Presidential race 2016

[Duchess]

Oregon and Tennessee adopted policies to make community colleges free, to help end generational poverty and move closer to equal opportunity.

I like this a lot and would fully support it.

[Duchess]

I don't mean to sound so tightassed when I talk about people working for what they want in life. I know that it is sometimes much more complicated than that. I'm not without compassion nor generosity and I do believe everyone deserves a fair shake.

[HairOfTheDog]

Hey, some of Bernie's ideas are radical to most Americans and I honestly don't know how many of them he would be able to implement if he was elected, which is a big IF. I'm not sure yet that I'd vote for him if he was the Democratic nominee, but I'm listening and considering what he's putting out there.

I like that Sanders is passionate about "we the people", less systematic inequality, and changing the campaign finance system... and I like some of his ideals and concepts.

He's shaking things up and getting a lot of people to stand up and ask "why not?" rather than just accept that the voice/good of the people has taken a backseat in policy decisions; behind the preferences of those who've contributed the highest political donations and behind pissing contests between the two parties.

Sanders and Trump, like them or not, have made this election cycle extremely interesting and thought-provoking (to me) because they're not saying the same old shit we usually hear from candidates and neither one is owned by the big money donors. I really like that. And, I like some of what a couple of the more traditional party candidates are putting out there too.

[Maggot]

Mags...I don't share your penchant for stereotyping all people from California or any specific states, and all people from the east or west, and all people who don't worship guns, and all people who live in urban areas, and black criminals vs white criminals, and people who have assumed conservative or liberal views, etc.

But, I like you and that's a big part of what you do. So, it's not a problem other than this white, urban, female, religiously and politically unaffiliated, middle class, middle aged, Californian often has no reaction or response other than to shrug and smile when you toss those stereotypes at me yet again.

I've seen Cali back in the early 80's and kinda hate what its become. I think you are one of the more level headed ones out there. And I'm sure there are plenty more but I fear you're getting outnumbered by the dreamers and the fiscally unaware but so is Dallas right now. And yes the east coast has its fruitcakes. I tend to hit the tooth nerve with an ice cube sometimes and over generalize via the media and for that I'm guilty as charged. I like you as a person and not as the sexy, sassy bitch that you are. which in your case is overwhelming.

[Cutz]

Hey, some of Bernie's ideas are radical to most Americans and I honestly don't know how many of them he would be able to implement if he was elected, which is a big IF.

I like a lot of the crackpot's anti-corruption stuff. There should be no money in politics. I'm all for strict policies on campaign financing. Decisions and votes should not be bought by lobbyists. There's other corrupt practices he should target too. Insurance industry, education loan industry, etc.

But he's a crackpot when it comes to "make everyone equal and nobody has to pay!" That just doesn't work. If you tax the high volume trading market, you kill it, and it goes to Asian markets. That may be a good thing... but you're left with very little money from normal trading and ANOTHER incentive for American companies to become Irish companies, Chinese companies, or Canadian companies. We already tax corporations at one of the highest rates in the world, and we tax dividends given out to individual investors. Adding a tax for purchasing an investment just discourages investing. That will hurt the economy. Oh yeah, and those programs you were proposing with the money you'd raise... they never even got off the ground.

Everything always boils down to simple principles. If you give low class people stuff, the middle class has to pay for it. Because the "upper class" either don't exist, or keep their money. The only way to make everyone equal is to take all of someone's money when they die. That's the bottom line. Either society has inheritance and inequality, or everyone's born a beggar and equal. While my idealistic side says everyone should be equal, my realist retorts that "what's the point of working hard and making money if your kids can't benefit from it?" It's a philosophical debate, and one that still rages in my mind.

But anybody in America can go to college. You just have to sign your life away for hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to do it. Universities are the new American indentured servitude. "I teach you to be a ______, you go be a ______ for 30 years before you can possibly afford to pay me back." Fill in the blank with whatever occupational prestige level you want. "And for this low-low price of all your future money, you can be in the top 1% so that Bernie Sanders can steal all your money you're not making!"

Ultimately, as I said, it's simple ideals. How bout a system where all education is free, but it's actually competitive to get in? You know, like maybe only 20% of children would actually pass the SATs. Better yet, 1 in 3 gets into Kindergarten. Everyone else can be a plumber. How about a system where healthcare isn't free, and getting sick is fucking expensive, but insurance isn't a thing. Nobody wants to pay 200 grand for cancer treatment... but hey, more people will quit smoking and at least we have something for the college loan people to do again. Survival loans.

All I know is that America's tax revenue is 26% of its GDP. I don't trust a crackpot who says they're gonna fix inequality with more taxation. Hence, Bernie is a crackpot. Hillary is a cold hearted bitch who doesn't care if her husband cheats on her as long as she lives at 1600 Pennsylvania. And Trump is an idiot. I can't decide whether the candidates get worse every year, or it's just me getting more mature, intelligent, and discerning of their flaws.

