This year, the colored animal pundits are being kept in their cages. With the presidential election in full swing, a new dynamic has emerged within the political spectrum. The candidates have presented themselves among the millions of pieces of confetti, the shared slogans, and the stories Americans want to hear. But who and what are we really voting for? This election has been separated more so by idealistic characters than any other election in my own short history. This year, we vote for an ideal rather than an issue.
Throughout this election two main archetypes have shed the political know-how and have run to the front of podiums. We have Senator John McCain, the American Hero, versus Senator Barack Obama; the American Dream. While both campaigns promise change, they do so by different means. The vote we cast is our choice for a new American way. Who can we trust to fix this leaking ship? While Senator McCain promises “reform”, it also means keeping the America that has driven us through decades of identifiable prosperity as well as decline. Rather, Senator Obama has promised a different type of change that has yet to be to be seen. As arbitrary as change can seem, both candidates promise a strong dose of it. The way I see it, the American hero will attempt to fix the ship or go down with it, while the American Dream will build a new one. As a nation, are we ready for the promised drastic change? Why is this election one of the all time greats? More decidedly than not, this country has been faced with one real drastic decision.
The old time leadership is now on the chopping block, and this election has defied the politics we have come to know. The American Dream is rampant throughout the youth of America, as we have no bond to the old time politics anymore. According to Time.com, the number of young democrats has increased by a whopping 135%.In today’s election, the issues are rarely bound to the politician but rather the character they portray. The ultimate in the old way verse the new start.
As a young and admittedly naive college student, I feel this is a calling of immense proportions. Which character supports the American ideals that you as an American citizen subscribe to? More than ever, this election has been about the disintegration of politicians and the transformation into two distinct characters. So once the confetti has settled and the clapping subsided, chose a side and hope that the idea is worth the change.