The General US Politics Thread

Bingo.

I think you guys (and the Democratic party itself) are getting a little too smug and comfortable with the idea that Republicans are engaging in self-destructive behavior. Metaphorically speaking, I'm not thrilled with the idea of just sitting on the sidelines with popcorn and laughter while the opposing party is flailing about with a knife in his hand because there's a possibility he might criticaly stab you. Read: sabotaging the living shit out of higher education, the ACA and abortion laws.

edited 28th Jan '15 1:20:17 PM by Aprilla

So we should go kick them over?

I'm down for that.

Oh really when?

I don't think that Democrats can sit passively and wait for Republicans to self-destruct, no. I do believe that, if nothing can be done legislatively for your side, you should work your talking points, get your ideas in the media, and otherwise make it clear that you present a sane alternative to the chaos in the Capitol.

That Democrats largely failed at this is why 2014 swung so lopsidedly in favor of Republicans, and why Obama's SOTU address was so refreshing.

edited 28th Jan '15 1:29:04 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

So hey. This might interest you.

In the presidential summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (A private party we hold in our secret base on the treetop house where we hung a sign that says "No U.S or Canada allowed!") Raul Castro, brother of Fidel Castro, basically stole the microphone for 45 minutes to say a lot of things. I am gunna transcribe it here cuz' it is kinda funny.

"The President of Cuba, Raúl Castro affirmed during his participation in the Community that he will not cede "A millimeter" of sovereignty in the relationships he seeks to normalize with the United States.

One cannot pretend that Cuba will have to renounce to its ideals of independence and social justice, we shall not cede a millimeter in the defense of national sovereignty (...) we shall accept no pressure from the United States in ouri nternal affairs he assured

According to Castro, he is willing to negotiate with the United States but in a state of equals.

As I have said before, The U.S and Cuba must learn the art of civilized convivence based on respect of differences and cooperation in common objectives he commented

(...)

Castro reiterated his support to the leaders of the left in the region.

He condemned the unilateral sanctions on Venezuela and supports Argentina in their fight against "speculative fonds". He also made a call to include Puerto Rico on CELAC"

Oh Daniel Ortega appeared too. He said that the U.S is a great violator of human rights in the world for the blockade on venezuela and the neocolonialism in puerto rico.

"Still the winds of war blow over our planet, the winds of injustice and occupation of America. The use of force does not vanish, the blockade against the heroic nation of Martí, Fidel and Raúl still stands, a blockade that was condemned almost unanimously by the United Nations and that will have to dissapear for it is the will of the people, of the world, and the will of the north american people some day, even though there are some who oppose the intent of Obama and the road he has traced"

So hey expect people to start demanding the independence of Puerto Rico or something now.

edited 28th Jan '15 1:39:43 PM by Aszur

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes

Huh? Puerto Rico voted to become a U.S. state in a recent referendum, did it not? It's gone nowhere in Congress, of course, but it sure doesn't sound like an example of neocolonialism.

Also, I'm not entirely sure that Cuba could stand toe-to-toe with the U.S. in a human rights dick-waving contest.

edited 28th Jan '15 1:42:18 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

Dude It's Ortega and Castro.

We just allow them to use the microphone reluctantly and out of common courtesy they will abuse anyways

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes

Of course, the Democrats could go for the jugular, and go for a repeat of the Kennedy/Johnson-era "New Frontier/Society", to try and change US Society forever.

Keep Rolling On

I don't think they voted entirely in favor of becoming a state, but neither did they vote to go entirely independent. It was mostly a vote to retain their current situation, I believe.

The whole thing got screwed up by a bunch of people who intentionally left the status part unanswered.

Canadian drivers can drive all over the country, and I never noticed any kind of tags when I lived near Seattle and was around Canadian cars regularly. Not sure how it works with Mexico and other countries further south. The stats I've been given at various safety standdowns over the years is that if you're speeding when you are in a car accident, you're about 25% more likely to be injured/die compared to someone not speeding. Of all that list, this is the only point I do not see any fault in the Republicans. There is nothing wrong with inviting a foreign leader to our government buildings. Now, it backfiring is unsurprising, but Boehner doesn't have to ask Obama to invite another country's PM or Pres to visit. He should as part of being a leader^* such as it is, but it's not a requirement. Except not all veterans are covered by the VA, or are only covered for certain, specific issues. As an example, bro-in-law can see the VA for anything to do with his shoulder and back problems - but not if he developed pneumonia, or broke his foot. Hang on, I thought that we'd offered Puerto Rico statehood multiple times and had it voted down by the people of Puerto Rico. How is that "neocolonialism"?? (Or if they voted in favor, like Fighteer said, then he might have a point.)

