Why I'm Scared of an Obama Presidency

[punkin]

What I heard was that the Gallup poll which had Obama up was taken of registered voters, and the one taken with McCain up was taken of those who say they are likely to vote.

Even more interesting. I wonder if it even means anything this early in the campaign. However, it does seem to show that Obama's European tour did little or nothing for him. Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change.

 

[amyhughes]

Even more interesting. I wonder if it even means anything this early in the campaign. However, it does seem to show that Obama's European tour did little or nothing for him. Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change.

That got a giggle out of me.

 

[DISUNC]

That got a giggle out of me.

Me TOO!

 

[duckfan78]

I appreciate that most Americans are very patriotic. But there are a couple of lines in the original post that bothered me, as a Canadian.

One is calling the American president "Leader of the free world." I know it's a commonly-used phrase in the US, but you know, Canada is a free country and the president is NOT our leader. Our government sometimes makes different decisions - such as the decision NOT to fight in Iraq, to support legal same-sex marriages, to give new mothers a year's maternity leave, etc.. You can say he's Leader of the most powerful country in the world, and I'll go along with that. But if the president is our leader, I want a vote.

Secondly, the poster said "Our country is not perfect, but name one better." Well, I think Canada is better. That's why I live here. (Okay, you do have WDW, which is pretty nice, but all the same I pick Canada.) In fact, the UN rates quite a few countries higher than the US in their "best places to live." You are perfectly entitled to think the US is the best country to live in, but many people around the world feel just as strongly about their homelands or adopted countries. And as the UN ratings show, there are objective reasons to consider several other countries better than the US.

I'm not bashing the US here, just wanting to remind you that there are people from many nationalities reading these Boards and that statements like this get under our skin.

Teresa

Well the one problem you have is to actually listen to what the UN says.

 

[duckfan78]

I think you might find this interesting.

What Does the "Leader of the Free World" Mean?



The term free world originated from the Cold War, when it was used to distinguish between democracies, specifically the United States and Western European countries, and the communist Soviet Union and its allies. As the United States led the war against communism, the President of the United States came to be known as the “leader of the free world.” This term is often used today because of the hegemony exercised by the United States and the power of the presidency itself. As president, a leader can begin a war, overturn legislation, and build diplomatic relations among countries.

Much of the power inherently understood within the term “leader of the free world” revolves around the president’s role as commander-in-chief of the military. The US army currently has over 1.4 million personnel on active duty. US bases are found in Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

The US also has the largest military budget in the world, which, as of 2006, is 441.5 billion dollars. This budget is six times larger than that of China, the country with the second largest military budget in the world. The number of troops within the US military is not as high as that of other countries, simply because conscription is no longer used.

Referring to the President of the United States as the “leader of the free world” is debated by other countries that also fought for democracy during the Cold War. There are also concerns about the use of the word "free". During the Cold War battle between ideologies, African, Asian, and South American countries, which cannot clearly be defined as democracies and therefore “free”, supported the United States and Western Europe. Currently, countries with non-democratic governments can be considered free.

Nevertheless, the term “leader of the free world” is still associated with the United States, although the international use of the term “leader of the free world” often refers to the country rather than the presidency. In addition to the military power that the United States has, the term also applies to the values and ideals for which the country stands: equality among all, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to pursue happiness.

Very nicely explained.

 

[mickeysgal]

Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change.

 

[LisaR]

Subscribing. Not putting an opinion on who should be Pres and this may or may not have been said before but I have a strong belief that whoever wants to be in the Oval Office should have served our country in the military.

I feel this way for Senate & Congress too. How can you vote our country into/out of war if you haven't laid down your life for it?

That's just my opinion.

And it would frighten me if our entire Senate and Congress was made up of ONLY those that have been in the military.

 

[graygables]

I appreciate that most Americans are very patriotic. But there are a couple of lines in the original post that bothered me, as a Canadian.

One is calling the American president "Leader of the free world." I know it's a commonly-used phrase in the US, but you know, Canada is a free country and the president is NOT our leader. Our government sometimes makes different decisions - such as the decision NOT to fight in Iraq, to support legal same-sex marriages, to give new mothers a year's maternity leave, etc.. You can say he's Leader of the most powerful country in the world, and I'll go along with that. But if the president is our leader, I want a vote.

Secondly, the poster said "Our country is not perfect, but name one better." Well, I think Canada is better. That's why I live here. (Okay, you do have WDW, which is pretty nice, but all the same I pick Canada.) In fact, the UN rates quite a few countries higher than the US in their "best places to live." You are perfectly entitled to think the US is the best country to live in, but many people around the world feel just as strongly about their homelands or adopted countries. And as the UN ratings show, there are objective reasons to consider several other countries better than the US.

I'm not bashing the US here, just wanting to remind you that there are people from many nationalities reading these Boards and that statements like this get under our skin.

Teresa

I'm a US Army Brat. Born, bred, and raised by an officer Dad who proudly served in Korea and Viet Nam. My family was stationed in Germany for 10 years and we had the opportunity to visit many other nations. My Dad was there the night the Berlin wall went up (and cut pieces of the original concertina wire) and he was in Berlin the day the wall came down (and has pieces he chipped out with a chisel borrowed from a 20-something German). He loves freedom, he loves this country and he taught us kids the same thing.

