It’s election week in the United States. I am an American. The election is hot news, not only in the United States, but all over the world. These are all facts. Even with all of these facts, I have had little to say in regards to the US Presidential Election. Over the past few months, I have regularly gotten e-mails from readers asking me why I have not addressed the subject. Some have even asked me why I haven’t “endorsed” a candidate for the US Presidency. So, with the election happening within hours, I figured I would address the subject, but perhaps in a different way from what some might expect.
OK, the big question that I keep hearing from people is this – “Who are you supporting to be President of the United States?” The answer to that question is something I have struggled with over the previous months, but I have come up with an answer, and am ready to share it with you.
Who do I support?
Nobody.
Frankly, I don’t see either of the major candidates who gets me excited, or who’s policies I can get behind. I see pluses with each candidate, and I see negatives with each as well. I have come to the conclusion that overall, I don’t think it matters greatly which candidate is elected. On some issues, I would think that one would be better than the other, but on other issues, I think that the other candidate would be better. Thus, I have decided to remain undecided.
I think that a big part of the reason that I cannot commit to one candidate or the other is that I am an expat. I have not lived in the United States for more than 8 years now. I have not even visited the United States in that time. About the closest I have come to the USA in the last 8 years is a telephone call to family or friends there. Because of my absence from the United States, I think that the issues that are of concern to me are different than what most Americans are concerned about. Certainly, neither candidate has addressed the issued that concern me.
I do not believe that either candidate has policies that will benefit my new home any more than the other. At least, nothing has come up in the campaign that would lead me to believe that one candidate or the other has much interest in policies that would benefit the Philippines at all.
Now, I am sure that some of you are thinking that I am being short sighted, because the election is about more than the Presidential race. After all, the composition of the House of Representatives and the Senate will also be decided! However, as an expat, I am not eligible to vote in any race, except the election of the President and the Vice President of the United States. Having no residence in the United States means that you become eligible only to vote in Nationwide races, and there are only two offices that are nationwide – President and Vice President. So, even if I wanted to, I could not vote for any other offices, except for the two mentioned.
So, because of my inability to see any real reason to get behind either of these candidates, I have chosen to remain relatively silent on the subject. It simply is not a topic that I have a great interest in this year. That is kind of suprirising to anybody who knows me well, because since I was about 16 years old, I have been active in politics and campaigns, working in grass-roots organizations in every election season for the past 30 years. Not this year, though.
Although time can change a lot of things, ideas and attitudes, I already have my eye on somebody for the 2012 or 2016 race, though.
Whoever wins the election on Tuesay, I do wish the best for my country. I am ready to support the President as best I can, regardless of who the winner is. I hope that the real winner is not Obama or McCain. I hope that the real winner of this election is the American people.
Sidenote: The comments section will not be allowed to be turned into a campaign area, no badmouthing one candidate or another. I would prefer to keep the comments focused on expat voting and that sort of thing. No name calling and such, because I will delete those comments. That’s not what this site is all about. There are plenty of “Politics Sites” where you can easily get into heated discussions, not here, though. Thank you for exercising self-control on this matter.
About MindanaoBob
I would like to know how any person thinks that they
vote to elect the President of the United States!
The people that run for President are selected by
other than the People. The people select (suposedly)
from the persons that are offered by the people that
have chosen them.
In most states the popular vote comes down to “winner”
takes all of the electorate votes. So One vote is what decides
which electorates vote.
Those electorates vote which ever way they want and are
not bound to which side chose them.
Ie. if that was the case Bush would not be president today.
Thanks
Hi Preben,
If I can be permitted to answer on behalf of the Scots in this circle, no we never forget our country our culture or our heritage where ever we may be. I have lived in Africa (Nigeria) for 10 years and England (Durham) for the last 18 years and always been able to celebrate our national bards day(Robert Burns) or our Patron Saints day (St Andrew).But I’m also British and sometimes I try and forget that at times depending on the political shenanegans going on.
its only Nov 3 here in Ca, but I am looking forward to vote tomorrow. The presidential election is not as hot as Proposition 8. Yesterday, thousands of supporters of both YES and NO lined the main streets of our mall, causing traffic and police intervention. So Proposition 8 ( GAY Marriage) is attracting more attention than OBAMA and McCain, since OBAMA is leading by double digits according to the poll.
It is an exciting election for the Katague family- our vote for President is split. My wife and son is for McCain. My daughter and myself is for OBAMA. May the best man win!
Good Day to ALL!
Hi Bob,
What it came down to, for me, is to vote for the candidate who still believes in the United States of America. I would hate to see this country be ruled by those whose intention is to abolish the Constititution. I also love to see a woman’s voice be in a more prominent seat in Washington besides as first lady – a refreshing idea. I believe, this presidential election, has a lot to do to topple the structure of the country more than the economy.
