The 2010 Elections: RED DUMBOS VS BLUE JACKASSES

[Vajra]

So yeah, lets discuss EVERYTHING.

Here's a website that allows you to track every upcoming election until 2020.

http://daysuntil.com/Election-Day/index.html

Here's a website that shows the 200+ bills Obama has signed since he began his duties (3 major being BushBama Stimulus, Health Insurance Reform and Financial Regulatory Reform). It also shows the pending bills and the 1 vetoed bill (lol).

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-r...ed-legislation

Immigration Reform is next since the most recent bill passed was the $600 million boarder security bill was passed.

BTW, the auto autobailout turned out to be a pretty damn good thing, GM and Chrystler bounced back from bankruptcy at the right time (*cough Toyota*), thank goodness Ford didn't have to go bankrupt either.

Repbulicans have less than 22% unfavorable rating in polls but about 44% enthusiasm rating in polls. (Fox/CNN polls average)

Democrats have a 46% favorable rating abut about 20% enthusiasm rating in polls. (Fox/CNN polls average)

Congresses favorable rating is below 20%.

I know that there is a lot of door to door behind the scene visits by the DNC to people's houses (they come to mine in NY) they're trying to get people to go out and vote.

Lets discuss the Tea Party and their dipping favorable rating.

President Obama has spent about 70 days vacationing so far in the 1 year 8 months that he's been in office.

President Bush spent 1008 days vacationing during his entire presidency(that's almost 3 freaking years of vacationing out of the 8 years??? holy shart!); about half at his Texas Dude Ranch and half at Camp David.

Republicans want to get rid of Social Security, get rid of or obstruct Unemployment Insurance (aka Unemployment Benefits). Here's a quote from Eisenhower as to why that's political suicide (yes I saw this on Rachel Maddow, so I looked it up):

Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower-1952

Some how, the Teabaggers think, building a Mosque near Ground Zero, Health Insurance Reform, Financial Reform, Obama swatting a fly, Obama taking a vacation, Obama saying hi and waving, Obama taking a dump on Air Force One is political suicide, all of them are a bunch of titty people who have no solutions to shit. Their whole purpose is to make this country more polarized. Second Civil War or American Revolution my ass, can't stand stupid TeaBaggers.

I live in a Republican-dominated area and now that we've been doing "the doors," I'm seeing an unexpected amount of backlash against the Republican Party of "no." The obstructionism has been too naked and people want things done. Republicans have been demonstrating they are not to be counted on for anything but favors to the rich, turning off even moderate Republicans.

I'm missing things, but I can add stuff to the OP while reading this thread, as long as it doesn't turn into some mud slinging fest of de-rails and booger flicking...

P.S. Rachel Maddow is HOT!

[chazzyphizzle]

It's a politics thread, what the fuck do you think is going to happen.

[Demosthenes11]

Repbulicans have less than 22% unfavorable rating in polls but about 44% enthusiasm rating in polls. (Fox/CNN polls average)

Democrats have a 46% favorable rating abut about 20% enthusiasm rating in polls. (Fox/CNN polls average)

are you doing this on purpose?

[Rhinox]

Fucking shit.


People like varja make me want to vote Republican.

[Alvein]

politics seems to always be "it's the other parties' fault."
Best law passed in the last few years? The one that standardized cell phone chargers. Kickass. Another good one? The mandatory information sheets included with credit card application forms. This is the kinda stuff I want to see them do more of and less of the arguing and bickering

[SamanosukeShiva]

was listening to california commonwealth club discussion earlier this week, I thought their proposed immigration reform was on point for me.
basically:
-keep jobs local, reduce outsourcing by imposing fees for the outsourcers
-tighten border security
-make it easier for illegals for neutralization so they can pay taxes like the rest of us
-if you're illegal but earned Master/PhD in the states, you automatically get green card and make them pay taxes. (keep skilled workers in)

[Vajra]

are you doing this on purpose?

It's true, most people are hating Republicans way more than Democrats still, BUT that doesn't mean anything, in a CNN poll, Republicans have a small percentile edge in electable favor during a General Election, and Congresses approval as a whole is still below 20%.

[Kerberoz]

I swear, dumb people treat political parties like sports teams.

