How interested in the US elections are you?

Do the US elections matter to you?

  • Hugely important

  • Taking a casual interest

  • Meh...

  • There's an election?


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non-religious

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I am curious. That probably has a lot to do with the whole Obama factor. Will he win? No. He can talk the talk (if your into that kind of politics) but his policies and experience are not attracting enough support from the undecided. McCain has a track record, is a war hero and white. I know, I'm pulling the ugly race card from out of the pack, but there's no way around it.

Obama (or Osama as one politician called him :doh:) has achieved a great thing, but I personally feel that America is still to polarised when it comes to race. They are not ready for a black president. It will not happen and that's an unfortunate state of affairs, but alas I think it's the truth.

What do you think? :)
 
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MarcusHill

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Like it or not, they're the most powerful nation on the planet. They could end the world single handedly. If their economy takes a nosedive, so does ours. They also have a choice of two parties, Far Right and Further Right.

My fear is that if McCain and Palin get elected, she'll try to push her anti-science agenda. If she can influence the appointment of a Supreme Court judge (a massive power of the executive which is often underrated) who agrees with her creationist nonsense, it could lead to a turn in the judicial tide currently preventing the curtailment of science education in the US. That's good for us in the short term - America will have to import scientists from us, among other places - but in the long term it will be a massive blow against scientific advances worldwide. Furthermore, I really don't like the thought of our main military ally being led by a man who was fervently for the war in Iraq.
 
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GreenMunchkin

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I am curious. That probably has a lot to do with the whole Obama factor. Will he win? No. He can talk the talk (if your into that kind of politics) but his policies and experience are not attracting enough support from the undecided. McCain has a track record, is a war hero and white. I know, I'm pulling the ugly race card from out of the pack, but there's no way around it.

Obama (or Osama as one politician called him :doh:) has achieved a great thing, but I personally feel that America is still to polarised when it comes to race. They are not ready for a black president. It will not happen and that's an unfortunate state of affairs, but alas I think it's the truth.

What do you think? :)
:wave:Hullo there! I think it's terribly important. The unfortunate truth is our prime minister will always kowtow to whoever's President... they single-handedly instigated a huge illegal war, and we proceeded to tag along like numpties, and while China are sneaking up on them in terms of being the primary super-power, America still has the edge. So, it matters lotsly, I think.

Am actually terribly concerned that Obama will be elected. Equally, am surprised that you think race may be a factor. Surely his policies are more important? I just can't see race being a factor in 2008. Surely we've gotten beyond bigotry like that?
 
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non-religious

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[GreenMunchkin]Surely his policies are more important? I just can't see race being a factor in 2008. Surely we've gotten beyond bigotry like that?

It would be nice to think that in 2008 race would not be a deciding factor, but we are talking about a country that has a terrible track record when it comes to issues pertaining to race. He's a black man running for the most powerful position on the planet. A lot of Americans will be choking on their pretzels just imaging this guy taking up the white house. It's one thing to have him contending, but another to have him winning.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud America for the fact that this scenario has already been played out. Perhaps Obama will be the beginning of a real change (boy does he like to talk about change) in the political landscape and many more "ethnic" candidates for the presidential office will come through.

Sorry to sound overly cynical, but we will never get over bigotry because these kinds of repugnant views will always exist, especially in North America. In a perfect world it wouldn't and shouldn't be an issue. However as you know, we live in a fallen and inperfect world, hence that is why racism is still alive and kicking..

 
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uberd00b

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I'm interested in it. It's a bizarre process and should stand as a benchmark of how not to run an electoral process.

It all seems to me to be character assassination and very little discussion of policy. Likely because the only two parties with a shot are both very similar. Parties of the corporations, not the people.

I really hope our country does not turn out like that.
 
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zaksmummy

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My fear is that if McCain and Palin get elected, she'll try to push her anti-science agenda. If she can influence the appointment of a Supreme Court judge (a massive power of the executive which is often underrated) who agrees with her creationist nonsense,

As someone who also believes in creationist nonsense, more power to her.

If I were you, or an atheist in general I'd be more worried about her probable anti-abortion stance.

I think Obama might just surprise.

