By Lord Chris Smith, Special to CNN
Editor's note: Chris Smith is a member of Britain’s House of Lords and a former Secretary of State for Culture and Media in the Tony Blair government. This is the second in a new series looking at how the world sees the U.S. election, and what the Obama presidency has meant for ties with other countries. The views expressed are the author's own.
When Barack Obama was running for office four years ago, and then being triumphantly elected that November, the overwhelming view in Britain was that he was exciting, intelligent, inspirational, and offered the chance to move away decisively from the dark shadow that George W. Bush had cast over virtually the whole of the rest of the world. Polls taken here regularly showed between 70 percent and 80 percent favorability for Obama, a view shared right across the political spectrum.
The Bush effect should not be underestimated. We had all watched with fascinated horror as the Florida ballots were counted and re-counted back in 2000. We had been shocked and moved by 9/11, and had wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends. But we had been appalled by the decision to go to war in Iraq, and the mishandling of everything that followed. We were already puzzled by the close affection apparently demonstrated by our own prime minister, Tony Blair, towards Bush; but when he plunged into Iraq alongside him Blair’s popularity and support in Britain took a nose-dive – and has never really recovered. Obama offered something very new and different, and we loved what we saw.
Four years on, things are different – inevitably – but not hugely so. There is less of the excitement and inspiration, yes, and there is considerable disappointment that he hasn’t lived wholly up to the promise of the earlier campaign. The disappointment, though, is tempered by an acknowledgment that it has been almost impossible for him to get anything through a deadlocked Congress, and most British politicians are heartily glad that we don’t have the same extreme balance of power here. A British government can, within reason, get on and do what it sets out to do: held to account by the court of public opinion, of course, but able to govern with a much greater degree of certainty.
Despite the deadlocks and the willful “oppositionalism” of the Republicans, however, there is general admiration for the fact that he has managed to achieve quite a lot: the stimulus package (in contrast to the austerity approach that is bedevilling European recovery), the health care reforms, and a more open-hearted approach to international relations, especially. A clear majority of the British people would endorse a second Obama term without hesitation.
In case you might be thinking that “he would say this, wouldn’t he” – being a politician of the center-left – I would hasten to point out that this is a view shared by most of my Conservative friends and colleagues too. You have only to look at the nature of the Republican Party to see the reason why. The Republican Party of Eisenhower and Rockefeller has vanished, and in its place has come a hard-right, anti-government, socially conservative, economically extreme-liberal party that somehow manages to convey a combination of callousness and nastiness almost as a matter of pride. The labeling of the British National Health Service as a creation of Soviet-style tyranny is a case in point. The NHS carries massive support across every single political party in Britain, and is deeply loved and cherished. The denial of the reality of climate change is another. The fact that our global climate is changing, already, as a result of man-made emissions is – again – accepted across the political spectrum here. The proposal to legislate for gay marriage has come, here in Britain, from a Conservative prime minister. The Republicans are simply way out of step with the British center-right.
There’s another worry with the Republicans, too. If a Romney-Ryan administration were to take over, especially with a Republican Congress behind them, dominated by voices from the Tea Party, the likelihood is that economic policy in America – pulling back sharply on public spending and programs whilst liberating the wealth of the wealthy – would plunge the U.S. economy back into recession. The world needs a growing U.S. economy in order to begin to recover, itself. Our British economy needs a progressive, growth-orientated American administration in order to be able to pick itself back off the floor.
So “Obama without illusions” is where the British are placed right now. We know the current president isn’t perfect – even if we permitted ourselves a brief hope, four years ago, that he might be. But he’s the very best we have, or are likely to have, and we’re all keeping our fingers firmly crossed for November 6.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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WORD = GOP Association
Old People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Sick People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Poor People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Female People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Non-white People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Non-christian People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Unemployed People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Gay People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Glob of cells in a womb = Something we PRETEND to care about just to get votes.
Gun Control = Something ELSE we PRETEND to care about to get dumb redneck votes.
How STUPID.
Accurate though
Replace "GOP" with "Politicians" and it's more accurate. Anyone who thinks either of these parties is working towards anything besides getting more of their members elected took the blue pill.
"How stupid"! Who do you refer to? the GOP Word Association poster or the author?
Lord Chris Smith made a point about the GOP. As Romney was asking whether London were ready for the Olympic Games, the general public in Britain asked, whether he were ready for the presidential office.
Guest, you nailed it. Both parties are killing us. The Repubs never met a war they didn't like and want to spend us into oblivion with it. The Dems never met a social program they didn't like and want to spend us into a oblivion with it. Let's start the Common Sense party. Standards for education, experience, and rational thinking abilities required.
No, you're STUPID.
Yeah, right. .. You have your GOP opinion , which match exactly with Christ Smith point of view about GOP..
As long as the GOP and DNC can get us to hate each other, they don't have to worry about American citizens revolting against them. What they really fear is a new party. Hate and vilification helps them keep the two party system going.
Will your Common Sense Party have a ticket on the ballot for Nov 2012? No?
Then who do you support NOW?
Your choice will determine how likely a "Common Sense" Party will succeed in 2016 or 2020, so you have to make one, and vote your choice.
So, who do you support NOW?
This is the USA unlike the UK and its royality and luke warm democratic government we have a democratic republic.
We elect our leaders. I know you would love to name O bama as our king. No way, we were once rule by a king and we fought and won our independance. Who give an sh** what the UK thinks.
It's not just the Brits, or the Canadians. Read what the folks down-under think at http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/australians-deluded-on-meaning-of-us-election-20120827-24wia.html
For "A Citizen of the U.S" whose comment was "How Stupid", you are "Stupid". I am an American citizen and I say, shame on you. Stupid is as stupid says and does. You are the "stupid". The truth was said here by this writer and you shame America by not recognizing the truth when it spits you in the face.
Good one!
A really good piece. Thank you, Lord Smith for writing the truth as it is.
England has it right, we do not need right wing fanatics.
Within our political system, the right wing extremist Republicans remind me of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Although they won't behead folks, they will, if given the chance, force their extremist, unfair, greedy agenda down out throats and the middle class, poor, women, those without insurance, senior citizens, and the sick and disabled will be the losers. Also losers will be research and development, infrastructure repair, and education. This bunch of economic upper class thugs will take this country backward for at least 4 decades and destroy every safety net program that the Democrats and Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson managed to get adopted years ago. Republicans are the enemy of everyone but the rich and the military. Say Hell no to them and their selfish agenda in November before it's too late. Trickle down economics has never worked and won't work this time either. Last time, we nearly paid for it with another great depression.
Militarily the US still has the upper hand. This power alone doesn't earn the country repect, if it is run by a bunch of leaders, who can't be taken seriously by others in the international community.
We don't need a monarch ruling over us either.
James S, the Republicans really don't care about the Military when considering the rank-and-file. Their concern is for the concept of "THE Military" and the defense contractors. Not whether the equipment that the Army/Navy/Marines/Air Force doesn't want doesn't work; not whether the pay for the members of the armed services is fair and equitable; not whether the families of active duty members can receive medical care; not whether veterans are taken care of (especially regarding service related injuries and illnesses). No. Their only concern is can they get money for defense contractors in their home districts and states, and can they steal a military base from a blue state and require the local school district to accept the sudden influx of students without granting them the funds needed for facilities.
It is very important that Britain likes our president. That should priority above our economy.
As an Englishman living in USA i can tell you i wouldnt expect Chris Smith to say anything else. A former member of Tony Blair's labour party (in England known as the Socialists) writng a piece still in praise or Obama is not a shocker. . Obama is following the failed policies of 1960/70's Europe. Whatever happened to the great USA land of opportunity. Why do some people over this side of the pond knock everything this great country stands for ? By following the present path this nation will be heading the Euro way. God help us all. America, remember what JFK once asked of you and stop standing there with your hand out.
Mosin – you should really study english law, the queen does not rule, power rests with the elected government. The civil service, police, armed forces and judicary act in her name to ensure freedom from political interference, but the laws enfocres and the policies implemented by the civil service are those passed by the govt.
England has it right, we do not need right wing fanatics. No, I have not already said that!
Nope, we just need a government that subsidizes everything and renders half of its population not working and begging for handouts.
Andy, what? You mean as it was at the end of Bush's rein?
No, he means right now.
In England, your guilty until you prove yourself innocent. CNN fits right in...
Andy thinks he means right now, but he doesn't even get it. The half that get government handouts includes people who invest large sums of money in the "right" companies - in other words, a lot of rich people are actively getting government handouts. About (1/3) of the government handouts go to the well off.
Yes, the poor do, too - and there are more poor now, thanks to a nasty recession on job outsourcing (both engineered by the Bush administration and its policies). Obama may or may not be helping to fix the economy, but blaming him for the poor needing assistance is a stretch - and blaming him for the rich who greedily take handouts, too, is utterly ridiculous.
Lol, yeah... A bunch of socialist has beens like old OB, what a surprise.
Half the country asking for handouts....I wish conservative sheeple would stop repeating this statistic. We have a baby boomer population that have all reached the age of needing social security and medicare. We also have corporate greed that has laid people off to increase profits. Its not like half of America just decided to stop working so the government can take care of them. When you listen to all the rhetoric instead of considering what is really going on, you make ignorant statements like "half the country asking for handouts". If you're not filthy rich then you're not even part of the republican plan so stop shoveling their crap.
RealityBites
what are you talking about. The presumptiom of innocent until proven guilty and fair trials / judgement by a jury of your peers has been enshrined in UK law since 1215 – google the magna-carta. UK is also signatory to the various human rights declarations and the ICC – which the USA has not even signed up to.
Since Democratic policies won't actually result in anything at all like that, Andy, you don't have to worry.
Quite right glenrobert. I live in Tampa, and believe me, after 3 days of Tea Baggers invading our city and 3 nights of strident angry and misleading speeches, I am more than relieved to see the right wing extremists leave. I, like Chris Smith, am keeping my fingers crossed that this country has the sense not to vote against their own interests and re elect President Obama. By the way, I have relatives still in the UK and their sentiments are very similar to Lord Smiths
Yeah thats about right.
UNALTERED QUOTES:
1) I WILL PRESERVE AND PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, AND I AM DEVOTED AND DEDICATED
TO HONORING MY WORD IN THAT REGARD.
2)I BELIEVE STRONGLY IN PROTECTING LIFE...... PLANNED PARENTHOOD, WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF THAT.
Your post seems to indicate that you think the other party cares about this stuff to a greater degree. That's a sad delusion. Both major parties pretend to care about whatever they have to in order to trick you into voting for them. Open your eyes and think about it instead of just mindlessly posting this screed on any article that mentions the GOP.
I didn't bother to waste my precious time watching and listening to the GOT's KKK convention rally last night but I read some excerpts from the convension. For example, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said that the Obama administration is fiscally unstable and is driving America off the fiscal cliff. The last time I checked, unemployment in NJ was 9.8 percent, the highest in 35 years and Christie has done nothing to reduce that statistic. All he has done is slash domestic programs and stimied the middle class while giving large tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires or flying the the state helicopter to see his son's baseball game, costing tax payers $4000. Outrageous! Other teapublicans talked about how their ancestors came here as immigrants and worked hard and "didn't rely on government help or handouts." Before President Obama took office, 4.4 million Americans were unemployed and I doubt for a minute that the 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act meant to stabilize the economic crisis the GOP created or to create jobs and put Americans back to work could ever be considered handouts. And while it was government assistance, I wonder what the GOP would have done differently to stabilize the economy and help these unemployed Americans put food on the table and keep a roof over their family's heads while they look for work. Yet the right wing hypocrites are still accusing the President of not doing anything to help the American people. Ludicrous!
Blah, are you trying to say that Obama has no accountability on our economy?
And why in the world would you think a convention would be all factual, they are about getting excitement going for their base - it's not like you are going to vote for the GOP.
They are politicians. Surely you're smart enough not to buy the garbage spewing out of either side of this government.
Please...today...check yourself into Extreme Left Wing Propaganda Rehab. You need help
Right on.
Left wing propaganda? Really? Have you seen the WMDs? We invaded a sovereign country at peace time to ignite a war that has destabilize an entire nation, causing sectarian violence and civil unrest that has accounted for more than half a million deaths including those that the Bush war machine caused, all over bogus WMD lies. Abandoned and prolonged another illegitimate war in Afghanistan to invade Iraq, raising havoc on our national debt and murdering more innocent people, yet GWB, Condaleeza Rice and Dick Cheyney are still on the f-ing campaign trail, promoting their evil policies once more while they have been exonerated from being executed in the f-ing Haige and you have the f-ing audacity to talk about f-ing left wing propaganda? Brainwash fool.
blah: and it was such a peaceful place before Bush go there. Change your handle to "I only believe in things that support my world-view"
As a Republican myself who is not enamored by Obama and the damage that he has done the country, I must agree with Lord Chris Smith of the UK. I was in Great Britain after the 2008 election and the Brits were thrilled to death that Bush was gone and Obama was president. My party, which has been hijacked by extremists and which does NOT endorse smaller government, individual liberty, or peace abroad, is out of step with the rest of the western world. Indeed, it is frightening the rest of the western world.
UNALTERED QUOTES:
OBAMA DIDN'T CREATE THE RECESSION, BUT HE MADE IT WORSE.
(next day)
I DIDN'T SAY THAT THINGS ARE WORSE.
( would you buy a used car from this man?)
Funny....and also alarmingly true.
Gay People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
I like GOPers...They speak the truth and make sense.
Typical...hatermongering moron on the right.....if you had a brain, you'd be dangerous.
So it's ok to use words like dumb redneck and expect not to be a snappy reply. You are a delusional sausage lover. Additionally, I speak for 95% of America. They just don't say it too your face.
Boo, you must be new to the internet. Here's a tip: don't feed the trolls.
LOKI–see, its that delusional out of touch thing again–95 per cent of Americans "agree"? What orifice did you puill that number out of? Do not mistake your own self-satifisfied rage with the truth–it will turn you into a Republican.
Loki
You speak for 9.5% of wannabe Americans... that would be the Tea Party and the rest of the people driven psychotic by religion...
The GOP does NOT do a good job at governance for ONE main reason: They HATE GOVERNMENT!
This is why the GOP is what they are, and I can't believe you posted something so horrible. Gay people are people that have feelings, dreams, love, no you die, not them. People like you are a waste of skin on the human body!!!!!
I don't give much credit to the people who have psychotic lifestyles. Yawn.
No, the GOP doesn't speak the truth. It speaks hatred. You are a poster child for all that is wrong and ugly about the present GOP.
I've known I was hetro since age 6 when I had my first crush on a boy. I have always been attracted to males and could not feel attaction towards a female if I wanted to.
I firmly believe that the only people who have problems with gays are people who are not as certain about their preference as I am, and find the idea of attraction to the same gender as threatening.
Shut up Loki
"Chris Smith is a member of Britain’s House of Lords and a former Secretary of State for Culture and Media in the Tony Blair government." So I am sure his comments are unbiased!
Hey moron...that's what OPINIONS ARE...BIASED!!! God, you cons are dumb...how the hell do you idiots function on a daily basis?
Hey Boo, of these two comments, yours is definitely the stu pid one.
Agree!
@Victor
No, I haven't missed the point. The stimulus bills pased by President Obama have created 5.2 million private sector jobs, saved 1.1 million jobs in the auto industry and 2.2 million public sector jobs. That is not a failure. That is called PROGRESS/SUCCESS! The GOT controlled House has cteated ZERO/NADA jobs!
