Politician Spock
Footballguy
Both parties make people feel like they have more control than they really do.By implying that the rich control the outcome of the primaries. It's still the people who vote for these losers.
Both parties make people feel like they have more control than they really do.By implying that the rich control the outcome of the primaries. It's still the people who vote for these losers.
Trump won. Does that not demonstrate to you that the people control the outcome?Both parties make people feel like they have more control than they really do.
Why would it?Trump won. Does that not demonstrate to you that the people control the outcome?
You actually believe that anyone in the Republican Party establishment wanted or wants Trump on the ticket? He's very clearly the product of a grassroots revolt. He's obviously uncontrollable, a complete wild card policy-wise, and likely doing huge longterm damage to the party itself.Why would it?
He's another example that money talks.You actually believe that anyone in the Republican Party establishment wanted or wants Trump on the ticket? He's very clearly the product of a grassroots revolt. He's obviously uncontrollable, a complete wild card policy-wise, and likely doing huge longterm damage to the party itself.
What money? The big money was behind Jeb!He's another example that money talks.
Ah, I forgot Trump used a coupon.What money? The big money was behind Jeb!
Yeah, Trump won the nomination over the vocal objections of the GOP's big financial supporters. This is the opposite of money driving the process.What money? The big money was behind Jeb!
Unpack -- Jeb had waaaay more money, for example. Trump is a product of angry backlash, not big $ interests.He's another example that money talks.
I think you misinterpreting my comment to say that the biggest money talks.Unpack -- Jeb had waaaay more money, for example. Trump is a product of angry backlash, not big $ interests.
As a vote against Hillary and a vote for conservative judges. That's a huge chunk of the non-psycho vote that he's getting. People just hate Hillary and the idea of her stacking the court with liberal judges.I can understand a lot of things. I can't truly understand anyone voting Trump unless they're truly going for a want to watch the world burn thing. And I say this as a third party voter this election, which to some is no different than actually voting for Trump.
Not really sure exactly what you are trying to say TBH. I definitely disagree if you are saying that anyone other than the plurality of Republican primary voters that chose him is responsible for or happy with Trump. Regular people.I think you misinterpreting my comment to say that the biggest money talks.
I'm saying that the two parties were created by the rich for the rich. No one is getting the nomination of either party without a ton of money, and no third party candidate is ever taken seriously unless they have... a ton of money.Not really sure exactly what you are trying to say TBH. I definitely disagree if you are saying that anyone other than the plurality of Republican primary voters that chose him is responsible for or happy with Trump. Regular people.
LOLOLOL. Oh stop it.He would not have been a solid choice.
He would have been a GREAT choice.
I believe he is the harvest of the seeds that the GOP sowed when it went off the cliff to ride the Tea Party tiger.You actually believe that anyone in the Republican Party establishment wanted or wants Trump on the ticket? He's very clearly the product of a grassroots revolt. He's obviously uncontrollable, a complete wild card policy-wise, and likely doing huge longterm damage to the party itself.
I'd agree that the two parties in general function right now primarily to advocate for special interests who provide the massive amounts of money that the candidates need to get (re)elected. I strongly disagree that Trump is in any way connected to this issue. He's not even a Republican other than in name. His nomination is clearly the result of his angry nativist populism striking a chord with a large chunk of the Republican base. The establishment would, IMO, do just about anything to get rid of him.I'm saying that the two parties were created by the rich for the rich. No one is getting the nomination of either party without a ton of money, and no third party candidate is ever taken seriously unless they have... a ton of money.
The end result is we are a democratic form of a plutocracy. Whether it happened because is was intentional, or it happened due to Hillary Clinton type carelessness doesn't matter. It is what it is.
I'd take it back further to the pandering to the science-denying fundamentalists, personally, but yeah, they certainly planted this crop, so they are at least indirectly responsible. I do think that the Republican establishment is utterly horrifed by what's happened, though.I believe he is the harvest of the seeds that the GOP sowed when it went off the cliff to ride the Tea Party tiger.
See though we're both sane. I believe that if you and I sat down as political leaders in a room we.could find a way to get things done. Neither of us would get everything we want but we'd be able to do some good . And there are several other posters here that are on the right I think that's true of.You and I obviously have very different worldviews, but I respect the fact that you're willing to break with partisan loyalty and criticize "your guy" over stuff like this. It's not like you're alone, of course, but I find it maddening when people look the other way one these and similar issues when their party happens to be in charge.
Good point on fundamentalistsI'd take it back further to the pandering to the science-denying fundamentalists, personally, but yeah, they certainly planted this crop, so they are certainly at least indirectly responsible. I do think that the Republican establishment is utterly horrifed by what's happened, though.
