Lame Duck Pres
Discussion
Colonial said:
I have no issue if the real Republican party gets in - straight down the line conservatives. Sure. I'll disagree with some policies but hey ho. That's life. Business will continue to tick over.
If Tea Party style nutters continue to win endorsement and hold a majority in the party then I am quite concerned over the direction things will take. It will either go isolationist, which will be a negative for the US, or expansionist, which will be a negative for the wider world.
The Tea Party types not only did not win, their candidates were blocked from nomination by the main party. The Tea Party in no way shape or form hold the majority in the GOP. If Tea Party style nutters continue to win endorsement and hold a majority in the party then I am quite concerned over the direction things will take. It will either go isolationist, which will be a negative for the US, or expansionist, which will be a negative for the wider world.
Talksteer said:
paranoid airbag said:
Blib said:
CamMoreRon said:
Plus a load more blanket surveillance, a massive step back in Green progress / social progress, and absolutely no hope for gun control. Do you think it's the Middle Eastern events and the constant "threat" of terrorism that has swung things back towards red?
What 'green progress' has he made?In fact for that issue, a Republican govt might actually be more effective. Measures from them are more likely to be seen as reasonable compromises by moderate gun owners - from the Democrats, they're gubbermint diktats. Meanwhile out of power the Democrats can take a step back and learn from their mistakes.
The Democratic position on most issues is actually the majority position for most Americans in social attitude surveys.
The reason why the Democrats don't win every election is that voting is fundamentally a statement of identity rather than a rational choice based on fundamental policy positions. Secondly there is the issue of perceived competence which Obama has not done well on partially because of the grid lock of the US system.
Jimbeaux said:
The Senate has allowed virtually no bills to come to vote; therefore he neither has to sign or veto. That's is about to change and the Excel pipeline will be the first test. That has considerable Democratic support. Now, will he do what the peoples' representatives want (both Dems and Rep) or will he continue to pander to the Greenies?
Since when have those in the Senate represented the people? They've been representing big business for as long as I can remember. kilty2 said:
Jimbeaux, as a 20 year resident of the USA, I do notice that that lobby money and election spending are ridiculous.
Money can buy elections, I live in Illinois – the Quinn/Rauner race was the most expensive in Illinois history.
If you believe the press, then Rauner spent $23 per vote cast for him, Quinn spent $17/vote.
For a state of 12 million people – I find the combined campaign costs (reportedly $100 million) pretty obscene.
It is, far too much money spent on elections by both sides. Money can buy elections, I live in Illinois – the Quinn/Rauner race was the most expensive in Illinois history.
If you believe the press, then Rauner spent $23 per vote cast for him, Quinn spent $17/vote.
For a state of 12 million people – I find the combined campaign costs (reportedly $100 million) pretty obscene.
Derek Smith said:
Talksteer said:
The Republicans have one big issue...... by and large they are wrong.
The Democratic position on most issues is actually the majority position for most Americans in social attitude surveys.
The reason why the Democrats don't win every election is that voting is fundamentally a statement of identity rather than a rational choice based on fundamental policy positions. Secondly there is the issue of perceived competence which Obama has not done well on partially because of the grid lock of the US system.
I've got a few American friends and I try not to talk politics to them. This mid-term they've hardly said anything. The Democratic position on most issues is actually the majority position for most Americans in social attitude surveys.
The reason why the Democrats don't win every election is that voting is fundamentally a statement of identity rather than a rational choice based on fundamental policy positions. Secondly there is the issue of perceived competence which Obama has not done well on partially because of the grid lock of the US system.
But the odd thing is that, as you say, a couple of them obviously believe one thing and yet vote for the party that will ensure it doesn't come about.
It is a strange world out there and stranger still is the USA. They see nothing odd in this.
All my friends are openly racist, or what would be seen as racist over here. I've been in a restaurant in mid-Sussex where I was embarrassed at their comments, and this was shared by those on neighbouring tables. And this was from the one who would, no doubt, be described by some on here as left of Scargill.
Making comparisons between the UK and USA politics is pointless. There are few similarities.
The worry is that this apparent lurch to the republicans will hurt this country. If the USA becomes isolationist then we might well have problems.
Whilst many of our MPs might be inept, criminal and selfish, they do seem to be a step or two up the evolutionary ladder compared to some of the yanks. Just listen to what some of them say.
Remarkable.
The main problem with USA politics is religion. When I was a kid we were told about Americans jumping off high buildings expecting to be rescued by their particular breed of god. What got me was the second bloke who did it. I had trouble believing it then but not now. I saw a TV programme about the Arab spring, back a millennium or so. Great leaps in science. Yet it all ended when religion decided it didn't like new. I wondered at the time if it would be the same for the yanks.
DJRC said:
Derek Smith said:
Talksteer said:
The Republicans have one big issue...... by and large they are wrong.