But hey, show me the candidate that wants to kill the insurance industry, end political monetization, eliminate individual debt, and treat the rest of the world like they're capable of shouldering some of the burden, and I'll vote for him or her twice.

[HairOfTheDog]

I get where you're coming from Cutz, but I don't see Sanders as a crackpot at all. He's really more what he's labeled himself, a democratic 'socialist', in my view.

As for the tax on high volume speculative financial transactions, it isn't a new concept in the U.S. and is already in place or approved for implementation in many European and Asian markets, in various forms, and at higher rates.

I do not believe that a 1/20% tax would move investment to other countries or even deter such trading much, I like that it isn't a consumer tax, and I think it's fair to tax Wall Street on such transactions. Plus, FTT has been done in the U.S. before to generate needed revenue and is also what funds the SEC.

So, I disagree with you and and those who oppose the tax. I agree with the hundreds of economists in the U.S. and across the globe who support such a tax to help repay for the destruction associated with mass irresponsible high volume speculative trade which leads to crashes and bail outs that cost the tax payers billion of dollars. Some related refs: http://cepr.net/documents/ftt-facts-myths.pdf , http://usuncut.com/politics/170-top-econ...ll-street/

Whether the revenue generated from a speculative financial transaction tax would be best spent on making U.S. public universities tuition-free is a separate question. If such a tax were to be implemented and generate hundreds of billions USD, there are a lot of productive ways it could be spent for the betterment of society.

I agree with you that there will never be a prosperous society where equality for all is achieved. But, I absolutely support the goal of creating more equal opportunities for everyone to succeed/contribute, regardless of background or status. Rather than offering financial reparations for past generational discrimination or increasing welfare caps, I'd like to see the next generation of those born into poverty and low income families be given the opportunity to get a good education or vocational training after high school; that could potentially improve the quality of a lot of lives now and in the next generations.

Of course, education/training doesn't always = job opportunities and elevated income, but if there are jobs to be had, it helps. Plus, in my opinion, knowledge and skills benefit a person and communities in non-financial ways as well.

P.s. I don't know if you're getting more mature and discerning or just more narrow-minded, jaded, and less able to see the good with the bad -- those are side-effects of aging for many, I think.

[HairOfTheDog]

The 9^th Republican Debate, South Carolina

Last night's Republican debate was something else; much of the time was spent calling each other liars and arguing over who REALLY meant what in statements made years ago.

All of the candidates agreed that the Republican Senate should block any attempt by Obama to appoint a Supreme Court Justice to replace Scalia. Trump acknowledged that he would nominate someone were he president, but that Mitch McConnell and the Republicans should "delay, delay, delay." All agreed it's a hugely significant development that will likely affect the future of the country for many years. Kasich said that he thinks Obama should either not nominate anyone, or nominate someone who would appeal to both sides (I don't know if that person exists), but he acknowledged he didn't expect that from Obama and the Democrats and the issue will add to the divisiveness already plaguing the country.

Jeb! has gotten much better at holding his own against Donald Trump. Trump knows (I'm sure) that George W. is all over South Carolina, where he's very popular with Republicans, campaigning for Jeb! So, Trump revived his "9 / 11 is all Bush's fault; not only the war in Iraq, but the fact that the Twin Towers came down on his watch" bit. Bush defended what his brother was doing to keep the country safe while "Donald Trump was working on a reality show." Bush also defended his family in general and praised his mom, at which point Trump said, "SHE should be running." The audience booed, I laughed.

Ted Cruz reminds me so much of a corrupt televangelist who used to be a used car salesman. The shit his campaign pulled in Iowa against Carson was shady as hell (I think he would have easily won Iowa anyway, but still...). Last week, he was running an ad about values with a woman telling the viewers why she supports Cruz. Well, turns out Mr. Evangelical's staff had hired the actress without knowing that she had starred in several porn films, including lesbian porn. Ads pulled pronto! Then, last night, Trump called Cruz a nasty guy several times and told the audience how Cruz's team in South Carolina is robo-calling potential primary voters and telling them that Trump isn't really running (I don't know if that's true, but it wouldn't surprise me).

I agreed with Kasich when he said that if the Republicans on the stage didn't stop fighting like kids all the time that they'd be responsible for handing the presidency to Hillary Clinton. I also agree with Kasich and Bush when it comes to illegal immigration; Cruz and Trump are wrong about deporting 11 million people outright, in my opinion. Rubio, well, who the hell knows where he stands on the issue anymore -- Cruz has done a good job spinning Rubio in circles regarding his past bi-partisan work to develop a path to citizenship. Rubio should own it and make it an asset -- instead, he's backpedaling and trying to distort his record, in my opinion.

Cruz discussed his 16% flat tax plan. Rubio defended his 35% tax plan, designed to benefit working families with children, whom he considers the backbone of America. Kasich defended his expansion of Medicaid, which Bush misleadingly (in my opinion) characterized as an expansion of Obamacare, and Kasich reminded Bush that Ronald Reagan had successfully expanded the program five times for some of the same reasons. Kasich and Bush agreed that more money needs to be invested in addressing mental illness and addiction.

