The Un-US Politics Discussion Scenario

[chonies]

I am also in that age group, mon dieu! But wow--way to go, French oldsters!

ETA: the PBS news is reminding me how sobering this news is. Macron is unpopular for many reasons, and it sounds like this election is like a sandbag. "We have five years left to avoid the rise of populism," says the French ambassador to the US.

[Carolina]

While we'd never be so fortunate to have this in the US, the campaigning/election news blackout that France has 48 hours (I think?) prior to and on the day of the election is a great idea. While I'm sure very few people are undecided two days before an election, the thought of a period before the election where the campaigns are essentially over and voters can sit back and contemplate without the constant barrage of events, ads and punditry sounds very appealing. Well done, France.

[Deleted]

May 8, 2017 20:06:44 GMT -4 Carolina said:

While we'd never be so fortunate to have this in the US, the campaigning/election news blackout that France has 48 hours (I think?) prior to and on the day of the election is a great idea. While I'm sure very few people are undecided two days before an election, the thought of a period before the election where the campaigns are essentially over and voters can sit back and contemplate without the constant barrage of events, ads and punditry sounds very appealing. Well done, France.

I was about to post that I'm fairly sure we have a media silence ahead of voting and thought it fairly standard so a quick Google came up with a list of who and how long before, kinda interesting link

[Carolina]

May 8, 2017 20:18:23 GMT -4 @fitz said:

May 8, 2017 20:06:44 GMT -4 Carolina said:

While we'd never be so fortunate to have this in the US, the campaigning/election news blackout that France has 48 hours (I think?) prior to and on the day of the election is a great idea. While I'm sure very few people are undecided two days before an election, the thought of a period before the election where the campaigns are essentially over and voters can sit back and contemplate without the constant barrage of events, ads and punditry sounds very appealing. Well done, France.

I was about to post that I'm fairly sure we have a media silence ahead of voting and thought it fairly standard so a quick Google came up with a list of who and how long before, kinda interesting link

Apologies for my American dumbassery at not knowing a great deal of countries have policies similar to France's:) Well done to all of them. It sounds like a great idea, much like how most other countries don't have 2 year long election campaigns, that unfortunately would never be implemented in the US in a million billion years.

[Deleted]

I was actually double checking if Ireland had media silence for sure so no apologies needed as my own bad memory sent me to Google anyway 😁I was surprised at how many and for how lomg

While not having a 2 year campaign and a 4year term time you in US have, you miss out on snap elections ala what's happening in UK in a few weeks or have 2 elections in a year as Ireland had in the 80s!

[Deleted]

Taoiseach Enda Kenny steps down as Fine Geal party leader at midnight will remain as as PM until new leader is elected. Don't know if this means an General election soon if all approve of he leadership things may stay the same (bit like Teresa May took over before snap election) . I think Enda did well in very difficult times. He had his good and not so good moments, farewell Enda enjoy whatever comes next.

[Carolina]

I know two things about the Irish PM- 1)that the gay marriage referendum passed during his term and 2)he gave the Catholic church an unprecedented reaming, for an Irish PM that is. Other than the current movement to repeal the 8th amendment in order to legalize abortion, that is the whole of my knowledge of present day Irish politics:/

[chonies]

His speech at the 45th president was lovely, too.

[Deleted]

If giving the Catholic Church and Ol Turnip some stern words and having a successful referendum on gay marriage on your watch is a legacy from an outside view its not bad at all.

My thinking for the next in charge their moment might be what happens next in regard to repeal the 8th/Ireland's abortion laws.

With all the crazy voting trends recently ..may i say don't let that influence you as to whether u vote counts or not, it does it always does, use your vote as you see fit , it is your right to do so. Always use your vote.

[mrspickles]

Did anybody see the Russia- Ukraine Twitter war? Guys? Are we good here, or do ya need a minute?