Our Upcoming Election

Yesterday I noticed this on the Yahoo home page about how some American talkshow had to make fun of our upcoming election on the 7th of September. It struck me as both strange and funny so I am sharing it here with everyone. I have never thought American’s or anyone else would give a rats ass about our election.

US voters have put up with a lot in recent years, whether it was Alaska governor and moose hunter Sarah Palin's bid to be vice president, New York mayoral candidate and serial sexter Anthony Weiner living up to his surname or just the severe pain of suffering through the multi-year presidential campaigns.

But, America is enjoying some relief courtesy of the Australian federal election.

Yes, Australia. That's right.

America, land of the never-ending cycle of absurd politics and scandals, is laughing at us.

The US political late night TV talkshow, The Daily Show, devoted a segment on Monday to the oddities of the Australian election campaign.

The segment had the studio audience in hysterics and on Tuesday was picked up by America's mainstream media, including the Los Angeles Times which ran the headline: "The Daily Show discovers Australian politics as absurd as our own".

The show's host, British comedian John Oliver who was filling in for regular frontman Jon Stewart, began by telling the audience "Australia might have something to teach us when it comes to democracy" because the election campaign is only one month long.

"Four weeks!" Oliver exclaimed.

"That's like only three new iPhones from now."

Oliver also noted Americans who enjoyed the scandals that a three-year presidential campaign unearthed might think they would miss out if the US election campaign was just four weeks.

"You're wrong," he said.

"You name a great (US) campaign moment and Australia will get to it this month."

He then went through, with Australian news clips to back up his points, recent hiccups on the campaign trail.

"You want a clumsy on camera pratfall from a candidate for major office? Check," Oliver said.

A clip was shown of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott attempting to kiss a baby, but missing and puckering the back of a woman's head.

"Yes, that's a creepy moment, but is it any creepier than a stranger pressing his lips on the head of a non-consenting baby?" Oliver asked.

Then onetime Republican presidential frontrunner Rick Perry's moment of amnesia during a nationally-televised debate that led to his downfall was compared to Liberal Party candidate Jaymes Diaz's abysmal failure to explain Mr. Abbott's six-point border protection plan.

Next up was Weiner being compared to Queensland MP Peter Dowling's sexting scandal.

"You do not pair a penis with red wine," Oliver said.

"Try something lighter, crisper to offset the nuttier notes of the penis, plus it is almost impossible to get red wine stains out of a penis."

Then came Oliver's grand finale.

"So, in just four weeks Australia already has a Rick Perry and an Anthony Weiner," Oliver said.

"Of course, the real test: Does it have an under informed right wing woman thrust into a national political spotlight she is not only unprepared for, but at times, seems to barely comprehend?

"What I'm asking is: Does Australia have a Sarah Palin?"

The show then aired the interview where One Nation candidate Stephanie Banister mistook Islam for a country and confused haram with Koran.

"Australia, you truly are a nation of criminals because with that magnificent sound bite, you just stole my heart," Oliver smiled.