|
Post by Dabbit on Feb 8, 2008 13:34:03 GMT -5
I love America and most things about it and it is one place I would love to visit before I die more than anywhere else. BUT... I'm sorry all this talk about your election on our news is driving me almost as mad as it does when its British election time.
I appreciate its important to the people of America but is it that important to me the other side of the pond?
OK I'm off my soap box now
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Feb 8, 2008 16:17:41 GMT -5
Dabbit, I'm sure that most of us on this side of the pond are even more tired of it because I'm sure we see more of it than you do. If I had any sway with your television service over there I'd help, but alas, I don't. Sorry...
|
|
|
Post by rita on Feb 8, 2008 17:02:19 GMT -5
I'm extremely weary of the whole process! <<<yawn>>>
|
|
|
Post by Maria on Feb 8, 2008 20:30:43 GMT -5
I continue to watch every debate--Republican and Democrats alike. While I do agree, this primary year in particular, is a bit much, I do believe it is everyone's obligation to truly know the candidates positions. Not just that they are with one party or another. Or that one is a women, a man or black. We all must know the behind the face of each candidate.
Being a member of the League of Women Voters and having studied (but not majored) in political science at University, have influenced me to really look at the records of each individual and not simply the reitaric each of them puts out. Of course, I think each person that lives in a free country where one elects their government officials, has an obligation to become active at every level of government. That also means letting officials know where one stands on issues and perhaps organizing groups to be heard. Good citizens must keep an active vigil of government because while I strongly believe most politician start out with noble hearts, I agree with an Englishman named William Pitt . . . "Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it."
Oh my . . I know I have gone off the deep end again. Sorry!
|
|
|
Post by rita on Feb 8, 2008 23:36:31 GMT -5
While I agree with you that it is every Amerian's duty and right, to make every effort to know as much as we can about each of the candidates who want our vote, I do think that the media force feeds us much more information than we really need to know, however, and unfortunately, its usually slanted to fit their own agendas. I must say that I do admire your passion, though . But experience and history, has shown me, at least, that no matter how much we think we know about these people, we don't, and never will, really know them at all. We can only hope to make our best guess as to whom may be the "right" person to lead our nation at this given moment in time. Somehow, someway, it does seem that our crazy system of primaries, caucuses, delegates, super delegates, general elections, electoral college, etc., has a way of bringing the best candidate for the times forward. And although we may not all be in agreement as to who the best candidate should be, once elected he or she should have our full support. For the most part, our system of government has so many checks and balances that the person who is finally awarded the highest position in the land, can't really do immeasurable or irreparable harm to the core and heart of what makes this country the greatest country on the planet. Sure they can make some pretty sizeable dings and dents, but nothing that can't be repaired with our next vote. Clearly power, and money, does tend to corrupt good people. And make no mistake that every single one of the front-runners are very powerful, well connected, and very well funded people. Its also unfortunate that "records" don't tell the whole story, either, so we vote for whom we feel would best represent our own views but in the best interest of the country. Further, sometimes the "best" candidates are eliminated either because they don't play the game, and lose their funding, or because....well,... I think I'm the one whose gone off the deep end, this time, Maria, my apologies to everyone, but that darn soap box keeps throwing itself in my path! I'm stepping off, now...and backing away. And for the record, the views expresssed in this post are not necessarily the views of this forum or its entities (there, that should satisfy the lawyers, right?!)
|
|
|
Post by Dabbit on Feb 9, 2008 5:52:38 GMT -5
Dabbit, I'm sure that most of us on this side of the pond are even more tired of it because I'm sure we see more of it than you do. If I had any sway with your television service over there I'd help, but alas, I don't. Sorry... I'm sure you are Mark! I get fed up with the constant bombardment of 'they said this' , 'he said that', 'she did the other' etc when it is our turn to vote. Why oh why can't they just concentrate on what they plan to do - rather than what their opponents have said or done in the past?
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Feb 9, 2008 12:47:29 GMT -5
Right! And as I see it, since most politicians are lawyers, and since I don't trust or believe most lawyers, then I don't trust or believe most politicians - in other words, if I see a politician's lips moving I think he's lying until I'm proven wrong.
