Next March, will you guys be following the Provincial Elections...

@rebbel

I follow two countries’ elections (besides the US):

1) the UK, especially after the Brexit fiasco, because I have family there

2) Israel, because I have family there

Netherlands?? Uh, I thought you had a queen.

@rebbel I say this with respect but our American jellies ,I don’t think care very much about foreign elections, because they don’t think it means anything to them.
Now some might watch out of curiosity but that’s about it.
I only care about American elections because they are Canada’s largest trading partner, and I truly believe EVERYONE on this planet regardless of class or wealth has a RIGHT to affordable health care.
And to put this metaphorically the US is like that bat shit crazy neighbour you just have to keep on eye on them for your own peace of mind and safety.

France and the UK I watch because I am connected with them through friends and relatives.

I figure the Netherlands has you to keep it on track dear @Rebbel.

Only if the women wear blue dresses.
Orange is so over the top :D

I’m not so much interested in other countries politics, as watching their current events. It’s not that I don’t care, but I don’t seek it out and our media doesn’t seem to provide much info.

I may notice it while reading the BBC site, or hear it when the public radio plays BBC news at night. But I am not informed about your politics.

I think the fact that you do not make the news often here is a sign that you have things under control. No strife and conflict to report.

We as Americans are more or less conditioned from birth to ignore the rest of the world.

I resent having a Canadian believe he can speak on behalf of any Americans, let alone all.

@rebbel, I know nothing about your politics there. I don’t believe I have a reason to check it out except curiosity.
If you care to share some details, I would be eager to read that.
I think a lot of people see Americans as egotistical when a lack of knowledge or interest in other countries politics is present.
Here is the deal; the United States is a large country with a strong economy, and several marketable attributes. What happens with our politics is very important to us, but also affects pretty much the entire planet in one way or another, or several.
Focus on our own political events involves a lot, and is a big responsibility for citizens as well as elected officials.
That we don’t study the political movements of all the countries on the globe is not snobbery, it just makes sense. You focus where effects might involve yourself.
Still, like I said, if you have anything you would like to share because you have concerns, or to share civic pride, I would love to hear your thoughts.

I agree with @Patty_Melt. @SQUEEKY2, your remark was way the fuck out of line and said with zero respect. We are, of course more interested in our own issues here, now, as they are having a global impact.

I do when it crosses my sightline because of either great contentiousness (Brazil! Yikes!) Or because people I care about are there, for examples, Australia, Chile, Japan, UK.Now that you have brought it to my attention, @rebbel, I will look into it. Thanks for the heads up.

We as Americans pay a heavy price for our ignorance of the rest of the world. Our government would not be allowed such foreign policy catastrophes as Vietnam or Iraq/Afghanistan if more of us (including our leadership) were exposed to a decent civic education. And just what sort of respect do we deserve withTrump
In the White House and our citizens going bankrupt from medical expenses.

Follow it? No. I will listen to results if I run across them. I am far too ignorant of politics in the Netherlands, to have an opinion.
I kind of assume that European countries have their business under control. So, I don’t worry about them as much. I spend more time worrying about foreign countries that are enduring famine, war, or disease.

Gee @Patty_Melt isn’t that what I sorta said???
And @canidmajor same thing, sorry if your all bent out of shape over it.
Like I said it doesn’t mean anything to them unless they have relatives or friends there.
Or just mild curiosity.
I except your politics don’t mean much to me as well, sorry about that. @rebbel
And get all bent I did mean that bat shit crazy neighbour you have to keep your eye on.

You spoke for people who can speak for ourselves. You made it sound petty and demeaning, which is exactly what I pointed out as being a misconception about US Americans. We have reason to observe and understand the political activities of some countries, but not all.
You can disagree with policies we have in place, but it isn’t your call.
Call us bat Shit crazy if you want, but keep your six cent dimes in your own pockets, Thankyou.

But you said exactly what I said.
Ok you take credit for it.

I appreciate that you are unable to discern the difference between our objection to your rather asshat comment about us and our responses to the actual Q, @SQUEEKY2, but I will try to remember that in the future so I can explain better, as if to a child.

I thank you all for your answers!
The Netherlands is a very small country, it’s quite insignificant on the stage of world politics, so I understand that it is not standard on everybody’s news radar.
The last couple of years I haven’t been very much into the Dutch politics myself even; I had grown wary of the true intentions of (most of) the politicians.

On Dutch news, foreign elections (and to a lesser extent other political issues) are a thing, although the coverage grows bigger once the nation is more important (to the world stage).
All corners of the globe are covered.
I find that I have more interest in foreign politics than in that of my home country (recently).
That may have to do with the relative peace and quiet that we have here.
Thanks again, Jellies!

PS. We are a monarchy, we have a king.
A king that recently went on a states visit to Great Britain, to meet with their Queen.

@rebbel, don’t you guys have a constitutional monarchy like the Brits?

Yes, we do.
Just like the Brits do.

The Hollanders may have royalty, but that isn’t the comparison between them and us which interests me most. How many Netherlanders do you suppose find themselves forced to choose between paying the mortgage and a crippling medical bill? How many Dutch kids graduate from college carrying massive debt? Why is childcare in Holland virtually free for working parents?

@stanley In that aspect you are correct. Some countries are doing things better, and we should learn from that.

The problem is, environment takes a big role in how well a program works. That involves population, relative self sufficiency of citizens, available resources, etc.
That is why some laws or programs in the US are federal, some are state mandates, some local.
Not all successful programs can make a lateral transfer to a different environment.
Still it is worth scrutiny.