AMERICAN POLITICS FOR THE EURO ZONE

[tencrush]

This:



Scares the SHIT out of me. Her especially. The idea that these two might actually be elected is enough to make me REALLY REALLY QUESTION our decision to move to SF. PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME THAT THIS ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE. I get this powerless feeling of dread every four years, much as I expect other Europeans do. All you can do is just sit and watch while your jaw drops onto the floor at the fact that FUCKING FRIGHTENING gun-toting, fundamentalist, freaky deaky WEIRDOES like this even have a VOICE in that big ole country over there, let alone can stand as candidates for the most powerful job in the world.

Listen, I know loads of Americans, and they're all decent, intelligent, hard-working, perfectly normal people. I lived there. People were normal. And nice. And sane. Those two up there? Their very existence? It's what makes us Europeans look at your country and assume you're all trigger-happy, pro-life, religious zealout, war mongering HICKS who haven't got a brain cell between you. And all we can do is sit here once every four years and shout at you and say PLEASE DON'T ELECT THESE PEOPLE. What the fuck else are we supposed to do? See all those caps up there, I'm trying to express frustration here, because I really, honestly don't know what else to do. The idea that these two even stand a TINY CHANCE of becoming the two most powerful people in the world, not only does it scare me to death, but it's just a fact that I cannot, intellectually, get my head around. It doesn't compute.

Please tell me this isn't happening. Help a non-citizen out here.

Comments

[wiley-nilly.livejournal.com]

Honey, no one is more scared than I am. Sadly, a lot of people aren't going to vote for Barak, for obvious reasons, and they'll see McCain as the lesser of two evils. I mean, really.

So, I'm saving my money, honestly, to ex-patriate somewhere because this isn't the country I was raised in. If they put this woman on the ticket to represent women, I have to say, she doesn't represent me.


Please keep in mind as you're looking in: because of an antiquated system of 'vote counting' aka the Electoral College, Bush was elected by that body - not the popular vote which elected Gore. The contested state was the one his BROTHER was governor of. And that election was upheld by a supreme court whose majority was appointed by Ronald Reagan and his FATHER. Just sayin'.

I wanted Dennis Kucinich! He spoke the truth. Needless to say, he's no longer in the race.

[tencrush]

for obvious reasons
See, as an outsider, I have to assume that the obvious reasons are that he's that most frightening of things, an intellectual black man. And I don't quite know which of those two adjectives scare those people more, I have to be honest.

[oneloveonelight.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. I posted a LJ entry about Palin last night as I was watching her. I am not kidding you, I literally MOONED the television during her speech.

Her speech was full of lies and took cheap shots at democrats (and not even intelligent ones). Like this one:

Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, “I can’t stand John McCain.” Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we’ve chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can’t stand up to John McCain.

What kind of intelligence is behind that? That's like a baseless insult from a 10 year old.

I am convinced that Republicans don't think. They like shouting, insults, and displays of bravado. They are a huge reason as to why this country is so divided. Talk like that will only divide people even further, not bring them together.

I am constantly dumbfounded at how a large group of people can be so stupid. I want America to return to AMERICA and not be this dumbass country that has lost its mind. It really scares me too.

[tencrush]

She's a frightening woman with frightening views.

It's just so surreal to watch it unfold. I just want to take people and say GET OUT and LOOK AT YOURSELVES FROM OVER HERE. You look like a bunch of retards. Because I KNOW YOU'RE NOT. It's the most frustrating feeling in the world. That, and those two up there, they're going to fuck America and Americans into the ground until there is nothing left of the economy and the freedoms they keep self-righteously shouting at other countries about. And that is SO OBVIOUS from over here on the outside. If I'm feeling this dread, I cannot begin to image how normal, sane American voters feel. This election is scaring me.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'I am constantly dumbfounded at how a large group of people can be so stupid.'
It's BECAUSE they're a large group that they're stupid. People in large groups tend to stop thinking and just do what their leader tells them (look at mod mentality and cults) because it's 'easier' than making your own decisions.

