US presidential election 2008

[Thrik]

I don't know why you don't think anything will change. When has a new administration ever not changed things significantly? Just look how much the Bush administration has changed the world. Plus there's now a new party in power: the democrats, after being out for eight years.

I have to say that I was surprised by just how much of a landslide victory Obama enjoyed. I mean, 349 electoral votes to McCain's 162? McCain didn't even manage to reach 50% of Obama's success. Good to see the US can see who the clear choice is.

Merged your thread with the existing election thread, btw.

[e-freak]

on the one hand - party. on the other: obama's most probably not gonna end death-sentence, not gonna restrict weapon trade and he's most probably not gonna make any changes to the patriot act and stuff like that.

Well at least he seems to be the best educated president in somewhat like the last 2 decades.

[KoKo5oVaR]

I don't think either that things will change much, it's the people who change their country and it takes time to makes them change it. Selling changement in politics is a well efficient way to be elected, Sarkozy did that in France and except some very demagogic projects of law to please the people, nothing really changed, it's maybe even worse.

However the positive point i find in Obama's election is that it will probably modify, in the good way, the point of view the "rest" of the world has on the US , and it's certainly the best thing it can happen.

[twiz]

Kokos, thats a large part of why I voted for him.. I mean I expect him to make some changes, obviously he won't be able to do everything he'd like to. But you're right, its the people who change the country and I think Obama really inspires people to move in the right direction. He's an extremely intelligent, well-spoken black man and I think he's already helped change/reduce the stereotypes some people hold. And I'm not just talking about race, I'm talking about his policy and political stance, I think he can convince a lot of people that being liberal is not a bad thing.

And changing the way the rest of the world views us, thats another huge reason why I voted for him. I'm sick of seeing Bush making a fool of all Americans day after day after day. I knew Obama was going to win, I just wanted to see by how much. I think the margin of victory(and the ammount of Senate seats the dems took as well) showed the whole world that we know our leadership is completely fucked and we desperately need someone with a new line of thinking in power.

[dux]

I just wonder what everyone was smoking last election.

[kleinluka]

well half the population was still smoking that stuff.... i was reading some comments on AOL last night after he was declared winner and people were saying they were gonna kill him and that he is a muslim terrorist and america will die because of him.

fucking rednecks... who gave these people access to the internet?

[Spellbinder]

Merged your thread with the existing election thread, btw.

Thats sweet of you . PM'ed Frie I just thought this thread was a prelodium for the election and now when it was over the thread was obsolete. Obviously not. My bad.

[Jetsetlemming]

Aww, I was about to post it!

This is what we can call an epic win guys.

Philadelphia Inquirer's calling it a "HISTORIC WIN".

[zaphod]

I don't think either that things will change much...

However the positive point i find in Obama's election is that it will probably modify, in the good way, the point of view the "rest" of the world has on the US , and it's certainly the best thing it can happen.

modify = change? :wink:

[Sentura]

Aww, I was about to post it!

This is what we can call an epic win guys.

Philadelphia Inquirer's calling it a "HISTORIC WIN".

i was at a bar with a live feed last night with a few friends, one of them american. we had to drink every time someone said 'historic' or anything related to history, as well as every time a white guy said he voted for mccain. it's amazing how much people love that word... i'm glad i am off today.

as for the change: the democrats are filibuster proof due to their mandates, so i reckon there's a greater chance for bigger changes to happen (since republicans will have very little influence).

either way, congrats americans. here's to 4, and perhaps 8 years, of change for the better!

[D3ads]

well half the population was still smoking that stuff.... i was reading some comments on AOL last night after he was declared winner and people were saying they were gonna kill him and that he is a muslim terrorist and america will die because of him.

fucking rednecks... who gave these people access to the internet?

Rednecks... rednecks never change.

[kleinluka]

[Izuno]

I've always considered myself an independent voter. There are plenty of Republicans and Democrats I feel should not be in office and would gladly vote out if I could. Bush was one of them. So is Nancy Pelosi. I could go on, but I'm sick of "Red" and "Blue" and the divisiveness in this country.

To me, Obama's election is not about change. It's about transformation. There is a difference, though English dictionaries don't clearly capture the distinction. What's happening in the US and the world is an awakening. We are becoming aware that who we are is not solely defined by our past and our fears. We are discovering how powerful our words are in that we become what who we say we are.

We already know this, especially those of us who started off in the mod community and eventually got industry jobs because of it. It's actually very obvious...we think about what we want, feel good about it and then take action and go for it, not knowing exactly how it will unfold. We stick with it through ups and downs and eventually it's ours. We didn't give up. We just kept going and adjust our plans if necessary but we kept the dream alive. Isn't that what we're generally taught about life? We transform from "wannabe" to "be."

The connection to Obama's election is that American's now are awake to the idea that we can actually have a great society again that is a leader in the world and not a threat to the rest of it. It starts with us really focusing on what we want. Do we really want to consume 25% of the world's energy and produce less than 5% of it? (Someone check my numbers please.) Do we want to be so divided along racial and religious lines? How's that working out? Really? Like, really? Or do we really think it's okay that health care costs are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the US? Really? Do we really want to shoot first, ask questions never? Do we really want to keep dividing America into "the real America" and "anti-American America?" What does that mean, anyway? Are we saying that I'll only give respect to people who think in ways I approve? WTF? Isn't America supposed to be the land where we respectfully listen to all points of view, even if we disagree with them? Is America ready actually start walking the walk and not just talking the talk?

Ironically, one of my closest friends is already upset that because he makes a lot of money, will have to pay more taxes under Obama. My gut reaction in my mind was "are you seriously that self-entitled and self-centered? REALLY?" But then I realized how hypocritical of me to dismiss him just because he has a different opinion on taxes than I do. Am I really going to just be dismissive of his perspective rather than listen to it? Isn't that what Obama is calling us to do? To listen? To engage in civil debate? For me, that's a moment of personal transformation when I start considering other people's points of view and realize that I don't need to control their opinion or political beliefs for my life to turn out just fine.

Anyway, I'm happy Obama won and I don't think of this as a victory for Democrats and defeat for Republicans. I'm wanting to be done with that perspective and pray Washington (and this country) begin to transform the Blue vs. Red mentality. I don't know what is going to happen exactly, but I'm excited.

[General Vivi]

[Sindwiller]

A question I'd like to have answered though is: Why are there only 2 significant major parties in the US? I personally think that there is something wrong with having only two parties that matter inside a democracy. And since people should know their country well, I'd like to know their own explanation of why it is like that and why it makes sense to you If that doesn't bother anyone.