U.S. Presidential Election 2016

[Dingdongs]

Meanwhile, there are plenty of Republicans who wants to completely remove minimum wage.

 

Can't say if democrats have said the same. At least, I haven't heard it being said publicly by them.

 

Heard on Fox News yesterday -

 

"Since there's a minimum wage storeowners are choosing to buy robots over hiring black teenagers"

[X S]

Heard on Fox News yesterday -

 

 

"Since there's a minimum wage storeowners are choosing to buy robots over hiring black teenagers"

 

Food for thought:

 

 

[Svip]

While definitely an interesting and well researched and made video, it does have some internal contradictions. At first he insists that this time it won't be at all like the industralisation of the 19th century, because of the amount of jobs being 'lost' (of course, he seems incapable, as people did in the past, to imagine new jobs that will come in their place). Then he goes on to say that the Unions will be powerless to stop it, because they have in the past. The fact that this is supposedly severely different and has a far larger impact on the labour market should indicate that the success of Unions (and their proponents, such as workers and politicians) cannot be so easily predicted or waived off.

 

Until we come up with an alternative for those people who will simply be unable to get a job (my solution remains citizen salary), these 'improvements' will be fought at every step of the way. I've heard people suggest we'll have autonomous cars at dealerships by 2025. Even that seems a bit optimistic.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Svip

[X S]

Yeah, I would assume that he's a bit of a technocrat. He completely removes the political winds from discussion.

 

The questions he poses, however, are worthy of discussion, at least for the sake of posterity.

[Spaghetti Cat]

 

Not much is being said about the Gold King mine spill into the Anamis River in Colorado. Caused by the EPA, yep the Environmental PROTECTION Agency.

 

Diablo's favorite Presidential candidate was in Durango the other day. Here's what he said:

 

 

 

“I took a helicopter ride to the Gold King mining site this morning and witnessed firsthand” the discoloration and “looked at the environmental impact caused by the EPA,” he said.

“What’s the long-term impact as metals seep into the ground ... and animals ingest them?” he said. He told reporters after the speech that unlike Gov. John Hickenlooper, who drank a glass of Animas River water to illustrate that the river should be reopened for recreational activities, under no circumstances would he sip from the Animas around Durango.

http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20150818/NEWS01/150819645

 

Which got me thinking, when was the EPA director there? Heck where is the President, ah golfing never mind. Ya know an environmental disaster like this would be right up there with the Democrat playbook, so where is everyone? Where's the BP spill-like coverage? Is is because a federal agency is the cause of the spill?

 

It's not like the EPA would cover-up something like this...would it? Surely a public entity would have info up on their website...right?

 

http://www.epaosc.org/site/photo_log.aspx?site_id=11082&category=%20

 

And you know it's gotta be trustworthy, not like there are images out there that the EPA tried to scrub...right?

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMPcYcQUwAAeacx.jpg:large

 

or

 

 

 

Just a little water right? Couldn't be that bad could it?

 

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/cost-of-epas-toxic-spill-could-soar-to-nearly-30-billion/article/2570378

 

 

So a couple questions for my Democrat and environmental activist friends:

 

Would you call for the removal of the EPA administrator?

 

Would you consider this a coverup, at least proportional to the BP spill off Louisiana?

 

Do you think that the EPA should be in-charge of the Superfund site that they helped cause?

 

Do you want to hear more from the President or Presidential candidates on this issue?

 

 

 

 

[sivispacem]

I'd like to take a moment to point out that the EPA didn't cause the spill, a contractor hired by them did. I don't think you can logically argue the EPA are actually liable for the actions of contractors, even if they do hire them. It's not like the EPA told them to destroy the dam holding back a tailings poind, is it?

[gooeyhole]

Yeah. The EPA aren't cartoon super villains.

[gooeyhole]

I'm double posting because this is just tooooooooooo good.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSO9UMnPSEY

[Queen]

What...

 

[bodyparts]

As a somewhat lost Swede, what is all the fuzz about? I get that Trumpie is a big bad boy who has no love for Latinos, but why is Hillary so bad? I know that she is accused of lying quite often but, shuit, it's America, everyone's a liar,..

 

Also, Bernie seems to be a decent fella, why don't the glorious people of the us of the a like him?

 

 

[Queen]

Well for one thing, conservatives don't like Bernie because he's offering socialism, which is regarded as a less extreme version of communism.

[Eutyphro]

Calling the US right wing 'conservative' always sounds a little strange to me. I get how their views on drugs, marriage, etc.. Can be considered 'conservative' (backwards). But their economical views are just not conservative at all. Deregulating your economy until it becomes extremely unstable and making sure that most of the wealth flows to a tiny fraction of society isn't 'conservative' right..? Is a lack of labor rights conservative? Does conservative mean 'solely furthering the interests of economic elite'? Well, wage slavery might be 'conservative', because slavery in general is pretty conservative..

