The World Currently Blames Bush, But If He Wins-- Blame Goes to Americans

[David Zephyr]

I have now heard this from Europeans, South Americans and people from Singapore to South Africa:

The world still wants to believe that the American people are good and decent and a positive force for the planet, but after the last four years of unilateralism, national hubris, name calling, lying, warmongering and the killing of tens of thousands of innocent children, the day of reckoning will be in November this year.

For should the American people choose to elect George W. Bush and his administration for four more years, the "benefit of the doubt" will no longer exist for a great many of the world's population for they will then know that the American people are behind the insane and imperialistic policies of the Bush Administration.

Americans who travel abroad know this all too well. Americans are approached and told, "We like the American people, but we don't like your President". Of course, this is a graceful way of sending a message, isn't it? "Please, don't return this man to a postion of such great power again" is what they are really saying.

This is something that we should all share with everyone we know.

The people of our planet are watching closely what we, the American people, will do in November. I believe that they truly want to believe that our people will do the right thing. But will we?

Will their faith in the American people be restored or forever destroyed?

This election is pivotal for us as Americans for the rest of our lives as we inhabit the globe with the other 94% of its population.

We must let the world know that his actions were In Our Name Only.

It's now up to the American people.

[glitch]

1. Yep - can we turn back the fascists without another world war?

Democracy in the balance.

[AVID]

2. agreed

[Nite Owl]

3. I've been telling people that for a while

In '00 the world know that he was selected and that people bought into his compassionate conservatism but now if he gets elected the onus will be on all of us.

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. I think you have to be realistic about what an election can and cannot do

It is true that people outside the US have some views on US policies, however, they are less likely than Americans to give credit for these policies to Bush alone.

As is pointed out here so often, and so astutely, fundamental policy changes is neither pragmatic nor desired by the US voters, especially regarding key foreign policy areas that are naturally of more interest to people outside the US, and particularly in the Majority World.

You can't have everything, just enjoy participating in the political process for its own sake, and enjoy every day.

[liberalhistorian]

5. Exactly, I've been reading and saying

this for over a year now. It's what terrifies me the most about this election, if the repukes frighten or hoodwink enough people or if they manage to steal another election. We ain't seen nothing yet if that happens.

The problem is that too many people still live in an isolationist fantasy land where they don't give a shit what the rest of the world thinks and where they can't understand and don't want to understand just how global everything really is now and the shitstorm that will be headed our way if the Idiot Boy King Impostor wrangles his way in again. God help us all, 'cause we're gonna need it more than ever. I never, ever, ever ,ever thought I'd be dealing with this in my own country.

[Darth_Kitten]

6. It's sad but true....

If Bush gets in again, it's no longer going to be "well, it's the president we don't like, not the american people". I've been thinking about this for quite a long time, if Bush gets in, all and any goodwill towards americans is going to go out the window. :(

So much rides on this election, so much. :(

[GHOSTDANCER]

14. But only 50% of the people are going to be too blame.

Would you hate someone for being only half an ignoramiss? but you see this is whats great about the 2 party system.

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. Unless the election is stolen once more...

... of course.

http://www.factcheck.com - recommended by Dick Cheney

http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[Cleita]

8. If we can't vote this guy out like we are supposed to,

will they hold it against us if we really have no choice? I mean what if our vote really doesn't count anymore and they can stay in there and do what they have been doing for the last four years? I, of course, think we should do what needs to be done to overthrow these illegal fascists, but then I'm still half South American and unfortunately we think in terms of revolution and......

[JohnOneillsMemory]

9. National Narcissism=Nazi-ism. Europe knows this too well.

Europeans have believed that Americans are self-centered and full of themselves since the end of WWII.

They are. Just like W.

The PUBLIC'S carefully nurtured Master Race mentality is what allows them to think that W could be their saviour and it's ok to bomb children for the US's national interests.

Europeans know this all...too...well.

[bloom]

13. I think

Americans got a grace period - at least into the 50's. At least to hear my mother tell it - we did.

[bloom]

10. If Bush retains power...

(of course he has never won and I don't think he ever will)

then we'll all know how really ....ed our country is.

[Name removed]

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[seafan]

11. Kerry/Edwards should articulate this directly to voters.

Good post.

In a few weeks we will send a message to the world. Will we be seen as George W. Bush's accomplices or will we repudiate his egregious, murderous, greed-driven agenda?

It's up to all of us.

[Samantha]

12. Exactly, and I feel both responsible and guilty

Let me say when people use the term anti-Bush, I instinctively think they are addressing me. I imagine many people here feel the same way. I had been familiar with George Bush* long before he announced he would seek the presidency; I immediately thought everyone knew his reputation and no one would vote for him. Just goes to show how wrong I can be.

