1) They are so fucked up - in fact more ridiculous than a bickering episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and
2) Canadian politics are very boring in comparison
After September 11th I pretty much became consumed with watching CNN to keep on top of what was happening and even though I know that all news stations are skewed to some degree, at the time it felt that they kept things relatively direct and to the point and I was always on top of things.
As things progressed with the war in Iraq and it became evident that the shit was hitting the fan for George Bush, I noticed that CNN did very little to express the real concerns of American citizens who thought the guy was a complete idiot. CBC reported it, but it was very frustrating to tune into US news stations and feel like they were considerably downplaying what was going on in their own country.
When President Obama was elected, I was sure that the U.S. was headed down the right path finally and we would see some amazing things come from our lovely neighbours to the south - I mean it was historic to have a woman and an African American as front runners in the democratic presidential candidate race. When Obama was sworn in, I watched Oprah shed a few tears and turned off my TV believing that all the wrong had now been righted.
Boy was a I fool.
I know that in politics there is always going to be an opposing party that wants to point out the faults of the elected leader, but with Obama, the Republicans have taken this to a new extreme. Despite the fact that he inherited a pile of shit from George Bush, most likely saved the U.S. from another depression, got Bin Laden and that second in charge guy, helped get Gaddafi, has declared the war in Iraq will be over at the end of this year, every step he takes is still highly criticized by Republicans and their followers. Wait, "highly criticized" is too kind, receives a TOTAL CHARACTER ASSASSINATION is probably a better description. They have stooped desperately low.
Everything this man does is wrong in their eyes - he can't win and can't make a move without the Republicans shitting all over it and I think the whole thing is disgusting. Obama could do everything the Republicans wanted and they still wouldn't be satisfied. Remember that whole "should we raise the debt ceiling" fiasco a few months ago that the US senate had clogging up the system when they should have just said "fuck yea" from day one? Another way the republicans put a giant stick in Obamas spokes. It's like watching a little smart kid get taunted and teased on a playground by bullies. Grow up.
And what has CNN been covering lately? About 23 of their 24 hour news coverage is related to the Republican primaries, also known as the race of idiots. A prime example of one of their gem candidates was Donald Trump and how he put into question whether Obama was born an American citizen. Seriously Donald? Then when they produced a birth certificate, Trump congratulated himself, and also asked what took so long. This was the same week they got Bin Laden. Maybe Obama was busy with more important things.
And could they debate each other any more? They have something like 14 more debates to go - get a fucking life.
The worst part is when I listen to their ideologies, they seem scary and outdated - do people in the U.S. actually believe this shit? The only candidate in the republican party that has a few kernels of truth in his ideas is Ron Paul - and he's kind of an outcast and extremest in his own party. He also has no chance.
My understanding is that this is a new breed of Republicans that actually differs considerably from the old school Republicans which were closer to the center and basically had "smaller government" as their primary focus. I'm sure there are many Americans that miss this party from the past. Now they have a more extreme group called "Tea Party" which seems to be so controversial. One of their most notable members is of course Sarah Palin. Enough said.
I know I'm jumping a little all over the place, but I'm seriously astounded at what I see happening in American Politics. How is it possible that in the year 2011, when many countries in the world, including Canada, believe in free healthcare, equal gay rights, stable banking systems, separation of church and state, appropriate immigration laws, the American republicans are still debating this shit?
I have no idea what religion Stephen Harper is and I don't want to know. And as much as a lot of young people criticize our conservative party, you gotta be thankful they are nothing like the conservatives across the border. Whenever I tune in to CBC and very little is reported about Canadian politics, I like to think it's because they're busy getting shit done, instead of berating one another. And although our economy could be better, I was very thankful our banks all held it together during the U.S. crash.
I should note that I am actually a big fan of the U.S. - I love visiting, I love the people and the country. My parents are actually in the process of getting their dual citizenship so eventually I will have American parents! I don't think US politics is a good representation of their citizens, which is why this situation is so frustrating.
What are your thoughts on current American Politics? Why do you think a party like this does not exist in Canada? Who do you think will win in the 2012 election?
6 comments:
The Republican party has gone from something that made sense to the NeoCon insanity of the Bush Team(s), now the Tea Party has pretty much embraced full out crazy as their M.O.. Democrats are not little angels who stand for everything that is right, though. The U.S. identity is that of being independent and less reliant on the government. The trend is that both parties want to have more control. I'm for less government interference in personal lives, sufficient regulation of business and banking, and a national commitment towards taking care of our citizens through volunteerism, rather than through taxes. However, I don't know if that last one is possible anymore, considering what most people do with their money and free time.
I love Europeans and Candadians, but I am a U.S. citizen and want to continue in being uniquely flawed in that regard.
I agree with this post completely! I have also always been interested in American politics ever since I was much younger. I find that I'm not following closely these days, but I know enough to understand *completely* what you are talking about.
I don't understand the disdain for universal healthcare; I hope that your parents have access to good insurance while they are living there!
I think the scary thing is that Stephen Harper does mimic a lot of Republican ideologies. His government is very covert and secretive, and broke the laws of Parliament and still got re-elected! Argh!!! What were people thinking?
I hope that Obama wins 2012. I thought when he got Bin Laden, it would make him a shoe-in, but now it doesn't look like that at all. I'm afraid of 2012.
