Most JWN readers from around the world seem to expect Barack Obama to win tomorrow’s presidential election in the US. And though, by and large, they also seem glad that he will win, still, they harbor some cynicism about whether a President Obama will do as much to change the relationship between the US and the rest of the world as they would hope…
Cynicism (or realism?) notwithstanding, we got some good responses to my invitation to people who are not US citizens to send in their requests of the next US President.
Sergi, commenting from China, included just about all the main points touched on by the other commenters when he wrote:
- I wish the US President will steer the USA as it used to be; pledge real democracy; stop bullying other countries for self interest; pledge fairness as it expect from others; be a leading country as a economic giant, to win respect again; sort out racism, as US is now the most racist country in he world; and cut down on Armed Forces spending and invest in his country’s own people, as they voted for him.
Yes, this would be a dream and if the new President can bring this dream to reality he will become as much a Legend as George Washington…
I realize that the non-US people who read my blog are not ‘representative’ of the entirety of the 6 billion-plus people in today’s world who are not US citizens. Still, the comments/requests that have come in to the blog give a helpful window into the priorities of this group of, I would say, deeply engaged non-US people.
(You can find another interesting “global snapshot” of worldwide attitudes towards the election– which may not be more representative than mine– in this article in today’s Guardian. It includes interview material from Kabul, Paris, Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, Lahore, Nairobi, and Gaza. And Hizbullah’s fairly impressive English-language website, Al-Manar, has this round-up of reaction/hopes from various places around the world. It’s prefaced with this: ” A widespread anticipation of a new era in relations with the United States spread around the world Tuesday, even before the result of the US presidential election was known. Is it going to be an extended era for the President George W. Bush or is it going to be a new page concerning the US policy inside the country and abroad?…”)
Here on JWN, we had contributions from Thailand, Bangladesh, China, New Zealand Aotearoa, Belgium, India, Sweden, France, South Africa, Netherlands, the UK, Canada, Ireland– and at least one member of Iraq’s tragic current diaspora…
Mahmud H. Tejwal, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, had a very focused and realistic request:
- My request would be – take a small part of the US war spending and allocate it to solve the food crisis afflicting the world’s poor (about $12.5 billion or approximately two weeks cost for the Iraq and Afghanistan war).
Millions of people are falling through the poverty trap due to rising food prices, itself the result of a complex combination of speculation, energy deficiency, policy prescriptions of the Breton Woods institutions and rapacious free traders!
Poor nutrition in a setting of inadequate (read privatized) health care, poor to non existent social safety net, substandard infrastructure and non caring subservient national elites – this is the reality of the globalized world of today where the poor go hungry and die of preventable conditions!
Mr.President, its about time we all should act, and act fast. Thank you and good luck.
Thanks for that, Mahmud. I guess my only further comment would be that though using, $12.5 billion (or whatever it takes) to meet the immediate, or one-year-long, food needs of the world’s poorest families seems to me an absolute moral imperative, still, to actually “solve” the longer-term challenge of food security/ food sustainability for all the world’s people also requires considerable systemic change. That would include, most crucially, an end to the massive subsidies governments give to rich-world farming corporations and big investment in rehabilitation of community-based farming systems all around the world…
Hetty, from Netherlands, advised that,
- First of all Obama should put things right in America, i.e. turn back the neocon wave of privatization and deregulation (including the privatization of the military). That will be a very difficult task after the ‘après moi le déluge’ of the Sun king Dubya; restoring the economy is his first task.
Then he should demilitarize American foreign policy.
Well, that’s enough for a whole bunch of presidents. And, to make his job easier, he should put Bush on trial for war crimes and treason.
I wish Obama, the next president, all the best and good luck.
Brian, writing from Thailand, said,
- I don’t believe either candidate is serious about ‘world peace’ or any thing apart from world empire (aka US interests)! … The US has invaded and sought to control countries and governments since it invaded the Philippines a century ago, while preaching freedom and democracy, and western governments have been happy to support this fraud.
… So lets not be naive. For the US to reenter peaceful relations with the world, it would need to prosecute those responsible for the current war crimes, and day for the damages done…Will this happen even under Obama? Not likely.
French citizen Yann said he “expects” the next US president to ‘re-engage’ in world peace. He added that France’s own Pres. Sarkozy also needs to become “re-engaged in the pursuit of humanism.”
“Indian”– I’m assuming here, sub-continent Indian– writes that he’s been living in the US for five years and “frankly I’m not optimistic about Obama’s (potential) presidency or the *single* party system.” However, he or she adds, “Suppressing my cynicism for a minute, my wish: The US President must support a climate change mitigation agreement as this affects the entire planet and not to start/escalate any more wars.”
