Where Non-Americans get to vote

Published on October 20, 2004 By Sally jacobs In Politics

When I was eighteen and got my right to vote. I wasn't really interested. I didn't have a burning passion to change the world. No British political party were telling me anything too radical, and I knew that it would most likely go a certain way. So I wasn't to bothered about it. Turns out alot of young people thought like me. That it was difficult to relate politics to our lives, so we didn't even try. I went on happily thinking like this. As I've got older, more and more issues have bothered me. I have listened to what other people have to say about things, laws and human rigts issues. The youth that think politics don't touch them are the future of this world.

Now even further from my mind was American politics. Not that they really should of been. I didn't even really consider them. At the moment I could probably tell you more about Bush and Kerry, than I could tell you about Blair, and I'm not sure if that's right or not. I'll talk about that in a second. My heart goes out to the American public at the moment, and I'll tell you why. America isn't greatly liked. For lots of reasons, in the eyes of the rest of the world they are looked on with distain. Whether it be with jealousy or whatever. America has people in it though, and people like me sometimes forget that. We look at America as a whole, and forget about the individual. America is fighting a war we don't all agree with. We look at America fighting it, but there are people with brothers, fathers, sisters, whatever, in that war doing their bit. There are people who have lost members of their family because of that. There are people who have to live everyday without their loved ones. People are suffering, and are looking for a way out of it. This election is very important.

Watching the news today, they are having a feature at the moment, talking to American folks, and getting their views on who should win. They did one on women yesterday. Today was a brother of a firemen who died in the tragic events of 9/11. This brought home to me just how important this election is. He said on the one hand you have Bush, who has lead you into a war, and in the eyes of many can probably lead you out of it. Not that people agree with everything that has gone on. Then there is Kerry, who doesn't believe in the war. Wants it to stop. So the options? Do you vote Kerry, and let the thousands that have died already, die for nothing. Or do you vote for Bush, and risk thousands more dying. This really brought home to me the importance of this election. We are relying on you America, to make the right decision for all of us. The lesser of two evils. Without a doubt.

Which brings me on to the point of this blog. I've found a site that is getting people from other countries to take part in the American election. As we know whoever you choose will have a huge effect in other places. So it will be interesting to see the outcome. You have to say which country you are from and then make your vote. They will be announcing the results on the 31st of October. Will be interesting to see. Here's the Link

Comments

Chemicalkinetics

on Oct 20, 2004

If you are implying what I think you are implying, then I think you are out of your mind and you are most UNwelcome. It is disgusing to openly ask how foreign citizens can influence US election. There is no doubt that the Afghan election and the future Iraq election will have large impact to the world as well, and there is no doubt countries will try to influence the election somewhat, but it is outrageous to openly disccus how to influcence a foreign country election. It is also true that China has and will has increasing influcence in the world. Why don't you ask a Chinese how can you influence their government and leadership. Influencing foreign election is sinful, and you talked as if it is a good thing. I know murder occurs but I don't ask how to kill people. Stay away from our election.

Grim Xiozan

on Oct 20, 2004

Oh, they even have Michael Badnarik listed along with Peroutka, Walt Brown, and David Cobb, nice.

Good post by the way.

- Grim X

Sally jacobs

on Oct 20, 2004

It is disgusing to openly ask how foreign citizens can influence US election.

That is not what I asked. This will not influence anything, it is just an insight into what the rest of the world thinks. Surely American is open enough to take these opinions on? That doesn't mean it will change any opinions, at the end of the day other countries won't have a say, it will be down to the American people, as it should be. I just think this will be a good insight from people on the outside looking in. Sometimes it can offer a different perspective is all.

Influencing foreign election is sinful, and you talked as if it is a good thing

I'm not talking about influenceing an election, and I'm sorry you see it like that. America is the most powerful country in the world, whatever happens will effect other places. That's just the way it is. We don't want to influence your eletion, that doesn't mean we don't have an interest in it.

Good post by the way.

Thankyou.

Thanks both for your comments.

latour999

on Oct 20, 2004

It is disgusing to openly ask how foreign citizens can influence US election

It works both ways. Focus on the Family had no business running pro-Harper and anti-Liberal ads in Canada in our June 28th election.

"Living next to you [the United States] is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt." Former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Brit (non-American)

on Oct 20, 2004

Vote Kerry. Bush has done America so much harm it's untrue.

Chemicalkinetics

on Oct 20, 2004

Sally,

I apologize for the mistake. Maybe I read your article wrong. I thought it is one of those British thing, which I heard recent, to rally British people to write letter to American to change their mind in our nelection. Sorry.

Chemicalkinetics

on Oct 20, 2004

Latour,

I agree. I know US try to influence foreign election and other countries have tried to influence US election. However, it is not a openly embraced issue. It is like I know murdering occurs, doens't mean we should embrace murdering. I was trying to say we should not embrace influencing a US election from outside. It is just wrong. I don't care if it is the French's pro-Kerry movement or the Putin's pro-Bush speech. They are unncessary.

Sally jacobs

on Oct 21, 2004

"Living next to you [the United States] is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt."

That's a good way of looking at it.

I thought it is one of those British thing, which I heard recent, to rally British people to write letter to American to change their mind in our nelection. Sorry.

That wasn't the point of this article. Apology accepted.

stevendedalus

on Oct 22, 2004

So the options? Do you vote Kerry, and let the thousands that have died already, die for nothing. Or do you vote for Bush, and risk thousands more dying. A good, sensitive point, but I don't think it's that simple. Kerry has matured since his youth and doesn't think they died in vain, and shall do everything possible to end the war with honor. Even though he believes the war was a gross mistake in hindsight, he pledges to salvage it by doing it right.

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