The world is impressed with us...

[basas]

Current and past leaders that are women and/or other than caucasian):
UK: Margaret Thatcher (former Prime Minister)
Canada: Kim Campbell (former Prime Minister)
France: Segolene Royal (darn near won the last presidential election)
Germany: Angela Merkel (current Chancellor of Germany)
Ireland: Mary McAleese (current President)
India: Pratibha Patil (current President)
South Africa: Nelson Mandela (former President)

I can provide many more names if you'd like

I asked for minorities, not women. My point about Canada is that is hasn't elected either (Kim Campbell was not elected), yet the Canadian poster acted as if his country was the most "progressive" and "enlightened" place on Earth. BTW, I don't recall India and South Africa as being Western countries.

 

[crashbb]

How was he the best? He really didn't have the qualifications. He is a very good speaker-is that what you're referring to? Or is it that Canadians are way more socialistic than the U.S. and this fits in more with YOUR views? He didn't exactly win by a landslide.

Given that Canadians just voted back in a Conservative government, I'd suggest that the voters of Canada are less socialistic than the voters of the US. And no, I'm not calling either country a Socialist country.

 

[Teejay32]

Thank you for all those that congratulated us. It is a huge step here in the US whether some people choose to acknowledge it or not. I, for one, am elated at our choice of president. I haven't felt this optimistic in a long, long time.

The hostility, unfortunately, is that in those who are expressing it had wished that McCain had won--plain and simple. They are bitter; the wounds are too fresh for them to see beyond their own bitterness. I'm sorry they took it out on those who only meant to show good will. Many, many of us do appreciate your sentiments.

No, that's not true, I've always taken the time to point out to would-be World Spokesmen that their approval of the U.S. (or disapproval, usually) is probably not as universal as they like to think. It's usually following a lecture of some sort, from somewhere in Western Europe. Is Tibet or Burma or the Phillipines or Georgia sharing in this new respect? Were African nations longing for a "better" US President? Does Israel not count, as usual? How about the Iraqis? Answers not necessary, because hopefully my point is made. We have always been deeply involved in matters beyond our borders, and always will be. This newfound respect from certain people says more about those certain people, imo, than it does about our country.

 

[lisalonglash]

And don't forget your own Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, who succeeded Adrienne Clarkson. Both female, minority Governors General.

And long before them, Jeanne Sauvé

True enough. However, Adrienne Clarkson was an abysmal GG I like Michaelle Jean though and Jeanne Sauve was truly a class act!

 

[FayeW]

I asked for minorities, not women. My point about Canada is that is hasn't elected either (Kim Campbell was not elected), yet the Canadian poster acted as if his country was the most "progressive" and "enlightened" place on Earth. BTW, I don't recall India and South Africa as being Western countries.

If you are referring to me, I wasn't suggesting that we are the "most progressive and enlightened" place on Earth, just that in the 21st century a civilzed democratic country shouldn't feel like they need to be praised for electing someone who is a visible minority. If that person is the best person for the job, their minority status shouldn't even be an issue.

For the record, though, we are more enlightened and progressive. Common-law and same sex partners are recognized as "married" under the law, we are not racially divided, and our governments, both provincial and federal, have many representatives from diverse ethnic backgrounds. It really isn't a big deal to us.

 

[Goofycampers]

He had a much better grasp of the issues than John "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" McCain. He is a brilliant man who surrounds himself with other brilliant, accomplished people to advise him. He is not a hot head who will rush blindly in when a cooler head will prevail. He chose to campaign on issues and most of his ads were about what HE would do, not making false accusations against his opponent.

He knew what was important to voters. Health care, lower taxes, job creation, alternative energy and the economy were key issues.

But that's just off the top of my head...

Sorry that's false. BO outspent JM 4 to 1 so if you factor that in he had a higher percentage of negative ads. I don't agree with your assessment regarding JM as a "hot head" . You've just proven my point. You congratulate us because YOU approve of the canidate.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that it's great to consider what our friends think. For me that's just one more puzzle piece while I'm trying to work out who to vote for. I don't even mind some criticism as long as it's constructive.

I don't understand the reasoning for the nastiness. The US is always happy to meddle and some Americans love to brag about how great we are to help and defend other countries. And we are! But we're not perfect and no one - no nation or person should feel that they have to cower just because it's the all-mighty US being discussed IMO.

 

[FayeW]

Sorry that's false. BO outspent JM 4 to 1 so if you factor that in he had a higher percentage of negative ads. I don't agree with your assessment regarding JM as a "hot head" . You've just proven my point. You congratulate us because YOU approve of the canidate.

You see, this is why you have the perception that Obama's ads were negative...you obviously have a very active imagination.

