Oh America!

Oh America, what have you done?

I tried very hard not to look at the news yesterday. I had a feeling that the election result in America was not going to be the one most Downunderites were hoping for. It wasn't.

It is selfish of us I know but the result there is not good news for us. It will almost certainly mean big changes to the way we do business. It will mean changes to the way we do business with not just America but with other countries as well.  It will mean changes in defence arrangements and foreign affairs as well. 

Perhaps we will wake up and realise how closely allied to America we are? I doubt it. 

Then there is the problem of having a Prime Minister who has said that the next President of the United States "scares the s... out of me". Yes, our current PM is a wimp. No, he will not stand up to the man who will once again be so powerful. Our Ambassador in Washington has made his feelings clear too. Will he survive? His departure would be no loss but who will replace him? 

It would help to have an election here now because, one way or another, it would tell America, "Yes, we have had an election too and this is the way we want to go." 

We do not have those huge election rallies here. We don't have all the crowds being encouraged to shout. Our elections are not nearly as sedate as they once were but they are still reasonably quiet and, compared with some places, civilised affairs.  Still, things are changing and not for the better.

Several days ago there was a news item about a head of government department not displaying our national flag for  reasons I still do not understand. It was something to do with upsetting some group or other. Yes, this was about our national flag. I know it is not to everyone's liking but it is actually a very good representation of who and what we are. There are also some very strict rules and regulations about how and when it should be displayed. I happen to believe those things are important. I believe it is important because the flag is a reflection of us, of our past and of our future.  We need to stand around it and look in all directions. We don't need to change because not everyone is happy only if there is good reason to change. If someone is not looking our way we need to tap them on the shoulder and say, "Hello. We are open to friendship and business. Are you?" 

I want the answer to be "yes" - but we might need to work harder at it.