Have you read it?

“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:

Mitt Romney -Issues

Barack Obama -Issues

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.









51 comments

  3. Dear "Splenderosa"…….that's a lovely, admirable response.

    I really wish more folks in the USA could think and respond as you do.

    thank you,

    David Terry

  5. You make a valid point. As voters we have a duty to be well informed about party issues and should be willing to change our vote with a change in party platform and party politics. The outcome of the US elections has a far reaching effect on the rest of the world especially with the rise in power of China on the world stage with its non elected government!

  7. Oh you are a brave one Heather! I keep my mouth firmly shut in certain company (and on social media) because I have found that the political atmosphere has become so full of hateful ignorance. It makes me sad and truth be told gives me a bit too much of anxiety as well.
    And here's a question… if Anonymous commentors are so proud of their beliefs and firm in their stance… why do they choose to remain Anonymous???

  8. Heather, I could just not resist to express my thoughts about 'anonymous' comments which all of them seem to me so negative and unrespectful, not to mention for not using the name (who is anonymous????)
    I certainly do not want to use this post or your blog as a politically "platform" but we only can make the world better by good and civilized discussions and changes of different opinions, listening to each other, trying to understand each ones points of view.
    Again – every person who decide/decided to un-suscribe from your blog because of your good post – nothing lost!
    xxxkarin

    Sorry about my English……!

  9. Hello Heather,
    I'm a new visitor to your blog and i feel like saying bravo for voicing your opinion!
    Also I find it quite pathetic to un-follow a blog just because you're expressing your political choice…this really reflects a narrow minded spirit.
    I'm a French woman living in Spain and i hope Obama will be re-elected. I am not convinced at all by Mitt Romney.
    Wishing you a great week
    Lala

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