Welcome to the Argentine Idiocracy

[Thereandbackagain]

Then who should people have voted for instead during the last elections?

A missing alternate option is not an excuse for doing the wrong thing, but rather a motivation to create a alternate option or stand up in any other form.

To be honest, I do not know enough of the political landscapes here in AR, but I would rather have voted for whatever ridiculous opposition which would show by itself the low value of the political system than supporting a harmful political party.
In working Democracies like e.g. Sweden or Germany, People come up with own Ideas, political Parties etc. In Germany the "Pirate Party" is in already in the Parlament of 4 Budnesländer (Departamentos).

There is too much phlegmatic thinking amongst argentinians and the only thing which seems to get them motivated is immediate money and football.

 

[Dipperus]

You could have been a citizen about 20 years ago. Your statement about not being able to vote makes no sense. You've been here 25+ YEARS... and you're not a citizen?


You're ummm... yeah... hmmmm...

I know I could be a citizen, but don't want to. I'm not obligated to become an Argentine citizen, but I am a permanent resident however, and have a DNI.

I don't know what doesn't make sense. I only said that I can't vote because I'm not a citizen, I wasn't complaining about it.

If I was a citizen and could vote, I definitely would not have voted for CFK, but also couldn't say who I would have voted for because sadly, we aren't given many options.

 

[el_expatriado]

I find your post disrespectful, offensive and insensitive. All sort of people voted for Cristina on the last year elections.

Yes, this is all true.

1. I don't have any respect for people who voted for Cristina.
2. If you voted for Cristina, I suspect my post will offend you. I'm ok with that.
3. I am not sensitive to the hurt feelings of people who are responsible for maintaining in power one of the most corrupt, inept, and thuggish regimes in South America.

 

[trennod]

I think you will find the majority of the well educated population did not vote for the Ks, and certainly not 54%. For those that have a circle of friends / colleagues / family etc that fit this category and you are uncertain, do a quick check of the numbers and I am sure you can confirm this.

She has no business in Angola as a priority over where else she could be. It is stupid her being there, plain and simple.

There is no doubt immigration policies in Argentina are lax. As are social security benefits for the poor, benefits for the number of children you have etc etc. I am not sure that these policies encourage the kind of behaviour that will help this country grow and prosper. Perhaps it is more favourable to the political career of the Ks, though.

 

[trennod]

A missing alternate option is not an excuse for doing the wrong thing, but rather a motivation to create a alternate option or stand up in any other form.

To be honest, I do not know enough of the political landscapes here in AR, but I would rather have voted for whatever ridiculous opposition which would show by itself the low value of the political system than supporting a harmful political party.
In working Democracies like e.g. Sweden or Germany, People come up with own Ideas, political Parties etc. In Germany the "Pirate Party" is in already in the Parlament of 4 Budnesländer (Departamentos).

There is too much phlegmatic thinking amongst argentinians and the only thing which seems to get them motivated is immediate money and football.

And Peronism has always been well supported in this country, as a whole. With a large % of the country living in poverty, you can see why that is the case.

 

[Crema Americana]

I wouldn't belittle the people that voted for Cristina. It wasn't just the poor, uneducated, or the lazy... there are a lot of people that believe that her intentions are good and she wants to do right by the country. I'm not a fan of Cristina, but Argentina has had some pretty terrible leaders in the past and people really want to believe in someone. She does a good job of painting herself as a saint and savior, and unfortunately people of ALL classes fall for it (though especially those in need who fall for cheap gimmicks.)

Besides, what's the alternative? They're all corrupt. Macri is no cleaner or classier than Cristina... not a bit... neither are any of the other clowns. I don't necessarily blame the people, they've been used, tricked, and manipulated for so many years by so many administrations that they wouldn't know a good leader if they saw it (and with none available, it's unlikely things will change much.) It doesn't help either that the newspapers aren't to be trusted... it's all propaganda from both sides disguised as honest or informative.

And as bad as things are here... it's a world wide problem. The difference is that in Argentina the masks are rather transparent to the watchful observer. Other countries' politicians are more subtle or crafty.

I think Argentina needs oil despite the YPF takeover... that's why she's in Angola. That, or she needs a new diamond necklace. There's always two sides to the story and it tends to be more complicated than what is reported. Cristina is fully aware that the YPF takeover isn't going to solve Argentina's energy issues and they're going to be in a bind unless they can meet the country's energy needs.

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

... Im not trying to be negative, beeing racist or anything, just stating some facts!...

Perhaps you'd like to grab a dictionary and look up "negative" ... "racist" ... and "facts." Let us know what you find.

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

I've been seriously thinking about this issue for the entire seven years I've lived here. Why the heck do corrupt, inept, self-serving politicians keep getting elected? I think there are three things to consider.

1. First, you need to really understand Argentina's history and culture - from the Argentine perspective - to understand why Argentines vote in a certain way. How many of us expats REALLY understand this? How many Argentines really understand this?

2. Second, without a strong rule of law there will always be corrupt politicians. Even with a strong rule of law there is corruption. My Brasilian wife argues with me constantly saying politics are the same in the US as they are here. I'm constantly reminding her that, by in large, politicians in the US who break the law and are caught go to jail. I see the judiciary trying to work here, but they are constantly hamstrung.

3. Third, remember there are always other perspectives on the same issue. For example, I'm originally from Alabama, USA and my southern relatives have a VERY different reality than my northern relatives about the exact same events that transpired during the US Civil War.

 

[YanquiGallego]

I don't even think Argentines understand how and why they vote like they do.

To give you an example, in the last election (the one before 2011) Carrió was a very very close second to CFK. This time, she came in astoundingly in last place. Generally, in most countries, in such a short period of time, such a previously strong contender wouldn't be swept out of the race in this manner.

 

[trennod]

I wouldn't belittle the people that voted for Cristina. It wasn't just the poor, uneducated, or the lazy... there are a lot of people that believe that her intentions are good and she wants to do right by the country. I'm not a fan of Cristina, but Argentina has had some pretty terrible leaders in the past and people really want to believe in someone. She does a good job of painting herself as a saint and savior, and unfortunately people of ALL classes fall for it (though especially those in need who fall for cheap gimmicks.)

Besides, what's the alternative? They're all corrupt. Macri is no cleaner or classier than Cristina... not a bit... neither are any of the other clowns. I don't necessarily blame the people, they've been used, tricked, and manipulated for so many years by so many administrations that they wouldn't know a good leader if they saw it (and with none available, it's unlikely things will change much.) It doesn't help either that the newspapers aren't to be trusted... it's all propaganda from both sides disguised as honest or informative.

And as bad as things are here... it's a world wide problem. The difference is that in Argentina the masks are rather transparent to the watchful observer. Other countries' politicians are more subtle or crafty.

I think Argentina needs oil despite the YPF takeover... that's why she's in Angola. That, or she needs a new diamond necklace. There's always two sides to the story and it tends to be more complicated than what is reported. Cristina is fully aware that the YPF takeover isn't going to solve Argentina's energy issues and they're going to be in a bind unless they can meet the country's energy needs.

I dont agree she was as well supported by the middle and upper middle classes. I agree with you that there is not much competition, but I think at the last election there were better options available. Her ideals are take from the middle and upper classes to give to the elite (ie her cronies) and the poor to maintain support. This doesnt make its people self sufficient (or want to be self sufficient) and is never sustainable.

I am tired of the argument that well, first world politicians and countries are just as bad. Corruption amongst the politicians here is significantly higher. Neighbouring countries such as Chile are starting to get things right in that area and are flourishing (or atleast significantly more so than Argentina).