[poorgradstudent]

Unlike a lot of people, I actually think despite the recent economic hiccup, the United States is still the greatest country on earth, and perhaps has the strongest political system; certainly in the top ten. Direct Democracy has many flaws, but it beats every other system that’s been tried.

On national issues I support personal freedom. I could never vote for a candidate who believed in taking rights away from certain groups of people just because they’re different.

I also believe the income distribution in this country is ridiculous. The rich reap the rewards of what taxes pay for but don’t contribute their fair share. Most arguments about wealth creation and marginal tax rates are silly; we’re no where near overtaxing productivity. I admire the governments and systems of the Scandinavian countries; highly socially liberal, and strong economies despite relatively high tax rates. In my youth I considered moving to Sweden, where my family roots stem from.

All this means I just can’t vote for a Republican. George W. Bush did a lot of damage in my mind to a brand I wasn’t a huge fan of to begin with; he was truly *Anti*-science in his policies, including funding for research. I considered Arnold, but voted against him both times. Perhaps in two decades “South Park Republicans” (true small government, socially liberal) will be running the hen-house. I could vote for an openly Atheist Republican, assuming they supported rights for gays, women and minorities.

For example, in the current California Senate and Governor races, I watched the primaries closely. I love Barbara Boxer and what she stands for, and Fironia is a woman whose legacy at HP involves lay-offs and a Golden Parachute after running it into the ground. Whitman is a better businesswoman and candidate, and Brown is kinda mediocre. I’m voting for Brown, but I won’t cry in my beer if Whitman happens to win.

[poorgradstudent]

Unlike a lot of people, I actually think despite the recent economic hiccup, the United States is still the greatest country on earth, and perhaps has the strongest political system; certainly in the top ten. Direct Democracy has many flaws, but it beats every other system that’s been tried.

On national issues I support personal freedom. I could never vote for a candidate who believed in taking rights away from certain groups of people just because they’re different.

I also believe the income distribution in this country is ridiculous. The rich reap the rewards of what taxes pay for but don’t contribute their fair share. Most arguments about wealth creation and marginal tax rates are silly; we’re no where near overtaxing productivity. I admire the governments and systems of the Scandinavian countries; highly socially liberal, and strong economies despite relatively high tax rates. In my youth I considered moving to Sweden, where my family roots stem from.

All this means I just can’t vote for a Republican. George W. Bush did a lot of damage in my mind to a brand I wasn’t a huge fan of to begin with; he was truly *Anti*-science in his policies, including funding for research. I considered Arnold, but voted against him both times. Perhaps in two decades “South Park Republicans” (true small government, socially liberal) will be running the hen-house. I could vote for an openly Atheist Republican, assuming they supported rights for gays, women and minorities.

For example, in the current California Senate and Governor races, I watched the primaries closely. I love Barbara Boxer and what she stands for, and Fironia is a woman whose legacy at HP involves lay-offs and a Golden Parachute after running it into the ground. Whitman is a better businesswoman and candidate, and Brown is kinda mediocre. I’m voting for Brown, but I won’t cry in my beer if Whitman happens to win.

[poorgradstudent]

Unlike a lot of people, I actually think despite the recent economic hiccup, the United States is still the greatest country on earth, and perhaps has the strongest political system; certainly in the top ten. Direct Democracy has many flaws, but it beats every other system that’s been tried.

On national issues I support personal freedom. I could never vote for a candidate who believed in taking rights away from certain groups of people just because they’re different.

I also believe the income distribution in this country is ridiculous. The rich reap the rewards of what taxes pay for but don’t contribute their fair share. Most arguments about wealth creation and marginal tax rates are silly; we’re no where near overtaxing productivity. I admire the governments and systems of the Scandinavian countries; highly socially liberal, and strong economies despite relatively high tax rates. In my youth I considered moving to Sweden, where my family roots stem from.

All this means I just can’t vote for a Republican. George W. Bush did a lot of damage in my mind to a brand I wasn’t a huge fan of to begin with; he was truly *Anti*-science in his policies, including funding for research. I considered Arnold, but voted against him both times. Perhaps in two decades “South Park Republicans” (true small government, socially liberal) will be running the hen-house. I could vote for an openly Atheist Republican, assuming they supported rights for gays, women and minorities.

For example, in the current California Senate and Governor races, I watched the primaries closely. I love Barbara Boxer and what she stands for, and Fironia is a woman whose legacy at HP involves lay-offs and a Golden Parachute after running it into the ground. Whitman is a better businesswoman and candidate, and Brown is kinda mediocre. I’m voting for Brown, but I won’t cry in my beer if Whitman happens to win.

[poorgradstudent]

I love Christine O’Donnell. She’s a gift that just keeps on giving. She didn’t present her response to the separation of church as state as a nuanced legal argument; she seemed genuinely shocked it’s guaranteed by the constitution. A pretty huge gaffe from someone positioning herself as a strict constitutionalist. It’s also a classic rookie mistake; Former Senator Rick Santorum was probably MORE of a religious nut than she is, but he was savvy enough to primarily talk about his personal faith and beleifs.

