Obama stays in the White House

The media made it a close run race, but at the end of the day Obama got the votes he needed. He can stay in the White House for another 4 years. The previous 4 years have made little difference and it quickly became clear that too much had been expected of the first black American President in history. That he could not deliver everything he promised was a certain fact. But the feeling remains that he could have done more, much more. He now has a chance the make up for the opportunities he has thrown away. It is clear that we can expect very little from both big parties in de US. Both are tied to big business and both believe in capitalism. It is as simple as that.

It is said that the Democrats are moving to the left. Maybe that is the case and maybe this process will carry on. But the Americans have at present very little they can expect from politics. If there is something that makes watching the American elections worthwhile, it is that you get a view of what really is going on in the country. The US are usually just seen as a main player on the world stage, but what happens in their own backyard is mostly hidden from view. But when you do get a chance to see behind the curtains you are shocked by the poverty and the deprivation. This is supposed to be the richest nation in the world, but so many people are out of a job that you really can speak of an army of the unemployed. Another point is that thousands are losing their homes because the criminal banks gave them mortgages they could never repay.

Broken families, broken homes and broken hopes. That describes the United States of America in 2012. This is the country that Obama will lead for another 4 years. He has tried to help, especially by providing medical care. But it is not enough. It makes you wonder why the Americans put up with this. How can it be that millions of people are living in poverty? How can it be that many need to do 3 low paid jobs part-time and still not earn a living wage? How can it be that millions of youngsters have no prospects of a decent future? While all this is happening billions of dollars are spend on wars and weapons. With all these facts in mind you would expect the American people to rise up and take matters into their own hands. After all, the political parties have already shown that they can and will not help them. But there is no uprising, only some limited protests.

The reason is that the Americans have been brought up to see themselves as individuals. You solve your own problems and the problems of others are not you business. And if you cannot solve your own problems you’re a failure and that is your own fault. Solidarity and standing together to fight for the right things are commodities that rarely appear in the minds of the Americans. The system has done a good job. The old divide and rule game. It was not always like this. America used to have a strong Labour movement with trade unions that stood up for the rights of their members. They have been destroyed by corruption and being too close to the system. America is portrayed as the land of opportunities. But in fact there are opportunities for only a few, and poverty and hopelessness for the many.

This is the country which Obama will rule for another 4 years. Maybe in the coming years he will try to make more changes. He no longer has to worry about re-election, so he can take more risks. But that too will not be enough. If the American people want a real future, they will have to stand up for themselves. They have to learn the lessons from the battles of the past. And they have to learn once again that solidarity is the only way to beat the system. Individuals are easily picked off one by one. But when masses rise up, there is nothing the system can do. Maybe this will happen in a few years time.

They say that in 2018 the minorities in America will be the majority for the first time. Maybe than something will change forever. The old saying goes; united we stand, divided we fall. That should once again become the main slogan of the American working class. When that uprising comes America will in reality become the land of opportunities, and this time opportunities for the many, not the few.