So I was watching BBC World News...

[Doppelgänger]

...as they talked about all of this presidential stuff.
A poll was asked around the world of who was preferred as the next US president.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7606100.stm


America needs to listen to what the world has to say sometimes. I think we've become so self-centered and don't care about others opinions of us and that needs to change if we want to stop looking like a bratty child to the rest of the world.

[RotorNutFD3S]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I think that no matter the outcome of the election this year, we're not going to be getting the best candidate for the job in certain aspects and areas of the responsibilities of POTUS. However, I'm still undecided and researching, with as unbias a view as possible. The media really sucks for helping in that regard.

[MeFryRice]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I'm sure you've heard that people have already planned assassinations against Obama?

That's one thing I don't like about this country, they always have to put their hands in everyone's cookie jar even if it doesn't have our name in it. :(

[JennB]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I don't really think everyone should vote because of what the rest of the world thinks. They don't live here so their views and wants are based more on a global case instead of being based on the way a candidate will take care of our domestic problems.

As you know, I do firmly believe that Americans need to get their heads out of their rears and think on a more global scale while at the same time, spending more time taking care of the issues in their own backyard instead of worrying what is going on in someone else's backyard. It may sound contradictory but is not once you think about it. We need to be more diplomatic and allow nations to deal with their own issues while keeping relations good on a global scale. Then we should work on the huge problems facing everyone in this nation and spend our time fixing those and allow other nations to develop as they want.

I hate that so many American's cannot see that we are not the same as people in other countries. They do not all want our lifestyle, they do not all share our beliefs and we cannot force that on them. We may want the "American Dream" but for many, that is very, very far from what they want out of life.

[RotorNutFD3S]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

^ Very much agreed!

[JennB]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

Too add just a little more and clarify, I do believe we should be willing to help when our allies need it, of course. But we have the UN that helps determine when help is needed and we should try to keep with their standings on issues since that organization is made up of representatives and viewpoints from all over the world. We Americans are not always right and we need to come to terms with that.

I believe we need to become part of the global group instead of the big overlord that tries to rule the whole thing.

[metalman]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

The fact the rest of the world prefers Obama should serve as a serious warning IMHO.
I dont think we have a decent candidate this time around. I think we're pretty much screwed either way. Neither of the choices has addressed the primary issue facing Americans....SPENDING, and both will waste billions of $$ futher plunging our nation into debt, although in different ways perhaps, Obama on 'give aways' & programs for those too lazy to work and tax refunds for those that dont pay tax to begin with etc etc and McCain in a senseless war etc. There are serious freedom related issues in both camps. I vote none of the above.

[JennB]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I agree. I'm not thrilled with either candidate but I will never, ever, ever vote for a candidate that wants to spend my hard earned money on a war that I do not in any way support. I support our troops, bring them home.

I can't believe we've heard more talks of rebates lately. The first round didn't work, why have another?

[Doppelgänger]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I'm not particularly saying that we should vote on what the world thinks. But from an outside point of view of how foreign countries invest and do business with this country, it wouldn't hurt to listen. But even that goes both ways... you can have majority of other countries say they prefer Obama because it will really make things better, and you can have people also say it becuase they'll be able to benefit off it directly in some way (like a bad child will get into stuff when no one is around).

I honestly know there will NEVER be a candidate that will make everyone happy and have views that everyone agrees on, but there is always a better option when given a choice. Like, if i say I support Obama, that does NOT automatically mean i agree with EVERYTHING he says, i just believe he has more to offer me, how he wants to run the country and i agree with more of what he says over McCain.

Personally, i think they should stop all the god damn mudslinging and finger pointing and just try to pull votes by talking about their plains. Everytime i see one of those commercials talking about how bad or what negative thing the other person has done, i think they would have been better off just handing that money over to me.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I think the focus will shift back to what their plans are rather than the petty bull**** that's been going on for the last few weeks. It's pathetic at the moment.

[JennB]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

That's a very good point and something that really bothers me as well. I would love to see the candidates telling me their stance on the issues, telling me what they are going to do to make this country better instead of telling me what is wrong with the other guy. I want to vote for the best man, not the one with the least wrong with him.

[BFH miata]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I typically avoid these discussions, but Doplebangers opening comment made me want to jump in. Other countries want the O because he is going to jack up corporate taxes and the jobs will head out of the USA when he does. That benefits every country but the USA. That is why they want him.

The war isn't a good basis for votes (in my opinion) because Obama has clearly stated that action might be required in the countries that end in 'stan.' People are going pitch a fit when he sends troops out for the first time. I think he is saying what ever he thinks it is going to take to get into office.

the next round of stimulus is crap too, not to mention the desire to tax the oil companies to fund it. Like they are just going to pay that additional tax out of their pockets? Nope, it is going ot come out of your pocket and mine. Take a look at any mutual funds that you own, I bet there are oil companies in there. Oil companies are the only thing that is keeping my portfolio floating right now. If you look at profit margins, the oil companies profit margins are lower than microsoft and most manufacturing companies in the US (execpt for the tanking automotive companies)

I'm also tired of the mud slinging... argue the issues, not who is older than who or what ever (which, by the way, Biden has been in Washington longer than McCain!)

[metalman]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

^^thanks for jumping in.
Good points to consider.

[Doppelgänger]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

You know, it's really nice to have a forum to discuss topics that on 95% of thoer boards, would cause some kinda of flame war with many, many idiots trying to jump in and fail.

I don't want to point fingers... but it wouldn't be hard to guess what forums i'm talking about....

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

RE: So I was watching BBC World News...

I typically avoid these discussions, but Doplebangers opening comment made me want to jump in. Other countries want the O because he is going to jack up corporate taxes and the jobs will head out of the USA when he does. That benefits every country but the USA. That is why they want him.

The war isn't a good basis for votes (in my opinion) because Obama has clearly stated that action might be required in the countries that end in 'stan.' People are going pitch a fit when he sends troops out for the first time. I think he is saying what ever he thinks it is going to take to get into office.

the next round of stimulus is crap too, not to mention the desire to tax the oil companies to fund it. Like they are just going to pay that additional tax out of their pockets? Nope, it is going ot come out of your pocket and mine. Take a look at any mutual funds that you own, I bet there are oil companies in there. Oil companies are the only thing that is keeping my portfolio floating right now. If you look at profit margins, the oil companies profit margins are lower than microsoft and most manufacturing companies in the US (execpt for the tanking automotive companies)

I'm also tired of the mud slinging... argue the issues, not who is older than who or what ever (which, by the way, Biden has been in Washington longer than McCain!)

From a British perspective, the majority of people don't want Obama in because of corporate taxes. That's way too informed and deep for the majority of people. People want him in because of the inspirational speeches he delivered, and because he seems like such a breath of fresh air compared to the Bush regime. He's exactly like Tony Blair was when he first hit the scene.