Those thoughts were echoed (and amplified) by Mattias, from Sweden:
- I would like your next president to finish the job Reagan started, regarding nuclear disarmament. It is long past time to retire the left-over doomsday weapons from the cold war.
I would like him to stand with us in creating a new climate treaty. And obviously I would like him to get serious on using working methods of conflict resolution.
I would also like him to take America into the mainstream for western countries when it comes to social spending. Now the US is a beacon and example for all the forces here that want to privatize our health care system and reduce or eliminate other social programs. It would sure be nice if the US could set another example.
Frank (from Ireland) tells us:
- Walking away from the Iraq mess without providing compensation to the unfortunate refugees in Damascus and Amman, and the Internally Displaced Camps in Iraq would be a tragedy of unimaginable proportions.
Dominic from South Africa has this succinct advice:
- Yankee go home.
From Canada, “World Peace” writes:
- My wish is beneficial for our country and yours .
If Barack Obama’s title changed from Senator to Mr. President, I will want Mr. Obama to do as he promised the Americans: rather than spending a billion dollar a day in Iraq, [actually more like a billion dollars every three days, but the argument is the same] he will invest the monies in their beloved country the United States of America. In finding alternative energy and creating thousands of jobs, they will not only become self sufficient, but back on track, as THE world leader .
My wish will save innocent lives and further destruction, it will put a smile on what is left from the Iraqis, Afghanis, Somalis, Sudanese, Palestinians .
Humanity is at stake after 8 bloody years of the Bush administration.
We all need change, hope is what keeps us going…
From the UK, Doug writes:
- Dwight Eisenhower’s warning of an “Industrial, military ‘congressional’ complex” was I think the tip of an oncoming iceberg that the US failed to steer clear of, causing the ensuing ‘titanic’ train-wreck that has spilled out across the globe.
If the next President could dismantle what President Eisenhower warned of, things might start to improve – but as I said, I don’t think the US system has the wherewithal to reform itself now. The Monster is now too big, to powerful and too sophisticated (and too ugly) to be reined in.
… My advice to the next President would be simply “Bring the troops home – All OF THEM!!! and sort out your own country!”
It’s notable to me how many of these (non-US) contributors to the discussion had strong advice not just about our foreign policy, but also about our domestic and internal economic affairs. Quite rightly, in my view, they see these spheres of activity as closely linked.
For a long time now, too many Americans have simply assumed (a) that our own “way of life” is not only admirable but also widely admired by others around the world, and (b) that the US somehow has a “right” to tell other countries how to manage their internal affairs. These commenters– and other non-US friends and colleagues I’ve interacted with in recent years– are telling us that today, neither of these assumptions is valid. They’re telling us, moreover, that they consider they have every right to criticize how we’ve been running our internal affairs and to tell us how to do it better. What a reversal, eh?
Finally, anyone interested in the “democratization” agenda that the Bushists pursued fairly hard for a couple of years there, in the Middle East, should go and read the comment that Salah posted to the earlier discussion. (You can’t miss it: It’s the one all in bold.) It’s an excerpt from a letter that Gertrude Bell sent her father in August 1921, but it reads as very timely for today.
… Well, it’s now just seven hours till the polls open in some of the east-coast states. Let’s see how tomorrow goes…
Meanwhile, my big thanks to all of our international readers who sent comments in response to my earlier request. If you’re a US reader of JWN, please do what you can to help circulate and publicize the present post– and the full compilation of comments from the non-US readers, on the comments board here. It’s good to remind “our fellow Americans” that our fellow citizens-of-the-world from elsewhere also have a strong stake in the outcome of Tuesday’s vote.
HI, H and JWN readers:
Helena, hope you had a great birthday! These posts are all so intriguing. Just yesterday there was a great Daily Star article where Lebanese discussed their views about President-Elect Obama (presumptious, I know). Perhaps if there is one thing that Americans can learn more about is the enduring nature of historical memory and grievance-they do die hard, don’t they. Here is an excellent and instructive piece on Northern Ireland from the BBC-I thought ya’ll might find it relevant.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7705008.stm
KDJ
From Aotearoa New Zealand , may I say you are very welcome Helena and thank you for the opportunity to share our views.
It’s a long shot, but if Obama runs two terms maybe things will improve to the extent that I could even briefly attempt tourism to America, these days a famously daunting experience thanks to how we foreigners of all ages, colours and genders are routinely treated at US customs.
