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[karanina]

I normally try to keep international politics off my lj, for the simple reason that I believe in the sovereign rights of a country and it's citizens. I would be appalled if the United States tried to interfere with a New Zealand election (although I've no idea why they'd want to), and so I try to extend the same courtesy to my friends who are US

Comments

[toxic_corn]

I can't wait until this election is over. I'm sick of seeing both sides bashing (though to be honest, the Obama bashers make me more angry; I was raised by a liberal mother what can I say) and I can't stop worrying that McCain will win. Bush won twice, after all.

Ugh. *crawls under rock and waits until November when I can crawl back out and cast my vote*

ETA: Gah, I'm so exhausted that this sounds like I'm calling you one of the bashers. You're really not. You're articulate and intelligent and I love you tons. Tox just needs bed.

[karanina]

It's alright, I probably am a "basher". If I could vote in your election, it would definately be for Obama.

My point with this was really that I know of some Americans who don't "get" why the we're so invested in this election. And my answer is simply that this affects us almost as much as it affects you (ok, maybe that's a slight exageration), but the rest of the world is stuck with who you guys vote into government.

For example, would there have been an Iraq War if not for Bush in power?

I tried really hard to keep this a rational, unemotional post, so I'm glad it worked.

Love you tons too!

Hope you have some good sleeps!

[romanceguru]

It’s good to point out that we have a responsibility beyond this nation, selfish creatures as we are. You bring up some valid points. I seriously doubt the party who is barely addressing our current and worrisome economic state is going to create a better future for all.

*bits nails* Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes I feel like the elections are nothing more than a popularity contest. I really hope people remember the issues, remember the past 8 years and vote accordingly.

[karanina]

I wouldn't say you were selfish, unawares maybe, but not outright selfish. And I only know what it's like from the outside looking in, not from the other perspective.

I think it's fairly obvious who I would support. And one of the things I liked about his acceptance speech was the large number of policy points he had in it. It was really focussed - I loved it.

The boyf is REALLY into US politics, so I get to see a LOT of youtube.

And yeah, elections are basically popularity contests, people don't know how to be any different most of the time - we're simple creatures - it's a shame, but a fact.

[guinny_hamilton]

Oh, dude, I agree so much with you it's not even funny anymore. Except for this one thing: We cannot vote for you, nor should we be able to vote for you.

In a perfect world, the rest of the world should be able to vote for a government that's going to have such an impact on them. Seriously. But that's just my opinion ;-)

Also, 5 NZ $ per gallon? I don't know how much that is in euros, but we've long since passed the 10 € mark per gallon. Which is about 15 USD, I think!

[karanina]

Well yeah, but in a perfect world, another government wouldn't be having this much of an impact on us anyways!

And yeah, I think you guys might be being charged more, but i get confused with the gallon - litre conversion, and it's really too late for me to try and figure it out.

[karanina]

Wait... it was US$5 per gallon... gah math!!!!

[karanina]

I tried not to attack her religion, but have you read some of the tennants the Assemblies of God hold? Google them and what they have to say about abortion! I literally almost vomitted!

AND SHE THINKS THE IRAQI WAR IS A MISSION FROM GOD!!!!

She seriously worries me. I like to hope that people won't be so stupid as to be taken in by her and McCain, but then I remember that most of the people in the United States aren't as intelligent or as civilly minded as my friends on lj.

Ok I know that sounded mean, but the same is true everywhere - it sounds arrogant, but most people just don't think these things through far enough!

[matchlightfire]

I completely understand and support international involvement in American politics - The US certainly doesn't shy away from involving itself in other countries' systems of government, economy, history, medical, etc., so the fact that the majority of nationalist opinion is 'stay out of our business' is particularly heinous.

It's completely within other countries' rights to be concerned about their welfare when dealing with an imperialist empire like America - literally, their lives are on the line.

So basically, I'm happy to hear you talk politics:) Hope you do it a lot!

Though personally, the entire system of electoral politics is a joke. The fact that the entire country is brought two options that represent the same interest, tweak a few of their stances on the 'issues', and call it a democracy makes me want to vomit...but I may be a bit more radically politicized than most. I understand people who support Obama, and I want to unite with them - unfortunately, I don't see him being able to actualize the 'change' his campaign

[karanina]

You're right, it is rather hypocritical of your government, but then, in my experience, the US govt has so many hypocritical stances (eg Russia vs Georgia). But then, all governments are like that to a greater or lesser extent. Doesn't mean we need to take after them ourselves now, does it? We can be the better people