Now at last they remember us

Americans who live abroad have the chance to view what happens in their country from a unique perspective- yet how often do our views get solicited by the powers-that-be back in Washington? Now, all of a sudden, when there's an election coming up we get remembered. Interesting.



AOL News
The Ultimate Swing State May Be Overseas:
by Randall Richard,AP


"NEW YORK (Aug. 15) - When decision time comes this fall, the real swing votes in the 2004 presidential election may not come from Pennsylvania, Ohio or even the notorious Florida. The ultimate Bush-Kerry battleground may turn out to be somewhere more far-flung and unexpected - Israel, Britain, even Indonesia.


And both political camps say they are getting ready for the fight, courting American voters who are living overseas and taking no chances that the expatriate vote will undermine them at the finish line.


Although an official census has never been taken, between 4 million and 10 million American citizens are believed to be living abroad. Those over 18 are entitled to have their absentee votes counted in the state where they last lived - no matter how long ago that was. And many are planning to do just that.


''There's enormous interest abroad, because the whole of the world depends on the result,'' said Phyllis Earl, 72, who lives in Britain and has not voted in a U.S. election since 1956, two years after she moved overseas.


Overseas voters are considered particularly important this year. Polls suggest razor-thin margins in several battleground states, and votes coming in from abroad - a score here, a dozen there - could well tip the balance."
(Rest of article on link above)