Lemme at first, congratulate you American people who voted for Senator Barak Obama and hope that he would lead your country to great success.
However, I think it's a bit unfair to restrict voting for the next US president to American citizens only. Who leads the White House leads the world. That's why; non-American people should have electoral rights to elect the president they like.
I'm not American, but if I had the right to vote then I would vote for Senator John McCain. The reason why I would vote for that aged senator is because of his attitude concerning the withdrawal of the US army troops out of Iraq. I totally agree with the republicans that the US troops shouldn't leave Iraq soon. There is a lot of work still need to be done on the ground. Iraq hasn't built strong military and Police establishments yet. Their army needs some more time to be strong, immune and firm against any possible threat.
Therefore, leaving Iraq alone is simply not the change we need, dear Obama.
15 comments:
Well, I agree that it would be unwise to hastily withdraw the American troops.
Still, McCain was talking too much of new wars the Americans should expect to be fighting so my support was clearly with Obama.
On election night I heard some interview snippet that calmed my worries some. I don't recall the exact words, but in that bit Obama was talking about a responsible ending to the Iraq war... which sounded to me like leaving himself a backdoor for leaving the troops there should it appear necessary.
While I voted for McCain, I am happy for those people in my country for whom the election of Barack Obama is so important. I can only hope that he will be a moderate president.
I sent you an e-mail awhile back, Caesar. Hope you got it. :)
Melantrys,
You're incorrect there. It was Obama, not McCain, who was talking about invading Pakistan (certainly that would count as a new war). He wants to pull troops from Iraq and use them in Pakistan. I don't know if that's what he'll end up doing, but that's what he said on the campaign trail. McCain urged keeping the troops as long as necessary in Iraq and said that we'd go on offense if necessary.
By the way, you might enjoy my comments on the German media over at "German Joys." Check his last entry and look for lovable Jeffrey from New York.
Caesar,
Over at IBC, you're in my first entry on the Arab reaction to Obama's electoral win:
Arab Response to Obama's Election.
Lynnette,
I can only hope that he will be a moderate president.
Me too.
*
lol! i like the idea of non-american voting. its a reasonable request since they do control most things. their economy fluctuates and so does everyone else's!!
I find it ironic that a supporter of John McCain would like to see non-Americans vote for U.S. President. Polling from around the world indicates that 80% of non-American voters favored Barak Obama. If you had voted, then your vote would have been matched with four others for Obama.
Also, it is up to Iraq to decide what is best for Iraq. That is not a decision that the U.S. President to make. I voted for Obama because he understands that. The Government of Iraq wants the U.S. to leave, and we should leave.
Nick,
The government of Iraq has the final call. They can choose not to sign the SOFA which will bring a halt to our activities in Iraq. If that happens, there is a very real possibility of Iraq backsliding into more violence. If the government of Iraq wants to do what is best for their country they will make sure they understand all of the ramifications of their actions.
I think it is a given that people want our troops out of Iraq, but if it is at the expense of Iraqis who just want to return to a normal life, the price is rather high.
If non-Americans want to vote in U.S.elections, let them adopt the U.S. Constitution first. Perhaps if Iraq became the fifty-first state...
Personally, now that both major U.S. parties apparently believe in big-government/budget-busting solutions to economic problems--
(if they want to help create jobs, why not just cut corporate taxes? If you want to help the banks, why not just cut capitol gains taxes?)
--I'm looking for a country that believes in Adam Smith economics.
cmar II,
(if they want to help create jobs, why not just cut corporate taxes? If you want to help the banks, why not just cut capitol gains taxes?)
Too slow. The immediate problem was the freezing of credit, which was happening at an alarming rate. Tax cuts wouldn't even have an effect until the new tax year.
The commercial papaer market had started to dry up, hurting businesses that needed short term funding. That has only started to revive now after the government put in place its temporary program to buy up commercial paper, using part of that bailout money.
