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Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#104651: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:35:07 AM

I'm not really qualified to discuss the intricacies of the budgeting system. Seems like something that plays nice for the "we should run the government like a business" crowd without having any real meaning.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#104652: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:43:40 AM

Basically the big issue I can see is that businesses that have departments justify their budget tend to end up spending all their time and money justifying their budget instead of what they're actually supposed to be doing. It's a "money saving" trick that in practice just costs money and productivity but makes the people in charge feel like they're doing something.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
TheyCallMeTomu Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#104653: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:43:57 AM

Incidentally, Sanders playing the "he wants to kill Medicare" card could also be considered strategic. If you let the guy get nominated, but you have a "he wants to kill Medicare" attack line for the general, he's going to get creamed.

The democratic party WANTS the weakest candidate at the head of the party.

Ekuran Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
#104654: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:44:55 AM

Sounds inefficient.

Having to ask for the money they probably just normally need to function isn't a good idea, since having to go through the proper channels and processing is going to cost time and money. And that's if they get the money in the first place, which they probably won't under Republicans, so it's better to just give them the money as standard so it'd more difficult for politicians to just cut off an agency.

TheyCallMeTomu Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#104655: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:46:13 AM

Well, I mean...

Wouldn't a zero based budgeting system mean that in the absence of legislation to pass a budget, the previous budget simply continues on in existence? If nothing else, it'd prevent government shutdowns.

shimaspawn from Here and Now Since: May, 2010 Relationship Status: In your bunk
#104656: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:17:32 AM

Wrong. It would do just about the opposite. With no base budget and no cushion, any budget shut down is going to hit immediately. What's more it means that because every agency is constantly having to justify getting money it means that they can't even count on having money the next month even if the government has passed a budget.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#104657: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:24:45 AM

Having to be accountable for their spending is something I'm pretty sure departments already have to be, emergency money can be removed easily enough after the emergency ends, I'm pretty sure it can even just be allocated for a set period of time.

So I'm not seeing what this is meant to change, unless it's what the name implies and isn't about accountability, but is about making each department ask fully or money every year, which just sounds like it would create a ton of red tape and mean you'd be seeing budget fights every year.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
nightwyrm_zero Since: Apr, 2010
#104658: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:28:46 AM

Having an entire budget that is unstable from year to year is going to be hell on long term planning and projects.

Ogodei Fuck you, Fascist sympathizers from The front lines Since: Jan, 2011
Fuck you, Fascist sympathizers
#104659: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:30:40 AM

It's an idea that would be sensible if one of our parties wasn't insane. As it is, zero-based-budgeting would be a trojan horse to gut EPA and other conservative bogeymen. It's especially inane to talk about it when everyone's still suffering from sequestration cuts and government spending (sans Defense) badly needs to be boosted across the board.

TheyCallMeTomu Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#104660: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:32:47 AM

Oh okay, I misread what ZBB is. Yeah, Carly is a dumbass, as always.

Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#104661: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:44:25 AM

Having to be accountable for their spending is something I'm pretty sure departments already have to be, emergency money can be removed easily enough after the emergency ends, I'm pretty sure it can even just be allocated for a set period of time.

...and spent within a certain period of time. Something I've heard about.

Keep Rolling On
pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#104662: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:44:51 AM

There was a letter to the editor in my local newspaper this morning. The writer compared the presidential debates to the group therapy sessions in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and suggested that Pfizer come up with a pill for "electile dysfunction."

It gave me a laugh, just thought I'd share.

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#104663: Nov 8th 2015 at 11:32:55 AM

@Luminosity: Well, considering that "you should be set on fire" translates directly to "you should suffer and probably die" I'd hope that all debate standards in the world would prevent anyone from saying that. It's stupidly cruel and in no way good.

In any case, considering that scandals and fake scandals are littering the ground, the fact that Sanders is staying focused says a lot about what matters to him. He doesn't appear to be interested in moralizing about people's lives.

PrinceConor I will finish what you started. from Earth Since: Apr, 2013 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
I will finish what you started.
#104664: Nov 8th 2015 at 3:27:39 PM

You know, primaries in general fascinate me. The fact that people in the same party can have such different views, along with the fact that who does and doesn't run and how they run can leave such a trail of happiness or bitterness among such close friends is utterly amazing to me. Also, presidential politics is so boring when it comes down to downballot. That's where it really happens, especially in primaries.

anyone know why asscaps has that particular name?
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#104665: Nov 8th 2015 at 4:04:53 PM

Well, I think the thing about primaries is that's where there's actual choices to be made.

Maybe I'm just saying this because I'm a bit partisan, but: in the post-primary, it's pretty easy to choose your candidate. Unless they're a complete and utter moron, you should just vote for the guy in your party.

During the primaries, however, you have to choose between gradients and variations of your political party. This is where things get interesting.

Leviticus 19:34
Xopher001 Since: Jul, 2012
#104666: Nov 8th 2015 at 5:20:35 PM

I wish we had ranked choice in the national elections

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#104667: Nov 8th 2015 at 6:15:34 PM

[up][up] I think far too many people would say "Even if they're a complete and utter moron, you should just vote for the guy in your party."

Artificius from about a foot and a half away from a monitor. Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Norwegian Wood
#104668: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:05:58 PM

[up]American political parties seem functionally like the coalitions in Parliamentary systems, they really don't deserve the unthinking loyalty they're too often given.

edited 8th Nov '15 7:06:07 PM by Artificius

"I have no fear, for fear is the little death that kills me over and over. Without fear, I die but once."
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#104669: Nov 8th 2015 at 7:06:24 PM

Although a poll was taken that suggests that about 25% of registered Republicans would not vote for Trump if he gets the nomination. If that much of the base stays home/protest votes for a 3rd party, or even grits their teeth and votes Democrat...Trump's opponent wins.

Of course Trump's opponent probably auto wins thanks to Trump's dismal numbers among Hispanics, unless the Dems hit a massive voter turnout fail.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#104670: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:02:51 PM

Yeah short of a massive turnout failure (which could happen if people get complacent) the Dems should have the presidency. The Republicans need to sweep the swing states while the Dems need only a few, and right now the Republicans aren't winning anyone over, they're just firing up a base that already votes in large numbers. Trump could put off a lot of Republicans if he gets the nomination, just by existing he's already pushed a lot of moderates away from the party. This also doesn't count for the possibility that upon losing the nomination Trump will go full nut and do a third party run, further driving the Republicans down.

But there's a lot more to fight for then just winning the presidency by 51%, so people mustn't get complacent.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#104671: Nov 8th 2015 at 8:08:24 PM

Of course Trump has probably done more for the cause of Hispanic Voter Engagement/Registration in one speech that a community organizer does in a decade.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Medinoc from France (Before Recorded History)
#104672: Nov 9th 2015 at 1:41:52 AM

The whole "Justify your budget" seems like more of the same Do Well, But Not Perfect incentive to "pad" your budget to avoid it being cut next year.

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."
TerminusEst from the Land of Winter and Stars Since: Feb, 2010
#104673: Nov 9th 2015 at 3:39:14 AM

Will probably create even more unofficial black budgets as well.

Si Vis Pacem, Para Perkele
AngelusNox Warder of the damned from The guard of the gates of oblivion Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#104675: Nov 9th 2015 at 7:18:40 AM

Man. Here I was hoping to read that someone noticed Ben Carson released a radio ad...a rap song.

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

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