What is up with Americans and politics?

[trailmix 77]

Ok, I don't care who you are supporting or why - this is not about that - I would just like for you to explain, if you don't mind - what this fascination is with politics and politicians in the United States.

I'm not downplaying politics, it is important to follow issues, to know what is going on and to be able to contact your representatives to speak out and also to be informed when voting.

What I don't understand is why you all hash this out ad nauseum?

This is truly not critical...I just don't get the draw.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Look at how far ahead potential presidential candidates begin running. In Canada, elections are over and done with relatively quickly, whereas in the U.S., campaigning can go on for a couple of years easily before the actual election itself. Plus, the news media reports on every action the president (and practically anyone else, unless they merely sit and do nothing) performs, from sending troops into Iraq to his colonoscopy results.

Then there are only two main parties -- the Democrats and the Republicans. Even if you don't totally agree with one of them, chances are the other will piss you off even more. In addition, the U.S. has tons of polarizing topics, such as abortion, racial equality, gender equality, religious equality, firearm ownership, healthcare coverage, welfare, current & past military actions, illegal immigration, and I'm sure a whole lot more, too.

While Canada may have some of those, the incessant fighting between those who're for or against one issue is rarely as rabid. Basically, the American people are inundated with politics.

[Welshcookie 17]

Ok, I don't care who you are supporting or why - this is not about that - I would just like for you to explain, if you don't mind - what this fascination is with politics and politicians in the United States.

I'm not downplaying politics, it is important to follow issues, to know what is going on and to be able to contact your representatives to speak out and also to be informed when voting.

What I don't understand is why you all hash this out ad nauseum?

This is truly not critical...I just don't get the draw.

I am Welshcookie and I approve this message.

[SpiritAlight 1]

It feels like the Jerry Springer mentality.

Let's not look at the real issues: health care, the environment, healthcare, and sling tons of mud around.

How fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Do you want me to tell you what's up?

Everybody thinks they know everything and those who do not agree with their opinion are wrong.

What I've learned in life is not to talk about politics nor religion. People just waste their time, get angry at each other, and think they are is going to change the other person's view by voicing the differences, well, WRONG. For them the only thing coming out of ones mouth is bla bla bla bla and what's coming out of theirs is worth a Nobel Prize.

I just lay back and enjoy the show from time to time i feel the urge to voice my opinion but I haven't changed anything, people will have different points of view, at least it makes life more entertaining

Edited October 21, 2008 by GueraYTavo

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

America ain't for the light hearted, beeyotches!

[Heracles 417]

Look at how far ahead potential presidential candidates begin running. In Canada, elections are over and done with relatively quickly, whereas in the U.S., campaigning can go on for a couple of years easily before the actual election itself. Plus, the news media reports on every action the president (and practically anyone else, unless they merely sit and do nothing) performs, from sending troops into Iraq to his colonoscopy results.

...

While Canada may have some of those, the incessant fighting between those who're for or against one issue is rarely as rabid. Basically, the American people are inundated with politics.

The difference there is that, like in Aus, they actually get something done and the results for both countries speaks for itself. I mean I have never lived in country where so much emphasis is put on elections and a politicians character, popularity, while very little on their actual performance. The system is also silly since the president has a two term limit, whereas the senators can be in for as long as they like. In reality it should be the other way round.

Then there are only two main parties -- the Democrats and the Republicans. Even if you don't totally agree with one of them, chances are the other will piss you off even more. In addition, the U.S. has tons of polarizing topics, such as abortion, racial equality, gender equality, religious equality, firearm ownership, healthcare coverage, welfare, current & past military actions, illegal immigration, and I'm sure a whole lot more, too.

The US has been in a battle with these sorts of topics since the 60s'. Where it became all about rights issues rather than, for example, what can we do to actually lift up minorities and successfully integrate them into society. To this day the country is battling about rights and who is to blame, while the rest of the developed world is working on improving their actual living standards. Then on top of the you have the 2008 battles of:

Red vs Blue

Redneck vs Elitist

South vs North

Atheist vs Religious

Liberals vs Conservatives

White supremacist (wankers) vs Minorities

Six, SVRT vs Intelligence

Gay vs Conservative

As Amby would say, kiss and make up; then get over this bull #######. The country is rapidly fall down the ranks of most international living standards (health, education, infrastructure etc ) yet the country is still fighting over irrelevant topics.

America ain't for the light hearted, beeyotches!

Is that what you call it.

:lol:

Edited October 21, 2008 by Aficionado

[Gemmie 142]

I'm pretty sick of seeing/hearing about the US elections here every day. All over the news, the paper, in conversation... yet no one cares about the UK events!

[PlatyPius 5]

I can't explain it either.

I decided on who I was going to vote for, now I've had to wait for months to actually do so.

I only reply to political topics when someone says something REALLY stupid, or is WAY too full of themselves. I don't post "My Candidate is the Bestest!!! Yours Sucks!!!" topics.

We don't vote for people based on their ideas and proposals; we vote for people because they look like us, think like us, pray like us, or talk like us.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

My husband's theory is that it's because we don't have football (soccer) to absorb all our petty tribalism - like some Liverpool fans will hate Man United with an all-consuming passion, so will "Repugs" hate "Dems". Thinking about it - the political parties even have team colors and mascots. The only thing missing is fights in pubs.

[Teacher Mark 53]

America ain't for the light hearted, beeyotches!

[Mononoke28 137]

Ok, I don't care who you are supporting or why - this is not about that - I would just like for you to explain, if you don't mind - what this fascination is with politics and politicians in the United States.

I'm not downplaying politics, it is important to follow issues, to know what is going on and to be able to contact your representatives to speak out and also to be informed when voting.

What I don't understand is why you all hash this out ad nauseum?

This is truly not critical...I just don't get the draw.

Ohhh, this is NOTHING compared to what happens in Colombia. Just think, the US gets all excited about politics mainly once every 4 years. In Colombia, because of the civil war, is constant. It's more like a past time and I have to be honest and say that I can't get enough of it. Just think of it as "The Young and the Restless" times 100.

Diana

[mawilson 2,133]

Ok, I don't care who you are supporting or why - this is not about that - I would just like for you to explain, if you don't mind - what this fascination is with politics and politicians in the United States.

I'm not downplaying politics, it is important to follow issues, to know what is going on and to be able to contact your representatives to speak out and also to be informed when voting.

What I don't understand is why you all hash this out ad nauseum?

This is truly not critical...I just don't get the draw.

Some people watch football or baseball.

Others (like myself) watch the news. I personally find US politics a lot more entertaining than sports.

[Sprailenes 47]

I agree. I don't understand it at all, and I don't understand how people can get so hateful towards eachother. My husband and his cousins always get into massive arguments during election time, and I just don't think it's worth it.

This is my first time watching an American election from inside the fishbowl, and I just want it to be over already.

[Peikko 1,575]

The time scale is totally stupid for presidential elections.