So once again the Americans have elected a new president. The struggle between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney has been tight and at this point we do not know yet which one of them will be the next president of the USA. Barack Obama has had four tough years, and has been harshly opposed by the stock conservatives, the Boston Tea Party movement among them. However he has tried and succeeded to some extent to create jobs etc. As an Obama supporter I naturally hope that he will be re-elected and continue trying to fullfill what is feasible to do according to the harshly dichotomized American society in an economy that is under heavy strain. It was under that pressure already when Obama inherited the presidency in 2008. The economy, jobs, salaries and health care are of the essence for people in the USA, apart from notions concerning churches, religion, skin colour, abortion etc.
Even though there are differences between the American society and the Swedish, as well as between other countries, there still are certain common features that we find as important for people in country after country. People need to work to earn their living, to build homes, live as well as possible, support themselves and their families, save money for the pension and if possible do nice things. The Arab Jasmin revolution that spread from country to country in North Africa and the Middle East during 2011 and 2012 has to do with this. Basic human rights. People got frustrated and angry, which led to revolt against the abuse of power, corruption and extreme life styles among the leadership.We find similar thoughts in the Western world and here in Sweden too.
Even though we all are human beings with basic human needs, rights and obligations, we tend to group in enclaves where we feel comfortable and a sense of belonging. The specific features and thoughts we develop within a specific group becomes the glue that binds people to each other within that enclave – be it a political party, a religious congregation, association, brother- or sisterhood, family, gang, friendship or among colleagues. Those enclaves also tend to dichotimize against other groups, creating an “us and them-feeling”. This is part of human nature.
In periods of economic strain and social turmoil the animosity among people often reaches the surface. Those who have simple answers use to attract large groups and play on the strings of fear and enmity within us. We see that now out in Europe with Nazis on their move in Greece, fascists in Hungary, Flams Blok in Belgium, Sverigedemokraterna here in Sweden etc. We also see it among other totalitarian groups and movements in the world: Al Qaida, Hizb Allah etc. This is very worrying, since there are other things in our world that we ought to consider such as the environment, and instead of these destructive parts within us try to see the fellow human being in as many people as possible. It doesn’t mean that we should be naïve and believe everyone as good, since we humans also are tricky, cruel and destructive creatures, but for the sake of our future, I wish that we’ll find constructive and positive solutions. We have that within us too.
Anders Moberg, November 7th 2012
swedish heart and soul 