More than ever, this election is going to be a referendum on the American people's fitness to lead.

[calmblueocean]

America is the last remaining superpower. Over the past 8 years, the world has turned on us. They see us as violent, vacant, irresponsible, addled by television and movies into voting for imaginary cowboys and superheroes instead of acting with wisdom on the world stage.

This election is going to test whether the American people are worthy of managing a global superpower, or whether the rest of the nations should begin to turn their backs on America, to isolate it from doing any more damage. If McCain/Palin should somehow win the presidency, the world will see that America is a mad dog that no longer responds to reason or logic. Expect to see new institutions formed to limit America's power, to block American interests. Prepare for the world to shun us.

If Obama wins, however, the American people will have proved themselves capable of shedding old prejudices to make wise choices. Every free country on the planet will celebrate the return of the America they once loved.

It really is that simple. Are we fit to lead the world? Or are we so dangerously delusional we need to be stopped? Scary to think that we'll find out the answer in just 60 days.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Horrifying to watch focus groups and listen to them say things like

"We women can do it all, it will be refreshing to have a strong woman running the country" and "I think she gets it, she's a hockey mom just like me" and "She's got small town values, and I like hunting too". If this stunt somehow works, I am permanently giving up on this country.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. that we here highly resolve[...]

...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth...

Yes indeeed. Does the grand experiment hold water in the age of pervasive mass and social media? That's really the question.

[AndyTiedye]

3. The Power of Propaganda

The sad fact is that propaganda works. The American people are not appreciably different from any other people in that regard.
Our media continually spouts the Repiglickin party line, and most people believe what the Tee Vee tells them.

Same as the Russian people under the Soviet Union or the German people under the Nazis.

[Growler]

4. K&R

[FightingIrish]

5. The Republicans want to make it a referendum on the Constitution.

McCain sold out to the lunatics who want their religion to be our law, the Constitution be damned. Elect them and they'll see it as a mandate to toss the "piece of paper" that even Bush could not completely destroy.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. In that case we're truly fucked.