New map for North America

Haggis McBagpipe

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Well, he is still that 'damn money-spendin' Liberal from Massachusettes' - or at least I assume he kept his seat - but sadly, I don't think he will be the candidate of choice four years from now. Neither will Hillary Clinton, I suspect, because the Dems will be looking for someone even more moderate (read borderline-conservative) to draw voters in an increasingly conservative country.
 

Haggis McBagpipe

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Re: RE: New map for North America

Rick van Opbergen said:
Aha, well that's a clear prediction. And I have the feeling you're right. :(

The rest of the world is stumbling forward, with a hit here and a miss there, but the US is moving backwards. If they're not careful, they're going to put a rip in the world's fabric.

:cool: Then again, that's just rhetoric, and really, there is always a chance that this will sort itself out... maybe as the Rev suggests, maybe Bush will get his own nasty self impeached.
 

Haggis McBagpipe

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Rick, what is generally felt in Europe these days? We saw the initial reaction, one of shock and disbelief, even anger... but what now, now that some days have passed?
 

Rick van Opbergen

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Hmmm hard to say. The far majority of Europeans was in favor of Kerry, but Europe is too diverse to come up with clear answers - Danes might have other opinions about this than Frenchmen. A lot of Dutchmen are really disappointed, I can tell you that. However, because Theo van Gogh was murdered on the day of the elections, and the death of Gerrie Kneteman, a famous cyclist, as well that day, the US elections were a bit forgotten. I think the general feeling that Dutchmen have is one of disappointment, but also one of "life goes on". Some are afraid, but that's a minority. Also, you hear some people bitch about the US voting system.

I know this answer is not really satisfieing, but people are aware of what four years of Bush brought to the world, so they feel they are somewhat "prepared". But the hate for Bush is deep, also because the Netherlands is a very liberal country, and the remarks made by Bush and the Republicans about gay marriage, euthanasia and abortion cause a lot of anger by the general population. A lot of people also oppose the close relations our current government have with the US government - that's why it is predicted that if there were elections now, the (socialist) opposition will get some 90 or more seats on a total of 150. But elections are three years away. And until than, it's likely we have to accept the fact our government is a mix of Christian Democrats and Conservatives (Liberals).
 

Haggis McBagpipe

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Your answer does tell me more than I had known, thank you, Rick. For some reason (and maybe this is relatively common to North Americans) I was lumping all of Europe under the same mindset. I sure shouldn't do that, because I don't much like it when others do that about us (thinking we're more or less like the US).

How about a brief run-down on your parties, because when you say 'Conservatives (Liberals)', I find it a bit confusing.

I find it so interesting that you want to move here (I guess because while we ponder the idea of moving to Europe, you ponder the idea of moving here... it seems one of us must be wrong, but of course that is not so).

We love the idea of living somewhere where people care more about the environment, where people aren't as obsessed with 'keeping up with the Jones's' and so on. Is this the reality there or are we disillusioned by a pipe dream?

Have you looked into moving here very closely or is it just something you'd like to do one day?
 

Haggis McBagpipe

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Reverend Blair said:
How about a brief run-down on your parties, because when you say 'Conservatives (Liberals)', I find it a bit confusing.

It sounds like the opposite of Paul Martin to me he's a Liberal (Conservative). :lol:

:cool: And hell, both make more sense (in a perverse sort of way) than 'compassionate conservative'!
 

Rick van Opbergen

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Haggis McBagpipe said:
How about a brief run-down on your parties, because when you say 'Conservatives (Liberals)', I find it a bit confusing.
Ehm sorry, I'll explain, it's my fault. People who belong to the right-wing, are called Liberals here. Before canadiancontent.net, I used to visit a US-based forum (though I guess some 4 out of 10 users weren't American), and there, Liberals (Democrats) are linked to the left-wing. That's why I said 'Conservatives (Liberals)', though that is in essence not even true, 'cause our (right-winged) Liberals are actually even more leftish than the Democratic Party in the US. You know what I mean?

Haggis McBagpipe said:
Have you looked into moving here very closely or is it just something you'd like to do one day?
Not closely. I'm just 18, first I want to finish university, that will take some four, five years from now. But I do want to leave the Netherlands yes.