President Obama at the Democratic National Convention. Photo courtesy of Chris Keane/Reuters.

With the election only 55 days away, everyone has noticed there is something different. More than ever before, there is a lot riding on the outcome of the 2012 election. What do you think it is?

Regression, Not Progress

While elections are usually about moving the country forward, preparing for the future, and improving the country and people’s quality of life, the 2012 presidential election has the potential to set entire movements back decades. The Republican party platform wants to amend the constitution to outlaw abortions (even in cases of rape, incest, or health of the mother), defund women’s low-cost health care provider Planned Parenthood, outlaw gay marriage, and doesn’t support equal pay for women. With the digesting racist measures taken against immigrants in Arizona and other states, as well as attempts to disenfranchise voters of colour in several states, is not difficult to imagine the other discriminatory items the Republicans have yet to reveal in their political agenda. If the Republicans have their way, the work of the Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and Gay Rights Movements could soon be for naught.

Unity (or lack there of)

The United States presidential election has always been contentious, but certainly not in my memory has there been an election with as much in-party fighting as there has been already for 2012′s race. It’s always been an us vs. them mentality for both major parties. This year, however, features two candidates that have been subject to much criticism by their own parties and for very different reasons. Does this show an unbiased critical view of the state of our world, or will everything go back to us vs. them as the election looms? How will this, if at all, affect this year’s voter turnout and, ultimately, the decision on who will run the country for the next four years?

Apathy

Perhaps it’s because the bar was set so high during the 2008 election, but the 2012 election is feeling a tad lackluster on both sides. Most noticeably, Obama’s campaign lacks the youthful energy that propelled him into office. Was his young fan base disillusioned? Or is it because he’s not new and shiny any more? (I mean, the new iPhone is coming out today. Who wants to bet there will be more people lined up to get it than there will be lining up to vote?) I believe that it is this apathy that is allowing Mitt Romney’s campaign to get away with so many false accusations to and claims. The ideology of the Republican Party is vastly overpowering their true policies and intents, and because there are less people willing to unveil the truth, Romney’s campaign succeeds. This que sera, sera attitude doesn’t work. Not caring never did anything to help anyone, least of all yourself.