DISQUS

Cole · 1 year ago

Well, I am slightly disappointed. It really is more than a cheap thrill but to each his own. But, of course you are a resident of someplace. Establishing that is easy if you are consistent with your Id/license, previous voter registration, car titles, etc. Unfortunately, most people are not consistent. I had to do a bit of research now that we're in TX but because I haven't filled out some federal form, I am still a resident of WI.

M · 1 year ago

I think the only reason Obama has developed such a devoted following is because people really want to see something change. And since McCain is so much like Bush in many people's eyes, the only thing to do is to put your hope in Obama.

Anil · 1 year ago

You last point is fascinating and happens to resonate something similar which I myself posted today, that the rest of the world is generally ignorant of America and Americans.

The rest of the world is expecting major change from Obama, but there is one constant about the two major parties - they promise whatever they need to in order to get elected, once they do, very little happens.

So, voting is great, but of little consequence if citizens don't hold their leaders accountable after elections, then votes are taken for granted.

Chairman Mow · 1 year ago

Actually . . . research tends to support that presidential candidates keep more of their promises than not. The tendency of presidential candidates to keep more promises than not has been discussed for quite some time, but for recent coverage of the issue, see the National Journal (note: this is not the conservative National Review): http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cs_20...

Two Crabs · 1 year ago

Wow. With those kind of opinions, maybe it's good that you did not vote. But IMHO, voting is not just a right, it's a civic duty of all Americans. It's the apathetic that give Americans a bad name.

And for the record, you could have easily and freely found out where you are registered to vote simply by calling or emaiing one of the many voting registration websites and voting activist groups. Even the third party candidate websites had information for registering to vote.

Gary Arndt · 1 year ago

I thought I made it very clear I could have voted if I wanted to. I didn't want to.

I disagree profusely that it is a duty, especially given how the process works and how it gives only two real choices, which are so beholden to interest groups.

To quote Emma Goldman: "If voting could really change anything, they'd make it illegal".

Jac · 1 year ago

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Opinons are just that; statements of belief, not statements of fact. And that includes what I am about to write.

As a traveller, I learned that democracy doesn't travel well. It doesn't necessarily bring benefits to all countries, eg Cambodia. However, it is an integral, and important, part of the West.

My belief is that democracy has brought benefits to my country (UK) and I would take to the streets to defend my democratic rights. I have used my democratic rights to raise issues of importance to me and it is my belief that with perseverance, it is possible to challenge and change the establishment.

It is also my belief that as privileged members of Western society, we must recognise that our governments have a disproportionate impact on the world. As Western citizens, therefore, we have a disproportionate responsibility to ensure our governments actions in the world are responsible.

Which means the more impact our governments have on the world, the greater our responsibility to check the actions of those governments and use the tools and systems available to us to direct their actions and limit the damage, deliberate or inadvertent, they cause to the world. In my opinion therefore, American citizens carry a lot of responsibility to vote - one of the major tools and systems available to help you check the actions of your government.

In my opinion (statement of my belief, not fact) it is easy to say the choices are too poor to bother voting. It's a cop out. Doing nothing is a choice too. It endorses the status quo because doing nothing changes nothing.

Just my opinion...

Jette · 12 months ago

The world does not revolve around America. I'm so glad the American election is over, I have no idea why our news has been obsessed with following it as I doubt many non-Americans could care less. Your comment that most non-Americans probably don't know much about America would be true - but why do we need to know how many states there are (although I do as general trivia knowledge), and how much do most Americans know about the rest of the world?

Unfortunately one of the impressions of Americans that I have is blatant disregard of local customs. I was dining in a restaurant in northern Bali several years ago and overheard a party of Americans who were loudly skiting about how they'd wanted to visit a particular temple, arrived to find a ceremony in progress and the temple closed to visitors, but they were having none of this so just barged on in although the locals tried to stop them...and this was from a group of mid-30s who should definitely know better and have more respect. I don't seem to bump into too many Americans in my travels so can only hope these folk are in the minority, although unfortunately Americans do have a general reputation for being arrogant. But maybe that's just a pack mentality thing; individually, I'm sure they're just like anyone else.

Having said this, I admire what you're doing and am absolutely green with envy, I can't imagine many things better than exploring the world and taking your time to do it. I've only just found your website today but will be keeping an eye on it to share your adventures, best wishes for your travels. Having recently been to Ireland, let me share one of their blessings with you...
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.

Politics and religion...best avoided, internationally :)

Chairman Mow · 12 months ago

Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Adrienne · 11 months ago

Ron Paul is a religous fundie...no different than Bush in that respect. The only "change" he wants is to pass all the things US congress does onto the states. This means the same BS...only on a state level.

And the messianic following that Paul has developed is no less frightening.

Gary Arndt · 11 months ago

No. 100% wrong. There is only one issue that you could possibly be referring to and that is abortion. If Ron Paul was elected, the state would have no power to force people to do anything.

eli · 11 months ago

I gave money to Ron Paul, ended up emotionally supporting Obama, but didn't vote because I saw the landslide coming. I'm just happy to have someone who is intelligent, and seems to have good emotional intelligence, taking over the helm. I may not agree with him about everything, but I think he'll be open to different ideas and be able to change direction if necessary. I would like to see more Ron Paul style Republicans in office too however. It's too bad so many see these things in black and white terms, glad to hear you're a free thinker, even if your conclusions are a tad different than mine, it's nice to know there are other people out there who see past the accepted false dualities.