2016 USA Presidential election thread II: And. Here. We. Go!

[myreality]

Democrats paved the way; Republicans just added extra lanes. Also: Republicans can probably be patient for two years, and dominate the senate in 2018.

I'm hoping the DNC is scared shitless and plans to go all out in trying to get more dems nominated. I can't imagine all republicans are as crazy as the GOP so hopefully some will reach across the aisle.

[Andalusian girls]

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans paved the way. i often wonder what nostalgic fantasy era people think of when they imply American politics were not always deeply divisive and deeply ugly.

that said it will be fascinating to watch the Republican agenda move forward. Trump seems, to understate the case, uninterested in detailed policy, leaving the crafting of the government's agenda in the hands of Paul Ryan and Mike Pence, two men who come from wildly different wings of the party. and i wonder if the Senate Republicans who were most critical of Donald are really going to accept the type of fiat governance he seems interested in or prove legislative blocks, as many moderate Democrats from red and purple states were to Obama's agenda even when he had a filibuster-proof majority.

[Xno Kappa]

Honestly, I'm of the opinion this country deserves every single shit sandwich it has to eat the next four years. Over a 100 million registered voters who stayed home? Yeah get the fuck out for propping up such a controversial candidate when there were various options. At least Trump was clear from the get-go that he was tapping into the racist as fuck "working white class who were ignored" bullshit, but really it's just white people who were terrified of a changing demographic in this country.

[Dantrag]

Honestly, I'm of the opinion this country deserves every single shit sandwich it has to eat the next four years. Over a 100 million registered voters who stayed home? Yeah get the fuck out for propping up such a controversial candidate when there were various options. At least Trump was clear from the get-go that he was tapping into the racist as fuck "working white class who were ignored" bullshit, but really it's just white people who were terrified of a changing demographic in this country.

Do you really think that the white vote wouldn't have won not matter what?

He already had the charisma of the lovable uncle who always says crazy shit. Hindsight is 20/20 but this was a huge misstep from the DNC. Other than his son dying, I'm sure he was encouraged to step aside in solidarity for HRC. I doubt HRC was Obama's first choice to succeed him.

Now he's just way too old to be considered an option in 2020.

I wouldn't doubt that the DNC didn't push back when he said he was considering weather or not he should run. "Clinton's turn." I was calling the DNC process a sham for a while and while the results aren't what I wanted, I'm really not surprised other than how badly she got trounced across the board. But that's what you get for assuming and thinking people that were for the other guy on your side will vote for you.

You can't rely on fucking minorities to get out and vote without making a fucking effort towards them.

[Marootsoobutsu]

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans paved the way. i often wonder what nostalgic fantasy era people think of when they imply American politics were not always deeply divisive and deeply ugly.

that said it will be fascinating to watch the Republican agenda move forward. Trump seems, to understate the case, uninterested in detailed policy, leaving the crafting of the government's agenda in the hands of Paul Ryan and Mike Pence, two men who come from wildly different wings of the party. and i wonder if the Senate Republicans who were most critical of Donald are really going to accept the type of fiat governance he seems interested in or prove legislative blocks, as many moderate Democrats from red and purple states were to Obama's agenda even when he had a filibuster-proof majority.

I'm not under a delusion that this is the first time politics has been divisive and ugly, but from Reagan through Clinton (and the first two years of Bush W), we had two parties that at least talked with each other and worked well with each other. The last two years of Bush were marked with Democrats going hyper-obstructionist, in part as response to the Republican Congress doing whatever it wanted (and largely ignoring Bush's moderate side). Republicans upped the ante again in 2010, and have kept it up. It's not the first time politics has gotten this nasty, and it's no where near the height of partisan bickering, but in recent history, there are degrees that we can see.

[Niiro]

Do you really think that the white vote wouldn't have won not matter what?

It's only been a day and it feels like people are forgetting what just happened.

Trump did not win by a landslide, if voter turnout wasn't so pitifully low, he would not have won period.

[Dantrag]

It's only been a day and it feels like people are forgetting what just happened.

Trump did not win by a landslide, if voter turnout wasn't so pitifully low, he would not have won period.

Her margins fell almost double digits short of where Obama won democratic areas. If those numbers had kept up it wouldn't have mattered.

[Xno Kappa]

Do you really think that the white vote wouldn't have won not matter what?

It'd still be the same I would assume as far as the "white working class" turning up, but Hispanics and Blacks in general failed to cancel it out despite having the clout to do so. It's pathetic. Voter turn-out was embarrassing.

[Aerin]

Most hospitals lose money, dude (and many of the profitable hospitals are part of networks that support unprofitable hospitals in their group). Pharma companies make money, as do device makers, though pharma companies also have, by far, the most risk. Device makers are problematic mostly because of trademark/copyright law that needs revisited and revised (but not flushed).

Honestly the first time I've heard most hospitals lose money. Any reading to link? What do you think would reduce cost?

