U.S. Election – Do you Care?

Today is the first day of the Third Republic. The United States have decided against America. Do I care? Not really. But it’s a pity.

“A Republic – if you can keep it …”

Perhaps the US voters were smart enough to realize that Obama didn’t create the problems, they were created in the 10 years prior to 2008 and that fixing them wasn’t going to happen quickly.

Normally I’d go on a rant about just how wrong this statement is, but based on comments I’ll just leave it at this. That statement is only partially correct…

Anyways, I also agree with charlie…Mitt is not nearly as dumb as the left over here tries to make him out to be.

No point in crying over spilled milk though…I’ll just hope for the best for my nation. Time will tell, but as others who agree with me have pointed out, I fear we will be in far worse shape (if that’s possible) in four years than we are now.

I’ll drink to that! Although I don’t agree that Romney is as “dim” as he was made out to be…..

Personally, I’m disappointed, but I’m not that surprised. It’s the democratic system though, and I’ll have to respect it and just hope for the best. The people have spoken, and it is what it is.

Well, us republicans can have some comfort knowing there’s more than meets the eye with the landslide figures [303 (+29) – 206] the media keep bombarding us with.
The popular vote tells a different story [50% – 48%], so there’s still some sanity left in America 😉

They’ve just had some of the worst four years in recent US history, and they’ve voted for no change!
Shame the only real challenger was a dim god-botherer…

Couldn’t agree more, but they’ll all be regretting it come 2016. The last time the US saw two consecutive democratic presidents was 1963 (and we all know the reasons behind that).

I’m sure the republicans will (in the words of Romney) ‘come roaring back’ in the next election – all they need is a good ol’ Texan senator to win the public over :p

Thank God it’s over for another 4 years, just got too full face on towards the end.BTW Brazilian females are the best, I.M.H.O.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

Sorry for going totally off-topic.

I think it can be done.

Wink wink, right?

Try again, I’m willing to bet those are American girls. Breast implants, strong make-up and big white smiles. It’s no doubt a subjective thing, but those traits aren’t very attractive to me. Too artificial. Norwegian women look better in a natural way, in my opinion.

Perhaps the US voters were smart enough to realize that Obama didn’t create the problems, they were created in the 10 years prior to 2008 and that fixing them wasn’t going to happen quickly.

I think that’s possible. I’m also curious how most voters view Romney’s changes over the last 10 years or so. Apparently he used to be more moderate. Did he try to adapt his image to suit the more conservative voters and evangelical voters better? Did he lose credibility?

Theoretically that’s true and sometimes in in practice, of course, But there has been a long history of opposing White House and Congress and often accomodations are reached for the general good. However the budget battles will continue but no doubt the fiscal cliff will have to be addressed before the end of the year.

It’s an odd system , because the House is Republican, they will block anything the President tries to do, then in 2016, they’ll say “well, he was rubbish wasn’t he, didn’t do anything he said he would do”.
:confused:

Looks like it has essentially been called. Obama gets four more years. Looks like many of you will be quite happy (if you admitted to caring in the first place).

Personally, I’m disappointed, but I’m not that surprised. It’s the democratic system though, and I’ll have to respect it and just hope for the best. The people have spoken, and it is what it is.

I’ll just hope for the best. 🙂

Thanks again for your comments all.

I think it was Obama’s Storm that tipped it his way. Still that’s what they’ve voted for and we’ll see what happens. At least the House remains strongly Republican.

They’ve just had some of the worst four years in recent US history, and they’ve voted for no change!
Shame the only real challenger was a dim god-botherer…

Well, that’s democracy. Personally, I think they’ve made the right choice. I’ve just spoken to a friend of mine in Boston. She was really undecided until quite recently, but in her words ‘Romney gives me the creeps’ I wouldn’t mind betting, that some other Americans feel the same way as she.

Perhaps the US voters were smart enough to realize that Obama didn’t create the problems, they were created in the 10 years prior to 2008 and that fixing them wasn’t going to happen quickly.

I think it best to leave with a Romneyism (could have been written by Monty Python though)

”I believe in an America where millions of Americans believe in an America that’s the America millions of Americans believe in. That’s the America I love.”

Good for him. As someone said last night, Romney becomes another asterix in the footnote of history.

They’ve just had some of the worst four years in recent US history, and they’ve voted for no change!
Shame the only real challenger was a dim god-botherer…

Looks like it has essentially been called. Obama gets four more years. Looks like many of you will be quite happy (if you admitted to caring in the first place).

Personally, I’m disappointed, but I’m not that surprised. It’s the democratic system though, and I’ll have to respect it and just hope for the best. The people have spoken, and it is what it is.

I’ll just hope for the best. 🙂

Thanks again for your comments all.

