I love checking the world and her opinion. So often we just look for our US news tycoons for advice and information and forget that there is a whole world out there doing similar journalistic activities as our own journalists in the US. This blog will be short as I just want to share one idea and in no way does this show me as a supporter of what is going in Iran right now!!! I am strictly talking about a more worldly perspective when it comes to news and where we get it.
So here it is. www.presstv.ir is Iran's "the first Iranian international news network, broadcasting in English on a round-the-clock basis." It "aims to offer expansive news coverage, specifically delving into Middle Eastern current affairs." Source. Why I am citing this is because of the poll that it was taking on the homepage. The questions was: "In your opinion why is it that apart from Republican and Democratic candidates, the nominees of other parties are marginalized in the US presidential race? Because: 1) Only these two parties are qualified to run the country 2) The Dems and Reps have better financial resources 3) The US electoral system is undemocratic and flawed.
I chose an answer to the question and was struck by the response to the poll! A staggering 79% thought that answer three was correct: "The US electoral system is undemocratic and flawed", 19% chose answer 2 and 7% chose answer 1.
I am in no way sure about the people contributing to this poll, who they are, where they live, or how educated they are of the US electoral system in the first place. However, the numbers are quite telling nontheless.
I recently heard a poll taken across Europe telling that about 8 out of every 10 people want Obama to win the election. 80%?!?!? That is amazingly high and something I believe is quite important. Yes, our country first. But I say the other countries a close second, third, fourth...194th. (The US State Department recognizes 194 countries in the world).
We must begin to actually think globally for both our sake and the sake of others. We must start eating with the planet in mind. We must start thinking about our carbon footprint with our neighbors and children (present or those to come in the future) in mind.
I finished with a mini soap box. Not too bad for being the 8th blog post so far.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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Some good questions, mon frer.
ReplyDeleteI would say that any human institution is inherently flawed, and there's nothing wrong with that. The thing we need to ask ourselves, however, is are we holding on to something because it's "how we've always done it" or are there improvements to be made? I think the worst mistake anyone could make is to hold on to anything for the sake of tradition. There are some great aspects to tradition, but if it's impeding progress, why cling to it? What makes us human is our ability to adapt, learn from our mistakes, and THINK. If we're not thinking, then what are we?
I've said it, you've said it: true democracy only works with an informed public, and I would venture to say most Americans are not the least bit informed. I'm not one to say the the electoral college works or doesn't work. All I know is that it's possible that we're intellectually handicapped enough that we need it, and it's also possible that it's outdated.
As far as other countries are concerned, I think it's important to take the global perspective into consideration, because the world as a whole is much more important that our own pride, or even our own interests. Also, most of the world has no say in our elections, but most of the world has to live with the results. Like it or not, we influence the world in massive ways, passively and directly. It is staggering, the weight Obama has on the global community, and I think it's telling as to who the right candidate is.
However, most of the world probably doesn't have a grasp on American issues, political or otherwise. So, I don't think it's wise to put our fate in their hands, just as in the end, my decisions are my own and no one else can make them for me.
That being said, I have no conclusion, except to vote for Barack Obama, which I would have done anyway.