Reviews from

A Fragile Democracy

a personal commentary

23 total reviews 
Comment from Cumbrianlass
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I've been so in demand this past week and haven't had much time for FS. Trying to catch up!

And this post of yours... Eloquent. Diplomatic. Logical. Fair. I can't imagine anyone getting upset over this one, Ingrid. This:

I'd like to applaud the United States presidential candidates. I sit watching election coverage every day. I'm a political junkie. The campaign is almost a year old, and without exception, these people rise and shine, take centre stage and fight for the glory of taking the reins of the most powerful country on Earth. Their resolve and stamina is impressive. No matter what I think politically, it's tough to ignore the passion and the energy required to amass support.

... is a superb paragraph.

Great job!

Av

 Comment Written 05-May-2016


reply by the author on 05-May-2016
    I actually am in extreme envy of people willing to commit to a daily schedule that is intense and never ending. Amazong endurance id all the candidates. Thanks for the stars.
Comment from boxergirl
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thanks for sharing some of your background and your political thoughts about our presidential candidates. Slim pickins is an understatement for sure. At least, Cruz dropped out....It's still going to be a long ordeal either way it goes. :-(

 Comment Written 05-May-2016


reply by the author on 05-May-2016
    I am really shocked at the attacks on each other in the GOP. But now I'm sure it will get even more lethal now that the field is down to three, and DT has won his nomination. You're right, the pickings ate slim. Don't sit at home in protest, though. Thanks for trading, and good luck.
Comment from MelB
Excellent
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A great write on the right to vote and note of a few differences in Canada and the states. I've always been proud to be an American and thought it was a very blessed country. Sadly, everything it was founded on is being taken away and morals and common sense have gone. We are already seeing the blessings the country had go. I truly hope the next president brings this country back where it should be. There is one candidate who wants to, but it will be a while before we know.

 Comment Written 05-May-2016


reply by the author on 05-May-2016
    I AM AFRAID FOR YOU...Especially after today's announcements. Do vote and I too hope whoever is holding the nuclear codes is balanced and is looking to serve the greater good rather than seeking personal power. Thanks.
reply by MelB on 05-May-2016
    I'm doing a lot of praying! I will vote for sure.
Comment from DALLAS01
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Enjoyed your commentary, given without venom for any of the candidates or their platforms. I Imagine it was difficult reigning in a stronger opinion. Things have really been shaken up, down here. Mass confusion seems to reign. Your best advise:
Vote. Allow your conscience and good sense to cast a ballot and respect the process.

 Comment Written 04-May-2016


reply by the author on 04-May-2016
    After today, in your position as an American, I'd be very afraid. This is bad news. A while back, I made an off the cuff remark that if DT became president, there could be a civil war. Now I'm not so sure that it was funny. Thanks for the stars.
Comment from robyn corum
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

SO,

Thanks for sending a wake-up call to my fellow brethren - and to your cousins! *smile* I consider us next-door neighbors, and though I can't figure out what your problem is with white gravy -- YUM!-- I'll for give you that because of all the sense you make in this piece. *smile*

One tiny note?

vinegar for my French fries, and I surely will never understood white gravy,
--> change in tense?

Thanks for caring -- and sharing!

 Comment Written 03-May-2016


reply by the author on 03-May-2016
    Oops, you/re so right. I flubbed the tense change. Thanks for the alert.

    I have deep affection for my cousins and even more feat about what will happen this November.
Comment from Dom G Robles
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I suppose this essay has a lot of meat. I learned a lot of things about Canadians--their thoughts and feelings. I'm elated to learn about Canada's care and treatment to its citizens, I believe it is more liberal than the United States. Women are better off in Canada than the U.S., I suppose, with respect to health care or even to its senior citizens. Thanks for sharing. Ingrid, your last sentence: "Democracy is a fragile right "dependant"of this...(Is this a Canadian spelling? Or am I missing something here?)

