Watching the United States election on television Tuesday night was fabulously entertaining. I pretty much stuck with CNN's coverage but did check out all the major networks.
The dozens of reporters in precincts in key swing states made for some interesting viewing, for sure. Comparisons of exit polls to the last election gave an early indication that it could have been a long night.
CNN even ran some scenarios that would pan out in the event of a tie!
All reporters and hosts were talking as fast as Ian Paton at an auction. They gave play-by-play analysis on the fly and used all the glittering high tech props at their disposal. A mere sweep of a hand or the touch of a red or blue state on the Holograph wall would reveal a vast number of stats that would compel commentators to speculate on outcomes. Peter Mansbridge and the CBC have some catching up to do.
The election coverage was just about as good as watching the Super Bowl. If you are a fan of Twitter, there was some amazing tweeting going on that made me forget the NHL is still on strike.
This was Americana at its finest.
Early election results made it look like it was going to be close but, as is the case in many football games, some surprising outcomes suggested the game would be over by the third quarter.
On the day after the big event, the harsh reality that the status quo had been maintained sent markets reeling and the DOW ended up down 300 points.
When every man woman and child in America owes over $200K in the multi-trillion dollar debt, things can be daunting.
The American fiscal debt cliff will not be easily managed with a divided Congress. President Barack Obama will have to work very hard with Governor Mitt Romney and the Republican Party to attempt to hold off further financial crisis in the United States.
There seems to be an almost hatred within the partisan politics of the U.S. two-party system.
America is divided at a crucial time in its history and any hint of recession will surely be felt by us north of the border.
Closer to home, if you are the owner of the Reef in Point Roberts, you have got to be calling your sign guy to order an E and a R for your neon sign.
Yes, Washington state passed initiative No. 502 on election night with more than 55 per cent approval allowing for the legalization of recreational marijuana use.
If you are over the age of 21, the law states you will be allowed to purchase up to an ounce of marijuana from a government licensed retailer.
It has been estimated the legalization of marijuana could generate $20 billion in annual tax revenues and enforcement savings in the United States.
If you think that Lighthouse Park is going to turn into Woodstock next summer or that Bellis Fair Mall will be opening up a Weed Mart, you will probably be disappointed.
The federal government will likely overrule the initiative.
Obama won't be electioneering anymore. He has vast challenges ahead in his last four years of office.
We should all wish him the best of luck.
