Election Pains

I think I'll make it a point to live in a foreign country every election year. I've heard account from people in the States saying that this year has brought more media, more mud-slinging and more annoyances than any election before. Goodness, I'm in South Korea and I still get my share of election news. I was getting on the subway in Seoul the other week and there was a news stand featuring a Korean magazine with McCain and Obama on the cover. Now, I highly doubt that the USA had extensive coverage of the S. Korean presidential election between Lee Mung-bak, Chung Gond-young and Lee Hoi-chang last year (but then again, I was here so I don't know). But the whole world has their eyes on this election. Why? What made America the world's super power? Is it all our money? Is it because we're perfect and have never made mistakes? Is it because we have the most guns? I know that events throughout time and many factors have contributed to making the USA such a super power. But that doesn't mean we know the best way of doing things.

I must admit, I much prefer the S. Korean way of going about elections. Sure, there is media covereage, but I don't believe I saw one commercial for a candidate. They do have these trucks that drive around with a banner of the candidate on the back with a speaker blasting the candidate's ideals and platforms. Also, on some street corners, supporters of a certain candidate will stand with sashes promoting their guy and they will do a little dance (see the sound-less video below). Needless to say, I was a little oblivious of the politics that were occuring around me. But I doubt that a foreigner living in the States could be oblivious of the media circus we create there.

Maybe all of this ranting is a result of my polotical apathy. Well, maybe not apathy but definite disinterest. Yes, I took the pains of applying for an absentee ballot. I researched the candidates (and heard about my friend's sister who works at a hotel in Grand Rapids, MI where both candidates stayed at one point, one treated her with respect and kindness and the other, well the other was a complete jerk and made her walk over 20 flights of stairs to bring him room service because he made them shut down the elevators...and he didn't tip her...yes please, I'd love for someone like that to be in control of tax breaks for the working class). I feel as though I made an informed decision that wasn't fudged by negative commercials and character-bashing. Nevertheless, I voted and that's the whole point, right?

All of this is to say, every four years, I'd like to live in a country other than the USA. Living here has opened my eyes to how great and not-so-great my homeland really is. Who knows where I'll be come next election. But I am grateful that for the 2008 presidential mayhem, I'm here in Asia, where everything just seems simpler.