Non-Americans: Do You Engage in Back and Forth at Election Time

by Band on the Run 16 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Band on the Run

  I just read a thread concerning Romney's comments that anyone who receives a government entitlement is a loser. Not very wise to say.

  I am curious whether the threads here, where people tell each other off and have no hard facts, are typical of other countries. A substantial prize should await any poster who convinces the other side that they are wrong. Oh, now I see the Truth! Wow, your explanation of Mitt Romney's masterful account to fundraisers changed my politcal ideology completely. Obama convinced me, particularly the comments added by a regular poster. New light.

  Frankly, the level of discussion on these threads is an embarassment. Everyone links to their copy and paste or repeats what has already been said 8 million times before.

  I am a Dem. The GOP convention floored me b/c I read the text of several Obama comments and the meaning of the comments, on the textual face, was not what GOP leaders said. The ones who are lawyers should be disbarred. I assume the Dems do the same thing. Repeating an inaccuracy until people have no idea what was said. Of course, the text is always available but few look.

  Do we get a bad rap b/c we are so large or do you suffer the same thing at your election time?

  So many Paul Simon and BOb Dylan lyrics fit.

  Imagine what all the money raised could accomplish in fighting disease and poverty.
• 

  Joe Grundy

  Interesting question. As a UK citizen I confess that I don't understand much of US politics. I think that we're going the same way but thankfully we're a long way off.

  Money talks here as well, of course, but we're a long way off the huge amounts spent there. 'Soundbites' are common here as well, but I suspect that there is a little more reasoned debate. We have the BBC which is frequently accused of being partisan by all sides, which tends to indicate that it's doing a fairly good job of being neutral.

  I'm not sure if I understand this correctly, but in the US when you register as a voter do you (or can you) register as a supporter of a particular party? If so, that's different here.

  I think the main difference here is that we don't vote for the Head of State (and I'm quite happy about that) or the Prime Minister. In each constituency (there are 650) we vote on who we want to be our Member of Parliament. The incumbent PM stands for election as an MP just like everyone else and it's feasible (but I don't think it's happened that he would not be elected).

  The party that wins an overall majority chooses one of the MPs to be Prime Minister (which is automatically ratified by HMQ).

  In every constituency there are many candidates, from the maor political parties (3 or 4, depending on how you calculate) but almost always with independents, 'single issue' candidates and the just plain daft (e.g. 'Monster Raving Looney Party' which has a following). The deposit you have to put up to stand for election is relatively small and anyone who wants to enjoy the experience could probably afford it.

  Because of our system (flawed though it is) nobody knows until the end of election night which party will form the government and therfore who will be Prime Minister. We don't have the problem where the Head of State is of one peruasion but the legislature is of another.

  I may well stand to be corrected on this. One of the good things in our system, I believe, is that the leader of a main political party could fail to be elected as an MP and so wouldn't even figure in the scheme of things.
• 

  ShirleyW

  So, BOTR are you officially back are what, just asking.

  I myself find it comical when some feel the need to announce they won't be posting anymore, because it's been a proven point here that the majority of folks who do that always return.
• 

  talesin

  BOTR

  Our system is akin to Joe Grundy's. I don't know about Ontario and points west, but down east we tend to be more polite about our politics.

  We talk more about individual issues, and usually even if someone is a member of a party, they will criticize their own politicians for perceived wrong-doings, and praise those we perceive as doing a good job.

  Don't get me wrong, we have our party loyalties! There's been quite a shake-up in the last decade or so. The "Progressive Conservative Party" changed its name to "Conservative Party" ..... they used to be called 'Red Torys', and were fiscally conservative, but socially liberal. The new leader of the party (and our current PM) is a right-wing fundy, follower of GWB and his ilk, and many folks in the Conversative party are quite dismayed with how he's running the country.

  We have always had strong social programs here, and no matter their political persuasion, most Canadians would like to maintain the status quo. Most of us are just waiting for the next election, to send a strong message to Ottawa that we do NOT want to become Americanized.

  tal
• 

  Band on the Run

  I don't need to hear nasty comments. Since I pay for a online access, I am perfectly capable of receiving rude digs in my normal life. Notice no issue is discussed.

  Canadian politics interests me. I keep reading the history of Canada on wikipedia to see why Canada's eastern provinces did not join the union. My guess is that many Americans are curious. I've read of skirmishes and embassies to Canada.

  Americans can register for a host of parties (only one at a time). Basically, registering for a party allows you to vote in that state's primary election. A few states allow voters to cross sides. Members who are loyal to the other party cross sides to vote for the weaker candidate so their true candidate will have an easier go in the general election.

  Is it possible for the PM to receive less than a majority of his party? It is possible for the U.S. president to win the popular vote and lose the electoral college.

  Another thing that I can not understand is that the Law Lords have no judicial review powers. Parliament seems supreme much more than the U.S. Congress. Indeed, the prime minister is a minister. Who actually sets public policy?

  I keep reading comparative politics books to get a better understanding. When I add France to the mix, I am totally lost.
• 

  shamus100

  Y'all are strange down there. You are either A or B. Very strange indeed... D:

  They're both a couple of douchebags so vote whoever you want. I don't care and besides, I don't live there. :D
• 

  kurtbethel

  The irony of American politics is that there is a lot of pretending, among the voters, the media, and the debates. I keep hearing about Romney this, Obama that, back and forth, the name calling, accusations and gloating. But you never hear about Jill Stein. She is running for president, but she does not support endless wars, corporate welfare, drug prohibition and domestic police state, so nearly everyone pretends she does not exist.

  You are so right, Shamus. This land is inhabited by strange people indeed. And they vote.

  
• 

  Broken Promises

  Our (Australian) political campaigns are nothing like the USA's.

  We have more political parties although the main ones are the Liberals/Nationals and the Labour Party.

  But we don't have the argy-bargy arguments that you guys carry on with. We generally accept that people will vote one way or another, and that's their right. Arguing over politics is time-consuming and unnecessary.

  Seeing you guys fighting and arguing over American politics is very amusing.
• 

  dreamgolfer

  Lets try to look at this objectively -

  if MORE and MORE Americans get benefits, handouts, etc, (as what is historically happening) the $$$ to pay for such will shrink and shrink.

  IF the economy does not grow, the tax based that supports this will continue to shrink and thereby creating a problem that will NEVER be solved.

  THIS IS A LIVING and BREATHING Oxy-moronic issue. Frankly Obama has had this in his plan to stabilize the Democratic party - This re-distribution of wealth is nothing more that government paid for handouts, no matter what you color or race, - White, Black, Hispanic or Asian

  It's a math problem now, and compounded by a social problem. It's easier to collect $$, food stamps than work. I have family members THAT HAVE TOLD ME SUCH.

  What Lyndon Johnson did in the 60's was not supposed to be perpetuated by family generations, it was for helping families get a start. Now we see the error in his ways.

  It is a sad comment on what is ahead of America.

  If you dont like what you are seeing in Spain, Greece, Portugal and many countries in the Middle East, have a look around - in 40 years (if we dont stop this madness) we will be in the same boat - this is a guarantee - save this post.

  Trust me on this, there wont be any money by the time we get out of our nursing homes,

  BTW I am 54 years old.
• 

  dreamgolfer

  P.S - this is what the "fight" is all about right now - nothing more , nothing less - it is the economic survival of the USA

  When it TANKS, look out world!