Who should be person of the year 2012

[Kane]

Another good one.

Not very influential on a global scale though. Still enabled Obamacare by taking the stance that he did which is significant when comparing different countries health standards/capabilities/efficacy.

[Spider]

The minority voter

[Aaron]

[Kane]

How 'bout hispanics?

[Aaron]

ole

[Kane]

[OGPhilly]

[Kane]

Hmmm, well I'd counter that his lack of influence is influential in itself. The choices he's made as Prime Minister has hindered his power in the greater bloc. Ergo, he's had influence through the negative ramifications of his decisions unto himself or others. With Gaza he's responsible for creating nearly unprecedented international condemnation of his country's attack/defense. What Israel does has wide ranging consequences for the ME and accordingly, the world.

Eric Cantor, Harry Reid, and John Boehner for similar reasons. Just as the Chinese have been managing their economies rather well our legislative bodies have been failing horribly. This has an affect on the greater global economy. The fiscal cliff, I think, has already impacted domestic growth which does feed into greater economies. Look at how the European recession is impacting global growth, specifically in South America and Southeast Asia. Which is where Merkel clearly comes into focus.

[OGPhilly]

Well yes, the Israel/Palestine conflict is influential and consequential, but I feel like not every top tier world issue has a corresponding person who is equally relevant. I see what you mean about the lack of influence being influence, but really you're just saying that if he didn't lack influence, he could influence things differently. I think the Israel/Palestine thing right now is lacking individuals of stature which makes progress less likely. No one from this issue should be named man of the year for 2012.

[OGPhilly]