The 2004 Election 


It is NOT the most important election in American history, but it is important. 

It is said all of the time that this is the most important election in American history, but it is not; every election is the "most important" in its time for the reason that the policies that come from whomever is chosen to be the President can dramatically alter not only the landscape of power and prosperity in the US, but all throughout the world. That is one reason that so many people outside of the US are watching this election with such interest and anticipation, so that they can see what the American people's will is and how the policies of their government will be affected by the election results. The General Election taking place this year is highly significant in one important way, however: it is different than any other in the history of the United States as it is the first election in which the president of the country will be chosen since the deadly terrorist attacks on America of 11 September 2001.




It is important to note some background information on the final American General Election of the "pre-9/11 era": Some people claimed that the election in 2000--in which George W Bush eventually was elected and became President--was a testament as to how weak and, indeed, how deathly ill the American practice and ideal of democracy was. Quite to the contrary: the election proved to everyone that, even with a country so evenly politically divided, a peaceful transition of power can take place from one executive administration of one political party to another of a different party. There were no coup d'etats by the military or others; there were no assassination attempts on the President or his officials; and neighborhoods did not erupt into flames brought on by opposing views between neighbors. It is true that some people today still do not accept President Bush as "their President," but through the fog of political partisanship and rhetoric they must recognize that America is a land where the rule of law reigns and that that law was created of us, for us and by us. For over 200 years we have controlled our own destinies by holding firm to our principles of lawfulness and of a common heritage: anyone who comes to this country and becomes an American holds that very heritage of having the experience of freedom, liberty and the experience of casting a vote for his or her leaders.

The election of 2000 worked and it will work again in 2004, even in a world changed by the realization by the populace of this country of the threat of international terrorism. It is partially because of this that the campaign for the presidency between George W Bush and John Kerry has been one of the most intense, vitriolic and emotional campaigns in the history of the US, if not the most so. Americans of all political persuasions have been motivated by the events that have transpired during President Bush's tenure and it is difficult to find an American who is indifferent about the current leader. It is because of the various political parties' intensive pushes for support and the abundance of emotion on both sides of the spectrum that voter turnout in 2004 will be larger than ever, setting new records all over the board. Problems at polling places (real or invented), lost ballots and ballots coming in late from overseas will inevitably occur (and are unfortunate) in a country so large and so polarized as the US and in any election anywhere, but the will of the people will still eventually be heard, and served.

Knowing what the people want may not be clear in the evening of 2 November, or the next day or the next, but it will be known, and with plenty of time before the January inauguration of whoever is elected President.

Even with all of the changes in the electoral process since 2000--early voting, electronic voting, poll monitors, etc.--there are sure to be disagreements and accusations of disenfranchisement all around the country after the polls close. This too shall pass, however, and the US will have chosen its next president in the fashion that it has for the entire period of the existence of our Constitution: the people will have guided their own destinies and will have chosen their leaders by their own hand, not out of coercion, blackmail or otherwise.

Many people prefer to keep their political views secret in the US and that is possible to do and is what many are opting to do this election cycle when the stakes are so different and the emotions are so high. I support the reelection of George W Bush because I make my political decisions rationally based on what I believe to be the correct priorities of our government and our role in the world. I disagree with a couple of the President's social stances, but support him on the things that matter to our country the most. I do not much care for Kerry's politics, his methods or his history very much, nor do I l care for his wife; she would be an odd First Lady. Those factors also count, albeit smaller for me than they might for other people.

The people of the United States will have their last chance to vote tomorrow and all of the ballots will be counted. We will have a pretty good idea in a few short hours as to who has won the presidency or whether a long, drawn-out contest still looms for us. One thing is for certain, however: we will get through this challenge as well as the other challenges facing our leaders and our world. Does Mr. Kerry know exactly what he is asking to get himself into? I truly believe that President Bush realizes the pressures of his job and truly wishes to guide this country to a greater place. He has shown decisive leadership (unlike his opponent), something that I wish for him to continue doing.

I, and the world, will be getting no sleep tomorrow night.

I hope that Osama won't get any either, or if he does, that it's terminal. 

Posted: Mon - November 1, 2004 at 11:12 PM          

©