“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.
You won't lose me!! I know deeply that our choices in the US affect the rest of the world. And I liked your mention of Jill Stein, I find her a well-spoken woman addressing issues the other candidates seem to avoid.
I agree with you Heather. An election is a civil right and a civic duty. I have never missed an election in my long, long life. I am visiting family, but it was most important to me that before I left Florida, I cast my absentee ballot. I am a political junky so I have read the platforms and know where each man stands. That is why, for me, the choice was simple. ..I cast my vote for President Barack Obama.
Best…Victoria
thank you all Obama voters you will take this country down the road that France is on now….Not a pretty picture , everyone who has any sense is leaving!!!
Je suis une francaise qui vis aux Etats Unis, ce qui me surprend c;est que des americains vivent en France au lieu de vivre ici ……si vous etes si enchantes avec Obama pourquoi ne pas revenir ici et faire face a tous les problèmes qui vont se developer…et oui je vais retirer ma souscription a votre blog…
We all have our opinions and we must all make our choices. Elections are coming up here too, sometimes next year, and I am already tired of all the debating. Sometimes I think that if all politicians were women, the world would be a much better place. Men in politics are too power-hungry and greedy. That's my opinion 🙂 Oh, and since this is your blog, you can write and say what you wish and everyone can take it as they will.
I read a little bit about her arrest and it smells so much like a political arrest to me. If the paper was correct, she and some helpers were taking refreshments to protesters. My political affiliation is of another party, as a woman, I have a lot of respect for Jill Stein.
xx
Amelia
Brava Heather for your courage to bring this issue up in your blog. On Tuesday, among the republican majority in this state, I'll be at my precinct casting my ballot for Obama. Someone mentioned the Electoral College and it makes me wonder…without a composite major in history and political science, how long would it takes me to understand its role in choosing the president. As a naturalized citizen, the right to vote is precious. I hope everyone will come out and vote on Tuesday.
Bon weekend!
Amelia
You heard it here, first, Heather. My husband and I both voted for Jill Stein. We are incensed at her recent arrest in Texas and wonder what in hell it's going to take for our country to rouse out of its unprincipled murk. 🙁
Good for you, Heahter, for sharing your opinion, and more importantly for encouraging everyone to vote. It's easy to get weary in all the noise of the campaign, but what an amazing thing the right to vote is. And a responsibility. My mail-in ballot will get filled in this weekend, and I'll be voting for Obama, among with many, many other important initiatives in our state.
Holding my breath 'til Tuesday…
Even if I disagreed with your choice of candidate (which I don't), I certainly wouldn't take offense to this post. My husband and I are voting for different candidates and don't always agree on local/State measures but we are able to have civil, calm discussions which I find very helpful. It's good to look at both sides, as you write. I'll just be glad when next Tuesday is past us and I stop getting all the political phone calls. And I don't even live in a swing State!
Heather, Great post. Thanks for helping us all become better informed.
Like many of us here in the states, I am looking forward to the end of the election, but, like you, awaiting the results with baited breath.
xo