Obama/Biden 2012!
Boo – being an ídiot is a requisite to be a Republican nowadays.
Exactly – the Labor Party is a SOCIALIST party – and if you hadn't notices, Labor is currently NOT in office in the UK. So this guy's pathetic hero worship is worth exactly nothing, even as an indicator of UK's opinions.
The difference between the US and Britain, methinks, is that we will not settle for decline and mediocrity. The Progressive movement is an illusion. Europe is increasingly irrelevant with each passing day and the American people have too much grit for socialism and weakness to take over this country. And you wonder why America is more dyna,ic than the EU...
You hit the nail on the head.
I don't hold much hope for the US to recover – or do ANYthing until orifices like 'Colbert' finally pucker up, go away and leave real Americans to solve the problems. Alas, there is no law against being a hopelessly hateful, puckered orifice.
Actually don't stick that little chest out too far, America has been on the decline for years also. From its peak, this country is and has been going down. I mean it elected Bush ( or at least he conned his way in) and he started two wars for nothing. Not really signs of advancement there.
"Matter of Pride" it is...
What a dumb a$$. And who care what the Brits think, America was founded because we didnt like what the Brits thought back then too, sure dont care what they think now. Get a life word associator.
Except for the fact that we, in the US, are becoming what we ran from in Brittan.
Lets see, only a nuclear armed powered with 4th biggest military spend on the planet, 4 ot 5th Biggest economy, and YOUR MAJOR ALLY.
No wonder people think all americans are ignornat if you treat your freinds this way!
There are a number of people in the US that ARE concerned what others in the world think of us. Have you ever heard the phrase, "No man is an island."? That goes double for countries. Case in point: The US had the world's sympathy following 9/11 and what did Dubya do? He completely screwed the pooch by invading one country and then LIED to the American people just so that he could invade a soverign country that had done NOTHING to us and then kept both wars as well as the Drug Prescription Plan off of the books. He then had the unmitigated gall to accuse the current administration of hosing the economy?
Ken, get a grip, P'taK ... you're proof positive why many in the world call us "Ugly Americans". Come out from under your rock and join the world community. We don't bite, but I will nibble on occasion ...
From the Democratic point of view:
BABY = Tumor that's okay to remove
Absolutely 100%plus!!
Who gives a damn what Brits think?
And people wonder why the majority of the world thinks the US is filled with selfish egomaniacs that care nothing for the rest of the world. Guess what, the US is only a small fraction of the world population, and we are not as important as many Americans would like to believe.
Oh, maybe because they are the only nation on Earth that regularly backs us up, even when it's not in their best interests.
I agree "What do we care what the Brits think? I am responding to several blogs that I read. 1st- Someone said that the world thinks that American's are selfish and think we are too good. Well, for some reason they say that, but if a problem occurs in their countries America is the first country they ask to help them. 2nd-a blogger said she liked her socialized medicine she get in Europe. Then why do people from all over the world come to America for medical treatment. While I was visiting England four years ago, the paper was full of information concerning a fundraising bike ride for a woman who had been diagnosed with breast cancer a year earlier. They were apologetic that she would not be able to ride that year because she had died waiting for her treatment to begin. I also met an elderly person who had been waiting for several years for her knee replacement, but she kept being put down lower on the list when more productive people needed the surgery. We might have a lot of problems, but I believe I live in the best country in the whole world (and I have toured many of them).
I come to these sites for entertainment. However, sometimes it's not worth it because all of the stupid, extremist ranting and raving, in which I too have occasionally engaged, gets to be plain ridiculous and unproductive. Quite frankly... Boring. Guess I'll turn on the TV for further entertainment.
It turns out that London wasn't ready and Romney was correct. So many parents of olympian participates didn't have the opportunity to see their children as the London Olympics were a fiasco.
huh? did fox news tell you that just to cover romney's butt about that stupid comment he made? (and the problem you speak of would be a problem with the US olympics committee's ticket allocation, not the host city).
I'm not the parent of an Olympian, but I did attend the Olympics and they were absolutely NOT a fiasco. I had no trouble navigating London, getting in and out of venues, and Heathrow was (as always) busy but manageable.
unaltered quotes.
1) I DON'T LINE UP WITH THE NRA.
2) THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR PERONAL FREEDOMS.
YOU WOULDN'T BUY A USED CAR FROM THIS MAN. WHY WOULD YOU BUY HIS FLIPPY/FLOP?
Shocking & sickening yet true. The GOP (a.k.a. 'The Religious Right') are controlled by selfish & shrewd politicians & big businesses that do not care about the middle class, the working class, the poor, the sick & infirm in society. The GOP only cares about keeping the status quo – the wealthy remain rich and the non-wealthy remain repressed. The 'religious' part is just a sham to get Christians on board to support the standard GOP agenda of repressing the poor and rewarding the rich. The GOP plan is all so very obvious! Those that cannot see this are either denying the facts because they are wealthy & content, or 'religiously obligated' or easily persuaded & duped by Fox News and GOP pundants that 'spin' the news to the point of broadcasting outright lies in favor of the GOP agenda.
The Republican Party is one of the great evils in the world.
You are extremely silly if you think that. Now go and do your homework.
I agree but with that said the4 Democratic party isn't much better. The GOP steals our money and the Democrats give it away. If ever there was a place for a third party it's NOW
American Taliban
Infantile.
GOP – Less Government, Less Taxes, Let People make their own way.
Lib Poster – I HATE ANYONE THAT DISAGREES WITH ME OR TRIES TO QUESTION MY RIGHT TO KILL UNBORN CHILDREN. YOU ALL HATE AND LIVE IN THE DARK AGES BECAUSE I WANT THE UNQUESTIONED RIGHT TO KILL BABIES AND THE MEDIA TELLS ME WHAT TO THINK.
Wha?
NOODY IS KILLING BABYS. THEY ARE ABORTING A FETUS. ASK A MEDICAL MAN. THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.
A Big Tent of One! HA! HA!
...........SPOT ON.................and I am an EX GOP'er....................
You. Another glob of something else that should be flushed down the toilet.
LIke your sad and pathetic life Scott. Go kick your dog, ignore your family, count your money and flush yourself down the drain. Don't worry...nobody cares about you.
"The disappointment, though, is tempered by an acknowledgment that it has been almost impossible for him to get anything through a deadlocked Congress,"...
How short is our memory? Do we forget or simply ignore the SUPER MAJORITY! in Congress the President enjoyed from January 2009 – January 2011? Two entire years of unbridled political enthusiasm and unchecked political capital along with a desperate and willing republic and what was his primary focus?
Healthcare regulation?
Remarkable it is this close.
"How short is our memory? Do we forget or simply ignore the SUPER MAJORITY! in Congress the President enjoyed from January 2009 – January 2011? " Can you say "fillibuster"?
THE REPUBLICANS RAN ON JOB JOBS– JOBS - JOBS.. WHAT DID THEY ARGUE ABOUT? ABORTION - ABORTION - ABORTION. THEY RAN ON SMALLER GOVERNMENT. GET THE GOVERNMENT OFF OUR BACKS
WHAT DID WE GET? WOMEN HAVE NO RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WITH THEIR OWN BODY.
why'd you et suspended again fareerdo?
Typical Liberal, Mad at the world.... Bet you can't wait for Obama to be re-elected so he can hand you everything you want and you never have to work
Troll.
You are SOOOOOOOOO right.
Oh that's a good one!
At some point I'll be in one of those groups...hope I never get sick with a republican led government.
Also true though both parties have huge credibility gaps.
So true...so true...that is what Republicans are all about. Everyone but the people like those phonies Ann("Let's Put Up Some Peaches") Romney and Willard Mittens Romney.
We Republicans believe that:
Old People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Sick People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Poor People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Female People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Non-white People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Non-christian People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Unemployed People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Gay People = Glob of cells that we don't care about. Let them die.
Glob of cells in a womb = Something we PRETEND to care about just to get votes.
Gun Control = Something ELSE we PRETEND to care about to get dumb redneck votes.
Heh heh heh... cynical, but all too true of the people who are really running the show at the GOP.
Well said. I sure don't see how ANY of these groups could ever vote Republican any more. They would all be voting against their best interests. Could they really be so dumb?? Keep thinking: George Bush – George Bush – George Bush -–
95% of republicans vote against there own self interests. It's frustrating as hell to watch.
This doesn't surprise me from the left... Conservatives attack policies, Liberals attack people.
Mikey – Check the republican (notice I didn't say conservative because since WHEN has a republican EVER been a conservative) vote counts. Notice the PEOPLE they are voting against! Hahahahahahahaha
This is great, well done! It's funny because it's true.
If you are a Brit, you certainly know the skinny about the policies of Vulture/Voucher the nominees of the GOP. I had to laugh at Giuliani on CNN trying to proclaim that Reagan lowered spending. Please someone inform Rudy that Raygun raised our debt from $997 Billion to $2.85 Trillion.
Well stated, jean2009. Only a fool today would consider Ronald Reagan a good President. Actually, he was one of the very worst!
Accurate, unless you're a brainless slave.
You like Obama so much, why don't you take him? He had a typical AA upbringing: abandoned by his parents and raised by his grandparents.
It is the truth. GOP are the worst thing for America.
Well put, GOP Word Association. Besides, the British seem to have lost their minds since they "like" this killer Obama. I can't stand him myself. Anyone who orders the butchery of people day after day using those killer drones can't possibly be all good!
You are an ignoramus. You are nothing like the real Patrick.
It's better to stay quite and let people think you're a moron than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. You just removed all doubt
Just look at how the republicans vote. Who's the moron? Hahahahahahaha
I wish the world could vote in this election because I know Obama would win by a landslide. Our Country is scaring me with it's fundamentalist fascist views. We have become the haves and have nots with the religious right following like sheep. Our total moral compass is off 360 degrees and it starts on the right. Please cross your fingers, toes and say many prayers too.
We will cross our fingers for you. I'm a Canadian who lived briefly in New York and came to love the American people, but came to fear the hard right fascism sweeping in. I will cross all my fingers and toes for you! Best from up North.
Canada as neighbors. It doesn't get any better than that!
As a Canadian who fled Monsieur Trudeau's Worker's Paradise and who has lived in the U.S. for fourteen years, I disagree. Socialism was unworkable in Canada with unchecked immigration. The mythos of Universal Healthcare when most of the recipients never paid into the system has caused many of us in the Healthcare field to move South of the 49th Parallel. Even here, along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi you can get in to see a specialist relatively quickly. The waiting time in Toronto is much longer. Under the Liberals the Military was unified which was by any estimation a bad move. Canada is unable to defend itself without the U.S. as an ally. It is unclear what you are referring to as "hard right fascism", but I take it that you have very little actual understanding of Conservatism. The Conservative Party of Canada is merely a slightly center-right party compared to what John A. MacDonald led at the time of Canada's Confederation in 1867. The Conservative Party in the UK is a far cry from the old Party led by Churchill. They've made their own share of errors and ought to have headed much of the advice of Enoch Powell, to have avoided much of the sorry state that the UK is presently in. Big Government and armchair Marxism are not what America need.
I am a Canadian who fled Trudeau's socialism....he was a lot like Obama .....Canada's experiment with socialism was a disaster. It took them two decades to recover but now they have first class fiscal management, they control spending, have low corporate tax rates, Alberta has lower overall taxes than US, and their per capita GDP is higher than that of the US. You go there now and everywhere there is construction, optimism, people are employed and happy. Go to Bremerton Washington for example and downtown every third space is boarded up. Socialism does not work and if we get 4 more years we are done.
The mythos of Universal Healthcare when most of the recipients never paid into the system has caused many of us in the Healthcare field to move South of the 49th Parallel.
In fact, for the last five years, the movement has been the other way
creating a false dichotomy between capitalism and socialism is a Great example of armchair political philosophizing that has no basis in a realist account of the political climate in Canada , U.S. or any other country. It is quite obvious that a third option exists and is more indicative of actual policies of nations that consider themselves "capitalistic" or "socialistic". All such countries exercise a balancing act between these socio-economic theories. Some have better results that others, but this balancing act is a relatively new experiment that needs TIME, THOUGHT and actual DISCUSSION in order to reach an appropriate equilibrium. The formula for such success is unique to every country's particular challenges. That being said, it is evident that talk which advocates for strict adoption of one or the other theories in all areas of socio-economic policies, is flawed from the start.
*than
Off 360 degrees would be pointing in the proper direction.
TV – If Terry Chylinski were off 360 degrees, the circle made would put Terry in the same position. I think you meant to say off 180 degrees. But 180 degrees would be an arch placing Terry on the same exact plain making a straight line.
TV – I am not sure what you meant, but America needs to keep moving forward with President Obama. – lol
yep. Liberals tend to be bad at math, though.
batjones, I think you need to read the post TV was replying to before replying to his. He's right.
AlmAlmost same as Pamela I live in the US, the extremism from the far right is scary, people like Backman spew hate and have no evidence of anything, she never answers a question is all just hateful rhetoric. Also the others in the tea party are just about the same or worst..
Bob,
Actually, there's quite a few of us that don't care for Bachman, Palin, etc. I was at one of the first Tea party rallies, and I saw other people there who, like me, had decried the Patriot Act, Bush's deficits, etc. The fascists in the Republican party are the "Moderates" who are in the establishment, and some of the neocon nuts like Bachman, Santorum, and many of their ilk. Why lump these camps together? Together, they had been silencing us, and teamed up at the ongoing RNC to do the same.
For a brief time, the Tea Party was a rebellion against all of this, but after 6 months, Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman decided to co-opt the group. There are still many of us who aren't with these nutters, but you wouldn't know it from the news. When we first rallied, CNN and others enjoyed calling us teabaggers. Then, after demeaning us with names, the media saw the attempt to co-opt the Tea Party and assisted it by reporting Palin et al. as Leaders of the Tea Party.
People can be manipulated easily enough, and in this case there was manipulation on two sides–a siren song from Palin, and goading from the media and the left. There are still independent minds in the Tea Party, but they are having to fight against disciples of Bachman and others who joined the Tea Party after being told by the media, and liberals making statements like yours, that the Tea Party was anti Muslim, etc.. So congratulations–you helped Palin and Bachman turn the Tea Party from something that was educating people about civil liberties and agitating against the Patriot Act into something where many are all for the Patriot Act and getting the Muslims.
Ahm.. I don't know how much you pay attention, but a large chunk of the world is in worse shape then the US. China alone could swallow our population, and their government is far more oppressive and puritanical then our's.
I agree things are looking fascist but I disagree it is one party to blame. As an example Obama owns the National Defense Act (which to this day i can't believe people aren't rioting over) which is piggy backed off of the Patriot Act which Bush jr. was so proud of.
What many people in this country are waking up to is that the difference is in the rhetoric, the application looks oftly similar.
We're a sovereign nation. We're not subject to the whims of the world's fancy, and that's a good thing. Too many countries in the world are subject to the whims of another one. Look how that's worked out for us.
On an unrelated note, income inequality is an inescapable part of capitalism. If you don't like that cold reality, you're living in the wrong country.
Income inequality is an inescapable part of economics. No wide-scale economic system, capitalist or otherwise, has ever produced anything close to income equality. There is always an elite class that has far more than everyone else and there likely always will be.
But if you're one of the ones who permits the wealth to become too concentrated in the hands of a few, you just might find your head being separated at the neck from the rest of your body.