The Democratic position on most issues is actually the majority position for most Americans in social attitude surveys.
The reason why the Democrats don't win every election is that voting is fundamentally a statement of identity rather than a rational choice based on fundamental policy positions. Secondly there is the issue of perceived competence which Obama has not done well on partially because of the grid lock of the US system.
I've got a few American friends and I try not to talk politics to them. This mid-term they've hardly said anything. The Democratic position on most issues is actually the majority position for most Americans in social attitude surveys.
The reason why the Democrats don't win every election is that voting is fundamentally a statement of identity rather than a rational choice based on fundamental policy positions. Secondly there is the issue of perceived competence which Obama has not done well on partially because of the grid lock of the US system.
But the odd thing is that, as you say, a couple of them obviously believe one thing and yet vote for the party that will ensure it doesn't come about.
It is a strange world out there and stranger still is the USA. They see nothing odd in this.
All my friends are openly racist, or what would be seen as racist over here. I've been in a restaurant in mid-Sussex where I was embarrassed at their comments, and this was shared by those on neighbouring tables. And this was from the one who would, no doubt, be described by some on here as left of Scargill.
Making comparisons between the UK and USA politics is pointless. There are few similarities.
The worry is that this apparent lurch to the republicans will hurt this country. If the USA becomes isolationist then we might well have problems.
Whilst many of our MPs might be inept, criminal and selfish, they do seem to be a step or two up the evolutionary ladder compared to some of the yanks. Just listen to what some of them say.
Remarkable.
The main problem with USA politics is religion. When I was a kid we were told about Americans jumping off high buildings expecting to be rescued by their particular breed of god. What got me was the second bloke who did it. I had trouble believing it then but not now. I saw a TV programme about the Arab spring, back a millennium or so. Great leaps in science. Yet it all ended when religion decided it didn't like new. I wondered at the time if it would be the same for the yanks.
t schooling probably explains the usual level of bullocks you come out with. Jimbeaux said:
The Tea Party types not only did not win, their candidates were blocked from nomination by the main party. The Tea Party in no way shape or form hold the majority in the GOP.
errr... Tea Party nutter endorsed candidates were successful in 69% of seatshttp://www.irehr.org/issue-areas/tea-party-nationa...
It's something the sane members of the Republican Party need to address. It's not a dig at sane Republicans.
Elroy Blue said:
He did what all Politicians is power do and went for the easy votes. He targeted 'poor' America (including giving hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants citizenship) and abandoned 'middle America'.
It hasn't gone well for him.
When did he give hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants citizenship?It hasn't gone well for him.
Colonial said:
errr... Tea Party nutter endorsed candidates were successful in 69% of seats
http://www.irehr.org/issue-areas/tea-party-nationa...
It's something the sane members of the Republican Party need to address. It's not a dig at sane Republicans.
I find it odd how grass-roots movements are always derided as nutters, against a backdrop of years of corruption, self-interest and incompetance on the part of the "mainstream". "Well, they may be crap, but at least they're mainstream". http://www.irehr.org/issue-areas/tea-party-nationa...
It's something the sane members of the Republican Party need to address. It's not a dig at sane Republicans.
But movements like this are how it's supposed to work, it's not supposed to be an oligarcy run by 2 or 3 parties.
I suppose people said the same about the labour party when it was new.
For me Obama was always a prisoner to his own hype - the breathless build up to his (inevitable) election, the wall to wall coverage of the great man giving speeches (did anyone else watch the Berlin one? I did - very hard to actually tell what the message was, but he did read it well) and looking good.
It's not his fault, not by a long chalk, but he was very happy - or so it seems - to ride that train all the while it suited him (and what politician wouldn't?).
The near-global adoration continued after his inauguration with that Nobel Peace Prize. WTF?
So when we find he cannot turn water into wine or walk on water, we're disappointed.
At least with Milliband we can be thoroughly underwhelmed before, during, and after any election he may win.
It's not his fault, not by a long chalk, but he was very happy - or so it seems - to ride that train all the while it suited him (and what politician wouldn't?).
The near-global adoration continued after his inauguration with that Nobel Peace Prize. WTF?
So when we find he cannot turn water into wine or walk on water, we're disappointed.
At least with Milliband we can be thoroughly underwhelmed before, during, and after any election he may win.
Colonial said:
Jimbeaux said:
The Tea Party types not only did not win, their candidates were blocked from nomination by the main party. The Tea Party in no way shape or form hold the majority in the GOP.
errr... Tea Party nutter endorsed candidates were successful in 69% of seatshttp://www.irehr.org/issue-areas/tea-party-nationa...
It's something the sane members of the Republican Party need to address. It's not a dig at sane Republicans.
Matt Harper said:
Elroy Blue said:
He did what all Politicians is power do and went for the easy votes. He targeted 'poor' America (including giving hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants citizenship) and abandoned 'middle America'.
