And the messianic following that Paul has developed is no less frightening.

Unfortunately one of the impressions of Americans that I have is blatant disregard of local customs. I was dining in a restaurant in northern Bali several years ago and overheard a party of Americans who were loudly skiting about how they'd wanted to visit a particular temple, arrived to find a ceremony in progress and the temple closed to visitors, but they were having none of this so just barged on in although the locals tried to stop them…and this was from a group of mid-30s who should definitely know better and have more respect. I don't seem to bump into too many Americans in my travels so can only hope these folk are in the minority, although unfortunately Americans do have a general reputation for being arrogant. But maybe that's just a pack mentality thing; individually, I'm sure they're just like anyone else.

Having said this, I admire what you're doing and am absolutely green with envy, I can't imagine many things better than exploring the world and taking your time to do it. I've only just found your website today but will be keeping an eye on it to share your adventures, best wishes for your travels. Having recently been to Ireland, let me share one of their blessings with you…
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.

Politics and religion…best avoided, internationally :)

Opinons are just that; statements of belief, not statements of fact. And that includes what I am about to write.

As a traveller, I learned that democracy doesn't travel well. It doesn't necessarily bring benefits to all countries, eg Cambodia. However, it is an integral, and important, part of the West.

My belief is that democracy has brought benefits to my country (UK) and I would take to the streets to defend my democratic rights. I have used my democratic rights to raise issues of importance to me and it is my belief that with perseverance, it is possible to challenge and change the establishment.

It is also my belief that as privileged members of Western society, we must recognise that our governments have a disproportionate impact on the world. As Western citizens, therefore, we have a disproportionate responsibility to ensure our governments actions in the world are responsible.

Which means the more impact our governments have on the world, the greater our responsibility to check the actions of those governments and use the tools and systems available to us to direct their actions and limit the damage, deliberate or inadvertent, they cause to the world. In my opinion therefore, American citizens carry a lot of responsibility to vote – one of the major tools and systems available to help you check the actions of your government.

In my opinion (statement of my belief, not fact) it is easy to say the choices are too poor to bother voting. It's a cop out. Doing nothing is a choice too. It endorses the status quo because doing nothing changes nothing.

Just my opinion…

I disagree profusely that it is a duty, especially given how the process works and how it gives only two real choices, which are so beholden to interest groups.

To quote Emma Goldman: “If voting could really change anything, they'd make it illegal”.

And for the record, you could have easily and freely found out where you are registered to vote simply by calling or emaiing one of the many voting registration websites and voting activist groups. Even the third party candidate websites had information for registering to vote.

The rest of the world is expecting major change from Obama, but there is one constant about the two major parties – they promise whatever they need to in order to get elected, once they do, very little happens.

So, voting is great, but of little consequence if citizens don't hold their leaders accountable after elections, then votes are taken for granted.