So.. it's okay to kill people who have achieved some arbitrary definition of "rich" in modern society?
vbscript2 is right. It's not constrained to capitalism. It's part of human nature. Some strive harder than others, and some will stoop to unscrupulous means to take what they didn't earn. We have not yet found a system of economics that can counter this trait.
I didn't mean to imply that it's okay to kill anybody. My interpretation of history indicates that when a society permits a large portion of the nation's wealth to be concentrated in the hands of a few (currently a little under 50% of our nation's wealth is in the hands of 1% of its population, and wealth buys political power which shapes public policy in a way that continues to favor the rich) those that are becoming more and more displaced sometimes take matters into their own hands. People may think that it can't happen here, but after the terror attacks of 2011 and the bottom falling out of the economy in 2007, I'm considerably more sober about what can happen here. Setting aside the extreme example of revolution, there's a whole myriad of nasty consequences for allowing a small number of elites to have all the wealth and make all the decisions.
We're a sovereign nation. We're not subject to the whims of the world's fancy, and that's a good thing. Too many countries in the world are subject to the whims of another one.
You mean like Iraq and Afghanistan?
Go live somewhere else in the rest of the world then. I'm sure if the Americans could vote in the French election, Sarkozy would still be President, but it isn't our place to tell them how to run their country, just as it isn't the rest of the world's to tell us how to run ours.
He does live somewhere else, Jeff - he's a member of The House of Lords. Presumably, he resides in Britain and at the foot of the article is the tag "United Kingdom". This is an opinion piece, in a series about how our elections are viewed "from the outside". A smidgeon of critical reading skills, does a World of good in developing informed opinions of substance and offering relevent responses.
That sure seems like the asinine rant of someone who is as moronic as they are manipulatable. Sure, don't listen to anyone else–WHATEVER YOU SAY IS RIGHT. Shut it already you uneducated fool.
I lived in the USA also. Lost my job in Bush's waning days. Toughed it out for a couple years, with a hard time making ends meet. Saw so much anti-obama hate, calling anything that could fix the country socialism (fyi- if it isn't GOP idea- it doesn't make it socialism). I came back to Canada with a better job, higher pay, better quality of life. The right wing started scaring me, and I'm glad to have my kids out of there.
welcome home. There will be more like you.
Seriously Terry? You want the rest of the world to have a say in who our president is???
A few Quick thoughts:
1.If you don't like the direction of our country, you're left with two options: leave for someplace you like better, or stick around and fight for what you think is right.
2. Why the Hell would anyone want to give up their own vote just to have the rest of the world select their leaders? Do you not realize that you are wishing to be a vassal state/colony of the rest of the world? Giving up self determination (which carries the risk that you lose the vote) and replacing it with determination by a vote of people who will be much less affected, and who may have interests adverse to yours (and still with the possibility of your side losing the vote)?
3. Why would we want the rest of the world to have a say in our government? Please survey the laws around the world. Britain is closest to us, but even they don't have the protections of the rights of the accused and against search and seizure, etc. that we have. They do have some form, but not as strong as even our current rights–rights that have been whittled to a shadow of their original form by the actions of Bush AND Obama, AND many other presidents. We have a hard enough time fighting the destruction of our rights by our fellow citizens–Why would we trade to a situation where other nations, which don't respect these rights, got to choose our government which is supposed to protect them???
Are you insane, the UK had rights ensuring fair trials, protection from illegal search and seizure etc. since 1215.
So you would shut your ears to anything anyone else had to say and pluck out your eyes so you wouldn't have to see what other can show you–just so that you can hold on dearly and moronically to the beliefs you have based on little more than faith and the hate-mongering, fear-mongering words of those that seek to control you? Wow, Republican supporter at their finest.
We are only becoming the haves and the have nots because the haves are working their buts off so the have nots dont have too! you people and your corporate bashing while at the same time buying all of the products from the corporations your bashing are the bigest hypocrites EVER! With out small business and corporations NOBODY would be working or have any money and thus the non working poeple would then do what????? When you have taken down the corporations and the small business people with your excessive taxes Then what? Oh thats right The Government will come save you except that with out the corporations paying taxes and providing jobs for people to pay taxes the government WONT HAVE ANY MONEY FOR YOU!!!! let me explain... THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TAX ON A CORPORATION!! THAT IS WHAT THEY CALL A COST. WHEN THEIR COSTS GO UP THEY EITHER, 1.PASS THAT ON TO THE CONSUMER OR 2. IF THEY CANT PASS IT ON WILL CUT THEIR COST USUALLY IN THE WAY OF LABOR!!! Why are most americans so oblivious to the way it works?
Any true American knows, when the world is pulling for one candidate, that's the candidate that is bad for America
Russia, China and the ME want Romney
Thank you. Terry. I couldn't have said it any better! However, you left out the part about Obama using those ungodly drones to butcher people in the Middle East and Central Asia!
You are an ignoramus. You are nothing like the real Patrick.
The UK is a Socialist society, obviously a non-Socialist platform is extreme from their viewpoint. Why is this even news?
I completely agree. Moreover the writer is a member of the labor party which is like the left wing of the democratic party here. He should focus on saving money by abolishing the monarchy and distributing their billion dollar plus assests.
Oh, sure, they're going to abolish the monarchy. I bet. For one thing, it would take hundreds of years to do so, and for another, it's their main tourism draw and brings in millions every single year.
They're not a socialist nation – I should know, I lived there for years. Americans don't seem to grasp what true socialism IS, nor do they seem to have a handle on other countries or what makes them tick. The UK's opinion IS important – they're your biggest ally.
Wait ... you find the British Labor party too liberal but you want to redistribute the wealth of its richest family?
Abolish the monarchy ??!!?? . that would make good sense were it not for the fact that the monarchy costs the British government roughly 8 million dollars, yet through branding and ' bringing home the bacon", they use the monarchy to bring back over $400 million doallrs each year.. but , i have to inform you faux new viewers that if only u were capable of doing your own research and reading rather than having rush Bimbo or sean hannity do it for you . . .
Why do the British even care? This is our country, unless you can vote here...shut up. I dont give a rats ass who the English vote for or who their Prime Minster is. As long as it doesnt effect us....I will stay out of your politics and you can stay out of mine!
Well, since hundreds of their soldiers have died in Iraq, fighting YOUR war, I would say it's important to care what they think. They're your biggest ally in the world. But keep on going the way you're going – you guys won't have anyone left.
Where's your Civility ? It's in the toilet
Thinking like this is why America is disliked by much of the world. Ego-centric, xenophobia thinking. The US affects the world economy. If we tank, so does the world. Grow up and realize existence isn't only for your benefit.
Anyone that believes that the U.K. does not have a say in our politics is a bigger fool and idiot than i could have imagined. It is not just American's dying for our decisions. We are sacrificing the lives of other nationals. So they get to have an opinion, especially since if they withdraw support for us there will be no one powerful enough to make up for it. Please be a little more intelligence in your discourse, because you are portraying Americans as the stereotypical, snot nosed brats the world has come to believe we are.
and i must apologize about my grammatical errors to all those who care. I am too lazy to attempt to fix them all.
What I think is funny is that the article tries to get you to believe that the UK prefers Obama, the man who has no social skills, sent the Queen a package of movies that didn't even work in the UK, and sent the bust back of Churchill when it was given as a gift to this country. Besides, who cares what the UK thinks? Do we want to become them? No we don't. The main reason America exists in the first place is because we were NOT trying to be Britain.
Thank you for the impressive display of ignorance.
Wow, what a tone. The smaller the mind the louder the scream. Republicans are putting civilization in reverse.
Obama 2012.
This is a major fault of the Republican party, we are in a world economy...what other countries do...impacts the US...why is that so hard to understand? It's sad to see how ego-centric people are. If you have the opportunity, travel around the world, your view will be greatly expanded.
You say you would only care about the election of the PM in the UK if it effected you, yet this is the point...the election of the US president DOES effect those in Europe. Hence, they do care what decision America as a country makes.
It is great that what we do affects the world, but that still doesn't make it their decision. What happens in Greece will affect a good chunk of the world as well, but Americans don't get to vote on their government. What Mexico does about immigration and drug crime affects us directly, but we don't get to say what they do. Chinese monetary policy affects all, and guess what? Its questionable about how much their own citizens get a say in their decisions, let alone Americans.
Just because we are interconnected, does not mean they should be influencing what we do.
Hey Jay, you are nasty! I guess someone said something you don't like. That is what non-republicans have against the GOP. It is their way or the highway.
ummm...sorry, what the US does does affect the rest of the world....therefore, who we elect affects the brits.... and who they elect affects us as well...and the effects are dramatic.
@floridamom1.......You are as ignorant as Jay!
They care because if the Robot is elected they will have to deal with his whimpy, lying cheating ways. He showed us how he would handle the world stage when he went to the Olympics. I hope that Ann is glued to his hip at all times, because we will need her to calm him down every step of the way.
you tell' em JAY !!! Don't take that crap.. you don't really care how we're seen in the world anyway.. like the rest of the boobs in your party ... you probably have one of those bumber stickers also, .. the sticker that says 'DON"T BURN MY FLAG!!" with the visible trembling fist of an obviously mature white guy ... .. yep , you sound JUST LIKE THE Kool-Ade drinking type ..
economies of the world are intertwined. Look how Greece is impacting the EU now and maybe all of us soon. The gong show that you fools are creating is going to have an impact on me. That's why we care. If you could implode without affecting the rest of the world we would all get the popcorn out and watch.
Better get back to drawing board, your ignorance is compelling (Just in case ignorance = lack of knowledge)
LOL! Do you take your tinfoil hat off to shower, or just shake the water off afterwards? It must be fun to be so self-delusional.
Do you even understand what socialism is or that there are many different forms? Most of our friends in the world are Socialist Democracies, which function quite well and they for most part are doing better than us economically, and they lead us in education and medical care... Don't confuse their kind of "socialism" with that of the Soviet Union or China. BTW, the "socialist" word in National Socialist Party aka the N@zi's was deliberately mis-leading. The N@zi's were Far-Right fascists, like elements of the GOP have become.....
The British simply see what many Americans see: American Conservatism is the single greatest threat to the world's prosperity, peace, and liberty. Islamic terrorists are like kids playing patty-cake in comparison.
Really?!?!? It was the conversative view that led to capitalism that led to the rising of this country and it all started with good old Lincoln who viewed that smaller government role in the economy could lead to better economic progression. Just look at the world around and please see where government spending is extremely high and see how those countris are doing...Spain, Ireland, Greece, etc., etc., So thank you but no thank you for Libs who want to create a goverment of handy me downs!
Carlos, Lincoln was not a Conservative. He was a Liberal. The Republican Party was America's Liberal party from 1855 – 1908. Lincoln was a champion of using government to improve people's lives, for example by building canals. During Lincoln's Presidential term, he was opposed by Conservatives and was assassinated by a Conservative.
Yes carlos, Really. The conservative movement that you are referring to is long dead. Today, conservatives (Republicans) ar enothing more than hate mongers and cry babies.
If you check, none of the socialist countries are bankrupt or at war. There is a lesson there!
All the socialist contries are bankrupt, actually. You are not an astute observer of the facts, glennrobert. We fought a four year long war to rid the world of socialism, and yet it's the previaling economic system of every European country. Almost everyone in Scotland, Germany, Canada, Venezuela, Ireland, England, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Holland, etc., etc., etc. live on a government stipend of some sort.
They had to combine all their economies' currencies together (of which the "Euro" is a result) to make a monetary note that could compete with the American dollar. Think of it–all of them had to join together to equal the power of our dollar and it's accompanying economy.
In Glasgow, over 70% of its residents have federal assitance paying for a place to live. They each have a little government "flat" to live in. They have to job share with someone else and can't work more than 30 hours per week.
When has a government really run anything well? Healthcare? Look at Walter Reed or NHS. Road projects? 5B wasted in the "Spedulus" and a President who laughs about how laughable "shovel ready projects" are really not ready.
It's like the old adage about how Socialism is like man who has two cows. The government takes one cow, says it's "for his neighbor," proceeds to milk the cow, then straightway pours the milk out on the ground. Nice.
Plus, have you ever noticed that Socialist and Communist "leaders" never live in the same wrethced little "flats" they dole out to everyone else? Komrad Lennin didn't live in a peasant's shack; he had two nice homes, as did Stalin, Hitler, Jung Il, Pol Pot, and every Chinese premieire since 1905. They are quite happy to tell others what they could and could not do, while they never went without heating oil or a warm meal.
And the War of 1812 ended our giving a d_mn about what the British say about our leadership.
Babaloo2, your comments are ignorant. I have lived in Scotland, England, France, and several other European and Asian countries. Your comments are Glasgow are flat-out wrong. None of it is true. And since America cannot continue to exist without allies, other countries get to give their opinions (not decisions, but opinions – learn the difference) about our leadership. Grow up.
It's news because CNN thinks anything that casts the Republicans as extreme is worthy of dissemination. Really pathetic.
Interesting – the heading at the top of the page says "Opinion." That should be your first clue that it isn't "news." There is a difference, you know.
It isn't news, it's an opinion piece.
I love my socialist medicine I can get in the UK. The fact is that half the US is brainwashed by the conservatives into believing that being poor white trash who cant afford a doctor and owning 30 guns is good.
I'll try to keep that in mind when a ned is trying to stab me with a screwdriver in Glasgow Anne
Bob.. You have NO fin'g clue what you are talking about.. Britain a "Socialist" society????? Crawl back under the rock you came out from. Britain is a CAPITALIST society.. Ever heard of Richard Branson?? The guy who started Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic airlines and is a BILLIONAIRE??? How about the fact that the UK is one of the biggest centers of BANKING and Insurance in the whole WORLD.. Britain is a nation of CAPITALISTS.. shopkeepers and inventors and business Men. The industrial revolution STARTED in Britain when James Watt invented the steam engine which could power machines. Britain is and always has been firmly Capitalist.
You tools on the right in the USA are so desperately uneducated, it's almost funny, but it's NOT, it's PATHETIC! You numbskulls haven't got a clue what fact and reality are and just make whatever sh1t up you feel like. Fact and truth are kryptonite to you sad excuses for human beings when you trot out such fallacious, mis-informed garbage... And you wonder why the rest of the intelligent people in the World think you guys are id iots.
the gop is extreme compared to the gop. is why
The actions of Democrats in the bluest most Democrat districts and counties, along with their severe hate that not a single American on the right comes close to(like Obama saying that if you dont' vote Democrat you are the enemy and need to be punished) leaves no doubt that everyone who makes a postive contribution to society day in and day out has a moral obligation to vote Republican.
Democrats don't value life, look at the new allstate report, every area where driving is extremely dangerous is extremely Democrat, and where it is safe to drive they are all Republican.
27 shot in 36 hours in Chicago, that is because Democrats have 100% ran that city for the last 4 decades, their great society has created the warzone, Democrat voters have blood on their hands.
Doug, every day at my desk during lunchtime I log on to CNN.com and seek out an article I believe will have the most ridiculous commentary. I then sit and eat my sandwich, laugh, log off 20 minutes later and go back to work. I would like to congratulate you on posting today's most preposterous comment. I especially enjoyed the part about driving characteristics. I am far from what one would consider a fan of Obama (or Romney for that matter), but I am definitely a fan of yours. Your ability to twist statistical data is nothing short of hilarious, and I thank you for adding to my already pleasant day with your insanity. Well played, sir.
amused, I agree! This doug is a riot, making stuff up right & left! Keep the laughs coming....
I'll second that!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this.
