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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#265501: Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:34:54 AM

[up][up][up][up] I want to see a recusal requirement, as part of the ethics rules. Having some sort of financial stake in an area that a bill is affecting, should require immediate recusal from a vote.

Edited by megaeliz on Jan 2nd 2019 at 11:39:21 AM

TroperOnAStickV2 Call me Stick from Redneck country Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Call me Stick
#265502: Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:43:08 AM

[up] That would be wonderful and go a long way towards addressing corruption. Too bad that's precisely why no one will allow it.

Hopefully I'll feel confident to change my avatar off this scumbag soon. Apologies to any scumbags I insulted.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#265503: Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:43:09 AM

I think that would be difficult to implement in practice, especially in far ranging areas such as on "omnibus" spending bills.

Remind me, these are rules that can be enacted by simple majority, are there "privileged" rules as well?

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#265504: Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:54:15 AM

[up]. Maybe requiring divestment in the most common potential conflicts then?

Edited by megaeliz on Jan 2nd 2019 at 12:33:25 PM

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#265505: Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:56:08 AM

A ban on the "revolving door" exit for lawmakers would be great, as it would curb the conflict of interest inherent in voting on legislation that affects an industry that hires you once you leave Congress.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#265506: Jan 2nd 2019 at 9:59:24 AM

The media finally figured out how to cover Trump’s lies.

Trump falsely claims Mexico is paying for wall, demands taxpayer money for wall ahead of meeting with Democrats

President Trump made two false claims about his demands for a new border wall just hours before he is set to meet with congressional leaders Wednesday, illustrating the White House’s evasive approach as a government shutdown lumbers through its second week.

In a Twitter post Wednesday morning, Trump wrote that Mexico would be paying for the wall along the U.S. border under the parameters of a trade deal he has tentatively inked with Mexico and Canada. This is not true.

That deal has not been approved by Congress, which means the parameters of the pact are not in effect. And even if the trade agreement is approved, it would not in any way create a stream of money designated for the construction of a border wall.

The second false point in Trump’s Twitter post Wednesday is his statement that “much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built.” This is also not true.

The U.S.-Mexico border is roughly 2,000 miles long. Trump’s demand for $5.6 billion to build new sections of wall would finance 200 miles of wall, and less than 100 miles has already been constructed or renovated, according to Department of Homeland Security officials.

Edited by megaeliz on Jan 2nd 2019 at 1:00:08 PM

MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#265507: Jan 2nd 2019 at 12:50:30 PM

He's really deteriorating fast, isn't he?

He really needs to be in some kind of home

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#265508: Jan 2nd 2019 at 12:55:54 PM

Nah, he has just found out that lies have little consequences. By the by, if the last hour of news reports is indicative there won't be an agreement soon.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#265509: Jan 2nd 2019 at 1:02:55 PM

[up]x2 Apparently, in the meeting, he had an indifferent attitude towards the possibility of some ISIS terrorists making it to America after we pull out of Syria. This is despite all the fearmongering he's been doing the last three years. So yes, I agree.

[up] Called it.

Edited by speedyboris on Jan 2nd 2019 at 3:05:03 AM

MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#265510: Jan 2nd 2019 at 1:10:56 PM

So how long can he keep this up? Will we still be in shutdown by this time next year?

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#265511: Jan 2nd 2019 at 1:28:30 PM

[up][up]

Incidentally, he's doubled down on his revisionism of "I actually fired Mattis, he didn't resign."

Believing Their Own Lies barely covers this one...

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#265512: Jan 2nd 2019 at 2:00:40 PM

This is kinda what I was thinking.

The House needs a rule requiring members to invest in diversified mutual funds and other conflict free assets instead of owning millions in individual companies that conflict with official duties: health care, defense, fossil fuels, technology, etc.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#265513: Jan 2nd 2019 at 2:00:43 PM

"You can't quit, because I'm firing you!"

Doesn't really work when someone comes prepared, resignation letter and all.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#265514: Jan 2nd 2019 at 3:54:18 PM

Seems like the shutdown will continue.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#265515: Jan 2nd 2019 at 4:20:22 PM

If it lasts more than a month I guarantee there will be riots.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#265516: Jan 2nd 2019 at 4:51:49 PM

>Month long shut down

Suddenly his impeachment proceedings just accelerated

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#265517: Jan 2nd 2019 at 4:58:42 PM

If the GOP won't override his veto, impeachment is out of the question.

And in a few hours, the Democrats take control of the House and the Wall truly dies.

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:59:20 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#265518: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:23:33 PM

So is anyone thinking Trump will cave? That's the only way this ends anytime soon

I think he would be willing to plunge this country into a recession in order to get his beloved wall.

I've read that Mc Connell doesn't care about the wall. So why is he supporting the shutdown?

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#265519: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:27:15 PM

I don't remember if I've said this before, but the only way Trump caves is if he can somehow spin it in a way that makes it seem like a victory for him.

i'm tired, my friend
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#265520: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:29:22 PM

Which should be easy if the republicans can present it right. Or if Fox News starts complaining.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#265521: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:31:17 PM

[up]x3 I was thinking he was going to cave, with the news that he was willing to cut the demand in Half (From $5B to $2.5B), and willing to simply make a 3rd fence instead of a wall... Then he started backpedaling on the backpedaling, saying he was always demanding some type of metal or concrete wall, and saying the $5B number wasn't up for negotiation. So I don't know. It seems like he's stuck in a rock and a hard place; it might be that he wants to negotiate, but he realizes if he does he loses his core supporters, the only supporters he has left.

And McConnel isn't going to force a vote that won't pass Trump's desk, because he is hitching the Republican's lot to Trump, and if the Republicans pass something that Trump rejects, it hurts the party as a whole. Especially if the Republicans then demand to over ride Trump's Veto.

Edited by DingoWalley1 on Jan 2nd 2019 at 8:31:33 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#265522: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:35:09 PM

McConnell doesn't care about the wall but he hates the poor. Trump is someone he thinks he can control and gives him a fanatic base, which is useful since everyone in Kentucky hates the man and he has a 0% Approval Rating but almost complete control of the Republican party.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
MrHellboy The Shadow from A world of my own Since: Dec, 2017 Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
The Shadow
#265523: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:47:09 PM

The last shutdown was 21 days. I think if it goes past that, something will have to be done.

I mean, is there not a single Republican who thinks leaving the government shut down for months-years is kind of a bad idea?

The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#265524: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:50:45 PM

I think many, even most of the elected ones, think its a bad idea. But Trump has the GOP base in cultlike lockstep with his positions, and thus they fear being primaried or losing to Democrats in the next election if they defy him.

Granted, some of the anarcho-libertarian types probably love the ride, while the nativist wing thinks its justified for obvious reasons.

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Jan 2nd 2019 at 9:51:10 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Imca (Veteran)
#265525: Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:51:43 PM

Riiiight, 0% approval rate in Kentucky

Rural areas love Trump dude, I know you don't want to admit it since it seems your from one, but they really do.

Kentucky is one of the few states where he has had more approval then disapproval, some times up to 30 points more, since he was in office.

Edited by Imca on Jan 2nd 2019 at 5:53:51 AM


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