I feel compelled to write something about the recent US election although I think that most has already been said in the newpapers and on television over the last few days. And in light of the devastation in the New York area as a result of Hurricane Sandy and then the Nor’easter last night the election doesn’t seem immediately important. As these impacts are addressed, that will certainly change in this area and we will catch up with the rest of America and the world.

We are very happy Obama won, it is the best result for this country. And in a state that is heavily Democratic, there is obviously as sense of relief and satisfaction among most New Yorkers. That Obama was seemingly very vulnerable to a “surging” Romney was very concerning for most we talked to here. They were afraid much of the progress that had been made following 2008 would come undone and that a right wing Morman who has successfully portrayed himself as a moderate during the campaign would actually win. The proliferation of red states in the middle of the country are just one visible indication of the divisions in this country. There are many factors involved, but there seems to be a consensus here that the Republicans have badly misread the country and may not recover in time for 2016.

And interesting story we heard is that after the destruction of Sandy, the President asked to come to New York to inspect the damage and meet some of the affected. Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo told him to stay away, that the City and State did not need the distraction and resource diversion that would have been necessary. He ended up in New Jersey instead where the Republican governor welcomed him with open arms. The President’s quick response to the requests of the states may have had an influence on the vote, however, probably not enough to make a major difference. Other more fundamental demographic and ideological issues made the difference.

Things in New York City seem to be going pretty well, so why change now. I have noted the scaffolding on hundreds of building that are undergoing significant maintenance that has obviously been put off for years, or major renovation. Both residential and commercial buildings. I wish I had shares in Empire Scaffolding!! There is a 40 storey building in the financial district that is completely empty and has been for a couple of years as Brookshire Properties upgrades it. There are also several new buildings under construction including the World Trade Centre (unbelievable development) and the residential tower on 57th Avenue that lost its crane in the storm. There are 50,000 restaurants in the City that all seem to be doing well: imagine how many people they employ! Tourism seems to be very high, although not as busy as earlier in October. Retail stores are very busy with great sales attracting lots of traffic. We are helping out with the success of the retail industry!!

Election Day was also interesting here. We looked hard and saw very few visible pollling stations although we are sure they were around. There were continual announcements of voting arrangements leading up to the vote but in many areas there was no power for the voting machines and alternate arrangements had to be made. Officials brought in generators and erected tents in which to hold the vote. People stood in very long lines waiting for the opportunity to vote. Even those badly affected by Sandy understood the importance of taking time to vote. As we walked the streets, many buildings had the location of the appropriate voting place posted on the door. We ran into a polling place at Riverside Church way up the west side with a steady line of voters.

Polls here did not close until 9pm and even then, there were line ups are many polls. If you are in line by closing time, you get to vote, no matter how long it takes. There were reports of people voting after the Obama win was projected by the networks. Of course there was many more items on the ballot, including those of a very local nature. Not like elections in Canada. Officials here and in other states are saying that the delays at the polls were caused by complicated ballots with too many initiatives. Say what? Isn’t it the job of election officials to make the vote available to everyone wanting to vote?

If you watched CNN or NBC from New York you would have seen the incredible displays they organized here. NBC turned the Rockafeller Centre Plaza into “Democracy Plaza” complete with hundreds of American flags, red and blue lighting on the buildings and a US map on the temporary ice rink.

In Times Square, CNN streamed their coverage live. Thousands of folks braved a cool evening to watch and cheer at every projection. As the results came in and Electoral College votes awarded, the Empire State Building lights reflected the standings. When Obama was projected to have won the election, the ESB changed blue and these venues errupted. And very few left in the almost three hours it took for Mitt to concede and for the President to make his acceptance speech. In our neighbourhood shouts of O-BAM-A and Four-More-Years rang out. Obviouisly, many New Yorkers liked the result.

Two days after the election, New York has pretty much returned to more pressing issues. 250,000 people are still without power in the City and surrounding counties. Hundreds are living in homes along the coast that are not repairable, gasoline is in short supply in the boroughs and some subway and bus lines are still not in service.

These are much more immediate concerns here.