Agreed .. So far Dougs post is the most delusional and unintentionally funny thing I have read all day. I wonder how he functions in real life, what with all the meds he must be taking to combat his schizophrenia?
First off, let me say that I am a republican.... I findf it interesting that you quote an allstate report about driving safety as one positive factor of the republican state. I think the true problem today has nothing to do with political party differences but rather the loss of freedom and civil liberty. This is something that both democrats and republicans would agree on...... as an american, I would be willing to give up a little road safety or security in general if it would return america back to a country that respected freedom and liberty. The bush years have greatly damaged our country and continued extremism andfanaticism by either left,or the right... or both... will only continue to damage our country. In the next election, it is more important to NOT vote for extremism than to vote for any political party.
Well said
Pure excellence. One of the best posts anyone has written.
If only those of us with a brain that are in the semi-center could get through to the hard right or left, our country would be in much better shape. It amazes me that people can't figure out you need a mixture of targeted austerity and growth measures to fix our financial issues.
"...like Obama saying that if you dont' vote Democrat you are the enemy and need to be punished..."
What? I have $100 that says you are a liar and made that up. If you care to post a link that has verifiable evidence (like a recording), you can then contact me by e-mail to put up. or else, please stop with the outrageous, babbling lies.
E1G1 you do not have the guts to post your name. Any one who knows the President of the United States Mr. Obama, knowS that he did not say all the vicious things you are writing. Tell the truth and shame the devil. People like you are making this great nation, AMERICA, a laughing stock all over the continent.
Who told you that? Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh?
Susan, E1G1 didn't post that. He quoted someone else, and disputed the post.
doug posted: "Democrats don't value life, look at the new allstate report, every area where driving is extremely dangerous is extremely Democrat, and where it is safe to drive they are all Republican."
Doug, you have mail. It's an e-card with a picture of aliens and a spaceship orbiting a distant planet.
The text reads: "You can come home now. We found you a new doctor."
Thanks for the chuckle tho' ... almost as funny as the proceedings at the RNC so far ...
Hey "Doug" Don't hurt yourself jumping to all those conclusions.
like Obama saying that if you dont' vote Democrat you are the enemy and need to be punished)
He actually said that? When and where?
When doug calls ET, he refuses to pick up.
wacko alert.... this is the types Europe and the world are seeing....
what these dolts dont understand is NO ONE ELSE in the world watches foxfax so they, for starters have no idea what your talking about as u took the facts and flipped them totally around.
I agree with the writer that many republicans take pride in their callousness. I am a republican but after hearing from some republicans in my home state of arizona I begin to wonder if I can stay one....... a more correct way to look at it is that I should consider the right wing republicans as NOT being republicans at all, but nothing but a dangerous extremist fringe group that bodes ill for american values regardless of them saying otherwise. What ever happened to freedom in the USA.
well said Pat. Nothing wrong about having a different opinion, but it is all about how and what you say. Kudos
Anyone who calls themselves either a Republican or Democrat is crazy. Both sides have their crazies, their lunacy. If more people started voting for candidates, not parties, the country would be a much better place.
I'm an independent that agrees on policies at about a 55/45 split with Republicans. That does not make me a part of either group. That does not mean just because something is a Republican idea, its good, and if its Democrat, its bad (or vice versa). Depending on the position that the individual candidate holds, I will vote for them regardless of the letter next to their name, including if it is an "I", "R" or "D". Nothing will change until everyone starts doing the same.
the gop is all about freedom... as long as u r angry obese white man following mr jesus but with your own radical changing of what mr jesus taught
I couldn't careless who the Brits like and don't like. They can't vote here, so what they think doesn't matter.
Unless, of course, they can see that our current administration is nothing like the fictional straw-man that the Right has created.
Unless of course, you actually read the article, wherein the author also recognizes the Republican obstructionism that has blocked much of our recovery.
Right. Bacause it is the Republicans fault the Democrats plans fail. Good God, you people are terrified of thinking for yourselves.You simply repeat what your Democratic masters tell you to say.
Has it ever occurred to you that Obama is failing because, well, his policies are failing?
You couldn't care less... and yet you took the time to not only read the article, but to comment on it too.
Hmmm...
Don't assume The Doug actually read the entire article. Headlines will get him going, hence the assumptions.
Doug posted: "I couldn't careless who the Brits like and don't like. They can't vote here, so what they think doesn't matter."
Yeah, remember this the next time a Republican President declares war unilaterally on another sovereign nation. Can you say "Iraq"? Britain was the only friend we had in the beginning to support us.
Now, go an Google: "foreign relations" and learn sometime useful.
You need to get a passport and take a trip. Go to any other country and rent a home for a month. Read the local newspapers, buy groceries from a local market, rent a car and drive around the countryside. You truly would benefit from the experience. If you could do that with an open mind (I know, that is the hardest bit, isn't it?) ... well, you would find out why everything the U.S. does affects the people of the world. They don't hate us; they think we are tremendously uninformed and, I'm sorry to say, your message proves the point.
Ver true.
I have lived overseas. Unfortunately, the process works both ways. Everyone is a world player in some way, but every electorate is looking for what will benefit them the most. This applies in the US, UK, the rest of Europe, all over. Just because we are the dominant force, doesn't mean that we should take world opinion into who WE elect to lead US.
Once the US rules the world, they can have an opinion on who is elected.
Is that you, George Bush?
But they are our 'special friends' aren't they?
Bob and Doug have no idea what they're talking about.
Bob and Doug – Rush Limbaugh's new stand-up comedy team!
As a conservative Dutchman living in the USA for the last 30 years, I completely agree. The Republican platform compares to the extremely far right in Europe where is gets only a few percent of the votes. Most main stream Europeans are communists if you as a Republican.
The GOP is extreme by ANY standards.
Bob, Britain is far from a socialist country. In fact Britain is responsible for most of the free market principles that Americans hold dear. Compared to the rest of Europe, Britain is quite conservative.
Government intervention into an economy isn't socialism, it's common sense. While people may complain about our health care system, we only have to look at the shambles that is the for-profit US health care system to realise how lucky we are. A politician that proposes the end of the NHS wouldn't even get 1% of the vote.
It's depressing to think that British soldiers have died in Iraq, fighting in a war started by the USA, and yet there are Americans on here acting as if Britain isn't important. (and no, I am not British).
Honestly, keep on going guys, and you'll have no one left. Vote in Romney and I guarantee the world will turn against you.
This is profoundly true. I don't what these fools were taught by their parents, to have such flippant disregard to British soldiers giving their lives, besides us as allies. And so much of The British Public is resentful enough of this, but such blatent disrespect is the kind of slap in the face that will make The British People wash their hands of us, for good.
Britian is a financial powerhub and a bridge for North America, into trading between Europe and Asia, as well as having fundamental connections in Africa and The Middle East. It has a deep, cultural resonance and connection with populations around The World, including some of the most famous stories from our childhoods, icons and globally popular monarchy. We speak English in America, for goodness' sake. There isn't a country around The World that hasn't been touched by British culture, for better or worse.
And they're our closest ally; certainly, in our top three. Any American who would make such disrespectful statements - including those statements made in a book, from Mitt Romney - is a delusional fool, won't know what they have until it's gone.
They want to be our closest ally because they are afraid of their little angel named Hitler.
Jana
in case you failed history at school, the UK was fighting hitler fo about 2.5 years before the USA turned up. Similar in the first world war.
We are grateful for your help in those wars against a common enemy but we were not hidding behind you.
Parliamentary System > Our BS
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For a country that respects women and minorities and hard work and the common man.
.
This country under liberal rule uses women and lies to it's citizens.
and under conservative rule, puts a male politician with a ( probably small) penis in every doctores office being visited by a woman to determine if the prescription outcome matches their religious beliefs ... or in the bedroom, to determine if two consenting adults have the pre-requisite genitals before gettign married... I have NO IDEA what happened to the republican party, but they have become a disdain-filled Christian-Hate- filled mess... and they are , by their duplicitous lying, ruining everything good in this country . .
New Zealand?
With the GOP in control. This country will stand alone one day. We thought 9/11 was bad. We could have something so much worse 9/11 will seem very small. Of course this fits the right wingers religious agenda.
With the Democrats in control, this country will lose all semblance of a free industrious people.
Keep drinking the koolaid....more ignorance from Florida...you morons can't even count ballots.....
We aren't all like Floridamom1 here in Florida.
"If a Romney-Ryan administration were to take over, especially with a Republican Congress behind them, dominated by voices from the Tea Party, the likelihood is that economic policy in America – pulling back sharply on public spending and programs whilst liberating the wealth of the wealthy – would plunge the U.S. economy back into recession. "
I totally agree. Moreover, how do the super rich and corporations get richer? They hoard until there is no more cash driving the economy then recession follows, price drops for everything and many bankruptcies follows. When the rich see the recession has bottomed out they start buying massively on the cheap but very slowly. Its how the rich stay rich. Its the goal the republican super rich people and corporations. The Democrats with Obama has put somewhat a dent these last fews years on the plans of the the super rich. It explains very much whats going on now in USA politics. Stupid are the people who will make the wrong choice on november 4.
WHO CARES what a British Lord thinks? We saved your a** several times and got nothing in return. Go home, sip a cup of tea and shut it. Oh, by the way, we whooped your a** a few hundred years ago too. Shame on you, CNN.
If it were not for the French and the Germans helping us out with troops and money we would still be a British colony. Thats right, we did not build this ourselves!
most of the Prussians (all but 1?) were loyal to the British. (Prussian royalty was related to British crown) No real Germans at the time, BTW. The only dude on America's side was Baron von Steuben.
OK, I can't let this one pass. Please read a history book. The British carried the Allied Forces through both World Wars, and suffered immensely during WW II. And guess what, after we "saved them" they paid us back every penny. The UK is our strongest and most reliable ally, even when we are undeserving of such loyalty.
And no, we didn't "whoop" anything during the revolution. We nearly lost the war, and when the British returned in 1812 (to stave off American aggression towards Canada) they brought us to our knees using a fraction of their navy for a blockade while they fought a larger, more costly war in Europe. Your narrative of American military superiority is wrong here.
Republicans have no education and no grasp of the facts, let alone of History. Trying to educate people who hold beliefs as if they were facts will get you nowhere.
They believe that Obama is engaged in class warfare against the rich, when FACTUALLY the rich (and I'm in the top 1% income bracket in the USA) are paying THE LOWEST TAXES IN OVER 50 YEARS.
They believe Obama is a Muslim, but somehow he is also a member of a "radical" Church (I assume they believe that he can be a radical Christian AND a Muslim simultaneously)..
They believe that Obama is a "Socialist", yet Obama bailed out BANKS !!! The exact OPPOSITE of being a Socialist; he also save GM from going down the toilet... so Obama has shown by his actions that he is in favor of Corporate Welfare, which shows him to be a Capitalist to the bone!
Republicans.. so many facts, so little time to ignore said facts.
Doug posted: "27 shot in 36 hours in Chicago, that is because Democrats have 100% ran that city for the last 4 decades, their great society has created the warzone, Democrat voters have blood on their hands."
6,280 American deaths in the War on Terror, 2003 to 2011. A conflict started by a sitting Republican President and supported by a Republican majority in Congress. The War remained unresolved by the Bush Administration in 2008 when the Obama Administration took over. Thousands more in civilian casualties have died and continue to die in Iraq due to sectarian violence.
So, who has blood on their hands?
5,000 murdered in Chicago since 2000.....hmmm.
Hey Tampachief you need to get a clue. Every city has violent criminals. I bet there are at least 30 deaths per day in almost every city due to violence so seriously get a clue.
Makes sense. As I recall from history, it was conservative Christians who LEFT ENGLAND to start the migration here!
The present day Far-Right can trace it's roots to the Puritans and other religious and/or authority control freaks..
Screw Obamney. Go vote for anyone besides the status quo. the left and right share the platform, MoreoftheSame, 2012, and who the hell does this Brit think he is, anyway? Regardless, Love and Freedom.
–Screw the system–
Prepare for major international conflicts if GOP wins. They are very closely connected with the US military industrial complex. The USA ecomomy has prospered and been built with major conflicts accross the globe but also it could one day be its downfall. My opinion. I hope its not.
Translation: Be afraid of the people I don't agree with. Vote based on your terror, not based on conclusions you formed based on critical thinking.
Hahaha, someone should tell Lord Fortloroy that his own country is now in the midst of a second recession. Also before he spouts off about how obstructionalist the republicans are and yet still how amazing it was that Obama was able to pass the Stimulus that stimulated nothing, he spent half of his term in office with democrat majorities in both the house and the senate.
But please keep this limey's propaganda coming, in fact please please spread it far and wide, because there is nothing middle america loves more than to have a british parlamentarian tell us how to live our lives. That will definitely get Obama re-elected/sarcasm.
Majorities of one or two people, a handful at best does not guarantee getting your agenda passed. Thanks to GOP forcing rules changes during the Bush years where a super majority of 60 Senators are required to pass most legislation, coupled with GOP filibustering over almost any attempt to pass anything meaningful, I'm surprised our country hasn't hit the cesspool yet. The current GOP is dangerous for both America and the World.
Nice Scott. All you can do is resort to name calling, very classy. I bet your mom is proud.
Good thing it is not up to Brits to decide the winner of this election...
No, It will be us 55 million liberal progressives keeping Fascist Corporate Banking Dictators out of the white house.
Amen!!! I'm hoping that many of my fellow Americans of any political affiliation realize the danger of the current GOP party and vote them out. ANd while we're at it, round up Grover Norquist and his Tea Party extremist and properly charge them with treason and sedition......
Is this journalism or propaganda? Sweeping statements, no evidence.
ROFL ... Neither, its an opinion piece.
Republicans basically hate everyone who isn't a gun toting corporate banker white christian.
Brits see things quite differently. Beginning around 1776 we started having opposite views on politics.
Thank you for answering a question no no one is asking
If you actually paid attention to matters other than your small little world, you'll realize that we are important to the world economy and the political scene. The world as a whole is greatly concerned by events and behavior here. If America turns into a corporate fascist theocracy like elements of the GOP want us to do, America will stand alone and suffer accordingly... Then all those conspiracy theories will come true as the world invades us to restore civil law and order...
So here's a big difference between conservatives and liberals. We conservatives care about THIS country and don't care one bit what others think of us. Chris Christie put it best. When we seek the love of other countries we lose their respect. We left England for a reason. They're more messed up now that before and they essentially forfeited their sovereignty to the EU, which has led to disaster. We don't want to end up like that. Keep your mess and your opinions to yourself, thank you.
Libs is the pure evil of hate
Amen to that.
I really don't care what the British think, particularly those of the Labour Party. That vile organization has taken a once great country and turned it into a multicultural mess where ordinary people can't speak freely and defend themselves. I'll be the first to concede that we Americans have many shortcomings, but at least we have our First and Second Amendments, which guarantee our rights as free men.
And when the TPers have their way, both those rights will be limited to their supporters – they're already trying to deny voting rights to the people who don't agree with them. Should be tried for treason for that effort.
John.
our rights were guarenteed in 1215 in the magna carta and expanded on since then. So only 550 years before the US broke away
Problem is we are not Europe like you re tard liberal media freaks think we should be...we are our own people and country...get use to it...
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Good one! I always enjoy reading the blog-fest at lunch!
Or you can try Romneyryanide and watch yourself become very poor very quickly as all your money goes to pay for the lifestyles of the super rich. Don't get sick because the hospitals only take care of the rich. Hope you like breathing smog and drinking tainted water... Of course you probably won't understand because you were denied an education because your parents couldn't get you into school because there were no public schools left.......
