomenon, the
"politicly correct" ect...
I like you just the way you are
...today.
Have a good night
2.4 billion $$$$$$$$$$$ sure would go a long way to helping out those who need it. That is what the two of them have spent on campaigning over the last two years. Tomorrow I will hold my nose and do my thing and hope for the best. I did get new glasses and I look cuter than Ms. P!
Sleep tight my friend.
Lynn: Shame on you! Hee hee.
Sheesh! I've been trying to go to bed for ages but I made the mistake of putting on old Bill Evans trio record on the turntable earlier and it's simply too beautiful to take off (the Moonbeams" album from 1962).
Anonymous: I never understand ANYthing correctly.
I like people with real opinions, too, rather than those who simply bleat along with the herd.
And talking of folk with valid and relevant opinions (and impeccable taste), here's Prudence!
You are WAY cuter than Caribou Barbie, Prudence. YOU are the true Divine Ms.P.
I know you shall use your vote wisely. Have a great day!
I am - at last - heading up to bed now.
Growing old doesn't agree with you, Dive. Why be a cynic? And no, it's not another word for a realist.
Whoa Dive Dude,
You deep thoughts are frightening! Of course we do not expect a messiah! Of course things are not going to "wham-bam boom" change. I just want the fooking Bush/Cheney/Rove/Religican mindset tide to turn. I too worry about Obama becoming a Carter because he thinks "too" much. I do, however think that Bama has a brain and some attitude. A brain will be an improvement over W's empty cranium.
thank you, sugar, for a realistic look at our society today. as an american, i have felt for a long time that our foreign policy has been based on short sighted analysis and as you say, greed. we have made some mistakes that have affected not only us, but the world. as to your questions about what an obama victory will bring about i do believe that we will see changes in our policies towards cuba and the middle east. i believe that the days of covert intervention and destabilization of other governments will cease because, as malcom x said once, the chickens have come home to roost. americans know we can no longer afford to support corrupt governments and/or dictators because the countries they represent have some commodity that we need. (it's late and i'm starting to babble) but i do believe that the past 8 years have pushed our country even further into dangerous territory and that we have a chance to step back and as you so eloquently phrased it, show respect for international law and also, our constitution. we have allowed a slow erosion to begin and i believe, i hope, that will change tomorrow.
this is a defining moment for the united states of america. i truly believe that when the votes are counted, we will get the government we deserve.
xoxo from one tired woman who is almost finished packing up her house!
Joy; the more I see of humanity the more cynical I become, but I feel I am nowhere near cynical enough.
Neetzy: let's face it, being governed by chimps in clown suits would be an improvement on Bush. I'll be delighted if Obama wins but I don't hold out any hope for real change.
Savannah: I am so glad you commented as your view is one I particularly value.
You have a point in that there may be some small shift in US foreign policy as "we can no longer afford to support corrupt governments" … That's the awful truth: if it makes a profit for the US then international law has always been brushed aside. Perhaps that will lessen now. A little. Temporarily.
I still fear for Cuba when Fidel dies. And unless you know something I don't (which you usually do) I see no hope for the peaceful return of the Occupied Territories to Palestine.
As for the Constitution; I had spent weeks drafting several pieces about how successive US administrations have trampled and abused it over the past sixty years in the same way as they have international law but I like my right wing blogpals too much to lose them so those got binned.
I do hope the rest of your packing goes as easily as Snow White's housekeeping; lots of little singing animated woodland animals helping you out.
Of course that all depends on which drugs you take.
Have a fun voting day!
Here are my opinions on your questions.
Will it bring about the end of the embargo on Cuba and compensation for that disgraceful policy?
No. Most of the US considers the Castro Brothers to be murderers and thugs. Any change in that policy will be minor.
Will we see a complete military withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan and genuine help to rebuild those countries along the lines THEY choose?
No. The US military will be in both countries for another 50 years. We are still in Germany and Korea.
Will it bring about a sea change in US environmental policy?
Maybe although I doubt it. Any changes will come from the private sector and not from government.
Will it see an end to the terrorist destabilisation of legitimate and democratically elected left-wing governments in Central and South America by CIA subversion and financial and military support for illegal coups and extreme right-wing dictatorships?
No, I dont think so. Something tells me that Obama will continue with the same policy that has been in place for over 50 years.
Will we - in effect - see any vestige of respect for international law?
No. Many international laws were written to punish the US. The radical faction of Islam certainly doesnt follow any laws. You play by the same rules of your enemy.
ps Another very well thought out post Dive. I enjoyed reading it.
Hi, Mark:
Terrifying as your conclusions are I feel that you are absolutely right.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
I am so afraid you're right in the end but....I would like to believe changes are possible ...
Me too, Babzy, but I've lived through too many decades of the same crap to believe it any more.
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