Why this US Presidential election really matters to Singaporeans
5 November 2008
Unfortunately, I’m old and couldn’t stay up to watch the results come in like my masochist colleague Dan and make it to work the next day, but I did pretty much leap outta bed at 6am to turn on the television.
*blink blink* Does the teevee say 338 to Barack Obama?! Holy FUCK!!!!! I wanted it to happen, I didn’t think it would happen, and I am so glad I was wrong about that.
I’m sure Americans overseas will be gratified at the predicted decrease in conversations starting with, “You know what it is I don’t like / hate about America?”
I do really hope that he gets a good spread of experts on his cabinet, reflecting a United States of America.
I’m also sure Singaporeans will be pleased to read about our PAP government sending their congratulations to Barack Obama, because the Singapore endorsement is really what he was waiting for.
All joking aside, I had plenty of time on the bus to crochet and ruminate about what this means, because Neil was asking why the hell I was so happy, since I’m not American.
(Neil must hate being around me at election time because I get really obsessed.)
I think his political memoir says it all. The Audacity of Hope. What this election has done is wake Americans up to their national politics; instead of dismissing it as a cynical Washington exercise and no big change (even symbolic) to the status quo, the population has got out the vote, they’ve rallied, they’ve got seriously engaged with the issues and their candidate. Whether or not they supported Obama or McCain, enough of them cared and they can really be proud of their democracy.
The PAP might conceivably be worried that so many of us supported Barack Obama and his message of change, but given our electoral system (*cough ‘group’ representation constituency*) and the near-inevitable financial crippling of anyone standing for election who is not a member of the ruling party, I think they probably, realistically, aren’t. Singaporeans aren’t going to suddenly find the balls and the money for a political ‘revolution’.
So why the hell am I so bloody ecstatic? This is our chance, too, to engage with national politics. If you’re concerned about an issue of national importance, make sure you’re heard*. Form a discussion group with your neighbours. Hold Internet forums. Get petitions together. Send your conclusions and questions to your MP, to the minister whose portfolio covers these issues. Make them earn their private sector-standard salary. They are public servants, so they should be serving the public — that would be us. If a certain decision is taken at cabinet level, they should be able to withstand questioning and explain their positions to our satisfaction. Even if your most important issue doesn’t get sorted right away, keep it on the agenda and on their minds. Don’t give up.
I am feeling ridiculously energised and emotional, and I’m sure I’m not the only Singaporean to feel this way. Now is the time to take steps towards real democracy in Singapore, well beyond the one person, one vote concept. We need to participate, not sit back and grumble. This is good for the PAP and great for our country. If we can manage some baby steps towards a lively democracy where enough people care to act, who knows what we could really achieve? JB Jeyaratnam would be so proud.
* I know there are already groups doing this, but there aren’t enough. We need more people to care!
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Is there really support for Obama in the Singapore government? I heard he spat his chewing gum in the street as a child in Indonesia. ;)
Comment by Terry — 5 November 2008 @ 7:18 pm
Haha. Singaporeans, not the Singapore government!
Comment by Andrea — 5 November 2008 @ 11:57 pm
Voter apathy is a terrible thing. Unfortunately it can take quite a lot to stir up the average person. I'd love to see the sort of vigour and energy around UK voting when we next have a general election, but I can't see any of our party leaders inspiring folk to vote in the way that Obama and to a lessor degree McCain managed to achieve. My level of respect for the American people has risen a bit. (It would have risen larger, but it was dragged back down by the folk that were voting for McCain because Obama is "one of them".)
Comment by Mr mist — 6 November 2008 @ 11:04 am
Mr mist, I sincerely hope that it only takes being inspired by what was achieved in the US campaign to motivate everyone else, at least for a little while.
I'm expecting the pollies to be working their arses off to try and align themselves with the Obama post-election glow at the Glenrothes by-election today.
Comment by Andrea — 6 November 2008 @ 11:42 am