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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
I was polled twice this week, and I got three robocalls today. It's getting serious.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"I hate these ads. I'm kind of glad Sandy kept me isolated from cable for the last four days.
So today a friend asked if I wanted to volunteer to help out the Obama campaign. I'm still deciding if I want to say yes.
The ads are numerous and, to an uninformed person, very persuasive. It hinges heavily on what amount of PA residents are still undecided or likely to change position. If that number is little he might be too late and they're just going to be a nuisance for the next four days.
edited 2nd Nov '12 8:12:33 PM by Kostya
BBC says US Presidential election reaches endgame.
Campaining for swing state votes going on at a frantic pace for both candidates. Also: sky often blue, water mostly wet.
@Kostya: I volunteered earlier this year. It's not that hard. Also, glad you're back with us.
RE ads: We got 5 phone ads today alone, all against Obama. I'm fairly certain that someone in missouri tried to robocall my cellphone too. I also got a flier from Americans For Prosperity stating that americans don't need more taxes.
missing the point that the reasons democrats call for more taxes is because the Republicans are so fucking hellbent on getting the deficit solved right fucking now, not once thinking mayby they should've thought of that before they gave a massive tax cut to the rich, went to war twice, and gave a massive backhander to the pharmaceutical industry.
Which also reminds me that the guy responsible for said deal is up for election in my state. I apologize on behalf of Wisconsin for him. :|
Very big Daydream Believer. "That's not knowledge, that's a crapshoot!" -Al Murray "Welcome to QI" -Stephen FryI'm getting the impression that, while most pundits are saying that everyone who's going to make up their mind has already, the candidates seem to be spending ever more money to reach those last few people who might be persuaded one way or the other.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"I don't think that the presidency has actually been any sort of horserace at all until the first debate. The mainstream media simply had in its best interest making it out to be one because it improves their ratings.
EDIT: What do you all think of this report?
Especially you economics types?
edited 2nd Nov '12 8:23:34 PM by Enkufka
Very big Daydream Believer. "That's not knowledge, that's a crapshoot!" -Al Murray "Welcome to QI" -Stephen Fry![]()
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I've actually been lurking for a few days. I was just afraid to post too much because I can only use so much data on my phone without Wi-fi.
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To me it's been relatively clear since the summer. There was a scare after that first debate but things have settled out to Obama winning pretty easily through the electoral college although the popular vote appears to be another matter.
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Which is honestly smart since most states have one percent or fewer differences. It might not sway many but they both need everyone they can get.
I still say anybody who cares enough to vote knows by now but I could be wrong.
edited 2nd Nov '12 8:23:42 PM by Kostya
"Wee, I'm an econ student, I'll read and give you my expert analysis!"
-sees length of the report-
Fuck that.
EDIT: Okay, I saw one graph - a very important one - about the top marginal tax rates in the 1950s to 1980s. These tax rates are a point of contention, mainly because these rates (91 - 70%) were present during the highest growth period of the U.S. economy and the worst inflation and stagnation of the economy we've ever had in the 1970s. Stagflation is only possible when the government is messing with economic policy too much. So the conclusion I drew from it, was that top marginal tax rates don't have anything to do with economic prosperity. Price controls, however, do cause stagflation.
tldr: Tax rates on top marginal level have nothing to do with economic growth. It gives you more social services, though. Corporate taxes kill, though. High levels of welfare services are correlated with high levels of unemployment. High taxes mean people save more, though, especially with capital gains taxes. That's generally seen as a bad thing on a macro level. Income taxes don't usually make people save more.
edited 2nd Nov '12 8:49:05 PM by Completion
Oh, ho, ho... I knew that.
The summary makes perfect sense: no contribution to growth, higher concentration in top brackets. Though higher capital gains tax means higher savings, which means stagflation. One theory on why the U.S. economy experienced stagflation, an unnatural economic situation, is due to an increase in capital gains.
edited 2nd Nov '12 9:10:57 PM by Completion

So, what are the polls looking like? A last check their was 5 point distances between Romney and Obama in Ohio with Obama leading, but that was before the Hurricane.