Why doesn’t Alvin Greene get the same heat? Aside from the whole open primary question, the Democrats just never had a shot in South Carolina. O’Donnell beat a popular, moderate, intelligent experienced Rep in the primary. Alvin Greene beat a field of mostly nobodies. Castle was supposed to WIN Delaware. Alvin Greene’s primary win didn’t potentially shift the balance of the Senate like O’Donnell did. She moved a likely Republican pick-up to a Democrat lock.

As for Eugene’s comments about how few Republicans believe in man-made global warming, I’m actually more saddened by those in complete denial there even *IS* global warming, perhaps by natural causes. I’ve read some very rational arguments that human contribution to the global warmiing we’ve seen is a drop in the bucket compared to larger global effects beyond our control. But at least those arguments admit the earth has gotten warmer in the past five decades! We can debate policy, but it saddens me that somehow scientific fact is politically up for debate.

[poorgradstudent]

I love Christine O’Donnell. She’s a gift that just keeps on giving. She didn’t present her response to the separation of church as state as a nuanced legal argument; she seemed genuinely shocked it’s guaranteed by the constitution. A pretty huge gaffe from someone positioning herself as a strict constitutionalist. It’s also a classic rookie mistake; Former Senator Rick Santorum was probably MORE of a religious nut than she is, but he was savvy enough to primarily talk about his personal faith and beleifs.

Why doesn’t Alvin Greene get the same heat? Aside from the whole open primary question, the Democrats just never had a shot in South Carolina. O’Donnell beat a popular, moderate, intelligent experienced Rep in the primary. Alvin Greene beat a field of mostly nobodies. Castle was supposed to WIN Delaware. Alvin Greene’s primary win didn’t potentially shift the balance of the Senate like O’Donnell did. She moved a likely Republican pick-up to a Democrat lock.

As for Eugene’s comments about how few Republicans believe in man-made global warming, I’m actually more saddened by those in complete denial there even *IS* global warming, perhaps by natural causes. I’ve read some very rational arguments that human contribution to the global warmiing we’ve seen is a drop in the bucket compared to larger global effects beyond our control. But at least those arguments admit the earth has gotten warmer in the past five decades! We can debate policy, but it saddens me that somehow scientific fact is politically up for debate.

[poorgradstudent]

I love Christine O’Donnell. She’s a gift that just keeps on giving. She didn’t present her response to the separation of church as state as a nuanced legal argument; she seemed genuinely shocked it’s guaranteed by the constitution. A pretty huge gaffe from someone positioning herself as a strict constitutionalist. It’s also a classic rookie mistake; Former Senator Rick Santorum was probably MORE of a religious nut than she is, but he was savvy enough to primarily talk about his personal faith and beleifs.

Why doesn’t Alvin Greene get the same heat? Aside from the whole open primary question, the Democrats just never had a shot in South Carolina. O’Donnell beat a popular, moderate, intelligent experienced Rep in the primary. Alvin Greene beat a field of mostly nobodies. Castle was supposed to WIN Delaware. Alvin Greene’s primary win didn’t potentially shift the balance of the Senate like O’Donnell did. She moved a likely Republican pick-up to a Democrat lock.

As for Eugene’s comments about how few Republicans believe in man-made global warming, I’m actually more saddened by those in complete denial there even *IS* global warming, perhaps by natural causes. I’ve read some very rational arguments that human contribution to the global warmiing we’ve seen is a drop in the bucket compared to larger global effects beyond our control. But at least those arguments admit the earth has gotten warmer in the past five decades! We can debate policy, but it saddens me that somehow scientific fact is politically up for debate.

[poorgradstudent]

I love Christine O’Donnell. She’s a gift that just keeps on giving. She didn’t present her response to the separation of church as state as a nuanced legal argument; she seemed genuinely shocked it’s guaranteed by the constitution. A pretty huge gaffe from someone positioning herself as a strict constitutionalist. It’s also a classic rookie mistake; Former Senator Rick Santorum was probably MORE of a religious nut than she is, but he was savvy enough to primarily talk about his personal faith and beleifs.

Why doesn’t Alvin Greene get the same heat? Aside from the whole open primary question, the Democrats just never had a shot in South Carolina. O’Donnell beat a popular, moderate, intelligent experienced Rep in the primary. Alvin Greene beat a field of mostly nobodies. Castle was supposed to WIN Delaware. Alvin Greene’s primary win didn’t potentially shift the balance of the Senate like O’Donnell did. She moved a likely Republican pick-up to a Democrat lock.

As for Eugene’s comments about how few Republicans believe in man-made global warming, I’m actually more saddened by those in complete denial there even *IS* global warming, perhaps by natural causes. I’ve read some very rational arguments that human contribution to the global warmiing we’ve seen is a drop in the bucket compared to larger global effects beyond our control. But at least those arguments admit the earth has gotten warmer in the past five decades! We can debate policy, but it saddens me that somehow scientific fact is politically up for debate.

