Who do you want the next president to be?

[Bonam]

As I said, I'm sure there are ways of blocking non US IPs

Easily avoided through proxies, VPNs, and other means of obfuscation, all of which are legal and widespread. Moreover if that was the limitation (and means of obfuscation did not exist) anyone could simply "visit" the US, you know, on a day trip from Canada, connect to a wireless hotspot, and donate.

and/or credit cards from participating/donating to such sites.

Except of course that you don't have to be an American citizen or resident to have an American credit card or bank account.

[Bonam]

Then you agree that my expressions of opinion on all things Canadian are not only acceptable, but to be tolerated the same way as yours?

Sure, why wouldn't they be? Some people may find them annoying and choose to point out their annoyance (which they are free to do), but you are nevertheless as free to express your opinions as anyone else.

[Pliny]

I hope it is someone for hope and change.

[Guest American Woman]

Easily avoided through proxies, VPNs, and other means of obfuscation, all of which are legal and widespread.

Sure they're legal and widespread, but that doesn't mean donations made through a proxie et al are allowed.

Moreover if that was the limitation (and means of obfuscation did not exist) anyone could simply "visit" the US, you know, on a day trip from Canada, connect to a wireless hotspot, and donate.

Donate using what? A Canadian credit card/bank account?

Except of course that you don't have to be an American citizen or resident to have an American credit card or bank account.

But you do have to register your information for your account with paypal, which means you have to register your "mailing address."

But of course do feel free to chance breaking the law if it means that much to you.

[Bonam]

But of course do feel free to chance breaking the law if it means that much to you.

It doesn't. In fact, I'd never donate a penny to any political party. Politicians get more than enough of our money a is. I am merely pointing out that it is both possible and not at all difficult for a Canadian or other foreigner to donate money to an American political campaign if they so choose. Obviously, large donations might be looked into and compliance with US regulations may be checked, but if you think that the US thoroughly investigates every few dollar donation you are of course mistaken.

[punked]

Sure they're legal and widespread, but that doesn't mean donations made through a proxie et al are allowed.

Donate using what? A Canadian credit card/bank account?

But you do have to register your information for your account with paypal, which means you have to register your "mailing address."

But of course do feel free to chance breaking the law if it means that much to you.

The law wouldn't be on you it would be on the candidate.

[Guest American Woman]

People can base their political opinions about whatever they want. Some Canadians may be interested in how American politics affects Canada. Some might be interested in how it affects, say, the middle east. And others might be interested in how it affects America itself.

Yet that still doesn't address the issue that I raised, which is people declaring what America "needs" and what Americans "want." That's a different issue from being interested in any of the things you've mentioned, and it's what I don't get.

If I was to have an opinion about who I'd want to be an American president, it would probably be heavily weighed around who would work to provide the most funding to NASA and other science and technology investments, since that would probably impact me quite a bit.

Again, that's impacting you, and has nothing to do with declaring what Americans "want" and/or "need." And again, that's the part that I don't get. I would never presume to state what Canada/Canadians "want" or "need," as I'm not a Canadian; therefore, who am I to make such a declaration?

"Interest" is one thing. Declaring what *we* "want" and/or "need" is quite another; and, I might add, quite arrogant/difficult to understand.

Edited April 17, 2010 by American Woman

[Guest American Woman]

The law wouldn't be on you it would be on the candidate.

Of course it would, since you are breaking the law.

[bush_cheney2004]

Sure, why wouldn't they be? Some people may find them annoying and choose to point out their annoyance (which they are free to do), but you are nevertheless as free to express your opinions as anyone else.

....and Americans are free to find Canadian interest in selecting American politians annoying (and curious) as well.

No doubt the practice of holding mock online voting for American elections by Canadians (enabled by Al Gore's internet) will continue.

Edited April 17, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[bush_cheney2004]

Yet that still doesn't address the issue that I raised, which is people declaring what America "needs" and what Americans "want." That's a different issue from being interested in any of the things you've mentioned, and it's what I don't get.

Yes...I find your question to be quite interesting and await a good response.

Again, that's impacting you, and has nothing to do with declaring what Americans "want" and/or "need." And again, that's the part that I don't get. I would never presume to state what Canada/Canadians "want" or "need," as I'm not a Canadian; therefore, who am I to make such a declaration?

Indeed...I think Canada needs to abolish hate speech laws!

"Interest" is one thing. Declaring what *we* "want" and/or "need" is quite another; and, I might add, quite arrogant/difficult to understand.

Perhaps some have overstated their strident opinions after getting so hot and bothered over American politics.

[Bonam]

Yet that still doesn't address the issue that I raised, which is people declaring what America "needs" and what Americans "want." That's a different issue from being interested in any of the things you've mentioned, and it's what I don't get.

Shrug, it is just another issue that someone cares about. I don't pretend to understand the OP, whom I strongly disagree with on most issues.

Again, that's impacting you, and has nothing to do with declaring what Americans "want" and/or "need." And again, that's the part that I don't get. I would never presume to state what Canada/Canadians "want" or "need," as I'm not a Canadian; therefore, who am I to make such a declaration?

You are a human. You live in a free country. That gives you the right to make whatever "declaration" you want. Whether it would be valid is of course an open question, but no one can stop you from doing so. Why does a Canadian have to remind Americans about free speech again? You guys should know this~

"Interest" is one thing. Declaring what *we* "want" and/or "need" is quite another; and, I might add, quite arrogant/difficult to understand.

