It was strange for me to go to my home group tonight, knowing that I was the only one who had voted, as I was the only one who could vote...and I did send in my absentee ballot two weeks ago by the way. So it has already arrived and been counted. Patricia and I had our own personal election day : )
...I'm now sitting here on my couch watching the election update, flipping between the CNN and BBC channels on my TV. The first polls will not close for another 15 minutes, which happens to be midnight Amsterdam time. Meaning, the last polls Alaska time will not close until 7 AM my time! I'm not planning on staying up all night to wait for the results of election, I just wanted to get a taste of what is going on... It's so interesting to watch things unravel from this side of the ocean. Europeans are fascinated by the American political system and of course, this election in particular. While traveling to Paris, I noticed how every front page news article, every magazine cover, and posters hanging around the city were centered around our election. One magazine article I saw in a European magazine was even entitled "Who will become the next world leader?" I've even heard of parties being held for the election around the city, and being hosted by Dutch people no less. Our political system is a spectacle.
The world is watching. The world is waiting. Do we really realize as Americans how this election will have an impact on the entire world?!?
Something that boggles me is what it must feel like to be a presidential candidate during a time like this...hours from knowing whether or not the responsibility of president will be falling on your shoulders. I read this fascinating article on the super-ego of would-be presidents in the New York Times yesterday: The Mindset in the Middle of the Storm Read Here. Wow. To be that kind of person who is willing to take on the presidency, especially in a time of such uncertainty and instability. It's absolutely crazy insane (!!) and also incredibly admirable to think that there are people who have the courage to take on such an enormous task as caring for our country.
As everyone is asking, I join along ... how will this day go down in history?
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2 comments:
Yesterday at work was quite fascinating for me. My coworkers are scattered over 25 countries, and so many of them were emailing me...trying to find out how I voted, what was going on, what everyone was thinking.
It was amazing to see how much vested interest other countries had. What we do here in America really does impact so many others!
You're a rock star! Good to see you voted!
I'm enjoying reading your blog. Keep it up!
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