 Comment Written 03-May-2016


reply by the author on 03-May-2016
    You know, I had to look up the words dependant/dependent, and neither shows up in spellcheck. Further investigation ;eads me to believe that a dependant is a person who requires care, and dependent means reliable. Corrected, but what a difference a letter makes. The things Bernie Sanders is campaining for are things Canada has, but it is a massive project with the US to adopt with the population. I see Colorado is already talking about a state-wide, single payment health care, throwing out Obamacare--but essentially doing a new and improved system. That's good news. At least government understands it's the right direction for universal health care. So much resistance though. Glad I don't have those troubles.

    Thanks for the stars. How goes the courtship?
Comment from Dustybones
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I take the negative details and magnify them while filtering out all positive aspects of a situation. As a result I don't watch polictical news. I rather just pay attention to the immediate surroundings.

 Comment Written 03-May-2016


reply by the author on 03-May-2016
    You must have a magnificent view. LOL Thanks for the review. Please vote.
reply by Dustybones on 03-May-2016
    Thanks for replying. It's nice to not watch TV news.
Comment from Sis Cat
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

A very clear, well-argued essay about the fragility of American democracy from a Canadian's perspective. This is not a rant about everything that is wrong about America or its current crop of Presidential candidates. It is a statement of fact that gives pause for reflection and perspective.

The heart of your essay is your address to Americans, "I don't have a vote--but you do. If I can wish for anything, I'd hope that my friends south of the border fully understand and respect their franchise. Vote. Allow your conscience and good sense to cast a ballot and respect the process."

This is not only our country and future, but the world's, because what happens here impacts elsewhere.

Thank you for sharing and caring.


 Comment Written 03-May-2016


reply by the author on 03-May-2016
    I've written some strong words about the more colourful candidates. You are absolutely right about the impact on the world. I'm only an hour from the border, and to think someone who may be a sociopath having the codes for nuclear weapons, is very, very frightening. I have decided not to write political commentaries unless my characters suddenly become interested--but it will be fiction.

    I am dependent on the good sense of the American people to sort this out, and hope everyone takes this election very seriously. Yes, I care about you and all of us.

    Thanks for reading, and a;; the stars.
Comment from JBCaine
Excellent
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Echo-
This was pretty kindly put for a would-be die-hard Big D. While it stuns me to think that any grown adult with a brain could ever under any circumstances consider HRC as the logical choice, unfortunately, this go around, she may be the only choice, albeit not logical in any sense of the word.
Your rational treatment of this topic was enjoyable; both your writing and your perspective.
JBCaine-

 Comment Written 02-May-2016


reply by the author on 03-May-2016
    You are right. I was attempting to be truthful and KIND. My political views on the candidates are very strong, and I've very written about DT, but it is not appreciate. I've been accused of being anti-America, That's not true at all, but I thought I should retire my political writing on this site with my declaration of peace and good wishes/ But DT scares me. Mega-maniacs trusted with the nuclear codes--his decisions could kill me too. Thanks. and really--good luck.
reply by JBCaine on 03-May-2016
    IMHO, anyone who is not scared by DT is pretty far over the edge of wacko. But, then... Hillary. At least as much of an egomaniac, probably more, but at least in a safer direction... what a horrible choice.
reply by the author on 03-May-2016
    I still wonder how these candidates represent the best--and don't--but these are big powerful parties, you'd think...
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Excellent
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People have asked me, multiple times, about children. We can't afford them. I know, I know if we wait til we can afford them we'll never have them but we at least need to be able to live. Right now, we can't afford daycare, we also can't afford one of us to stop working. We don't qualify for state aid and stuff like that because we make too much. It's a nightmare. I've actually thought about moving to another country but I'll stick it out. In many ways I'm envious of you

 Comment Written 02-May-2016


reply by the author on 02-May-2016
    You sound as if you are at a serious fork in the road, changing your lifestyle drastically to have children or reconcile yourselves to a plan of working like mad to earn and save. Whatever happened to--'let's start a family'? Hope all your dreams find at path. Thanks for the kind words.
reply by ExperiencingLiphe on 02-May-2016
    He doesn't even want kids, it's really not a huge deal but if we were to want to start a family it wouldn't be as easy as lets do it. We're completely good with it just being us right now.