My Unexplainable Obsession With American Politics

I blame my parents for this, as I do a lot of things in my life. (Lovely parents by the way, but hey, I'm a teenager.) As you can tell from the title, I am Irish. Yet I could not tell you the name of half of the politicians that sit in our Dáil, and I can barely distinguish between the various parties. While I am trying to rectify this I just can't force myself to be passionate about the subject. Politics, however, is one of my favourite topics of debate and I have spent long hours debating with anyone who is willing over any and every issue. The only difference? I have an unnatural obsession with American Politics. 

Before we examine this further I think we should look at the roots and that's where parental blame comes in. You see growing up Coronation Street and Match of the Day were replace in my house with Star Trek (which, I would like to point out, I violently rebelled against) and The West Wing. West Wing, I'm proud to say, I didn't rebel against, and there we find the root. 

For those who don't know (HOW?!) the West Wing is a political-melodrama which begins with the first term of Democratic President Jed Bartlett, an idealistic, speech-giving genius who is pretty much every Democrats dream President. Surrounded by witty, intelligent staff that uphold completely unrealistic morals for politicians, they are the White House Dream Team. Sam Seaborn (played by Rob Lowe) was Deputy-Communications Director and the love of my life from age 8 to 10. 

Even at such a young age I recognised the flair and skill that was the writing of Aaron Sorkin, West Wing creator. The West Wing was rapier wit at its best and if often teased for its continuous  walk through sequences of fast dialogue that are a dream to watch. It also played on your emotions, often tackling deep philosophical issues that mirrored real world situations. Below is one of my absolute favourite speechs of all time, let alone on the West Wing. 

With that as background to my political knowledge you understand my bias towards American politics already. If that was life in America how dull were the Irish, with their droning on and on without any real substance or dramatic viewpoint. Watching the Romney-Obama debates recently I've realised that that is politics everywhere, but that deep sense of drama I garnered from the West Wing has stuck with me nonetheless. 

Another brilliant thing in terms of debate in America is the two party system. It leaves so little room for nuanced opinion which is an obvious flaw, but you have to admit it makes for fun debate. The big issues in the US always seem to have an absolute right or wrong and the Irish multi-party system can appear a lot more wishy-washy. While the topic of abortion is still a political taboo in Ireland it can make or break an American politician's career. While equal-marriage is slowly and quietly being introduced here it is a fierce topic of debate in the States. 

Coming back to my parents, it was the Americans that always cropped up in dinnertime discussions, not the Irish or British. I've noticed even in school when references are made to politics there is rarely any made to Irish politicians. It's always 'Have you heard Barack Obama's speech?', not Enda Kenny's. A girl in my class knew Barack Obama but not Michael D. Higgins. 

Is this a good thing? As a soon to be voting Irish citizen, probably not. But so long as I get up to speed I'm more than happy to watch Philip De Franco dissect Romney-Obama debates, and read the New York Times political section rather than the Irish Times one. Because, which I may mock the Americans in many ways, I can't fault their politics for sheer entertainment. 

Until next time, 

Jenny

xxxx