[Anton]

It's worth noting that the Republican party has, with 1 or two exceptional instances unanimously opposed every major bill the Democrats have passed these last two years. So much for the "spirit of cooperation", "crossing the floor" rhetoric during the election. Not that it matters, being a minority in both houses, but it's worth noting the majority of the opposition to Obama has been the Democrats holding the swing votes.

As a side, it's worth noting that several bills, including Health Care, had their contents revised with more conservative-esque policies to "please Republicans" (On the surface, most likely to woo small d Democrats and fence sitting jockeys). Not that it mattered, Republicans have staunchly opposed everything.

Result? Vast increase in pork-heavy bills. If you're holding a swing vote, it is in your interest to hold out for pork to grab federal funds for your constituency. That's the game. Heres a look at the landmark federal bills related to business regulation this last century:

http://blog.american.com/wp-content/.../07/finreg.jpg
http://blog.american.com/?p=16950

The Fed was created in 17 pages. Glass Steagall separated Banks from Brokerages in 37. Sarbanes Oxley overhauled accounting practices and penalties in the wake of the Enron scandals in 66. Do you really think it took 2319 pages to fix america?

Second, since voting in the Houses happens in realtime, it is common practice for the wise incumbent to "switch" their vote as the counting occurs.
For example, Bob Nobody submits a way-outta-left proposal to socialize the Auto industry. This bill is obviously going to fail. Joe Wiseass, rather than vote against like a sensible person, will vote for Bob's communist proposal knowing fully it has no prayer in passing, so later he/she can say they voted "for the people" during a campaign. Be wary of rhetoric.


On Big Business and "The Bailout": The bailout, the drastic influx of fresh capital into a market in a credit squeeze, worked, in so far as the economy has not completely fuckin' collapsed. Luckily, it's just consistently mediocre and not 1930.

Some people are probably wondering "How the hell did all these failing banks and companies turn around and declare surpluses? Sounds like Hax0rz." Actually, basic accounting: By accepting the TARP funds and having access to the Fed Window, companies were able to scratch, or "write off/down", the most useless, toxic parts of their asset sheet and pay off outstanding debt. And what do you call finding a new source of money, while contracting your business and removing crap from your books? A surplus. There's just no other way to describe it.

It is worth noting that the vast majority of the companies who were lent the TARP funds and subsequent bailout funds have already paid them back to the government in full plus interest. And by vast, I mean all of one or two are still outstanding, all the big names have paid it back.

Just some facts before this thread goes crazy. Lets get them out of the way before the debate really starts.

[Vajra]

Oh yeah watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E0FcPFRwq0

This is how you destroy an already easy win. Who would of thought Reid had it? Obtuse Angle went from over 10% lead in polls to being 7% behind LOL!!! If Sue Lowden wasn't so dumb, she wouldn't of brought up that dumb barter system for using chickens to trade for clinic payments in place of health insurance and co-payments. Other than that she'd of smoked Harry Reid.

In Connecticut there is a campaign of Democrat mothers who are against Linda MacMahon because of her WWF/WWE CEO past watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8HMvjQIz5w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZCuWCGXWCM

I'm pretty sure she has "No Chance in Hell"(the MacMahon ring entry song lol) against Dick Blumenthal (even though he's had a gaffe or two about his military past)

[Bregor]

P.S. Rachel Maddow is HOT!

Agreed, that is one handsome fella.

-make it easier for illegals for neutralization

lol

[Lordender]

Demidont's and republicant's.

[notorious bum]

If people were to put all their energy wasted on wondering about which face is the most trustworthy-looking into, say.. good ol' protesting and community activism, we wouldn't be sittin here bitchin about why our "representatives" screw us/never get anything done/etc.

Didn't really read the OP through, but this kinda crap I see on the MSM everytime I glance at it. Its more of a distraction for people and really takes away from any potential activism.

I forgot who it was, possibly the late Howard Zinn, but I remember a quote when Obama was campaigning that said "When Obama gets elected, there will be a new generation of pessimists." and I think that was basically solidified for the future of all elections, thanks to the Citizens United v. FEC ruling.

Post is too preachy, should balance this out with a theme song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAHYSMCeGkY

[BadKarma]

Just going to add: Politicians are retarded liars. If you relate to/believe anything they say you are also retarded.

[kuronosan]

When politics became about self-preservation, re-election, and career-growth (re: business in a nutshell) is when candidates became retarded.

