This blog really isn’t the place for political stuff, though some days it doesn’t feel right to be wittering on about cushions and cupcakes. Today is one of those days.
I used to work in the City. I stuck at investment banking for about nine years until I worked out that I hated it. And one of the things I hated most was this feeling that we were putting lipstick on pigs and never really admitting they were pigs. But today the chickens and the pigs as well are coming home to roost.
As an outsider to the American political process, it has been fascinating and terrifying to watch it from the ‘inside’. I had some idea when back in the UK that abortion was a big issue here. I had no idea that even with so much negative crap going on, it would still be one of the most important issues on the agenda. People here don’t believe me when I say that back in the UK I don’t have a clue where top politicians stand on abortion, that it’s hardly even mentioned.
Amazing as it may seem, I feel nostalgic for the British political process. For discussion that, however sleazily or simplistically, still focuses on things like taxation, healthcare, education, the Iraq war and the environment. Here, the discussion is all about abortion, teenage pregnancy, lipstick, guns and where Sarah Palin gets her glasses.
Americans, and the rest of the world, deserve better than that.
Here, for what it’s worth, is some of the most insightful and funniest commentary so far. (Sorry I can’t embed a video as NBC has had all the ones on YouTube deleted).
I really appreciate your perspective, and agree. Why can’t we just stick with (and debate) the issues at hand? It makes me crazy. I don’t like it one bit.
I am always interested in your perspective and believe you are 100% right. I hope you won’t think all Americans are the same. I was born here and still live here but I am not proud of so many things about this country–things you are very good at highlighting, including this most recent post. When I read your blog I long to live in another country all the more…sad to say. I just feel powerless to do anything about making changes in this country.
i found this to be quite funny too:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah-palin-gender-card
It’s mass madness. To think they are considering a woman who doesn’t believe in evolution a reasonable choice to become our president should Mccain win but then become incapacitated. I’m flabbergasted.
I agree with maja above. The daily show is soo funny.
I certainly don’t think all Americans are the same – in fact it fascinates me how polarised the country is, much more than I imagined from the other side of the world. In fact I suppose there are actually issues being discussed here… just really weird issues 🙂
I too loved that Daily Show clip.
thank you for your insight, paola. it’s true, a large percentage of americans don’t vote in their financial, medical, or educational best interest because the moral issues ultimately drive their votes. it’s so frustrating and has led us to where we are now.
i’ll never forget how shocked my british co-worker was when she realized that she had to pay a huge chunk of her medical bill out of pocket ($7,000) because our company’s insurance didn’t cover all of her procedures. she said it was a crime that getting sick could potentially bankrupt a person in this country. i couldn’t agree more.
Live here, love my happy litle life, vote every election, wish I didn’t know where they stood on these issues either. I have my own stand and it means something to me, but those issues aren’t exactly why we need a national leader, now is it?
LOVE SARAH PALIN … DONT FALL INTO MEDIA BRAINWASHING..DON’T LET MEDIA DECIDE YOUR OPINION…THERE ARE ONLY 6 WOMEN GOVERNORS IN THE UNITED STATE AND PALIN IS ONE OF THEM. SHE HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN ALASKA AND HER APPROVAL RATINGS IS IN THE 80’S MORE THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNOR IN THE NATION.
MORE ON SARAH PALIN YOU CAN VISIT
http://WWW.GOVERNORPALIN.BLOGSPOT.COM
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