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

Lightysnake Since: May, 2010
#167476: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:42:07 PM

Setting him up with that stupid amendment that amounted to a lot of show and little substance.

TheHandle United Earth from Stockholm Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
United Earth
#167477: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:43:38 PM

?

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#167478: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:45:09 PM

Been discussed a few pages ago, a controversial vote about a pharma bill. Booker has some campaign contributions that could cause controversy.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#167479: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:50:18 PM

In a nutshell, the Democrats were doing some of their usual political maneuvering, submitting a budget appropriations bill that they knew would get voted down. The idea was mainly just to make the Republicans look bad. For various reasons, Booker and 12 other Senate Dems also voted against it, and Sanders along with various other purity-focused leftists have been taking that opportunity to slam him and his character.

The narrative is that the bill would have lowered prescription drug costs by allowing them to be imported from Canada, and that by voting against it, Booker proved himself to be nothing but a Big Pharma shill. The facts are, naturally, a lot more complicated than that.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#167480: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:52:20 PM

Yes, the concern is that the imports from Canada may not be subject to theirnote  safety regulations.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#167481: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:59:00 PM

Controversial Pastor Robert Jeffress is scheduled to preach privately for Trump and his Family. This Southern Baptist Pastor has condemned Muslims, Gays, Catholics, Hindus and Mormons, and is yet a "unifying figure representing a diverse spectrum of Americans", according to one of Trump's 'Officials'.

I hope News Reporters give Trump hell for this like they gave Obama for Reverend Wright.

RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#167482: Jan 19th 2017 at 3:59:38 PM

As far as I can tell, it's a solid fact. Canadian safety regulations do not apply to drugs that are being exported to other countries.

[...]If a Canadian company is selling drugs only for export to the United States, and not to Canadian citizens, Health Canada may not regulate the drugs or the company at all. Drugs coming to the United States from Canada may be coming from some other country and simply passing through Canada. The drugs could also be counterfeit, contaminated, or subpotent, among other things (see "Potential Health Risks With Imported Drugs").

FDA experts say it would be hard for you to know whether drugs sold outside of the United States meet FDA standards and have been manufactured in a plant listed on an FDA-approved new drug application. "Even if you did know," McCallion says, "existing law requires you to prove it. The burden is on the importer to prove that the drug meets legal requirements—that includes having an FDA-approved label in English." The fact also remains that a drug made in this country can only be re-imported back into this country by the original manufacturer, he adds.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
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
#167483: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:00:24 PM

The idea that this was an evil plan to screw over Booker just shows how deep the hatred for Sanders goes amongst some people.

The plan was to screw over Republicans with a bill they'd look bad voting against. Booker also voted against for legitimate reasons, but he now obviously also looks bad.

Booker was meant to vote for the bad bill that would fail and Republicans would then look bad, he decided to vote against it and thus ended up also looking bad despite being right.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
RAlexa21th Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer from California (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I <3 love!
Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer
#167484: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:00:40 PM

Diverse spectrum from redneck bible thumpers to rich white capitalists.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:00:55 PM by RAlexa21th

Continue writing our story of peace.
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#167485: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:01:15 PM

So in other words, the fix would be to allow only drugs which are specifically licensed in Canada and don't merely pass through.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#167486: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:02:21 PM

[up][up][up] I think the accusation is more that certain factions in the left then seized that opportunity to make Booker look bad, blowing the whole thing way out of proportion after the fact and assigning it a lot more meaning than it actually had. Not that the entire thing was orchestrated from the start to smear Booker's character.

[up] Sounds like a good start to me, although it still wouldn't be a perfect solution.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:03:21 PM by RBluefish

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#167487: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:03:19 PM

@Dingo Walley 1: Well, at least he will have company: [1]

Trump's brand of 'Christianity' looks like it walked out of an ISIS propaganda film.

RAlexa21th Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer from California (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I <3 love!
Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer
#167488: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:04:54 PM

I'm not very sympathetic to Evangelicals.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:05:13 PM by RAlexa21th

Continue writing our story of peace.
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
#167489: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:05:54 PM

[up]X3 Sanders was just accused up "Setting [Booker] up with that stupid amendment that amounted to a lot of show and little substance." so no, the acussation is that the entire thing was an Evil Sander Plot to screw Booker.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:06:20 PM by Silasw

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
math792d Since: Jun, 2011 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#167490: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:07:04 PM
Thumped: This post has been thumped with the mod stick. This means knock it off.
Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#167491: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:10:27 PM

Sanders didn't set Booker up but I'm Not sure why the fuck he's taking credit for the amendment when it wasn't his in the first place.

