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OBAMA HAS WON and history has been made! I was glued to CNN last night and even though I was previously unattached to the whole campaigning process, I could not detach myself from the electoral process unfolding in front of me. I even got teary eyed during some parts of Obama's post win speech. Come on, who here didn't??

So, what have we learned?

Things have to get really bad, before they can even start to look remotely good. The American people are ready for a change and to give 'the other guy' a fair chance and they have spoken.

This election was NOT about race. According to the polls, it wasn't even a concern, not as much as age was. McCain's age that is. Even little kids were aware of this. Hubby's niece, Smoochie (aged 8) 'voted' for Obama, because he is not as old as McCain. Ouch! Not that I am a promoter of ageism, but to be honest, I was wondering why this was not more of an issue than all the attention that was paid to race or religion where Obama was concerned.

The Obama girls have a new puppy. I am a little jealous.

And I leave you with this: If the world could vote, here's who they would have elected. No surprise there.

Today is also my dad's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI!

Obama has my vote

Seems like every one's pulling for Obama to win. Watching the news, seeing so many black voters getting out there, standing in long lines and making a choice, it's easy to presume that they're voting for Obama, because he's black. And if that were entirely true, so what? Heck, if there an Indian candidate running was for the presidency, I'd be damn proud, but I wouldn't vote for him based on the fact that we share the same motherland or skin tone. The fact that he made it so far would be awesome. Just like Obama has. A black senior citizen was asked today: Did you ever think you'd see this day? His response was a negative. Yes, it is 2008 but at times we have regressed so far back on so many issues that it doesn't seem like the modern world that it should be.

Here in Cayman and I am sure in Bermuda as well, so many are rooting for Obama even though they're not eligible to vote. For those that are, it would seem reckless to vote for someone based on the colour of their skin. Even if one does want to go that route, they'd have to at some point look beyond race and actually have to listen to what that candidate has to say. Like Hubby's cousin in Georgia. She voted for Obama because she liked his plan for education. As a mother of young kids she is all for any candidate with a strong plan for education because to her that's what's most important. Education and health care. I say this election is not about race. It's more about a charismatic democrat who has been able to keep his cool through it all and has a plan that most believe will work to bring America back on track. I LOVE this write up that my fellow blogger, Zen Denizen has penned about Obama. It resonates with all of us, at some level or another, American or not. It IS time for that change. Can you feel it???

Pure hogwash

In recent Bermuda news, tourism has fallen to record levels this past summer by 19% which when translated into monetary terms equates to about USD $18.3 million. The last time these figures were so low was in the year 1980.

Well, it's a good thing Bermuda has International Business to fall back on right? If this were not the case, Bermuda's economy would technically be crashing. We all know how the government does not like acknowledging that International Business is the main pillar of the economy, perpetually stating that it is Tourism that drives Bermuda and keeps it running. Well if this current trend of a decline continues, then I'd say Bermuda is in for a lot more trouble than it lets on. What would the government have to say about that? How would it explain what strategies are to be put into place to combat this continuing decline? Since most tourists visiting Bermuda are Americans, laying blame on the American market and current economy will only take them so far. So would the Premier who also happens to be the Tourism Minister, bite the bullet and actually state for once that International Business continues to thrive and Bermuda has not much to worry about, because every winter when tourists are practically non existent, Bermuda still manages to stand. However can that be? I'll tell you how. That 13% payroll tax that the government levies on employers goes a long way, especially when it's remitted on a consistent monthly basis. You've got plenty executives who's salaries are upward of half a million, so you do the math. International Business, my friend. Chug chug chugging along.

So, why not admit that International Business is important and it's presence is year round? That would have to mean acknowledging the importance of guest workers in Bermuda, of expats at large, even though it's only a small make up of the population (8,000 out of 66,000). Someone better start setting the facts straight because Bermuda's treatment of expats is preceding itself at other offshore jurisdictions.

I cannot understand why Bermudians have to be brainwashed as such. In my experience, the smart open minded educated Bermudians know where their bread and butter and mortgage payments via rental income, comes from. They know the importance of International Business and the detrimental effects of Bermuda going independent, should that occur. So, while the Premier, who's popularity vote is rapidly falling, spews hogwash about how Tourism is the one and only pillar, do the educated local lot laugh on the inside listening to this never ending tirade? You bet they do! And I'm laughing right behind them.

And that my folks, is the nitty gritty. It was a long time coming.