Iowa Hiho!

[annielaurie]

Why is that Annie, hardly seems very fair or democratic.

Because it is all about big politics and big money, and a big reputation nationwide.

The candidates must qualify on many levels of competence and experience in politics. It is generally expected that they have held an elected office at some point, and they must know how to raise huge amounts of money for campaign funds.

They must have a following and lots of popular support, and have made a name for themselves politically, nationwide. This is why most candidates are Democrat or Republican and are senators in Congress or reps in the House of Representatives.

Most of the other party candidates are simply not recognized on a national level, they are unknowns and don't have enough money, so no matter how qualified they are nobody will notice.

[Rorschach]

So the Presidency is bought then?
The President would owe rich people favours?

[Neferti]

So the Presidency is bought then?
The President would owe rich people favours?

Annie is a Leftie. If Obama loses, watch the keyboard go berserk.

[annielaurie]

So the Presidency is bought then?
The President would owe rich people favours?

Yes, that's about right, unfortunately.

It's difficult to get a pres with the right balance of honesty, transparency and discretion who can also deal with the "rich people expecting favors" while still keeping his promises to the people, and that has been part of Obama's dilemma over these past four years.

I think he has done well, considering how difficult the job really is. He cannot please everybody. He cannot simply pass the laws he wants, or change things the way he wants with the stroke of a pen at his desk, he has to face a hostile Congress that is predominately Republican and determined to bring him down and block him every step of the way.

An American president can't do just whatever he wants, he has to keep the checks and balances, he has to be as fair as he can, he has to answer to the American people, and a lot of times his hands are tied by Congress and cannot fulfill some of the promises he made while campaigning four years ago.

If Romney wins tomorrow, next January he will face the same problems in office that Obama has faced, and very little change will become apparent across the country, at least not at first.

[annielaurie]

Annie is a Leftie. If Obama loses, watch the keyboard go berserk.

Not so fast, Nef. I am registered as a Democrat, but have on occasion voted for a Republican candidate. This is because I vote according to which candidate I think would be the best of the two choices.

In 2004 I voted for Bush for his second term because I couldn't stand John Kerry and his nitwit running mate John Edwards. In 2008 I voted for Obama because I couldn't stand McCain and his nitwit running mate Sarah Palin.

This time even though in some ways I am disappointed with Obama's performance, I am voting for him again because I don't like Mitt Romney or the policies he stands for: big corporations, insurance companies run rampant, cuts to programs for the poor, and so on.

I might not say much of anything tomorrow, no matter who wins. We are stuck with the winner, of course, but who knows how it will all turn out in the next four years.

[Neferti]

Annie is a Leftie. If Obama loses, watch the keyboard go berserk.

Not so fast, Nef. I am registered as a Democrat, but have on occasion voted for a Republican candidate. This is because I vote according to which candidate I think would be the best of the two choices.

There you go, Annie. In Australia we do NOT register as a a Leftie or a Rightie. We just have to put our names on the Electoral Roll when we reach 18 or move house. So we have a REAL secret vote.

America is NOT democratic.

In 2004 I voted for Bush for his second term because I couldn't stand John Kerry and his nitwit running mate John Edwards. In 2008 I voted for Obama because I couldn't stand McCain and his nitwit running mate Sarah Palin.

Big Deal!

This time even though in some ways I am disappointed with Obama's performance, I am voting for him again because I don't like Mitt Romney or the policies he stands for: big corporations, insurance companies run rampant, cuts to programs for the poor, and so on.

Whatever.

I might not say much of anything tomorrow, no matter who wins. We are stuck with the winner, of course, but who knows how it will all turn out in the next four years.

Nobody really cares. What does Romney's wife look like, Does she have fashion sense unlike Obama's woman who looks crap?

[annielaurie]

Okay, that's fine Nef. But whatever.

[Neferti]

Okay, that's fine Nef. But whatever.

Yank politics is entirely different to Australia.

I was serious about Mitt's wife? What does she look like?

[Aussie]

Can anyone fill me in on Jill Stein?

By "anyone" you probably mean someone from the US, however. Jill Stein is a Greenie.

Check Wikipedia for her background. h[url]ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Stein[/url]

If you can find a photo of this Lady, I'm sure you can find one of Mrs. Romney.

[Aussie]

This is Mrs. Romney: