Election Day in the U.S.A.

I am not overtly political and you know that if you follow this blog or if you know me; but today, today I must talk about politics.  As a dual citizen I have the opportunity to pay taxes in two countries as well as the privilege of voting in both.  And yes I did use an absentee ballot to cast my U.S. vote.

My American friends might be surprised to know that the Canadian press has been covering the entire U.S. campaign throughout the months leading up to today.  People north of the 49th know the names of the two presidential candidates and their running mates and where all four call home.  Many can list the important swing states and what makes them so important and speak intelligently about the U.S. campaigns' talking point.  Not many Americans would know the same sort of details about Canadian politics.

I've determined why Canadians are so focused on this race.  The obvious reason is this, how the U.S. economy goes so goes Canada's, and the U.S. president has something important to do about that economy.  But in a more hushed tone some of my Canadians friends, in private moments, will admit they rather like the circus of it all as well.

Last night the CBC national evening news broadcast, The National, spent a full 16 minutes out of 60 (uninterrupted by advertisements) discussing the U.S. race.  And tonight the Canadian election night coverage for the U.S. will start at 8 pm.  Can you imagine U.S. news spending any prime time covering a Canadian election?  I find most interesting the obvious lack of partisanship in the Canadian coverage because it is free of pundits repeating their talking points.  Nor is it important that Canadians believe it is a tight race.  I have to say Canadian coverage is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the back and forth, red and blue coverage I see on Fox and MSNBC.  (Of course my opinion of Canadian coverage about Canadian politics would not get such glowing reviews.)

What U.S. citizens might appreciate most after this exceeding long campaign with its estimated $2 3 billion spent is that Canadian national election races are limited to six weeks.  There are also limits on sold television advertising time and the spending on election advertising by interest groups. Yes, you read all of that right.  Can you imagine only having to deal with elections from late September to early November during an election year with a limited budget?   Sounds pretty good today doesn't it?

Here's a brief nod to knitting with a Wall Flower update.  I'm getting pretty good at the duplicate stitch and the outlines of a flower are starting to take shape.