October-2-08
Ben’s Guide to American Politics
Posted at 7:37 pm in Fevered Rantings, I'm not from here!, News
Some interesting musings on McCain:
- McCain is basically Bush v2.0. The annoying thing is that there are no significant updates or changes from the previous person save for some unnecessary bloating. In that respect, McCain is also Windows ME.
- The above is pretty much a moot point anyway when you consider that, at this stage, a vote for McCain is really a vote for Palin. It’s not that McCain would die of old age, cancer, or some combination of the two during his term. Oh, no. I submit to you that McCain is already dead and has been for at least seven months.
- That’s not strictly speaking a reason to vote for the Republicans. Especially when you consider that Palin seems to be about as consistent as a 1980s Doctor Who serial. You know the one I mean.
Some interesting musings on Obama:
- Obama is charismatic, wears a lot of black suits, and almost everyone I know wants to vote for him but they can’t quite figure out why. It would not be unfair of me, then, to compare Barack Obama to one Mr. Harold Saxon. And, as I’m sure you all know, Harold Saxon turned out to be a sociopathic alien from the future who killed one tenth of the population and went on to rule the Earth in a very sort-of oppressive way.
- It’s worth mentioning that this is because he was The Master. And The Master is incredibly cool.
- So, y’know. Dilemma.
Look, whoever you vote for, do it sensibly, okay? Don’t just pick one issue and base your entire decision on that. If, for example, you choose a candidate because he’s Pro-Life but he has no visible grasp or understanding of the Economy and ultimately sinks the US into more shit than it’s in now, chances are you’re making the wrong decision.
As a Green Card carrying emigrant, I can’t vote. I can pay taxes of course (which I love doing, by the way) but I’m not allowed to be involved in the decision-making process when it comes to picking the leader of the country I’ve chosen to live in. so I’m asking you nicely, America:
DON’T FUCK THIS UP.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Duh. Me vote for purson wear nice clothe. Huh huh huh.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
I’m still baffled by the fact that I’ve seen Americans online who don’t have a clue where Obama stands with regard to policies, etc. I mean, the BBC had a rundown of what each candidate’s views were on every key issue, up on their site, back when the leadership contests were still going on (which furnished me with at least a basic understanding of where they all stood). The TV coverage might not be giving anyone much of an idea on policies, etc but surely it’s all on the internet if you’re actually that interested (a good place to start would be the candidate’s official websites).
Also, am I the only one confused by the fact that America* seems to consider Obama to have bad foreign-policy experience in comparison to McCain? Obama’s strategy seems to be to actually talk to people before nuking them and to be generally well liked and respected in other countries. Clearly terrible traits to have in a leader! Bring on McCain and his 10,000 more years of war in Iraq!
Anyway, Obama’s views seemed to be closer to mine than any of the other candidates, which is why I’m hoping he’ll win.
NOTE TO CONCERNED REPUBLICANS: Don’t worry, I can’t vote.
* - I don’t mean all of America. Just the news’ generalised America. As in ‘Americans are worried about… bla de bla’.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
But…I fuck everything up…is it okay if I don’t vote this year?
October 4th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Euan, from what I heard around me, it’s not that people think Obama has bad foreign policy experiences. It’s that he is a relatively less-seasoned politician and, as a senator he doesn’t have a LOT of foreign policy experience. He made a good choice selecting Biden as his running mate though since the latter’s 35-year record adds to the experience thing. As for Palin… Egads, what was McCain thinking?
And Catherine. You vote. You vote now! Or I keel you! That’s democracy! wamp wamp.
October 5th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
True, that’s a fair point.
And from a superficial level, it looks like McCain was thinking “Hmm… a relatively young politician* will get me the ‘yoof’ vote and a woman will bring in the female vote. Plus, she’s hyper-religious so that’ll get in the hyper-religious vote… I CAN’T LOSE!”
Surely he can’t be THAT stupid, though…. can he?
* - by politician standards.
October 6th, 2008 at 8:54 am
I think I’m starting to understand “single issue” voting. For instance, look at the Supreme Court. Demographic time-bomb. I don’t want to find out who McCain will nominate, so I’m voting for the other guy. It’s not my only reason, but it’s concise.
Now to figure out state and local candidates…
October 8th, 2008 at 2:10 am
It saddens me that I’m more comfortable with the two people in this forum who legally can’t vote voting than I am with people that were raised in this country. Though I really enjoy my job, I have to remember where I live. One guy I work with likes to bring up how Obama shouldn’t be elected because his term will only last one day. *sigh*
October 8th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Wow. That is effed up, Drew. I had an animated discussion with a family member last weekend because she is voting for the gay marriage ban here in California. She didn’t even know it was on the ballot till I mentioned it! Once I convinced her it’s not very ethical to start telling groups of people they can’t get married (again) she said she’d just abstain from voting even though she thinks being gay is wrong. I think she was just trying to stop the confrontation. She also said gay couples should not be allowed to adopt. When I told her many kids never end up getting adopted and live their life as orphans (and that studies show kids do better with ANY kind of loving family than without one) she told me she had no idea. I hate cramming things down her throat, but I worry how many more people are making huge decisions for other people without ANY knowledge on the subject whatsoever.
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