OT: Congrats Obama!

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=Zeitgeist]Absolutely. But what hasn’t become that during the last 20 years. The news people are just good looking readers, who if perchance they begin to ad lib about a news story, usually end up sounding pretty lame. Most of the real journalists are gone. Starting with high school it is all about popularity, so now the campaigns are mirroring the same trend. We shall see how this works out in the real world. I think it started with the demise of newspapers and real reporters and is continuing. The Internet is a bright spot, but who knows what is real and what completely manufactured by the poster. I hope the next generation can fix what we have left them in the way of debt. Most of us hope for a better future for our kids after all.[/quote]

Zeit: Remember all those assholes that ran for ASB in high school? Those same shitheads are now running the country.

It is a beauty contest and the truth no longer matters. Half the population of this country receives some sort of money, transfer or benefit from the gubment and have a vested interest in keeping the gravy train rolling. Thus, the message of sacrifice, hard work and self-sufficiency will always fall short.

But, as the economist Herb Stein observed: That which cannot continue, won’t.

[Coronita]

I’ve come to the following two conclusions…

1. A lot of Amerikans are just plan dumb.

2. The only people that are dumber than those in (1) above are a lot of Kalifornians….

That is all.

[CA renter]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook][quote=Zeitgeist]Absolutely. But what hasn’t become that during the last 20 years. The news people are just good looking readers, who if perchance they begin to ad lib about a news story, usually end up sounding pretty lame. Most of the real journalists are gone. Starting with high school it is all about popularity, so now the campaigns are mirroring the same trend. We shall see how this works out in the real world. I think it started with the demise of newspapers and real reporters and is continuing. The Internet is a bright spot, but who knows what is real and what completely manufactured by the poster. I hope the next generation can fix what we have left them in the way of debt. Most of us hope for a better future for our kids after all.[/quote]

Zeit: Remember all those assholes that ran for ASB in high school? Those same shitheads are now running the country.

It is a beauty contest and the truth no longer matters. Half the population of this country receives some sort of money, transfer or benefit from the gubment and have a vested interest in keeping the gravy train rolling. Thus, the message of sacrifice, hard work and self-sufficiency will always fall short.

But, as the economist Herb Stein observed: That which cannot continue, won’t.[/quote]

If we include all of the tax loopholes designed specifically for (and by) the wealthiest individuals, plus the military that is primarily used to benefit corporate interests here and abroad, plus tax credits for some of the most prosperous corporations and individuals, plus, plus… I’m willing to bet nearly 100% of our population is dependent on govt money in one way or another.

[Anonymous]

Look you crazy yankies. You still not understanding. Obamma good muslim make jihad on Romeny shit. Romeny moormon come from other planet, he not from these one. Yes, I know this. Stock market no make money for you. Put all money in shariarealty soon build many mosque near you. You make many monies. I know this. It not the woman not lattinos who make for brother Obama more votes. A russians, and chinese peoples control everything you yankies. THey make for brother Obama win election. I know this. Big winds and much rain big lie, make peoples look other way, not see really things. Brother Gore big smart. He live in shanghai now. What this word Mhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaa. Are you muezzin? You pay $135 million for gravy boat. You crazy yankies. I hate gravy brown shit. Movie good investment. I like Harry Potter. He live in Ohio yes? American dreams much yes? what this dream about. This crazy brother yankie not spell. Worse then me. Is not amerikans. is spellt yankies. Kalifornians not spell like this. it spellt like this californications. I see on tv. I know this. Hahahaha I like you yankies. You my friends now. You come my house we play shnookle yes. Bring wife not fat one please.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

CAR: Yeah, that’s probably about right. So, I’ll reiterate what I said before: we need tax reform and entitlement reform and defense cuts, or we’re a generation or less away from ruin.

It’s no longer about politics or partisanship anymore, it’s about math.