Is economical deregulation conservative or progressive? What is more conservative, regulating your economy through the state, or turning towards corporate tyranny where the elite gets bailed out from tax payer money every time there is a crash?

[Nick1020]

Calling the US right wing 'conservative' always sounds a little strange to me. I get how their views on drugs, marriage, etc.. Can be considered 'conservative' (backwards). But their economical views are just not conservative at all. Deregulating your economy until it becomes extremely unstable and making sure that most of the wealth flows to a tiny fraction of society isn't 'conservative' right..? Is a lack of labor rights conservative? Does conservative mean 'solely furthering the interests of economic elite'? Well, wage slavery might be 'conservative', because slavery in general is pretty conservative..

 

Is economical deregulation conservative or progressive? What is more conservative, regulating your economy through the state, or turning towards corporate tyranny where the elite gets bailed out from tax payer money every time there is a crash?

From my understanding economical deregulation is something that Republicans usually seem to push especially the ones brought by corporates. Conservative in america typically means you want: the borders sealed up, prayer in school, abortion banned, less rights for the lgbt community, hates muslims and liberals, patriotic views, less government and regulation. Edited August 20, 2015 by Nick1020

[sivispacem]

Well for one thing, conservatives don't like Bernie because he's offering socialism, which is regarded as a less extreme version of communism.

Bernie isn't offering Socialism, though. Not even vaguely close.

[Queen]

 

Well for one thing, conservatives don't like Bernie because he's offering socialism, which is regarded as a less extreme version of communism.

Bernie isn't offering Socialism, though. Not even vaguely close.

 

That may be the case, but he does declare himself a democratic 'socialist'. That's enough for some people to turn their noses up at him.

[El Dildo]

right.

Bernie only paints himself as Socialist because in the US no one actually knows what Communism means... Socialist is just the safest buzzword you can apply to someone who is a relatively flaming Liberal, but even the meaning of Liberal has been pretty royally screwed in this country.

 

all it really signifies is that Sanders is at the far Left end of the US political spectrum.

it's not the same thing as the far Left end of the EU political spectrum, for instance.

[Dingdongs]

 

Well for one thing, conservatives don't like Bernie because he's offering socialism, which is regarded as a less extreme version of communism.

Bernie isn't offering Socialism, though. Not even vaguely close.

 

As Diablo said, his policies are what in the American political spectrum would be considered socialism. In Europe he'd probably be a Christian Democrat lul.

Edited August 20, 2015 by Irviding

[gooeyhole]

 

Well for one thing, conservatives don't like Bernie because he's offering socialism, which is regarded as a less extreme version of communism.

Bernie isn't offering Socialism, though. Not even vaguely close.

 

I'm with you but at the same time, I'm not. In America, yeah, he's a socialist. In Europe I'd assume he'd be a moderate.

[Eutyphro]

Whenever Bernie is asked about his 'socialism', he refers to West/North European 'democratic socialism' as an ideal. So he identifies as a West/North European style socialdemocrat. It's true that this isn't 'real socialism', but just 'moderate capitalism'. In the US that is a 'radical' position, because in a corporate tyranny where capital rules over people any effort to reduce inequality in wealth and opportunity is seen as 'radical' by the status quo. There seems to be a change occurring in the US in that respect though, and that is a truly wonderful development.

[Dingdongs]

Whenever Bernie is asked about his 'socialism', he refers to West/North European 'democratic socialism' as an ideal. So he identifies as a West/North European style socialdemocrat. It's true that this isn't 'real socialism', but just 'moderate capitalism'. In the US that is a 'radical' position, because in a corporate tyranny where capital rules over people any effort to reduce inequality in wealth and opportunity is seen as 'radical' by the status quo. There seems to be a change occurring in the US in that respect though, and that is a truly wonderful development.

Everyone is talking about income inequality now on both sides. Whether or not it's serious talk remains to be seen... nevertheless it's a big f*cking deal when you have more than few GOP candidates discussing income inequality and corporate cronyism as an issue.

[Eutyphro]

They'll probably mention the issue in a few meaningless slogans because their PR advisors say they have to, but when they are not in a public appearance they are like Romney is here:

Rich c*nts who think anyone who isn't an economical elite is worthless and insignificant.

[jatiger13]

^I'm doing fine economically, so I really don't care if someone is being a "rich c*nt". It's America, it's his right to be an asshole.

 

 

How come nobody is talking about the independent candidate, Deez Nuts?

We haven't heard much, or anything, regarding policy from him though.

However, seems like an interesting candidate.

[Eutyphro]

It's his right to be an asshole, but it is preferable not to elect assholes to influential positions in the most powerful country in the world.

