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Writing on the eve of the American Elections

Writing in isolation is a fiction writer’s privilege. But it is difficult to remain in such splendid isolation when the world’s most powerful nation today (so far, at least) is going to choose the world’s most powerful person, the American President.

Media in Singapore, Malaysia and India (all three of which I follow) has extensive coverage about the elections…everyone knows this election is going to affect people all over the world, but obviously, only the Americans get to vote.

Choosing the next American President

Choosing the next American President

No matter how they started out, Obama, with his campaign for change, and McCain with his promise for a clean campaign, none has really taken the high road, both have doctored and are still doctoring facts to show how the other side is bad, and their own side is good.

Politicians and promises are usually a bad mix, but that is what elections are all about. If I were an American, I sure would have been undecided even now. I don’t envy their lot….these people who have to literally decide their future, given the pall of economic crisis over the country, and indeed over the world.

I would’ve perhaps voted Obama, possibly because he is more straight-talking, less war mongering, more collected, and more open to discussion. And of course, because he doesn’t have Palin for vice-president. I’m not sure, even as a non-American, whether she’s a great choice for a role that could one day entail taking over as the President of the U.S.

I’ve been watching the debates, sometimes despite myself, and I’m hoping that come tomorrow, the Better Man wins. Not the one with the better promises, or the better experience, but the man with Better Intentions, and to say the truth, despite following the U.S. elections since the nominees were chosen, I still can’t really decide WHO that is.

Best of luck, America, and best of luck, world……!

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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  • Thanks for the wish of luck. We could use some. For what it’s worth, I don’t think better intentions are part of the equation. I think both men had the best of intentions for their service to their country. The Presidency eats people alive. They do not come out the way they go in. It is the worst job in the USA. What I hope is that the most capable man has won. I don’t think Bush meant any harm to his country, I think he was just not up to the task. His metal was not up to it. I hope… I hope that Mr. Obama is made of sturdier stuff.

    I think he is.

    -Turkish Prawn

  • indigobunting says:

    I am very happy about how this turned out, but I don’t envy anyone stepping into this mess. I can only hope that Obama will set a tone that will help the whole nation.

    I’m still rather in shock.

  • Kym says:

    And to think some Americans think they are too busy today to vote….