Lets face it it wont make much difference really, all american governments are only interested in themselves and pushing their interests regardless who has what title.
 
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MarcusHill

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If I were you, or an atheist in general I'd be more worried about her probable anti-abortion stance.

I am worried about her anti-abortion stance. I'm also interested that you seem to imply a correlation between atheism and a pro-choice stance. If the correlation exists, it's not that strong - there are plenty of pro-choice theists and anti-abortion atheists.
 
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MuidSaoirse

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It would be nice to think that in 2008 race would not be a deciding factor, but we are talking about a country that has a terrible track record when it comes to issues pertaining to race. He's a black man running for the most powerful position on the planet. A lot of Americans will be choking on their pretzels just imaging this guy taking up the white house. It's one thing to have him contending, but another to have him winning.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud America for the fact that this scenario has already been played out. Perhaps Obama will be the beginning of a real change (boy does he like to talk about change) in the political landscape and many more "ethnic" candidates for the presidential office will come through.

Sorry to sound overly cynical, but we will never get over bigotry because these kinds of repugnant views will always exist, especially in North America. In a perfect world it wouldn't and shouldn't be an issue. However as you know, we live in a fallen and inperfect world, hence that is why racism is still alive and kicking..
On the mark answer... The myth of race aka scientific racism etc. underpins nearly all inequity/inequality... It insidious roots are evident when there has never been a black president in the WHITE house ahaha aptly named house.
 
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GreenMunchkin

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It would be nice to think that in 2008 race would not be a deciding factor, but we are talking about a country that has a terrible track record when it comes to issues pertaining to race. He's a black man running for the most powerful position on the planet. A lot of Americans will be choking on their pretzels just imaging this guy taking up the white house. It's one thing to have him contending, but another to have him winning.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud America for the fact that this scenario has already been played out. Perhaps Obama will be the beginning of a real change (boy does he like to talk about change) in the political landscape and many more "ethnic" candidates for the presidential office will come through.

Sorry to sound overly cynical, but we will never get over bigotry because these kinds of repugnant views will always exist, especially in North America. In a perfect world it wouldn't and shouldn't be an issue. However as you know, we live in a fallen and inperfect world, hence that is why racism is still alive and kicking..
But those repugnant views are now fringe beliefs... where 60 years ago they were the norm, to have those opinions now is to be marginalised massively, and am just not sure there are enough racist loons to make much difference.

I think it's also possible to see racism where there is none. If he isn't elected (and I really, *really* pray he won't be) it'll be easy to say it's because of his skin, as opposed to his empty promises and policies.

Mind you, I suppose we'll know racism has been stamped out entirely when race isn't even mentioned in passing.

That being said, people have been going bonkers about Palin being a bird. Accusations of being a bad mum because she's not barefoot and pregnant at home... there will always be bigots, I guess. But not in big enough numbers to sway the vote. Equally, am sure there are people who will vote for Obama and Palin because of race and gender - it may even itself out, ultimately.

I'm interested in it. It's a bizarre process and should stand as a benchmark of how not to run an electoral process.
They achieved that with Florida last time round... and if we're talking dizzyin new lows, we needn't look beyond Zimbabwe :(

It all seems to me to be character assassination and very little discussion of policy. Likely because the only two parties with a shot are both very similar. Parties of the corporations, not the people.

I really hope our country does not turn out like that.
You see the rebublicans and democrats as very similar? How so?
 
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GreenMunchkin

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I think Obama will win. I think McCain is too republican for some, and not enough for others.
Even a day before Palin, I would have agreed with you, but she flipped a switch.

I get the feeling that people *like* Obama, but when it comes down to ticking that box, voting for him would just be too big of a risk, and they'll go with the more steady option. Which is Palin, if not McCain.
 
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ScottishJohn

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Even a day before Palin, I would have agreed with you, but she flipped a switch.

I get the feeling that people *like* Obama, but when it comes down to ticking that box, voting for him would just be too big of a risk, and they'll go with the more steady option. Which is Palin, if not McCain.

There's still a few months to go, and I think that is plenty of time for Palin to tarnish. Just yesterday I saw several threads on the politics forum discussing her general lack of ideas and lack of grasp of complicated issues. There were no republicans there defending her.

