New World Politics

The consensus this year seems to be that the American public wants "Change". With a roller coaster economy and a war with popularity comparable to Andrew Dice Clay in the late 90's, the cries for "Change" have become deafening.

But what kind of "Change" do Americans want exactly? Do they want fresh faces in Congress? Is it new social and fiscal policies they seek? Are they looking for a morality promise from politicians? Or do they just want a Black man as President?

It's hard to tell by just asking around. The other day I was walking by a neighbor's yard and noticed her "Obama/Biden" sign firmly planted in her neatly manicured $750,000 house's front lawn. Without prejudice, I asked her if I could ask her a few questions out of pure curiosity. Granted I abused my youthful appearance, and played the role of stupid 20-something, but I genuinely wanted to get a straight answer.

Me: "So, why is it that you'll be voting for Obama this year?"

Her: "Well any thing's better than what we have now, and it seems like he's willing to make some changes."

Me: "Yeah, things are crazy right now with the economy. Has it been rough for you guys?"

Her: "Have you seen the gas prices? I just feel like everything is getting so expensive that something needs to change."

Me: "Seriously, gas almost caught up to milk in price per gallon this summer. I was like this sucks!"

Her: "You can thank Bush for that!"

Me: "Yeah, I can't believe he would let them raise the price of gas so high."

Her: "He's too busy with Iraq to care."

OK, I know. I understand she's not a professor of Economics, and she probably only follows politics through headlines and the 8 o'clock news, but this represents the roaring majority of Americans. I could have explained to her that George Bush controls oil prices about as much as Pacman Jones controls himself at Strip Clubs. And it was a cheap shot for me to point out that gas, though it's imported from around the world as oil and then refined into a fuel that powers automobiles, is still cheaper than something we squeeze out of local cows. I don't care. She's lucky I didn't set her sign on fire.

The truth is, the Average American doesn't care about politics anymore. They care about ring tones, talk show hosts, and flashy campaign commercials. They read headlines in the New York Times as if God penned them himself. If Paula Abdul jumped on stage during a taping of American Idol and told everyone to vote for Elvis, someone out there would start filling out their absentee ballot with their own blood just to not have to get up and search for a pen.

Political pundants have been replaced by the Obama Girl, you tube fans, and comedians. Who cares what Alan Greenspan has to say about economic policy, Hannah Montana thinks Obama is "hAwT". So put down your latest issues of Forbes and The Economist. And grab a Rolling Stone election Issue.

It's time to get out and VOTE!!!!!