Query for non-American people

[KillerMuffin]

I remember back in 2000 when everyone on the boards was pretty much screeching about the American presidential election. There was a lot of giggles about having members of the Haitian military posted at Florida ballot boxes to make sure no political hanky-panky was going on.

At any rate, I did notice that citizens of other nations seemed to be informed and interested in the outcome of the elections. I never really thought about that, for some reason. Today, however, I am. The board has some vote and election stuff thrown all over it, so you can't help but notice that we're supposed to be voting today (statistically on 30% of us actually will).

No presidents are being elected, but the most of congress is up for electon and the balance of power between the two sides of the fence is in question.

My question is pretty simple and not meant to be insulting or offensive. Do you really care? If so, why?

I know that I don't pay much attention to elections that happen elsewhere, though I do watch the shifting power in England's Parliament. I don't understand it (I haven't figured out the left from the right just yet), but I do watch it because they are our closest allies and I got in the habit when the Iron Lady was en vogue. I do pay attention to the "elections" frequently held in places like Palestine and Iraq. More because the attempt at legitimizing authority is just too pathetic for words than because the outcome of the election was ever in doubt.

 

[Flagg]

'My question is pretty simple and not meant to be insulting or offensive. Do you really care? If so, why?'

I care because I find america deeply worrying. I can't find it deeply worrying and then not take notice of how its political landscape is changing.

 

[Gord]

It is pretty far down the news here - in fact it is not a news item atall

Dianas Butler is getting all the front pages today

I suppose we only get interested in the big one - and as most people here have no idea how your system works - ie congress - the house etc no interest

Sort of like our local elections I suppose

 

[bluespoke]

I know that I don't pay much attention to elections that happen elsewhere, though I do watch the shifting power in England's Parliament.

England has a Parliament?

I know Scotland has one,
Northern Ireland had one,
The Welsh have an assembly

but the English?

Nah!

 

[Problem Child]

It is pretty far down the news here - in fact it is not a news item atall

Dianas Butler is getting all the front pages today

I suppose we only get interested in the big one - and as most people here have no idea how your system works - ie congress - the house etc no interest

Sort of like our local elections I suppose

Finally, a little honesty. To hear ppman talk, everyone in europe can name every memeber of the U.S. house of representatives and has a dual ph. D. in U.S. history and political science.

 

[Guest]

Democratic politics is for everyone, but the rich people won't let the poor people play.

Yea, I'm poor.

 

[Pechorin]

You've got to be interested in what's going on in the States as the American government sticks its nose into so many other countries' affairs across the globe.

 

[Rex1960]

My question is pretty simple and not meant to be insulting or offensive. Do you really care? If so, why?

I do care since I'm interested in politics and history. It's not only interesting to see how Congress looks like after the elections, it effects our very next history.

 

[MunchinMark]

Re: Re: Query for non-American people

England has a Parliament?

I know Scotland has one,
Northern Ireland had one,
The Welsh have an assembly

but the English?

Nah!

Yes we have one, but it is full of Scots.

To be honest I don't know jack about the US elections going on right now. We tend to pay attention to the presidential elections to find out who we have to deal with next.

Who said that only the Americans can put their own interests first?

I'd rather hear about the US elections. This Butler bollocks is a waste of newspaper ink.

 

[Shiner]

My question is pretty simple and not meant to be insulting or offensive. Do you really care? If so, why?

I know that I don't pay much attention to elections that happen elsewhere, though I do watch the shifting power in England's Parliament. I don't understand it (I haven't figured out the left from the right just yet), but I do watch it because they are our closest allies and I got in the habit when the Iron Lady was en vogue. I do pay attention to the "elections" frequently held in places like Palestine and Iraq. More because the attempt at legitimizing authority is just too pathetic for words than because the outcome of the election was ever in doubt.

We care because where America leads most of the civilised world follows, we may sometime resent it but the fact is the USA is the number 1 world power and your influence is world wide so we need to know where your going.

As to left and right in the UK parliament I can best explain it like this George W Bush would be on the right (Tory) side over here and Clinton would be on the left (Labour) side over here

 

[peachykeen]

Did someone say something about a butler? All I saw in the papers this week was a bunch of stuff about some Leslie Deayton character. Some sort of prostitute who sexually assaults TV presenters for coke, or something.

