Obama

Leading up to the Canadian Federal election on October 14, it annoyed me that so many of my compatriots seemed less interested in its outcome than in the American Presidential race. Suddenly I realize why; it's more than societal ADD.

For many years the President of the United States was arguably the most powerful person on the planet. He was invariably male and Caucasian. Recently, lack of genuine leadership and vision has deteriorated and degraded that power.

I have reservations about Barack Obama. I picked this up from a Liberal-thinking American friend who is utterly dismayed with the state of democracy in her country, and feels little admiration for the politician who rides to victory on the hugest fundraising surge in Presidential history. Sadly, it's still about connections.

But. The fact that he is African-American must change the way Americans think about themselves. It might bring the United States more credibility on the international field. Perhaps it will even subtly change our self-perceptions as a species. Personally, I feel less cynical about our capacity for change than I did a few months ago. I hope it's a nudge in the right direction.

On the other hand, the best part is that the campaign is over. I've seen too much of the blatant hatred that sometimes masquerades as American patriotism.