That said, what YOU have said hits the nail on the head. Americans in general have NO SENSE of the global community and see the world only through red, white, and blue glasses. If Americans (in general) could set aside the national arrogance for a few moments and consider that there might actually be another country that is "better" than our own, it would be eye-opening (and a miracle )

Punkin's remark, "Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change" clearly demonstrates the narrow-minded and patently offensive thinking that Americans (in general) promulgate by implying that somehow, Germans are not to be trusted and have not learned the lessons of the past. It's no wonder the rest of the world hates America.

 

[Nette]

And it would frighten me if our entire Senate and Congress was made up of ONLY those that have been in the military.

So we justify our statement that they should have military experience by saying that you can't lead if you've never followed... How do you justify your statement?

 

[LoraJ]

I'm a US Army Brat. Born, bred, and raised by an officer Dad who proudly served in Korea and Viet Nam. My family was stationed in Germany for 10 years and we had the opportunity to visit many other nations. My Dad was there the night the Berlin wall went up (and cut pieces of the original concertina wire) and he was in Berlin the day the wall came down (and has pieces he chipped out with a chisel borrowed from a 20-something German). He loves freedom, he loves this country and he taught us kids the same thing.

That said, what YOU have said hits the nail on the head. Americans in general have NO SENSE of the global community and see the world only through red, white, and blue glasses. If Americans (in general) could set aside the national arrogance for a few moments and consider that there might actually be another country that is "better" than our own, it would be eye-opening (and a miracle )

Punkin's remark, "Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change" clearly demonstrates the narrow-minded and patently offensive thinking that Americans (in general) promulgate by implying that somehow, Germans are not to be trusted and have not learned the lessons of the past. It's no wonder the rest of the world hates America.

Here here!!!

 

[LisaR]

So we justify our statement that they should have military experience by saying that you can't lead if you've never followed... How do you justify your statement?

Why do I need to justify my statement? Quoting a cliche' doesn't justify it. Who ever came up with "you can't lead if you've never followed?" I can point out plenty of good leaders that do not have any military experience. Last I checked, the congress and senate handle many different issues that have absolutely nothing to do with military concerns. I stand by my statement. I would never in a million years want our US Congress and Senate to be made up of only people that have military experience. Thankfully we live in a country that must agree with me because there are plenty of non-military leaders out there.

 

[LisaR]

I'm a US Army Brat. Born, bred, and raised by an officer Dad who proudly served in Korea and Viet Nam. My family was stationed in Germany for 10 years and we had the opportunity to visit many other nations. My Dad was there the night the Berlin wall went up (and cut pieces of the original concertina wire) and he was in Berlin the day the wall came down (and has pieces he chipped out with a chisel borrowed from a 20-something German). He loves freedom, he loves this country and he taught us kids the same thing.

That said, what YOU have said hits the nail on the head. Americans in general have NO SENSE of the global community and see the world only through red, white, and blue glasses. If Americans (in general) could set aside the national arrogance for a few moments and consider that there might actually be another country that is "better" than our own, it would be eye-opening (and a miracle )

Punkin's remark, "Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change" clearly demonstrates the narrow-minded and patently offensive thinking that Americans (in general) promulgate by implying that somehow, Germans are not to be trusted and have not learned the lessons of the past. It's no wonder the rest of the world hates America.

Hands down one of the best posts I have ever read on The Dis!

 

[Magic Mom]

And it would frighten me if our entire Senate and Congress was made up of ONLY those that have been in the military.

Why? You do realize our service men and women are an extremely diverse group with varying opinions, beliefs, experiences and backgrounds, correct?

 

[LisaR]

Why? You do realize our service men and women are an extremely diverse group with varying opinions, beliefs, experiences and backgrounds, correct?

Yep, I sure do and I think SOME would make wonderful congress members.

If it helps, as much as I would be opposed to a rule stating that they all must have military experience, I would be equally opposed to a rule stating they couldn't have any military experience. I do not think military experience is the end all, be all for effective leadership. I am very pleased that we continue to elect people that have served and those that haven't served.

 

[Planogirl]

I appreciate that most Americans are very patriotic. But there are a couple of lines in the original post that bothered me, as a Canadian.

One is calling the American president "Leader of the free world." I know it's a commonly-used phrase in the US, but you know, Canada is a free country and the president is NOT our leader. Our government sometimes makes different decisions - such as the decision NOT to fight in Iraq, to support legal same-sex marriages, to give new mothers a year's maternity leave, etc.. You can say he's Leader of the most powerful country in the world, and I'll go along with that. But if the president is our leader, I want a vote.

Secondly, the poster said "Our country is not perfect, but name one better." Well, I think Canada is better. That's why I live here. (Okay, you do have WDW, which is pretty nice, but all the same I pick Canada.) In fact, the UN rates quite a few countries higher than the US in their "best places to live." You are perfectly entitled to think the US is the best country to live in, but many people around the world feel just as strongly about their homelands or adopted countries. And as the UN ratings show, there are objective reasons to consider several other countries better than the US.

