Canada *Hearts* John McCain

Sure you could blame it on Ohio, or the to-the-wire race to be the democratic nominee. Maybe even Ralph Nader? But this week both Obama AND Clinton managed to show Americans and the world just how little they know about international politics and economic trade.

So you want to open up NAFTA, eh? Not the wisest nor the savviest of ideas on the international politics front that we've heard in a while. And its not benefiting Americans, is it? Doesn't quite explain the over 25,000+ (net) jobs that have been created in the US since NAFTA came into force (according to NPR). Now those jobs may not be in the manufacturing industry which is important to Ohio, but more likely in tertiary industries - a sector of the economy that generally yields MORE wealth than secondary/manufacturing industries. Yes, yes, Americans have been hit hard by this.

But then on his white steed, with his white hair, comes the voice of reason in all of this - John McCain? A Republican? Perish the thought!

But it was McCain who, in speaking with Dell employees, acknowledged that economic protectionism would be 50 steps back for the US. And that Canadian-US partnerships in particular had bolstered the US economy. The man even thanked Canadians for their participation in NATO efforts in Afghanistan! Its enough to make you almost want to endorse the man officially as a Canadian...but I don't do that sort of thing.

Beyond McCain's heroics on Canada, one must acknowledge that there are inherent problems in re-opening NAFTA. Sure the US may get more of what it wants, but don't think Canada and Mexico are going down without a fight.

Besides the US has a lot to potentially loose in pissing off your neighbors to the north.

Think about this Clinton and Obama - NO OIL

Are you an Obama Mama or Hitched up to Hillary's Post?

Women in the US this year wield a tremendous amount of political power as far as the Democratic race for a Presidential nominee goes. While some women favor Hillary for purely feminist reasons, others are turning to Obama for...sex appeal or Oprah? It seems that part of the Oprah endorsement is in fact tied to a greater female appeal that the Senator from IL, himself, simply can't muster against Mrs. Clinton. Oprah brings with her a mix of the modern day woman: unmarried, career-driven, monied, older, urban and well educated. Its a new form of feminism - something that Clinton's Wellsley educated feminist leanings can't hold pace with. The upper crust feminist elites versus street cred, if you will.

Asking women in this town about their preference between the two candidates is enlightening. While some women (mostly educated-suburban) claim Clinton's campaign as a triumph in old-school "girl power", the Obama Mama's instead push the new vision of their candidate over any feminist dream. Many of Obama's female supports by-pass the feminist issues altogether in fact and head straight for "the vision thing" as the reason to support him. But these women are no less career driven than their Wellsley sisters. No less educated as well. Its just that the feminist virtues of Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan never made case in their own real lives - they are too young to notice much of the work of these women altogether.

Obama's real trick however will be uniting the party. Can he pull a Stephane Dion? For all of M. Dion's political foibles, one must give him credit for uniting the Left within the Liberal party - something Mr. Harper has yet to accomplish on the Right in Canada (yes Mr. McKay we see your scowls). Dion's greatest victory has been pulling together the Martin-ites and non-Martin-ites on to the same team. This is something I noticed early on when the most divergent of my friends from both camps were able to agree on Dion.

Can Obama pull the feminists, the old-school Democrats and even the undecideds together? Why not? Hasn't he already assembled a divergent group of backers and supporters. And there is no telling how far and broad an appeal a message of hope can bring. Isn't hope the real message of any good feminist anyway? Hope, in its most non-political but completely social ideal, is something that even Steinem or Fiedan could support.

Back in Black....Or Purple...

My new found commitment to this Blog comes with a roll of the season, a roll of the dice and a roll on with time. In the past I'd tried to steer clear of some topics related to politics. But I'm altogether too intrigued by what is happening with the Presidential election here in the US. Don't look for official endorsements. And I stay true to my title - this will (and can only be) a relfection on life in Beantowne by a Torontonian...

Thanks to the "locker room" and those that complain so much for pushing me back into the black - type that is....