America really is having a moment here in Australia. It's not just the saturation coverage of Trump and Clinton. From New York gap years to smoky barbecue ribs or burgers, you can hardly leave the house without seeing America everywhere.
We've gone past McDonald's. No longer is Australia scratching the surface of American culture, we have dived right in.
![We can accept American food, and fashion, even their celebrities but what we can't do is lose ourselves.](/web/20161109132502im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/i/8/6/b/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsfp0w.png/1478472200380.jpg)
Why are we suddenly so interested in our allies? It was not that long ago that a basket of chicken wings was only available at certain sport bars and blokes went to the local pub to get a "schnitty". These days the humble chicken schnitzel has been replaced with sliders, ribs and fried chicken.
Australians are immersing themselves in American culture deeper and deeper. No longer are we an obscure 1990s Simpsons reference, Homer Simpson is visiting the Sydney Opera House. We are becoming America's identical twin.
Take a walk on the Bondi to Bronte coastal track, and count the number of NY Mets hats you see. Actually, count how many times in one day you see Australians dressed in American apparel on the street. Clothing with the American flag on it is everywhere.
Americanisation has been around a long time, but in leaner forms. It was mainly translated in the form of fast food, Coke, Mickey Mouse and TV.
Cheap airfare deals, the e3 Visa (which allows Australians to work in the US in speciality occupations) and social media allows us to deep dive into the American psyche like never before.
If we glamorise American culture, will that transfer to embracing its politics, obesity, lack of healthcare and excessive patriotism?
Australia has a lot to lose if we submit to an American takeover.
Australian cafes and restaurants have taken a decisive turn in celebrating American food. Maple syrup and bacon on your pancakes? Sure! Waffles, yes! With fried chicken? Why not?
But Australia's obesity levels continue to rise, to where it is now classified as an epidemic. Is no one making the correlation between the food they Instagram and the tyre around their stomachs?
More than two-thirds (68.9 per cent) of Americans adults are obese, with Australian adult obesity levels at 63 per cent. The gap will continue to close with every maple syrup-soaked bacon-flavoured waffle sandwich we eat.
Affordable healthcare is an important part of our social fabric, yet privatisation is creeping into our healthcare system. US President Barack Obama spent years fighting for reform to US healthcare industry, we'd be foolish to let ours slip.
The US illustrates the danger of poor gun control with each mass shooting – something we've avoided with John Howard's strong gun laws.
Some Australian tourists glamorise shooting semi automatics on their US holidays. Will guns creep back in here? Let's hope the Adler row settles with an outstanding no, and America addresses gun reform.
The American presidential race will finally end in a few days. Voters will base their opinions on candidate's likeability. The red and the blue teams could do with taking a leaf out of our book, and focus on the party policies rather than the candidate.
Voting is not mandatory in the US. The demographic who doesn't vote is skewed to a lower income class.
Donkey voters, and other disengaged voters in Australia aside, the importance of a compulsory voting system is proven by our governments who must appeal to the full spectrum of Australians with their policies, not just the demographic that casts a vote.
Obama believes the current US voting system serves to leverage the wealthy's political interests, to which he has publicly stated support for compulsory voting like we have here in Australia.
We can accept American food, and fashion, even their celebrities but what we can't do is lose ourselves. America is great. But Australia, well Australia is the lucky country. Let's keep it that way.
Mikki Cusack is a freelance writer.
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