2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumOp-Ed What Americans abroad know about Bernie Sanders and you should know too
(snip)
Although countless analyses have been devoted to the demographics each candidate needs to win, one demographic has not been part of the national conversation. Sanders won the first global Democratic Party primary by a landslide 69% of the vote that the media hardly noted and never analyzed. Democrats Abroad, the overseas arm of the Democratic Party, organized the election, which took place in March, to represent citizens who live outside the U.S., a group the Democratic National Committee considers the 51st state.
Expatriate Democrats could choose to send primary election absentee ballots back to their home states, or they could participate in the global primary, which will send 21 delegates to the party convention in July. Ballots could be cast by fax, email or snail mail in the global primary, or at one of 104 polling places that were organized in cities from Lima to London. (Since I was traveling at the time, I faxed my ballot, but my daughter sent me a festive photo showing her feeling the Bern in Berlin.)
Of the 8 million Americans who live abroad, 34,700 participated in the global Democratic primary. Although the sampling is not huge, its considerably larger than that used for polls that play crucial roles in the electoral process. While we are wondering what drives young Latinas or older white men to support this or that candidate, we ought to consider why 69% of Democratic voters who live in 40 countries preferred Bernie Sanders.
The answer is quite simple: The Sanders proposals that may strike Americans who have never lived in other countries as impractical and outlandish are simply common sense elsewhere especially in Canada and Western Europe, where the majority of Democrats Abroad voters live. Universal healthcare? The U.S. is the only developed country that lacks it. Family leave? While it is nice that San Francisco just mandated six weeks of paid leave for new parents, Germany mandates 14 months 16 if both parents share the time spent at home. Free college tuition? Britain recently tripled its college tuition fees, though its still the case that a year at Oxford will cost you a fraction of a year at a middling American college. In the rest of Europe, free tuition, and interest-free loans for living expenses, are the rule.
(snip)
But Germany is a model worth emulating: Its economy remains one of the strongest to emerge from the 2008 financial crisis. It has managed to preserve much of its manufacturing base in the process of becoming a dominant player in a globalized world. It is a major industrial exporter. Its success has gone hand in hand with laws and practices that American workers, blue collar or white, would be grateful for.
Real knowledge of daily working life abroad has shown expats that the revolution Sanders proposes for the United States could be just a matter of course. Voters at home should take heed.
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-neiman-sanders-global-democratic-primary-20160603-snap-story.html
auntpurl
(4,311 posts)We've already had this one today and it sank.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=2114405
I'll post the same reply here:
69% of Democratic voters WHO PARTICIPATED IN DEMOCRATS ABROAD preferred Bernie Sanders. So 69% of 34,700 votes.
The vast majority of expats mail in their votes to their home state. Like me - I live in the UK and vote in PA (I voted for Hillary). Democrats Abroad is representative of such a minuscule percentage of expats as to be negligible. It is certainly not statistically significant enough to base a whole article around.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)Of the 8 million Americans who live abroad, 34,700 participated in the global Democratic primary. Although the sampling is not huge, its considerably larger than that used for polls that play crucial roles in the electoral process. While we are wondering what drives young Latinas or older white men to support this or that candidate, we ought to consider why 69% of Democratic voters who live in 40 countries preferred Bernie Sanders.
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)Skink
(10,122 posts)all american girl
(1,788 posts)in our state of record. I have always done that. Now my husband is in the military, so that my be different.
Viva_La_Revolution
(28,791 posts)Like the person who posted that 2 week old poll 3 times yesterday, when the new polls say different.
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)I KNOW MANY PEOPLE in other countries who have asked me "what the hell is going on in your country???" Sorry if you don't seem to understand that we are NO LONGER seen as the "beacon of Democracy!" We MOST ASSUREDLY ARE NOT!!!
NOT... JMHO!
auntpurl
(4,311 posts)This article was posted before, in the thread I linked.
ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)I guess I should have added that I, myself don't care if it's a DUPE (Duplicate) meaning that for me... that if a thread does or does not get much attention, some may not have seen it posted before since "some" of us don't post every day or even every week. I was around when Dan Rather was probably one of THE MOST "in your face" journalists!
Yes, there is video of what he said after 9/11, but I KNOW more people who got on the OMG, WE NEED WAR NOW band wagon than there were those of us who strongly felt it was going to be a horrendous decision. I can't come to his aid about what he said regarding 9/11, but I DO recall when so many journalist & TV Shows (Phil Donahue, example) were thrown out like yesterday's dirty water!
OK, so I'm much more a left winger and do realize that the Generation I grew up in DID have a lot of violence, but we tried to STOP it because it was SOOOOOOOOOO wrong! Dan Rather was one journalist who questioned it way back then too!
No matter, but MANY weren't even around then and didn't experience that era that I did. They made it difficult for Rather and perhaps since he's ALWAYS been a journalist he was seeking a way to be viable by doing what he did. I simply felt a need to give a fuller picture of him.