'I want America to return to AMERICA and not be this dumbass country that has lost its mind.'
Yeah, if McCain gets elected I don't think that will happen any time soon.

[sage-theory.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel better, I'm voting for Obama. I can give you the names of loads of others who are as well. I'm encouraging everyone I can to cast a vote for Obama.

I believe that there is every chance that Obama will win, and that these two will slink away into the annals of history as a bullet we all dodged.

So, when you feel scared, think about that. Or you know, Ianto's cock. WHICHEVER MAKES YOU HAPPIEST.

[tencrush]

Sarah Palin would prefer I don't think about Ianto's cock. In fact I think she might make it her mission as VP to ban the word "cock" from the internet and all public libraries. That and "safe sex". "Homosexuality", perhaps. Oh, "choice" as well, I don't think she likes that one, either.

Is there a good chance he'll win, though? That's really my question. It's impossible to tell from here. You all just look mental and obsessed with total non-issues.

[torenheksje.livejournal.com]

I moved from the US to the Netherlands when Bush first started putting his scary Let's Destroy the Constitution "Homeland Security" policies into effect. Even though we are now making plans to move back to the US, I won't do it if McCain somehow buys his way into the Presidency the way Bush did is elected. My taxes will not be spent supporting a "war" I don't believe in, and my uterus will still belong to me, thank you very much.

I miss my country, but goddamn, what a mockery of Liberty and Justice for All the Republican party makes of such a once-proud nation.

[tencrush]

I miss my country, but goddamn, what a mockery of Liberty and Justice for All the Republican party makes of such a once-proud nation.
Word. I know America and I know it's better than this. I'm finding it so hard to fathom that this might actually happen, it makes me so sad.

[bandgeek01.livejournal.com]

I'm just as scared. I couldn't even muster up the courage to watch her speech. I heard highlights this morning and was horrified.

McCain bitched about Barack not having experiece. And McCain picked what? A person who doesn't know facts and can't public speak to save her life, and how about the fact she doesn't know what the VP is supposed to do on a daily basis.

Trust me I'm doing all I can to help not get this elected.

Nicole

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

I have always lived in urban areas (well, I lived in a suburb as a child but it was pretty close to Chicago). Last week I was in a town of 339 in Wisconsin, and was reminded as I always am that this country is so utterly polarized it's not even funny.

I try to explain it to my European friends, but it is difficult, because I cannot quite understand it myself. I am related to people who think McCain and Palin are awesome, and I can't quite explain it. Their positions seem to be based entirely on Jesus Christ and how he would not want gays getting married or people getting health care or would let countries evolve their own political landscape without our intereference/paternalism. Apparently Jesus, despite being from the Middle East, was also a blond Anglo-Saxon who finds the idea of a black guy kind of scary.

If you had to be anywhere in this country, though, SF would probably be one of the safest...safe from people like that, I mean. Not sure I would move here, though, if they are elected. I'll be looking for a way out, myself.

[mslauren2930.livejournal.com]

All you can do is just sit and watch while your jaw drops onto the floor at the fact that FUCKING FRIGHTENING gun-toting, fundamentalist, freaky deaky WEIRDOES like this even have a VOICE in that big ole country over there, let alone can stand as candidates for the most powerful job in the world. - and the big problem is that they're vocal, they're organized, they vote in droves and are indoctrinating their children into their madness. what's even sadder is that a lot of people who desperately want change have a sense of hopeless "there's nothing I can do to change things so I'm not going to do anything" which is why people like that keep getting elected in this country.

but, I have hope and have had it for months and months now that Barack is just the person to stop people like this from running this country. I believe it down to my core. it was reinforced last week by Hillary Clinton in the most awesome political move ever, when she stopped the roll call and put Obama's name quickly to a vote. after going through one of the most bitterly fought primaries ever, that was a move of such awesomeness that it restored my faith in the Democrats in such ways... and I'll always think of that when driving through Harrisburg, PA since that's where I was when I was listening to CNN on my XM radio. :D

don't worry... although I'd worry for your country if these two are elected, because a lot of us may suddenly flee for parts elsewhere in the world. I'm so envious at my sister's moving to Australia. if it's McCain/Palin in November, she'll have already made her clean getaway. :(

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'All you can do is just sit and watch while your jaw drops onto the floor at the fact that FUCKING FRIGHTENING gun-toting, fundamentalist, freaky deaky WEIRDOES like this even have a VOICE in that big ole country over there, let alone can stand as candidates for the most powerful job in the world.'
That's exactly the reason why I may just move to Canada if McCain gets elected.