Arrogance is a common character trait in humans and as such is not particularly difficult to understand. Many people think they know what would be best for others.

Indeed...I think Canada needs to abolish hate speech laws!

Then you are in agreement with many Canadians including myself. Nothing wrong with you expressing that opinion either.

[punked]

Of course it would, since you are breaking the law.

You really aren't the candidate is and it who the fec would charge.

[Guest American Woman]

You really aren't the candidate is and it who the fec would charge.

Wrong. You most definitely would be breaking the law.

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

You would be "the foreign national," the one "knowingly and willfully engaging in these activities," and therefore you "may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment."

[Bonam]

Wrong. You most definitely would be breaking the law.

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

You would be "the foreign national," the one "knowingly and willfully engaging in these activities," and therefore you "may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment."

Yeah I can just see it now. The extradition hearing over the $5 donation.

[Guest American Woman]

Yeah I can just see it now. The extradition hearing over the $5 donation.

As I said, if it means that much to you, go ahead and risk breaking the law and see where it gets you. I'm only pointing out that it's not as easy as you seem to think it is, and that it is breaking the law. It's just likely not a simple matter of hitting "paypal" and making a donation from Canada, as you originally claimed.

[maple_leafs182]

I was saying this a while ago. There will be a second american revolution. The Tea Parties are just the beginning.

The tea parties don't trust either of the two parties, they know the government and the Fed are corrupt.

[Guest American Woman]

Shrug, it is just another issue that someone cares about. I don't pretend to understand the OP, whom I strongly disagree with on most issues.

I don't understand it either, which is why I asked what I did. When I don't understand something, asking about it seems to be the logical way to go.

You are a human. You live in a free country. That gives you the right to make whatever "declaration" you want. Whether it would be valid is of course an open question, but no one can stop you from doing so. Why does a Canadian have to remind Americans about free speech again? You guys should know this~

Why are you making this about the "right" to say whatever they want? I've never questioned the "right" nor have I so much as insinuated in any way at all that I wanted to "stop" them; I've simple questioned why they feel as they do, so no need to "remind" me of anything.

Arrogance is a common character trait in humans and as such is not particularly difficult to understand. Many people think they know what would be best for others.

So you agree that it's arrogance then, but that still doesn't explain the "whys." As for not being "particularly difficult to understand," that seems to be in direct contraction to what you said at the beginning of your post: I don't pretend to understand the OP [...]

[bush_cheney2004]

I was saying this a while ago. There will be a second american revolution. The Tea Parties are just the beginning.

The tea parties don't trust either of the two parties, they know the government and the Fed are corrupt.

Dude....almost half of Americans don't even bother to vote...so when did the next "revolution" begin?

[Sir Bandelot]

Americans certainly do not hesitate to state their opinions of the regimes in certain other countries.

Ouch!

[Shady]

Yeah I can just see it now. The extradition hearing over the $5 donation.

No, you'd probably face a fine.

[Guest American Woman]

Dude....almost half of Americans don't even bother to vote...so when did the next "revolution" begin?

The Tea Party was in my city last weekend and I wouldn't have even been aware of it if I hadn't seen the RV with their logo painted on it parked down at the park earlier in the day. About 500 people showed up according to the local news, about a thousand according to Fox News. At any rate, it was pretty uneventful overall; no worries about a "revolution."

[bush_cheney2004]

So you agree that it's arrogance then, but that still doesn't explain the "whys."

I think the whys are more about historical perceptions and assumed relationships, real or imagined. One should have asked PM Trudeau why he was sleeping with an elephant to begin with, and the answer is economic and cultural, with Canadians drinking from a fire hose torrent of American media, including American politics.

Mexico has a similar interest for very specific reasons related to immigration and economics.

[bush_cheney2004]

The Tea Party was in my city last weekend and I wouldn't have even been aware of it if I hadn't seen the RV with their logo painted on it parked down at the park earlier in the day. About 500 people showed up according to the local news, about a thousand according to Fox News. At any rate, it was pretty uneventful overall; no worries about a "revolution."

Agreed...there will be no such revolution, but some Canadians see this in the only media they have ever known and jump to conclusions. Many do not have a context larger than what they see on Fox or MSNBC.

Canadians who actually live and work in the USA have a much more balanced view of things, IMHO.

[Oleg Bach]

After Obama's second term, I figure it will finally be Hillary.

But Jesse the Body is a tr00ther, so that won't work (though that pricey LRT from the Mall of America to downtown Minneapolis was a nice accomplishment).

Hillary has so much Botox in her forhead that it hurts to look at this mass of dead unmoving flesh--to hell with a socialist that wants to be rich and worshipped- Palin is frinking scarey- the more her ego grows-- the more she looks like a cartoon character about to go biserk..Obama will need a teleprompter transplant to keep going- any guy that has researchers go through every guy that ever made a great speech and take all the great lines and string them together is a common con artist saying nothing real..I would like to see a guy from ARIZONA - with missing teeth that is about 60 years old with tattoos - who pumps gas in the desert and drinks whiskey before noon to be president.

[punked]

Wrong. You most definitely would be breaking the law.

The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

You would be "the foreign national," the one "knowingly and willfully engaging in these activities," and therefore you "may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment."

Again this speaks to the Candidate accepting the contributions.