SO YEAH, DUPE may connote STUPID, but it does also means DUPLICATE! And especially here MOST know the term. I guess I should have prefaced my remarks before I made them.
Cobalt Violet
(9,905 posts)Sick of the no we can't camp.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)the corporations. They have a view of what America could and should be like.
pinebox
(5,761 posts)I had my eyes opened wide when I lived in Germany. We suck!
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)all american girl
(1,788 posts)I live here, so I know of what I speak.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)This is my 4 country outside the US that I've lived in, and the 3rd European country. My husband works with people from other countries, and they are terrified of Trump...not Hillary, in fact, they like her a lot. This is just a tineey tiny bit of people.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)the decision to vote in the global primary was in itself a sign of a more expansive view of the world?
I had the good fortune of visiting or living in Germany, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, Jamaica and St Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
I hope to add more the list before I'm done.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)The Americans aboard is only one measurement of how all peoples feel.
I lived in Japan...20 years ago..did you like it? The people are just so awesome!!!!! I also lived in Germany, reminded me of home a bit-Iowa. We spend Thanksgiving in Germany getting our fix of all things pork and potatoes In fact, I saw Obama when he can to Berlin-that was so much fun...and let me tell you, the Germans now how to do it...beer carts, sausage carts....a good time had by all!!!!
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)that was my first language, but have since forgotten it.
I and a few other Marines trudged through thigh deep snow on Mt Fuji carrying about $300,000-$400,000 in cash, it was heavy and our mouths were so frozen we couldn't speak until we defrosted upon reaching the camp.
We lived up there for a few months, made some nice pics but it was miserable, when the snow melted there was nothing but mud and when the mud dried, it was all volcanic dust; which floated everywhere.
I almost got married in the Philippines, one of the most beautiful and yet poverty stricken nations that I have ever seen. The people were exceptionally poor but the Marcos clan lived in opulent wealth.
all american girl
(1,788 posts)get busted for drinking and driving (my husband was CO commander, so you know how that goes). My husband said I should still go with our son...oh hell no. That boy (around 3-4) had to speeds-stop and run. I was not going to go by myself with that little rugrat. We did go with some friends in the spring, but we couldn't go up very far...the kids got to sled, though, so all was good.
If you haven't been back to Germany since you were a kid, you should....the beer...mmmmmmm. We live in Belgium now, and I have to say, the two language thing can be confusing, but fortunately almost every speaks enough English. You would think after living in 3 countries in Europe I would be better, but sometimes I just a silly American
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)to the Marine base camp, but carrying all that money in thigh deep snow with nothing to break the wind, it seemed like ten miles.
The closest I have been to Germany as an adult is Barcelona Spain, that was nice.
I did drink some cognac with Italian Marines on the beach in Turkey, they got the beverage as part of their sea rats so we traded anything we could for it.
senz
(11,945 posts)Couldn't they have sent it by helicopter? Was this before EFT? And what was the money for?
You've had an exciting life, calm Uncle Joe.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)to different ports of call around the world, sometimes lasting up to six months, they were paid in cash.
We had helicopters fly us from one ship to the other while out at sea to pay the Marines.
Back at permanent bases ie: Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton, checks could be cut, we used drums with perforated cards in the computers of the day.
Peace to you, senz.
senz
(11,945 posts)You guys were carrying your own money? They could have at least paid you in larger denominations! Or maybe that would have been hard to use in those locales.
Did you know that our missing compadre, beam me up scottie, was a lady Marine? That may be where she got her nerves of steel. I miss her terribly and have a theory about why she hasn't come back even though her account is marked "Active."
One of my brothers did his training at Camp Pendleton (he went into the reserves). I also remember seeing the outdoor exercises as a kid when we drove by on the road. Tanks, etc., fun for a kid.
I know about 80 column punch cards and have kept a small stack in my desk for sentimental reasons.
Your image of the meditating monk helped me put into words that there are many battles to fight in this world and one of them is with ourselves. My mind does not lend itself to traditional meditation but I can achieve complete bodily relaxation instantly through an inner switch and a couple of deep breaths. Right now with so much at stake in this primary, I'm not sure its a good idea to get too relaxed. It's just a short stretch until the convention, and whichever wins, good or evil, could determine a different strategy.
There may come a day when I put aside my concern for the world and its people and retreat to all that is beautiful within. But not quite yet.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)when I enlisted basic pay was $365 per month.
I didn't know about beam me up scottie, on either count, I hope she comes back soon.
As for my meditation it's not just about relaxation but mental/emotional programming as well, being resolute, intrepid, balanced, understanding and determined to name just a few self-resolutions.
