General Political Thread

[nalafej]

Why are we already talking about an election that is three years away?

[uncool2pillow]

Because it's the political thread?

[nalafej]

Because it's the political thread?

Right. This would be the place on VC to do it. I get that it is a conversation happening on the cable tv stations and elsewhere in the country as well. I wish that conversation didn't take away from the discussion that should be happening on health care, human rights, the middle east and other topics. People seem to enjoy the contest aspect of politics a lot more than actually tackling the issues.

[KevinG]

Why are we already talking about an election that is three years away?

 

If you got something you would like to talk about go for it.  

 

We could always talk about guns again.  But then again let's not.  

[bjorn_skurj]

Elections are what decides what gets done.

[nalafej]

If you got something you would like to talk about go for it.  

 

We could always talk about guns again.  But then again let's not.  

 

Is the topic regarding election cycles starting earlier and earlier not an acceptable topic?

 

I enjoyed reading through the gun conversation. I learned quite a bit. 

[uncool2pillow]

Right. This would be the place on VC to do it. I get that it is a conversation happening on the cable tv stations and elsewhere in the country as well. I wish that conversation didn't take away from the discussion that should be happening on health care, human rights, the middle east and other topics. People seem to enjoy the contest aspect of politics a lot more than actually tackling the issues.

Just being snarky.  It's kind of slow right now.  Congress is on recess.  Zimmerman's not guilty.  There is lots of shit wrong, but no immediate crises.  The deficit's apparently  down, the economy's apparently up.  I've always followed politics for both the policy and the sport of it.

[Hixter]

We could always talk about guns again.  But then again let's not.  

Aw, what the heck.

 

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/218158371.html

[Tweedling]

Is the topic regarding election cycles starting earlier and earlier not an acceptable topic?

 

I enjoyed reading through the gun conversation. I learned quite a bit. 

I understand what you're saying. It is crazy how just in the last 10 or 15 years I can sense that less time passes between elections before the debate and conversation starts up about the NEXT election.

[lost highway]

Not only is the escalation and elongation of the campaign season obnoxious, it's also pointless.  We've seen in the last couple cycles how often the favorites thrust in the limelight by the 24-hour news machine don't make it to the end.

 

The real question on the economy is if the deficit reduction is matched by any relief for people who are down on their luck.  In some macro sense a part of the reduction is a boosted GDP, but that doesn't necessarily mean regular people are doing better.

[bjorn_skurj]

1. I am sorry to have to be the one to break this to the group, but really - the election cycle never ends. Parties on every level are constantly planning and raising money for the next election, which is never far away, with House elections every two years and (in New York at least) state legislative races every two years as well.

2. Regular people have been getting it good and hard since the 1970s and no sequester or shutdown will make a damn bit of difference. 

[KevinG]

Is the topic regarding election cycles starting earlier and earlier not an acceptable topic?

 

 

If you have read this thread most anything is an acceptable topic.  It is my hope that if you want to talk about something at least be intelligent about it (not to say that you aren't but it is my hope for everyone on everything).  

 

I personally agree with bjorn the election cycle never ends.  There were stories about 2016 even before 2012 election was done.  Also and more importantly the mid terms are coming up.  There is a lot of factors coming into play especially with the new voter restrictions that have been passed (with the help of the supreme court IMHO).  More than likely the GOP will remain in control of the House the Dems in the Senate and we will have another 2 years of bickering and stagnation in our government.  What will be interesting is to see what kind of pull or influence the TEA party has.  

 

Interestingly enough I just found this article form the Washington Examiner (via the Maddow Blog) which discusses 2014 and the GOP and how they might lose the house.  http://washingtonexaminer.com/house-at-risk-in-2014-unless-gop-offers-agenda/article/2534178.  Though I find it unlikely.  

[uncool2pillow]

It would never happen, but I would love a Constitutional amendment banning gerrymandering.  The wording itself would be difficult and as hard as it is to amend the Constitution, I don't see it happening again in my lifetime.

[IRememberDBoon]

haha do people actually believe that Republicans care about their nominee's actual beliefs??

they would nominate Jeff Tweedy if they thought he could take Ohio
 

you do realize they just sent Mitt Romney up to get beat right?