New Survey coming this weekend!
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#167492: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:13:50 PM

Yeah, all this talk about "This Democrat is really a Republican in Blue Clothing" and "Sanders set up Booker to make him look as bad as Republicans" makes me think that the Democrats are about to get as radical as the Republicans did after Obama won.

It doesn't help that Sanders seems to have gained exponential political capitol from this Election...

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#167493: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:15:53 PM

If Sanders and his ilk do end up taking over, I just hope they don't screw things up the way Hugo Chavez and Maduro did to Venezuela.

TBH, Sanders himself isn't that bad IMHO. It's really the minority (I hope) among his supporters who are merely using him as a figurehead for their own "fuck establishment Democrats" agenda.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:28:49 PM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#167494: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:40:50 PM

[up]Agreed, that (with some extra skepticism based on experience), is my opinion of Sanders. He himself is not that bad as a "fire up the base"* guy, but he has some loud and shitty supporters (and I assume they're a Vocal Minority) and there's quite a few wall-climbers "supporting him" for political advantage (Gabbard, that NY State House of reps who flipped to the "let's give the legislature to the R's cause fuck you" caucus and Canova, for example). And there's a big problem with some of his supporters jumping on bandwagons.

*Assuming the base does go out and vote instead of circlejerking on Reddit.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:41:56 PM by IFwanderer

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#167495: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:42:39 PM

I'm still amazed at how Tulsi Gabbard despite being a DINO and hawkish has evaded the wrath of the far left, despite she being literally everything they accuse HRC of and then some.

New Survey coming this weekend!
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
#167496: Jan 19th 2017 at 4:43:48 PM

See I'm pretty sure that the amendment was meant to be the kind of dirty trick that Republicans played against Obama (a bad bill that looks good that the leading party was forced to block and appear bad for blocking), something I know that many folks in this thread have been calling for. Problem is Booker isn't getting with them he program of playing dirty and thus got caught in the crossfire.

[up] How is Tulsi Gabbard a hawk? She's an isolationist who's okay with allowing dictatorships to slaughter people as long as the US can avoid feeling guilty.

edited 19th Jan '17 4:48:31 PM by Silasw

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
GameGuruGG Vampire Hunter from Castlevania (Before Recorded History)
Vampire Hunter
#167497: Jan 19th 2017 at 5:03:48 PM

Of course, the Democrats are getting radicalized... The Democrats in 2016 are basically in the same position that the Republicans were back in 2008 and the Republicans in 2016 are in the same position that the Democrats were back in 2008. Both the Republican base in 2008 and the Democratic base in 2016 are running on anger and fear about what the other side is going to do about their very way of life. All the elements are now there for, as someone has said derisively in this thread, the 'Herbal Tea Party' to seize control of the Democrats in 2018. In fact, it has already started with the planned protests against Donald Trump tomorrow, even if those protests are very much justified given just how bad the Republican Party has gotten.

In terms of being realist, the tactics of obstruction that began with the Tea Party and ended with Donald Trump and the Republican Party in complete control actually ended up working for them, so why wouldn't the Democrats succumb to using the same tactics? Those tactics are dirty, mean, and obstructionist to an absurd degree, but they worked.

edited 19th Jan '17 5:05:47 PM by GameGuruGG

Wizard Needs Food Badly
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#167498: Jan 19th 2017 at 5:12:41 PM

How is Tulsi Gabbard a hawk? She's an isolationist who's okay with allowing dictatorships to slaughter people as long as the US can avoid feeling guilty.

Let's go down the list.

She insists that "words matter" and that we must refer to ISIS as "Radical Islamic Terrorism" as seen here in which what she's saying are talking points straight from the GOP

This Tweet. This view is blatantly Pro-Assad and Pro-Russian position.

Then she Also, she proudly voted against allowing Syrian refugees by supporting the SAFE Act, which was the right-wing bill led by hardline anti-immegration conservatives.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/11/tulsi-gabbard-is-not-who-you-think-she-is.html

That pretty much sums her up, too.

New Survey coming this weekend!
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#167499: Jan 19th 2017 at 5:19:57 PM

[up] The reason Gabbard escapes the far-left's wrath despite being a shitty DINO is because she supported Sanders once. That's it.

I'm not saying the far-left is just as bad as the far-right...but there's a reason I'm not super happy about Sanders gaining influence in the Democratic Party.

I really hope the Sanders' backers don't fuck up California, at least.

edited 19th Jan '17 5:22:35 PM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#167500: Jan 19th 2017 at 5:24:47 PM

I'm not sure how much power those Sanders delegates actually have when it comes California policy.

And I would assume the state assembly reps, elected back in November, run a gamut of positions.

I can't say I know much about the issue, since I'm in a deep-red district.

edited 19th Jan '17 5:28:59 PM by Eschaton


Total posts: 417,856
Top