16 out of 17 countries want Obama as US pres

[Wagner]

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10...red-countries/

What does that tell you....S O C I A L I S T

Ironically, the same number of countries would like the US taxpayers to give them 700B dollars

[JGQ]

As an American from an international background I am not surprised. You can break down his international appeal to two key points:
1) Personal Appeal:
- He is racially mixed (While and Black)
- Father from Kenya ( a developing African country),
- lived abroad (has a sense of the larger world not just the US).
He is breaking so many "Mental" barriers that you can’t help but to root for him

2) Foreign policy appeal:
He is saying that he is willing to talk to anyone and have a diplomatic discussions on any topic if it resolve a conflict; a clear departure from the current administration. We saw what “going it alone” did to the US and the world in general.

IMHO it is not socialism, it is the man and his world views.

Now as a US voter, I am not a big fan on the tax increase or the big spending plans that are not accompanied by single program elimination. I am concerned about his health care plans... but these are all Domestic issues the world voters don't care about.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by JGQ

As an American from an international background I am not surprised. You can break down his international appeal to two key points:
1) Personal Appeal:
- He is racially mixed (While and Black)
- Father from Kenya ( a developing African country),
- lived abroad (has a sense of the larger world not just the US).
He is breaking so many "Mental" barriers that you can’t help but to root for him

2) Foreign policy appeal:
He is saying that he is willing to talk to anyone and have a diplomatic discussions on any topic if it resolve a conflict; a clear departure from the current administration. We saw what “going it alone” did to the US and the world in general.

IMHO it is not socialism, it is the man and his world views.

Now as a US voter, I am not a big fan on the tax increase or the big spending plans that are not accompanied by single program elimination. I am concerned about his health care plans... but these are all Domestic issues the world voters don't care about.

And his "world view" is that government is the answer to the problems citizens have. IMO.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by JGQ

2) Foreign policy appeal:
He is saying that he is willing to talk to anyone and have a diplomatic discussions on any topic if it resolve a conflict; a clear departure from the current administration. We saw what “going it alone” did to the US and the world in general.

IMHO it is not socialism, it is the man and his world views.

There are a lot of us out here that are big fans of the US. We like Americans. We want America to be successful. I personally think a strong and successful America is good for the world. The trouble is, when America acts like a bully on the world stage it is discouraging.

There was a good article written right after the Obama rally in Germany. An American commentator (I forget which one) asked, and I am paraphrasing from memory here: "Why is it so difficult to accept that what the world seems to be expressing an interest in (a more open and balanced relationship, for example) is so wrong for America? Why is it considered a bad thing for our allies to get along with our government?"

I will look for the article, it is worth finding the link to it.

[Wagner]

The United States of America has to heal itself first, IMO, worrying about world impression and world problems can not always be on the forefront of US thought. I'd be the first to say that all too often the US gets involved when it shouldn't. For example, I feel that foreign policy should be decided by Congress via votes, not decided upon by SoS and the President and modified every 4 years. I also feel the USA should cut back severely on the amount of 'aid' we ship out. There will always be a very large contingent of countries that don't like the USA for one reason or another. We can't continue to worry, as a nation, about 'well why do they not like us?'. We have to set standards for ourselves and live by them. If other nations like them, great, if not..so be it. The USA for better or worse continues to be the nation that others look to in a time of crisis but we can't always worry about global perception IMO.

I have a hard time believing that a farmer working his field in the mid-west or eastern shores of Maryland right now has a great concern on how France and Spain view his country. And for the 80 +/- years that the average citizen will graze upon this planet, worrying about opinions of peoples and places you will never see or meet can not and should not be your primary concern. IMO.

[GUINNESS]

Originally Posted by Wagner

The United States of America has to heal itself first, IMO, worrying about world impression and world problems can not always be on the forefront of US thought. I'd be the first to say that all too often the US gets involved when it shouldn't. For example, I feel that foreign policy should be decided by Congress via votes, not decided upon by SoS and the President and modified every 4 years. I also feel the USA should cut back severely on the amount of 'aid' we ship out. There will always be a very large contingent of countries that don't like the USA for one reason or another. We can't continue to worry, as a nation, about 'well why do they not like us?'. We have to set standards for ourselves and live by them. If other nations like them, great, if not..so be it. The USA for better or worse continues to be the nation that others look to in a time of crisis but we can't always worry about global perception IMO.

Well said. Fix the problems at home first before spreading yourself thin "fixing" everyone elses's issues. I'm not saying just shut yourself off and don't do it. But a lot of the focus needs to turn back on your own people.

[AzX5]

Originally Posted by JGQ

As an American from an international background I am not surprised. You can break down his international appeal to two key points:
1) Personal Appeal:
- He is racially mixed (While and Black)
- Father from Kenya ( a developing African country),
- lived abroad (has a sense of the larger world not just the US).
He is breaking so many "Mental" barriers that you can’t help but to root for him

2) Foreign policy appeal:
He is saying that he is willing to talk to anyone and have a diplomatic discussions on any topic if it resolve a conflict; a clear departure from the current administration. We saw what “going it alone” did to the US and the world in general.

IMHO it is not socialism, it is the man and his world views.

Now as a US voter, I am not a big fan on the tax increase or the big spending plans that are not accompanied by single program elimination. I am concerned about his health care plans... but these are all Domestic issues the world voters don't care about.

Wrong, IMO. Any Democrat would get the same level of appeal internationally. Just look at Clinton and Kerry and Gore. Last I checked, none of them were bi-racial or were willing to talk to Ackmademepuke without pre-conditions. Wagner has it right -- Socialism.

[JGQ]

I am not sure that any Democrat will get the same appeal internationally?! I don't think Kerry would have gotten the same crowd in Germany as did Obama. And if they do it would be because of the same world views which are in contrast to the current administration.
His racial makeup does play to some. How many? I don't know.

I may be truly wrong and it is not due to what I think. That said, I still don’t think socialism explain it either??

By the way, why socialism is such a bad word? Considering how high the taxes we pay, it would be nice to have some benefits back while maintaining the private sector option!

My understanding of bad socialism is that they raise your taxes, create a behemoth government, and eliminate the private sector option. We already have the first two without the benefits!!!!!

If I am wrong on that one too, I am ready to be enlightened... and I am not being sarcastic

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by Wagner

I also feel the USA should cut back severely on the amount of 'aid' we ship out.

Obama plans to double the amount of foreign aid we provide to the world. I wonder where he plans on getting the money. I also wonder how in light of the financial situation he is going to do ANYTHING in his plan he has laid out for America.

Obama...Spend, Spend, Spend. McCain...Stop Spending. In light of our situation it seems McCain is the better choice given the times we are facing.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by JGQ

I am not sure that any Democrat will get the same appeal internationally?! I don't think Kerry would have gotten the same crowd in Germany as did Obama. And if they do it would be because of the same world views which are in contrast to the current administration.
His racial makeup does play to some. How many? I don't know.

I may be truly wrong and it is not due to what I think. That said, I still don’t think socialism explain it either??

By the way, why socialism is such a bad word? Considering how high the taxes we pay, it would be nice to have some benefits back while maintaining the private sector option!

My understanding of bad socialism is that they raise your taxes, create a behemoth government, and eliminate the private sector option. We already have the first two without the benefits!!!!!

If I am wrong on that one too, I am ready to be enlightened... and I am not being sarcastic

Take a look at taxes is socialist countries.