A letter from Germany

[Bobb]

Hi everyone, A letter which appeared in the Ann Arbor News. From a young lady who was an exchange student at an Ann Arbor High School last year.

Other Voices: People in German sister city shared excitement over election
Posted by The Ann Arbor News Bureau November 22, 2008 22:45PM

By Laura Scherer

Barack Obama made history, not only in the United States but worldwide. People all over the world, including in Germany, watched the election and his speech. People in Ann Arbor's sister city in Tubingen, Germany, followed the campaign with great interest and celebrated the outcome of the election.

My name is Laura Scherer and I am a 17-year-old girl from Tubingen. I spent last school year as a junior at Ann Arbor's Huron High School. Living in the United States as a foreign exchange student during the presidential campaigns gave me a lot of insight into American politics, and I was very happy to share my knowledge with my German friends and family after coming back to Germany last summer.

In return, I would like to give Americans the chance to expand their horizons and share the impressions I got in Germany about the U.S. presidential election of 2008.
After his public appearance in Berlin on July 24, it was clear that Obama won the hearts of the Germans. His speech in front of more than 200,000 people left the crowd fascinated and shouting his slogan, "Yes, we can!"

Especially the younger generations welcomed the young and charismatic nominee for the Democrats. He represented a model politician, an idol, to these young people. Many of them would like to see someone like him in German politics, as was shown by the huge turnout of young adults.

Despite this interest in American politics, young German adults and teenagers are not as interested in German politics. According to them, the German parliament system is too complicated; there are too many parties and people they should know the names and positions of, leaving them confused and unmotivated.

In a survey taken on the campus of Tubingen's university, almost all interviewees said they would have voted for Obama, because he seems competent, likeable and because "he's not Bush." Other popular reasons were his plans for health care, his foreign and domestic policies, his vice presidential candidate, and the age of his opponent.

Apparently, President Bush's popularity in Tubingen couldn't be smaller, as the local newspaper described Obama's victory with the words "The nightmare is over."

To celebrate the elections, the German-American Institute of Tubingen hosted an all-night-long "Sleepless in Tubingen" election party. It featured a podium discussion with several American and German experts on politics and rhetoric, who discussed the different aspects and consequences of the proposals of the candidates. Located in a small movie theater, hundreds of excited Germans were awaiting the outcome of these historic elections.

Because of the six-hour time difference and long waiting time associated with it, the masses were kept entertained and awake by various artists like a brass band, comedians and a singing Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Several movies - among others, the documentary about Obama's journey to Kenya - gave people time to refuel while they could enjoy traditional American food like hamburgers, hot dogs and doughnuts.

As the hours passed, most people wandered off home to get their sleep while others clung to the two big screens broadcasting the live coverage of CNN. When the result was announced at 5 a.m., the few sleepy people remaining cheered enthusiastically. I immediately called my host family in Ann Arbor to share this great moment with them. Everybody was proud to be part of the historical event and the speeches of both candidates evoked the applause and admiration of the tired but happy ones left.
Now that Barack Obama has made history, the expectations for the new president of the United States are high, and he will have to prove himself in front of the world. President Bush's administration left a lot of problems, in America and abroad.

Because he is the first African-American president, and promoted his agenda of "change" so intensively, Obama, and his actions, will be under close scrutiny. Most Germans try to stay realistic about their hopes for the new president; there is a lot of work ahead, and it might not work out as easily as it sounded in the campaign.
© 2008 Michigan Live. All Rights Reserved.

[Royal Tiger]

Obama's campaign of "Cange" has resulted in not one person being picked for cabniet postions who hasn't been a direct employee of bill or hell-ary clinton, including the witch herself. Wow.

Where's all the "No more politics as usual"?

Where's the "Change"?

You people voted for a DNC empty suit puppet. Congradulations.

[benebob]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

Obama's campaign of "Cange" has resulted in not one person being picked for cabniet postions who hasn't been a direct employee of bill or hell-ary clinton, including the witch herself. Wow.

Where's all the "No more politics as usual"?

Where's the "Change"?

You people voted for a DNC empty suit puppet. Congradulations.

Dumb a$$ the change is those pennies left in your 401k.JK It always amazes me just how ignorant the voting public can be. Virtually every non-inc. candidate has run on a platform of change and look how many times the public has swallowed the hook! Sure the candidate's names change but that's about it. Until America wakes up and realizes they won't get any change form the established status quo parties (unless they are pressured into doing so by the real threat of a splintering by a third party) you'll have to hide those pennies because the Chinese will come for their $$$ and want 'em soon enough!

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by benebob

Dumb a$$ the change is those pennies left in your 401k.JK It always amazes me just how ignorant the voting public can be. Virtually every non-inc. candidate has run on a platform of change and look how many times the public has swallowed the hook! Sure the candidate's names change but that's about it. Until America wakes up and realizes they won't get any change form the established status quo parties (unless they are pressured into doing so by the real threat of a splintering by a third party) you'll have to hide those pennies because the Chinese will come for their $$$ and want 'em soon enough!

I actually agree with an entire post of yours!