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw

Again. it is Ortega logic. Ortega logic dictates everything that favors Nicaraguan people not paying attention to his own abuses is the truth.

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes

The key is that the Democrats have no agenda other than "we're not Republicans," which is not enough to get people motivated. Republican voters have the demographic advantages against them, but are hugely motivated. Dems don't need a radical swing to the left (though i wouldn't say no to it, mind), they just need a damn agenda, clear, distinct, and passionately defended.

That's not the problem. If everyone voted the Democrats would likely have a supermajority Congress, President, and eventually Supreme Court every single time.

The actual problem is that all the poor people who would vote them in are working 3 jobs, don't have the time to vote, and/or are so dead on the inside from all the bullshit they go through that voting (which is extra bullshit on their plate) is the farthest thing from their mind. The only way to get them to vote is to free them up from all their bullshit, which requires money/welfare, which is why Scandinavian countries like Sweden have 70-90% voter turnout without the compulsory voting of Australia or Brazil (check this voter turnout site and you'll see what I mean).

So what should we do?

Well, the article I linked suggests we should abolish registration and make everyone eligible when they turn 18 automatically. That would help a bit. Making election day a holiday would also help, but both would only see a moderate increase. No, the best way to help them is to just give them money. Maybe we can convince a bunch of liberal millionaires and billionaires to give a lot of their money directly to the poor (maybe concentrate on swing states or soon-to-be swingers like Texas), because government welfare right now is infeasible.

And that's definitely not one of the major reasons Republicans don't want welfare. Yep.

edited 28th Jan '15 5:17:50 PM by Ekuran

I think you could make it significantly easier if you just made voting a three day event and make it mandatory for everyone to have one of those days off so they can go vote.

Does the Constitution specify how the voting is to be conducted?

edited 28th Jan '15 5:30:29 PM by Achaemenid

Schild und Schwert der Partei

As in whether or not it's supposed to be a one day thing? Not that I know of. Congress decides that for Federal elections but that's it.

The Constitution states that voting shall occur, and the various amendments make it clear that you can't institute poll taxes and the like, but the implementation of the plebiscite is left up to the legislature(s).

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

So the Tuesday thing isn't in the Constitution? I seem to remember it being there.

Umm, yeah, I think that's explicitly stated.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"

The Obama administration has privately slashed funding for the Syrian rebels fighting against Assad and ISIS, and according to U.S. officials, the primary reason is that the rebels are not performing to expected standards.

edited 28th Jan '15 6:33:40 PM by AngelicBraeburn

The artist formally known as Deviant Braeburn

The problem is outreach and education.

Anyone can request an absentee ballot. Many places have early voting. There are voting drives that will give you a ride. However, the people who could make the best use of these options are often the very people who have no clue about these resources, let alone how to get to them.

"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur

Also, not all states actually have no-excuse absentee balloting or early voting.

Which makes sense, given that kinetic energy is not linear with velocity. If the limit is 60 and you're only going 70, you're carrying over a third more energy. That's not even getting into the tremendous differences in deceleration distance (especially factoring in reaction time and slippery conditions) that even minor differences in speed will create.

The University of Wisconsin will be given more autonomy at the price of a 13% reduction in funds from the state over two years, under a budget Scott Walker will send to the Legislature next week.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."

Of all that list, this is the only point I do not see any fault in the Republicans. There is nothing wrong with inviting a foreign leader to our government buildings

From the sound of it, they did it in an attempt to undermine a nuclear deal with Iran.

The key is that the Democrats have no agenda other than "we're not Republicans," which is not enough to get people motivated.

Democrats have an agenda (affordable healthcare, affordable college, immigration reform, gay marriage, support for the poor and middle class). It's even a pretty popular agenda in isolation. The problem is that people vote based on identity rather than actual facts.

edited 28th Jan '15 11:13:32 PM by storyyeller

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play