Conversation Countdown

So i wrote something along these lines in my facebook status. And it got me onto this blog writing thing as it was perhaps a little heavy for a status update. Certainly not my usual 'strictly' updates or menu options! But what I really wanted to get at was a conversation I wanted to have with every American everyday until election day (Tues Nov 6th). A conversation about the responsibility and influence most probably don't even know they have.

I wanted to say I understand that the current economic climate is tough and that it appears to be getting worse. I know that during these times it's hard to see past the numbers. But to please look at the big picture and the end game..

I still want to say it and to encourage you all and yes even y'all to please think very hard before you vote for anyone else except Obama. Because economic seasons are just that; seasons, they rise and fall, they dip and peak. What matters is how you journey through them, who steers the course and ultimately what kind of nation you wish to be at the end.

Here in the UK 'we' chose to say goodbye to a brilliant economist and good politician because we associated him too closely with a government in charge during this downturn. People were swayed by tough talk, tv debates and numbers. And now... 'we' watch as social structures are taken down in the name of figures, promises are of course forgotten, the vulnerable are left to the side and we all cling to this thing called 'business'. I realise that since my first outburst along these lines employment does seem to be rising and we are apparently avoiding a double dip. Which I'm really hoping is the case because we are going to need every penny to rebuild the NHS, Universities and social care structures when we finally boot Cameron and his cronies out.

Please be careful - nations are not corporations. They are families, they are dreams, they are histories and they are people. If you have someone with dignity, grace and wisdom please be cautious what you trade this in for. You are voting for more than yourself, or even your local business - as important as that is- you are voting for the community that hasn't been bombed, the minority that hasn't been excluded and for the image of America as seen from many miles away.

More than this though, I think over the last weeks of campaigning and debates I have realised just how divided America seems. I think the biggest failure or perhaps dream lost from the previous 4 years of the Obama administration was the loss of unity of a nation driven by and for 'Change'. Perhaps it was a little too much to hope for, that one nation really could be indivisible under God. However, it has saddened me as a great lover of its people, mountains, malls and skies to see yet again the manner with which America conducts herself during Elections. Abusive language on sites like Instagram, Facebook and the like, the tv ads etc and even the candidates presentation of themselves and the issues during the debates. Hey I'm not saying we are necessarily any better. I have no idea how the UK is viewed during general elections(please do comment) - my guess is we are not viewed at all and that like at home our political spectrum is unfortunately of little interest. But despite my opposition to the PM and my scepticism of its outcomes I am proud we have a coalition government and even more proud of Scotland's burgeoning profile as user of Proportional Representation.

Would it not be worth fighting for more equal representation and diversity in the smaller parties in the US? Do you still feel a presidential model is working when you seem to have such little respect for your Presidents? Are you willing to look beyond isolationism for the good of others?