A is for...

Hi, my name is Amy and I am an apathetic, apolitical American (pick your A).  In less than 48 hours, the 2012 election will finally be over and we will have a president elect.  No more listening to debates asking the big questions no single human being can answer (or should be responsible for answering).  No more bogus Facebook posts where people you previously perceived to be normal morph into over opinionated jerks.  And, eventually, all those annoying yard signs will go away.

My days in Switzerland taught me a lot.  But, the thing they taught me more than anything - you are how you act.  When I moved to Switzerland, I knew nothing about their political system and though I now know more, I care even less.  The people of Switzerland and their attitudes and behavior are what remain with me.  People around the world know so much about American politics, but what do they really know of us, American citizens?  I like to believe that if they got to know the average American, it would change their beliefs about America.  We are pretty swell folks.

Therefore, It is my firm belief that America and its culture are not defined by its leader.  They are defined by its people and their actions and behavior.  So choose Obama, choose Romney - I don't really care.  Because, at the end of the day, what really matters and what really makes America the best country on earth are its citizens - not a man in the White House.  

Yes, I have my opinions and my vote is all but cast but, dammit, I expect more.  Right now, I don't really think it matters who is President of the United States.  And, I think that's sad.  In 2016, I want to see less division and more unity.  Less nitpicking, name calling, finger pointing and blaming.  I challenge the next presidential candidates to spend LESS time an energy on name calling and the latest sound bite and more on truly understanding what matters most to Americans.  I challenge them to spend LESS on advertising and more on bi-partisan policy making that brings our country together and helps support the centrist vision so many Americans have.  Call it Democrat, call it Republican, call it Repubicrat...just make it more real...and less bogus...make me less apathetic - give me a reason to listen...and care.