TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

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.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


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

Karkadinn Karkadinn from New Orleans, Louisiana Since: Jul, 2009
Karkadinn
#56976: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:03:42 AM

Pretty sure we'll know we've really grown past homophobia when people stop feeling the need to stereotype other people's home-decorating preferences based on what gender they like to bone. ;)

edited 26th Jun '13 10:03:57 AM by Karkadinn

Furthermore, I think Guantanamo must be destroyed.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#56977: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:06:24 AM

But they have their own shows on TV! It can't be a negative stereotype if it's proudly adopted by the community, can it? tongue

edited 26th Jun '13 10:06:36 AM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#56978: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:08:28 AM

[up][up]

its at least amusing watching conservatives scream and run about in a panic.

chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#56979: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:09:25 AM

My Tumblr dashboard is a mix of reactions. Most people are excited at DOMA and Prop 8 being decided against, along with the anti-abortion law in Texas being shot down. However, there are some upset at the Voter Rights Act of 1965 being decided against, along with transgender rights being violated in Greece.

It's interested seeing how social media self-correcting itself is happening.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:10:00 AM by chihuahua0

Karkadinn Karkadinn from New Orleans, Louisiana Since: Jul, 2009
Karkadinn
#56980: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:09:51 AM

Positive stereotypes are also bad things in that they constrict the freedom of people to be who they are without preconceptions.

But you know this, and I'm just preaching to the choir because you left me an easy opening with which to do so.

Furthermore, I think Guantanamo must be destroyed.
Completion oldtimeytropey from Space Since: Apr, 2012
oldtimeytropey
#56981: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:18:12 AM

The VRA decision didn't strike it down. The decision basically said that you can't use data from the 1960s to decide what states need to be scrutinized in the 2010s. Section 4 can be put back into effect if they use current data.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#56982: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:19:56 AM

Which Congress won't due to Republican opposition, I believe.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Pykrete NOT THE BEES from Viridian Forest Since: Sep, 2009
NOT THE BEES
#56983: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:23:35 AM

Yeah, the problem is that they're going to be stonewalled from creating that new set of criteria and re-classifying modern targeted voter suppression as a civil rights violation.

Ringsea He Who Got Gud from Fly-Over Country,USA Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
He Who Got Gud
#56984: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:29:01 AM

[up]Targeted voter oppression? Explain.

Surely you don't mean making it so you have to use an ID to vote, because that would be silly. It's not voter oppression if we keep illegals from voting, since illegals are not voters.

The most edgy person on the Internet.
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.
#56985: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:31:04 AM

[up] *not sure if sarcasm*

And what about legal citizens who don't own a valid ID?

Also, other issues are shenanigans with the times the places you vote are open and other fun.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:32:09 AM by 3of4

"You can reply to this Message!"
midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#56986: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:31:32 AM

[up][up]

Because its not like getting an ID requires money and the time to go to a courthouse/DMV and therefore is also a de facto poll tax on the poor. Thats just crazy talk.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:31:54 AM by midgetsnowman

Ringsea He Who Got Gud from Fly-Over Country,USA Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
He Who Got Gud
#56987: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:32:27 AM

[up][up]Not sarcasm. I Ds are STUPID easy to get. It's harder to vote, actually.

Here's how to do it in 3 easy steps: http://www.ehow.com/how_5106479_photo-id.html

Most states only need you to pay 10 or 15 dollars, which could be more then some people would want to pay, but it's not something the VAST majority of Americans, even poor ones, are unable to get, and most Americans already have an ID. You need an ID to: get into bars and such, get a car, and tons of other stuff. There is little to no reason to not have one.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:35:52 AM by Ringsea

The most edgy person on the Internet.
Thorn14 Gunpla is amazing! Since: Aug, 2010
Gunpla is amazing!
#56988: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:33:04 AM

Any time something says "Leave it to congress to decide" they may as well say "It wont happen"

midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#56989: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:34:20 AM

[up][up]

so you're just someone who ignores tiny details like most DM Vs in black/latino/poor neighborhoods tend to have 9-5 business hours only (or dont even exist) therreby screwing anyone who cant leave their job without fear of getting fired for it. or that its still technically a poll tax and therefore and illegal. or that white people tend to not have those issues because middle class jobs get breaks that allow them off-premises for more than a half hour.

Got it.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:36:11 AM by midgetsnowman

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.
#56990: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:35:01 AM

[up][up][up] ID's are but one issue. And as mmidget just pointed out, a lot of people have problems with Step 2 there.

[up] Midget, stay polite please.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:37:13 AM by 3of4

"You can reply to this Message!"
Ringsea He Who Got Gud from Fly-Over Country,USA Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
He Who Got Gud
#56991: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:38:53 AM

[up][up]Even if that were true, should we just let illegals vote without having to pay taxes or anything? It takes a whole 'nother level of Political Correctness Gone Mad to think that. Yes, minorities have it harder to get I Ds, but it's not like it's impossible. I'm sure we can make a way to help poor people get I Ds, and I'm sure they already exist. I'm not an idiot because I can see things different from you, BTW.