I don't use it as retreating from the world so much as recharging my batteries.
senz
(11,945 posts)The factors described in your OP are also a big part of it, but the media knows how to manipulate people's hopes, fears, group identities and attitudes. For instance, Fox News and rightwing talk radio pretty much created the far right in the United States. Studies show that Hill supporters get most of their information from the MSM, while Bernie supporters are more attuned to alternative media.
Thanks to Reagan and Clinton, we have a media monopoly in this country, and even with alternative electronic media, it makes a huge difference. We will not have an informed populace in America until we break up the media monopoly.
I recall President Clinton saying, off-handedly, that the media controls the country.
The MSM tends to be respectful of Hillary and either completely ignores or is disrespectful, sometimes in subtle ways, of Bernie. My gardeners, who like country music and hunting and fishing, didn't even know who Bernie Sanders was a couple of weeks ago. I had to say, "the old guy" before they knew who I was talking about. Yet when I describe how single payer would work, they like the idea (if I said "socialized medicine," they'd shy away).
But your OP brings out facts about existence in other countries that Americans aren't aware of. Michael Moore's Where to Invade Next explains it well.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)corporate media conglomerate bubble, some people are aware of it but many aren't.
I also have no doubt some are happy to live in this bubble because the myth is so emotionally powerful.
I believe increasing numbers of Americans are awaking up to it but as of yet don't realize the full scope, impact and adverse effects on our nation.
Mega corporations and media conglomerates have literally spent tens of billions of dollars since the advent of television in studying human psychology and marketing techniques in order to sell and in many cases manipulate the American People toward a desired effect or result.
Their mass propaganda takes shape in many forms, not just "news" programs, commercials and advertising but well timed T.V. programs and movies as well.
They would never have spent that money without absolute confidence in getting a good return on their investment.
Ferd Berfel
(3,687 posts)Here we get BS corporate infotainment from a RW perspective with a few exceptions.
In addition, I tend to think Europeans are generally smarter than Americans - They try to keep the fascists to a minimum. Here we give then TC and Radio shows and even Networks.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)whether it's education, medical care, family leave or just an overall belief in a higher quality of life for their people.
I believe they view those issues literally as investments in their people and in turn their nations as a whole.
Our corporate media conglomerates coverage of critical issues affecting the American People is nothing but a tragic joke and to me viewing it for too long in any one day is as listening to fingernails scraping on a chalkboard.
Thank you for posting Uncle Joe.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)Peace to you.
Democrats Ascendant
(601 posts)I missed this being posted the first few times apparently, but since I did just write this up in one of the others, I'm reposting for whoever is interested....
From what I can tell, the process seems to be pretty different in each place. The ones that I'm more familiar with were very low turnout caucus-style events (sometimes held in a bar). The biggest were in the UK and Canada, but still 34.7K/8M = a .004 voting ratio!
I'm not surprised that the myopic Amero-centric media largely ignored this; hell, they've basically ignored PR and its SIXTY delegates (that's 1 less than OR, but 1 more than NH and NV combined!).
I really love that this contest exists for Dems, but I'm not entirely convinced it's a voting block as such. Why would Clinton win The Dominican Republic and Singapore (VASTLY different), but not say Guatemala or Hong Kong? (The only other country she won was Nigeria, 4-1, but only 5 people total voted.)
My caution at generalize folks in such vastly different places aside, Americans in expat communities are often younger-ish, very liberal, and financially quite well off (at least compared to their current environs).
Reaching/campaigning to them can be pretty tough. Obviously the internet and social media are the best ways, but the websites/FB pages I've studied are pretty barebones wastes of cyberspace....
With 13 delegates and global bragging rights, I agree that it merits some figuring out!
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)voting age population, % of people that actually voted, % of people that were subject to an exit poll and you will have minuscule results but the corporate media conglomerates; have no compunction against using this to establish broad sweeping frames and memes for the American People to accept as their version "reality."
These oft repeated televised and published conflict of interest driven perceptions in turn if successful and more often than not they are, can become self-fulfilling corporate driven prophesies, a directed path for the American People to follow.
Democrats Ascendant
(601 posts)Octafish
(55,745 posts)...are simply common sense elsewhere."
Real knowledge of daily working life abroad has shown expats that the revolution Sanders proposes for the United States could be just a matter of course. Voters at home should take heed.
Thank you for another great OP and thread, Uncle Joe. People get smarter who read your posts.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)about that but thanks for the kind words, Octafish.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Let her cheer for Energie Cottbus
senz
(11,945 posts)That should tell you something.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)the overly simplistic mindset of "If it works in (fill in the blank with European country), it's guaranteed to work here!"
If Bernie Sanders really believed that, he would have been using his position in the senate towards that end.
Uncle Joe
(58,403 posts)Furthermore Bernie has been using his position in the Senate to champion these same issues for decades but a Senator simply doesn't carry the same clout or power of a President.
JEB
(4,748 posts)The kind of interesting and thoughtful post that makes DU something good for me. Thanks .