I compare this time period to the years of revolutionary period 1762 to the spirit of 1776. There maybe an attempt to revise the Constitution (?).
Hi Preben- Yes, whenever I see an American flag or some other symbol of my country it gives me a little rush in my heartbeat and a feeling of pride. I think that will be the case forever, no matter how long I stay in the Philippines.
Hi Vincent- Yes, of course it is the Electoral College that makes the final and official vote for President. However, those folks are chosen by the people, and I don’t think there is a case when they have ever gone against the wishes of the people.
Hi David B Katague- You really do have a split household there! Might lead to some fighting amongst the family!
Yes, I think that an Obama win in California is a certainty!
Hi Marcelina De Lorez- Long time since we heard from you! I hope you are doing well. I hope that whoever you support, he is good for the country.
What an interesting discussion. Lots of varying viewpoints and no ranting. Commendable in what is really a timely column on civics.
It is interesting to me how much blame President Bush gets. He is far from perfect. But let’s let history judge whether the challenges he faced should have handled things differently with the information he had. He did what he thought was right and lots of folks voted with him and his decisions. It is very easy to be a Monday night quarterback.
Anyone vaguely familiar with the system knows that congress is the law maker and controls the purse strings. The President can only agree or veto.
What may be happening is lots of folks in Congress are voting for their pocketbook or their incumbency rather than for the interests of the U.S. They should recall that they are United States Representatives and United States Senators and as such, their first responsibility is to the country as a whole.
Maybe that explains why their popularity is far worse than the Presidents, even when his is bad.
I agree that it is not only a privilege but also a responsibility to vote. I receive the benefits, I should exercise my responsibilities. There are no benefits without responsibilities.
I doubt that many U.S. expats will forego their social security benefits when the time comes.
Who you vote for is nobody else’s business. Whether you vote is everyone’s business.
The microscope of running for office should not keep any good person from running. No one expects perfection. We all do want to know exactly who we are electing, based on their character, experience and judgment. The process is not unlike that of our marriages. None of us thinks that we have the perfect spouse. But I suspect that we all spent some time getting acquainted before we cast our “marriage vote”.
Historically, in the U.S., people have put their personal interests aside and chosen to give some part of their life to public service. Jack Kennedy said it best, “Ask not what your country can do for you. . .”
It’s time that we get back to voting for what we think is best for the country, our state, and our community rather that what is in it for me personally.
As for the U.S. and world financial system, this is not the end of the world.
Of course the playing field has changed dramatically this year. I don’t like many of the “solutions” better than anyone else. But what I do notice is that there is international consensus in the process, even if though most is motivated by self-interest. At any other time in history this would have caused a major collapse. We learned from the crash of 1929.
We have had such a long run of growth and prosperity that many folks have not experienced a downturn and have been in denial that it could ever happen again.
This is the latest version, not anything new.
The point is that after an adjustment period, things start recovering. Interestingly to me, no one was complaining when things were flying high and they were the beneficiaries of the system.
Those that set something aside for a rainy day are just fine. Those that were highly leveraged have felt the sting.
Reward is always balanced by risk.
Do you know the difference between a recession and a depression? A recession is when YOU don’t have a job. A depression is when I don’t have a job.
P.S. Great shot of the eagle.
Hi R L Graham- very interesting and insightful comment. I don’t agree with 100% of it, but I agree with most of what you say.
That quote of the difference between a recession and a depression? That’s from Reagan, during his campaign for the Presidency, against Jimmy Carter in 1980.
I will be voting for the candidate that loves America. For the candidate that served America. For the candidate that is not ashamed to wear the American flag. For the candidate that is proud to be American. That person is not Obama.
Hi Bobby- I’m glad that you were able to find a candidate that suits you. Good luck!
Hi Bob – I’ll try stay clear of any political commentary. My wife & I actually voted 3 weeks ago (just in case we would be out of the country by Nov 4). Our first votes as American citizens & they went to Obama (actually my 4th presidential vote – 3 in the Philippines — If Obama wins, he’ll be the first candidate I voted for who actually won, haha).
I actually feel good about my vote. As you know, I follow the news consistently & certainly keep myself informed. I admired McCain in 2000, but this time, I’m 100% behind the other guy. I feel he represents a lot of things I believe in. You know, that one
Also, David Katague’s comment above was spot on. California’s 55 electoral vote is a forgone conclusion, but prop 8 is a hot topic. it’s very close, making it even more exciting on election day. we voted no on prop 8 (amendment to ban gay marriage).
was that too much political talk? I hope not. One thing I can say is that I can now easily compare Philippine voting (that also includes the senatorial/mayoral elections & overseas voting) with US voting. Boy, no comparison. It was a breeze here in California & minus the uneven chairs & blue ink! But then again, I don’t live in Florida…
By the way, I still plan to vote in the Philippine Presidentials 2010. I’m just a guy who isn’t comfy with debating issues when I didn’t even cast a vote. That’s not a knock on you since you simply declined to say if you voted or not.