I'm good too, thanks.Thanks. I'm good. How about you? How is daughter Pack doing these days?
So glad to hear it is going well. She always has my best wishes.Mr.Pack said:I'm good too, thanks.
She's doing good. Had some rough patches but is really settling in and loving living in Nashville. Had her first gig back in April, is working on a second CD and is in the process of putting together and working with two bands, a Jazz band and a Cover band. If it works out, she'll be playing with some impressive talent in the Jazz band.
A huge chunk of the Republican base actually believes that Obama is a Kenyan Muslim secretly supporting ISIS, and evolution and climate change are Liberal conspiracies, among other absurdities. Regulating who pisses where is a big priority for them. Critical thinking isn't exactly a strength for these folks; Trump's BS is probably pretty easy to swallow for them, all things considered.NCCommish said:Good point on fundamentalists
Trump, or any other rich person, would not get elected president without the nomination of one of the parties. The parties were created by the rich, FOR THE RICH!Coeur de Lion said:I'd agree that the two parties in general function right now primarily to advocate for special interests who provide the massive amounts of money that the candidates need to get (re)elected. I strongly disagree that Trump is in any way connected to this issue. He's not even a Republican other than in name. His nomination is clearly the result of his angry nativist populism striking a chord with a large chunk of the Republican base. The establishment would, IMO, do just about anything to get rid of him.
Agree to disagree in the case of Trump. I'd definitely agree with you that this is true the other 99% of the time.Trump, or any other rich person, would not get elected president without the nomination of one of the parties. The parties were created by the rich, FOR THE RICH!
Agree to disagree in the case of Trump. I'd definitely agree with you that this is true the other 99% of the time.
Agreed -- which is why I'm so sure that he was nominated despite the wishes of the powers-that-be in the GOP, including the serious money. No one really has any idea what he might do were he to actually win. He's literally put forth some ideas that would cause genuine global disaster; the established power brokers on both sides are horrified by him for the most part.Assuming you point is true... Trump is no savior of the status quo.
Okay, you don't get to complain when _______ wins.The Commish said:Yeah, this is crap. There's a minimum bar we set as voters. If they don't meet that bar, they don't meet that bar. They don't have to be exactly equal in their ineptitude of meeting that bar. There are plenty of ways to miss the mark. This should be obvious by now, but people keep wanting to try to tell other people what their vote "means".
ETA: TL'DR --> If you insist on comparison politics, compare the politicians to a standard you set, not to each other. Doing the latter gets you a "choice" between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump![]()
Guess it's settled thenOkay, you don't get to complain when _______ wins.The Commish said:Yeah, this is crap. There's a minimum bar we set as voters. If they don't meet that bar, they don't meet that bar. They don't have to be exactly equal in their ineptitude of meeting that bar. There are plenty of ways to miss the mark. This should be obvious by now, but people keep wanting to try to tell other people what their vote "means".
ETA: TL'DR --> If you insist on comparison politics, compare the politicians to a standard you set, not to each other. Doing the latter gets you a "choice" between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump![]()
I understand voting against her and for conservative judges. I just don't understand picking Trump to do that. There are other options who don't require a person to side with a deliberately obtuse buffoon.Jayrod said:As a vote against Hillary and a vote for conservative judges. That's a huge chunk of the non-psycho vote that he's getting. People just hate Hillary and the idea of her stacking the court with liberal judges.
I don't agree with it, but I understand it.
Don't forget the obstructionist Democrats - because they would be if situations were reversed. And don't forget the bureaucracy either.cstu said:Then no one is going to make any real change - even Bernie - because the person is stuck between the interests of powerfully wealthy and obstructionist Republicans. Might as well throw our hands up and let the elites run things with your (and others') attitudes.
Agreed, but are enough people awake and can they make a real change?NCCommish said:Or as the beginning of an awakening. It's up to us which it is.
They had to control the Tea Party or lose elections for the foreseeable future. The problem is not the Tea Party, nor Trump. The problem runs much deeper - to the collapse of the working class and decent working class wages (and I include most of the middle class in the working class here). Once you honestly identify what has them angry instead of how they are reacting to that anger, then we are on the way to finding a solution. If my opinions are correct though, I fear you may not like the answer.NCCommish said:I believe he is the harvest of the seeds that the GOP sowed when it went off the cliff to ride the Tea Party tiger.
Hard to take this entire post seriously by someone who's party is about to nominate HRC for president.A huge chunk of the Republican base actually believes that Obama is a Kenyan Muslim secretly supporting ISIS, and evolution and climate change are Liberal conspiracies, among other absurdities. Regulating who pisses where is a big priority for them. Critical thinking isn't exactly a strength for these folks; Trump's BS is probably pretty easy to swallow for them, all things considered.
