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04/08/2008An American’s views on the upcoming elections

An American’s views on the upcoming elections Expatica blogger Kristen is starting to realise why everyone in the world is fascinated with the impending presidential elections.

REMEMBER America's heyday when people still liked our leader, there was a surplus in the economy and our biggest scandal was a stained dress?

The impending American presidential elections keep Yankee expats on their toes.
 
 I'll admit it - a year ago, I did not know what a caucus was. Maybe I should have from American history class, but I never had to. Until now. I find myself passing on the newly acquired knowledge at bars on a weekly basis.
 
The upcoming presidential elections in the US are widely-regarded as some of the most important in recent history.

The world watches as US citizens choose their president.This election will mean the end of the eight-year term of an internationally unpopular President, the prospect of a half-black man taking his place, and a couple of women and a Mormon in contention for the VP spot.

The world is watching.
 
Americans unfortunately often have the reputation of being somewhat ignorant about global politics, while our international counterparts know plenty about US leaders and policies.

My family back home must know this, because they always ask with some trepidation, "Do people give you a hard time in Spain for being American?"
 
Never, not once.

The friends I've made here are simply interested in different perspectives, and love to chat about current events. I make more of an effort to read a few different newspapers and keep myself updated on politics here than I ever did in the US.
 
When I first arrived in Spain, there was a demonstration protesting the Spanish involvement in the invasion of Iraq.

The Puerta del Sol was littered with photocopied dollar bills with fake blood on them and George W Bush's face printed squarely in the centre.

While I personally agreed with the cause of the demonstration, I felt a bizarre surge of (hypocritical) defensiveness at seeing my country's symbols tramped on foreign soil.

It was the feeling of, "I can pick on my little brother all I want, but no one else can."
 
But then I realise how much America's decisions were affecting the world's decisions and peoples' lives here in Spain.

Now, with the weak dollar and the price of petrol wreaking havoc on the global economy, it's even more evident.
 
My European friends have often joked that everyone in the world should get to vote in the US presidential elections because it's an election that truly affects everyone.

I used to laugh off that statement, but now I'm not so sure. A few more wise global perspectives couldn't hurt.
 
text by Kristen Bernardi
image by El Grigue

The writer, Kristen Bernardi, is a blogger with Expatica Spain and contributes to a fortnightly blog on alternate Fridays. Kristen says: The views expressed in this blog are the author's and do not reflect the views of Expatica editor. Don't send her angry letters. Write your state representative instead. And fellow Americans, don't forget to register to vote in November's elections!


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