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Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

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In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

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

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#283501: Jun 25th 2019 at 7:43:34 AM

[up][up][up]Yeah, generally when one poll is that much of an outlier, it's probably safe to ignore it.

[up]Nah, he just thinks he doesn't actually have to protect anyone to run a protection racket.

Edited by M84 on Jun 25th 2019 at 10:44:37 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#283502: Jun 25th 2019 at 7:46:44 AM

[up]

It does demonstrate how the progressive wing has gone for Warren over Sanders, though, which visibly contradicts his claim that it's because of the "corporate wing" that he's not more popular.

Edited by ironballs16 on Jun 25th 2019 at 10:47:03 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#283503: Jun 25th 2019 at 7:49:39 AM

It says right at the beginning that this was a poll of Move On members, so it's not like they were putting this out there as a big national change. Seems more like NBC just wants to generate excitement for tomorrow's debate.

HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#283504: Jun 25th 2019 at 8:28:08 AM

[up]BTW that's the first big debate, right? Which hour is it?

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#283505: Jun 25th 2019 at 8:39:00 AM

I'm going to step in to speak for the bothsiders for a moment, because there is a legit issue here - in fact, a certain lack of populism on the Democratic side is partly to blame for Trump's success. That lack of populism is a complete failure to give a shit about the issues of poor, rural whites. The Republicans can rely on the racial pickpocket strategy to appeal to them in lieu of actually tackling their problems, but what have Democrats done in response? Not a hell of a lot (even if part of that can be ascribed to Republican politicians being even more opposed to serving their constituents).

This is, to say it in the nicest possible way, ignorant bullshit.

Democratic policies in-general are good for rural areas. Things like social services, infrastructure, education, and the jobs created by renewable energy are all things that Democrats support and have supported for years and would directly benefit rural areas.

Not just that, but Democrats are literally working as we speak to try to make inroads through things like healthcare and rural broadband. Both of which would massively benefit rural communities.

This view that rural whites poor or otherwise are ignored by Democrats has always been nonsense, they turned against us because racism is more appealing than actual solutions. We are not responsible for the rise of Trump, they are. That does not mean that we should not try to help them anyway and candidates shouldn't say such things but I'm not going to accept the idea that Democrats are in any way responsible for rural areas toxic and degenerate culture.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#283507: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:09:38 AM

[up][up]While I agree fully, remember that mods have already forbidden us from going back down this road.

i'm tired, my friend
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#283508: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:11:50 AM

Oh, my apologies.

I knew they banned us from discussing impeachment but I wasn't aware they instituted a moratorium on discussing the causes of Rural Whites lack of support for Democrats.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Jun 25th 2019 at 9:12:28 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
nombretomado (Season 1) Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#283509: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:13:00 AM

Not an official moratorium, but after the last derail I did ask for the thread to move on. So let's just let it be for a bit.

Grafite Since: Apr, 2016 Relationship Status: Less than three
#283510: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:17:35 AM

All I'm going to say then is Democrats made plenty of gains in Obama-Trump rural districts. With that in mind: the differences regarding student loan forgiveness between Warren and Sanders. Not sure which one would be better honestly.

Life is unfair...
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#283511: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:19:20 AM

Ah my apologies, in that case, I'll bring up a different presumably less contentious topic.

I originally posted it in the China thread, but I think this is relevant.

5G brings advanced healthcare to Chinese rural areas

In the leading healthcare center of the province of Guangdong, an innovative new practice has arisen. Using 5G wireless urban surgeons can advise their rural counterparts during surgery in real time.

Essentially the technology allows them to bridge the rural-urban healthcare gap and bring good healthcare to people who previously lacked it.

I'm a sucker for using technology to address social disparities and as such, this is right up my alley. It's extremely commendable.

Considering that the Dems have outlined their plan to provide rural broadband I think this is somehow we can and should be emulating. No one should have inadequate healthcare just because they were born in the "wrong" place.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Jun 25th 2019 at 9:22:53 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#283512: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:20:33 AM

Ahh, I got my hopes up for a second.

i'm tired, my friend
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#283513: Jun 25th 2019 at 9:22:42 AM

Ah my apologies, I'll edit to make it clearer that the rural areas in question are Chinese.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#283514: Jun 25th 2019 at 10:04:19 AM

Warren released a new plan for improving voting and securing elections. Here’s an excerpt as a preview.

We need a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to vote. But the moral necessity of this amendment shouldn’t stop us from acting now. The federal government already has the power to regulate federal elections, secure our democracy, and put a stop to racist voter suppression.

Under our Constitution, Congress can regulate the “Times, Places, and Manner,” of federal elections. This power is so broad that even Justice Scalia believed this provision gives Congress “authority to provide a complete code for congressional elections.” Congress also has the power to enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments to prevent voting discrimination, and the power of the purse to grant money to the states to meet federal standards. It’s time to draw on these constitutional powers to strengthen our democracy.

Enough is enough. It is time to make high-quality voting in the greatest democracy in the world easy, convenient, and professional. It’s time to secure our elections from all threats, foreign and domestic. It’s time to address election security, administration problems, and voter suppression.

Here’s how my plan will work:

Federal elections get state-of-the-art federal machines, federal ballots, and federal security. Right now some jurisdictions use dated machines that are easily hackable with no paper trail. Ballot design is all over the place. No more. The federal government will replace every voting machine in the country with state-of-the-art equipment and require adoption of a uniform federal ballot. And we will lock all federal voting technology systems behind a security firewall like it’s Fort Knox.

