Now That John Edwards Is Out...

Since John Edwards' untimely defeat in the primaries, I would have thought there would be a vacuum in candidacy of Democrats wanting REAL change. After all, Edwards was a true liberal in every sense of the word. He was definitely someone who stood for the little guy - against big corporations.

With Edwards out, there is really only one choice - and also someone who would bring historic CHANGE - Barack Obama. Obama has exceptional elocution skills. He has a commanding presence in a room. He can get a crowd going. But more than that, Mr. Obama has also NOT been bought out by healthcare, insurance, or defense contractors...

Obama brings a new perspective on looking at things. His election will bring real change - as never seen before in the US. It will not necessarily be a change in policy (although we see him moving on Iraq, and having some clear ideas on other things - including corporate interference in national progress). It will be a change in the American psyche that delineates his candidacy. An American psyche that - thus far - has felt that a visible minority could not be president. For years people said it would be a woman first (remember Geraldine Ferraro?). Either would be good for America. Someone has to tone down the chauvinistic, paternal, hormonally charged, rhetorical discussion carried by the American nation as a whole. Seriously - the nation has become a young teenager charged with a testosterone-induced rage. The machismo needs to be toned down a little, and a woman or a visible minority President would more than likely set the tone from the top, with focus on other issues aside from "making war". Obama would probably make strides in tackling poverty in America, as well as corporate responsibility. He may also be able to make real changes to healthcare - without being tied down by healthcare campaign funding. Most bets are that Hilary would also bring a softer tone to the White House.

Up North - here in Canada - we need to be watchful of more conservative attempts to bring that raging "American psyche" up here. A new President down South will certainly help cool conservative heels up here. If these Northern bad-boys start behaving more like Joe's Tories (or even Mulroney's - in policy - not integrity), we would be a much better nation for it...

We may learn something from the US in the next few years. Wouldn't that be a change. Perhaps the changes down South will help us perpetuate changes up here. That's usually the way it goes - and it wouldn't be bad either.