He neglected to mention the anti-science mentality of the current GOP, which is far from its once sane roots. Among GOPers, a scientist's objective view is so often held in disdain and given less weight that the entertainment+dogmatic driven opinions of people like Rush and the Fox News Network. The GOP has been driven into the anti-science mentality because too often objective facts to line up with idealogical preferences. It's unfornuate that a large swath of America denigrates what we once lauded: scientific thinking and invention that drove the country to greatness in hte 40s, 50s, and 60s. We cherished strong thinkers. Now, we have GOPers (as in Texas) advocating that children should not be taught to think lest they disagree with their parents. It would be laughable if not so sad.
He neglected to mention the anti-science mentality of the current GOP, which is far from its once sane roots. Among GOPers, a scientist's objective view is so often held in disdain and given less weight than the entertainment+dogmatic driven opinions of people like Rush and the Fox News Network. The GOP has been driven into the anti-science mentality because too often objective facts do not line up with idealogical preferences. It's unfornuate that a large swath of America denigrates what we once lauded: scientific thinking and invention that drove the country to greatness in hte 40s, 50s, and 60s. We cherished strong thinkers. Now, we have GOPers (as in Texas) advocating that children should not be taught to think lest they disagree with their parents. It would be laughable if not so sad.
As a scientist, I have never seen this mentality in the GOP. I see it every day in the Dems, who create new religions to explain what their "science" cannot. As one who relies on science every day for actual solutions, I could only support the GOP. It is too bad, the Dems used to be for education before they turned against it.
What a strange post.
ROFL. No, really, I was actually rolling on the floor laughing. Scientist of what????
Being a Christian Scientist doesn't count.
mad scientist. Yikes this guy is nuts
Facts have a well known liberal bias.
The Republican supreme court allows super pacs now so the UK should be donating to Obama to it's heart's content.
Don't you people understand yet that the republican party was never for the middle class, All they care about is the rich and corporations and to hades with the rest of us! Do you know nothings which party was against social security and medicare when they were both proposed? Well i will give you one guess and you will have the answer!
You're an idiot. the GOP is trying to save social security and medicare before obama bankrupts them. Get a clue, if obama wins again, there will be no more money for anything. Howz that for helping the middle class?
Well, if the GOP hadn't looted SS to pay for various wars especially the Cold War. It's the only reason we beat the Russians.
Persons in the UK are Subjects, and owned by the Crown. Persons in the U.S. are Citizens, and own the government. Of course there will be major differences in expectations. And no, it was not austerity that crippled Europe, but massive "stimulus" spending that failed to result in actual growth.
ROFL. No, really, I was actually rolling on the floor laughing. You are one of the funniest posters on here. I'm getting so much out of your posts, its just not fair that the others can't be as funny as you. 'Subjects' and 'owned'??? 'Citizens' and 'we own the government' ??? Seriously though, unless you name is Adelson or Koch, you won't own any part of the Romney administration.
Checking Simon F's address. Yep it is a London address, owned by the monarchy since 1066.
Do the American people really own the government?? I think not... Try the corporations, special interests (especially the religious ones), etc.. When I have to watch political ads from the Coal companies who openly challenge / threaten the government because they have to obey some regulations that protect the common citizen, they make me sick. The Citizen's United ruling by the Supreme Court is destroying this country....
Subsitute "King" for "Government", and England's "Republicans" of the 1620s-50s – the Parliamentarian-Puritan "Roundheads" who became more and more anti-monarchy over the years – seem a lot like our own, except they were considered far-left at the time. One of many ugly history lessons that show what happens when an extreme faction from either end of the ideological spectrum takes over.
Sadly very true....
Another day, another far left whack-job. Really CNN, just endorse Obama, you done so in action since 2008, just stop the lying.
Is Smith so absolutely stupid that he cannot see whats going on in Europe? Their fiscal situations are not coming about because they're not spending enough money, its because they are spending too much. So what should the US do? Spend even more money that it doesn't have.
Sorry Smith, but when your NHS ISN'T killing people because it refuses to give them a drink of water, then you can talk. I'm sure Kane Gorny's family thank you for talking up the NHS. Maybe thats why its approval has gone from 70% to 58%?
Of course the GOP is extreme by UK standards. They and the rest of Europe are socialist. Most Americans reject the failed European experiment with socialism. And they will soundly reject Obama in November.
Like any situation were there is a lack of leadership and/or reasoned regulation , certain European countries have experienced difficulties. However, most of the European countries have weathered the economic crisis better than us. As for their "socialism", it is not the same as the Soviet Union, China or North Korea. Policies and governance that benefits the common good and are managed well do better than what we think is the better system here. Our government is being held hostage by right-wing extremists who wish to choke our government to death and install their vision of society. Which is that of a corporate fascist theocracy..... No thanks
Great Britain has become a laughing stock around the world. Nothing they say matters. Subjects to the crown, they have no clue what true freedom feels like. Shove it.
You're close, but, actually you missed – people like you make the rest of us true Americans a laughing stock around the world.
we saved uk's rear in ww2. they lost their empire. and now want us to follow their standard?
btw, uk is giving up its racism only recently as can be seen by its unusually high gold medal tally at the last olympics.
'We"??????????? Unless you fought during WWII...YOU DID NOTHING....SHUT UP...
Have you read a history book. The US did not turn up for 2.5 years after WWII started. It was the russians that really drained german forces.
The UK had to give you all its technological advancements to get some limited assistance before you joined the war. Any the UK has paid back every penny of its war debt to the US.
You do realise that a significant number of US bases around the world were leased to you in 1940 on a 99 year lease. Only a few decades more and your military reach will be severely curtailed.
The GOP f today are considered as extremist by the standards of pretty much every other western(ized) nation. Only in an extremist culture like that of America's would they have a hope in hell of being elected. Elsewhere they would be considered part of the lunatic fringe.
Westernized country, Rick mention< are Europe. Europe today is disappearing continent due to their liberal stupidity. If America follows Europe steps, America will disappear within next Obama's term, as he is not American by his nature and mind. If Romney wins and not leans European lesson, America will disappear within next 10 years.
I think I now understand your views. You still believe Obama is not American. I would also wager you think he is Muslim. I sure hope the US is not piling too much hope on your future actions.
Sad commentary and who cares what Britain likes we don't live there.
Unless you live on Mars, you're still a citizen of the world....and apparently not the sharpest knife in the drawer...
so you are telling your major nuclear armed ally to go take a running jump – really sensible
Britain is dead meat country and shall not affect our elections.
And you're dead from the neck up....a perfect fit...wouldn't you say?
Magna Carta in 1215, the Habeas Corpus act in 1679. Not bad for a dead meat country
Britain is a country of genetic thieves and murderers. Britain has committed thievery and murder for centuries around the world, stolen and occupies continents, islands and territories. Britain is responsible for WWII and death of over 56 mln. people by signing Munich "peace" agreement with Hitler.
Mark
read a history book. Fance and the UK declared war on nazi germany after the invasion of poland. Everyone except a few uneducated americans blames hitle for WWII. What do they teach in american schools
The GOP sounds extreme not only to Britain. To quite a few countries, the GOP sounds like the Old West. Mistakenly or not, a lot of countries see the GOP as "shot first and ask questions later". The fact that countries associate, again, mistakenly or not, the GOP with creationists, anti abortion at any cost, surely doesn`t help improve the impression. But, since when Americans care what the R.O.W. (rest of the world) is thinking...
I don't know if americans realize how far to the right they are compared to the rest of the civilized world. American republicans are way too far to the right for the taste of any conservative around the world and, honestly, most american democrats would be at best centrist and some of them even to the right in other countries. Americans have demonized words like "liberal" and "socialist", but everywhere else liberals and socialists are strong establishments and viable political parties. The fact that Obama, even with his star power and former majority in congress did not dare raise taxes, and that's your left-wing? Come on.
What do you mean by Civilized World? European countries that are dying under islam invasion; Turkey that commits crimes around the world on daily basis killing Kurds, Cypriots, illegally occupying Cyprus? Or maybe you mean muslim terrorists committed crimes around the world and respected by "civilized countries"; or pirates supported by "civilized countries" lawyers? We don’t need this kind of "liberal civilization", we need "REPUBLIC".
I make it a principle to discuss civilly. You make the task very hard by being uninformed and advertising it.
If Romney wins, I request 3 things. Don't repeal Obamacare until you have your"improved version" in place. Removing 30 million people from the health care rolls without an alternative is callous and immoral. Bring us to a flat tax system with NO loopholes, and don't invade another country, especially Syria and/or Iran.
If Romney wins, I predict at least 2 of these 3 things will happen.
Basically what this author is saying is that UK is more liberal than the US across the board – didn't we already know that?
Sad. You didn`t learn anything today.
9/11 was a shock all across the world where people were updated. Counter measures were necessary to restore the feeling of security in everybody. And maybe long term measures to stop such acts' recurring. However it was done dumbly and carelessly without any finesse. All world people needed a smooth actor rather than another Bush clan member. And that was Obama. He, at least did not do worst than the than immediate urgent actions which ended up to be only disgrace, further split and almost abuse rather than bringing in sound solutions. It was more like the Cowboys' leading cattles into a barn??? That was the Bush Era... Obama Era was so far more gentle at least. It kind of smoothed out all those rash and futile actions ans and made more reasonable moves possible. Yes U.K is a castle of human rights and democracy. Even U.K kind of bended to the will of U.S. in its revenge run. Turkish senate voted against U.S.A's request for her military' joining in the crusade against the THAN TARGET; Iraq. Well the Turkish Military and societ is equally punished for this since most of them is prisoned eversince. However, when the USA President so much as belches, the rest of the world shakes. And Obama is the man for this in between period when U.S.A is going to cover up the past and hopefully do something cructive.onst
That wrong written last word was ment to be "constructive". Soeey I am writing on a laptop.
Hey lord god, we have become the laughing stock. Open your eyes and take the blinders off so you can see what is going on.
Pretty much just a snippet of any speech given by any democrat over the past ten years. Who cares what the British polls say. They don't have to live with the consequences of this inept president. I read the article and found not one item pointing to something extreme from the right. So not wanting to kill unborn babies is now extreme? Fiscal responsibility is now extreme? wanting citizens to be self-sufficient and not have to rely on the government for their every need, is now extreme? give me a break.
Lord god is a twit pretending to be a male...
Doesn't the UK have the highest tax rate of any country in the world? Doesn't it have one of the highest costs of living? Doesn't it still have a royal family? The most common first name for babies born in the UK in 2012 is "Mohammed". Yeah, I'll stick with the GOP.
No. Actually the UK is 5th. The high taxed countries provide benefits to residents unavailable to Americans. Yes, You are the type the GOP is counting on...
One of the biggest lies we are being told pertains to health care systems in the UK and Canada as well as Germany and France. Having traveled extensively in the past few years, I can tell you first hand that most people in those countries are perfectly satisfied with their health care system. The greedy health insurance companies over here and those politicians who are in their back pockets don't want you to know the truth. If you can't visit these countries, please find pen pals or other means of establishing friends in these countries and find the truth for yourself. We may have the best health care system in the world, but it's not worth a damn to many who cannot afford it and die because of it. Health care in America and the way it's handled is the epitome of capitalism and is a disgrace. Romney and Ryan will destroy it by eliminating Medicare, privatizing Social Security and strangling it for contributors and at the same time, repeal the health care reform bill placing millions back to the status of the uninsured. Think they care? Hell no!
Agreed. I've known people from other countries through online gaming. Most are perfectly happy with their systems. The fallacy most uneducated Americans make is that we have the #1 system in the world since we pay through the nose for it. No...try #37. Not only that, but they are scared of paying higher taxes for universal care. Where I work, it's $950 a month with a $3,000 yearly deductible (per person) for a family of 4. So that means if you actually use it a bit, you'll pay $12,000-$20,000 a year for medical coverage. Keep in mind, most people at the company make around 16k a year before taxes (although the company makes about 20 million in profits, and the owners are certainly rolling in the money...tell me again why the rich need more tax breaks, Romney?)
It is funny to listen to these people say how scary conservatism is, whike leftists are taking over every part of our life. Conservatism is about less government intervention and more freedom.
Can you list the freedoms you lost?
I do not believe you; however I can list.
Work with me Equus; Are you talking "financial freedom", or "social freedom"? The GOP only seems to stand up for one of these anymore...I'm guessing you know which one...
I find it hilarious that the people attacking this article are attacking the author (for not being an American) and not what he actually had to say. It is almost as if they cannot possibly think about something other than themselves and their own views, so they contrive some asinine reason to dismiss the person and with it the argument.
Argumentum ad hominem doesn't make you right, darlings. It makes you really, really stupid.
Our economy, policies and international politics impact the rest of the world. If you do not understand this basic fact, quit trolling the comment section of CNN and go READ some of the articles.
Wow, this guy understands American politics better than 50% of Americans. We educated people agree with you on all fronts. You know all those scare-tactic commercials Republicans are running? Yeah, that's what would come to head if Romney and Republicans were put back in power. Everyone wants to bash Obama on the economy. Who was in charge of the country when the economy tanked? Republicans. And they want to try and blame it on Obama or Clinton. You had almost 2 full terms of total control of our government. You are nuts if you want to put Republicans back in charge of the country again. All it will result in is richer 1%, less of a safety net for everyone else, needless wars to give kickbacks to military contractors, and more pollution and waste. Forget that noise.
His approach to world affairs is almost identical to Bush. He even upped the ante with a weekly top 10 assassination meeting where it is decided who and whose family and children should be taken out with drone bombs next. He continually sends bombs into countries we are not even at war with, something if done to us would be considered an act of war. But he has offered more free checks, so I guess that is what they like about him. That is the supreme purpose of the government, get free checks to the people.
The only difference between President Obama Chewing Gum and Cow Chewing Grass is that Cow looks more intelligent and Presidential.
AMEN.
Well, said sir. The GOP, in it's current form, is an embarrassment to the US.
OK, now CNN...since this is just piece was just an opinion. How about finding one of the many people in England who do not like Obama at all?! I'm a regular traveler to the U.K. and can promise you that there are vast amounts of people there who detest Obama as well. The last time I checked only Americans who were registered were allowed to vote, so I really don't see why this piece was even written.
Excellent article that is accurate and point on. But first and foremost, while some argue that President obama deserves a second term because FOUR years are not enough to reverse and clean up eight years of GOP mess and desasters, I must point out that while President obama has been in office for FOUR years, in actuality, he has had only TWO years to clean up eight years of turmoil. See, before the white extremist confederate slave mentality Jim Crow Tea Party took over the House of Representatives in 2010, the economy was doing fine and adding half a million jobs each month. However, when they took controll of the House and deliberately began to block every effors by the Obama administration to grow the economy and move the country forward, economic growth stalled. And I must note that more was accomplished by the Obama administration in TWO years than that accomplished by any eight year administration in U.S. history. And so far, Presiden Obama has had not FOUR but rather only TWO years to clean up eight years of republican mess because the Tea Party has hampered the President's ability to govern and get things done.
Furthermore, when you inherit two wars and an economic crisis and have had to deal with a divided congress that says it wants you and the country to fail not because of your policies but because of the color of your skin, then I have to agree that President Obama is without a doubt, the Greatest President in U.S. history when you take into account of what has been accomplished at home and abroad. And another amazing fact to point out about President Obama is that despite four years of outrageous name calling and unjust attacks by the GOT and disrespect for his wife and family, never once has President Obama lost focus on governing for the American people and never once has he demanded an apology from the racists in congres and across America for the outrageous attacks and degoratory name calling. Yes, I'm proud of President Obama for his professionalism, his classyness and for his bold, courageous and progressive leadership in restoring our trust, credibility and image and making us the envy of the world once more. God bless you President Obama, the Greatest President in U.S. history.
