Only in America: a delectable voting menu

It's ballot measures season, as two septuagenarians are taking everyone's breath away (no disrespect to that virus named after a Mexican beer), the real focus should be on the states in the union putting some spicy proposals to the electorate. 

Side note: if you're not an American and are losing your marbles over the upcoming vote, then I suggest you find the closest bunker and hide until such time the winner is announced. Once the dust settles you can continue living your life outside the country you desperately crave.

There are just too many ballot measures to list, so I will give you a list of the most intriguing ones. I know I'm feeding the addiction of non-Americans, but that's the risk I'm willing to take. I can just see folk in Iceland having a collective aneurysm over the fate of states they have no connections to, God Bless the US of A!

Arizona

Proposition 207: Legalizes the recreational possession and use of marijuana.

California 

Proposition 16: Repeals Proposition 209 (1996), which says that the state cannot discriminate or grant preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting.

Proposition 22: Considers app-based drivers to be independent contractors and enacts several labor policies related to app-based companies.

Colorado

Proposition 118: Establishes a program for paid medical and family leave.

Florida

Amendment 2: Increases the state minimum wage to $15 by 2026.

Louisiana

Amendment 1: States that there is no right to abortion or abortion funding in the state constitution.

Michigan

Proposal 2: Requires search warrant to access a person's electronic data.

Mississippi

Ballot Measure 1A: Legalizes medical marijuana for qualified persons with debilitating medical conditions.

Montana

I-190: Legalizes marijuana for individuals over the age of 21 and taxes the sale of non-medical marijuana at a rate of 20 percent.

Nebraska

Amendment 1: Repeals language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments.

Nevada

Question 2: Recognizes the marriage of couples regardless of gender.

Oregon

Measure 109: Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative.

Measure 110: Decriminalizes possession of certain drugs and establishes a drug addiction treatment and recovery program funded by the state's marijuana tax revenue.

South Dakota

Initiated Measure 26: Legalizes sports betting in Deadwood and requires that net local revenue from such activity be dedicated to the Historic Restoration and Preservation of Deadwood.

Utah

Constitutional Amendment C: Repeals a constitutional exception on the ban of slavery that allowed for slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.

The world will stop in its tracks over USA Votes 2020, but it is only the American people that will decide their next leader and its states will decide on issues facing their day-today lives. If you don't have a vested interest, please don't take the result to heart, instead put your wasted energy on worrying about the US into making the part of the world you live in better, this is the best way to honour the world's greatest democracy. Uncle Sam authorises this message.

Home to the headquarters of female empowerment

You're probably thinking about a country in the Western World, well think again. The country in question is the largest on its continent. (Stop using your smart phones, this is Global Editorial where readers know their geography). Okay, I'll put you out your misery, the nation at the forefront of female domination is Algeria. No, this isn't a typo, the land that gave us two global male icons, Albert Camus and Yves Saint Laurent is actually a haven for educated women.

Here's some statistics to liven up any dinner party, especially if you're surrounded by hipsters, or those that think being born in a First World country entitles them to act all high and mighty.  A staggering 70% of Algeria's lawyers are women, so are 60% of all judges. Also, 60% of university students are female, add to that the field of medicine being dominated by the fairer sex. Hey Anglo-Saxons, you're not all that, the people that originated from the Berber can tech you a thing or two about equality.

What makes this all the more impressive is the fact that Algeria has not graduated to the status of a democracy. The French colonisation of Algeria has a lot to answer for, yes, they gave them beautiful architecture and contributed to its cultural heritage, but as the Algerian War of Independence (1954-62) sadly proved, a Christian European imperial power cannot just march in and dictate to a voiceless majority Muslim people. Then you have the civil war (1991-2002) that was a culmination of extreme Islam taking a hold. Algeria just cannot win, an imperial power gives rise to its Muslim identity being resuscitated only to be taken hostage by extremists. Is it any wonder they have a large military presence in government, or as they say in geopolitics: a controlled democracy. 

Outside of France, Algeria is not a nation that garners water cooler attention, but it's without doubt at a fascinating crossroads that has lessons for all of us. Many nations tout their democratic credentials yet don't have half the female empowerment of Algeria. If the onus is on Algeria to become a full fledged democracy then why do those lecturing them not do enough in allowing their women to thrive. 

Next time you encounter Islamophobia, just throw out the following nuggets: did you know that Algerian women leave their western counterparts in the dust. By the way, some wear the hijab and some don't, there's nothing wrong with either choice, you see, in Algeria women can freely choose, but hey Muslims are oppressed (according to pundits in the West, who themselves spend too much time lecturing women). 

I urge all nations (particularly the male residents) to follow Algeria in its promotion of women. Let's all rise up and open doors to the fairest (and best) sex. If you hear of men lecturing women on their choices, please tell them to exit planet earth. Yes, I include men who get hot and bothered on the topic of abortion, no one shall every dictate a women's choice. A country made up of 80% desert is literally leaving others in the dust. On this Halloween, spook the (living) daylights out of bigots by telling them an Islamic country is better at feminism than your "superior" Christian one.