It’s election day. If you’re not rich like most of us, you should be voting for Obama. But I’m guessing most US citizens who read this blog will vote for Obama anyhow so I guess I’m preaching to the choir.
Personally, I wish Ron Paul could have been president. Oh well…
I think having the open-mindedness and willingness to learn other languages and cultures automatically exclude what I believe they call neo-conservatives which is simply a euphemism for ignorance and close-mindedness.
Personally, I’m a conservative all the way which means that government should stay out of the way as much as possible. I’m in favor of less taxes, smaller government, less spending, and the government staying out of social matters such as abortion and education (I support school vouchers).
However, I do believe an important role of the government is to ensure fairness and some sanity where free market doesn’t work too well such as health care, monopolies, and just plain greed.
Unfortunately, it seems the only choice now is between how much money the government gives to the poor vs the rich (the middle class gets screwed no matter what). And since I’m not too heart-broken about the capital gains tax that those poor millionaires have to pay, the choice for me is clear.
It’s funny, how this is a blog about the Japanese language (pretty removed from politics) and yet I’m pretty sure most of the people who read this are liberal. I know I am! Happy voting.
I actually got hit up by Democratic Party registration workers in Roppongi, Tokyo, way back in July. They were looking to register Americans living abroad in Japan. I guess when Obama does community organizing, a little thing like the Pacific Ocean doesn’t get in his way! Anyway, it was a nice break from all the black pimps and the hookers of ambiguous Asian heritage 😉
Jane and Tae,
I think, and this is purely speculation based on personal experience, that Japan and Japanese tend to attract more liberals, compared to Korea and Korean which attract more conservatives. (Does that make me a centrist divided between both countries?) I have a couple of theories about why that’s the case, but I’ll resist diving into that here.
FWIW, I’m fairly conservative. But I’ve known since 2007 that this was realistically an unwinnable election for the GOP. Incidentally, I believe that’s why McCain, who has been trying to run for President for decades, but whom no conservative actually wants to vote for, was able to garner the nomination this time: any really viable candidates were holding out for better odds another year.
Obama, if it were just Obama, wouldn’t be so bad. He’s liberal, yes, but… The really dangerous thing is that one party will now control both houses of Congress, and the Presidency, all at the same time. That’s always a bit scary.
Not American but I consider myself a staunch conservative and yet I have always been keen on foreign languages and cultures. My favorite East Asian country is definitely Korea. However, I’m pretty interested in Japan as well. China or Vietnam don’t interest me that much, by comparison. I’m pretty fascinated by Japan’s history, the language and ancient culture (but not pop culture). Alex, could you elaborate on that theory of yours? I’m sort of amazed to read that people think Japan attracts liberals. Is it in the pop culture perhaps? Taekk, Ron Paul was pretty much the only candidate that understands and upholds his country’s constitution.