Had Enough Yet?

 

Greetings Friends,

Never let it be said that the United States is a wallflower. It can also never be said that any Canadian election will ever be viewed as a world-changing event. Another cold, hard fact about life in the information age is that the American election cycle never ends. Are we tired yet? Have we had enough?

This morning, President Barack Obama announced his intention to seek re-election in 2012. He's filing his papers with the Federal Election Commission and is gearing up to raise what will probably be record amounts of money to run his re-election campaign. It's hard to believe that time has passed so quickly, and that it's time to do this all over again.

As excited as I am about the upcoming Canadian election, I have to admit to feeling somewhat ambivalent about the 2012 presidential campaign. As I previously stated, it's a hell of a lot easier to wreck a parliament than it is to bring about change in federal constitutional republic. Here in Canada, I find myself rooting for Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper to gain his elusive majority. When you have to contend with minority government rule for too long, it starts to resemble, um, how can I say this delicately: having a squeeze without a squirt. That's sure to land me a spot on CBC's "At Issue" panel, don't you think?

While Canada will probably know who its leader will be in the wee hours of May 3, 2011, Americans will have to sweat it out until November, 2012. In the meantime, there isn't a moment's peace, a chance to take a breath, or even a chance to put through meaningful legislation without the public and the punditry going to war over it. I'm starting to believe that politics is going to replace professional sports in terms of capturing the interest of Americans. After all, there really is no off-season. It's not like having to pine away for baseball during the bleak winter months. Politics never goes away. It's always in season, and it never retires. 

How about that Obama 2012 yard sign pictured above? You too can own one if you visit Obama's Web site, watch his video and make a donation.

Is it me, or was 2007 only yesterday?

Nava