But the responsibility factor kicks in when I read about the deaths of innocent Iraqi people. I am an American, and it is this illegal American government administration which is responsible. I am partially responsible in that I have allowed this to happen. How? I sat back when Bush* stole the election and I did nothing. I have failed to recognize him as a legitimate president; but there are many of us who have done this. This deliberate refusal to recognize him has not stopped him from using all the powers of the office to pursue his corrupt agenda. The guilt factor kicks in when I ask myself the question, why didn't you join others and do something.

The answer is none of knew what to do about the theft of an election. We did not fall for the sales-pitch for the war because we instinctively knew a man who lied about an election would lie about a war. Once again, what were we able to do to stop him.

The government of this country is supposed to be answerable to its people. Bush* in his arrogance gives the impression he thinks we work for him. I am back to the beginning of my original question. If Bush* steals the election in 2004 and continues his reign of terror, what will we as Americans do. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but to the rest of the world as well to not allow this to happen again, but we are all novices at this.

How and what exactly will we do if Bush* captures the Oval Office by hook or crook in November? That's a sincere question.

[Sputnik]

15. Send that to the Kerry-Edwards campaign!

Seriously, David, you should. Kerry, Edwards, and every campaign staff member needs to be hammering this excellent point along with all Democrats.

Please? It's that good, David.

[David Zephyr]

16. Thank You, But I Don't Know If This Is Something Kerry Can Say

but certainly the Democrats can.

My business allows me to speak to people all around the globe. In many, many ways, I think that the world feels as we Democrats do about what is going on.

The "American Dream" of a new start for immigrants, a place of hope and ideals is turning into the sour image of Abu Graib and becoming the "American Nightmare".

I wonder at times how Republicans can possibly be so myopic in their fervor for this idiot?

[Sputnik]

17. No doubt

but the campaign can find some way for Kerry and Edwards to relay the essence of the message, even if they can't use your exact words.

Last week, I e-mailed the campaign and said that I thought that Kerry and Edwards should be repeating often something to the effect of: "America is better than that...we're BETTER than that" if asked in the debates about Abu Ghraib, the Patriot Act, the Plame outing, or any other scandal that's occurred under the current administration. Your words are along the same line, appealing to the best inside Americans.

The best candidates are the ones who appeal to our better natures and who give us hope for out future. Clinton, Reagan, Kennedy....they all did just that. And Kerry did that as well in his '71 testimony ("...where America finally turned and where soldiers like us helped it in the turning.") so we know he's capable as well.

Please send them your thoughts and words, David.

[cire4]

18. If he "wins," we should march in the streets like the people of Spain did

...following the Madrid bombings.

A massive protest in the streets of NYC, San Francisco, Washington etc. would show the world that much of the country does not support this incompetent idiot. The American media won't cover it, but the world media undoubtedly will.

[Name removed]

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[David Zephyr]

25. Welcome to the DU, Cire4

I think that there will be massive marches at the least. And welcome to the DU!:)

[Guaranteed]

19. Wonderful post, as usual, David.

This is where my bitterness toward Americans comes from. It was bad enough for me that they allowed Bush to do what he did- but, if they re-elect him, I'm leaving. I'm not going to be a part of this.

[David Zephyr]

26. I Believe in John Kerry.

And I am not entertaining the thought of defeat. Can't bear it. Thanks.

[Name removed]

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[w4rma]

23. And if some terrorists nuke NY, Bush will probably cheer for all the

dead Democratic voters who won't be opposing him anymore.

All the terrorist targets are Democratic strongholds. Heck, some Republicans are deadly serious when they say that San Francisco should be destroyed.

[meow2u3]

29. If the terrorists targeted Republican strongholds.......

then maybe....maybe, the Red Staters would see the Bushies as the menaces to the world they are.
But as long as the threats are "officially" in Democratic strongholds, these rednecks not only don't care--they think it won't happen to them--they'd probably cheer on the terrorists (in the privacy of their KKK meetings)

[DeepModem Mom]

24. Very important post -- thanks, DZ --

[DemocracyInaction]

27. That is so true. We have a chance to rejoin the human race. If

we blow this we deserve everything we get. Remember, we have a shit pot of businessmen who travel and live around the world in order to sell the goods and services we produce here. This could seriously economically harm us. Your little God Jesus George is going to slit your throat if you don't wake up and wise up, American morons.

[Lisa]

28. lots of us see the Bushies as cheating parasites on America ...

Many people in other countries are aware of how the media have helped manipulate the US public, and feel sorry for Americans who have been duped into voting for Bush because they are afraid. (I think that Michael Moore's films have been very helpful in this regard.)