Working for "Europe" you can imagine the questions I get : where did you learn English? Where are you from in the US? Why are you in Lille and not Paris? How does an American work for Europe? Who's going to win the elections?
You wouldn't believe the number of European consultants and researchers who've lived in such godforsaken places as Ohio, Indiana or Michigan! (that was sarcasticby the way). It's funny how the whole world is affected (consumed?) by the US primaries, probably moreso than most Americans. And it's funny - not funny haha - how the entire world has a vested interest in our next president.
So as I discussed US politics with 3 Dutch, 1 German and 1 Italian after yesterday's meeting, I made a bet with a nice Dutchman - he wagered a beer that Obama would win. I'm not surprising anyone who's reading this when I say I'll vote Democrat. But who? I'm just not sure if all those people (I'll hold my tongue) who voted for W (twice!) will actually vote for someone other than a white male. Is the country ready for a woman or an African-American? Granted, there is the power of David Palmer that I'm convinced will influence a fair number of voters. But still...
The bottom line though is that ANYTHING is better than W. And more power to the person who follows him because they've got a lot of cleaning to do, starting with apologizing to most of the world.
For any Americans interested, Democrats Abroad can give you lots of information on voting abroad. There is a global primary from 5-12 February. If you want to vote in the primaries, you can contact them to get your ballot, but you need to be registered to vote first! And if there are any Americans in Lille who have CNN and want to spend all night watching Super Tuesday, I'm in as long as you are anti-W.
Edited: Wow, my spelling is awful! Why won't my spell check work?
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5 comments:
That map is hilarious...
If I were in Lille on Super Tuesday, I would definitely join your group (and yes, I do qualify!!
I'm embarrassed to say that the map made me laugh too.
These elections will be pretty interesting. Good thing W can't run again.
Thanks for the link.
I absolutely AGREE with you on the voting... What saddens me is that I think a candidate like Barack Obama is exactly what our country needs -- a fresh face, a strong voice with new ideas to attack the problems of the past. Okay, most criticism says he's not experienced enough, but I truly believe a strong candidate like him will "apprendre sur le tas", as the French say, and I think his political experience up until now will serve him very well. Besides, what about JFK all those many years ago? I'm sure he wasn't that experienced to start with either, but he was the President our country needed at that time back then.
I'm so frustrated, because I, too, so want to see a Democrat voted into office, and I'm frightened that too many blind, intolerant, closed-minded Americans won't give a woman or a man of color a chance either. If only our people could change... It's just taking far too long for our society to realize and to recognize that strength and potential can come in any form, and that it doesn't depend on a person's sex, race or origin.
But, like you said, anything other than W will be an improvement... I guess we'll see what happens! I've sent in my form to request my absentee ballot as an American Living Abroad, and now I'm just waiting for it...
I'll come watch Super Tuesday, I might not be a yankee - but its important to the whole world (unfortunatly) who wins... shame I can't drown myself in wine if the states don't vote favorably!!
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