don't know much about history, but i do know that i love you

[fictional]

I keep telling myself that I don't care any more about this election.

Mainly because, after the last one, I cried. Actually cried. With real tears and everything. If you know me in person, you know what that means. I don't get choked up over this stuff. I don't cry at movies or books either, except as a figure of speech.

I also remember watching the DNC last time around, in '04, and watching this speech that came out of nowhere, and saying, "Wow. This guy's going to run for president." Well, lots of us did that, no? That's why we're here. But I didn't think it would be this year, and he has managed to disappoint me in so many ways.

But I've got to say. I got a little teary here:

We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. Passions fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. This too is part of America's promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.

I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that's to be expected. Because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from.

You make a big election about small things.

And you know what - it's worked before. Because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government. When Washington doesn't work, all its promises seem empty. If your hopes have been dashed again and again, then it's best to stop hoping, and settle for what you already know.

I get it. I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington.

But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you.

For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time.

I wish I could believe it.

Comments

[electro-club.livejournal.com]

I have this idea that politics are nothing but a game to see who can tell a lie more convincingly. The best liar wins. I'm completely skeptic about it.

I'm not really into the elections at US, but I've been reading about it daily at newspapers and stuff, and the part that interests me the most, is obviously, Obama's ideas regarding America's policies towards South America. That's cause McCain doesn't even talk about it. And Obama talks so vaguely and dispersive I know that: a) he'll leave it just the way it is; b) he has no fucking idea what he'll do; or c) he disagrees with everything that people kind of expect from him down here, and is a bit afraid of saying it right now. So, really, whatever. US' elections kind of change the world a bit, depending on who gets elected, but for me, it will be just the same thing. Like most things. So, I just don't care.

Having said that, my opinion is Obama getting to Washington is much more important concerning the meaning of it, than what ever he'll do once he's at the White House. The anti-americanism is growing at a gallop around the world, due to Bush and his stupid game tactics, and how he thinks the world is his playground and then contradicts himself by, for example, attacking Russia for doing the same things he does [not that Russia is right or shouldn't be attacked, but by him? Sounds more like a joke]. I think Obama there means so, so much more than just simply a new president to the US. I think at this point it's really important for America to have him as a president, even if he's just a liar.

In the other hand, if he disappoints too much, or turns out to be a Republican in disguise or anything of that sort, it will most likely ruin everything, and another guy like him won't be elected for some time. At least that's what I think. Although I could be wrong. I thought something like that would happen two years ago, when we had our presidential election here, and well, it didn't. People's faith never ceases amazing me. I wish I could be that faithful.

Anyway... That's just what I think. And, since I'm very far away from America, I don't get really the picture. Just have my impressions.

[I keep finding things wrong every time I re-read it. Dumb me. Sorry. =/]

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

I'm skeptical too obviously, but at this point, this country has been so mismanaged, we are all praying for any glimmer of hope. And frankly, while being an American abroad has always been a bit embarrassing, as I think the rest of the world has always (and probably with reason) stereotyped us as uncultured oafs, it is now just humiliating and horrifying, thinking of our foreign policy, etc etc.

But at this point, the country and the economy are in such bad shape, domestic policy is going to make a huge difference. I don't know if the president really has that much of an effect on that stuff; domestic policy is shaped in many ways by local government, but civil liberties & social change (lgbt issues, abortion, environment etc) come from national policy, and we need those back; also, I think the choice of president signals the temperature of the nation, and america so far has just been proving that it is too stupid to know when it's being screwed, and that is utterly disheartening.

short answer, yeah. I totally agree. we need obama to win regardless, but the journey has in so many ways been a depressing one.

[electro-club.livejournal.com]

I remember this website called "Sorry everyone". When Bush got elected the second time, someone created this website for americans to ask for forgiveness to the citizens of the world. So people took pictures of themselves holding messages or with post its on their foreheads, apologizing. There were over 6000 messages.

Americans do get stereotyped. =/ But I think Obama winning it would kind of change things a bit. At least it would be a blow of fresh winds to what people think about most americans. From the way he looks to the things he deffends, it would be a great step forward. But he must know that this will make his 4 years at the White House even harder. Because everyone will be looking at him with pleading eyes, hoping to see things change for better at all aspects, expecting comprehension, freedom and all this. If he fails... =/

My friend's sister lived in NY for the past 4 years. She is the most vehement Obama defender I have ever seen. I think that's how the US people must be feeling at this point. The shock therapy last government used on people, spreading fear to control and obtain consent to his stupid foreign policy, kind of got everyone traumatized. And tired, I hope.

I think the only election that changes the world order and concernes to everyone, even outside the country, is the US'.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

p.s. added you to my friends list. hope that's okay =)

[electro-club.livejournal.com]

Of course it's okay! =)