“Have you read it?” Remi charged into the room after having read an article in Le Monde. This was quite a while back. “What?” I answered sleepily while looking over yet another design blog. “Romney’s platform, have you read it?” “Well, sure I know the key points…the talking points,” I stammered and felt an embarrassed blush rise on my cheeks. For the next five minutes, he went through the list in a rapid-fire French, leaving me grasping to catch up. Because a lot of it was new to me.
You see, for me it was already a done deal that I would vote for Barack Obama for reasons that are personal to me, just as I had decided that I would not vote for Mitt Romney for reasons that are also. But I realized that it shouldn’t be that, a given. Not for something as critical to my home country and the world as this election. There is far, far too much at stake.
So, for my many American friends out there, I will ask, “Have you actually read the platforms?” Even if you have very strong feelings about the “other” candidate(s)? Even if you have already decided? If not and you are so inclined, here are links to the central candidates platforms:
And don’t forget the Green Party candidate (who, I must say, hasn’t received one iota of press in France):
Jill Stein -Issues
I have thought for months, literally, about whether to write a post about the upcoming election. I know that I may lose readers simply by stating that I am voting for Barack Obama, despite the willingness to “agree to disagree” which I so very much appreciate. The journalist in me felt that, as an American living overseas who has had the good fortune to travel extensively, I had perspectives that might be of interest and that it was my duty as a transparent writer to share them. Well, I have finally decided that I am not going to go into polemics any more than that. We are divided enough already. There is a reason why the French say, “Never speak politics at the table!” We all have our opinions, for many of us they are strong ones, so I will scale this down to communicate the two things that truly matter to me: to simply encourage those of you that haven’t voted yet to be certain that your choice is a well-informed one and by all means, no matter what, please go out and vote next Tuesday! Your voice counts. Yes, even if you live in a state where the electoral votes have been “decided.” We are all responsible for the outcome of this election and the world is waiting with baited breath…
Friends, I have been as respectful here as possible and I hope that you will show me the same courtesy in the comments section. For my non-American friends, thank you for your patience and to everyone, I will be back to my regular Frenchified posts next week!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead…
N.B. When I woke up this morning, I saw that this post had mysteriously disappeared! I have no idea what that is about but here it is again and my sincere apologies for the double notifications.
N.B. When I woke up this morning, I saw that this post had mysteriously disappeared! I have no idea what that is about but here it is again and my sincere apologies for the double notifications.
Bravo, Heather! I have to agree with Véronique above that I have passed very few meals in France without discussing politics 😉 Thanks for expressing your thoughts in such a careful and considerate way. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Tuesday.)
Bonjour Heather. As a French and an American citizen, I have the privilege of voting in both countries. I live in a liberal section of Washington state (near Seattle,) and like many friends of mine, I am hoping President Obama gets re-elected on Tuesday. I find electors (both in France and in the US,) an impatient lot, especially in a time of crisis. You pick a guy. You stick with the guy; at least for a reasonable amount of time, so he gets a chance to accomplish *something* One thing is for sure, you could not pay me enough to be a world leader these days. I loved your comment about the French not discussing politics at the table. I can't recall a single family gathering when my relatives did not end up arguing over politics! 🙂 People would even storm off and leave the table before the meal was over… and forgot all about it afterwards. We always blamed it on our Mediterranean roots. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
Good for you for sharing your opinions. After 5 years as a non-residents of Canada, Canadians loose their right to vote. Use it wisely.
One of the nice things about being out of the United States in October was avoiding the backstabbing, advertisements and Robo calls that our elections seem to generate. It was interesting though trying to explain our system to others we met along the way. One couple was aghast that our advertisements attack individuals and not party platforms. Another just couldn't understand our Electoral Votes system that could result in a candidate being chosen by the majority of the people but the other candidate becoming president because of a handful of votes cast by a handful of people who 'represent' us. It is good to travel and see the US through the eyes of those in other countries.
There is nothing wrong with being honest about your preference. The important thing is for the Americans to go out there to Vote this coming Tuesday! The politicians cannot solve their country's problems alone. Bonne Weekend!
Being literally in the dark with no power for the past week, I have missed out on the political dramas, and focused on business survival rather than politics. In France, I vote conservative as I do not believe in crippling heavy taxation,but in America, my social conscience always let me to vote for a democratic ticket. Not this time, our country is in a recession with a frightening money spending that has not even shown any interest in small businesses, the lobbyists,wall street seem to be dictating the political financial policies.
This time, I am going to think about my small business and vote with my business conscience.
I won't be disappointed no matter who wins. I will be sad if Obama becomes a one term president because he's America's first racial mix person to have that position.
However, America needs a person to run this country out of the mess all the parties have had a hand in creating. Romney does what he does well, and I want him to do well for America. I won't be going back to vote for Obama again.
I don't see why you should lose readers either simply by stating your opinion after all that is part of the democratic process. What happens in the US affects the whole world so thank you for including these links it will certainly help my understanding of the situation.
Have a fabulous weekend Heather.
XXX
I see nothing wrong with stating your opinion and I don't see why you would lose readers. Personally I'll be happy once the whole thing is over so the political signs that have multipled like bunnies on every street corner disappear.
Enjoy your weekend Heather!
XXX
Debra~
Bravo, Sister! There is nothing wrong with politely stating your opinion, and your readers all know and treasure your honesty. Crossed fingers for Tuesday! (and looking forward to 2 weeks from election day very very very much!).