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UNITED NATIONS ― America appears to have crossed the political Rubicon.
On the one shore, that of the red states, people are rooted in more traditional values, religion, individualism and entrepreneurialism. On the blue shore, people embrace different often trendier values, cherish political correctness and secularism, often do favor entrepreneurialism, but view an activist government as a benefit rather than a bane.
In a sense the candidates reflected this contrast almost as if out of central casting. They both appeal to good people who nonetheless have a fundamentally different vision of where American should be going, and probably more poignant, What America should be. They speak the same language, but their message is somehow lost in translation on the other shore. They speak not with each other, but often at each other. Red is rooted in the vision of American exceptionalism while Blue in European social democracy. Envy is often seen as the equalizer and angst the norm.
The good news is that the presidential election is over. The bad news is that the country remains nearly as divided and politically polarized as before. There's a near return to the status quo both in the White House and the Congress and sadly the possibility for more gridlock. The balance of power remains nearly the same in Washington.
So despite the dire economic situation, President Barack Obama was surprisingly re-elected. The irony stands that he gets to inherit the Obama economy. Record high unemployment rates, lack of business confidence, and a crushing federal debt are all part of the inheritance. A lower election turnout and lower expectations for the winner who won a bare majority, cloud the horizon.
Driving around many New England states prior to the election one saw the proliferation of political lawn signs, representing democracy in action. But sadly there's a far more common sign which did not seem to be tallied on election night; some fellow called "For Sale." Beyond Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, "For Sale" tragically, reflects not an opinion but often a stark economic reality which has not been improving.
That's where political leadership, speaking the language of commerce and entrepreneurialism most certainly trumps the top-down economic directives coming from unelected government Czars and Washington bureaucrats.
On the foreign policy front we have seen the Administration's acquiescence to the rise of a Muslim brotherhood regime in Egypt, (once a close American ally), a haphazard policy towards Syria, and a take it for granted view of our European allies. Specifically, the ever-evolving story regarding the al-Qaida terrorist attack on American consular facilities in Benghazi, Libya and the trashing of the U.S. Embassy grounds in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 11 stands as a testament to the clear and present danger we still face. And what of the ticking atomic clock in Tehran?
And as if the seemingly interminable election could not have more twists, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the metro New York causing havoc, much of which still persists in large areas on Long Island, Staten Island and New Jersey, away from the mainstream media focus of Manhattan. The storms aftermath which suspended the campaign (correctly so) nonetheless gave the President the advantage of being central stage in relief efforts during a photo-op with New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie. Yet after the political limelight, the electric power stayed out for millions of customers a week after the tempest reflecting an oft dysfunctional government response.
"I'm so glad we had that storm last week…the storm brought in possibilities for good politics," quipped Chris Matthews in a stunningly stupid comment on MSNBC, reflecting the worst of a largely leftist major media template. So Hurricane Sandy was good for the election? Tell that to the people forced out of their damaged or destroyed homes on Staten Island, Breezy Point/Far Rockaway Queens or the New Jersey Shore. .
But here's some good news. America remains an educated, enterprising, and resource-rich land of hardworking people in both blue and red states. Her resources, her people and her creativity remain the envy of the world and a magnet for overseas investors and immigrants. But the socio/economic dynamism which has characterized America is sadly divided, on these opposite red and blue shores. Self-reliance versus the social State.
House Majority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stated that we must move forward "not as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans." Re-elected President Obama equally stressed, "We remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America." Until that time, America reflects this divided dynamism.
John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of ''Transatlantic Divide; USA/Euroland Rift?'' (University Press, 2010).
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