Thread: Poll: An outsiders view of the American presidential election

I live in Italy, which makes me both an American citizen and an outsider. For personal reasons (I'm Jewish) the persecution of the Palestinians under the US-funded Israeli occupation is a real sore point for me. I saw Obama give a speech before AIPAC (the Israeli lobby) that made me want to vomit. Now that Obama has appointed Israeli Rahm Emanuel to be his White House Chief of Staff, my worst fears have come to pass. The Palestinians will have no relief under President Obama and the Israelis will have their way in the middle east, including an unprovoked attack on Iran.

One thing that many people (both American citizens and not) do not understand is how little freedom of action a President of the United States has. He is dependent on the approval of a few wealthy people (the top 1% of the US population has more wealth than the bottom 95%) and would not have been elected if those people were not satisfied that he would do right by them. This is why US policy under Obama will not be very much different than it was under Bush, just more suave.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

I live in Italy, which makes me both an American citizen and an outsider.

I had to re-read this sentence several times. Even then it didnt make sense.

And then I saw who was writing. Penny drops

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

I had to re-read this sentence several times. Even then it didnt make sense.

And then I saw who was writing. Penny drops

People who don't live in their country of citizenship are called expatriates or expats for short. I've heard that, every year, about 200,000 Americans leave the United States permanently to live elsewhere. I'm sure that there are a lot of Brits who do the same thing. Your reaction reminded me of the old riddle based on the apparent paradox that there can't be two doctors in the same hospital who say, "I can't operate on this patient, it's my son," because most people (at least when I was younger) assumed that a doctor must be a man.

Originally Posted by Nord Jim

That's not what he's saying. He's saying easier said than done, not that Obama is lying to people. I think everyone realizes that Obama now has to deal with the rather grim realities left by his predecessor and that he won't be able to do everything he wants, at least not right away.

j

You are BOTH right to some extent what I mean. Can Obama do what he promises or wants? No he can't, and this is not (only) due to the Bush admin. but some things, I believe, Obama knew from the beginning he wont be able to do partly due to the position he will be in i.e. the president of USA.

What we must remember is that during an election it is very easy to promise this and that even though it isn't realistic. But here there is a difference between politics in the US and in Sweden. In Sweden if a political party says for example "We are going to lower the taxes", the instant response they get is "How are you going to do that? By decreasing the welfare system, public sector, and other public insurances" (things that pepole over here are not willing to do quite as easily). In america however there is more of a visionary politic and retoric, this is why Obama can get away way easyer with his sometimes unrealistic promises.

Originally Posted by Chimensch

I live in Italy, which makes me both an American citizen and an outsider. For personal reasons (I'm Jewish) the persecution of the Palestinians under the US-funded Israeli occupation is a real sore point for me. I saw Obama give a speech before AIPAC (the Israeli lobby) that made me want to vomit. Now that Obama has appointed Israeli Rahm Emanuel to be his White House Chief of Staff, my worst fears have come to pass. The Palestinians will have no relief under President Obama and the Israelis will have their way in the middle east, including an unprovoked attack on Iran.

One thing that many people (both American citizens and not) do not understand is how little freedom of action a President of the United States has. He is dependent on the approval of a few wealthy people (the top 1% of the US population has more wealth than the bottom 95%) and would not have been elected if those people were not satisfied that he would do right by them. This is why US policy under Obama will not be very much different than it was under Bush, just more suave.

The Obama Israeli relation is exactly what I'm talking about, people seem to think Obama is the "Good guy" who will help the Palestinians. A belief that is simply not true, as Chimensch rightly has pointed out.

And I agree totaly with the presidents limited power and ability, he has to rely on several things and be backed by different elements and intrest groups for his policy making.

Shalom

I really hope the citizens of the USA have elected a man with vision, skill and integrity. Not only do the US citizens need some leadership and direction at present but the World needs stability rather than lurching from crisis to crisis.

I wish the US citizens success and hope that together with their new President that life improves for us all.

There should be another option. I'd go for the:

"I wasn't rooting for either but I was curious as to who'd win."

Option.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I also have an opinion about how he regards internal issues like e.g gun control (to be honest, I don't have a clue about his position on that. this was an example)

/offtopic
going on his voting record, he is hugely anti-2A. gunshops here have been doing record business because people are anticipating anti-gun legislation.

Originally Posted by Rawaz

Don't expect too much from Obama and don't wait for any miracles.

Boy do I sound pessimistic!

I think you're exactly right, and are right for the very reasons you stated. It's not a dictatorship; he needs to get things through congress and the Supreme court before anything major will change, and I agree, Europe will probably still be upset at some of his policies.

Originally Posted by jockeys

/offtopic
going on his voting record, he is hugely anti-2A. gunshops here have been doing record business because people are anticipating anti-gun legislation.

Does that make sense?
I mean, suppose I now buy an M16 full auto (just an example) because it will be banned tomorrow.
My weapon is registered, so the government know I have it.
It is now a banned weapon, so I will have to hand it over.

Or does US law not apply on pre-ban purchases?