Awesome!

I don't have a 401k though.

The people have elected clinton/pelosi, they just don't know it; yet.

[JaySVX]

I do, or had one at least... Oh well, it shal be remembered. As something that I could have invested more wisely.

[benebob]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

I actually agree with an entire post of yours!

Awesome!

I don't have a 401k though.

Then why would you have wasted your vote on more of the same old Washington crap?

I know you don't have a 401k, no one does anymore JK actually mine has seen a drastic improvement since early Sept.

[Royal Tiger]

I didn't vote FOR McCain, I voted AGAINST Obama.

[benebob]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

I didn't vote FOR McCain, I voted AGAINST Obama.

If that allows you to justify voting for someone who you knew would be a horrible president and not provide the real changes in fiscal policy, health care and infastructure we need then shout it out. Personally, I'd be embarrassed to vote for an idiot.

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by benebob

If that allows you to justify voting for someone who you knew would be a horrible president and not provide the real changes in fiscal policy, health care and infastructure we need then shout it out. Personally, I'd be embarrassed to vote for an idiot.

I see Obama doing none of that, while increasing the already horrible deficiet with even more social programs. And healthcare? You want the government running YOUR healthcare? I pray that program never makes it. I saw McCain as someone who would keep pelosi and her spending *****s at bay long enough to hopefully see a real candiate in 4 years. Obama had all this promise, and all he's done is be a puppet so far. Some leader.

[Hondasucks]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

Obama's campaign of "Cange" has resulted in not one person being picked for cabniet postions who hasn't been a direct employee of bill or hell-ary clinton, including the witch herself. Wow.

Where's all the "No more politics as usual"?

Where's the "Change"?

You people voted for a DNC empty suit puppet. Congradulations.

I heard "CHANGE" stood for "Come Help a N%*$&@* Get Elected"
Oh well, as long as he doesn't turn the US into the United Soviet States of America, or take my guns, I'll be happy. (Although I think if he tried to implement some gun control or gun-grabbing, he'd have an angry armed mob on the white house lawn.)

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by Hondasucks

I heard "CHANGE" stood for "Come Help a N%*$&@* Get Elected"
Oh well, as long as he doesn't turn the US into the United Soviet States of America, or take my guns, I'll be happy. (Although I think if he tried to implement some gun control or gun-grabbing, he'd have an angry armed mob on the white house lawn.)

He is already coming for your guns!

[benebob]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

I see Obama doing none of that, while increasing the already horrible deficiet with even more social programs. And healthcare? You want the government running YOUR healthcare? I pray that program never makes it. I saw McCain as someone who would keep pelosi and her spending *****s at bay long enough to hopefully see a real candiate in 4 years. Obama had all this promise, and all he's done is be a puppet so far. Some leader.

FYI the federal government already manages the nations largest 6 health care programs and does a heck of a lot better job doing it then the private sector has done. Where is your health care coming from Mr. Blue? That would be a government run program. It is simple economics. You can't expect a company to compete in a non protectionist economy against countries who have a universal system.

Until then enjoy that government health care you have. I just want to be able to buy into it at the rate you and your government employer pays. It is far cheaper to insure those not insured then it is currently when health providers jack up their rates to those who pay to subsize those who don't.

My wife was smart enough to get our daughter on the CHIP program when she was born. Sure we pay the full rate (no subsidies from tax payers at all) of $150 a month for basically the state workers BC/BS with dental and eye. Atnena who is where my wife's work has this year would have charged nearly $225 for well, crappy coverage with no dental or eye and about $500 a year in extra fees for your average healthy kid who goes to the doctors about 4 times a year.

Seems to me I remember another idiot spouting change during the election too. McCain's change would have been just as lacking if not more so then Buttbama's is.

[immortal_suby]

Originally Posted by ensteele

He is already coming for your guns!

but only the registered ones......


stock up on ammo now.
Have you tried to get any primers or powder lately? Disappearing because any man can see what is on the horizon.

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by benebob

FYI the federal government already manages the nations largest 6 health care programs and does a heck of a lot better job doing it then the private sector has done. Where is your health care coming from Mr. Blue? That would be a government run program. It is simple economics. You can't expect a company to compete in a non protectionist economy against countries who have a universal system.

Until then enjoy that government health care you have. I just want to be able to buy into it at the rate you and your government employer pays. It is far cheaper to insure those not insured then it is currently when health providers jack up their rates to those who pay to subsize those who don't.

My wife was smart enough to get our daughter on the CHIP program when she was born. Sure we pay the full rate (no subsidies from tax payers at all) of $150 a month for basically the state workers BC/BS with dental and eye. Atnena who is where my wife's work has this year would have charged nearly $225 for well, crappy coverage with no dental or eye and about $500 a year in extra fees for your average healthy kid who goes to the doctors about 4 times a year.

Seems to me I remember another idiot spouting change during the election too. McCain's change would have been just as lacking if not more so then Buttbama's is.

I do take my medical for granted since it has been so good and easy to use. Never got a denial letter, ever, in almost 13 years. Same with dental and vision.