Are other countries elections just as stupid or is this just an American thing?

[R.E.H.W.R.]

Are other countries elections just as stupid or is this just an American thing?

Just wondering if its just the US.

[MrBogosity]

From what I've seen of Canada and the UK, it's pretty much as stupid there, although they seem to have less of a two-party duopoly than the US does.

[Lord T Hawkeye]

Up here?  We barely notice elections even happened.  Either our politicians are VERY bad at working the crowd or everyone's slowly realizing elections are a fool's game.

[R.E.H.W.R.]

From what I've seen of Canada and the UK, it's pretty much as stupid there, although they seem to have less of a two-party duopoly than the US does.

‎$10 (pretend dollars) says that which ever side loses the election someone will accuse the winner of vote rigging. Seems close enough to happen.

[MrBogosity]

‎$10 (pretend dollars) says that which ever side loses the election someone will accuse the winner of vote rigging. Seems close enough to happen.

And they'll probably be right, if only that both sides rig it as much as they can.

I'm reminded of that episode of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.: "All right, Brisco, you cheated me fair and square."

[R.E.H.W.R.]

And they'll probably be right, if only that both sides rig it as much as they can.

I'm reminded of that episode of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.: "All right, Brisco, you cheated me fair and square."

neither side would admit to their own rigging.

[MrBogosity]

neither side would admit to their own rigging.

Are you kidding? This year we've seen them openly flaunt their rigging and not care!

[R.E.H.W.R.]

Are you kidding? This year we've seen them openly flaunt their rigging and not care!

Oh, ya. RNC and Ron Paul.

[ebalosus]

To answer your question as a New Zealander: Yes and No.

Yes because our elections can get just as petty, especially amongst certain politicians. For example, I can remember last election, Don Brash (from the ACT party) saying that they'll legalise weed should they get into a coalition with the winning party (ACT being a minor party; for them to have any influence, they generally need to be in a coalition with the sitting government). Everyone saw it for what it was: A cheap, insincere, vote-grabing trick.

No, because we have a multiparty democracy, and the people generally expect that the political parties and politicians actually say how they're going to run the country, instead of just resorting to belittling their opposition. Since most people have a pretty good grasp on what each party represents, even the wishy-washy two major parties (The third-way centre-left Labour; and the suck-up-to-america centre-right National), most people during an election what all the parties focusing on how they will solve the pressing issues of the day while still sticking to their party roots.

Also, flip-flopping will be called out the second it is seen by nearly everyone, since politicians are very rarely trusted over here