I might say number one, but how can someone really judge that objectively? 🙂

I don’t know what those adjectives (?) mean, but I’d say that Norway has a reasonable tradition for diplomacy. National interests combined with a limited military capability might mean something in this context.

I think it can be done.

Norwegian Girls

Serbian Girls

Icelandic Girls

British Girls

I think its fair to say Norwegian girls are in the top 3

#3 Best looking women in Europe

I might say number one, but how can someone really judge that objectively? 🙂

and the balls to thumb their noses to zwiley Russians and hobbish Germans

I don’t know what those adjectives (?) mean, but I’d say that Norway has a reasonable tradition for diplomacy. National interests combined with a limited military capability might mean something in this context.

I wasn’t going to mention anything regarding my opinions as I wanted it to stay focused on people from other nations, but since you asked I’ll own up.

you’re a happy nice guy so you deserve a reply.
non-US people should care because for better or worse the US is the most powerful country in the world and the most influential.. so in effect the leader of not just the US.but the world is being chosen today in your land

The direction my country is in is not one I was hoping for when we were promised “Hope & Change” in 2008. Granted, I wasn’t a supporter of Obama in 2008, but I’m in the military so I was obliged to trust in him as my commander in chief, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt, hoping that somehow he could improve things. In my humble opinion he has simply made our situation worse in a variety of areas.

It wouldn’t have really mattered Obama or McCain won last time.. the US economy is in such terrible shape after years of unrestricted access to easy credit (other wise horrible lending policies). Even if that is solved it still has the upcoming issue of student debt (fueled by those private for profit universities) and the greying demographics (how to take care of all those old people who want benefits). Either person probably wouldn’t be able to really turn the US around. Furthermore the US has a tendency to want to spend money but not raise taxes. Money doesn’t grow on trees and the party that wants to increase taxes, hasn’t increased it yet.. and the party that wants to cut spending, hasn’t really cut much either.

As far as Romney goes, the main reason I like him is that he has a much better idea of how to fix things economically speaking than Obama does. Obama’s economic policies are absolutely killing small businesses among other things. Big government isn’t as popular here as it is in other parts of the world (Western Europe), and despite what the media here is trying to do, most Americans aren’t in favor of it. It isn’t what our country was founded on, and when it comes to things like the new healthcare plan, we don’t want it.

This is pure partisan talking. Like I said earlier.. the US Democrats and Republicans are more similar to each other than different. They follow the same general economic and foreign policy principles. There are slight variations between the two that set them apart (healthcare, gay/lesbians, approach to foreign policy) but in terms of the big picture they follow the same guiding principles. Healthcare, a good chunk of Americans voted for it.so don’t say “we”. You guys are obviously divided on it. You don’t represent a good chunk of the Americans.

Obviously I cannot speak for every American, but the media has become pretty left leaning over here, and the far left agenda is constantly being pushed on us.

and there’s your problem, you completely ignore the right agenda. The left and right wing media have been so busy painting the Democrats and Republicans as being different as day and night, but in reality they are not that different and most leaders will end up ruling from the center, not the extremes. Romney is as you say, a right leaning moderate. Obama disappoints those on the extreme left.

As for Romney & foreign, I’m deeply concerned based on what I read here as far as what people seem to think this guy is going to do. He is already being painted as a far rightwing nutjob that will attack any nation who dares blink at the U.S.A. That could not be farther from the truth, and being that I’m pretty familiar with the U.S. political system, I can tell you he is much more of a moderate compared to previous Republican presidents. Again, I think the smear campaign that the left-wing media has put out has a large part to do with a lot of incorrect assumptions about Romney.

thats most likely true, Romney and Obama will not differ too much on foreign policy but people want drama in campaigning so they’ll be too busy exaggerating their positions and the weakness of the opponent.

The sitation we are in on this side of the pond is getting graver by the day. We are experiencing a culture change in this country whereupon a large part of the country is now seemingly living in what we refer to as an “entitlement culture.” It is seemingly more and more popular to lean towards far left economic policies (namely redistribution of wealth)…at least the media here is putting out that rhetoric. If you identify with American conservative beliefs, you are painted as uncaring and bigotted. The most ironic thing I’ve found in recent years is that if you don’t agree with a liberal in this country, you are absolutely slammed and denigrated for your beliefs. It’s ironic to me because liberals (& Democrats in the political system) try to paint themselves as the party of acceptance…until you have the audacity to disagree with them.

If this post has confused anyone please ask and I’ll try to clarify. My limited understanding of U.K. and Western European politics leads me to believe that what we consider left-wing here in the USA would in some cases be considered right-wing on that side of the pond.