It's too bad my former blogger buddy AlieMalie doesn't blog anymore. She's really into US politics and you guys could have a good discussion. I should give her the link to this post!
Thanks for the link, Christielli!
I love this post, like, a million trillion gazillion times. I love this post as much as the tea party hates Obama. And you know that's a lot.
I don't get how the media glosses over the brokenness of our system here in the United States; it regularly infuriates me and boggles my mind. The last 24 hours have been a perfect example of this: we have protests against corporate greed that have been going on for well over a month now in New York City and across the country in other cities for nearly as long. Protesting the fact that the economy only works for the top 1% anymore and that one - if not both - major political parties are wholly owned subsidiaries of these super wealthy. And yet, the response we see in the media is one of, "Those crazy hippies don't really know what they're talking about. Move along."
And then, a sex scandal explodes. ZOMG! Herman Cain is accused of sexual harassment. STOP. THE. F&^KING. PRESSES. Like it's not enough that he wants to hike taxes on the most vulnerable in our country and give a massive tax break to the richest of the rich. It's not enough that he wants to eliminate the social safety net in our country by ending Medicare as we know it and privatizing Social Security (essentially forking over trillions of public dollars to the bankers who have wrecked our economy by playing Big Casino in the first place). It's not enough that he wants to eliminate Medicaid and tell poor people to seek "charitable assistance" from places like churches if they need health care. No. None of that is enough to be scandalous in the United States. No, we've gotta have a sex scandal before we're able to discredit the ideas of one of the insane right-wing nut jobs. (I'd apologize for the name calling, but... it's just gone too far.)
Ultimately, what's scandalous, is exactly what you describe in your post. That none of these crazy ideas get any real coverage in the press. The media give them a platform that legitimizes their policy standings and incorporates them into the mainstream; even when they are most decidedly NOT.
I'm not sure what's going to happen over the next 12 months (we're currently 370 days 'til the next presidential election), but I certainly hope this country gets its head screwed on right and doesn't elect one of these far right-wing ideologues. I can't imagine what would happen if we did.
Also, just as an aside, Ron Paul's viewpoints don't get a lot of coverage because he's seen as such a longshot and hopeless candidate, but please know that his views on health care, social security, and economic policy are even further to the right than people like Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry. Frightening.
Oooh cat's out the bag eh!
Ok I have a confession. I stopped watching news about 6 weeks ago. It had got too depressing. In the morning I check CNN website for main news on my phone and that’s it. I watch anything but news while having breakfast.
American politics is a scary place now. And unfortunately, yes, a large percentage of the American public is represented by the Repubes. Did you know that when Rick Perry announced that he had executed some 200 something people this year, the partisan crowd cheered, and when they interviewed a gay US soldier, the partisan crowd booed? It is very bad in America.
I personally think Canadian are much wiser, nicer, and maybe a more enlightened people. Its just that its too cold up there. But I would love to move to Vancouver if ever I found a job there.
I still believe in Obama and I feel like he is the only adult in the room. But you are right, the Repubes would rather the country went to hell than to let him pass his bills. Moreover, the Wall Street, the banks etc are against him because he is for more accountability. Hence they are not hiring people, and they are also not lending money. They are investing in infrastructure but not investing in people. Such is the tragedy of America today.
My biggest complaint with Obama is that he continued on the foreign policy that Bush left in place. I hate that we are still in Afghanistan and send drones to kill people.
That’s why I am not ready to go back to watching news.
I LOVE This post!!! And I totally agree, I'm completely infatuated with American Politics, and have been since I lived in Massachusetts.
I glue myself to the TV on American election day, and watch more tv on that day, than i do in an entire year.
This past election, I got swept up in the utter romanticism of the election. The hope and promise that Obama stood for. His speaking is so eloquent, and lovely. I was totally taken with his charm, and had not heard such progressive ideology since the speeches Id heard of Bobby Kennedy.
I know that voter turn out for the African American population is fairly low, but thought that maybe they felt they hadnt been represted in the past. I was hopeful that seeing someone who could make changes and represent a peice of the population who usually gets forgotten would make a huge difference, and it did.
Id never heard something like that...someone who could talk, and unify people despite race, and class, and SES, and color...and give them all hope of a better future.
People believe in him and the unification of the country that voted for him is so inspiring
I like this post a lot. US politics are effed up. I think partly because Americans buy into sloganeering and are too lazy to do their own research or think for themselves. For what it's worth, I still think CNN is one of the better cable news networks. Sure they've gone a lot more entertainment focused, but compared to Fox "News" which has become quite a juggernaut, they're still more news centric. Although my political persuasion pulls me to MSNBC, I find that it doesn't do much good to be shouting from the other side either with such animosity. All the civility has disappeared. No one wants to work to compromise anymore. It's either "my way or the highway". Anyways, this past summer I became involved with a great non-profit organization, offering researched, unbiased, political information. We don't accept corporate gifts. Our hope is that people will actually dig into the information to make informed decisions when electing officials. I suppose it's a lot to ask when soundbites and attack ads dominate so much of politics here these days. We're trying to reach as many people as possible so we can finally clean up our crap and work together. Despite my liberal leanings, I personally don't care if a one is conservative or not. Afterall in a free and open society, one can believe whatever they want. All I care about is that they can make coherent arguments with actual facts for their positions. I know you're Canadian and all, but spread the word if you can. http://www.votesmart.org, and http://www.votesmart.org/voteeasy.
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