A Personal Reflection: The Global-American Condition in 2008

The theme that I keep going over in my head is the one that’s been articulated here already, that this is America in 2008, that even if our efforts are unappreciated by some, then they are wholeheartedly supported by others – that we are witness to the Global-American condition in this critical, historic, iconic year.

In recent days, we have been exposed to the great American dichotomy; of a work always intentionally and admirably unfinished, of impossible ideals grasped for, of the diversity in background and opinion that encompass the creed: E Pluribus, Unum; that though America is comprised of people from every extreme of life’s spectrum, the overall national direction can be unified if it holds to the fundamental belief that all men are created equal.

Yes, even now we are largely outsiders to this process, observers to the sensitive makeup of a nation much more than we are participants, but we feel we can make a small impact with the work we do – that if one person we connect with votes for Obama even in part as a result of a conversation we’ve had with them, then rather than wasting our time in an arena in which we are not wanted, we’ve invested it with passion and precision.

I understand that there are issues at stake in this election that are unique to Americans, that this is their business first and foremost.

But if Drive for Obama can achieve anything towards its ends, then it’s the espousal of an international interpretation on the incredible process of American democracy, a forwarding that these issues affect us all.

For me specifically, it’s been a steep learning curve. The profound feeling during the first two weeks was that Drive for Obama was preaching to the choir; connecting with people, yes, but connecting with people who already agree with us, who are already dedicating their time to registering voters or knocking on doors and spreading the message, making sure that it is heard and that national opinion is given its just platform.

But, irrespective of what we would like to believe and what we hear from the campaigns, politics is – by definition – a partisan practise. People are ideological and vociferous in their long held views..

That's only right. There is nothing wrong with being ideological. People need to have convictions and people need to hold firm to the ideals that they believe will best benefit themselves and their families in the lives they choose to lead. That is the beauty of the democratic process and the genius of Jefferson’s Bill of Rights. And that is why we are afforded the privilege of doing this.

But when the differences that divide people are encouraged by national leaders – rather than the similarities that unite the common hopes everyone shares – the fracturing results are clear to see.

In recent days, we have been proxy to some of the vitriol espoused by the McCain-Palin campaign. I will not go into specifics here, but the hate-mongering that started at the Republican rallies is seemingly, in small number of specific constituencies, getting through and influencing the mindset of a small part of the electorate.

McCain and Palin’s tactics constitute fear-mongering of the darkest and most damaging kind. Yes, they are the results of a desperate campaign, and they will not affect the outcome of the election.

But hearing these comments on the streets, what concerns me is that the well of American fairness and tolerance is being poisoned by an element of the Republican campaign for political purposes, and that that may have severe consequences for the next administration.

The next President is going to have to deal with Honest to God battles. The global economy is in turmoil, war proliferates and our planet is burning.

My concern is that, as a direct result of the incitement of the McCain campaign, whose ads are not just negative or critical in political or ideological terms, not just demonstrating disagreement on the issues at stake, but are incendiary and downright dangerous, my concern is that the American and global social fabric(s) may require severe repair after this campaign, at a time when I thought cosmetic issues were being overcome.

My sincere hope, however, and my ultimate belief, is that the negative attacks will have little influence on the outcome of the election, and that an Obama presidency will confront and tackle these issues, and debate them in the open as a sincere assessment and addressing of what our world wants to be.

That is my hope and that's why we are spending time trying to connect with voters, for no other reason than to give voice to this message of Hope.

Alex.