I tune out or turn off political ads, debates and the like.
|
|
|
Post by Dabbit on Feb 9, 2008 14:09:20 GMT -5
Wel now you mention it I have only had one experience with lawyers and on hindsight I think they could probably have done more for me - but I won't go into details
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Feb 9, 2008 14:21:38 GMT -5
Believe me, I know, Dabbit, I've gotten the short end of every stick when I've had dealings with them, every stinking time!
|
|
|
Post by sandy on Feb 10, 2008 11:23:16 GMT -5
Dave, I was very interested in your election process. It is amazing how many different ways there is to hold elections. Especially here in the US.I'm not sure te primaries should be of interest to you but the next president should be of great interest to you. So far relations with the UK have been friendly but put the wrong person in the presidency and relations could go into the garbage can fast. Also think about how our next president will affect (or is that effect?) all the negotiations with all the other countries in the world. Our nations rely on each other. Maria and Rita, I say a prayer before I vote hoping God is listening andI chose the right little square. Sometimes no matter how much you study the people that is always what it comes down to in the end.
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Feb 11, 2008 12:24:17 GMT -5
You're right, Sandy, and in the final analysis, doesn't it always come down to that in the end? If it is not His will, it's not going to happen. At least that's my belief.
|
|
|
Post by rita on Feb 11, 2008 20:13:56 GMT -5
Well, I hope the Lord doesn't have server problems on Election Day, because we really need him to hear all those prayers on November 4th...Oh, and Dabbit, we did get a little far from your original post, didn't we? Sorry about that... I know how aggravated I get sometimes when all the broadcasters are airing political news at the same time, stating and re-stating the same old stuff -- it may be a necessary evil for us here in the states, but I feel badly that you have to be bombarded with things happening here in the states. I guess the arguement could be made that world should be aware of the political changes that happen here, but I hope you only get summary type of analysis rather that the same "blow-by-blow" that we endure.
|
|
|
Post by Dabbit on Feb 12, 2008 2:15:29 GMT -5
The thing is I wouldn't mind if they 'mentioned it' in the news but they tend to have their own campaigners here. And even this morning on our breakfast TV there was the British campaing manager for Mrs Clinton explaining how she shouldn't worry about the 'states' she has lost to Obama.
Mind you having said all that I have just realised that we do have a large (ish) American population in the country - so I guess they want/need to know whats going on
|
|
|
Post by rita on Feb 12, 2008 11:49:17 GMT -5
Well, that would have been my guess -- they're catering to the American population in your country. However, my feeling on this is there should be one single station dedicated to all this polital stuff; If you're interested and want to know whats going on, then tune in to that. I feel your pain, Dabbit... It doesn't seem fair. I don't know the answer, but I'll bet there must be some kind of payoff (economic, specifically) for your broadcasting networks to dedicate so much airtime to politics and politicians, who are of no interest to the common, everyday, citizens of your country. If its any consolation, there's only a few more months of it to suffer through, unfortunately, it will probably get worse, before it gets better. Hang in there Dabbit....this too shall pass.
|
|
|
Post by Dabbit on Feb 12, 2008 12:36:03 GMT -5
Thanks Rita I'll be brave and strong for the remaining few months (And then not too long before ours start - em). Rita I'm going to have to ask you to change your avatar , as it looks so tempting everytime I see it - I feel I need a cappucino or latte! And this from a tea fan
|
|
|
Post by rita on Feb 12, 2008 20:20:51 GMT -5
Ahhaaahhaaa!! Then its havinng the proper effect...so glad you like it -- but I respectfully decline to emove it, Dabbit! We're in the midde of an ice storm, as I type this...so a nice latte sounds great to me right now!!
|
|
|
Post by Dabbit on Feb 13, 2008 3:05:06 GMT -5
Sorry about your ice storm Rita not sure whether I should say we've been enjoying glorious sunshine (though a little on the cool side). Anyway I gave in yesterday and bought some home cappucino's and had two! So I guess thats another inch on my waist line LOL
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Feb 13, 2008 9:14:06 GMT -5
I'm enjoying a Cappucino at this very moment
|
|
|
Post by rita on Feb 13, 2008 13:42:56 GMT -5
Dabbit, I take no responsibility for any added inches to your waistline ;DLOL! (we'll blame Mark, as he was the one who posted my avatar for me -- without his assistance, it wouldn't be here tempting you -- and judging from his last comment it doesn't seem to bothering him a bit!! ;)LOL!!
|
|
|
Post by Mark on Feb 13, 2008 18:02:01 GMT -5
Right, and even now I'm enjoying another 'cuppa'..... ;D
|
|