Bush called Trump ludicrous for believing that Putin is a friend to the U.S. who isn't fighting in Syria in order to bolster Assad and isn't attacking coalition-backed troops along with ISIS. Trump shot back that "we're supporting troops who we don't even know who they are!" -- I think they're both right, to a degree.

Trump defended his use of profanity in his speeches and claimed it's been blown out of proportion. He promised not to cuss anymore, though, and said that it was easy to refrain.

Carson stayed awake, didn't say anything too batshit, and came on to the stage at the right time -- his best debate performance since the first one.

^ Those are just my observations. Here are the highlights.

[Duchess]

Did Marco Rubio really blame Bill Clinton for 9/11? I will fuck him up. *flexes*

[Blindgreed1]

Did Marco Rubio really blame Bill Clinton for 9/11? I will fuck him up. *flexes*

It goes back to an ops that was supposed to happen when Bill was in office. Bill called it off because there were swing sets in the compound. Turns out the bulk of Al Quaida admin including Bin Laden was there and had they followed through with the strike 911 couldn't have happened. Some say there were kids there, some say there weren't. Either way, woulda, coulda, shoulda, idiot speak if you ask me.

[Carsman]

The next POTUS, "really"?!



http://www.maniacworld.com/flv/Hillary-C...ussion.mp4

[Maggot]

Who let the dogs out? This summer should be fun.

[HairOfTheDog]

^ That barking bit was weird funny.

Today, SC Governor Nicki Haley endorsed Marco Rubio. That might help him in the primary on Saturday. Haley has a very positive support rating in the state and she's viewed as a rising star in the Republican Party.

Trump said today that he's considering suing Cruz for Cruz's negative Trump ads.

Tonight CNN is hosting a town hall with Cruz, Rubio, and Carson. Tomorrow night, CNN will host a town hall with Kasich, Trump, and Bush.

[Adub]

The next POTUS, "really"?!



http://www.maniacworld.com/flv/Hillary-C...ussion.mp4

Yep, too funny. But, just practice saying Madame President. It is going to happen.

[Adub]

Did Marco Rubio really blame Bill Clinton for 9/11? I will fuck him up. *flexes*

It goes back to an ops that was supposed to happen when Bill was in office. Bill called it off because there were swing sets in the compound. Turns out the bulk of Al Quaida admin including Bin Laden was there and had they followed through with the strike 911 couldn't have happened. Some say there were kids there, some say there weren't. Either way, woulda, coulda, shoulda, idiot speak if you ask me.

So it was because of swing sets? Really?

[Duchess]

Madame President. It is going to happen.

I'm hearing/reading that more & more as time passes. Even from my boss who is a staunch Republican Clinton hater.

[Maggot]

Did Marco Rubio really blame Bill Clinton for 9/11? I will fuck him up. *flexes*

It goes back to an ops that was supposed to happen when Bill was in office. Bill called it off because there were swing sets in the compound. Turns out the bulk of Al Quaida admin including Bin Laden was there and had they followed through with the strike 911 couldn't have happened. Some say there were kids there, some say there weren't. Either way, woulda, coulda, shoulda, idiot speak if you ask me.

So it was because of swing sets? Really?

Silly! It was about his Loft and shaft flex in his driver.

[Adub]

Madame President. It is going to happen.

I'm hearing/reading that more & more as time passes. Even from my boss who is a staunch Republican Clinton hater.

Can you imagine saying President Trump? Just makes me giggle. And that is the GOP at his time in the election process. Just as crazy as it gets. Donald Trump for President? Really, lololol.....

[Adub]

Did Marco Rubio really blame Bill Clinton for 9/11? I will fuck him up. *flexes*

It goes back to an ops that was supposed to happen when Bill was in office. Bill called it off because there were swing sets in the compound. Turns out the bulk of Al Quaida admin including Bin Laden was there and had they followed through with the strike 911 couldn't have happened. Some say there were kids there, some say there weren't. Either way, woulda, coulda, shoulda, idiot speak if you ask me.

So it was because of swing sets? Really?

Silly! It was about his Loft and shaft flex in his driver.

Golf? Anyone?

[Duchess]

So the Donald is threatening to sue over negative ads? Seriously? I heard someone say that clown is complaining that he isn't being treated fairly as well. Bitch please, all's fair in love, war and campaigns.

[BlueTiki]

The best defense for libel is the truth. If the ads are true, Trump is SOL.

But . . . I'm now convinced that Trump is the perfect candidate for the White House.

Papa Frankie declared that Trump is NOT a Christian!

Liberals gotta be loving the fact that the Vicar of Christ has declared him a non-Christian candidate.

Atheists, too.

Pedophile priests . . . remain Christians.

Just like Cuba's Castro brothers.

Go figure.