I don't know if you have heard people talking about 'Pork Projects' (wasteful government projects) on the forum, but Palin is associated with one of the most famous - the bridge to nowhere. Two bridges whose proposed cost was about half a billion dollars. One was to make a crossing to a town with a population of 50. That won't win her points with republicans.
 
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non-religious

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[GreenMunchkin]But those repugnant views are now fringe beliefs... where 60 years ago they were the norm, to have those opinions now is to be marginalised massively, and am just not sure there are enough racist loons to make much difference.

I would strongly disagree with this. Racism is obviously now much more subtle than the days of black people being bitten by dogs, targeted with water and beaten with batons live on television. I don't even think it's about people being overly "racist", but more to do with people being indifferent to a black man leading their country. I'm not for one minute suggesting that people are burning crosses or lynching black people throughout the States. This form of prejudice is far more indirect and subtle, but I believe it very much still exists.

I liken it to having a white female bringing home her black boyfriend. There will be countless people suggesting that they wouldn't have a problem with it, until it happens to them. It's that kind of racism that I believe still exists. Not the "I hate N*****" type.

I think it's also possible to see racism where there is none. If he isn't elected (and I really, *really* pray he won't be) it'll be easy to say it's because of his skin, as opposed to his empty promises and policies.

I think we'll do him a grave dis-service to suggest that he won't win becos he's black. On the contrary, I think he'll lose becos of his policies and lack of experience. I'm merely sugging the fact that him being black will make things that little more difficult for many to vote for him.

Mind you, I suppose we'll know racism has been stamped out entirely when race isn't even mentioned in passing.


I'm not sure that will ever happen (unfortunately)
 
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Judy02

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I liken it to having a white female bringing home her black boyfriend. There will be countless people suggesting that they wouldn't have a problem with it, until it happens to them. It's that kind of racism that I believe still exists. Not the "I hate N*****" type.

There's been a few American CF members on here who have said at some point that they believe it is wrong for a black and white person to date/marry. I was so shocked and saddened when I read it :( I'm just totally bewildered as to why anyone would think like this...

I used to think perhaps rather naively that racism was a thing of the past, and that we're better than this now. It saddens me that in reality, we're apparently not. Just curious to something you said earlier...what makes you think racism will always exist 'especially in North America'?

To the OP, I've watched stuff about the news a bit about American politics, and got caught up in discussions some Americans are having probably all over this site. So probably taking a vague interest but not hugely so. I don't usually get hugely interested in politics in my own country sometimes to be honest. I think in general, the republicans have more controversial ideas than politicians over here...and there seems more of a tendancy to bring christian ideas/beliefs (or some people's opinion and interpretation of them) into politics. Which surprises me when apparently they are big on the idea of 'seperation of church and state'.
 
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non-religious

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[Judy02]what makes you think racism will always exist 'especially in North America'?

As long as you have people of differing nationalities, colours or cultures living side by side, you will always have those that are indifferent and ignorant. You will always have some form of tension and intolerance. Sadly I think that can apply almost anywhere. There's a weird irony, in that in America there are a number of African-Americans who have achieved great things and held down positions of power and influence, way more than black people have over here. Yet, the history and segregation that still exists within many communities over there, will always consequently and invariably mean that people will form some kind of prejudice against his/her neighbour. I think that's inevitable.

if you take what happened with Katrina or look at the statistics re black men within the penal system. You will see glaring examples of institutionalised racism still being a major factor within North America. There is change, but I'm not convinced it's ever going to be eradicated. As a Christian I find it very sad that even some of there places of worship are divided by racial and class lines.
 
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artybloke

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As someone who also believes in creationist nonsense, more power to her.

As someone who thinks creationism is a modern heresy that is destroying any credibility that evangelicalism ever had, I wouldn't put it past the idiots in America to vote her in.
 
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TemperateSeaIsland

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As someone who also believes in creationist nonsense, more power to her.

You're free to believe what you wish but creationisms is useless as a science (it isn't science) and thats why it shouldn't be seen as a legitimate subject within a science classroom.
 
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