Archive for the ‘American current affairs’ Category
Why Obama needs to make history – again
August 12th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
As we run up to the American presidential election consider these two facts. Fact 1: Since the Second World War, no incumbent president has ever won an election with unemployment higher than 7.2% (Ronald Reagan in 1984 managed to win re-election when unemployment was at that 7.2% figure). Fact 2: The unemployment rate has been above […]
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Why is America in decline?
July 30th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
During my recent holiday in the United States [my account here], I read an fascinating book entitled “Time To Start Thinking: America And The Spectre Of Decline” [my review here]. Today the “Guardian” has an article by Gary Younge, British but resident in Chicago, with an interesting take on this issue. He comments: ” … […]
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How could Obama lose?
July 28th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
A recent piece in the “Washington Post” opened with this analysis: “With 100 days left in the presidential campaign, perhaps the two most vexing questions in American politics are: How could President Obama possibly lose? And, how could he possibly win? Americans are scared, angry and struggling. They used to talk about job satisfaction; now […]
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How democratic is the United States?
July 27th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
On my web site, I have written short guides to the political systems of 11 countries including the United States – see here. Some day, I intend to get round to writing an essay on comparing different political systems and, when I do, one of the points I will draw out is the ease or […]
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Why America is the greatest country in the world
July 16th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
Actually it isn’t – as explained in this great clip from the first episode of “The Newsroom” which I ‘ve just watched on British television (Sky Atlantic channel):
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What the upcoming American elections are really about
July 14th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
Berkeley professor Robert Reich – Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton – gives a short but cogent explanation in this video:
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Thank goodness, we’re no longer in the United States (2)
July 6th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
I did a posting a few days ago about the extraordinary weather suffered by a part of the USA that Vee and I visited very recently for a holiday. I’ve now had a detailed personal report from my friend Michael Grace with whom we stayed outside Washington. This is his account: “As two folks who […]
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Thank goodness, we’re no longer in the United States (1)
July 2nd, 2012 by Roger Darlington
Our major holiday in 2011 was a week in Syria [my account here] and a couple of weeks later the revolution began there and continues its bloody course to this day. Our major holiday this year was two weeks in the United States [my account here] – including one week in the Washington DC area […]
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Americans and UFOs – now it can be told …
June 29th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
How many Americans believe in unidentified flying objects (UFOs)? How many actually claim to have seen one? And which presidential candidate is most trusted to protect the USA from such alien visitors? Only in the United States would such questions be taken seriously. But, if you’d like to know the answers, you’ll find them here.
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Will Barack Obama be re-elected? (2)
June 24th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
“Prospects for an Obama win have been buffeted by poor job figures and the threat of economic meltdown in Europe. Romney’s team know that convincing America’s swing voters that they might have better job prospects under Republican rule could turn the former Massachusetts governor into a president. The 2012 election is now up for grabs.” […]
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