'PLEASE DON'T ELECT THESE PEOPLE.'
We didn't elect Bush the last time, but apparently that doesn't matter.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

if, and i do honestly think that's a BIG IF, if those 2 get elected, i'm moving to canada
cuz, the us probably won't attack canada next, right?
right?
def leaving the country, though

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'cuz, the us probably won't attack canada next, right?
right?'
Unless they find I large oil deposit in Canada.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

I read where Sarah Palin wants a big chainsaw so she can detach Alaska and have it float away. lololololololol ARRRRRRRRGGGHHHHH

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

I read where Sarah Palin wants a big chainsaw so she can detach Alaska and have it float away.
Hahahaha... It wouldn't surprise me if that really is true.

[alba17.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I feel the same way - helpless - and I'm American! I'm regularly horrified by the way elections turn out here. 8 years of Bush has been a disaster for the US and the world. 4-8 more years of Republican rule would really be awful. I think a lot of people won't vote for Obama because he's black. (most would never admit that) The anti-intellectual "argument" works really well here. It's amazing. Palin is really working the "I'm just an average small-town American" thing. As if educated people are somehow unfit to be President. Makes no sense at all. I don't want my next-door neighbor to be president - I want someone who's smarter, more capable than the rest of us to be president. No, I don't want an average "hockey mom" who loves to procreate and hunt as president. See my page for my own rant about her (written a couple of days ago, before her speech).

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Palin is really working the 'I'm just an average small-town American' thing.'
Yeah, they really want those Hillary supporters. If John McCain didn't pick JUST because she's a women, I'll eat my hat.

'As if educated people are somehow unfit to be President.'
I know what mean; it's like being smart is a bad thing; I don't want some idiot being President (we already had 8 years of that).

Just like how everyone SAYS they're middle class. Jay Leno is middle class, my ass.

[littlepunkryo.livejournal.com]

I don't freaking like either of them, honestly. I hate McCain's policies, but I don't like Obama as a person the way I've been seeing him. And it's not because he's black or educated - it's because he comes off sometimes as very arrogant, and I'm overly-sensitive to arrogance. It's why I hate Tom Cruise.

I wish they would let an Independent get on the ticket just once.

[tencrush]

But it's about policies at the end of the day. It just scares the shit out of me that it's going to be the bitterness of people like you that will be the reason that two fucktards with such dangerous and misguided viewpoints come to power. I'm not saying anything against you, but your system doesn't allow for an independent to win, so it's always going to be a two man race.

"I REALLY DON'T WANT McCAIN in the White House" isn't the best reason to be voting for Obama, I grant you, but it's all you've got.

[cirrocumulus.livejournal.com]

You don't have to yell at us, because most of us are just as frightened as you are. Honestly, I don't know where their supporters come from. I am hoping with every possible appendage crossed thta Obama wins and if McCain wins I honestly might cry and yell and threaten to harm things. The political situation baffles me as much as it does you.

And it always makes me sad to hear Europeans say things like that about Americans, because I definitely understand where the sentiments come from, but I feel bad being lumped into the same crowd as the Republican dumbasses. And I know it's more the fault of our leadership than the Europeans themselves, but despite that I do wonder if Europeans know that as many supporters there are for Republicans there are nearly as many (though possibly, frighteningly, not enough) Democrats trying to fight against them. It's quite a hopeless situation because it comes down to entire halves of a country going against each other, and if you're going to make any significant difference you've got to sway a LOT of people. I, personally, don't think McCain will win, both because I think Obama has a lot of feverish support but also because I simply couldn't live with that kind of pessimism in my heart. But I feel especially bitter about it all because I'm not even old enough to vote and simply have to sit and watch a fight between two parties where the proper side really, really ought to be obvious, and yet there seem to be too many people who somehow do not see the harsh morality, egoism and disrespect that the Republican party embodies.