It hasn't gone well for him.
When did he give hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants citizenship?It hasn't gone well for him.
scherzkeks said:
Jimbeaux said:
Precisely. An illiterate phrasing to drive home a point; much in the vein of ain't got no sense. 
It was on purpose? About as convincing as that time you claimed to speak German and ran your stuff through Google translate. 
Now, anything relevant or constructive regarding the thread topic? 
Art0ir said:
Who do you see as the GOP candidate for 2016 Jimbeaux?
That sounds like another thread. 
I honestly have no clear prediction as of yet; just not comfortable saying. I am sure those throwing in will be; Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, Paul Ryan, maybe Kasich (sp?)of Ohio. Those not committed to throwing in but being pressured are Jeb Bush, Mike Hukabee, and Mitt Romney.Jimbeaux said:
They were blocked and continue to be weeded out. Colorado was won by the GOP because they blocked Joe Buck from running and put Grdner in. It will continue as a trend imo.
Glad to see the back of Udall. Scrote.Jimbeaux said:
There were a two historic occurences in this election as well as some remarkable happenings thrown in. I am going to wait to see if anyone knows what they are (read that as did the BBC bother to report it).
Costliest?Something around Scott Walker winning after winning a recall election? (only know about this because a Democrat friend whined* on facebook** about it?
* why is it that only democrats whine about the losses and gloat about the wins? I've been here for 3 elections now(I'm not eligible to vote, so I get to stand back and point and laugh at both sides), and regardless of the result, Republicans just get on with it. Democrats either strut around celebrating, or whine incessantly about losing.
** facebook is actually comic for elections. No comments from republicans, EVER (see above), but usually lots from Dems:
It's bad.
Very bad.
Oh god
Yeah. It's way bad.
Interspersed with gems that it's difficult not to respond to:
"My daughter stayed up last night to watch the news. She's 7 and couldn't understand why Americans were voting for such "bad people. " My baby is seven and has a better grasp on our crappy government than most uninformed adults."
No dear, at that age she really doesn't, you're just a bad parent who has indoctrinated your child.
jimmyjimjim said:
Jimbeaux said:
They were blocked and continue to be weeded out. Colorado was won by the GOP because they blocked Joe Buck from running and put Grdner in. It will continue as a trend imo.
Glad to see the back of Udall. Scrote.Jimbeaux said:
There were a two historic occurences in this election as well as some remarkable happenings thrown in. I am going to wait to see if anyone knows what they are (read that as did the BBC bother to report it).
Costliest?Something around Scott Walker winning after winning a recall election? (only know about this because a Democrat friend whined* on facebook** about it?
* why is it that only democrats whine about the losses and gloat about the wins? I've been here for 3 elections now(I'm not eligible to vote, so I get to stand back and point and laugh at both sides), and regardless of the result, Republicans just get on with it. Democrats either strut around celebrating, or whine incessantly about losing.
** facebook is actually comic for elections. No comments from republicans, EVER (see above), but usually lots from Dems:
It's bad.
Very bad.
Oh god
Yeah. It's way bad.
Interspersed with gems that it's difficult not to respond to:
"My daughter stayed up last night to watch the news. She's 7 and couldn't understand why Americans were voting for such "bad people. " My baby is seven and has a better grasp on our crappy government than most uninformed adults."
No dear, at that age she really doesn't, you're just a bad parent who has indoctrinated your child.
Actually, Mia Love, the first Republican African American Female elected to the Senate happened...in a "very white" state. The first African American (of any party)to be elected Senator in South Carolina(since reconstruction in the 1860s)Occured. Tim Scott is a Republican.Those are historic; now the rare occurences are that Hispanic vote for the GOP doubled in this election. The Texas Republican Governor elect garnered 44% of the Hispanic vote, even with one of his main promises being to work to secure the southern border.
Another very ugly thing that I suspect you miss over there is the obscene and nasty things being said by Democratic Black officials toward Blacks who choose to be Republicans. Tim Scott, Mia Love, even Dr. Condeleeza Rice, all speak of being called "Uncle Tom", "You are not black enough", etc.
The NAACP(National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons)has not congratulated or even acknowledged the historic wins by those I mentioned above. The NAACP is there for the "Advancement" of colored people, it said nothing about "depending on their idealogy". Hypocrtites. The airwaves are now full of black politicians who chose to be conservatives speaking out against those accusing them of not being black enough, etc. Good for them and overdue IMO. See them speak for themselves below:
Tim Scott: http://www.businessinsider.com/tim-scott-blasts-de...
Rice: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/223161-dems-mi...
Mia Love: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/11/05/video-m...
Edited by Jimbeaux on Friday 7th November 19:09
Edited by Jimbeaux on Friday 7th November 19:35
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