Time to elect a President, not a bigot or backroom dealer

 Fifty-four weeks out from the Presidential vote, and the verdict for the showdown (according to betting markets) is in: Hillary Rodham Clinton versus Marco Antonio Rubio. Just what the U.S. needs - two politicians entrenched in partisan politics, who have relied on taxpayers to fund their careers and lifestyle. The only fascination I see in this contest is over the superficial - Rubio would become the first Hispanic and third youngest President, Clinton the first female and second oldest.

The other candidates in the running do not exactly instill confidence, or display the mental fortitude required to lead a Superpower. Some observations from the sideshow, that is campaigning...Ben Carson and Ted Cruz are so overly socially conservative that I am beginning to think they are courting the fanatical Muslim vote. Donald Trump on the other hand, is providing classic analysis on world affairs: building walls, throwing people out of the country. I think he has forgotten what makes the U.S. exceptional. However, I am sure Hungary would accept him as an Honorary Ambassador, just for his bigotry alone. Martin O'Malley was impressive taking on the gun lobby, but as many Americans believe guns 'cure cancer', he is polling at a 'massive' one-percent! If the country ends up electing another Bush or Clinton, it will be time to reinstate the U.S. as a Monarchy.

A President needs to have the gumption to stand up to special interest groups trying to impress their agenda/beliefs onto the populace. For too long billionaire party donors, drug/military/oil companies, media conglomerates, religious organizations, Wall St, the NRA (and so forth) have hijacked democracy - sort of like what Oligarchs are to Russia. If you sell your soul to the aforementioned groups, how can you act as a peacemaker for the world? Hard to spread democracy when it is not being practiced at home, (now I get the 'love' for medieval regimes). One google search for: 'Bush kissing Saudi' and 'Obama bows Saudi' tells you everything you need to know. 

Here is a suggestion to a would-be leader: cut the time and money wasted appeasing all those with an undemocratic agenda, instead instill compassion and basic tenants of humanity into the fabric of the nation. The Founding Fathers were all about separation of church and state, above all citizens being truly represented by elected officials, not bought and paid for by faceless lobbyists in D.C.church and state, above all citizens being truly represented by elected officials, not bought and paid for by faceless lobbyists in D.C.

Super Sunday

After the surprisingly entertaining Canadian election, which was a win for modern democracy (even if it meant electing the first tattooed leader of a G-8 country), it's time for more elections - geopolitical geeks rejoice!

Busy weekend ahead, with both Argentina (Presidential and Legislative) and Poland (Parliamentary) going to the polls on October 25. Seeing as woman in politics these days is a major talking point, it's interesting to note that the term has ended for Argentina's first female President, Cristina Kirchner (wife of the former President), and the three main political parties vying to form government in Poland are headed by woman. 

Both countries have similar populations, are predominantly catholic and are hovering between developing and first world economically. Socially they differ: Poland is more socially conservative in nature, whereas Argentina is more progressive (for those of you not aware, legalized same-sex marriage in 2010).

Poland would be considered 'Argentina 2.0'; closing the gap on Western Europe and becoming a bigger global player. Meanwhile Argentina is regressing, gone are the glory days of the 1930's when it was in the conversation of leading economies, it now finds itself lagging behind other middle-income nations. Many in Argentina blame the 'kleptomania' syndrome, where a husband and wife duo have used the country as a political football for the past 12 years. Even foreigners cringe when seeing Kirchner representing Argentina abroad. Her recent speech at the UN General Assembly was basically a conspiracy theorists fantasy.

Many issues still face Poland, it is finally coming-of-age, from simply being a place where German companies find cheap labor to a modern industrial nation. Stemming the brain drain of young Poles moving abroad (particularly the UK) is still a main concern. As history has taught us, Poland has not had the best of luck when it comes to neighboring powers. Russia is still a main cause of concern, and is often used as a tool by politicians to invoke fear into the public (as evidenced by the continued rhetoric about the plane crash that claimed the life of the former President, Lech Kaczyński). His twin brother (a former Prime Minister) is now Chairman of the party that is favored to win the election.

For two countries, world's apart on separate continents, they will head to the polls facing similar challenges - fascinating time in geopolitics...

Some not-so-nice trivia

Question: In the last year, which statistical category did the US come 5th in? 
Answer: executions. The top 4 being (in order): China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Even Sudan came 6th, which is why it's imperative for the US to divorce itself from this medieval practice.

Out of the countries that currently permit the death penalty, only the US, Japan and South Korea are considered first-world democratic nations. I should point out that South Korea has a current moratorium, Japan isn't a big partaker (one execution so far in 2015), and the US can blame three states for 80% of executions - Florida, Missouri and Texas.

It's high time all countries cleansed themselves from the 'death business', especially a country such as the US, who is all about selling the concept of liberty to the rest of the world. Sounds contradictory telling the world you are the land of the free, when you are practicing a barbaric ritual, best left to backward regimes not interested in human rights. The US has managed to be progressive when it comes to LGBT rights, why not do the same with its approach to justice.

Here is a suggestion to all those seeking the Presidency, why not consider repealing Capital Punishment at the Federal level. This will hopefully place pressure on the remaining execution states (31 at last count), to re-think their positions. Many will say that in a polarized country this notion is a fantasy, however, six states since 2007 have ended the death penalty. There is also one shining example: Nebraska (known for more than just Warren Buffett). Nebraska outlawed the death penalty in a Bipartisan vote on May 20, 2015. When one of America's most conservative states can show compassion, then just maybe the American Dream is still well and truly alive.

Let the on-ice action commence...

In a complicated world, it's always good to lighten up the mood - no better way than by talking hockey! I should apologize to Dallas residents, my allegiance lies with the Minnesota Wild - long story...

After four months of waiting, the 2015/16 NHL season is finally upon us. Bring on the 1230 game regular season, followed by what it's all about: playoff hockey! I do hope the Dallas Stars and Wild end up in the Western Conference Final, time has come for Chicago to make-way for the 'real' central timezone rivalry. 

Stanley Cup prediction: Minnesota to lift Lord Stanley for the first time (defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in triple overtime of Game-7). I admit that pigs might fly before this occurs, but one can dare to dream.

The comedy that is Canadian politics

'We must realize that ISIS' ideology was financed and promoted by Saudi Arabia'.

Unfortunately the above words did not come out of a powerful Western leader, that would mean they had an ounce of common sense. It was in fact criticism against Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper by Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois leader) at the recent French-language debate (for the upcoming Canadian general election).

Canada is an interesting sub-plot to the 'war on terror'. A country long known for its voice-of-reason and humanity has gone backward under a Conservative government (led by Stephen Harper, since 2006) hell-bent on majoring in contradiction. This was highlighted recently by a woman wanting to wear her niqab at a Citizenship ceremony. The Federal Court struck down the government's policy to ban face covering, so Harper decided he would personally get involved and take it to the Supreme Court. That would be all well and good, in an undemocratic country that is, which doesn't value freedom of expression. 

Here's where it gets more fanciful, Canada has just inked a $15 billion contract to export armored vehicles to...Guess? Saudi Arabia. On one hand, Harper is using head covering as a political football to garner votes, and on the other is participating in trade with the chief exporter of terror - I guess a woman covering up is a more pressing concern...