[no_such_reality]

[quote=CA renter]
If we include all of the tax loopholes designed specifically for (and by) the wealthiest individuals, plus the military that is primarily used to benefit corporate interests here and abroad, plus tax credits for some of the most prosperous corporations and individuals, plus, plus… I’m willing to bet nearly 100% of our population is dependent on govt money in one way or another.[/quote]

True, so it is about the value of the spending.

I love charts. Looks like last actuals are 2010, but per capita total California spending.

[img_assist|nid=16839|title=California Per Capita Spending|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=466|height=286]

Obviously as can be seen, we’ve massively cut spending per capita since the early 90s…

[Zeitgeist]

CAR, flu and AFF. You all are 100% right. One big gravy train. All I can say is God save the Country.

[paulflorez]

[img_assist|nid=16839|title=California Per Capita Spending|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=466|height=286]

Is this adjusted for inflation?

[ucodegen]

[quote=flu][quote=paramount][quote=flyer]
I can’t believe people are so excited about this election, when most of them are further away from achieving “The American Dream” than ever.

[/quote]

Not really, the new American Dream is to take money from successful people and then live off of the welfare state.

I’d sat they’re doing quite well.[/quote]

Dude, for a lot of folks…The american dream is dead… long ago….They just haven’t realized it…They’re too busy buying stuff on credit….[/quote]Yea.. and then they BK, and are quickly back to buying stuff on credit. That is the new American Dream. Buy what you want and don’t have to pay for it. Just blame the bad old bankers that gave you the credit!

[CA renter]

[quote=no_such_reality][quote=CA renter]
If we include all of the tax loopholes designed specifically for (and by) the wealthiest individuals, plus the military that is primarily used to benefit corporate interests here and abroad, plus tax credits for some of the most prosperous corporations and individuals, plus, plus… I’m willing to bet nearly 100% of our population is dependent on govt money in one way or another.[/quote]

True, so it is about the value of the spending.

I love charts. Looks like last actuals are 2010, but per capita total California spending.

[img_assist|nid=16839|title=California Per Capita Spending|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=466|height=286]

Obviously as can be seen, we’ve massively cut spending per capita since the early 90s…[/quote]

Who would claim that we’ve cut spending since the early 90s? And what PF asked above is relevant…is this adjusted for inflation?

[ctr70]

I think people totally get the red/blue color coded maps of the U.S. wrong. They are too generalized. What these maps don’t show is there still are a lot of people in the Northeast, Pac NW and CA coast that vote Republican, but of course a minority of the population. A lot of the higher income people and business owners in these areas. There are a lot of people (working in knowledge based industries) who lean to the right on fiscal issues, taxation, pro-business, entitlements, unions. But then lean to the left on gun control, abortion, war, climate change, environment. Kind of “Bloomberg Republicans”.

I think a big problem with the Republican Party is a “branding” issue. B/c of the heavy association with the Republican Party and the bible belt social conservative issues. When many Republican moderates are more fiscal conservatives and not social conservatives. I think more Independents who were undecided would have voted for Romney if Repubs had better branding and didn’t associate so heavily with the social conservatives and the Rush Limbaugh crowd. People look at these color coded maps and think NOBODY in Coastal CA, Pac NW, Northeast voted Repub or are fiscal conservatives, which would be a wrong interpretation of the maps IMO. People look at the red/blue maps and make an association with the flyover states as representing 100% of the Repub party, and coasts 100% of Dem party, and associate the Repub party with those areas of the U.S. as being perceived as more backward. I think this is a shame, because the moderate side of the Repub party would appeal to more Americans living on the coasts if it was branded better. When they start taking a look at what’s left of their paychecks in the near future, they will be looking for a better answer.

