It has been really cool to be in London during this election. It was a lot of firsts for the country. The first parliamentary debates. Ever. Possibly the first time in over a decade that the Tories will be in power. The first time a Lib-Dem got a decent amount of support. Very exciting stuff.
My friends and I watched the debates, which were quite interesting. The first couple were so game show-y. Needless to say, it would make for great drinking game material. Between Gordon Brown's awkward smile and breathing tic and saying "Nick Clegg agrees with me," and David Cameron talking about spending cuts no matter what the original question was, it was fun to watch. Unlike the American debates, all three candidates were well spoken and competent. We agreed with the British public though, in thinking that Nick Clegg came off the most personal.
And thanks to Clegg, it became a hung parliament for the first time in 36 years. Cameron has invited Clegg to join together and make a Tory-Lib Dem coalition government.
And the headline writing here is phenomenal. First I saw one "Scrambled Clegg and Toast," and I thought that was funny. The Brits love their puns. But then I saw today's Sun headline and front page.
Gotta love British headlines.
Oh and the British don't understand American politics in terms of the fact that sometimes it just doesn't make any sense at all. Healthcare reform, for instance.
Some British editorials question how Americans don't understand that they'll get benefits for what they are paying for. Social Security, anyone? Also, it's annoying how the word Socialism has become basically a 'fightin' word,' and yet the same people don't question the validity of Social Security, the U.S. Postal Service or highways.
I had a nice chat with the British guy who sat across the aisle from me on the Eurostar. He didn't believe that the American public actually listened to the Neo-Cons (Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and the like) as actual news until I told him the sad truth.
And you know what? Rush hasn't bought his ticket to Costa Rica, yet. He said if healthcare passed he would move there. However, he didn't realize that Costa Rica has universal healthcare (so does Hawaii, ironically). He would basically have to move to central Africa to be in a country without healthcare.
Obviously there needs to be a major overhaul and change to the medical system in general, but finally, America is headed in the right direction. And Britain and other countries are applauding the change, while still trying to understand why some Americans don't want healthcare.
In the Lancet Journal April 3, 2010, edition, an article attempts to explain the differences between Americans and Europeans on the healthcare issue.
"Americans, unlike most Europeans, believe that a basic right is the freedom to choose, whereas to have health coverage is a reward that should be earned (through work)."
I may be wrong, but I don't think most people choose to be poor, to be uninsured or to have an existing medical condition. Apparently writers at The Economist have similar views.
The Economist March 18, 2010, edition, also applauded America for taking a step in the right direction.
"This newspaper loathes needless government intervention. But it also thinks that it is wrong for a country as rich as America to have tens of millions of people without health insurance. Beyond them is the much larger number of people who fear falling into that position through losing their jobs; and the larger number again who cannot get affordable coverage because they have an existing medical condition, or because they are too old, or because they have exhausted the 'lifetime caps' imposed by insurance companies."
Now, if only all Americans could think as rationally as the writers of The Economist.
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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/election2010/2954075/Scrambled-Clegg-and-toast-but-Cams-full-of-beans.html Published by The Sun on April 30, 2010
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/election2010/2964713/Gordon-Brown-squatting-in-No-10.html Published by The Sun on May 8, 2010
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/election2010/2964787/PM-Gordon-Brown-is-sent-packing-by-The-Sun.html Published by The Sun on May 8, 2010
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/election2010/ Published by The Sun on May 8, 2010
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673610604953/fulltext?rss=yes The Lancet, Volume 375, Issue 9721, Page 1135, 3 April 2010
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15720396 The Economist, 18 March 2010
Colleen,
ReplyDeleteWhat is this - using your blog to talk politics and make a political statement - I really do not think that "The Brits" have much room to talk or point fingers ..... YIKES!! It is interesting though to see and hear different perspectives - all part of your travels and experiences. Some of the headlines you have posted are good and a nice play on words. Have a nice trip to Ireland and take many pictures. Should be a great trip.
Love - Dad
Oh simmer down. It's not really a political statement since the healthcare bill did pass, just questioning why the US was the only first world country without healthcare. Also, it's sourced, so really it's a re-interpretation of other people's ideas. Anyway lots of posts to write when I get back from ireland - banksy, cookies, markets, etc.
ReplyDeleteAh . . . you don't get it. The Brits love to point fingers. So do Americans, come to think of it. You can tell the countries have had a "special relationship." lol.
Also, disliking the Neo-Con movement (Rush, in particular) is not a political statement but common sense. Lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd, OMG. Did you watch the beginning of the debate I embedded. Isn't it insane how much it looks like a game show, right down to the intense intro music. Funniest. Debate. Ever.
ReplyDelete