The American Politics Thread

I really don't like to get into political discussions these days, as I get easily upset and this is not good for me. However, I'm curious about one thing: since when being hard-working and family-oriented are the sole prerogative of conservatives? I have always been left-leaning, and I don't think anyone can fault my work ethic or my commitment to family (even if I don't have children). I might say the same of a lot of people I know back home and here in the States. Personally, I don't think that sacrificing your whole life to work is a good idea, especially since our time on this Earth is limited, and we might end up regretting not taking enough time for other things. If this makes me a lazy person, so be it.

Demonizing people, the stuff of politics.

no doubt... if people aren't motivated to get out and vote. All the trends, demographics, and hard numbers mean jack sh*t.

In that you are dead on... Trump was likely the worst thing to happen to the Republican Party.. and the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party. 

To your point, the true test comes next year with the midterms in retaking the House and limiting the losses in the Senate but so far it looks very encouraging.  We've already had some special elections since Trump was elected and Democratic candidates are out performing Clinton by wide margins...double digits. Saw one in Minnesota that was upwards of 30 percentage points.  He has motivated the party at the grassroots level.   IT is a long road to the 2018 midterms but it looks very encouraging. As I posted a few pages back we get a real test in two weeks when the Democrats have a very real chance to take a house seat that has been Republican for decades.

Finnforest wrote: Well, as I said, it will swing back.  Dems lost much in recent years in congress, we all know the R's can't sustain that level of domination.  And obviously, there will be a strong reaction to Trump.  You'll win CO.  You'll win in 2018 as the President's opposition party very often does anyway, which is nothing abnormal, especially given how far down the D's are.  How could you NOT claw your way back in some of those districts?  You'd have to almost choke to epic proportions to not make large gains. You've talked about the R civil wars, which are there of course, but I believe the D's have their own in that regard.  Trump was a gift to the D's as you say -- an expensive gift since he will probably get one more SC pick -- but the D's need to think long and carefully about how best to use the gift if they want the pendulum to stick. It does seem at times that both parties have a real knack for screwing up the most obvious slam dunks, as the R's just proved yet again. Health care should be a great opening for the Ds.   And I wish them luck, it's an area many non-Dems can agree with them.

no doubt man... if anyone could mess up a 2 float parade... it is the Democratic Party. There were lessons to be learned from 2016. I'm just a knuckle draggin ape.. and I see them.  One could hope they do as well. Much of it was on Hillary.. but it wasn't purely her.

Anyhow... yeah.. the divisions in the Democratic Party.  Sure we have them, but that is where the comparison's begin and end with the Republicans.  They are hidebound to their ideology Jim which is why they have the mess and the 'civil war' they do. A slight but very distinct difference between the two parties is for one ideology is but a tool.. for the other it is the goal.  Thus one party is, has, and will continue to compromise and find middle ground.. while the other spins its wheels. The democratic party has its divisions but is FAR more pragmatic and upon to compromise than the Republicans are.

Todd made an excellent point in that socialism thread.  Speaker Ryan is a piss poor example of a Speaker in comparison to Pelosi. yeah.. everyone loves to hate her.. but she had the skill and political accumen to bring together left and and center (and their very different ideas of health care) and forged an imperfect but still very functional ACA.  Which brings yet another distinction between the two parties...  many of those that voted for it Jim..  knew they would.. and surely did.. pay for that vote with their jobs.  MUCHO respect to those people.  Healthcare needed some fix.. while unpopular to start.. time has vindicated them.  Thus the difference..  Look at the ACA and Ryan/Trump/IdonthaveCare... one was crafted to help people.. the other.. was merely a mechasim to trim spending.  No matter if millions lost healthcare. Reducing spending.. to give tax breaks to the rich.. was simply more important than healthcare.

why do you think I have such a passionate disdain for those that vote Republican.. time and time again.. they have proven who they really care about.. and it sure as HELL is not you, me, or anyone making less than a hall mill a year.  I see it.. what they f**k are they seeing.. Oh yeah..   the loss of white America...

bah....

Sorry Mick, but opposing the policies of leftists does not make a person racist.  You can keep that up for another 100 pages if you like, but it doesn't make it true, or any less offensive. 

David, you realize Hillary said "we should bomb Syria" before Donald did it, right?

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Edited by Finnforest - April 09 2017 at 19:02

"Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth." Lucy Parsons

Finnforest wrote: David, you realize Hillary said "we should bomb Syria" before Donald did it, right?

I do, and frankly I don't know if we'd be better off with Hillary in this case.   I mean I'll take her over Trump, but Hillary is such a shrewd stateswoman and so baggage-laden with global politics that it's possible she'd have an itchier trigger finger than Donald.   Hillary is of the new Left-wing Tough, Trump is of the not-so-new Right-wing Weak.   Not sure which of those is preferable.

I don't know, man, Hillary is a tough old broad.   I wouldn't be shocked at all if she were capable of starting wars more easily than, well, almost anyone.

Edited by JJLehto - April 11 2017 at 22:32