Really, what were you thinking? Other thoughts:
Let's give the American people the benefit of the doubt.
It could all be attributed to fraud!
Apparently Bush won the popular vote by around 3.8 million this time, so there aren't any excuses.
On the other hand, does Ohio's current status offer a glimmer of hope?
Meeeeeeeh.
The political process in America is pretty much comprised of two groups of people drinking their respective koolaid and unable to look objectively at anything outside of their own hype. More people bought Brand R hype instead of Brand D. Whatever.
I didn't even bother to vote. Even if I had registered I would have just write in voted for myself, or megatron, or cobra commander perhaps. Maybe the democrats should nominate a candidate that doesn't make me vomit all over myself next time. I do not accept lesser evils.
That is very insulting! You're just trolling now. :-( I can understand now why things never get resolved in web developement committees. Grrrrr....
One simple question:
Is John Kerry a better choice?
Kees: There are still other minor forces to vote for. Nontheless it would changed anything, but still. See CNN Election page with other parties' candidates listed.
I'm of the opinion that foreigners shouldn't get involved in the politics of other countries. Commentary like this is just counter-productive.
The result is what it is. Whether you think the American electorate was wrong or not is pointless; they've made their bed and they'll lie in it---probably quite willingly. Though it's true that American politics affect the politics of other countries in many cases, I somehow doubt that something as simple as a change of presidency will really make all that much difference.
The American election affects us all because the President of the United States, the only world superpower, is the de facto president of the world. Yet, less than 5% of the world's population have the right to vote.
I wouldn't want to be an American abroad today. At least before, you could argue that you didn't know Bush was going to do the things he did. Now, you know, but you reelected him anyway.
It's their free democratic country. Let them cast their ballot to whomever they prefer.
Our (foreign) vision of the US elections is even more dissorted (our media selects and rephrases their media) than their own.
If you want your voice to be heard, vote in your own country and more importandly, take part in the democratic process: talk with politicians, voice your concerns, take part in public debates.
The world might need another superpower to balance the US. Why not try to build it where you live?
I am just surprised to find that Bush is now the de facto president
of the world.
I'm not saying Bush is Bad, actually I cannot determine if he is good or bad. All I can do is look at his ideas and compare them to mine.
Anon, the fact that the president of the USA is the de-facto leader of the world is not the problem of the American people. They vote a president they think (or at least 51% of them) is best for their country.
This status-quo is cased by the fact that there is no other superpower, Russia doesn't have enough mony and the EU is not one single entity.
The big members of the EU, especially France is using the EU for their own interests. One reason France was against an invasion of Iraq was their finincial interests in the country.
Although, after the invasion, its questionable if the current situation is any better then te Iraq of Saddam Hoesein, I personally think it almost can't get worse than before the invasion. All the American (militairy) should do is let the Iraqi's control their own country - if this results in an Islamic state is very regretable.
The EU don't care about a democratic middle east either, because the aren't very supportive of the only democratic country in the region...
Let it be known that not all Americans are ill-read and so easily swayed by corporate/political marketing. Some of us remember where we came from, and look to a better future... then there are others who seem to forget quickly past decisions in the face of optimistic jabber.
In the end, it might be my turn to seek political asylum elsewhere in the world - the future looks dim.
Let it be known that not all Americans are ill-read and so easily swayed by corporate/political marketing. Some of us remember where we came from, and look to a better future...
There're fewer and fewer Americans who aren't ill-read, and ill-educated, and there are more and more religious nutcases who pray for Armageddon, not to mention those supremacists who think theirs is the only way, the American way, and who will enforce the New Deal with arms if need be.
Americans considered harmful - how true it has been, and how true it will be in the future. We will all pay in blood by the superpower's mishandling of the world.
I'm of the opinion that foreigners shouldn't get involved in the politics of other countries.
J., why don't you tell this to Americans, who constantly meddle in others' business, and invade their countries?
What others think of us.
"Americans considered harmful"
J., why don't you tell this to Americans, who constantly meddle in others' business, and invade their countries?
I do, comrade. I also try and set a good example.