Maybe I could even stay long enough to learn say the Lakota version of The Star Spangled Banner, (especially if the indigenous version of the anthem is as here sung first and learned as part of the curriculum). I could learn more about how it is that in the land of the freed and the braves a seldom reviewed promissory 1998 Noumea “Accord” between the indigenous people and owners of New Caledonia could ever seriously be compared with the very real treaty our Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti have had (though certainly not always honoured) since our nation was founded.
It is inclusive that an American should seek out our views when the number of Americans that have already lost their homes; at nearly 4 million, is now only slightly smaller than the population of our entire country. That looks like a clear Presidential priority to me, as does a decent public health care system, which frankly shouldn’t be all that hard to manage in any first world economy. Fund your teetering State budgets, retool for a sustainable economy because it will create important jobs and beats extinction, pay the the past due UN bills and begin decent levels of emergency overseas aid, and you may even have to tax the rich and stop a couple of wars.
A clear majority of foreigners globally deeply wish Obama will be a great President and if they have even heard of McCain doubt he would be. Maybe Obama will make history, or perhaps he will be the disappointment from which American aspirations never recover. That’s up to you and him I guess. Then again, maybe when the votes are “counted” McCain will have a “surprise” win. Soon enough we will all see.
Happy Birthday, Helena may you get what you wish for and may it be what you expect.
Helena, thanks for summarising all thought hope that the new US president will weak up and turn thing things in right direction, although have my doubt that any US president can change things dramatically specially in meddle east in particular.
Anyway I just like to high light this subject as all the time trying to tell here what’s going on from inside Iraq but sadly Bush propaganda and MSM news and most western media keep telling there are progress in Iraq things get better by US heroes doing marvellous job for Iraq and Iraqis.
Please take a look to this what it called today in Iraq a primary school “Building” if be regarded as a building this in Kerbala where Bush the father and Bush the Son carried for “Shiat” Iraq look what they done for them .
Believe me Helena I born and lived in Hilla /Babylon, went to the primary, secondary and collage schools I never saw such school like this. I never heard there was a school like this, moreover I did my military service and met people from north Kurds, Yazydi, Assyrians, Iraqi from south from every where none of them said he was in school like this.
Nevertheless, this article from Iraqi newspaper today this school is “Built” by donations from some Iraqis, my question is where all those 3 Billion dollar/week or month money spending.?
Our friend Mahmud H. Tejwal, from Dhaka, Bangladesh asked for $12.5 billion for food. I am saying to him Iraq this very rich country in oil and other now people inside Iraq suffering from poverty and striving for no reason in name regime change and freedom.
I attached the article in Arabic text and the link to it here
مدرسة تعتذر لطلبتها جور الزمان عليها
مدرسة تعتذر لطلبتها جور الزمان عليها
متابعة / العراق اليوم
( انا المدرسة اجعلني كأم لاتمل مني) كلمات لقصيدة انشدها الشاعر احمد شوقي بحق المدرسة وليت شعري هل يعلم شوقي ان في العراق أٌما لا تقي من برد ولا من حر بل تكاد تكون سببا في فقدان حياة عدد من فلذات اكبادها لاسيما عند هبوب الرياح وهطول الأمطار .أعوادُ من القصب وسعف النخيل تبرع بها ابناء المنطقة الزراعية القريبة من كربلاء ليستظل تحتها 270 تلميذا من ابنائهم وبمسمى ( مدرسة الكميت الابتدائية ) يكاد الرائي لها من بعيد ان يلمح اثرا يعود الى القرون الحجرية او اطلال بناء هشمته الريح والعواصف .مصدر مسؤول من داخل المدرسة يقول ( انشات المدرسة عام 2006 بعد ان قدم وجهاء المنطقة طلبا بهذا الخصوص لمديرية تربية كربلاء وقد تبرع احدهم بقطعة الارض ) واضاف ( باشر الاهالي بنصب اعواد القصب كجدران للصفوف فيما كانت السقوف من سعف النخيل على امل ان تسعفهم تربية كربلاء ببناء صفوف وتطوير للمدرسة الا ان الوضع بقي كما هو عليه منذ انشاءها قبل ثلاث سنوات حتى يومنا هذا .وتتكون المدرسة من سبع صفوف وغرفة المدير والاساتذة وقد تسببت الامطار الاخيرة بسقوط سقف احد الصفوف ليلا .وأوضح المصدر معاناة الأساتذة في الوصول إلى المدرسة التي تفتقد إلى الحمامات فيما يتم الاعتماد على قناني البيبسي لتعويض الماء الصالح للشرب .وتتوسط المدرسة وهي السادسة في كربلاء صحراء رملية ساهمت بشكل كبير في عزلتها عن الجهات ذات العلاقة من تربويين وفرق صحية وغيرها.
