Michael,
"This is not about Kerry or Bush, this is about foreign affairs which could affect the US."
Exactly! But foreign affairs affect you as much as they affect us. We know how Pres. Bush deals with these things; we have no idea of how Sen. Kerry would because almost every day he changes his stance and then denies he was ever anything but that. That should concern you as much as it does us.
"I didn´t neglect that the presidential race affects the entire world, but I said it is not CRUCIAL for my life, unlike the election of the Federal Parliament here."
It's more crucial than you think, my friend. What if Ramstein Air Base was no more? Would that affect Germany's economy? Do you consider your economy crucial in supporting your way of life? What if Bush or Kerry wanted to close that base; then would it matter to you who is our President?
Please, at least think about it.
Well, if Bush or Kerry had said that he wanted to get home all US troops from Germany because he no longer considers my country an ally, and that from now on German citizens had to apply for visas before entering the US, well, then I would definitely say this election is crucial for my life. Ramstein is a NATO airbase, even if the US withdraw, it is unlikely that it would be shut down. H-ll, Germanys economy had to face cuts in the military from 600,000 in 1990 to 250,000 of our soldiers - and another cut from 250,000 GI´s to currently 75,000. We will survive even when the last 75,000 US troops are gone. It is planned that 25,000 will remain here, which is a good symbolic and strategic presence. Nobody here blames the reducing of US troops on Bush; this is an issue long discussed because of a lack of need.