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Post by grubbi on Apr 15, 2012 13:23:08 GMT -6
I saw this quote:
"A politician cares about the next election; a statesman cares about the next generation."
I think that sums it up pretty well. We need to elect statesmen (women) who care about the well being of the country and who honor the constitution. Politicians will always care about themselves first, party second, and getting elected (re-elected). They will say and do whatever it takes to the detriment of the country.
"How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think." Adolf Hitler
"Sooner will a camel pass through a needle's eye than a great man be "discovered" by an election." Adolf Hitler
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 15, 2012 15:44:12 GMT -6
Well there is one candidate who has been so principled and committed to the constitution that his very own party has been ostracizing him for 30 years.
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Post by gk on Apr 15, 2012 18:35:11 GMT -6
I think you make some great points, but I'll believe it when I see it, regarding the next supreme court opening. You're absolutely right that the Bork thing was dumb and pretty much ruined the confirmation process for all eternity. And it gave us Clarence Thomas, our most-mute justice. But since Republicans are basically playing from the same playbook as the 70s-90s Democrats (self-victimization, selectively editing comments in order to take umbridge) I'm guessing anything but the most moderate of justice nominees will make it through.
The Supreme Court thing is pretty much the thing that'll ensure I'll vote again for Obama (to get back to Chad's original question in this tread) . It's why I voted for Kerry in 2004 against my better judgment, resulting in the second biggest fight me and Steph ever had.
Well, the supreme court thing, and I really don't feel like invading Iran right now.
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on Apr 16, 2012 17:39:54 GMT -6
Doubt that Romney would invade Iran.
I'm not going to sugarcoat it: Romney was picked to woo the independent voters, and the way you're reacting is proof positive of how it doesn't seem to be working.The real question is will enough people who voted for Obama in '08 be turned off on him on election day.
And I'm still watching the Senate races. That's where I think the real telling battle is going to take place.
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Post by gk on Apr 16, 2012 18:45:37 GMT -6
And I'm still watching the Senate races. That's where I think the real telling battle is going to take place. This is a great point that no one is talking about. Obama could easily win and Republicans still sweep into the Senate. Going back to your Supreme Court thing, do you think Obama could get anyone confirmed to the SCOTUS? I think like 4 Republicans or something in the Senate voted to confirm Kagan. And she hunts things! I think any Republican that votes for an Obama SCOTUS nominee is asking to be primaried. Because that nominee will definitely take our guns and imprison you for saying Merry CHRISTmas.
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on Apr 16, 2012 19:35:11 GMT -6
I think he could get someone up like Sotomayor, who has a judicial record and is somewhat liberal. And he could do it even against a 60 republican senate. I don't think you'll see someone like Kagan who has worked closely with his administration though.
The other issue that would be interesting is whether they're replacing a liberal justice (and the court balance is maintained) or a conservative (and it flips). Might change some attitudes.
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on Apr 16, 2012 19:43:21 GMT -6
This is my current read on the election. I think the strategy Obama is using is really geared for helping him conserve his presidency. He really hung a lot of the Democrats in Congress out to dry with how the Affordable Care Act passed, and by my count there are 6 up for reelection this go-round where the Democrats could be in trouble (MO, NE, ND, VA, MT, FL). The Republicans need +4 seats to pick it up again, and the only currently held seat I see them losing at the moment is Maine.
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Post by gk on May 1, 2012 18:59:36 GMT -6
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Post by fatmenace on May 2, 2012 5:25:10 GMT -6
His supporters aren't voting for Romney, that much I guarantee Slate. Half of us will write in Paul on the ballot, the other half will simply not vote.
Racking up delegates meant something when it looked like there could be a broken convention. At a broken convention, delegates can vote their conscious, so there was a possibility of a Paul nomination (long shot, sure, but it was Ron himself talking about it, not merely his followers). But it's looking like Romney will win outright the nomination, which will guarantee an Obama landslide in November.
Good job GOP.
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on May 2, 2012 17:01:18 GMT -6
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin governor recall Democratic primary is Tuesday. Not really getting covered. My gut suspicion is that it's because Scott Walker is leading a generic Democrat by 5-6 percentage points in polls.
I expect coverage to pick up once there's a settled nominee to challenge him.
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Post by fatmenace on May 3, 2012 7:41:12 GMT -6
Haven't followed that at all. Why he's being recalled?
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on May 3, 2012 11:37:38 GMT -6
After he got in office, he and the Republican controlled legislature wrote some new laws to cut back the budget. It required government employee (including teachers) to contribute pay to their own health care and retirement plans and cut back on what the government would provide for them as their employer. This was a about an 8%-10% decrease in take-home pay. It also take away collective bargaining rights for these employees for anything other than wages (with exceptions for police, fire and some others). The state Democrats actually left for Illinois to try and prevent a quorum from forming so this could be voted upon. Walker and the Republicans reworked the bill to be a budget that did not require more than 50%+1 to be present for a vote, then passed it.
The union folks really dislike this bill as the collective bargaining and forced dues collection are no longer present, taking their power. I think they spearheaded a petition drive to get a recall election, and collected enough signatures to make it happen. There was a recall election for the legislature where the Democrats picked up 2/6 seats, but that wasn't enough to put them back in the majority. The Democratic candidate for governor gets chosen next week, and the election is in June.
I think it is indicative of how well the "reduce government" movement is holding up. If Walker is ejected, the people aren't as interested in the "Balance the budget first" approach he's been pushing. If he stays, then there may be a lot more nationwide sympathy for his movement and possibly by extension, the Republican party.
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on May 3, 2012 11:41:24 GMT -6
And I think that's indicative of the nationwide House and Senate races. The presidential campaign will be its own animal.
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Post by fatmenace on May 7, 2012 6:59:08 GMT -6
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Post by fatmenace on May 7, 2012 7:07:12 GMT -6
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