In U.S. Presidential elections, sometimes Missouri is called a "bellwether state". However, for the world, the United States of America is a bellwether nation. That is because our elections indicate the kinds of policies we will enact and how we will approach the world for the next four to eight years.
No country affects the world more than the United States. No country is watched more closely than the United States. The election on Tuesday isn't just for President of the United States, it is for the most influential and powerful leadership position in the world.
The world is watching...and they will judge us on how we choose. Some Republican pundits have actually argued that Americans shouldn't care what the rest of the world thinks. That seems moronic on a level that cannot be imagined, and should be disregarded just the same.
On Tuesday evening, it will be Wednesday morning or afternoon in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They will all be watching. They will be staying up late Wednesday night in Japan and Australia to watch the results. South Americans will be staying up with us on Tuesday night to watch the results. Most Americans, including myself, don't stay up late to watch the election returns in Germany or Great Britain or Australia, or anywhere else they hold Democratic elections. Not that their elections don't matter, just that our elections are truly the most crucial.
If Obama wins on Tuesday, which we all know is likely, how will the world see us? We know already from some of the press coverage internationally that the world will be mostly supportive. However, we also know that many people across the world will be overjoyed. This election will change the trajectory of our nation and the world. Barack Obama represents real change and leadership. This goes beyond the talking points. This cuts into the way America is seen across the world. Barack Obama projects the best of America.
That America could brush off its racial history and vote for a true leader preaching hope and unity against an old politician from the good old boy network, would immediately change the perception of America. The fact that John McCain calls himself a Maverick doesn't register to the rest of the world. They see another establishment conservative politician. John McCain may be considered somewhat moderate in America, but he is quite conservative for global standards. He is openly militaristic, against equality for women and homosexuals, and fiercely capitalistic and in favor of expanding the income gap between the wealthy and the working class.
Electing Barack Obama is a sign to the world that America is ready to accept responsibility for its failures of the last eight years and wants to re-establish respect across the world. Is that really "dangerous", like the McCain campaign suggests?
If we somehow elect John McCain, the world will not be so kind. However, in the spirit of the Obama campaign, I don't think it useful to use fear by detailing what the world may think if America chose McCain. For it is clearly hope vs. fear and love vs. fear that this election represents. Electing McCain sends a signal that America is afraid of the rest of the world. They are afraid of diversity. They are afraid of diplomacy. Electing Barack Obama signals that America is ready to embrace responsibility, and embrace the world community. America is not a melting pot anymore, where we are all assimilated into the same culture. America is a diverse nation with many cultures. The great debate that this election may answer is whether multiculturalism and diversity is a value that the majority of Americans share. That we can come from different cultures, and practice different traditions, but still be able to work together and share a laugh together, no matter our differences. That we can respect our differences without unreasonable fear of one another.
The world is watching us on Tuesday. Most nations want to be our partner and forge an alliance for peace. We must send a message on Tuesday that we reciprocate those sentiments.
I care what the world thinks and I care because I am a citizen of the world as much as I am a citizen of the United States. My decisions affect the lives of people in the rest of the world, just as their view of our nation affects our lives in America. From the judges we choose for the Supreme Court to the policies we choose on foreign affairs; our choice matters. When the world is behind us, we can accomplish anything. When the world fears us, they take up arms to protect themselves. Tell me which of these world reactions do you want to see on Tuesday night?
If you remove "free" from that title you get a meaning that is more in line with what is believed by some in our country. It is even portrayed in our movies at times.