America, Thank God for what you have

Above, top to bottom:John McCain(R-AZ) speaks to supporters at a fundraising event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 17th; Sen. Barack Obama(D-IL) speaks at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Annual Gala at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 16th; John McCain(R-AZ) waves to supporters as his wife Cindy and students from Marquette College Republicans cheer during a rally at the Sheraton Hotel in Waukesha, Wisconsin on February 19; Hillary Rodham Clinton(D-NY) greets supporters at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Annual Gala at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 16th;  Sen. Barack Obama(D-IL) answers questions from reporters before a rally at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 15th. 

Have Americans pondered just how long this grueling election has gone on? Since February of 2007. That's almost two years, two years, that Obama has been campaigning, and McCain doesn't fall far behind. Quite frankly, I can't stand it anymore! Enough I said! I'm going to Ukraine where I can escape from all that!

And I came to Ukraine looking with interest at the escalating political drama between the president and the prime minister, the apathetic masses, the dissatisfaction and the corruption. I came to my classes within 2 weeks of school and asked "What's your opinion on politics in Ukraine?" Thrilled to finally be interested in politics that were distinctly not American. And now what do my students ask me?

"What do you think of Obama?"

"Who are you voting for?" 

"Who do Americans want to win?"

I suppose I'll never get away from it all.

Overwhelmingly, Ukrainians support Obama over Ukraine. Of those students I polled, at least 60% that voted chose Obama over McCain. Many of them were unaware(I educated them) of the current political situation in America, what the issues are and who's running. Ironically, many of them are willing to get behind a candidate with absolutely no knowledge of what he/she stands for in the election.

But they are far more optimistic about America than they are about their own country. Many Ukrainians don't get pumped up, flustered, or even angry when I ask about politics. They just sigh and shrug, roll their eyes and say "we don't care. What's the point? Nothing ever changes and everyone is corrupt." Which is true.

America, thank God that you have what you do. Just a month ago, Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko called snap parliamentary elections in defiance of his Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko. The elections are actually illegal and defy the constitution of this country. Although the move has been labeled as a maneuver to undermine the Prime Minister, she has done no better by challenging the national elections in a city court, also illegal. Ukrainians, at best, are not surprised and don't care. People go on with their lives as if it was any other day. 

There was just an article in the business journal here about how Ukraine is ready for adversity and hardship, for a lack of trustworthy government and economically trying times. That's what Ukraine has specialized in for the past 600 years! This country has been used and abused in so many ways, it's no surprise that the president and new, democratic, pro-western government are doing it again now.

In Russia, Putin called up the head of the United Russia party and announced he was going to be their new leader, effectively making him the new Prime Minister(the post he currently holds). The ex-KGB agent wasn't even a member of that party until he decided they needed a new leader. Imagine if Bush called Howard Dean this evening and announced he was replacing him! America would tear itself apart, riots would happen in the streets, the press would have a field day and there would be anarchy. In Russia, no one bats an eye.

Be thankful, my fellow Americans. You are truly blessed.