[zk]

[quote=ctr70]I think people totally get the red/blue color coded maps of the U.S. wrong. They are too generalized. What these maps don’t show is there still are a lot of people in the Northeast, Pac NW and CA coast that vote Republican, but of course a minority of the population. A lot of the higher income people and business owners in these areas. There are a lot of people (working in knowledge based industries) who lean to the right on fiscal issues, taxation, pro-business, entitlements, unions. But then lean to the left on gun control, abortion, war, climate change, environment. Kind of “Bloomberg Republicans”.

I think a big problem with the Republican Party is a “branding” issue. B/c of the heavy association with the Republican Party and the bible belt social conservative issues. When many Republican moderates are more fiscal conservatives and not social conservatives. I think more Independents who were undecided would have voted for Romney if Repubs had better branding and didn’t associate so heavily with the social conservatives and the Rush Limbaugh crowd. People look at these color coded maps and think NOBODY in Coastal CA, Pac NW, Northeast voted Repub or are fiscal conservatives, which would be a wrong interpretation of the maps IMO. People look at the red/blue maps and make an association with the flyover states as representing 100% of the Repub party, and coasts 100% of Dem party, and associate the Repub party with those areas of the U.S. as being perceived as more backward. I think this is a shame, because the moderate side of the Repub party would appeal to more Americans living on the coasts if it was branded better. When they start taking a look at what’s left of their paychecks in the near future, they will be looking for a better answer.[/quote]

Good post. I agree about people seeing the maps and not seeing the real picture. I also agree about the branding issue to an extent, but I think it’s a bit more than just a branding issue. On the one hand, no thinking person wants to be branded a “dittohead.” So there is that problem. But the Republican platform is against gay marriage and does generally align with conservative stances on social issues, gun control, climate change, war, and the environment. So it’s not just branding that’s holding the republican party back, but also its platform.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again now (I frequently repeat myself after several drinks, anyway). We need a new party in this country. Liberal on social issues. Strongly for science (e.g. stem-cell research and climate change). Against massive government but for government and regulation where needed and sensible (not reflexively averse to any and all government regulation or assistance or involvement). A pragmatic, flexible approach to problems without a rigid ideology. A basic decency on humanitarian issues.

There are so many people who agree with most of those stances. The first party that jumps on that platform (or a new party that stands on it) would, it is my guess, dominate for decades to come.

I’d be very interested to hear if people think I’m out in left field on this one, or why people think such a party is not happening.

[paramount]

[quote=zk]

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again now (I frequently repeat myself after several drinks, anyway). We need a new party in this country. Liberal on social issues. Strongly for science (e.g. stem-cell research and climate change). Against massive government but for government and regulation where needed and sensible (not reflexively averse to any and all government regulation or assistance or involvement). A pragmatic, flexible approach to problems without a rigid ideology. A basic decency on humanitarian issues.

There are so many people who agree with most of those stances. The first party that jumps on that platform (or a new party that stands on it) would, it is my guess, dominate for decades to come.

I’d be very interested to hear if people think I’m out in left field on this one, or why people think such a party is not happening.[/quote]

There already is such a party: The Libertarian Party

[Rich Toscano]

[quote=paramount]
There already is such a party: The Libertarian Party[/quote]

I think you missed this part:

(not reflexively averse to any and all government regulation or assistance or involvement)

[Rich Toscano]

[quote=zk]
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again now (I frequently repeat myself after several drinks, anyway). We need a new party in this country. Liberal on social issues. Strongly for science (e.g. stem-cell research and climate change). Against massive government but for government and regulation where needed and sensible (not reflexively averse to any and all government regulation or assistance or involvement). A pragmatic, flexible approach to problems without a rigid ideology. A basic decency on humanitarian issues.

There are so many people who agree with most of those stances. The first party that jumps on that platform (or a new party that stands on it) would, it is my guess, dominate for decades to come.

I’d be very interested to hear if people think I’m out in left field on this one, or why people think such a party is not happening.[/quote]

ZK, fwiw I agree 100%. If would very enthusiastically support the party/platform you described. And I agree that there seem to be an awful lot of people who would be on board.

[Author]

Posts