-
Elections in America
Today I read in the newspaper that there will be a festival of the American democrats party where Michael Jackson will be present, Bill Clinton will be present with his saxophone.... and the festival should collect millions of dollars! During the elections I heard the campaigns costed many millions of dollars.
I was wondering, why do you American spend so much money on election campaigns?
-
Because we're so damn cool.
Seriously, because to get your message out to 250+ million people spread out across such a large area takes a lot of money. Also, because we like a spectacle.
Why do you Europeans care so much about what we do?
-
in the UK i understand we have a limit on how much can be spent by each party.
seems sensible.
i believe in the US there are no limits so therefore,
more money=more publicity etc=more votes.
in The Netherlands, you're probably too stoned to vote anyway:D
-
Because it is a corrupted system runed by the corporations. It stops ordinary people from real power. Only corporate approved canditate can get elected. It's a shadow democracy. Money talks. without big flashy tv campaigns the average american want bother to find out what the canditate stand for. VOTE NADER
-
>Why do you Europeans care so much about what we do?
Well, I'm just interested why you American do things that we don't.
In the Netherlands we don't give money to a president candidate. The president candidates have to convince us that hey will lead our country in a good way. The candidate who attracts people most because of his ideas and plans will get the most votes. But he will have to do it by his self and his party.
>in The Netherlands, you're probably too stoned to vote anyway
Well, I think you are referring to Amsterdam isn't it? I can tell you: AMSTERDAM IS NOT THE NETHERLANDS!! It's just a stupid city somewhere in the west of our country where people lay stoned or drunk in front of your house or are visiting the hookers.
I'm from the northern part of the Netherlands and we don't like those people from the west very much.
-
> Well, I'm just interested why you American do things that we don't.
I know - I'm just so damn sick of people saying "Why do you stupid, filthy Americans do this really negative thing?" like the US is the cesspool of the world and it's the fault of every American citizen.
> In the Netherlands we don't give money to a president candidate. The president candidates have to convince us that hey will lead our country in a good way. The candidate who attracts people most because of his ideas and plans will get the most votes. But he will have to do it by his self and his party.
That's still similar to the states. No one says you have to donate money - that's why it's a donation. I sure as hell don't donate.
-
Elections?
They said something about voter apathy, but I don't really give a ...........
-
>I know - I'm just so damn sick of people saying "Why do you
>stupid, filthy Americans do this really negative thing?" like the
>US is the cesspool of the world and it's the fault of every
>American citizen.
Well, I don't say you are stupid and do negative things. I was only saying that you do things in a different way and I'm wondering why. By the way, it's not only Americans which I ask questions like this.
America takes leadership in military and political world events, so America is a quite wellknown nation. I'm quite sure that you American know less of Europe than we know about America. That's not a negative fact, it's just telling that the European press is more interested in American politics than American press is interested in European politics. I don't know why that is and I don't really mind, since I already know about Europe and want to learn what's going outside of Europe.
-
:)
ive been to Amsterdamme and thought it was a nice place.
very clean, not much litter. of course it has its bad areas.
in fact i think probably The NEtherlands is one of the nicest places in Europe.
i did in fact partake of the coffee bars, but the weed is FAR too strong for me !!!!!!
didn't bother with the prostitutes tho, just a bit of window shopping !!
-
I've been to Amsterdam several times, sure there are nice things. But I think I don't like the people of Amsterdam. The people in the west seem to think that they are superior to the people in the north and east. I don't mind that they are thinking that, but I don't like it when they are in the north or east and treat the people like idiots.
-
well ive only been to Amsterdam and surrounding areas so can't comment. we have a bit of a north/south divide in the UK, mebe were all a bit intolerant of different people.
-
>mebe were all a bit intolerant of different people.
Yes, I think that's in the nature of the human being... well, it's in the nature of all living on this planet. If something is strange to us, we treat that something which is different as something hostile, until we learn more about it.
-
so take yourself off to Amsterdam and make friends !:) :)
just dont partake the weed, unless you're used to it, or you'll be floating around all day !!
-
campaign finance reform:
currently(in the united states) people are limited to $1000 donations. interest groups are limited to $5000. "soft money", money indirectly contributed, is unlimited. the current campaign finance reform bill before the president soon will cut soft money in the federal government completely, and raise limits on "hard" money, direct contributions.
limits on party spending can't happen because that's against free speech. limiting soft money is a grey matter also because of free speech. this year is the first time in ten years that the same campaign finance bill passed both the senate and the house of representatives. better yet, bush said he'll sign. it would be political suicide not to.
-
The American Democracy: what a load of crap.
It's more like a bunch of popular wealthy people with heart problems (i.e. Chaney) who gather and talk about nothing while no one cares (proportional to the population) and nothing happens. At this point America is a real poserish democracy. We've lost ourselves in beaurocracy and hipocrasy.
America should fess up and stop being ridiculous.