 

[Problem Child]

I have a question for the Brits: Who is Tony Blair's heir apparent to lead Labour?

It seems like the next guy in line is always a bit easier to pick in Britain than in the U.S.

We are about to start the next presidential campaign for example, and there is no clear front runner for the Democratic party over here. Seems like you guys always have the next in line picked out...

 

[peachykeen]

Tony's not going anywhere, PC. Everyone here likes to bitch about him, but there's no real opposition, as todays headlines re: the tories all too clearly suggest.

My favorite response to my Brit friends when they start whinging about Blair is to say "Well, I'll trade ya."

 

[bluespoke]

I have a question for the Brits: Who is Tony Blair's heir apparent to lead Labour?

It seems like the next guy in line is always a bit easier to pick in Britain than in the U.S.

We are about to start the next presidential campaign for example, and there is no clear front runner for the Democratic party over here. Seems like you guys always have the next in line picked out...

Shit, don't mention an heir. Tony thinks he's immortal and will still be here even after George has blown up the world!


[must do something about my tongue being stuck in my cheek today!]

 

[bluespoke]

My favorite response to my Brit friends when they start whinging about Blair is to say "Well, I'll trade ya."

Blair traded for Peachy's ass, now that IS a good deal!

 

[Shiner]

I have a question for the Brits: Who is Tony Blair's heir apparent to lead Labour?

It seems like the next guy in line is always a bit easier to pick in Britain than in the U.S.

We are about to start the next presidential campaign for example, and there is no clear front runner for the Democratic party over here. Seems like you guys always have the next in line picked out...

Tony's deputy is a gut called Prescot but he's a wanker of the first order, the only other guy Would be Gordon Brown our chancelor at the moment....a good man but with all the poersonality of a cardboard box

 

[Problem Child]

Tony's not going anywhere, PC. Everyone here likes to bitch about him, but there's no real opposition, as todays headlines re: the tories all too clearly suggest.

My favorite response to my Brit friends when they start whinging about Blair is to say "Well, I'll trade ya."

I think you misunderstood the question. I didn't mean he was leaving office soon...I was just wondering who the #2 guy (or woman) was, or if there was a clear #2 to take over when the time came.

 

[Rex1960]

Shit, don't mention an heir. Tony thinks he's immortal and will still be here even after George has blown up the world!


[must do something about my tongue being stuck in my cheek today!]

I've always thought a puppet shares his Master's kismet.

 

[Problem Child]

Tony's deputy is a gut called Prescot but he's a wanker of the first order, the only other guy Would be Gordon Brown our chancelor at the moment....a good man but with all the poersonality of a cardboard box

Okay gotcha, thanks. Wait, don't all British males have the personality of....er, sorry.

Thanks again!

 

[Pechorin]

Who cares about personality if Gordon Brown could do a good job actually governing the country instead of Blair?

Hang on...... politics these days has nothing to do with ability though does it? Just look to the US.

 

[bluespoke]

I think you misunderstood the question. I didn't mean he was leaving office soon...I was just wondering who the #2 guy (or woman) was, or if there was a clear #2 to take over when the time came.

OK, seriously. The man who is seen as Tony's natural successor is Gordon Brown, currently the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Unfortunately For Gordon I think it unlikely that the great unwashed English would accept a Scot as Pm at this time when there is a devolved Scottish Government and pressure for more autonomy and less representation for Scots at Westminster.

So the answer really is no there is no natural successor. But we are about four years away from an election, plenty of time for Tony to decide to run again or for a new boy to surface.

 

[Shiner]

Okay gotcha, thanks. Wait, don't all British males have the personality of....er, sorry.

Thanks again!

If we think he's a bore then better believe he's fucking boring !!

 

[MunchinMark]

Yep, John Prescott is definitely a #2.

Tony Blair was born in Scotland wasn't he?

 

[Problem Child]

Shiner...lol

Thanks Bluespoke.

 

[bluespoke]

Yep, John Prescott is definitely a #2.

Tony Blair was born in Scotland wasn't he?

He certainly was and attended Fettes College in Edinburgh before going to Oxford.

For some reason he considers himself English.