[poorgradstudent]

I love Christine O’Donnell. She’s a gift that just keeps on giving. She didn’t present her response to the separation of church as state as a nuanced legal argument; she seemed genuinely shocked it’s guaranteed by the constitution. A pretty huge gaffe from someone positioning herself as a strict constitutionalist. It’s also a classic rookie mistake; Former Senator Rick Santorum was probably MORE of a religious nut than she is, but he was savvy enough to primarily talk about his personal faith and beleifs.

Why doesn’t Alvin Greene get the same heat? Aside from the whole open primary question, the Democrats just never had a shot in South Carolina. O’Donnell beat a popular, moderate, intelligent experienced Rep in the primary. Alvin Greene beat a field of mostly nobodies. Castle was supposed to WIN Delaware. Alvin Greene’s primary win didn’t potentially shift the balance of the Senate like O’Donnell did. She moved a likely Republican pick-up to a Democrat lock.

As for Eugene’s comments about how few Republicans believe in man-made global warming, I’m actually more saddened by those in complete denial there even *IS* global warming, perhaps by natural causes. I’ve read some very rational arguments that human contribution to the global warmiing we’ve seen is a drop in the bucket compared to larger global effects beyond our control. But at least those arguments admit the earth has gotten warmer in the past five decades! We can debate policy, but it saddens me that somehow scientific fact is politically up for debate.

[poorgradstudent]

Proposition 25 falls into the category of “Props I don’t care much about either way”. It doesn’t have a lot of teeth; a 2/3 vote is still required for tax increases and the state constitution has a lot of mandated spending. I don’t think we’re likely to see drastic increases or cuts in spending if prop 25 passes, nor if it fails.

I’m lukewarm in my support for it if only because it will help avoid debacles where public workers are paid minimum wage while the legislature irons out partisan budget squabbles.

Based on polling 25 looks likely to pass, but I’m having a hard time really caring either way.

[poorgradstudent]

Proposition 25 falls into the category of “Props I don’t care much about either way”. It doesn’t have a lot of teeth; a 2/3 vote is still required for tax increases and the state constitution has a lot of mandated spending. I don’t think we’re likely to see drastic increases or cuts in spending if prop 25 passes, nor if it fails.

I’m lukewarm in my support for it if only because it will help avoid debacles where public workers are paid minimum wage while the legislature irons out partisan budget squabbles.

Based on polling 25 looks likely to pass, but I’m having a hard time really caring either way.

[poorgradstudent]

Proposition 25 falls into the category of “Props I don’t care much about either way”. It doesn’t have a lot of teeth; a 2/3 vote is still required for tax increases and the state constitution has a lot of mandated spending. I don’t think we’re likely to see drastic increases or cuts in spending if prop 25 passes, nor if it fails.

I’m lukewarm in my support for it if only because it will help avoid debacles where public workers are paid minimum wage while the legislature irons out partisan budget squabbles.

Based on polling 25 looks likely to pass, but I’m having a hard time really caring either way.

[poorgradstudent]

Proposition 25 falls into the category of “Props I don’t care much about either way”. It doesn’t have a lot of teeth; a 2/3 vote is still required for tax increases and the state constitution has a lot of mandated spending. I don’t think we’re likely to see drastic increases or cuts in spending if prop 25 passes, nor if it fails.

I’m lukewarm in my support for it if only because it will help avoid debacles where public workers are paid minimum wage while the legislature irons out partisan budget squabbles.

Based on polling 25 looks likely to pass, but I’m having a hard time really caring either way.

[poorgradstudent]

Proposition 25 falls into the category of “Props I don’t care much about either way”. It doesn’t have a lot of teeth; a 2/3 vote is still required for tax increases and the state constitution has a lot of mandated spending. I don’t think we’re likely to see drastic increases or cuts in spending if prop 25 passes, nor if it fails.

I’m lukewarm in my support for it if only because it will help avoid debacles where public workers are paid minimum wage while the legislature irons out partisan budget squabbles.

Based on polling 25 looks likely to pass, but I’m having a hard time really caring either way.

[poorgradstudent]

Zillow’s claim to fame was they were the first major real estate data aggregator site, at least that didn’t require subscription or credentials to access.

The thing about the web is first is rarely best. I like Trulia and Redfin better than Zillow, they provide very similar services but in more advanced ways. Both also came along late enough in the real estate bubble not to have a terrible paper trail like some of zillow’s Zestimates.

Without knowing the details of their business model I can’t say anything else definitive, but obviously they have significantly increased competition than when they started.

[poorgradstudent]

Zillow’s claim to fame was they were the first major real estate data aggregator site, at least that didn’t require subscription or credentials to access.

The thing about the web is first is rarely best. I like Trulia and Redfin better than Zillow, they provide very similar services but in more advanced ways. Both also came along late enough in the real estate bubble not to have a terrible paper trail like some of zillow’s Zestimates.

Without knowing the details of their business model I can’t say anything else definitive, but obviously they have significantly increased competition than when they started.

[Author]

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