Obama/Biden 2012!
Amen!! My party has spun so far out of control, it's sickening.... Lincoln, Teddy, and Ike are rolling in their graves.....
WOW! I say! A British Lord–a hereditary aristocrat–telling us how out of line with the rest of the world we are in America. Fussing about our "anti-Government" tendencies, and telling us what kind of leaders and government England needs us colonists to choose.
I don't think the irony could be much thicker. I'll just note that we are different from England BY DESIGN. Have we lost our way and have both parties diverged from the original design–yes. But hearing a British Aristocrat telling us that we should centralize more authority in the Federal government the way his monarchy does...
Obviously Jason Miks has no clue about Obama and the US political situation for the last four years. Obama has had a super majority in Congress for two years (until the end of 2010) and could pass any legislation he wanted unobstrructed by the GOP. He failed miserably. It also seems to me that Obama is more concerned with his status as President than with the American people. The guy just does not seem to be seriously working! He is much more interested in campaigning then doing what he was hired on to do, work for the American people to move our country forward in a positive way.
I'm afraid you're wrong. When the Democrats controlled the House and Senate, we got the 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act ot Stimulus bill passed to stabilize and re-grow the economy and put Americans back to work. We got the 2010 Tax Relief/Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act passed and Financial Reform to avert another catastrophic meltdown on Wall Street and we also got the Affordable Care Act passed. Fast forward to the end of 2010 when the Tea Party took control of the House of Representatives and all we have had is gridlock and government failures by the white racist confederate extremists in congress. Please get your facts straight.
I believe you've missed the point. The bills that WERE passed when Obama had the super-majority were a failure.
Romney blew it when he went to London. He will never live that down, arrogant jerk.
You must be English. Why are you progressives so angry?
Hmm. I didn't know that the British were voting in these years presidential election...
The English, as a people are stupid (which isn't the same as saying all Engligh people are stupid). The country is being taken over by radical muslims and they are letting it happen. They are so stuck on not offending anyone they are rapidly losing control of their country. The glory days of England are way behind them and they will never recover. There are now parts of England controlled by Muslims that white people can't go for fear of harm. This country needs to turn around before we follow England into the Abyss. This guy is just as stupid as that guy from England who met with Hitler and came back and said that Germany wasn't a threat. What an idiot.
Replace 'England' with USA. Replace 'Muslims' with 'Right-wing Christians'. Replace Hitler with Tea Party, and Germany with GOP, and it's all frighteningly true.
The Martians are coming! The Martians are coming!
I hope they can save us..... Got to be way better than corporate (So called) Christian extremists....
Believe it or not most americans on the whole do not rationalise issues the way the rest of the world do. GOP knows and exploit this to the fullest. GOP are the master of making a dumb be dumb even at their peril. Excellent article but will never be understood by the voters who will benefit.
If you objected to Iraq so much, you should have used YOUR elections to remove YOUR politicians that sent YOUR troops, much like Spain eventually did. The fact that you did not, tells me that maybe your citizenry isn't as opposed or as united as you claim.
ok.
But, who cares about what brits think?
Reading some of these comments, I always wonder how does GOPer's professed to be such Christians and spue so much hate, when the bible states the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your might and love your neighbors as yourselves. Where does all this hate comes from if they are such christians? You cannot spue sweet and evil from the same tongue, remember? Non-christians seems to be more accomodating and listen to other points of view even if they do not believe. GOP must learn to love All people. KARMA IS A ......isn't it? Isaac on the anniversary of Katrina is a solid reminder to everyone what happened in that disaster. Think on these things.
It's a mirror of what's happening with Islam (extremists). And it's probably happening because of radical Islam.
THEY BUILT IT -
just for themselves;
now let’s fix it,
for everyone.
England is Socialist; of course they love Obama. Socialism is why England is no longer great. Take it from one of their own:
“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.” – Margaret Thatcher
Meet Romney’s five boys -
the Koch brothers, Adelson, Karl Rove & Dick Cheney -
who are trying to buy the election,
not for Romney
but for Romney to serve them.
it's kind of like how the labor unions are trying to buy the election for Obama, so he can serve them for another 4 years. Did you happen to notice that unions are exempt from Obamacare?
What's worse sir, is living amongst these thug Republicans. They tend to be uneducated, not sense of directions, limited thinking skills, and listen to talk show host that have the education of someone out of high school. The ignorant voters have also bought into, thinking they are all going to heaven. Its real hard, just because of how ignorant these people really are.
"They tend to be uneducated, not sense of directions, limited thinking skills, and listen to talk show host that have the education of someone out of high school. The ignorant voters have also bought into, thinking they are all going to heaven. Its real hard, just because of how ignorant these people really are."
Sounds like most liberals too. The only difference is the Republicans live in the woods, and the Democrats congregate in the inner cities....
Proof read your comments before posting about education. Wow.
Mr. Bernadiner Your response to my response was so typical of a ninnie, that, you know what? You are right. Continue blaming things on countries and people. Don`t forget to vote for the GOP. You clearly deserve each other
The GOP is extreme to anyone's standard. The GOP tried it's best to make sure America didn't recover from ti's failed policies just to make Obama look bad.
Or as the English would say "Blimey, what have you chaps across the pond been smoking? You Blokes just flushed GW down the Loo and now you want to elect Romney?
By Jove! You`ve got it!
Wake up people, this isnt and never will be the UK as their liberal activities have them over a barrel right now....AKA- BROKE! CNN, you have proven time and time again what a liberal POS you are.
Thank you, Chris Smith and all of Britain, your article is so inspiring. With the crazy greety Republicans you just don't know what you'll get. We do know that with Romney we'll get another Crazy George Bush, dumb, ignorant, arrogant and mean-spirited. Romney is a sneeky guy, he hides his money out of the country, Swiss Banks and the Cayman Islands, he and his sons have never served their country but yet want to enjoy all of the freedom and security in the US. They enjoy the lakes, the forests, the bridges, the roads, etc. They believe that they are above the law and do not have to contribute for the maintenance and progress of our country. This family (Romneys) belong in their own planet. My wish is to see that this family is sent packing, back to their mansion and their elevators, cause we know that with Romney and his crook friends the middle class is ruined. God Bless America and God bless the American people.
MACT,
Yes, that's exactly what I was referring to. Our participation in the affairs of those countries is an excellent example of what can happen when one country forces its will upon another.
As for income inequality, there's all kinds of examples of the nasty things that can happen when people try to enforce redistribution of that wealth too.
Hear, hear. Well stated.
Britain loves Obama...that's a glowing recommendation from the poofters who drink warm beer and murdered 1/2 the world. The GOPer's are really scared now...
Another socialist country going broke that likes Obama. What a ringing endorsement for his Presidency.
In the article the gentlemen from Britain points out that one of their big issues is austerity, which is what the GOP is promoting here. WHy is it that everyone inthe world except GOP members in AMercia and a few Germans can't see that the policies of austerity will only take world economies backwards!
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."
~~~Winston Churchill
Understand that Obama has sewn up the North Korean and Iranian vote also.
Yep, and his polls are rising in Venezuela as well!
Wow...so the house of LORDS is now telling us the DEMs are better to stick with- didn;t we win our liberty from this group in the 1700's? Article must be a GOP plant as I cannot see it doing anything good for the Dems and President Obama.
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
~~~Winston Churchill
most smart brits have already left uk for usa. we must be doing it right, else the cunning brits would still be in their home country, wouldn't they?
Correct. I mean, didn't this country separate from Great Britain for a reason?
they're actually just normal Brits. They just SEEM smart to most Americans.
1. Take a look at Britan. That is the best argument not to listen to what the British think.
2. Obama is the sitting president. He can no longer rely on building up hatred toward Bush to get him re-elected. He needs to actually produce policies himself and stop pointing fingers at other people.
3. If England was "appalled" by the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, then we shouldn't care what they think and, morally, they have no highground to suggest who should lead us. They can just enjoy our protection and keep it shut.
"1. Take a look at Britan. That is the best argument not to listen to what the British think."
Say what? What's wrong with Britain? Maybe you should spend some time over the weekend and compare some statistics, such as overall health of the population, infant mortality rates, education, incarceration statistics, homicide rates, etc, etc. Have you ever even stepped out of your STATE? I think not. You're far too narrow-minded.
"RINO" should be the term used to describe the Tea Party. Not the other way around.
Too many who comment here adhere to the GOP fantay that our country is so "exceptional" and "gid favored" that we can go it alone, with no regard for international alliances or good will. The next time we are attacked, don't be surprised if "allies" just stand by or even walk away. Obama has started to repair the damage Bush-lite, and a Romney election will stop that progress and make the situation worse.
tell that to all the dead syrian children Obama refuses to help
Not our fight...... Or do you want a third war to fight? Our men and women in the armed forces don't need it. And do you really want the rest of the Arabic world getting in on it.... Oh wait.... You must be one of those religious nuts who wants to invoke Armageddon... Sorry Jesus won't appreciate that....
Repair the damage? If you mean bowing to the Saudi prince, then I suppose you're right. Otherwise, I don't see how Obama has repaired anything.
No one but rich, old white males like the GOP.
Really hoping that women, latinos, blacks, gays and youth in the US have a clue this November.
Dang! I didn't realize I wasn't a young, middle-class, latino. I must be an old rich white guy!! Thanks for pointing that out. Now, where's my money?
Ban the Republican party. Arrest republicans. Put them in little cages. Forever.
The British opinion of American politics is of little or no interest to thinking Americans !! Have you ever watched a session of the House of Commons on PBS? What a joke !! One of your letter writers said, "Ban the Republican party. Arrest Republicans. Put them into cages." What a flake !!!!!!
Translation: Republicans Bad. Democrats Good. Gee...I could get a job with CNN too!
Why wouldn't a country who has adopted socialist policy LOVE Obama?
Lord Smith’s article is rubbish. He states that “most conservatives agree” but then doesn’t provide any names. Uh okay. Then he proceeds to talk about the dark shadow Bush cast. Excuse me, but who was at the helm when terrorism gained traction in the 90s? That’s right, Bill Clinton. The darkness has]d already descended, Lord Smith,a fact you and your fellow lefties don’t seem to be able to grasp.
If one considers Europe’s long and sorry history of governance by both right and left they could hardly listen to Lord Smith without breaking into loud guffaws. Europe is a mess and has always been so. That is why so many people of European descend are spread throughout the globe.
Yet, at the same time Europe (and London, in particular) is more diverse than ever
In this age of extreme media, its very difficult to tell half truths to win votes/elections. Both parties participate in this behavior and unfortunately the American people who accept it are influenced by the safety of their community's views or their current environment. Its our right as American citizens to be told the complete truth of both sides of the aisle and allow us to decide accordingly.
As a Registered Republican, I'm a firm believer in smaller government, but in these current economic conditions, we need more participation from our gov't to stimulate the economy. The American auto industry is bouncing back thanks to gov't support. The economy as a whole will in time, its not an overnight solution for either party and if you believe either side, its simply a bill of goods that can't be purchased.
Politics have gone to the wayside in this country. Its imperative for non-partisan reporting of the truths of both sides. Do we care about tax returns & birth certificates? Senseless.
We need to step up and find a way to a bi-partisan solution. De-regulation existed under Reagan, and continued through Clinton and GWB. The re-establishment of the banking system with a greater awareness of investment policy & regulation is the beginning of a new economy. It has nothing to do with the threats of universal health care systems or loweing the taxes on the upper 10%. Yes, they are talking points, but the rich will still find shelters and the uninsured will suffer.
We need to find a way to communicate as a nation, not "Christie or Biden" spewing incendiary remarks...those days are past. Reagan was successful due to tiime and place of his presidency, but even more important he and Clinton were able to reach across the aisle to communicate on behalf of compromise for all, which is lost.
Our nation needs leaders who speak to all for all and tell the whole story, not just the politicos to get re-elected.
Thank you for the precise commentary
You think the UK likes Hussein Obama??? Read what the REAL people have to say about him in comments in the Sun and Daily Mail newspapers. They have him figured out.
And why is it you extremists at CNN always want to paint anyone who is not extreme left wing as 'extremist'? Media controlled thinking for the idiots. You will get blown away in the polls my troll friend!!
So this is the best CNN can do to support Obama? I guess all they have is "Well, people in other nations like him" since they can't speak to his "accomplishments". Of course other people in other nations like him as he belittles the US when he can, gives in to them, and is ruining our nation making them look better. He can't run for office based on the Stimulus as Greenspan has come out saying the huge deficits that created offset the stimulus so the overall impact on the economy has been negative! He can't run on Obamacare as the cost estimates keep going up, and this is despite the plan enforcing a $700+ Billion dollar cut into Medicare for aging seniors! He can't run on foriegn policy as given the rise of islamist power in Libya, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. So all he has to run on is "Other countries like me" or "you should hate Romney due to 'X'" where 'X' is the smear of the moment. And CNN is supporting this farce or a man. For shame.
There’s another worry with the Republicans, too."....never, never, never again...call FOX biased. You at CNN are the absolute worst at attempted mind control. It is no wonder that governments close down the press as you have proven time and time again...you CANNOT be trusted to be unbiased.
Rob, what are you talking about? A guy from Britain wrote this. Fox entertainment is not news. It is CLEARLY biased. This is simply reporting a set of comments made by a person from another country who observes America from a different perspective. Thats it. Ever hear of Alexis de Tocqueville?
Cellstrom...Thank you.
The United States is more conservative than Britain. Everyone knows that. The issue is Mr Obama has not been able to unite the country, and we expected better.
I wonder why he has not been able to unite the country? Maybe we should first start with the Congressional leaders who said their first goal was to insure the President did not return for a second term. Maybe we should ask the Tea Party of NO why our President gets no cooperation.
Thank you Britain for verifying my thoughts. It's nice to know that outsiders can see the problem.
For all you agreeing with the brits – go pay your tribute to the queen.
"There’s another worry with the Republicans, too. If a Romney-Ryan administration were to take over, especially with a Republican Congress behind them, dominated by voices from the Tea Party, the likelihood is that economic policy in America – pulling back sharply on public spending and programs whilst liberating the wealth of the wealthy – would plunge the U.S. economy back into recession."
Bet on it.
I really respect Fareed's POV, but not sure why this Labor Pol's opinion should matter. Europeans, Brits and others have often liked Democrats more than Republicans – for decades – so this is nothing new.
Bush ticked everyone off by dragging Europe and the rest of the world into Iraq without building a coalition. Look at the different approach his own father took in '91 and the result.
I also don't understand why government is the one to liberate and help our economy. If we're in recession because all the banks and business lost money, and the banks all go their money back but the businesses haven't yet, how does Government re-allocation of that money (to other groups) help get us out of recession.
We are coming slowly out of recession DESPITE Obama's 3 $1trillion stimulus bills. He has no plans and no way to help us further – it's just "stay the course". Romney is looking at things like Obama promised: restructuring government and reducing the burden on people and businesses to keep this overbloated government afloat.
How long do you think it should take to come out of a recession? Could it actually be that the stimulus is the reason we are slowly returning from the near depression? How does cutting government jobs and putting more people out of work in times of high unemployment help the economy? What exactly is Romney planning that will actually make a difference? Why would trickle down work now? These are the questions to research.
