Student
Meanwhile in

Meanwhile in… the US

The American elections took place this week. Just before the polls opens, Resource talked to Jason Davis from Ohio about the campaign which has dominated his country for months.
Teun Fiers

Jason Davis, Master’s student of International land- and water management from the US, comments on the news from his country.

Jason was annoyed by the lack of content in the presidential campaigns. ‘Everybody is sick of it; politics is so contentless. When I call my parents and start discussing politics, we always end up discussing what politics should be instead of what it is.’ In Jason’s opinion this is a direct result of the huge amounts of capital that are poured into the American elections. ‘Politicians spend most of the time just ensuring that they have sufficient campaigning resources. We feel like money calls the tune in politics more and more. My parents feel powerless against the lobby of the private sector.’

Jason is also bothered by the lack of attention to some aspects of the elections. Because there was voting on Tuesday for representatives at all levels and for judges. Jason had to make a total of 30 choices. ‘In several cases I did not have a clue what to choose, it is just practically impossible to cast an informed vote.’ And yet he does think the other voting that takes place on that day are important too: ‘Now that national politics are locked to a large extend by party controversies, decisions are taken increasingly at state or county level. However, all the media attention goes to the presidential elections, so we are poorly informed when we vote for regional politicians.’

American politics is so contentless

The Master’s student bears in mind when voting that the American elections are significant for other countries as well. ‘In a political discussion with international students I try to listen more than I speak. My vote does matter to them, especially because I am from Ohio, a swing state.”

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