[uncool2pillow]

Yes, because the Republicans were REALLY hoping that the socialist Muslim born in Kenya would win a 2nd term.

[IRememberDBoon]

Yes, because the Republicans were REALLY hoping that the socialist Muslim born in Kenya would win a 2nd term.

If they thought that person could win the general election they would nominate him/her in a hot minute

 

[Mr. Heartbreak]

I hope you're right. I'm still a registered Republican. But over the last 20 years, I've moved to the left on a lot of issues (mostly doing with issues of personal freedom) and the party has veered incredibly far to the right. I don't agree with Christie on everything, but he reminds me of why I used to be kind of proud to be a Republican.

Come join us on the dark side. Plenty of room in our tent!

[uncool2pillow]

My votes have been in your tent about 60-40 for the past decade, FWIW.

 

Edit: 40-60

[lost highway]

I think the criticism about election hype 3 years before the election, isn't to suggest that politicians shouldn't be thinking about it.  It's a desire to have the media offer more pertinent information in our time, and not to prolong the national football game with years of pregame coverage.  I think some people are saying "Hey dude, don't talk about it.  Just cause CNN is speculating doesn't mean we need to be sunk with Rand Paul, Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton gossip because right now it doesn't matter!".

 

That's not a command for anyone on here.  Free forum, free country.  But maybe we're interacting a little more thoughtfully with the national dialog if we don't play president right now.  Maybe it's like honey boo-boo, or Sarah Palin; if you stop talking about it, it will go away.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

That's not a command for anyone on here.  Free forum, free country.  But maybe we're interacting a little more thoughtfully with the national dialog if we don't play president right now.  Maybe it's like honey boo-boo, or Sarah Palin; if you stop talking about it, it will go away.

I see that hasn't worked with Honey Boo-Boo or Sarah Palin, so...

[lost highway]

I see that hasn't worked with Honey Boo-Boo or Sarah Palin, so...

 

Well maybe not.  But people on this board seem to think Honey Boo-Boo is not a topic of conversation.  My friends have no interest.  The media I select doesn't indulge.  I live in a joyfully Honey-Boo-Boo-free universe.

 

It's not that we can control the crap-flow in popular media, but more that we can constructively cultivate an environment that is more rich with meaningful topics.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

It's not that we can control the crap-flow in popular media, but more that we can constructively cultivate an environment that is more rich with meaningful topics.

That's true, but for me, the presidential election is always much more than just the horse race. Speculating on the potential of, say, Rand Paul and Chris Christie, is fascinating not only because I think they are both right-wing blowhards who happen to disagree with each other on some fundamental issues very publicly, but also because there is some possibility (gulp) that one of them could some day be the leader of the free world. And it leads to a conversation like, What would it say about America if we elected Barack Obama but then turned around and elected Rand Paul?

[LouieB]

, What would it say about America if we elected Barack Obama but then turned around and elected Rand Paul?

It ain't gonna happen, but it is going to be a very entertaining year or so when the real nominating season starts in about two years.

 

LouieB

[Mr. Heartbreak]

It ain't gonna happen, but it is going to be a very entertaining year or so when the real nominating season starts in about two years.

 

LouieB

You may be right, but I will not be surprised if he edges out Christie for the nomination. They may think he can win, because he's not old like his father.

[KevinG]

Well maybe not.  But people on this board seem to think Honey Boo-Boo is not a topic of conversation.  My friends have no interest.  The media I select doesn't indulge.  I live in a joyfully Honey-Boo-Boo-free universe.

 

It's not that we can control the crap-flow in popular media, but more that we can constructively cultivate an environment that is more rich with meaningful topics.

 

 

No one is forcing you to participate in any discussion here.  I awhile back found the gun conversation dull and derivative, so (less one minor freak out awhile back) I stopped.  I skipped over anything with guns and didn't respond.  More often I tried to move conversation elsewhere (sometimes successful sometimes not).  That is all you can do.  But people are gonna post what they want to post.  You can scream about how we should be better angels and talk about something more substantive, but right now there s no  alternative.  Basically if you want a more constructive conversation start one, and don't belittle the thoughts of others because you don't find it interesting.  I have said the same thing about the gun conversation awhile back, but according to many of you hypocrisy is ok and it will make me more fun at parties.