Global poll - what do you think?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Global poll - what do you think?
22
Tue, 10-07-2008 - 11:25pm

I read this article on the Reader's Digest website and I found it really interesting.

Chrissy
mom to Aidan 8/21/03
Grayson Blaine 12/30/07

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 7:16am

Honestly, I don't give a rat's posterior who the rest of the world wants as President of the US.


First, all they would be interested in is how we treat them, as opposed to any domestic policies.


Second, what makes you think they have the best interests of the US in mind?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 8:55am

<<Honestly, I don't give a rat's posterior who the rest of the world wants as President of the US.


First, all they would be interested in is how we treat them, as opposed to any domestic policies.


Second, what makes you think they have the best interests of the US in mind?>>


I want to begin by saying that whether it was intended or not, I'm definitely

Chrissy
mom to Aidan 8/21/03
Grayson Blaine 12/30/07

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-25-2008
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 9:04am

LOL, I am the queen of typos, I hear you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 9:55am

no hostile intent towards you heavenly.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2007
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 10:26am

<<Others, such as Venezuela, Iran, China or Russia actively wish us ill, and I would suggest provide a strong incentive to vote for whoever they don't like.>>


I understand your concerns but for the purpose of this poll I think they are unwarranted. Did you read the article and the links provided within the article? With the exception of Russia, the countries you mention that "actively wish us ill" were not part of the poll. Here's another link for more information.


http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/presidential-election-08-global-poll/article102098.html


Chrissy
mom to Aidan 8/21/03
Grayson Blaine 12/30/07

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2005
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 10:46am

I definitely would not say that what other countries want is immaterial. There are only 2 ways for a country to lead the world - have everyone else respect you, or have everyone else fear you. The reality is, most of the world does NOT respect us right now.

It funny that you talk about France and others having a patronizing "older brother" attitude. I dont see it that way at all. When we decided to go to war with Iraq, France disagreed, and AMERICANS were the ones acting badly. Remember Freedom Fries? Of course, the fact that it turned out that France was right and we were wrong (no WMDs, no Iraqi ties to 9/11) doesnt seem to enter the consciousness of many Americans.

How others view us as a country has a huge affect on diplomatic relations, and therefore a huge impact on whether we are able to conduct foreign affairs the way we wish. It affects how much support we get in wartime operations, and humanitarian operations. It affects trade. IMO the biggest job facing the next president is repairing our relationships with people who have historically been our friends.

The last 8 years have severely damaged how people in other countries see us. Bush and the Republicans have expressed some very arrogant views IRT foreign nations. They appear to think that the US is the only source of intelligent life on the planet - b/c they certainly dont listen to anyone else. Well, the UN was right on Iraq (WMDs), we were wrong. We should learn from that.

Have you traveled outside the country in the last few years? Talked to people? I went to Australia right before the 2004 election and got an earful from people about how much they disliked GWB, how arrogant he was, could the US really vote for him again... Australia. Not Venezuela, not Iran - we're talking about countries that are supposed to be our friends.

It's not that we should listen to foreigners opinions about who should be president - of course that is America's decision. But how other nations see us affects our country.

Edited b/c of an unfortunate word choice




Edited 10/8/2008 11:08 am ET by addieandclairesmom

Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 11:06am
I can remember being in Ireland two summers ago.

 


 


I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2008
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 11:24am

I agree that "it matters" what other countries think about us, but what I am saying is that in terms of selecting a President, we, as US citizens should focus on what is good for the US, not what other countries want us to do.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2005
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 12:01pm

"I agree that "it matters" what other countries think about us, but what I am saying is that in terms of selecting a President, we, as US citizens should focus on what is good for the US, not what other countries want us to do. The two are sometimes congruent, more often not."

I dont disagree with that.

Some of what I hear from conservatives, and the impression I got from your post, is that we shouldnt care what the world thinks. We should. Whether that influences a voting decision or not is up to the voter, but it deserves consideration. IMO Bush doesnt care what the world thinks - he has shown time and again that he thinks he knows better than everyone else. And that's a very dangerous way to be.

Photobucket


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2008
Wed, 10-08-2008 - 1:05pm

~First, all they would be interested in is how we treat them, as opposed to any domestic policies.~


As an aside, not entirely, no.