رئيس لجنة الأعمار في مجلس محافظة كربلاء الشيخ فلاح حسن عطيه أكد بعد اطلاعه على معاناة الطلبة والأساتذة ان هيئة الأعمار في مجلس المحافظة خصصت مبالغ مالية لشراء كرفانات يمكن استخدامها كصفوف في المدارس المبنية من القصب. والى ذلك الحين هل ستنقذ تربية كربلاء طلبة مدرسة الكميت من البرد والامطار هذا العام ام سيبقى الطلبة ومعلموهم على حد سواء يمنون النفس حتى الموسم القادم
My Middle Name Is Not Hussein
US voters wondering who to vote,as many don’t agree with Mr.McCain(the warrior)the other option is inevitable,well i read comment about Mr.Obama from Israel and i would like to know what are other opinions as most would like to have Mr.Obama as new president,
Its not easy is you don’t have real options,as i think that neither of those 2 candidate will make good president in good times not to speak about very difficult present.
here is the article..
Michael Jackson for President
Whether or not Hussein Obama is elected American president, the fact of him coming close to it is disturbing. Even if Obama fails now as voters take racial issues and common sense into account at the last moment, they are getting used to the idea of being ruled by a demagogue alien. Voting for Obama includes a break with several core cognitive patterns: the racial one (and don’t tell me you would like your daughter to marry a decent African), the religious one (Protestants and atheists voting for Muslim-turned-radical Christian), and one from the enemy crowd (America is at war with two Muslim states).
The most significant part of Obama’s success is that it formalizes the parting with American values. The country no longer insists on its cultural identity. But societies are formed around cultural values and broken around their absence. The post-Obama America will be different from the previous one. After Obama, the discussion on illegal immigration loses its sense: with the alien president, America can as well admit tens of millions of aliens who swarm it like the barbarians encroached upon the Roman Empire. From the right of settlement to subsidies to ruling the country, modern barbarians are taking over the United States.
Obama will not be necessarily anti-American or pro-Muslim. He’s the type familiar to Jews: a rootless person who despises his national and religious connections and would readily serve any strong master. We have plenty of such Jewish anti-Semites: Kissinger, Miller, Miliband, etc.
It’s not critical, either, that Obama follows in the steps of Jimmy Carter whose policies have universally failed and who’s branded an anti-Semite. The voters are entitled to errors. The only problem with Obama’s election is that Americans succumb to foreign values.
It will be interesting to see whether Obama’s election would produce a lasting Obamamania of Michael Jackson’s type or the immediate backlash as he of course fails to meet the high expectations. The latter outcome seems probable as Obama inherits a very problematic economy with no chance of repairing it. But President Roosevelt remained popular even as his absurd economic policies pounded the economy into recession.
The damaged economy proved to be a boon to Obama: the normally pro-McCain working-class voters see Obama as a Harvard messiah even though McCain’s own fortune is a better indicator of his economic senses. The working-class Americans imagine that a cosmopolitan with Muslim connections and Harvard diploma will lower the gas price and solve their woes. Desperate, they come to trust the opinion of Obama’s college-educated supporters. They also erroneously see him as set against the Wall Street sharks who brought down the economy – as if he doesn’t receive his donations from the rich. Obama will disappoint them. His high score in Harvard has no bearing on practical matters, as seen from his indiscriminate affiliation with thugs and radicals.
Education increases horizons, brings new perspectives, and abrogates traditional values. As the population is increasingly college-educated, it becomes cosmopolitan, loves rootless Obama, and scorns traditional McCain. Scores of immigrants also support Obama, a fellow immigrant. The support is probably less among traditionalist Chinese and racist Russian immigrants.
Obama is new, which is important when voters lost hope in lying politicians, especially after the years of Bush’s cynicism. With Democrats and Republicans responsible for Fannie Mae crisis, the political system corrupt and closed to change, Obama the outsider seems the only hope for change.
Obama’s case demonstrates just how wrong the system of primaries is. Alternatively, a party must choose its candidate depending on the other party’s choice. McCain could beat Hillary easily, but a different type of a candidate is required to beat Obama. In primaries, the voters may be offered to choose pairs: our candidate would be X if the opponent fields the candidate A, or Y if he fields the candidate B.
Obama is very bad for Israel. He firmly opposes a strike on Iran, and recalls the idealist and anti-Semitic Carter who wrangled from us the Sinai. His range of advisors includes the people most unfriendly to Israel with great passion for rights of Palestinian terrorists. The fact that the majority of American Jews intend to vote for Obama in the time of a nuclear crisis testifies to futility of Holocaust education.
Socialize It
Here is the URL to article from Israel
http://samsonblinded.org/blog/michael-jackson-for-president.htm