Wasn't the Boston Tea Party led by tax evading , turn coat traitors? Or were they Republicans? I can't remember.
I want to move to Britain now.
By all means.
Go ahead and enjoy that. Enjoy living in tiny houses that rival America's best ghettos. Enjoy paying an unreal amount of fees and taxes that are placed on nearly everything you do. Enjoy an astronomical cost of living that can't possibly be justified by the median incomes of the country. Enjoy finding out that you idea a of liberal paradise is one of the most culturally myopic, racially intolerant, overweight, suppressive, violent countries in the whole EU.
sounds like the US in 10 years
actually sounds like the US. the most overweight country on the planet where 70% of people don't even have passports
That just proves one thing the British are real idiots when it comes to U.S. politics as they do not have a clue!
The GOP is extreme by the standards of the Reagan-era GOP!
Much of this debate, and the hard-headed clashes between right and left oriented people, suffers from a devastating flaw in reasoning. The assumtion that one must choose to accept or reject either capitalism or socialism. Not that I prefaced this by saying "Much of this debate".
Creating a false dichotomy between capitalism and socialism is a Great example of armchair political philosophizing that has no basis in a realist account of the political climate in Canada , U.S. or any other country. It is quite obvious that a third option exists and is more indicative of actual policies of nations that consider themselves "capitalistic" or "socialistic". All such countries exercise a balancing act between these socio-economic theories. Some have better results that others, but this balancing act is a relatively new experiment that needs TIME, THOUGHT and actual DISCUSSION in order to reach an appropriate equilibrium. The formula for such success is unique to every country's particular challenges. That being said, it is evident that talk which advocates for strict adoption of one or the other theories in all areas of socio-economic policies, is flawed from the start.
THis is quite possibly the most intelligent and insightful post ever written on a comments section to an article. I agree 100%.
note*** edit plz
also **than** instead of that... sent from my cell...
Obama should run for President of the European Union and quite ruining the US for the rest of us.
Why has Obama spent millions of $$$ hiding his college transcripts? Obama like to talk about transparency and criticize Romney over taxes but has spent millions of $$$ trying to keep the American public from seeing his college records. Why? What is Obama hiding? Did he join radical muslim groups in college or receive funding from Islamic groups to pay for college? Not very transparent.
Why is it that Obama spent millions of $$$ hiding his college transcripts? Obama likes to talk about transparency and criticize Romney over taxes but Obama has spent millions of $$$ trying to keep the American public from seeing his college records. Why? What is Obama hiding? Did he join radical muslim groups in college or receive funding from Islamic groups to pay for college? Not very transparent.
The GOP will just counter this with the old Bush quote "they hate us for our freedoms."
Lord Chris Smith please go back to your country,we are doing better than Britain.
While the rest of the world considers the current stunted crop of GOP extremists to be shallow jokes......American Conservatives continue to be in awe of them?
Go figure...............................................................................
The GOP is even extreme by US standards...
It seems the British have forgotten the lesson of the Revolutionary War: stay out of our political affairs, for your own good.
A lot of has happened since the Revolutionary War, in case you haven't noticed.
Haha what lesson was that? Did you invade Britain? Didn't think so. You over estimate your importance friend.
Such a strange article.
– the writer mentions the recounting in Florida as though Bush were at fault, when it was Gore demanding them, and Democrats doing the recounting, hoping the numbers would turn a little more each time.
– the Democrats controlled Congress for the first 2 years of the Presidency; the gridlock is a result of the failed polices of those years.
–the stimulus did not work. Period. With a stimulus plan, you borrow money with the idea that the growth you create will pay back the debt in the future. If the growth is small, it doesn't work. Now all we have is the debt.
–health care: my sister in law is British. I've noticed a strange contradiction. Brits are proud of their nationalized healthcare, and at the same time admit it is a disaster. I think it's a point of national pride just because you were one of the first to do it. You are taught to be proud of it, just like one of your soccer teams. But the fact remains the system does not work well, is getting worse, and most Brits would opt into an American plan if they could.
–if only you could have a Thatcher to come into power at the same time as Romney. There would be some short term suffering as the underlying left based economies were corrected, but soon there would be a long period of growth and prosperity. Though you would find a way to complain about that, too. Yes, I remember the 80s and your desperate need to repaint what success looks like.
– why does CNN post gibberish like this on the day of the Republican convention? Unbelievable...this is why Britain polls the way it does on issues. The population has been thoroughly brainwashed by left wing propaganda. Somewhere underneath it all British greatness remains. Let's hope the Left does not succeed in fully extinguishing it.
Limey, Go home.
I am SO glad we kicked the Brits the F outta here 236 years ago.
Wait – this very same England we fought for our freedom from does not agree with how we run our country? They need to go have tea and mind there own business.
Lalalalalalala...not listening!...lalalalalala
If you asked the average American what they think of David Cameron, they'd probably ask if he was the kid on 'Growing Pains.' That's how relevant British politicians are to Americans. Just keep that in mind, Mr. Smith, when you are lecturing us about our own affairs.
Sure, disagree with him, but tell us why.. Also, just because someone is lecturing you doesn't mean they don't have a point. Since when did listening to a lecture become something bad in and of itself. Further, taking the stance that another country shouldn't have a well formulated opinion on another country's political affairs is rediculous. People criticize and debate other country's affairs all the time, note the "world" news section of CNN.com. Also, U.S. in particular is under the microscope because honestly poeple belonging to other countries have a massive interest in America NOT failing and falling apart. We all want and need you guys to be successful, so forgive us for taking an intrest in the devastating state of your country's political climate. Again, if you dissagree with this guy, tell us why, don't just attack someone elses perspective strictly because of where their from. You don't have to have heard of someone to listen to what they say and reasonably assess if they have a point. Maybe this guy doesn't, but if we just accept your dismissal of his points on the basis of your ad hominem attack....well then we'd be as bad as the majority of American politicians now wouldn't we?
**they're** in case the gramm4r police are out...
If you asked most americans who Barrack Obama was they wouldn't have a clue.
Really?When I was in Germany and Austria last month they look at Obama as a dictator.And the UK?Soon to be the Islamic Republic of Britian?
You probably never left your hotel room while there. What a bizarre statement.
A two party system cannot function unless both parties are willing to compromise. When one party thinks it can gain through non-cooperation, we need to punish them severely, and we will in November.
Very odd and uninformed.
First of all, there have been close ties between the Tories and the Republicans going back to when Reagan and Margaret Thatcher (not mentioned in the article) where in power. Is Reagan really that different that the GOP of today?
Any article about the British view of US politics, specifically the GOP party that doesn't mention that close relationship is pretty worthless.
Vijay – you compare the England of the 80's to today? Really makes no more sense than comparing the US of the 80s to today.
The Brits can have him! He'll be available in January!
From some of the comments here there is a real shortage of functioning brain cells. Like it or not the US is part of the world. The world needs us and we need the world. At the rate we are going all we will have are enemies. Our Congress (the opposite of progress) is useless, we think we are the worlds police force, our DOD spending cannot be maintained, and we cannot even provide care for our own population. We say we're number one???? Overall I don't think we are in the top 10!!!!!!
Unless you are fortunate to be a top 1% in this country, you really have no business supporting a candidate who is out to protect only the moneyed/ruling class elite. I am talking about the fat cats who are making millions of dollars a year and more. If you don't think it is necessary to have Medicaid or SS, then Romney is your man!!!
I don't know about you, but I think that most people would like to see that policies wont be gutted to benefit the people who least need assistance. The folks making millions/billions on Wallstreet, etc. They could care less about what happens to the average Joe, Heck they would throw their mother off a cliff if it meant they can save a buck!
"I am talking about the fat cats who are making millions of dollars a year and more."
You mean like John Kerry, Jay Rockefeller, EVERY Kennedy? Is that who you mean?
No, huh? Hypocrit.
Great post, seeing as what British citizens decide U.S. elections and the feelings of British citizens are the primary motivating factors behind U.S. votes.
end sarcasm
Disagree with him, but tell us why.. Also, just because someone is lecturing you doesn't mean they don't have a point. Since when did listening to a lecture become something bad in and of itself. Further, taking the stance that another country shouldn't have a well formulated opinion on another country's political affairs is rediculous. People criticize and debate other country's affairs all the time, note the "world" news section of CNN.com. Also, U.S. in particular is under the microscope because honestly poeple belonging to other countries have a massive interest in America NOT failing and falling apart. We all want and need you guys to be successful, so forgive us for taking an intrest in the devastating state of your country's political climate. Again, if you dissagree with this guy, tell us why, don't just attack someone elses perspective strictly because of where their from. You don't have to have heard of someone to listen to what they say and reasonably assess if they have a point. Maybe this guy doesn't, but if we just accept your dismissal of his points on the basis of your ad hominem attack....well then we'd be as bad as the majority of American politicians now wouldn't we?
Like I care what the Brits have to say about Politics... how about your fix your EU over there and we'll stay with our liberties and freedoms... which are continuing to be taken away from the progressive European mentality.
**they're**
Britain doesn't like the GOP? oh no lets all quit brushing our teeth now like they have.
Great if the U K loves this lying dog Obama so much they can keep him.
"Chris Smith is a member of Britain’s House of Lords and a former Secretary of State for Culture and Media in the Tony Blair government."
And this Socialist luvvie speaks for the UK?
Yes, Lord, Obama's economic policies are clearly working for the world! Lets be more like Europe, where everyone is bankrupt! Who needs that evil thing called austerity????? Idiot.
This has nothing to do with who I have and Will vote for.
For the USA who CARES what Britain or Europe feel about OUR president. Yes it's great that they get along with Obama and that he is willing to work with other countries and not isolate us like Bush did but Britain or any-other Countries Favorable rating of a United States Candidate has zero importance to any election and to the American ppl.
Although it should as the American people are truley a bunch of DOLTS, who would rather take thier marching orders from Rush Bimbo and Sean Hannity ..
The American ppl Voted a Dem president in office. As I assume you are Anti-GOP then by voting in a Dem wouldn't that NOT make the American ppl a bunch of dolts. And doesn't that mean that most Americans don't follow Rush.
Unfortunately many republican who post here don't know the meaning of civility, and it is impossible to fight dumbness. In addition there is a staggering level of cultural illiteracy in the GOP, as is also shown in many of their posts here.
Intelligence and civility are not monopolized by either of the political affiliations. Arrogance and emotional outbursts plague political discussion from both spectrums. This leads the debate nowhere and both sides should be called out on their emotionally charged outbursts that effectively offer nothing of substance to the debate.
And the funny thing is... Obama hates the Brits... has hated as his father did and even sent back the bust of Churchill... Europe hates conservatives, they have for a long time... and look at where they are. Christy was right last night. Look at the difference between the parties. One party encourages and celebrates success and the other panders
I see your lying lips are red with Kool_Ade again .. fact is ... the bust of Churchill was on LOAN to us and was slated to go back after Bush left office.. and Obama had it replaced with the president most like himself .. a bust of LINCOLN of course.. but you wouldn't know that.. not YOUR FAULT... you enjoy being lied to by the Tard-drizzlers over at Fox.. where they like to serve you AMPLE amounts of Kool-Ade while filling you head with lies and leavng out the truth ..unless you simply don't like having a black president ..in which case you should p-robably just grow a 'SET" and let us know that it's really because you a stupid racist ...
You both need to stop drinking your Hater-ade. One of you seems to only watch FOX while the other seems to be Sleeping with NBC.
By the way, President Obama in not running for re-election in the UK, so I think the liberal Lord should be more worried about elections there. The author thinks any one not supporting gay marriage is un evolved. Some evolve very quickly, for others, as they say, might take a couple of billion more years.
Republicans and democrats both need to stop stacking the deck against the working person until then we aint going nowhere.
The author forgets that the US Founding fathers broke away from the British and purposely established a new form of government, understanding the British system didn't allow for as much freedom. Also, a socialist country is going to be in favor of the socialist president. DUH!!
Oh "Lord" ...... Interesting that you see a "deadlocked" Congress when in fact it was President Obama's puppet for his first 2 years during which he did nothing on the budget (never even offered one); immigration reform or world influence (note the UNs decision to visit with Iran against our President6's objection. Here in the colonies we do not have a monarchy, much to Mr Obama's chagrin and we actually expect President's to do something. Other than than spend money we don't have, much as most advanced European cultures seem to do. Then again, Britain never did buy into the Euro concept did they? We appreciate teh insights of teh world order, soon we will be as broke as teh rest of you. You'll very much appreciate the China way iof doing things before very long.
Oh good, then they can unseat Queen Elizabeth and take Obama off our hands.
Romney/Ryan 2012
If Romney wins, our only hope will be to formally apologize to the Queen and ask her to take us back.
What a selective memory this writer has. To start with, Obama had his party in control of both houses of congress for two years and still couldn't get his budget passed. Also Obama also happened to vote in favor of the war in Iraq, along with a vast majority of the senate, right or wrong. There is no reasoning with those with selective memory.
They've been fed so many half truths they come by the bias honestly. They wont bother to look at the other side or learn true facts. They think giving the queen a cd of his own speeches is classy and appropriate. Well two years of control of the Senate and House produced nothing. It's all a game, strategy, blame....and none of it is for the benefit of our country...only for him.
Again, not saying you're wrong, but it would be nice if backed some of it up with all those 'true facts' you've learned.
**if you**
"Also Obama also happened to vote in favor of the war in Iraq"
Obama wasn't in Congress at the time the Iraq War vote occurred... sigh...
I can see why CNN sucks along with its viewers. How you can praise a president who is a complete failure is beyond me. Why not leave America and go live in the UK? Our own Military has reservations about this racist president who occupies the WH. He's divided our country and created hatred. He's a phony who has not worked a day in his life. All he wants is to be a popular and well liked...he could care less about our country. Give me Bush any day. I hope I irked you. Makes me feel good to comment on one of these biased network sites. We're all laughing at the lefties...I can't wait to see Obama throw a tantrum...he'll be flinging his arms around not knowing what on earth to do with them.
I guess we should assume you are the pinacle of impartial objectivity...Good points, if you justified any of them that is. I'm not saying you can't, but you havent, and should if you think you can.
you worship bush so I don't need to tell you about worshipping a failed president. is people like you that spread hate you can't make a simple post on a board without ranting and raving and name calling.
Uh... the story was written by a UK politician. Not CNN. Not in the United States.
Please learn to read before drowning us in nonsense.
"We had been shocked......., we had been appalled....., We were already puzzled......, we loved what we saw."
Who is this individual who speaks for the entire British population?
What a bunch of claptrap – this coming from the liberal Lord who probably thinks the parallel sharia court system and "no-go" zones in the UK are just peachy. No thanks. Please keep your agenda on your side of the pond.
Activists are pushing both parties to their respective extremes. Left wing activists won't support a Dem that doesn't support their agenda completely. Right wing activists won't support for a Repub that doesn't support thier agenda completely. If the candidates don't get the support of their party extremists, they can't get elected. The activists raise and donate the money that runs the campaigns. Ban all political television and radio paid advertising, and the need for the money dries up. Let the candidates campaign on free social media.
Why do rich people hope on private planes and go to Europe, have offshore accounts, party in France? Guess they don't care to spend there money here.But they sure don't mind stabbing granny in the back for their all powerful god,and I mean the dollar when I said that.I have found that it is money,me and mine ,and then maybe Christ if they can make a buck on him.
Why do we care what the UK thinks about our politicians? Their opinion is, well unimportant.
