Politics: Barack Obama - Making History

[Ariane Chan]

Well. I just want to say I am delighted, completely overjoyed, that Obama won. Not to offend any McCain supporters here, but I would be horrified if he won - was totally dreading hearing my radio breakfast show telling me he'd got it. ><;; I'm not really into politics, nor is my knowledge of it very good, but I thought I'd start this thread for those who would like to post their opinions and feelings about Obama's win. He won by a landslide in terms of the states, but in terms of overall votes, Obama and McCain were actually very close. Did you want Obama or McCain to win? Are you surprised Obama won? And do you think America and the rest of the world will change for the better with Obama at the helm?

There is without a doubt Obama has made history. I think that people may sniff and say: How is it history just because he's a black man? Well, considering America's history, I think Obama's win is historical; it shows how far America has come. It is also history in the making, of course; ten years, fifty years down the line, we will look back and remember this day - did we choose the right man? Did he raise America or did he fall with it?

*sits down with cupcakes and stares at you all with infinite patience* I don't think we've ever had a politics discussion on 4Houses. ;D

[Ivy Tunstall]

Hmm I was wanting to start one of these a couple of days ago but then didn't have time to. I'm interested to know how the American voting system works. I have lots of questions!

It was on our news that people had been queuing for four and half hours in order to take part in 'early voting'. Is 'early voting' only allowed in specific places? Are there less polling stations where you can go to cast an 'early vote' than there are for votes on the actual day? How long would you normally wait to vote on the actual election day? (I don't think it's ever more than a few minutes at my local polling station). At what age do you get to vote in the USA?

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Oh goodness, let me answer the easy questions first. You get to vote at 18 here in the states. Voting is controlled by the individual states in America; so, it's up to each individual district or state on how they do early voting. In TN, I think we actually had more early voting stations than we did voting places on election day. Normally, you can vote anywhere in your county early, but on election day you have to go to your assigned precinct. Waiting times vary. In my first election, there was hardly any wait, but just recently its become normal to at least have an hour wait depening where you live. Fortunately, I walked straight in yesterday.

I really can't get into politics. I will get into a bad argument. I'm too conservative for my own good. *shhh, don't tell anyone*

[Julian Fallon S7]

Much like Cass, I walked straight in yesterday without any problems. Although you do have to register to vote, it's a simple process. Just fill out a piece of paper and show identification that you are who you say you are and that you are of age. As to early voting in Mississippi, I'm not entirely sure as to how many early voting stations there are around here. I do know that there are tons of stations set up on Election day though. I can think of 6 or 7 that were just within 10 miles of me in any given direction. One luckily was within walking distance, as it was set up across the street from my home at our local community centre.

I did go vote, I must admit that I did vote for McCain. It was more for Palin though. Even though Obama has made history by being the First black president (keep in mind he's also the first multi-racial president as well), I'm not entirely sure that he's the right choice, but then again, I'm not sure that McCain would have been the best one either. I really don't feel that we had a really good choice this year. I can only pray for the best.

[Josephine Bowman S7]

Let's just say out of the choices this election I exercised my right as an American citizen not to vote. Really I didn't even see the lesser of two evils in our choices and since a write in would be a throw away vote I opted to just forget it and move on.

I am neither upset nor angered by the choice of president, just hope he does a better job than the one before him and that he doesn't get any soldiers killed (though the Republican in me cringes).

[Mary Evans]

I know of at least two Obama supporting parties held here in Toronto. Personally, I wanted him to win, just because... I prefer his party's leanings. Wish other Canadians felt the same and had voted properly here haha. But everyone I know in Canada wanted Obama to win - but then that is Toronto which is known as a very Liberal city, the Conservatives don't even really try to campaign here because they know it's useless.

I know someone mentioned that they feared for his life, should he be made president. But... people would still probably go after him if he lost, they would still just just as mad that he got close, and then he wouldn't have the same protection as he does now so... for that I am certainly glad he won as well. Think of all the damage to the country it would do if he were killed.

Here there are less early voting places, I did that about a month or so ago and just walked in but... I was early voting and voting in Canada where... well there isn't so much of the world paying attention lol.

So glad politics are over for another few years! Having our elections running around the same time was really making me cringe at how low and slimy politics have become, it's no longer about saying why you're the right choice, it's about saying why the other person is the wrong one... and that's just appalling. And I stay out of it for the most part, can't imagine how disgusted I would be if I actually listened to it.