November 6, 2000
America, land of the boring and free - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER -- It’s about two days away from the American Presidential elections. November the 7th sees our American friends head to the polls and probably at an all-time low rate. If Canadians are apathetic, the Americans take the cake. They probably invented it, just like Al Gore invented the Internet.
The world of American politics is far different from our fair Canadian version. They probably have the truest form of a democracy and having that, I probably am not as critical of their self-adulation that we Canadians seem to hate so much. Al Gore, the incumbent Vice-President, makes a bid for the world highest post. The Democrat from Tennessee will try to stifle the chances of that Governor from the Great State of Texas, George Dubya Bush. It’s rather boring if you ask me.
Gore is a bore, and Bush is simply laughable. American Presidential races are usually exciting, but after the aggrandisement at both Philadelphia and Los Angeles last August, the buzz died out. Even Bo Derek at the Republican Convention failed to score a ‘10’, and the parade of Hollywood lackeys at the Democrats’ bun toss: Warren Beatty, Whoopi Goldberg, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Smits etc.; were merely publicity ventures on their parts rather than boosting the faltering image of Al Gore.
I guess, I am preoccupied with thoughts of a minority government in Canada, rather than thinking of probably a more important race to the annals of history. As much as we loath to admit it, perhaps this American election is a hell of a lot more important to Canada, then our own. Perhaps I’m blowing steam up a camel’s ass, don’t get me wrong, I believe it important who we have as a government in Canada, but the United States is the United States. The Big One, as Michael Moore would rather dub it.
Speaking of Michael Moore, I never really understood the man until I went to Langara, for that matter post-secondary. I’m sure all astute thinkers know of Mr. Moore and such, but it’s at Langara that I’ve been introduced to his efforts. For those who enjoy Tom Green, he’s not like Tom Green... well, sort of. He subscribes to the ambush mentality of using a camera and “hitting” your victims, but he does so intellectually. I got to see his film “The Big One” a couple of weeks ago, and I must admit it is a rather ingenious piece of work. I don’t know really know how to describe him but as a filmmaker slash author slash activist slash regular guy, with irregular ways of going around to be heard. His cable program, The Awful Truth is a wonderful insight to the absurdity of politics and life; Injustice and the only solution to that, public shame.
“The Big One” was an interesting look at the huge cost and stupidity of the American political process. It focuses on the 1996 race between President Clinton and Senator Bob Dole. He went beyond the two of them and really the reality of the two-party system. He also looked at the trend of downsizing and workers rights. Near the end of the film he takes up the cause of worker’s rights and unemployment to the head of Nike, Philip Knight. There are some interesting exchanges and an interesting look at capitalism, socialism and all the lovely things that are a part of democracy and political thought.
I bring up Mr. Moore, because I really haven’t seen anything recently on what he’s done in the age of Post-Monica - Bush versus Gore. I think the same complaints would be there. Electoral reform, to counter the two-party system. The media and the manipulation thereof, for the good and bad (mostly bad) of otherwise normal people, politicians. Labour, and how the hotshots of American politics neglect Americas life blood.
I can’t really think who’d win come Tuesday. I could imagine both Gore and Bush wins, yet I side with my forward thinking that Vice-President Al Gore will drop the ‘Vice’ modifier in front of his name come Wednesday. I have always said however I feel George W. Bush, the man to be President. It’s time for change, and he’s the only logical candidate. Pat Buchanan, is really, out there change, but no one will vote for him tomorrow, anyways.
Scenarios: Al Gore wins the election. Very close, he narrowly beats out Bush in the Electoral College race (a race by the way no ones thought of until now,) and does the same in terms of the popular vote.
George Bush wins the election. Gore is treading water in some states, thanks to Ralph Nader’s Green Party, thus Bush and he are at a statistical dead heat, a difference of thousands of votes to Bush’s favour. Bush, at the same time, sweeps the electoral college.
George Bush wins the election, II. Gore keeps Nader’s Greens at bay, and triumphs over Bush in the popular vote count. However, Bush still sweeps key swing ridings of California, Washington, Florida and others in the Electoral College. Thus, a Bush win, because of the conventions of law and its constitution.
Al Gore wins the election, II. Gore triumphs over Bush both in the popular vote and the Electoral College.
Of the proposals set above, the favour is in Gore’s favour. Bush can retreat to cruise control now, because Gore has to keep his vote from eroding to the Green’s. That is his only obstacle. I hope Bush becomes the President, but at this very moment, Al Gore will be President come Commentary time on Thursday. Geez, I hope not.
Whatever happens, history will change, the lives of those involved will change and Americans will have their chance at exercising democracy again this Tuesday. Perhaps by Tuesday evening, we’ll all get watching and probably be in for a bit of excitement. We can only hope.
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An archive of Joseph Planta's previous columns can be found by clicking HERE .