Federal standards for federal elections. We have 8,000 election jurisdictions running elections. Problems with resources, malfeasance, and errors are rampant. No more. We will have federal standards to ensure everyone can vote, including mandating automatic and same-day registration, early voting, and vote by mail. My plan will mean no more arbitrary voter purges. No more registration issues. And no more gerrymandering. We will also make Election Day a holiday to make it easier for people to get to the polls.

Enforce the law and expand access — through incentives where possible, and with federal authority where necessary. My plan will give states cutting-edge voting equipment and election security protocols, all paid for by the federal government, and states will be required to follow all federal standards for federal elections. States who also choose to meet these requirements in their state elections can work through federal-state partnership agreements to have those elections fully funded by the federal government, too — and we’ll give them a bonus for achieving high voter turnout rates. And where racist or corrupt politicians refuse to follow the law, the federal government will temporarily take over the administration of their federal elections to guarantee the fundamental right to vote.

Securing Our Elections

Under my plan, federal elections will get state-of-the-art federal machines, federal ballots, and federal security. The federal government will replace insecure and outdated systems with hand-marked, voter-verified paper ballot machines. To prevent hanging-chads and other confusing ballot designs, we’ll have uniform federal ballots all across the country that are based on easy-to-use design principles. The federal government will also provide every polling location with accessible ballot machines for people with disabilities and conduct research into how to improve voting security and accessibility for all people, including those with disabilities and people for whom English isn’t their primary language.

Edited by wisewillow on Jun 25th 2019 at 10:06:54 AM

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#283515: Jun 25th 2019 at 10:04:41 AM

New press secretary is Stephanie Grisham. Didn't know who she was, so I looked her up on Wikipedia. This sentence caught my eye: (bolded mine)

Grisham was described by several sources that had worked with her previously as being "highly competent" and "self-aware", and believed she enjoyed "trolling the press" via speculative statements that were released.
Oh GREAT.

Edited by speedyboris on Jun 25th 2019 at 12:05:28 PM

3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#283516: Jun 25th 2019 at 10:20:23 AM

Paid blatant troll.

I've never been so jealous and disgusted at the same time

"You can reply to this Message!"
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#283517: Jun 25th 2019 at 10:38:32 AM

Customs and Border Protection acting chief John Sanders to resign effective July 5th.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#283518: Jun 25th 2019 at 10:41:02 AM

[up][up],[up][up][up]

Kind of a perfect fit for Trump, really.

Edited by ironballs16 on Jun 25th 2019 at 1:42:33 PM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#283519: Jun 25th 2019 at 10:46:44 AM

[up][up][up]Anything that keeps Trump as a focus point of criticism and controversy can only be a good thing.

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#283520: Jun 25th 2019 at 11:04:51 AM

Kind of a perfect fit for Trump, really.

Nah, she's highly competent and self-aware. That's enough to make her completely different from Trump.

Obviously doesn't mean she's a good person, just a capable and mercenary fascist vs an incompetent and fanatical one.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
TheWanderer Student of Story from Somewhere in New England (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Student of Story
#283521: Jun 25th 2019 at 11:31:56 AM

She’s also Melania's current PR person, if I remember something that I heard earlier today correctly.

Just saw a story at the Washington Post that a judge has ruled that the Congressional lawsuit against Trump over violations of the Emoluments Clause (that’s the clause of the Constitution that makes it illegal for a president to profit from their position, especially from foreign governments) has been allowed to go forward.

With luck, another slow step towards a legal reckoning, whether Trump is in office or not by the time it hits him

| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#283522: Jun 25th 2019 at 11:55:32 AM

Something climate-change related: Protective Wind Shear Barrier Against Hurricanes on Southeast U.S. Coast Likely to Weaken in Coming Decades.

That is, during strong hurricane seasons like 2005 or 2017 there is often a branch of the jet stream sitting over the southeastern US which weakens incoming hurricanes through wind shear. Examples being Katrina and Rita in 2005 which weakened shortly before landfall and Irma in 2017 which was much weaker when it arrived in Florida. But as the world warms, the jet stream moves north and this kind of wind shear subsides. This makes it easier for future hurricanes to come ashore in the US at full strength, c.f Michael in 2018 and Andrew in 1992.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#283523: Jun 25th 2019 at 12:43:49 PM

No one has any thoughts on Warren’s voting and elections plan?

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#283524: Jun 25th 2019 at 12:48:33 PM

[up]

Unfortunately, it'd face the same hurdle that Obamacare did, with State-level governments in Red districts virulently objecting to the increase in funding because "SOCIALISM!!!" or "GOVERNMENT OVERREACH!" etc.

And personally, I do have to wonder how tenable it is in some aspects, particularly when it comes to administrating that kind of thing.

Edited by ironballs16 on Jun 25th 2019 at 3:49:40 PM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Soban Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
#283525: Jun 25th 2019 at 1:16:10 PM

>No one has any thoughts on Warren’s voting and elections plan?

I think I've made it clear that Warren and I have very little in common politically. Getting me to vote for her is one of the hardest uphill climbs around. With that said,

If I thought she could pull it off and tossed in Range/Score voting, I would vote for her.


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