You just accused me of calling/saying/insinuating that John McCain was a hot head. I did nothing of the sort. I simply said that Barack Obama WASN'T a hot head and you immediately imagined that to be a slur against McCain. With that as an example, it is no wonder that you thought Obama ran a negative campaign; everytime he said something positive about what he would do you (the collective you, that is) immediately jumped to the conclusion that if Obama said he would he must mean that John McCain wouldn't, so it must be a negative ad!

With all the "taking out of context" and "jumping to conclusions" you guys really do make this easy for us.


PS: None of what I said was false. I was asked why I thought he was a better candidate and I gave my reasons. It wasn't a test, to be marked right or wrong. It is my opinion based on my perception of events.

 

[declansdad]

Why in the world would you care? No I really don't think it is that important if the American public supports him and he does what's in OUR best interest. I find it kind of amusing that this seems to bother you. I really have no interest in Canadian politics. I do remember a few years ago -I think it was actually during the Clinton administration quite a bit of hostility from your countrymen toward us. I can honestly say it didn't affect my voting at all.

Your missing my point.

If your President, whomever that may be, is well respected around the world, it would be easier for that person to reach agreements with other countries on any number of matters. In turn making things better for the citizens of your country.

To be honest, the person you vote for is your decision and yours alone; but that isn't what this thread and a few others are about. Not one thread that I have read has a person from a country outside of the US told any of you how to vote.

To your last point, I don't remember a period of hostility towards your country at any point in recent memory. Maybe you could be more specific.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Your missing my point.


To your last point, I don't remember a period of hostility towards your country at any point in recent memory. Maybe you could be more specific.

The poster is probably thinking of the brouhaha in the news over one of former PM Chretien's aides calling Bush a moron . Please note that (at least publically), Chretien refuted that statement, and that the aide was fired.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

If we were here telling you that the candian government sucks and that you should throw your PM out and elect someone else that we like better, I would fully expect you to tell us to stick it in our ear as well.

First, the rest of the world isn't giving you critical comments or being the least bit negative. They are CELEBRATING with you. Second, if you did tell me my government sucks, I wouldn't tell you to stick it out your ear. Right now, in fact, I would totally agree with you. I think we, as Canadians, really missed the mark in the last election and I can't wait for Harpers term to end.

Regarding your second comment - my hopes of the loonie regaining what it has lost in the recent past are nil.

It's looking quite hopeful. Just in the last few days, it's gone up 8 cents. It's seems to be regaining everything it's lost. I fully expect to to settle in the low 90s.

"Maybe you should start carrying about other people besides yourself instead of being proud of your ignorance.'

Close enough?

I was the one who said that so let me clarfiy. I didn't use "you" to mean Americans. I was talking to a specific poster who was being completely ignorant when it came to the rest of the world. That person happened to also be an American but my critique was not on Americans in general. Also, there is a big difference between being ignorant about something and being of low intelligence. Next time you choose to quote someone, it might be helpful to keep the words in context.

Would the world have been happy if JM was elected?

{snip}

When you vote your leader I would hope you would think of what is good for your country and your family first, not if it will make other countries happy.JMHO

Two things:

1. I would have been disappointed that Obama wasn't elected but I still would have been happy for the US if McCain became the new President. Either way, I think the change would be drastically better than the Bush Administration.

2. I think of both. When I consider who to vote for, I look at both domestic and foreign policies. Believe it or not, many Americans do too. A large part of what the Canadian government does is for the rest of the world, whether through peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, diplomacy, etc. I don't see how I can envision a Canadian government without considering all of those things.

Please... How many minorities have been elected to the top position in the UK?France? Germany? Come to think of it... how many women or minorites have been elected to the position of Canadian PM? My point is...who are you to welcome us to the 21st century? I wonder when a Native Canadian will be elected PM.

You said you didn't ask for names of women but clearly you did. Others have already provided you with that material so I will move on to minorities. I'll speak about Canada specifically since I know that list more or less off the topic of my head. Our first minority PM was elected in 1896.

Sir Wilfred Laurier
Pierre Elliot Trudeau
Jean Chretien

Did you want me to get into the premiers too or does this make the point for now?

I'll also mention that out of our five national parties, currently two of the leaders belong to a minority group and one is a woman.

I do remember a few years ago -I think it was actually during the Clinton administration quite a bit of hostility from your countrymen toward us.

When during the Clinton Administration were Canadians apparently hostile to Americans? As I recall, Canadians quite liked President Clinton.

How was he the best? He really didn't have the qualifications. He is a very good speaker-is that what you're referring to? Or is it that Canadians are way more socialistic than the U.S. and this fits in more with YOUR views? He didn't exactly win by a landslide.

Why are you still campaigning? And better still, why are you campaigning to Canadians? The election is over. Your guy lost.

 

[bavaria]

Given that Canadians just voted back in a Conservative government, I'd suggest that the voters of Canada are less socialistic than the voters of the US. And no, I'm not calling either country a Socialist country.