Let us keep in mind here that the U.S. is deeply divided. Bush received only 51% of the popular vote, with Kerry receiving 48%.
And while I'd like to say it was a fair election and the Republicans just had a few more Bible-beaters in the Polls on Tuesday, we'll never know if the decisive state (Ohio) had a compromised voting system.
It's a shameful tragedy that escapes words. 48% of America stands by your side, unfortunately we are no longer able to be heard in any branch of government.
The country is now deeply divided. Religion (cunningly disguised by the media as “moral values”) has been the key determinant in voting. The Religious Right, dominated by white evangelical Christians, have effectively seized control of the country.
From one of the links in the post. Does this piece of text remind more people about our minister-president and his party? Yet, they still appear to be so different in views and then an American writes the thoughts I had about our elections some time ago. Strange.
More importantly, I think it's time the American government would kick out the old-fashioned district system so next time there won't be a chance that a Kerry might win when a Bush has 4 million more votes. Or like in 2000 when Al Gore had a couple of 100.000 more votes, but Bush won. Write about that instead of critizising what is clearly what the people of a democratic country have decided. A democratic country which is not perfect, but is at least trying to spread democracy. Maybe not in the right way, but we do nothing.
I can't wait until they open up colonies on the moon. I am so there.
Andrew (#17),
You truly must not understand how things work in US government. There is what's called a "balance of powers". Just because there is a Republican president and a Senate/House majority does not mean that you cannot be heard in any branch of government. In fact, the legislative branch represents the American population about as accurately as is possible. Your voice will be heard according to its representative vote.
I'm sorry you find it difficult to be in the minority. But the fact remains - you are in the minority. Live with it and realize that the system balances itself out. The different branches, coupled with the accountability that elections by the people provide, are not so menacing as you may think.
Another election will happen soon and the ebb and flow of public policy will move with it according to what the people want. It really isn't doomsday.
On the other hand, if it gets so bad that you feel you can't deal with it, you have the choice to revolt or move.
By the way, your contention that we will never know if he actually made it...give me a break, man. That stupid accusation comes up every year, no matter who is elected. Bush won the popular vote, so don't be a sore loser - you don't win 'em all.
What I don't get is that if the whole country votes, why does it all come down to one state (Ohio)?
Short answer: It didn't.
... although it was portrayed as the "key state" due to the delay in vote-counting. In reality, Ohio played as much a part in the election as somewhere like Pennsylvania, which was an equally close vote.
I hear ya, man. I truly do. But my concern is that Bush will be appointing up to three justices to the supreme court (who will be assuradely conservative), the GOP controls the House AND Senate, and there is nothing in Bush's track record that suggests anything will change in the next four years. On the contrary, he now has more power than before.
I just truly don't understand how anyone could view the current administration as containing a "balance of power".
/me signing off
Don't make a blanket statement about all Americans, please... not all of us voted for Bush. In fact, considering the number of people that didn't vote (even though voter turnout was higher than ever this year), only 20% of Americans did vote for Bush. A lot of us have been basically in mourning this week. But we're going to take back the streets, as they say.
As for fraud... seen this yet?
20% of Americans voted for Bush? Bush got 59,459,765 to Kerry's 55,949,407 votes. That would make it 51% to 48% of the popular vote. If you did it out of the total population of the United States yes Bush would get somewhere along the lines of 20% while Kerry would get something along the lines of 19%. There's a problem with those numbers, though. Children can't vote so therefore have no sayso in the outcome of the election. According to the census bureau there are around 72,301,445 children (People under age of 18) in the United States, so if you figure out percentages subtracting that from the total number of Americans you get 27% Bush 25% Kerry. Those numbers are flawed as well since not everyone over the age of 18 can vote. You first have to be registered to vote. Out of total registered voters in the US Bush got 31% to Kerry's 29%. Less people voted for Kerry than Bush, so his percentages are below the President's.
As for the link on fraud: That would be considered a computer glitch not voter fraud. When everything is investigated Kerry will get those 3000 something odd votes and still lose Ohio.