I'm not bashing the US here, just wanting to remind you that there are people from many nationalities reading these Boards and that statements like this get under our skin.

Teresa

I kind of understand how you feel. I was raised in two fine countries and it makes me wince sometimes when I see the comments made by some here. It's fine to think that your own country is the best but I dislike seeing other great places get slammed in the process. Plus I remember that people from other countries use these boards too and some of the things said are downright vicious.

Anyway, I don't know much about Canada but I like what I've seen so you won't get that nonsense from me!

 

[pr surfer]

I'm a US Army Brat. Born, bred, and raised by an officer Dad who proudly served in Korea and Viet Nam. My family was stationed in Germany for 10 years and we had the opportunity to visit many other nations. My Dad was there the night the Berlin wall went up (and cut pieces of the original concertina wire) and he was in Berlin the day the wall came down (and has pieces he chipped out with a chisel borrowed from a 20-something German). He loves freedom, he loves this country and he taught us kids the same thing.

That said, what YOU have said hits the nail on the head. Americans in general have NO SENSE of the global community and see the world only through red, white, and blue glasses. If Americans (in general) could set aside the national arrogance for a few moments and consider that there might actually be another country that is "better" than our own, it would be eye-opening (and a miracle )

Punkin's remark, "Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change" clearly demonstrates the narrow-minded and patently offensive thinking that Americans (in general) promulgate by implying that somehow, Germans are not to be trusted and have not learned the lessons of the past. It's no wonder the rest of the world hates America.

*clap*

BRAVO!!!

*standing ovation*

*hoots*
*hollers*

ENCORE!!

 

[sjaakie]

Even more interesting. I wonder if it even means anything this early in the campaign. However, it does seem to show that Obama's European tour did little or nothing for him. Maybe it's because people are still uncomfortable about a crowd of Germans hailing a little known charismatic leader who promises change.

How narrow minded.

Do you really think the normal plain German cheered for Hitler out of free will ?
It was just a matter of join them ore you would be seen a traitor.

We had relatives in German in WW2. They lost there only son. He died 17 years old,somewhere in Russia. His parents never knew where he died. "Somewhere under a tree"

Wars are always started by a few people and the whole country has to pay with the lives of there children.


And yes I am grateful to the American soldiers that freed my country.

 

[graygables]

awww, thanks for the kudos (we used to joke that I bleed camo and khaki and I was "Army issue" in the Biblical sense... ) I'd like to add that on my Dad's 70th birthday, he was the Veteran of the Day at the Magic Kingdom and participated in the flag ceremony. While I wasn't able to be there, my older DDs were and filmed it for me. It was way up there in the proudest moments of my life.

This same Dad is a professor in international telecommunications and while he still feels very strongly about our great nation, he also has the sense to see that there is more to this world than the U.S. and if we are to remain a great nation, our position in the global society must change and we must not be so culture-centric (and must stop the stereotyping of other cultures, as well).

Our way is not the only way, it is not necessarily the correct way, and we must stop trying to make everyone else in the global sandbox play OUR games. There are times when we need to realize that cultural differences exist to the exclusion of our form of democracy. And that's OK.

 

[ford family]

How narrow minded.

Do you really think the normal plain German cheered for Hitler out of free will ?
It was just a matter of join them ore you would be seen a traitor.

We had relatives in German in WW2. They lost there only son. He died 17 years old,somewhere in Russia. His parents never knew where he died. "Somewhere under a tree"

Wars are always started by a few people and the whole country has to pay with the lives of there children.


And yes I am grateful to the American soldiers that freed my country.

Revisionist claptrap.
How many Germans voted for the National Socialist Party and Hitler in the free elections of 1933? Over 17 MILLION.
Don't give me that rubbish about WW2 being the sole responsibility of a handful of socialist zealots whilst all the "good" Germans sat wringing their hands and hoping it would all be over. Many were out smashing up Jewish businesses on Krystalnacht or queueing to join the Wehrmacht or the SS so they could steal land and possessions across Europe from people they considered inferior human beings.
The Allied Forces, who were composed of far more than just American soldiers by the way, were fighting an army made up of ordinary Germans hellbent on following their Fuhrer's plans for world domination. The only reason for Germans pretending otherwise is because they lost.

ford family

 

[sjaakie]

Revisionist claptrap.
How many Germans voted for the National Socialist Party and Hitler in the free elections of 1933? Over 17 MILLION.
Don't give me that rubbish about WW2 being the sole responsibility of a handful of socialist zealots whilst all the "good" Germans sat wringing their hands and hoping it would all be over. Many were out smashing up Jewish businesses on Krystalnacht or queueing to join the Wehrmacht or the SS so they could steal land and possessions across Europe from people they considered inferior human beings.
The Allied Forces, who were composed of far more than just American soldiers by the way, were fighting an army made up of ordinary Germans hellbent on following their Fuhrer's plans for world domination. The only reason for Germans pretending otherwise is because they lost.

ford family

Wow it seems you where there.

How can you judge an whole nation ?