[Gadritan]

It's true, most people are hating Republicans way more than Democrats still, BUT that doesn't mean anything, in a CNN poll, Republicans have a small percentile edge in electable favor during a General Election, and Congresses approval as a whole is still below 20%.

I believe he was referring to the fact that you stated republicans had less than 22% unfavorable rating, which would mean an 88% favorable rating. Typo I presume.

[archibaldcrane]

I believe he was referring to the fact that you stated republicans had less than 22% unfavorable rating, which would mean an 88% favorable rating. Typo I presume.

lol

[Talint]

If republicans can shut Sarah Palin up for two months, get the Tea Party under control, and focus their message on being jobs and the economy, they can very easily take back both the house and the senate.

Yet, the way they keep parading out these polarizing figures with loud mouths is really working against them. I am dumbfounded Harry Reid actually has a fighting chance. And why are we talking about the 14th amendment? I can't believe that the republicans have a base problem where they need to address such an issue.

Not that the democrats are playing ball either. Gibbs firing a verbal shot at the "professional left" last week only exacerbates base problems the democrats are already having.

It'll be an interesting midterm, to say the least.

[Xno Kappa]

When politics became about self-preservation, re-election, and career-growth (re: business in a nutshell) is when candidates became retarded.

Pretty much this.

Politicians are nothing but modern day nobles fighting for whatever scraps are left of the tax-payers dollars on the table.

[Vajra]

I believe he was referring to the fact that you stated republicans had less than 22% unfavorable rating, which would mean an 88% favorable rating. Typo I presume.

No, I only put Republicans "unfavorable rating" and the Democrats "favorable rating" there because I'm biased. I also noted both parties enthusiasm gap. Republicans have more of an incentive to go out and vote because their base is more energized. I didn't list Democrats unfavorable rating nor Republicans favorable ratings because I'm biased. Republicans don't have an 88% favorable rating, there's a HUGE undecided percentile for both parties, but it's different for each poll. I only averaged CNN and Fox Polls.

Democrats would be more energized if there was a Single-Payer system or Public Option in the Health Insurance Reform, non watered down Financial Regulatory Reform, and some other things like Obama supporting offshore drilling even after the Oil Spill and cleanup. Democrats need to realize though that not every bill can be perfect, especially with the minority party obstructing everything in order to make the majority look like pussies who have no backbone (there's also the dumb Blue Dog Democrats who are just jackass penis faces though). We can't have every bill perfect the way we want it, or we'll have nothing at all. We can always amend them later and add things in.

Part I of the Health Insurance Reform goes into effect next month, we'll see if that boosts morale and energy in the Democrat base.

_Adult children up to age 26 will be able to receive dependent coverage with all individual and group policies.

_ Lifetime limits on the dollar value of insurance coverage will be prohibited. This refers to how much your insurance coverage pays out to cover claims.

_ Restrictions will be placed on annual limits for coverage, a practice that will prohibited in 2014.

_ Insurers will be prohibited from rescinding or canceling coverage except in cases where the customer commits fraud.

_ Insurers will not be able to exclude children from coverage because of a pre-existing condition, but they can require parents to sign up kids only during a fixed annual enrollment period to ensure they don't wait until a child gets sick to buy coverage.

_ Insurers will be required to provide preventive care like immunizations or mammograms without charging co-pays or other forms of cost sharing. Some may not have to comply with this element if their coverage existed March 23 and has not changed substantially.

Several provisions of the complex law started unfolding in the weeks after President Obama signed it. For instance, people with Medicare prescription drug coverage are receiving $250 rebates once they reach a gap in their coverage known as the "doughnut hole."

Enrollment has started in some states for temporary insurance that will cover people with pre-existing medical conditions who have been uninsured for at least six months. Some small businesses that offer employee health coverage can seek tax credits that will apply for this year.

The law will continue to develop over the next several years. In 2011, insurers will be required to offer rebates if they don't spend a minimum percentage of their premiums on medical costs. Details of that provision are still being worked out.

Some of the biggest reform provisions start in 2014.

By then, Medicaid will be expanded to reach more people. Most citizens and legal residents will be required to have health care coverage, and many will receive help from the government through income-based tax credits when they shop for coverage on health insurance exchanges.