aren't american elections now too important simply to be decided

Can you imagine the wrath world-wide if the Americans tried to decide the French, German, Russian, Chinese, Canadian, Mexican and Spanish elections? Even the slightest suggestion at this would incur worldwide protest, yet this is brought up as a simple discussion topic to be taken seriously.

From a quick glance at the responses, it seems like there is a pretty even split...Americans generally think this is a horrible idea and non-Americans think it's a swell idea. Well, I'm an American and I think it's a great idea! Anyone in the world willing to send their check to the IRS - including all back taxes owed - should definitely get a vote. By my way of thinking, a vote is a person's way of saying (indirectly), "I think such-and-such a person should be making the decisions as to how to spend my money." So...if you're not putting any money in, you shouldn't get a vote. Hmmm...I'm guessing that not many people are going to be willing to take up that offer...

I totally agree. The entire world gets affected by America's choice of president, so the entire world should have a say. I think it is wrong that the likes of Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson are entitled to decide who rules the world and I, as a thinking, educated, informed citizen am not, just because I happen to have been born in the UK. If America doesn't want the entire world helping to choose its president, maybe America should quit invading other people's countries and dictating who should be in charge there. Just a thought.

By your estimations, then the rest of the world should get a vote for any leader or election in any country. We are living in a global community now. What each elected leader does affects the rest of the world. You are sort of missing the point. The governments of the world only have so much power, including America. The real people in power are the super wealthy. And they are in power all over the world, not just in America. The government leaders who get elected, are usually helped or supported one way or another by the super rich. And it is in their best interest to make themselves richer, and the poor stricken with poverty.

..."this democracy blessed the rest of the world with Bush..." LOL that's a good one...I'm an American and believe me I DIDN'T vote for Bush...and what gauled me was that people actually like him...I have one neighbor...this was right after the last election...and she's going on and on and on.."Oh, Bush is a wonderful president..don't you think?" Let's put it this way, I really had to restrain myself from saying what I really thought of him...that is unless I wanted to have a screaming match...As a voter it's very discouraging that here we are doing our best to elect the people who we think might do a good job of it, and they don't get elected...no...this really isn't a democracy by any means

Aren't the AMERICAN elections too important to NOT be decided by AMERICANS alone? The Democratic process of the citizens of the US is the basis for our government and nation. Yes the USA does influence a lot of people, but so does China, Russia, Germany, UK, Japan, various Arab countries. Should they be influenced by people who do not view things the way they do? Allowing other countries to veto a vote is the same as saying democracy no longer exists. I agree that the last 2 elections produced what I feel is the worst president of my lifetime, and I have been around since Eisenhower, and I could easily go on with my opinion of this administration, but it was America's choice. Why not just let the world decide who rules every country. Then all the despots and dictators of the world would be removed and a world election for each country from it's citizens would be done. Of course if you did that in the US you would see protests and possibly 'insurgency' like you see in Iraq now. This is my country, I may not like everything about the government, but I will defend the system. I will not tell another country how to run it (which unfortunately is what Bush and his friends are trying to do). Only in ways that directly affect the US would I put any input. I agree with the anti-Bush movement here, though of the 2 major parties I am more leaning towards the Republicans. He has taken it to an extreme that goes beyond what he should be allowed. You cannot judge the next choice just because you see this one as being wrong.

This is Sri Lanka and it is not America that decides our future. Of course we may be going their for aid, but it is the American people who should decide whether their tax money should be given to Sri Lankans as aid. I don't think we should have the power to vote for an American president who will plunder the tax payer's money and give it to us as aid. We ask for aid because our voter never used their brains in voting. The most dumb idiots are voted into power. God Bless America if we vote for their president.

Hahhaa, that is the stupidest idea I've heard in a long time. Do you want all the US' money too? How about other countries get our military as well? Maybe our jobs? pffft. NO! Of course the rest of the world shouldnt get a voice in who runs OUR country. What a joke...

We have a global malaise. We need global consensus. If we want our voting sytems to work, we need to have our politicians back. Back to being "of the people, for the people". That is what we've lost The super rich have taken over via the Corporation. Corporation power has to be curtailed and ring fenced. The people globally, have to decide they don't want one media owner controlling several global enterprises. Chemical Corporations working as cartells subverting safety legislation, undermining human rights and polluting and poisoning everywhere they operate. People have to agree to stop the lobbying system offering politicians a quick path lifelong security for the price of a vote or two. Let's face it, it's all about greed and success, too much of anything....is TOO MUCH! And it will do us all harm.

We have a global malaise. We need global consensus. If we want our voting sytems to work, we need to have our politicians back. Back to being "of the people, for the people". That is what we've lost The super rich have taken over via the Corporation. Corporation power has to be curtailed and ring fenced. The people globally, have to decide they don't want one media owner controlling several global enterprises. Chemical Corporations working as cartells subverting safety legislation, undermining human rights and polluting and poisoning everywhere they operate. People have to agree to stop the lobbying system offering politicians a quick path lifelong security for the price of a vote or two. But most of all, countries have to learn to not take advantage, Free Trade, is far from Fair Trade. Let's face it, it's all about greed and success, too much of anything....is TOO MUCH! And it will do us all harm.

Of course, the election results of US will affect all world. UN0 can never do it.