Primary Elections in USA

I have the privilage to be in USA, following one of the most exiting primary elections in the last years. It is amazing to see how people participate in the election of their next presidential candidate.

In Austin, I was outside (imposible to get in) one of the debates between Senator Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. It felt like a triumph of democracy. Thousand of people went out to the street to chear for their favorite candidate. Mainly students and afroamericans cheering for Obama, who moves crowds like a rockstar. Mainly women supporting Hillary, who were less, but more organizaed and noisy. Each supporters on different sides on the streat, with there banners, there drums and there hopes.

Obama people chanting "yes we can", Hillary people answering "Not a plan". Both pationate, but peaceful. Both convinced that there candidate was the best, but respecting that others had a different point of view. Both they had in common that they went there freely, no one went for money, for a job, but because they had a conviction. The same conviction that takes many people to volunteer to work in the campaign, to donate there money (Obama has raised $ 75 million with donations of less then $ 100)and to support there leader. They have heard their candidates debate 20 times (yes 20!), so they know how they acted in the past, there values, their stength and weakneses and which there policy will be.

And this is the primary election, once this is over they will unite to join forces to try and have a Democrat as President. They will face a Republican and all its support. The issues will be different and maybe more agresive, but it will be a new feast of democracy regards of who wins. What a great privilage to be able to choose who will be the next presidential candidate in a democratic way.

First Impresion of USA!

I arrived on Sunday at Austin, after loosing my flight in Washinton DC, and passing by Chicago (wonderfull view of the city covered in Snow!). I must admit that before coming here I already had some admiration for this country (I don't like war, nor Mac Donalds, nor buying things I do not need and am not a fan of their TV nor music) but I do admire the countries diversity, the freedom, rule of law, and the ideas of their funding fathers. I think it is a mixture of cultures, where inpite of its defects, there is freedom, excelent educations and a great respect for others.

Taking this into account, I am suprized by Austin: the size of the cars (everything seems huge), the University (it is a city in itself) and the order in the city. People seem very friendly and warm. It is also interesting to observe the primary elections campaign (we might be able to see a Hillary vs Obama debate!). Have heard two specialy interesting lectures, one on the role of mass media, war and sensorship (very critical to the USA, and with a left wing (moraly liberal) bias), but with really interesting facts, that were mind blowing and showed another view of the conection between war, economy and power.

The second lecture was on the relationship of religion and politics, analyzing the life of Abrham Lincon. The professor showed the importance of personal faith in a man who fought against slavery and mentioned one of my heros (Wiliam Willberforce), it was really helpfull to learn how faith plays such a central role in politics in this country. This is specialy usefull to me, cause the desire of my heart is to serve the Lord with my life, in politics.

So as you can imagine my first impresion of USA is totaly favorable, with its diversity, different opinions, freedom and respect.