As I said perviously thanks for your comments.

doom and gloom.. you should go to other countries.. everyone thinks their country is going to the craphole. and honestly I think its probably true. Western Europe.. got their own problems.. East Asia..different sets of problems.

The only place where life is great is Norway.
#1 Human Development Index for several years
#1 Freedom of Press
#1 Democratic Index
#2 Safest country in Europe
#3 in per capita income PPP (higher than US)
#3 Quality of life index
#3 Best looking women in Europe
and the balls to thumb their noses to zwiley Russians and hobbish Germans

Singapore is pretty decent it ranks #1 for capitalism index and ranks behind Norway in many things and ahead of others. Both countries are highly capitalistic but with high government involvement. Also healthcare is provided.

We are experiencing a culture change in this country whereupon a large part of the country is now seemingly living in what we refer to as an “entitlement culture.” It is seemingly more and more popular to lean towards far left economic policies (namely redistribution of wealth)

I don’t really know how most Americans today understand the ideas behind some left-leaning economic models and wealth redistribution. I’ll try to describe some of my limited understanding of a few basic principles:

From my experience with current policies in some Western European states with a relatively strong tradition for social democracy, “entitlement” might not be a precise term. In order to work over time and provide for those in need, a welfare system must operate with certain user requirements and incentives. It’s not supposed to “reward” e.g. long-term unemployment for people who are able to work (and able to find work). That would be detrimental to the system and the country.
System abuse does occur and it is of course very important to work against this. A key aim of a functioning welfare state is to provide for people who have real support needs while at the same time giving clear work incentives for those who should have a job. The threat of welfare scams is there, but unlike some welfare state opponents, I don’t see this threat as a deciding argument against the whole idea of welfare.

Then again, different models might suit different countries in different ways at different times. For instance, some experienced Scandinavian politicians have stated that their welfare model can hardly be transferred to any given country at any time. To each his own.

My limited understanding of U.K. and Western European politics leads me to believe that what we consider left-wing here in the USA would in some cases be considered right-wing on that side of the pond.

I think you’re right about that. The left side of the political spectre in Western Europe is predominantly made up by social democrats and socialists. I think a good deal of European moderate right-wing parties (liberal or conservative) have more in common with the Democrats rather than the GOP, but I don’t have the full picture, of course.

If I were a U.S. voter I’d probably go for Obama. I’m generally more sympathetic towards him for various reasons, but at the same time I try not to swallow any attempts at labelling Romney as someone he isn’t without question. Again, it’s a bit hard for me to get a clear picture of everything.

Obama actually reduced the deficit by about 8% in his first term.
U

Energy – I think that continuing to build a fossil fuel economy is a bad idea, and domestic oil production under Obama is already up.

It’s the DEBT, which is the deep seated problem. It now stands at $16.3 trillion and is growing at about $3 billion per day – $1 trillion a year.

The best fuel economy is the one which mixes every form of energy building towards self-sufficiency within 10 years. Romney understands the realities of energy supply fare better than Obama who remains wedded to a pointless green agenda.

I have a very low opinion of Bain capital and their ilk, I think that it’s their brand of reckless capitalism that got us where we are now.

Obama actually reduced the deficit by about 8% in his first term.
U

Energy – I think that continuing to build a fossil fuel economy is a bad idea, and domestic oil production under Obama is already up.

As for the trade deficit, there isn’t much he can do other than start a massive trade dispute with China over their currency valuation and the embassy, really? I’m yet to see any evidence that Obama was aware of the incident as it unfolded and failed to act. Fox news has been spouting it loud and often but they seem to be clutching at straws imho. I can’t see how the man who would order a mission as risky as the bin Laden takedown would just sit on his hands during an embassy attack.

I think when it comes to the economy, @jbritchford, Romney is in a better position than Obama.
Romney was the son of a self-made millionaire, he went on to work for several management consultancy firms and co-founded Bain Capital before entering the political arena in 1994.

If either of the two can get the economy back on track, it’s Mitt.
The US budget deficit has actually increased under Obama’s leadership! But the most amazing statistic is US debt has more then doubled during Obama’s first term!

Romney actually plans to reduce the deficit by 20% in his first term in office.
http://www.mittromney.com/issues/spending

You also raised the issue of energy? Romey’s plan is to reduce the nation’s dependency on Middle Eastern oil by negotiating with one of the US’s closest neighbours and allies, Canada.
Canada has the world’s 3rd largest proven oil reserves after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. Romney plans to make it easier for companies to access this oil by tax incentives and the removal of red tape.

You also say Obama has a more intelligent approach to foreign relations – what like increasing the trade deficit with China (watching US jobs flow abroad) and sitting back while foreign embassies are recklessly burnt down by Middle Eastern Hooligans?