Whilst it may be true that American politics is mostly all show, the American people should not underestimate how their actions – or apathy – will affect the rest of the world.

Voter turnout for the last election was pathetic and look at what that gave the world – Bush. One person can do a lot of damage when you give him a lot of power and you’re the ones handing over the power.

Sure, the issues may be subtle for you, but do you think they were that subtle for the people living in Iraq?

Americans have a responsibility to consider who they vote for very very carefully because their actions affect more than just them.

@rationpsychic – I read it. Good one. It is interesting how the CLinton’s manage to hide their past. Talk about experience…

@Mr Pink Eyes – That’s part of the problem isn’t it? The candidates are more or less middle of the road and little real choice of conservative or liberal. Bought the tickets for the Red Sox game yet? Waiting to have that beer!

@Keven Bennett – That’s what I hope and believe as well. That maybe America is at the crossroads of leadership and politics. That maybe this time it will have a long-term impact. For good.

Only recently has small contributors have had any influence on the course of our politics. Of course, I’m referring to internet driven small contributions. I’m not sure how big an influence they will ever be given the long shadow of the big-time financers of the various candidates.

We do not really have true democracy in that our choices are limited to the ones the moneymakers finance – and those candidates are not going to think “what is good for America”.

Nope. It’s “what is good for my client” that rules the roost here right now.

Even if Obama doesn’t win, or even participate in the November election, a new political force is forming that is outside the confines of either party.

It is a force that seems to be less willing to be led by propagandizing, knows that the market isn’t the answer to social ills, and that tax reduction isn’t the answer for market ills.

This is the new America, post Civil Rights America. The America that has emerged from the ’80′s, ’90′s and ’00′s “me first” instant-gratification-athon insensitivity that has ruled politics for the past 30 years.

This is an America that stands on the brink of very hard choices – at least hard for those who have been married to and misled by rhetoric and lies sold as truth.

America is going on a journey who’s outcome may not be known for another thirty years, such are the enormous internal dangers that face us, let alone the reality of politics outside our borders.

I think, if I live long enough, I will like the new America. Then again, there will be plenty of opportunity for the forces of selfishness and evil to wreak havoc on my country…

I’d be much obliged for any reactions you might want to share.

Thanks.

I said “too strongly” because I do care about some things that I think make a difference in the long run( and even short term):
“Who will protect your freedom of speech even when it hurts? Who will get rid of laws that allows your privacy to be exploited? ”

I would add to that, “Who will make corporations accountable in the same way that individual citizens are held accountable?”
“Who will reform our education system?” “Who will speak out about our need to understand our culture and change it where it needs improvement?”
“Who will take Americans into an era where adults speak intelligently about the issues facing our country and how we all play a role?”