Oct 14 2008
Why I’m NOT Sick of this Election Yet
I love every minute of this election. A non-violent story about a successful Black man? Am I dreaming? Seriously, though, I think this election is bringing up many issues that finally need to be addressed.
1. Race. The multifaceted issues of race are finally being addressed in a PC and non-PC way. From Barack’s biracial identity to the problems facing lower- and even upper-class African-Americans, this election is bringing up race and the complicated history it has in this country. Was Rev. Wright right to be so resentful towards America? Will the success of Barack somehow affect poor Black people? This election has raised these and more compelling questions with no easy answers.
2. Gender. From liberal feminist Hillary Clinton to conservative Sarah Palin, this election has taken on another complicated issue of gender. While Hillary was insulted as cold and calculated for having the ambition to run for president, Sarah Palin is just seen as just doggoned plucky for running for vice-president. Is it because Hillary is more serious and threatening with her pantsuits, while Sarah winks and shoots moose and whatever else Republican men like? Probably.
3. Health care is finally getting some attention. I don’t know if it was Michael Moore’s movie, Sicko, that was the tipping point, but the plight of the millions of uninsured ( me included) is in the spotlight. Of course, Barack has the better health care plan, expanding goverment help to others instead of having people blindly fend for themselves to buy insurance. But will the next president be able to afford any expansion of health care with this bailout and other economic messes? I don’t know, but I will certainly follow up and find out.
For these reasons and many more, this election is the most interesting one I’ve seen in my short life. I can’t wait to vote and hopefully these issues will still be talked about openly and honestly after November 4.
