Please Vote On Tuesday

[Bravus]

Dear American Friends

I'm not telling you who to vote for; that wouldn't be fair. (OK, I assume those who know me can guess who I'd *prefer* you to vote for!) I'm just saying, please exercise your democratic rights to vote this week. Those of us in the rest of the world are deeply effected by the outcomes, but don't have the vote. You have the privilege of running the world's sole superpower. We hope you'll run it responsibly, for all our sakes.

[Amelia]

Already voted Bravus. Here in Oregon we do it by mail.

[Bravus]

Awesome: good onya.

D

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Voted here too. erhmmm...also Oregon..

kept looking for an honest politician:

[Amelia]

Did we get the same ballots? I didnt see any on mine. ROFL

[Naomi]

Usually vote via mail but this time I am going to go and vote in person.

It's really difficult to know all the various candidates and make an informed choice.

The usually understated but important people are those in the justice system ... and those who may be in a position to appoint them.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Washington County (Oregon) had a large number of positions to fill...and a few ballot measures.

Kinda silly in most spots - only one person running for the position, but you had to vote for him/her or write in a name (I was sorely tempted to write in someone's name).

[John317]

In California, too, vote already cast by mail. By the way, news of Saddam's future hanging just now in.

[olger]

Let me get this straight. An Australian is asking Americans to vote liberal?

olger

[Dr. Shane]

Well, I was happy when the Austrailians re-elected President Howard. I was also happy when the Mexicans kept the PAN party in power. So I take an interest in other nation's elections too.

But regardless who wins this mid-term election it won't impact forgien policy since that is determined by the executive branch and Mr. Bush isn't up for election.

[Bravus]

Quote:

Let me get this straight. An Australian is asking Americans to vote liberal?

olger: nope, I very explicitly said I'm not telling anyone which way to vote. (the parenthetical comment was a recognition of a reality, not in any way a coded instruction) Vote for the local Republican candidate by all means, if you believe that person has integrity and is the right candidate to lead the country. It's actually more of a case of an Australian, from a country where voting is compulsory, but knowing of countries where people would die to have the vote, being perplexed by the fact that so few Americans exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities by voting.

And Shane, my turn to correct you on Aussie politics, as you have so kindly done for me on US politics several times. Mr Howard is the Prime Minister of Australia. We don't have a President, we have the Queen. (OK, we share her with the UK and Canada.)

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

Mr Howard is the Prime Minister of Australia. We don't have a President,

I thought that was the case but must have been fed some bad info after that election. A Prime Minister typically isn't elected directly by the people. Normally the majority party in control elects the Prime Minister or a coalition if no one party has enough of a majority.

[olger]

I think it's time for a third party with some good ideas, instead of the concrete hatred of the other two.

[Bravus]

Amen

[Amelia]

Quote:

I think it's time for a third party with some good ideas

I would welcome a third party. If only one could organise themselves into a solid group with a platform that didn't change with the wind.

[Planey]

A Prime Minister typically isn't elected directly by the people. Normally the majority party in control elects the Prime Minister or a coalition if no one party has enough of a majority.

Correct, Shane.

Which is exactly what happened this time. The Liberal Party/National Party coalition won a majority of seats. John Howard was leader of the Liberals going in to the election and was (as expected) retained as leader after the victory.

Because he was the incumbent leader, the media (and indeed the general public) often use the shorthand "John Howard was re-elected as Prime Minister" despite the process actually being as you stated.

Graeme

[Dr. Shane]

I would like to see a third party even if they didn't have a platform. An independant party, for example, where independants could run for the party's nomination and if nominated, recieve party funding for campaign and a voice in public debates.