The Global Election Effect
This past week I was contacted by Andy Orin from Link TV to write about a new project that he manages and maintains called “Dear American Voter”. The essence of the site is that it allows people from around the world to post videos about their issues and concerns for the upcoming American election. Some Americans may laugh at the idea of people outside the USA taking an interest in the election but despite what you may hear in the media about the dwindling influence of the USA, America is still the no.1 superpower (not to mention the golden M everywhere). People around the world have always been interested in America but increasingly so in this election because of its extraordinary nature. The twists and turns have been followed closely by local media around the world because of the potential impact the next President may have on the global community and the direction of America.
I haven’t been counting this week but at least a few times a week, the local news on RTÉ has a segment on Election 2008. Some people may still not believe that the next election has a global effect therefore looking beyond Ireland; CNN has a segment airing this week on the Middle East Television coverage of the upcoming American election hosted by Hala Gorani. I even remember CNN doing a special with some students from the Middle East in a focus group of sorts where they were asked who they would vote for and some people even mentioned John McCain. Now there is a shocker!
Living outside the United States for the last year and a bit has made me realize how drastically the USA’s image has changed. I think many Americans realize this and it might be informative to have a look at the site to see what people from around the world think. I will admit in all honesty that many of my co-workers here in Ireland do not follow the election but they all have one unequivocal statement: “George Bush Sucks.” I think that statement says it all and probably personifies what many people around the world feel about the USA and why all of us as global citizens are invested in these upcoming elections.
I have to say I am actually tempted to post my own video blog on there and will probably do so as soon if I can find my Logitech Camera hidden in the attic. I do encourage Americans as well as people around the world to post on this site. You may not like politics but you have to concede to the fact that this election is ground-breaking, not only in America but in every country around the world.
Out of the few videos that I have looked at, this is one of my favorites because it describes why a Universal Healthcare system is essential in America:
May 02 2008 10:21 pm | American Politics and World Politics
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:38 am
Congratulations Crian. I will look forward to your posts on the American elections.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
A universal health-care system? Crian! Have you looked at what has happened in Canada and England with their health care systems. It’s total chaos. People wait for months in some cases in order to get surgery because of a shortage of doctors. There’s a shortage of doctors because no matter how many patients a doctor sees he gets paid the same. Why should they take on more patients if they are going to be making the same amount of money no matter how many patients they see? A Canadian friend of mine lost his father because he needed heart surgery but couldn’t get the operation in Canada soon enough and he refused to make the trip to the US for it. Canadian doctors often send their patients to the US for needed surgery. Where will they send them if we have the same sort of surgery that they have?
Please check out this post:
Socialized Medicine Anyone?
I hope the link works.
I’ve written many posts on the horrors of socialized medicine. If I can change your mind on this one subject I will be a happy woman. If I can’t, well, at least I’ve tried and I should get an “A” for effort.
Have a great weekend!
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Correction: I meant to write, “where will they send them if we have the same type of system that they have?
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Crian, why don’t you run an experiment and ask some Canadians what they think of their health care system? I can direct you to two of them. If you actually do visit, tell them I sent you.
The Canadian SentinelABFreedom
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
GRRR! That’s two links. Sorry I ran them together!
May 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Hey Gayle, I do admit that there are bad moments for socialized medicine but what about the good moments. The ability of a family who does not earn enough to be able to see the doctor three times a year? The Canadian and the English system are real bad examples, and I really believe that any potential American system can learn from all the versions of socialized healthcare out there.
From a moral standpoint, I think every person should be entitled to healthcare. I am sorry to hear about your friend, I will conduct that experiment though. I know two people in Canada who are “liberal”, I will grant you that but I will ask them what they think about the healthcare system there.
I just spoke to my dad for a little as I was writing this… he has been practicing medicine for all 25 years of my life and agree’s with the principle of socialized healthcare. Over here in Ireland, anyone below a certain income level (not sure what that is) or above 70, the government picks up the tab. With that being said, the government also offers incentives for people not to abuse the system.
On a side note, I do stop by CS’s blog every now and then however the only thing I can say we agree on is the policies of the government of China. Thanks for all the effort though and you definitely get an A for that.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Hey,
just launched a new site [The Global Election] for everyone around the world to vote in the political elections of every country, maybe in the future we can put up other political polls such as “What do you think is the best health care system?”.