There are hundreds of opinions out there; not sure why CNN would want to post a liberal UK guys opinion here. Pierce Morgan has already done enough damage to CNN, now the opinion of a UK lord?
Probably because it IS CNN, Communist News Network.
Scott
Gosh JP, you are so right. Living in isolation and not listening to anyone with an opinion, idea or fact other than your own is a wonderful way to live. Heaven forbid you might actually learn something and we wouldn't want that to happen.
Britain, warned by writers and speakers like George Orwell (1984, Animal Farm) and Enoch Powell (Rivers of Blood) warned the people what would happen and it happened anyway. But you say, "Oh, but how nice when people are tamed into loving COMPLIANCE." Meanwhile the real England, the real Scotland, the real Wales and even the real Ireland is being destroyed via this disease called Multiculturalism.
Diversity is a code word for white genocide.
No one cares what you Brits think! We fought and won a Revolution to get away from you. Get over it loser, you don't own us anymore.
I see some commentators writing things like "Stop asking for Hand Outs" when they are Obama bashing.
Since when asking for fairness/justice is considered asking for hand out? Why would an employee pay 40% of his taxes while People like Romney pay only 14%? We have had the biggest wealth transfer of the US history in the last 10 years. 1% owns 40% no,w up from 24% And when people ask for healthcare, so the cancer patients are not denied insurance, or kids are not denied equal opportunity for education, the response is " Stop Asking for Hand Outs"
This nation will make a decision on November 7th. Whether we will follow the American Dream sold to us by 1% or we will mak ethe American dream happen by providing equal opportunity but not equal outcome
"By UK standards." DUH! The UK is a completely socialist nation, where the government owns or directs the majority of the wealth-creating machinery. And, as Margaret Thatcher said, it has failed: "The trouble with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other peoples' money." Using the UK as a "standard" for deciding whether a given political stance is left or right is like using a thimble as a standard for measuring the amount of beer one drinks – and then declaring that anyone who has a pint is a drunkard because they drink so much more than the "standard" amount.
Under Blair, a Labor PM, power was sent out away from London to work at a local level at an unprecedented level, with great success. This never would have occurred under Thatcher or Major, who wanted to use the power of the state ( and Rupert Murdoch)to crush their domestic opponants. Your understanding of British politics is nil, so I would suggest you stick to what you know: the list is probably short enough for your limited, FOX-addicted attention span to handle.
And us American's should care about a Euro-Socialist's views for what reason(s)? Isn't Europe the place that is in really deep "doo" due to their "komrade" lib socialist programs? You know, the same type of Bovine Scat that the Kenyan Prince wants to saddle America with.
Scott
No, they are in trouble because of the austerity programs they have implemented that the GOP wants to mimic. The problem with countries like the UK and Greece begins when they start to cut tax rates for their wealthiest citzens, in the mistaken belief the money would be invested at home. Sound familiar, Junior?
Europeans should worry about thier own failing economy rather than concerned about the United States.
totally agree. last thing we need is their opinion
Test.
The moderate republicans (yes, there are some) don't worry me. It's the really crazy right wingers that really worry me. That's why I cannot vote for a republican. I have a feeling many centrist voters like me share my opinion.
LOL. The conservative party in the UK is far more liberal than our Democrats, so obviously they are likely to agree with the Obama agenda.
Tom – What's funny about that?
Brilliant article. Badly needed that anybody voting Republican should understand that just about every policy they hold to is abhorrent to every other western civilized democracies and that the only place such madness would gain traction is in this isolated nation of ours.
Margaret Thatcher would disagree!
Having recently returned from a three-month stint living and working in Australia, I can tell you that their view of the US is remarkably similar to that of their British cousins. They know that they must follow where America leads. But they are appalled by the jingoistic nationalism of the Republican Party. And they know that the Republican budget and tax approach will crater the US economy, dragging weaker economies down with it. So they are hoping as fervently at the Brits for a second Obama term.
Puh-lease... Obama is killing the US economy and everybody knows it! The markets are poised to ROAR with a Romney win because the markets KNOW that Romney will get the economy back on track.
Poised to roar based upon what? Is there anything that Romney has proposed that addresses the needs of the middle class, the people who really create jobs and spend their money? Nope, not a thing. Another sucker for the GOP and Ayn Rand.
Mitt won't show his tax returns. Kind of like payng poker with someone who says "I win, trust me" and he won't show you his cards. Bernie Madoff told very smart people "Trust me" and look what happened to them. Mitt is saying the same thing "Trust me". What a con artist!
and, do you think we give a crap what the UK thinks. I just love watching Piers go crazy over Romney!
Maybe we should start caring what the rest of the world thinks. Globalization is making world citizens of us all, so it would be a good idea to improve relations with all of the other naked apes.
they have thier own problems, let us settle our own.
It would be hard to think of an important problem we have that isn't a problem for the Brits, Aussies, and dozens of other countries.
The republicans have become a congregation of sociopaths.
Their claim of being astute business leaders is mostly a myth.
But they do love $$$
Republicans like to work hard to be successful and earn $ – you know, the freedoms that we have that this country was built on.
Democrats like to vote to take $ from those who work to give it to the people who will vote for them (think Solyndra.)
Now that's a hoot: Obama has the UK Labour Party vote. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...God, that's funny.
The point of the article is that British conservatives support Obama as well. In fact, Labor party people throughout the Commonwealth are astonished (and disappointed) at how conservative Obama has turned out to be.
Well, thanks for clarifying that Frank, because we all need a genius like you to interpret the article for us. Clearly, you are a wise and analytically gifted political scientist. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...SD? Seriously?
Remember what the last two GOPs in the WH did....
see youtube -- CIA Asset Susan Lindauer Can Now Speak 10 years after 9-11.
Yeah, they did it.
Check out youtueb -- CIA Asset Susan Lindauer Can Now Speak 10 years after 9-11.
The Bush WH did it.
Mitt is just another handpuppet for Senior and Cheney as were Junior and Regans. End the Bush Dynasty Evil Empire.
The real problem with Obama and the democratic ideals is that they want us to be more like Europe. So, how's the Euro doing guys? Pardon me if I don't sign up....
Actually, Obama's plan for most major issues is more like Australia's – center-left but market oriented. And, BTW, the Australian economy is booming because they are spending freely and have a high minimum wage.
Obama's plan is to raise taxes so that the Government can spend even more and so he can repay the people who voted for him – Solyndra, Unions, and others.
I think everyone is extreme compared to the UK and France.
Lenin and Mao would be proud of Obama
The only conceivable thing that Lenin and Mao (who advanced starkly different ideologies) might have agreed on is that they revile centrist reformers like Obama.
Obama is running the country with no budget in place for the last 3 years and has run up $5 Trillion in new debt with little to show for it. That and the fact while he was in the Senate he voted to support partial-birth abortion. Now, that is EXTREME.
Michelle Obama has taken 15 vacations while citizens of this country are hurting for jobs. That is EXTREME.
Well golly gee! We should definately elect him again. If polled Britains like Obama as our president.
Remind me again what the results were, of the poll of Britians, that ask "Would you like a weaker United States"
hmmm... they want a weaker United States and they want Obama as president, but there's no coorllation there... nothing to see here, nothing to see....
This pretty much sums up my feelings about Obama. I will be doing my part to make sure he gets 4 more years, and I pray that we don't revert back to the horrendous policies we endured under the previous administration.
And, according to this article, Socialist England agrees with you. Consider studying how socialism has worked in modern civilization.
One of the planks in the GOP platform is a massive highway project. Well, the Dems have been trying to do that, but the Repubs have been up in arms about debt and deficits. But then the GOP comes up with the idea, it is a good one. And they probably will pay for it by reducing taxes on the rich, increasing taxes on the middle class and trashing medicare and SSI. The GOPTparty is wrong for American
The Brits, as many of us do realize that with the other party it will be The Bishop and his flock of Americans.
The republican right are people who are born with rotten Umbilical cord with hate embedded in them with their brains full of fairy tales, suicidal and of course silly apolitical beliefs which has no bases in real life.
British are loving the fact that the US is spending itself deeper and deeper into debt to help prop them and the rest of the EU up. I also love the commet about "liberating the wealth of the wealthy". The GOP wants to extend the tax breaks for EVERYONE, not just the rich. Who does he think funds the government, anyway? The top 10% of wage earner paid nearly 70% of all Federal income taxes, while the bottom 46% paid NOTHING in Federal income tax. In fact, may of these also recieved checks from the government in one form or another.
"In case you might be thinking that “he would say this, wouldn’t he”", you could have stopped right there and been done.
Sorry my limey friend, we don't want to be you, which is what you are really saying. You can tow the line or get off the coat-tails thank you very much.
It should be no surprise that Socialist England likes the current President of the USA.
The republicans are extreme for the human race.
If you mean extremely good, then you are correct.
when you go around london you get this feeling that some guy is going to ambush you. it is hard to feel safe there without a gun.
the biritsh election is just 2 week affair. their election campaigns are state supported. it is a rush-hush thing and the voters are not given enough time to think through; they don't get a day off to vote. of course, they think they are a democracy. such delusion!
"Britain likes Obama, even without the illusions"
Then Britain is welcome to him–maybe he can run for PM after he gets through ruining the American economy. Let him have a go at (further) ruining the British economy as well.
The Brits wouldn't like him as PM because then he would be spending THEIR money instead of the money of the evil American rich.
I thought Fareed was on "leave" due to a habit of stealing other peoples work. When will CNN dump this over-the-top lefty!
So the "former Secretary of State for Culture and Media in the Tony Blair government" prefers Obama over the GOP.
Well, I'm shocked! SHOCKED, I tell ya.
To quote old Maggie: "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." .
Eventually with your country's loony pc based laws it will be illegal to be an Englishman in England.
Tootles and ta ta!
Love ya!
The disappointment, though, is tempered by an acknowledgment that it has been almost impossible for him to get anything through a deadlocked Congress,
let's clarifymformour British friend
1- Obama had dem congress 2 years..hence obamacare
2- Obama lost the congress due to opposition to the policy he was pushing......kinda how a democracy is suppose to work
3. He may win in nov...but probably will lose the senate
The UK has not been able to solve its own problems since WW1... Their own press is little more than the American equivalent of a tabloid... Despite their rhetoric of democracy they still need a monarch on a golden throne to look up to... Parliament on its best day is worse than watching congress on it worst day... Their own economy tanked long before America... So I am happy to take the GOP or even the DNC over anything coming out of the UK!
Careful Candlewycke.... That sounds like you believe in American exceptionalsim. That's heresy with the Dems on this site. =)
"The problem with Socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money" Margarate Thatcher. Essentially, he hopes that we will spend like drunken sailors to bail them out. Compared to Atlee, Wilson, Callahan, and Brown – the Republicans are extreme – Thank God.
Britain was also not overly fond of Washington or Lincoln. Though in fairness they loved FDR, though only after he decided to let big bad ol America save their buts. As soon as I as an American gets to vote for a member of Parliament then and onlythen will I care a single whit what the UK thinks of anything in the US.
A few years ago I read an article by some British lord on his prediction about the demise of the dollar. The dollar is still here. Not sure where he went hiding.
Its interesting how this Brit has been able to see so clearly the US political atmosphere of today. He, like the vast majority of intelligent people in other countries can clearly see the GOP as a very dangerous liability. Not only to us, but the rest of the world. Maybe we should allow them to vote in our elections, we austensibly allow their wealthy citizens and their corporations to invest money in US political candidates via Citizens United and "dark money". Lets get the benefit of some intelligent, well informed votes to counter the mentally stunted baggers.
This British can't even keep their own house in order. The royals order the muder of a prlncess so the prince doesn't have to get a divorce and can marry his concubine.Another of their major em bare ass ments let himself be photographed naked and bring more shame on this pitiful pile of rocks. And they think the shoul have a say in OUR election? B/S/
How the British can stomach this murdering Obama is truly beyond me! Then again, the English people never had any strong sense of morality as their own history points out. England itself is a country which has been built on bloodshed from the 5th century on as the Angles and Saxons invaded that country and conducted their own "ethnic cleansing" agains the native Britains living there at that time!
The fact that this election is a hard decision for Americans is why the rest of the civilized world view us as psychos.
BK: are you one of those that have to keep up with the next door neighbor? PEE on the rest of the world !!!
With such slanted pro-state journalism in CNN these days, you could call yourself the Communist News Network.The UK? Really? Is that becuase Europe is so, so moderate. Honestly though, how would any country in bankrupt and failing Europe be a standard bearer for anything but failure? I'll pass. There was a time when CNN was the most honest news agency around. Sad to say you've gone down the same path as NBC and Fox.
why is this partisan piece of garbage on CNN? OK Mr. Author, it's clear you don't like the GOP – Gotcha! New question: Who gives a d*mn? Keep your poorly worded opinions to yourself, in our partisan society, we don't need articles like this fear mongering tripe. People – do your homework on the candidates, decide which most closely aligns with your personal views, and vote for that candidate – who care's if they have a party label you dont like? vote the issues, not the party.
Chris Smith was a member of Blair's government which went to war in Iraq. I don't recall him quitting his job over it at the time in protest. And last time I checked, he isn't an official spokesperson for the collective hive mind of the British people.
Obama appears to poll better in the UK than the US. Maybe the Brits could take him for a few years; he might make a dandy Prime Minister. Afterwards, so that other Europeans are not left out, he could go on to be President of the European Union.
Who cares what England likes or doesn't like If Dumbama wants to please the limeys let him immigrate. I'm tired of hearig Fartweed telling us what the rest of the world wants in the U,S, When it comes to who is elected President What the rest of the world thinks doesn't amount to jack crap. What legal citizens think is the only thing that matters.
regardless of who wins the election, Its immature to bash either the US or Britain. the world has a lot of problems and its extremely difficult for an administration of either party to get things done in a 4 year period. whether Obama or Romney are ready to put in 4 years can be debated all day, but if we continue to bash each other we put ourselves on the same level of both parties when they fight like children. I'm 80% English myself and have visited London and its a wonderful city. What happens over here in the US affects what happens over there and vice versa. Both Britain and The US share a lot of similarities in culture and politics so before we point fingers, lets remember that in a very global political theater we should abstain from bashing and vote for the candidate we think will be best even if they aren't perfect. I certainly wouldn't want the pressure of making so many decisions that impact so many across the world.
Come Together-The Beatles
Thank you, AA. I love your post!
This post does my heart good to see how popular I am in Great Britain! That coupled with the ignorance of most Americans means but one thing, I cannot possibly loseI Now I'm as happy as a cow with six tytts!!!!!!!
Who cares what the Brits think – they will do as they are told- right?
Its not like its a country that matters like Isreal is it?
lmao!
Obama represents failure and misery. If the UK likes him, the UK can have him. We're done with him in Nov.
Mitt not only insulted our closest ally he was a disaster at the other 2 coumtries he visited Europe. Do we really want this man to represent us? The Republicans and Bush policies were responsiblie for us losing 800,000 jobs a month and whole industies collapsing. This was the legecy left for our president. Obama saved us from financial catstrophe and is tryng to dig out from the VERY deep hole the Republicans got us into.
" pulling back sharply on public spending and programs whilst liberating the wealth of the wealthy – would plunge the U.S. economy back into recession."
No, British conservatives are fiscal conservatives, to a much greater degree than American conservatives. British conservatives talk the talk and walk the walk in that area. Britain has substantially cut back on domestic spending for the last few years under Prime Minister David Cameron.
nuff said