[Quicklet]

Democrats paved the way; Republicans just added extra lanes. Also: Republicans can probably be patient for two years, and dominate the senate in 2018.

Republicans won't be that patient. They won't be able to wait two months, let alone two years.

[Xantavia]

Thinking about positive things Trump might do if he was the businessman he claims to be:
* Streamline government hiring/firing procedures
* Restructure redundant agencies
* Increase contractor accountability and add some kind of ironclad clawback agreement so we get more bang for the buck, have more honest bidding, and they don't drive contract prices up
* Somehow make the godawful budget/accounting fiasco of every department more efficient
* Reshape our healthcare system by increasing the supply of doctors so that hospitals don't effectively have a monopoly and use collective bargaining to drive up the cost of life-essential services
etc.

Take a look at Illinois and how great we've done with a businessman Governor. Of course, we did have a state senate who kept blocking him on stuff because they didn't want his union busting provisions to go through.

[Psion]

so uh... any chance those aliens mentioned in the emails will help us out here? i mean, we've already stepped into the twiight zone, whos to say we arent alone in the universe?

[Fiye]

Trump did not win by a landslide, if democrat voter turnout wasn't so pitifully low, he would not have won period.

fixed. Republican levels stayed the same. Democrat levels went way down.

[arus2001]

Much as some might call it idiotic, not voting is a vote of its own. Both candidates are hated by a good number of people, so it doesn't surprise me that you'd have some who just stayed home in their own form of protest. The whole "lesser of two evils" argument is pretty tired, even if used as justification for either camp despite the shortcomings of both. Unfortunately, this no-show won us the worst case scenario, not only with Trump winning, but rekindling the old debate about the EC with the popular vote lost. Do we blame polls? Do we blame media (over-)exposure? Do we blame minorities? Do we blame idiots? Yes to all, and then some, some to higher degrees than others. Asserting Hillary simply blew it and it's all on her is grossly downplaying the situation even with some quick to gleefully jump to that task.

Frankly, I don't fault people protesting at the moment. Maybe not so much the results, but more about who and what Trump is. Republicans are free to grow tired of it just as we were about emails, Benghazi, and all the witch hunts, that fostered a sense that Hillary was above the law/traitor/murderer/blahblah. Turnabout is fair play and all that. Realistically, it's wholly on Trump to prove he wants to work across the aisle and flogging his peers if they want to persist in the antics of the past two terms that run counter to that and created precisely what he "means" to stop for his constituents. Sadly, his platform doesn't paint a good picture for that reality--racism, sexism, xenophobia, and all. So, here we are, with little recourse left for some other than to be angry, to re-emphasize his flaws and indiscretions, and to ideally inspire those who can do something to do something when the next opportunity comes.

What happens with his impending trial(s) should be interesting, but you can bet either side will claim some form of corruption whatever outcome is reached. Especially if it winds up nullifying his candidacy or provoking impeachment.

[Aerin]

so uh... any chance those aliens mentioned in the emails will help us out here? i mean, we've already stepped into the twiight zone, whos to say we arent alone in the universe?

I'm sorry, Hillary and ETI's weren't mentioned in the same emails so they are irrelevant.

[Xantavia]

I'm not under a delusion that this is the first time politics has been divisive and ugly, but from Reagan through Clinton (and the first two years of Bush W), we had two parties that at least talked with each other and worked well with each other. The last two years of Bush were marked with Democrats going hyper-obstructionist, in part as response to the Republican Congress doing whatever it wanted (and largely ignoring Bush's moderate side). Republicans upped the ante again in 2010, and have kept it up. It's not the first time politics has gotten this nasty, and it's no where near the height of partisan bickering, but in recent history, there are degrees that we can see.

I've seen articles in past years from former congressmen lamenting the way politics have changed like this. Talking about back when they were office, they could disagree on key issues, come to a compromise on others, but at the end of the day it was never personal for and they could all go out for dinner together. Now, the other side is strictly the enemy and good luck not getting primaried if you are ever caught communicating with them outside of the office.

[arus2001]

The aliens already came to help through Obama.

[Xantavia]

Much as some might call it idiotic, not voting is a vote of its own.

I don't buy this for a second. How do you tell the difference between it being a protest or just apathy? If you are disgusted by the choices, at least take the time to go to the polls and write in Mickey Mouse or whatever.

[Fiye]

I've seen articles in past years from former congressmen lamenting the way politics have changed like this. Talking about back when they were office, they could disagree on key issues, come to a compromise on others, but at the end of the day it was never personal for and they could all go out for dinner together. Now, the other side is strictly the enemy and good luck not getting primaried if you are ever caught communicating with them outside of the office.

It may be.my short term political memory, but this start becoming a big thing after the 2010 tea party uprising. Chris Christie got flogged for welcoming Obama to his state after hurricane Sandy.

[Aerin]

Well, midterm elections are only 2 years away. Wonder how many people will retain this anger they have (while realizing voting for President isn't the only important one) and vote.