ETA: I've read in your comments that you're wondering if Obama could win and from what I do know, I think he has a good shot. There are a lot of Republican crazies, but Obama is stirring up a LOT of fervor and support, especially among the younger voters. And even without that, McCain's campaign is undeniably shitty. I myself am hoping that anyone dumb enough to be frightened of a black man as president isn't a democrat in the first place, and therefore not many votes will be lost on that front.

I also do not at all understand the leveling of "elitist" and "arrogant" accusations at Obama. I mean, for fuck's sake, if you want the very definition of arrogance, George Bush is the very man. HE is incredibly, obnoxiously arrogant, while I personally think Obama seems nice. I really don't know where people are pulling the "elitism" shit from. From what I've read about him he seems to be open-minded and willing to listen to people and change his opinion in accordance with what other intelligent sources think is the best choice, which in my mind is the opposite of arrogance, which never doubts itself.

[tencrush]

I also do not at all understand the leveling of "elitist" and "arrogant" accusations at Obama.
Again, as an outsider, I've always assumed that it's a veiled term for "uppity", is it not?

Okay to link to this?

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

As another outsider looking in, I agree with everything you're saying here.

It's very scary just thinking about these two winning the election. :/

ETA: Is it okay to link to this? You've said it much better than I could.

Re: Okay to link to this?

[tencrush]

Yeah, sure it is.

[ripley312.livejournal.com]

If you want some rational, well-thought out analysis of the RNC - check out the Daily Show and Colbert Report. I'm sure you probably already do - but right now they are ROCKIN IT! Jon's interview with Newt Gingrich is amazing.

[antelope-writes.livejournal.com]

Forget Gov. Palin's experience, policies, lack thereof, whatever.

The fact that he chose this person is a really damning indictment of his decision-making skills and an even worse indictment of his staff. If you work for somebody who you *know* is a loose cannon, it's your job to reel him in before he does something stupid.

And if you are interviewing for a job that frequently requires great delicacy, subtlety, and forethought, and you regularly make gut decisions that aren't well-thought-out (and admittedly have a quick temper), it doesn't matter to me if you proclaim proudly that yes, you shoot from the hip, but you follow through. You still made a spur-of-the-moment, dumbass decision. If this is indicative of how he plans to run the country, making poorly-researched decisions on really important things, the US is in diep kak if he wins.

[tencrush]

I tried to listen to his RNC speech, but I just can't listen to the man speak. He's awful.

[virginhuntress.livejournal.com]

OH trust me, most of us sane folk are DESPERATELY trying to make sure they are NOT elected.


They scare the SHIT OUT OF ME.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'They scare the SHIT OUT OF ME.'
You and me both.

scary sarah....

[(Anonymous)]

I've been lurking for a while reading your posts and this is the one that really got my attention. For the record, I just want to say that I am offended and horrified by this redneck, gun-toting, uber-conservative anti-woman "woman"; she is the most frightening thing I have seen in the very frightening world of American politics for quite some time - and that my friends, is no small feat.
Vagina or not, I would not vote for Sarah Palin if my life depended on it.

By the way I am in that highly sought after group of voters whom the neocons seem to believe they have in the bag - I am an educated 35 year old (married) mother of two from a wealthy Atlanta suburb and I firmly believe that Obama on a bad day is a more impressive feminist than that baby dispensing yahoo on her best day.

Re: scary sarah....

[kalliopeia.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately there are a lot of women who will seriously consider McCain just because he's got a woman there.

And there are also a lot of women (my aunt and possibly my mother included though I'm working on them) who plan on writing in Hillary Clinton.

Ultimately my state is sadly never going for Obama so my mom and aunt probably don't matter. But still.

[rickfan37.livejournal.com]

Here from gaycrow's LJ.
All I can say is... WORD. It is terrifying.