Bernie seems like a better person than Hillary, which, let's face it, isn't hard, but I agree that he would have been a terrible choice. Shoot, he's been in Congress for like 294 years and accomplished very little, and he's far too extreme in his views for my tastes. Clinton is an awful human being and a shameless criminal, but at least she is somewhat moderate when it comes to certain issues.pandora said:LOL @ people thinking Sanders would have been a solid choice.
I wonder if it will still be hard to take when she wins in a massive landslide and carries the Senate with her this November? I'm no fan of Hillary, but she's just another typical politician, with all that that entails, both positive and negative. Your team nominated a bigoted uniformed clown from reality TV. Plus, he's dumber than Sarah Palin. Well done?Hard to take this entire post seriously by someone who's party is about to nominate HRC for president.
Bernie seems like a better person than Hillary, which, let's face it, isn't hard, but I agree that he would have been a terrible choice. Shoot, he's been in Congress for like 294 years and accomplished very little, and he's far too extreme in his views for my tastes. Clinton is an awful human being and a shameless criminal, but at least she is somewhat moderate when it comes to certain issues.
@ calling Bernie extreme given the current state of the Republican Party.My post was about the Democrats, not the Republicans. Yes, the GOP is way too extreme these days, but that doesn't make Bernie not extreme.@ calling Bernie extreme given the current state of the Republican Party.
Unpack his "extreme" views. The US is currently the only country in the developed world in which large chunks of the population lack access to healthcare and higher education. Fixing that is extreme?My post was about the Democrats, not the Republicans. Yes, the GOP is way too extreme these days, but that doesn't make Bernie not extreme.
Yeah, this is just more nonsense. Your side declared the conservatives/gop dead back in 2006 when you snagged Congress, yet 4-6 years later we took both houses and most governorship and state legislatures. You say this type of stuff every time something goes your way, and every time you're proven wrong.I wonder if it will still be hard to take when she wins in a massive landslide and carries the Senate with her this November? I'm no fan of Hillary, but she's just another typical politician, with all that that entails, both positive and negative. Your team nominated a bigoted uniformed clown from reality TV. Plus, he's dumber than Sarah Palin. Well done?
Enjoy the soon to be hugely Liberal SC, guy. Must be rough watching the death throes of your ideology as relevant on the national level I guess.
Wait - didn't Obama solve the health care thing?Unpack his "extreme" views. The US is currently the only country in the developed world in which large chunks of the population lack access to healthcare and higher education. Fixing that is extreme?
No freaking way.AnonymousBob said:He would not have been a solid choice.
He would have been a GREAT choice.
I wish I could say. I hope so.Agreed, but are enough people awake and can they make a real change?
This is the part that frustrates me. I am definitely republican and proud of it. I despise Trump but because I'm republican and Trump is the presumptive nominee, then people think I must be for Trump.I wonder if it will still be hard to take when she wins in a massive landslide and carries the Senate with her this November? I'm no fan of Hillary, but she's just another typical politician, with all that that entails, both positive and negative. Your team nominated a bigoted uniformed clown from reality TV. Plus, he's dumber than Sarah Palin. Well done?
Enjoy the soon to be hugely Liberal SC, guy. Must be rough watching the death throes of your ideology as relevant on the national level I guess.
Yeah he got.the name king of amendments because he has never accomplished anything. And he did preside over the biggest overhaul of our VA system in decades.Bernie seems like a better person than Hillary, which, let's face it, isn't hard, but I agree that he would have been a terrible choice. Shoot, he's been in Congress for like 294 years and accomplished very little, and he's far too extreme in his views for my tastes. Clinton is an awful human being and a shameless criminal, but at least she is somewhat moderate when it comes to certain issues.
Johnson has to be the better choice if you normally vote GOP. Too bad Huntsman isn't in this cycle. He would also be better than Trump without some of the libertarian baggage.This is the part that frustrates me. I am definitely republican and proud of it. I despise Trump but because I'm republican and Trump is the presumptive nominee, then people think I must be for Trump.
It was a perfect storm this year. A lot of anger with Obama and too many candidates allowed Trump's niche group of supporters to be the majority - not a true majority mind you (not even close), but a majority when compared to the other candidates.
There is no scenario whatsoever I will vote for Clinton nor would I have voted for Sanders. Absolutely no chance.
I'm fairly certain Clinton wins easily which will suck big time. I'd love to see the republicans grow a pair and oust Trump still. He's an embarrassment and I hate that he's my party's nominee. Gonna look into Johnson.
Conservative opposition won't let us fix it the way it needs to be fixed and you know it. This is hastily and poorly formulated snark on your part. I thought you fixed yourself while you were away?Wait - didn't Obama solve the health care thing?