Deafening Silences - Political Forum

goedel · 07-14-2007, 03:02 PM

This has to do with the candidates, Repubs and Demos, for president in 2008. I placed this in the global forum, because the imposed ignorance we, Americans, have as voters affects the entire world.

What are the positions of the candidates on the conflicts between Putin and Bush? Do the candidates approve or dissent from Bush on the placement of missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic? Now, Putin has withdrawn from his treaty with NATO on the limitations of Russian forces on the Russian border. There are consequences to Bush's actions, and no one is telling us would he (or she) continue the missile placements or withdraw them?

The media do not question the candidates on these issues, and the voters don't have much opportunity to do so. Even voters in Iowa, who are favored so in the selection of candidates, hardly have much chance to question them. Policies are set that determine our futures, all of us throughout the world, and there is nothing but a deafening silence.

This is a democracy? If it is, it is a very poorly functioning one.

Aegis · 07-14-2007, 04:44 PM

Interesting subject. I agree that the media have been remiss in their responsibility to develop and report the news regarding the declining relationship between Russian and US leadership. It is all too apparent that news organizations have adopted a partisan attitude towards what will and will not be the focus of their reports.

Voters have a responsibility to become informed. If candidates are not forthcoming then perhaps they do not deserve to be elected.

Wheeldog · 07-14-2007, 09:46 PM

Russia recognizes an opportunity to regain its position as a world superpower and intends to exploit it. Its arch rival, the U.S., is distracted by a war it cannot win that is literally consuming its military and draining its national wealth. We are seen as a pariah by many nations around the world. The U.S. is the world's greatest debtor nation with balance of payments that are becoming increasingly shaky. Outsourcing has stripped our industrial base and left us as little more than a nation of spoiled consumers.

Russia has oil and natural gas reserves second only to Saudi Arabia. Europe is dependent on Russian energy to keep its wheels turning and homes warm. Russia wields enormous economic and political power simply by having control of the flow of these critical resources. The U.S. must rely on foriegn sources, many overtly unfriendly, for over 60% of the oil it requires.

Russia probably knows that it will never regain its former soviet empire, but it can redeem itself of the humiliation of being classified as a "failed state." It can also tweak the nose of Uncle Sam with little risk to itself. Putin likely sees the U.S. as a nation on the brink of decline and hopes to replace it with a resurgent Russia.

Brother Oz · 07-15-2007, 08:02 AM

One of the problems for non-Americans regarding the current candidates, is that other than (for the most part) withdrawing from Iraq, they talk very little about foreign policy. Now, I can understand that, as most Americans will probably be voting on domestic policy, after all, that's what affects them. But the rest of us, who are greatly affected by American foreign policy, are watching, desperately trying to work out what America's foreign policy will be this time next year. All I can tell, is that it's likely to be more isolationist. And if the democrats get in, it might be slightly better regarding the environment.

goedel · 07-15-2007, 10:49 AM

Thanks to Aegis, Wheeldog and Brother Oz for their astute comments on this thread!