Besides, do YOU have an alternative? Or do you think illegals should be able to vote?

The most edgy person on the Internet.
midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#56992: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:40:07 AM

[up]

Oh sure, we could make it easier for poor people to vote.

But why on earth would the selfsame republican districts that tend to make these laws do that?

Poor people (and Blacks/Latinos) tend to vote democrat. Why bother helping the enemy? Theres no profit in NOT suppressing their votes.

And illegals voting is far less common than you seem to think it is. so you're basically claiming we need to destroy the voting rights of entire swathes of the population just in case the republican party isnt jumping at imagined shadows.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:41:29 AM by midgetsnowman

Pykrete NOT THE BEES from Viridian Forest Since: Sep, 2009
NOT THE BEES
#56993: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:40:26 AM

That, and DMV's tend to have stupidly long lines. I've waited upwards of 2 1/2 hours just to get to the front desk, and I live in a small town. I also had to produce a bunch of documents (birth certificate, social security card) that the extraordinarily poor will not necessarily have.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:42:17 AM by Pykrete

Ringsea He Who Got Gud from Fly-Over Country,USA Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
He Who Got Gud
#56994: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:41:32 AM

[up][up]Wow. Racist card. The favorite tactic of people losing an argument. Are we Republicans Hitler too?

How would we make it easier without letting illegals vote?

[up]Yes, but that happens regardless of the law. People have to get I Ds anyways.

Edit: You can't just assume all Republicans are racist jerks if you want to actually debate one. I have no problem with gay marriage or anything and I'm Rep. We're not one giant hivemind. The Democrats have their loons, too.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:43:45 AM by Ringsea

The most edgy person on the Internet.
midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#56995: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:43:00 AM

[up]

Who cares? Illegals dont vote in large numbers outside the fevered terrified imaginations of republicans anyhow. Same with Voter Fraud. Its a bluff to terrify white voters into voting conservative to protect the country from us derned brown people.

also, I didnt say they were racist. I said theres absolutely no sane political reason to help people that will vote for the other team.

  • is a legally US Born mexican-american*

edited 26th Jun '13 10:44:26 AM by midgetsnowman

Thorn14 Gunpla is amazing! Since: Aug, 2010
Gunpla is amazing!
#56996: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:44:11 AM

Didn't one guy say "With this we will help Romney win the election!" when they tried to pass a Voter ID law?

Karkadinn Karkadinn from New Orleans, Louisiana Since: Jul, 2009
Karkadinn
#56997: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:44:35 AM

Setting aside the question of the degree of burden voter ID laws are in the first place... what leads anyone to believe that vast hordes of statistically invisible 'illegals' are, in fact, affecting our voting system, whereas devils-in-plain-sight like the twisted madman's map of gerrymandering are not considered an issue at all?

It's transparently self-serving voter suppression on the part of the Republicans, justified after the fact. Demographically, if they weren't feeling so threatened, they wouldn't bother, because there is no proof that there is a meaningful problem that voter ID laws would solve.

[up]

He did say that, and afterwards elaborated on intending that the Democrats clearly could only win via voter fraud.

Because the Republican party couldn't possibly be out of touch with the majority of Americans or anything like that.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:46:57 AM by Karkadinn

Furthermore, I think Guantanamo must be destroyed.
Ringsea He Who Got Gud from Fly-Over Country,USA Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
He Who Got Gud
#56998: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:44:42 AM

[up][up][up]Proof we're doing that?

Just because it happens rarely doesn't mean we should try to stop it if we can.

Murder happens very rarely, ya' know.

I'm sure some crazy people are thinking about this in a racist way, AKA the dumb way, but I see no reason or proof why that is so obvious. If anything, how come it's not racist for Democrats to NOT pass the bill, since they tend to vote Blue?

edited 26th Jun '13 10:46:55 AM by Ringsea

The most edgy person on the Internet.
Pykrete NOT THE BEES from Viridian Forest Since: Sep, 2009
NOT THE BEES
#56999: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:45:09 AM

Wow. Racist card. The favorite tactic of people losing an argument. Are we Republicans Hitler too?

Speaking as a Republican, yes, it happens. And we need to stop making excuses for that slime.

How would we make it easier without letting illegals vote?

Make the voter ID free and distributed 24/7 to start with.

edited 26th Jun '13 10:48:19 AM by Pykrete

Thorn14 Gunpla is amazing! Since: Aug, 2010
Gunpla is amazing!
#57000: Jun 26th 2013 at 10:45:33 AM

[up]

This. Just make Voter ID's free and easy to access.

But they wont for some reason.


Total posts: 417,856
Top