And let me remind readers that the 'Conservative' party in Canada is not the original Progressive Conservative party but rather a melding of the PC and the Reform party.

For those not aware, the Reform party for many years had a reputation for being ultra-right wing and even extremist, similar to the German 'Republican' Party (die Republikaner) which started around the same time in history with similar goals and platforms.

To consider Canada socialist at this time is quite far off the mark; Germany under the CDU/CSU would be a better example of a social market economy.

 

[mrsltg]

You just accused me of calling/saying/insinuating that John McCain was a hot head. I did nothing of the sort. I simply said that Barack Obama WASN'T a hot head and you immediately imagined that to be a slur against McCain. With that as an example, it is no wonder that you thought Obama ran a negative campaign; everytime he said something positive about what he would do you (the collective you, that is) immediately jumped to the conclusion that if Obama said he would he must mean that John McCain wouldn't, so it must be a negative ad!

Really? In the paragraph you wrote which the other poster took issue with, you begin by calling Senator McCain a name. In this sentence you are comparing the two mainstream Presidential candidates. Are you saying that in the same paragraph, in fact for the entire rest of the paragraph, you have stopped comparing these men? If this is the case I understand why the previous poster was so confused. A paragraph contains a topic sentence (presumably your first), supporting details and closing sentence. The topic of your paragraph would seem to be the comparison of these two men. If you suddenly stopped comparing them and were only, as you contend, speaking of Barack Obama yet you did not change paragraphs but rather take the poster to task for disagreeing with you, well, it's just incredibly hard to follow your point. So much so it seems your point was to do nothing other than insult the other poster. I wonder why he disregards your opinion?

Yes, the "rest of the world" (I put the term in quotes because there are the people who get out in front of cameras and act like monkeys in the zoo, and those the "rest of the world" does not make - I digress) seems delighted with the outcome of the election. I was not a Barack Obama supporter (I was not a supporter of Senator McCain, either) so I was going to be disappointed regardless of the outcome. I wonder, though, will the "rest of the world" stand by us if more problems arise be they economic or military in nature? Will the "rest of the world" lend their support to the president who takes office after Senator Obama? Or, as many Americans fear, is this all based on what the "rest of the world" stands to gain from our newest President and if #45 doesn't follow suit politically, will the "rest of the world" turn their backs on us?

 

[lisalonglash]

I wonder, though, will the "rest of the world" stand by us if more problems arise be they economic or military in nature? Will the "rest of the world" lend their support to the president who takes office after Senator Obama? Or, as many Americans fear, is this all based on what the "rest of the world" stands to gain from our newest President and if #45 doesn't follow suit politically, will the "rest of the world" turn their backs on us?

Could you be more specific about what you think "the rest of the world" stands to gain? Or more specific about what you think "the rest of the world" will turn their backs on the US regarding?

 

[mrsltg]

Could you be more specific about what you think "the rest of the world" stands to gain? Or more specific about what you think "the rest of the world" will turn their backs on the US regarding?

Preface: I do not believe Senator Obama is Satan, nor do I believe he is the Messiah. Rather, I believe he has taken on a job which will make him sorry in the not too distant future.

Just thoughts in general - The rest of the world stands to gain a man who I don't believe has the steel spine his running mate has said he does. While others may think President Clinton was the end all, be all, I see five attacks on my country which went without answer. I suspect the soon-to-be President Obama will behave similarly. I'm not saying we need all out war, just something more than a strongly worded letter of rebuke. JMHO. I also see Mr. Obama as someone who will not necessarily be above pandering. This is not a comparison to President Bush. I believe Mr. Obama will negotiate deals which will be detrimental to our country and its economy. I believe our aid to foreign nations will increase while it should decrease. These are thoughts off the top of my head.

Regarding people turning their backs - I believe - strongly - there are international groups who believe they should have a say in our elections. Threatening not to work with the next president, should that president be a Republican (and face it, it will happen, be it the next president or the one after, etc. etc. etc.) is political extortion. I don't think it would be said in such a way, but I do believe it will happen. Diplomacy can be very tricky. Withholding military support is another way in which to get a point across. Again, JMHO.

 

[declansdad]

Regarding people turning their backs - I believe - strongly - there are international groups who believe they should have a say in our elections. Threatening not to work with the next president, should that president be a Republican (and face it, it will happen, be it the next president or the one after, etc. etc. etc.) is political extortion. I don't think it would be said in such a way, but I do believe it will happen. Diplomacy can be very tricky. Withholding military support is another way in which to get a point across. Again, JMHO.

Who are these groups and who has said they wouldn't work with your president?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Who are these groups and who has said they wouldn't work with your president?

That's what I was wondering as well. He's got me soooo lost.