Even though it might seem that our lives will go on as usual, I want to believe that’s not the case this time. I want to believe that something has changed. I know the world will not suddenly change and become a paradise (this is reality, not a religious fairy tale). Something more settled has changed in the minds and hearts of the world: the believe that the people have the power to make things happen, the believe in fairness and equality and the believe in common sense. Believes that shaped our modern democracy, but that somehow had been forgotten and given for granted.

Even though I don’t consider myself a democrat or republican (I can’t even vote yet), I was excited and happy for Mr Obama’s win. I think his presidency is right in many levels. For one, the U.S. will gain back some of the respect from the world lost in the past 8 years. In modern times this country has been known for making history, breaking the status quo and setting the base for justice and equality (though unfortunately this country seems to have so many problems when it comes to building upon the base of equality).

Electing the first African-American for the highest office in the land is an enormous step forward, no matter how late in the game it came. But that’s not all. Even if Mr Obama doesn’t deliver on his promises, he has stirred something in the U.S. society. His campaign was able to register and bring out millions of new voters teaching them that they have a voice in the democratic process.

He dind’t promise an easy way or handouts. He has said that the road ahead is a tough one and that we are going to be able to succeed only if we all unite and work together. That, for me, was the most important message of his campaign. I have always believed that the citizens of a nation, and not the government, are responsible for their own future. When a democratic government screw things up, the people should be able to point fingers at themselves for letting that happen. After all, isn’t that what the concept of “government of the people, for the people, by the people” is supposed to mean? I think Obama’s supporters have been made aware of that.

President-elect Obama will also be a role model for millions of kids, something that was way overdue for the African-American community. They will look at him and know that the American dream is a real thing, that if they work hard they can accomplish anything in life. That is the most beautiful thing of this beautiful country. He will be a role model not only for black kids, but also for Latinos, Asian and whites equally. If I ever have kids, I want them to grow in a country where the most important position that there is is open for anybody.

I am hopeful. I am excited. I haven’t been able to stop the tears coming out of my eyes since Tuesday night everytime I think about what I am witnessing. I like to read about history, but I love to live history even more.

Picture: Doug Mills/The New York Times

After a while I got bored and tired of politics and didn’t care for them as much as I once did. But things changed and the circus came back to town with a new shinny act. The act is not really that new, but it is shinier than ever. It is loud and enticing, but most importantly, it is more than what appears to be.

Because I love history I have read great speeches given by great U.S. presidents of the past like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, F.D.R. and Kennedy. Maybe I became aware of that new circus act when I compared those speeches with the ones given by the current president. Is it only me, or there is something amiss in U.S. politics?

The title of this post is the threat of populism, but when I wrote it I wasn’t thinking about the populism born at the end the of the 19th century that focused on improving the conditions of the working class and farmers. I was thinking about a movement that has grown in various American countries (Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico) and that is manifesting itself in a very peculiar way in U.S. politics.

What do Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia, Andres Manuel Lopez of Mexico (he claims he won Mexico’s last elections and has formed his own alternative government) and president Bush have in common? Their qualifications as heads of state are dubious. They don’t seem to have a sense of diplomacy and tactfulness. Their decision taking process is left to their guts and they all rose to power by courting the fears and desires of the common voter (maybe I should mention their speeches here?)

But, isn’t that what all politicians do? Yes, every politician capitalizes on the fears and desires of the common voter, but these populist politicians are a step farther. They are the common voter and are not afraid (or ashamed) of it. They looked at the electorate and said: “Hey, I am just like you. I am from a small town (and have a small town mentality). I don’t read much, if at all. I drink beer. I don’t know much about politics, diplomacy, the world or other cultures, just like you. If you elect me, my gut tells me we are going to make an awesome team.”

I can just imagine what an interviewer would tell somebody applying for any position at a company if they said: “I am hardly qualified for this position, but my gut tells me I am going to do a heckuva job”. Why running for president, the highest office, has to be any different? Shouldn’t our president be better than us, more articulate and intelligent?

I wonder what people who accuse Obama of being “professorial and an elitist” want in their next president? Do they even realize (or understand) the challenges our country faces? China, India and Brazil have created vibrating economies that grow at a quick pace. Many countries like Finland and South Korea have a better education system than ours. The rate of dropout high school students is almost as bad as that of Mexico. The economy needs a makeover. Global warming is a world threat and new technologies have change the way the world thinks.

Would Hockey Mom have the education and qualifications necessary to face these, among many other, challenges? Unfortunately, it seems to me that common sense is not so common among many people these days. They rather have a president with whom they feel comfortable drinking a beer or have Joe Six-pack small town “values”.

Don’t misunderstand me. Hard working people from any part of the country are what makes this nation strong no matter how big the paycheck or what their level of education is. Therefore they all should have a voice in their government. However, the greatest thing about this country is the opportunity we all have to learn, educate and better ourselves proving to other nations that the U.S. is still worthy of leading the free world.

I hope, for the sake of the nation and the world, that this cheap and dumb populism is not what America has become. I hope that reason and common sense are still well and alive in small town, main street and big city, U.S.A. Because that is the only way we’ll be able to tackle today’s (not tomorrow’s anymore) challenges. I still hope.

This 90s song is one of my favorite ones from Alice in chains. Back then when I was still young I was addicted to grunge and alternative music. Oh, how many memories!

Man in the box

I’m the man in the box
Buried in my shit
Won’t you come and save me?
Save me

Fear in my eyes (can you sew them shut?)
Jesus Christ (deny your maker)
He who tries (will be wasted)
Fear in my eyes (now you’ve sewn them shut)

I’m the dog who gets beat
Shove my nose in shit
Won’t you come and save me?
Save me

Fear in my eyes (can you sew them shut?)
Jesus Christ (deny your maker)
He who tries (will be wasted)
Fear in my eyes (now you’ve sewn them shut)

Fear in my eyes (can you sew them shut?)
Jesus Christ (deny your maker)
He who tries (will be wasted)
Fear in my eyes (now you’ve sewn them shut)

This “new year” I want to keep this blog updated because it is a way to keep a record of what happens around me (and a lot of things are happening in my world right now) I am commiting right now to dedicate some time to this space. Hopefully other people find it interesting and stop by to say hi. That’d be very exciting.

Cheers!