… not really promising. And I am not talking about the US elections here; I am still waiting what will happen next in this regard. Since I am a Clinton supporter, I am deeply disappointed that she most likely will not make it to the White House as President. But maybe Obama will do the only smart thing there is to do and offer her the spot on his ticket. I’d really like to see them both running for office, I think they will win for certain then.

But, like I said, this is not about the presidential elections in the US but just about the elections to mayor here in Dresden. Since I was so wrapped up in writing my final thesis and are still busy learning for exams, I didn’t really follow the current political issues. Granted, it’s depressing as well, which is why I only have newsreaders and don’t watch the news anymore. I just can’t stand it.

To vote is important to me, though, because I truly believe that every voice counts (for that matter, read the article on “Recount” at tschilai’s blog). So, I have to read up on all the party programs until June 8. As if I didn’t have anything better to do

Unfortunately though, those who’s views are extreme and cruel always go and vote and because of that we have disguised Nazi’s (they say they aren’t but they are full of hate propaganda and more than just once their messages proved them to be racists (not to mention: studpid!)) sitting in the state government. It’s a shame for every decent citizen out there and one more reason to go and vote: to make sure those horrible people don’t get more than this one foot in the door.

That brings me to the candidates. And their campaigns. Or lack thereof. Seriously: I know you can’t compare an US election with a German one, but students running for class representative in American High Schools are more imaginative when it comes to wallpapers, slogans and such.

“So, who are you voting for?”
“I think I’ll vote for Marie Crane. .. I do not like Santiago. I always thought that a leader should have a strong chin. He has no chin and his vice-president has several. This, to me, is not a good combination.”
Sinclair and Ivanova, Babylon 5, »Midnight on the Firing Line«

Of course, you should never vote for the marketing campaign but for the content - but a professional campaign can support you immensely! The only candidate with a good campaign runs for the CDU (which resembles the Republicans in the US, if you like). I don’t really like the party program so I probably can’t vote for Helma Orosz. Sorry, gal. Like your campaign a lot, but the content, lady, the content …

Who’s running for SPD (the Democrats, so to speak) I have no idea. I think it is Peter Lames, but that guy doesn’t even print the name of his party on his election posters so the gentle voter is left to guess whom he’s running for. He doesn’t look very competent to me and his slogan … “Dresden has to become juster” … hellooooo?!? What is that all about? Didn’t he find something more generic and meaningless?

Next in line … there’s Klaus Sühl for “Die Linke” (left wing). Talk about a horrible campaign. Not inspiring confidence at all! I think that after Gregor Gysi left the party it has gone downhill. Not to mention Oskar LaFontaine joining it Some of their proposals are just so much out of touch with reality that it isn’t even comical anymore.

Do we have more? *racking my brain* Yes! There’s a candidate for the FDP as well. Dirk Hilbert. Never heard of him. When I read his name, I always have to think of the musician/producer Lukas Hilbert, who produced a nice album a couple years ago. But Dirk Hilbert … I don’t know. I don’t trust his party and what is his slogan (”A man from Dresden for Dresden”) supposed to tell me? That he’s from here? Wow. How lame.

Then there’s a candidate for “Die Grünen” (The Greens, the environment party). She doesn’t look very promising either, but I’d like to support the party so I have to read up on her program in detail.

There’s also a candidate for some obscure party and his election paper actually made my jaw hit the floor - because his ideas are just so otherworldly. First, he wants to kill the EU treaty (ok, so the EU contract does have some worrisome aspects, but once those are taken care of it is a good thing) and then he wants to “re-industrialize” Dresden. What the f$&%? As if anyone misses that cloud of smog over Dresden that we had to endure in the 70’s and 80’s! So, no vote for him for sure!

As you can see, I still have a lot of work ahead of me, but like I said: I am glad I have the chance to vote and I will take that opportunity. Because, in the end, how can I complain about how things are going if I didn’t even try to change anything?

So, where ever you are: if you have the privilege of voting, do so!