“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.
She was not only arrested for simply bringing food to protesters but when she tried to get air time at the debates, she and her running mate were detained at an undisclosed location with plastic restraints on their arms for eight hours.
Tell me that's justice.
(Sorry, H. Don't mean to spew all over your lovely blog but the indignation some of us are feeling sometimes gets us to the boiling point.)
Hello Maywyn, I don't understand it either. When I logged on this morning everything was gone so I imagined that I would lose all of the comments as well but no, when I republished, here they remained!
Weird goings on…This blog shows on my list as a day ago. Yet, on my front blog page it shows as 27+/- minutes ago. I don't know how comments can follow a blog post refresh.
As for responses to political posts…I posted twice about being pro Romney (and I am born and bred from Massachusetts). After that, a follower disappeared from public view. I take off topic posts down after a few hours to a day.
The point is about this election…America's economy has serious issues that can't afford to continue on the same path.
Look at the response you have had Heather – I hope all your American colleagues read your Blog and realise that we all CARE a LOT!!!!
I am normally a liberal voter in Australia – but watching from afar I have to say that I feel with Obama at the helm we have had a fair approach to management of international affairs and having just come back from the USA – things (before Sandy) seemed to be coming back to the level of BUZZ that makes America great??!!
My thoughts are with all who have had to pick themselves up after the hammering of the last week!!
Heather,
I appreciate your honesty and willingness to discuss something that is generally off limits. This is an important election and my only hope is that people have watched the debates and reviewed their political analysis from multiple sources prior to making their decision. I think it's important to know what side of the political spectrum the author is coming from. Has the literature been written by a liberal or a conservative? It really does make a difference in their interpretation. It's unfortunate that many simply take the ostrich in the sand approach and just vote for a party line rather than the person.
As I head to the voting booth, I will vote for the person I believe will move the country forward .. I will go back and review Obama's original message back in 08.. Is the government transparent? Are American's more or less polarized? How he will do things differently if re elected? If you look back in history, have presidents done better or worse their second term? Can the man I vote for work with both sides of the political spectrum? I will look at unemployment, the economy, and I will consider the recent terrorist attack in Libya. The results will be close.. American's are not sure are they?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts:) and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
xx
leslie
YOU WILL NEVER LOSE ME!GO BARACK!!!!!!!!!I have already voted!And no I havenot read the platforms………………..I donot need too!
I think everyone has the right to give their opinion on politics and we should all learn to discuss without the hatefulness that seems to sneak in. Casting my vote for Romney-Ryan!
Here, here, Heather! You not only conveyed a critically important message (inform yourself well and then vote!), but also provided easy access to an source of information that we all should consult. And you told us about how you made your decision regarding the Presidential race. That has encouraged (in and beyond these comments) the kind of public discourse that is essential to the health of the Republic. Bravo..may we all learn more about discussing politics, and our differences therein, without rancor!! With admiration, as always, Leslie in Portland
I cannot believe that some readers might choose to suspend their subscription to your blog based simply on your political affiliation! As the main thrust of your blog is based on your experiences of living in France and your musings on life in general, not to mention beautiful photography and a sometimes poetic style of writing, I do not see that it has any bearing on what your political beliefs may be, as until now it has not crept into your writing! Whether your support lies behind Obama or Romney, has no influence on your reports of life in Arles. I think you were brave to broach the subject and I think you did it with respect and sublety and with a reporter's objectivity. If you encouraged just a few extra people to vote, your mission was justified! It's amazing how politics can separate people who otherwise would have interests in common. I am not an American, but live in Australia, and the ripple effect on who sits in the Oval Office, flows on from the US to France and Australia and all over the world, in the strength of the economy and world peace. Important subject- well handled! Cheers, Heather! Deborah, Melbourne.
As a resident of Massachusetts, I certainly know how Romney governs. That is why I am voting for Obama. Obama is expected to carry MA by a margin of 30%. That should tell you something.
GREAT advice, Heather, to read the parties platforms. People need to educate themselves to see what they are truly voting for. Because you are not getting the truth when candidates change their opinion to fit whatever their current audience wants to hear.