“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.
I will vote for Romney as we need a very big change. Obama wants to "fundamentally transform this country" which I think will be unrecognizable and not in a good way.
Dear Heather,
We're living – fortunately – in democratic countries where we have freedom of speech. Also, it's your blog and you can say/write whatever and however you feel.
Congratulation to this post! You've expressed your political opinion very polite and respectful.
If there is any reader who is not agree and leaving your blog like 'Anonymous' for example, you have certainly nothing lost (his/her comment made me really angry). The world is full enough of ignorant and narrow minded people, we do not need them in our blogworld.
I'm for Obama like most of the German people! Although he could not full-fill all his promises or better – all our hope and wishes, he 'repaired' to some extend the reputation of America in the world which was really demmaged by the previous gouvernement. I certainly hope that he will have another chance.
My opinion about Mr. Romney: How can one trust a person who change his mind like shirts, an opportunist.
So, let's cross fingers!
Tres amicalement,
karin
I would continue to follow you regardless of who you vote for…or who you worship…or whether you are pro-choice or pro-life. I come here for your sweet voice words and photos that together paint a beautiful portrait of a place I love. The world is made up of many, many colors as are people and their many, many views. Labels, generalizations, stereotypes just aren't fair in my view. I voted, I feel good about the man I voted for and I hope our next President is fair and wise and does what's best for our country. Period. PS-And I can't wait until its over; hopefully, people will lose their anger and refusal to listen to a y opinion that doesn't mirror their own.
There is no coverage of the Green Party here either…not that they have any chance at all, this being a 2 party country, period. I HAVE read the platforms. Here are my reasons: I am pro-choice, pro-civil rights and we have not had a Republican President with a balanced budget since Nixon, and Mr. Romneys' history in MA speaks for itself. The end.
You already know my decision and I would like to say that Francine has stated beautifully how tragic the economic situation is for entrepreneurial people. I am very fortunate to live in Texas as we have been basically unaffected by the real estate debacle and recession, the state's economy is strong. However, my son is a commercial photographer, with 2 young children, and he has seen his income plummet because his clients (corporations) do not want to spend one penny they don't have to spend, they are afraid of what's ahead as nothing is for certain. Tuesday's election will at least solve that problem. Either we have another 4 years of being uncertain, or we have 4 years led by a business man who understands business as well as mankind. I applaud you for your post, Heather. It is very well done and I love you no matter who you support. That's what's nice about being friends, isn't it?
The thing that incenses me most about the Republican Party is their constant chant of "we won't raise taxes," and many people vote for them because of this pledge. What they may not recognize is that the Republicans DO raise your taxes, at least if you're poor or middle class. Look at the DEDUCTIONS on our yearly income tax filing we've seen disappear and now they want to do away with our mortgage interest deduction. THAT'S RAISING YOUR TAXES. But if you're wealthy, heck no, your taxes won't be raised; in fact, you'll have them lowered. This is only one reason, and there are many more, why I would never support a Republican candidate. I do realize that our country is in a dire financial situation, and all of us are going to have to ante up, but let's do it FAIRLY, and not give the rich a free ride. I think it's been well documented that "trickle down economics" DO NOT WORK. Well, that's my rant for today!
Excellent point that is often over-looked in presidential elections.
This was the first election that I actually carefully read both candidates' platforms, and wrote out a pros and cons list.
I think it was the fact of being a first-time absentee voter, and I had to consider this way earlier than I would have had I still been in NY. That, and I wanted to make the choice not solely based on the popular candidate, like I did in 2008. I wanted a strong reason why I was choosing one over the other, with a full understanding of both parties' platforms.
Hoping for the best. On verra…
ps: I get really embarrassed too when the French know more about what's going on with America than I do. : )
Hello Heather:
It is quite true that one should do one's homework about candidates for election since it is amazing what one can find out. Sadly, we do perhaps take having the vote for granted rather than treasuring it as a gift that not everyone in the world can enjoy!
May the best man win.
Spew away, Suze. And feel free to include links too…
I'd be concerned somebody fooled around with you page codes. But come to think of it, Blogger has a way about doing weird things as well.