We’re almost reverse expats, you & I. I practically moved here the same time you moved to Mindanao.
Hi macky- Nice to hear from you! When I first started reading your comment, and you said that you voted 3 weeks ago, I first thought you were going so say you already voted 3 times! Ha ha… Of course, you aren’t in Chicago, though. You know what they say there – “vote early and vote often!”
Interesting to read your comparison between US voting and Philippine voting. I have voted in 6 Presidential elections now. This was the hardest one, though. For me, anyway.
Both of these fine gentlemen have put their heart and soul into their campaigns. they both are for the greater good. Not voting is wrong. You should not be selfish but rather selfless. Understand the facts and how it relates to the world as a whole vote. God Bless the voting process.
Hi Robert Hobbs- Not casting a vote is a vote in itself. Yes, I agree that each man has tried hard, but that does not mean that I agree with their policies. There is nothing selfish about that.
American Politics is always quite interesting for us British to observe from outside. In my adult life, I have never actually seen an american presidential candidate who actually soundsto me like a real live human being. The insincerity they appear to display seems almost like some kind of satirical comedy programme. In the UK, of course, we don’t elect a leader as such; the Prime Minister is the leader of the party which wins most seats (as distinct from votes), and that is only assuming that he or she manages to win their own personal seat, or they would not be a member of parliament anyway, and therefore ineligible. In fact, the system dictates that we vote for a candidate and their party, with no certainty that the current leader of that party will be elected at all. The aim of the system is that people should be voting for the policies of a party, and less so for individual personalities. Their are definitely plusses and minuses to both systems. Unfortunately, as a somewhat cynical observer/participant in the political process, it seems to me that worldwide, we elect our governments based on the least incredible candidates. I think the current US election is interesting because of the various issues involved. Some have suggested that Obama may be hindered by a percentage of “closet racists” who may be a sizeable so far undeclared percentage of the electorate. Who knows, but not long to wait now to find out. The analysis afterwards will inevitably be excessive and quite outstandingly boring imho, but in that particular respect will be interesting.
Electoral College – There is no such thing. It is just a media tag.
The Electorates are not the final vote they are the only vote for the President.
When in history did a person vote to elect an electorate. Never!
The Electorates are chosen by party members not by the people.
There have been several times when the electorate vote has gone against
the popular vote, and as I mentioned the latest was the last election between
Bush and Gore where Bush was declared the president by the Supreme Court.
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/faq.html#takeall
In 48 out of 50 states its a winner take all so in those states the only vote
that counts is the odd vote and the one that determines which electorates
count.
Hi Jim Hannah- It is my sincere hope that a person’s race plays no role in the vote today. I hope that the talk of the “Wilson Effect” and voting based on race turn out to be nothing but talk.
Hi Vincent- The US Constitution specifically spells out the Electoral College and how it works.
Congratulations! You now have a new President!!
Hi Ellen- I hope that President Obama can handle the job. As I said in the article, I am willing to support whoever is elected, and hope for the best. I am fully behind Obama, and I pray for his success.
Hi Bob- Now the US has a new president I hope this is also a new beginning for the worlds ecomomy where greed is put aside and common sense prevails for a change.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim- I don’t see how Obama could possibly put greed aside, based on the fact that he supported the $700B bailout package. I do hope, though, that he sees the light, and that he does move in the direction of common sense.
Hi Bob- From where I’m sitting, I would have signed the agreement myself just to prevent fiscal chaos as to be frank there was no alternative for the US and Britain. It’s not over yet so only time will tell but I cannot fathom your logic of calling him greedy when Bush & Co letf the nation in the mire not the Democrats.
Hi Jim- Firstly, I did not say that Obama himself is greedy. I said that his vote, and his policy supported greed. That is two different things.
Frankly, the financial crisis started with the whole sub-prime mortgage mess, which was implemented by the Clinton administration, not “Bush & Co”.
Anyway, as I have said, I am willing to give President elect Obama my support to see if his programs work or not. I also hope that he has great success.
Morning Bob, Ah yes it’s finally over!! I really think the greed came from the Loan companies and Banks that lent money to idots that try to live beyond there means! And the trickel up caused Gaints like AIG to take the rest of the world with them… At least Obama is talking to people like Buffet,Gore, and a few other that have money and want to make more. A green enviorment could fly, and the US leading the way!!
Hi Ed O’Brien (O’Bie)- I agree that talking with Warren Buffett is a good move. Talking with Gore is of no value, IMHO. We’ll see how he does. Here’s hoping for the best.