by Brian Chartier

Created on: June 17, 2008

Do I get to Vote for that Regan fellow again?

First let me say that I am Canadian which means I do not get to vote in U.S. elections. I do however follow U.S. politics because the impact of either the President or the Congress can be felt up here in the Great White North.

I have travelled far and wide in the United States both for business and for pleasure. I love the people and I love to hear perspectives about current events.

Here is a true story. I was speaking at a conference in Dallas Texas. Here are my opening remarks, "Thank you for the introduction. Usually I open with some humourous comments about the President, but seeing as I am in his home state, I thought I better not make fun of him".
Within seconds, a woman in the front row stood up and said, "why the he* not, we do!". I guess the point of this anecdote is that I have always found Americans to be very passionate. Passionate about life, passionate about their country and its politics.

Interestingly, the highest voter turnout I could find was 1960 when John F. Kennedy narrowly beat-out Richard Nixon. Now there have been some peaks and valleys since but I leads me to wonder if in fact Barrack Obama could bring voters back. There is one article that I found that questions his participation in a Muslim school at some point in his life. Does this matter? I wrote an article once about 9/11 and asked the question "What if it were Catholics or Baptists flying the airplanes on that dreadful day. Would they have been all categorized as terrorists?". Well that is food for thought.

What is interesting though is the voter apathy that seems to permeate much of the United States. There is a strong conviction in defending the way of life and democracy but there is also a strong dis-belief in government. Mr. Obama claims to be fully aware of the cynical view that many Americans have of politics and many politicians. In my opinion, the only way to change the tide is to act differently. For example. When President Clinton was impeached, the credible thing to do would have been to resign and let Mr. Gore run the country for a few months. As voters, regardless of our country, we believe in our politicians and if they fail us, especially legally, then we would expect to be protected by our judiciary systems. If laws can be violated and we can still keep our jobs then I believe some flood-gates are now opened and anything goes.

Mr. Obama seems to bring a breath of fresh air as he has strong convictions about behavior and values. Time will tell if this can transcend to bigger things and eventually permeate all levels of government. I love the United States and I love their sense of patriotism. I wish we could get some of that here. If you wave a flag on your front lawn in Canada, your neighbors think you are a bit strange. In the United States, a flag on the front of your house shows your patriotism. I love it!

I truly believe that the lack of voter turnout is directly related to an apathetic view of politians and as such it will take a new generation and perhaps some hard lessons at the top to change things. Also, we live in a new society where dual incomes mean that mom and dad may just be to tired to vote. Whatever the reason, it will take somthing drastic to make them want to vote and perhaps this November there will be a change in the wind and those who want to see change will go to the voting booths to help make chane happen.

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