"Now Don't Think Me Rude, Dear"

For any member of my extended family, this quote is one much loved. My grandmother "Cova" (pronounced Ku'vah) had this great way of letting you know she was going to say something either critical, that might paint her in a bad way, or that she was pretty sure you'd take offence to. We cousins have used it as our family motto for years now, and it is always the source of lots of laughter.

Since living in the United States I cannot help but be affected by what goes on around me I have become a keen observer of life here. Recently the Olympics have dominated talk (and viewing) in the lunch room. This week the Democratic National Convention takes the place of Team USA. Change we can believe in, regardless of who the nominee is, is a commin'.

There is a palpable enthusiasm that is a delight to witness. I see people on both sides of the arena girding their loins, looking for supporters, and polishing their swords. The parties are filled with dissent and vitriol, which I am never comfortable with.

My personal politics are forged from a Labour Party upbringing. Normal Kirk, David Lange, Helen Clark - these are my political heroes. The system is one that I understand, and it seems perfect for our tiny little country at the bottom of the globe. I read, write and vote in the system I was raised in. As a result I've made a conscious decision in recent years to stay out of the American process as much as possible. It's not my politics, it's not my country. I live here, but I have no real interest other that observing the way the game is played here.

And that's where I get in trouble.

People take such offence that I have no desire to join in. Especially those people manning phone banks who want me to contribute to the cause. Firstly, I think the system of money that the political system is wrapped in here is incredibly corrupt. And secondly; I have other financial concerns to focus on. I also don't think it is the place of foreigners to meddle in the politics of a country that is no their own.

"But you can still contribute" I have been told numerous times. "Thank you, but I choose not to" I firmly reply, with a punctuating smile.

That being said, I am excited at the prospect of real political change in the United States. I hope, like many, that there will be an about face in the way this nation moves throughout the world. I also hope that this nation will reclaim it's sense of self, and become less of a negative influence, less of a bully, less of an egotistical capitalistic "we're the best in the world and have such a chip on our shoulder" kind of place.

That sure is a difficult process. There have been too many successive governments (of both parties) that have built this false self concept into the way this nation is in the world, but change needs to happen, at least in my humble opinion.

Now don't think me rude, dear, but I feel that in general the United States has lost sight of it's mission. It has betrayed the promise of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and become stuck in a cycle of lauding itself and yet almost-never holding itself up to critical evaluation. It seems to have lost touch with it's roots.

So the next time one of you committed phone bankers calls me please realize that when I tell you "Thank you, but I am not a citizen, and I don't take part in your politics", I mean it with the best of intentions, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck in attaining the change you so rightly deserve.