They're trying to reverse a psychology of fear and you needed something pretty dramatic to do that. Until we see more confidence in lenders we will see a continuing deterioration in the economy. It's hard to dry up that glut of foreclosed houses without buyers being able to get a loan. It's hard for car makers to sell cars if their buyers can't get loans.
Someone once said that the economy of the United States is like an aircraft carrier, it doesn't turn on a dime. We're going to be in a world of hurt for awhile, but hopefully they have averted a more serious scenario.
I would tend to disagree on allowing non-citizens to vote. There are some US citizens who I feel shouldn't be allowed because they make no effort to be informed. Regardless, I would've like to have seen neither win but then again my vote was a long shot in the first place.
@ Mel,
I wish if they can sign that "Status of Force Agreement" soon in order to guarantee the existence of the US troops on the Iraqi soil for some time.
I hope also that Mr. Obama wouldn't make rush decisions to pull the troops outta Iraq.
@ Lynne,
Have you seen "deep impact" movie? Morgan Freeman played the role of the president of the United States. I have always been asking myself: "Why cinematographic works such as "Deep Impact", "24"and features an Afro-American president while actually there wasn't any so far in the American history? Is it possible that one day we can witness a black* president in the White House?".
And yet again, America proves that it's the land of dreams and opportunities. Where impossible is nothing.
* I rather prefer to follow the style Seinfeld's hilarious character of not being racist when he calls it "Afro-American Eyed Peas". ;)
Yeah, I checked my inbox and I found your mail and I promise to write to you back ASAP. :)
@ Jeff,
Yea, man! I agree with you there. Actually I have seen that on a televised debate when Obama posed the possibility of bombarding Pakistan, McCain replied: "You shouldn't have said it loud, my friend!".
Anyway, Melantrys wasn't totally incorrect there. McCain also used to speak frequently about using firmer procedures concerning Iran nuke program.
Caesar, Over at IBC, you're in my first entry on the Arab reaction to Obama's electoral win. Thanks for the reference. :)
@ Dreamer,
Hi5 to my fellow-country! Most of stock markets ups and downs, USA has a direct or indirect relation.
@ Nick,
The Government of Iraq wants the U.S. to leave, and we should leave.
Wtf?? Who said that?
The Iraqi government didn't mention anything about rejecting SOFA as a whole document. They had some issues concerning the sovereignty of Iraq and they presented their modifications about it.
@ cmarr,
I think Lynne has said the words of my mouth. ;)
@ matt,
What should I say? America knows best!
Caesar,
I think the United States has been ready for an African-American president for some time. It's just that no one has stepped forward to even try. I have always liked Colin Powell for the position, myself, but he has refused to run. Anyway, I hope that Obama makes his choices wisely. :)
As a soldier who has been to Iraq, I wish every day that America had not invaded your country. Yes, U.S. troops are indeed rebuilding the Iraqi Army and Police forces, yet we were the ones who destroyed these forces in the first place, and we the reason for extremists coming from other counties in order to kill and maim first and foremost the Coalition forces, while heightening sectarian tensions between Iraqis. I speak out against the invasion because I saw more death then healing, more harm then good being done by U.S. and coalition forces there. I hope that Obama will work with the Iraqi Government and remove U.S. forces as soon as possible. If I am incorrect, please forgive me, But as I stated already, I did not see what the U.S. did as a good thing, but as a shameful thing, lying to the world and to ourselves about Iraq and 9/11.
Hi Caesar, I am very happy that Barak Obama was elected President. Of course, I can understand your concern about how the American forces will be withdrawn. I hope that Obama will be careful and go slowly. I care about my friends in Iraq!
It would be insane to allow non-U.S. citizens vote, in my opinion. No other country would allow this sort of thing, and we shouldn't either. We are a sovereign nation, and only its ciizens have the right to choose who will lead it. If the rest of the world doesn't like it, the oh well! It is a cocky sort of viewpoint, but I won't apologize for it. We are one nation, not one world. We shouldn't hold global elections, just as Iraq shouldn't. Their people should decide on their leaders, just as we should.
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