[Svip]

How come nobody is talking about the independent candidate, Deez Nuts?

We haven't heard much, or anything, regarding policy from him though.

However, seems like an interesting candidate.

 

Because he cannot become President, even if elected.

[860]

 

In an interview with Jeanine Pirro for her Fox News program “Justice” set to air Saturday night, Trump had some rather strong words for the “movement” – in particular after Martin O’Malley felt the need to apologize for saying “all lives matter.”

 

O’Malley, in fact was “politically incorrect” with his apology, Trump said, according to Politico. “How can you apologize when you say black lives matter — which is true — white lives matter, which is true — all lives [matter] — which is true. And then they get angry because you said white and all…we don’t want you to mention that. What’s he need to apologize for?” Trump asked.

 

But Trump saved his strongest words for O’Malley himself saying, “And then he apologized like a little baby, like a disgusting, little, weak, pathetic baby. And that’s the problem with our country,”

 

Oh if only I were American so I could vote for him.

[gooeyhole]

Damn Trump talking down to him like a disappointed father.

[X S]

What it means to be liberal or conservative in the U.S. is so far removed from reality. What kills me is when politicians say 'I'm the real conservative in this race, and Candidate X is not'. As if that's suppose to be meaningful?

 

At one time, the Republican and Democratic party were one party, but only in name. So if anyone is interested in learning about the generational changes that took place, especially with regards to the issues of the time, Wikipedia has divided these political eras up into what it considers the American "Party Systems". You could say, that if every book on the topic American politics was placed on a shelf, a bust of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson would be at its bookends.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Party_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Party_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Party_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Party_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Party_System

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixth_Party_System

[Spaghetti Cat]

^^That's probably a good primer for some of the commenters outside of the US. Might give some insight into the cultural and political institutions in the States.

 

I would just add to that these set of questions for the readers:

 

Which political party supported slavery?

 

Which political party (after the Civil War) didn't support Reconstruction?

 

Which political party supported Jim Crow Laws and segregation?

 

Which political party filibustered the Civil Rights Act in the Senate?

 

What political party supported the Confederate Flag, and what political party (like in S. Carolina) recently took down the Confederate Flag?

 

Answer those questions and you might come to a different conclusion with regards to Conservatism.

 

 

 

 

Well for one thing, conservatives don't like Bernie because he's offering socialism, which is regarded as a less extreme version of communism.

Bernie isn't offering Socialism, though. Not even vaguely close.

 

As Diablo said, his policies are what in the American political spectrum would be considered socialism. In Europe he'd probably be a Christian Democrat lul.

 

Wait just a second...Are you guys saying that old Bernie is just using the label of socialist to further his political career? That he's just the same old politician just in a different flavor? And, if elected, might not carry our the socialist agenda that he's espousing? And the large crowds he's gathering, while may not be useful idiots, but could just be useful enough in a general campaign? That's it's all a sham? Hmmm...interesting.

[make total destroy]

^^That's probably a good primer for some of the commenters outside of the US. Might give some insight into the cultural and political institutions in the States.

 

I would just add to that these set of questions for the readers:

 

Which political party supported slavery?

 

Which political party (after the Civil War) didn't support Reconstruction?

 

Which political party supported Jim Crow Laws and segregation?

 

Which political party filibustered the Civil Rights Act in the Senate?

 

What political party supported the Confederate Flag, and what political party (like in S. Carolina) recently took down the Confederate Flag?

 

Answer those questions and you might come to a different conclusion with regards to Conservatism.

 

 

 

I know you're just doing the whole Glenn 'I'm just asking questions' Beck thing, but the democrats aren't the same party as they were 50 years ago let alone 150 years ago. Nor are the republicans. In fact, if you look at the republican party during the Civil War, you'll find that many of them were--at least to a certain extent--influenced by Marx. Nowadays they're influenced by Leviticus and Ayn Rand.

 

 

Wait just a second...Are you guys saying that old Bernie is just using the label of socialist to further his political career? That he's just the same old politician just in a different flavor? And, if elected, might not carry our the socialist agenda that he's espousing? And the large crowds he's gathering, while may not be useful idiots, but could just be useful enough in a general campaign? That's it's all a sham? Hmmm...interesting.

 

Bernie describes himself as a socialist because social democracy is synonymous with socialism in the U.S.. It's that simple. He doesn't espouse a "socialist agenda", and at best, he's centre-left.

[sivispacem]

Wait just a second...Are you guys saying that old Bernie is just using the label of socialist to further his political career?

I can't speak for anyone else but I'm saying that Americans have their own unique political scale and that most wouldn't know actual "socialism" as it's defined anywhere else in the world if it hit them in the face with a shovel. Whoever said Bernie was basically a Christian Democrat was pretty much bang on the money.