What do you think about 2012 Presidential Elections?

Yes, I want to tell them about my husband's new knees here under our Australian universal health system, and my friend's liver transplant here - oh and my sister's double transplant - liver and kidney, in France under the French universal health care system. All successful operations done by top level surgeons.

Fox news though - beyond dreadful!!

joan, you are right. The level of propaganda I heard on Fox news at the height of the health care controversy was such a pack of lies, especially lies about our 'socialised' medicine. I wanted to go out on the street and shout about my two replacement joints, done without private insurance and with no more than six months' waiting time - they were quoting years of waiting. It seems that they just have to repeat 'socialised medicine' often enough and the public close their ears to any rational account of what NHS does for us.

jeni

Understanding America, comes under the same heading as believing 4 impossible facts before breakfast!

I feel it's is important to try to understand America and it's politics even if I don't agree with much of it - not least because I have American grandchildren and wish a good future for them. On the whole I think Obama's heart is in the right place, but is trying to bring about change with one hand tied behind his back.A long view is needed to change entrenched political practices. I do hope he wins the next election.

Certainly I know of many Americans who realise all is not rosy in their country - and who are ashamed of their country's foreign policies and health provision.

Santorum is going nowhere, and Obama will succeed. Fingers crossed!

I would love to know how many working Americans realise that they are personally worse off because of their system, even though they live in the mot powerful country of the world. I'm thinking of their lack of universal health care, patchy social welfare, long working hours, short holidays, little protection against nasty bosses, and every effort to make things better for them being labeled and demonised as 'socialism'.

I wonder how many just think 'bugger it' and take off to Canada or anywhere else.

My personal belief is that they have no idea they are being shafted, think their system is superior, and ignore what the rest of the world thinks. Meanwhile the rest of the civilised world looks on this presidential primary race with bemused horror, especially the way god-botherers like Santorum take great delight in taking away necessities such as health care from the vulnerable.

Mad!

Being Australian I see our political system and politicians as "normal", and because of our largely British heritage I see the UK political system and politicians as "normal" so easy to relate to. Understanding the US political system, their political system and their way of thinking is like nailing jelly to a tree!

We should be worried jansyhy. Look at Bradford and George Galloway here. I think all the republican candidates have a screw loose and no I am not left of politics. Like this country America needs a government that is strong with 'head over hearts and mind' politics. It's all very well feeding the masses with what they want to hear but when and if the republicans regain power the theory and the parctice are two different things and they will have to do what is good for America not just their party. They do look like a bunch of idiots, makes our politicians look good wether they be blue, yellow,green or red.

I worry about religion influencing politics. No objection to any particular faith but organised religion is often about control, particularly of women.

I know I should be concerned about the outcome but to be quite frank I wish we didn't have to listen to and watch so much about the build up to the American election - it seems to go on for an age.
There is so much of interest going on here at the moment which should occupy our attention. I'm pleased to see that much radical 'sorting out' is going on. My one hope is that, in the end, it all works out.

Yes indeed! I'm not worried at the moment, but if he did get elected, I would be - very!

Yes, also worried about that raving rightwing religious nutter.
So like Jeni ,I try and ignore it.
But the consequences of somebody like him becoming President of the U.S. of A.
do not bear thinking about.

I'm afraid I ignore it! I can't influence it so why waste effort worrying?

I worry.............it should be interest but its worry.

Did anyone see the documentary on BBC2 tonight about Mitt Romney and how his Mormon faith may affect his election chances? It certainly raised concerns about his party's money-raising practices.

I really hope Obama gets another term to try to implement his policies. At least that raving right wing religious nutter is out of the race.