Do GOP problems presage an end to the two-party system?
Ron Fournier, a well-respected editor and political writer at The National Journal, reports that Republican insiders are deeply worried about a potential split in their party, likely led by a third-party presidential bid come 2016.
“Between bites of an $18.95 SteakBurger at the Palm, one of Washington’s premier expense-account restaurants, Republican consultant Scott Reed summed up the state of politics and his beloved GOP. “The party,” he told me, “is irrelevant.”
He cited the familiar litany of problems: demographic change, poor candidates, ideological rigidity, deplorable approval ratings, and a rift between social and economic conservatives.
“It’s leading to some type of crash and reassessment and change,” said Reed, who ran Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign and remains an influential lobbyist and operative. “It can’t continue on this path.”
Sen. Rand Paul (AP)
As the piece suggests, technological change has lowered or in some cases removed many of the obstacles to the rise of multiple parties. With the Internet and social media, as well as independent fund-raising committees, you no longer need the structure of a traditional political party to raise money, spread your message or even organize your followers.
A third-party candidate — say, Rand Paul, who delivered the Tea Party rebuttal Tuesday night — could draw from disaffected Democrats as well. The Republicans are in disarray, but polls show that voters are not exactly thrilled with the opposition either.
Personally, I think the rise of a third-party presidential candidate in 2016 is entirely plausible. The conditions for such a run haven’t been more promising in a long time. However, the Fournier piece goes on to suggest that “social change and a disillusioned electorate threaten the entire two-party system,” and I’m much more dubious about that proposition.
I am fully aware of the paradigm-busting power of modern technology. Nobody who has survived in the newspaper business in the last 20 years would question that. However, I still believe that the institutional biases in the system — some of them embedded in the Constitution, others in federal and state laws, such as Georgia’s difficult ballot-access laws — dictate the existence of a two-party system.
History tells us that third parties come and they usually go; on rare occasions, they stick around and eventually replace one of its predecessors. The time may indeed be ripe for one of those periodic upheavals.
However, once the smoke clears and the system stabilizes, it will revert to its traditional bipolar, two-party nature.
– Jay Bookman
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302 comments Add your comment
Fred ™
February 14th, 2013
8:14 am
I hope not. We need them at least a SANE them to be a check against untethered liberalism.
Fred ™
February 14th, 2013
8:17 am
The Libertarian party was really starting to gain some momentum until Harry Browne died and Boortz got paid off by the Republicans to dump them. Now they are just a bunch of disjointed losers whose main thrust is legalizing drugs………..
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
8:27 am
Jay
I think that, with the technology advances, once the two-party stranglehold is broken, we won’t revert back. The younger generations are not tied to party loyalty like older people are. I can see laws, such as Georgia’s, changing in the future as my generation begins to take the reins.
We don’t have time for such petty sh*t, and party politics is about as petty as things get. If it were not for the fact that I didn’t want people in my personal business, I’d put forth a candidacy here just to show how technology can be used to defeat the party aparatus. That day is almost upon us, and the dumbass party sheep don’t have a clue.
TaxPayer
February 14th, 2013
8:30 am
I see nothing wrong with the tea party tools going their own way by becoming the new order of the libertarians. I’m sure the Koch boys and a few others would be more than happy to keep them adequately funded in exchange for their loyalty.
Steve
February 14th, 2013
8:33 am
I’d love to see the GOP devolve into separate crazier entities, which would take conservatives into irrelevancy for a very long time.
hamiltonAZ
February 14th, 2013
8:33 am
There have always been factions within parties to varying degrees. It is very unlikely that a third party can win at the general election, but we are already seeing sub-branding within the Republican party – e.g., “tea party republican.” This is a trend that will continue to grow and these sub-groups will have to cobble together coalitions to gain a majority with the party. What is different now that wasn’t true before the 2012 election is that the purely economic conservative faction is beginning to shed some of its previous fear about disassociating from the tea party faction (that has inextricably intertwined economic and social issues) It will be interesting to see whether this new courage (or tactic, if you will) will succeed in a coalition between independents, moderate republicans and the economic republican pragmatists.
Fly-On-The-Wall
February 14th, 2013
8:34 am
The two party system will survive but like you say, it maybe one of those transformational moments where the old party leaves and a new one takes is place.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 14th, 2013
8:36 am
We need another Ross Perot!
Probably one of the better efforts at mounting a credible 3d party challenge.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
8:39 am
The only difference between a 2 party system and multi-party system is that in a 2 party system compromises are made before an election. In a multi-party system compromises are made after an election.
But when it come right down to it there are only, ever, 2 parties: those who vote yes on a bill and those who vote no
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
8:39 am
well said Brosephus………..
AJC has an article about the head of Social Security blasting both parties for their neglect of the program
LIBERALS SHOULD BE ASHAMED BUT AREN’T…… THEIR HEADS ARE TOO FAR BURIED OR STUCK UP PLACES
WASHINGTON —
Outgoing Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue has some parting shots for Congress, the White House and advocates for seniors. They have all “really walked away from Social Security,” he says, leaving the program “fraying because of inattention to its problems.”
Instead of making the hard choices to fix Social Security’s financial problems, policymakers “use it as a tool of political rhetoric,” Astrue said.
http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/social-security-head-program-fraying-from-neglect/nWPBC/
and the fact that neither party endorsed the Simpson-Bowles recommendations even though both KNOW they will have to do them at some point
Third Party will not just be Republicans but also disatisfied Democrats, Independents…….. plus a LARGE resevoir of citizens who are unengaged in politics and voting and choose not to get in the mix……
Fly-On-The-Wall
February 14th, 2013
8:40 am
I was going to make a statement about how not having the two party system would be bad because we’d end up like many of the parlimentarian systems where they have grid-lock because of how they have to cobble together coalitions to govern….nevermind, we’re there.
Bud Wiser
February 14th, 2013
8:40 am
You’re dreamin’, Bookman.
It’s the dems that should be worried. Obama’s unknown gun law changes will be putting blue-dogs on the coals in 2014 if they are stupid enough to back a lame-duck.
Add the economy on the rocks, and the dems are a very unhappy lot going to next year’s mid-terms. Oh, and BTW, I noticed your own rag had this on front page: Economy better, but less driving even in Atlanta.
Just in case you missed it, the ATL’s unemployment rate for December ROSE from 8.0 to 8.4%; I guess that explains the less driving part, but hardly supports the ‘economy better’.
Third party split with that p*ss poor record? Like I said, dream on. Obama’s ideas of economic recovery are putting more people on the unemployed/govt assist/vote for a standard of living/low-brain/low brow voters list.
He cares nothing about anyone like me or you Bookman, except in the way he can and does manipulate media stooges, slobbering to carry his bedpan message all across Amerika.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
8:40 am
“where the old party leaves and a new one takes is place.”
But the people remain the same
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
8:42 am
REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE ASHAMED THAT THEY HAVE BOUGHT THE TAX CUT B.S. ………. HOOK LINE AND SINKER……………
MIDDLE CLASS PROSPERITY DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE 1% GETTING TAX CUTS………. THEY HAVE OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS YET MIDDLE CLASS STANDARD OF LIVING HAS STAGNATED OR DECLINED
bring on the 3rd party
it will bring down BOTH parties
TaxPayer
February 14th, 2013
8:44 am
Third Party will not just be Republicans but also disatisfied Democrats, Independents…….. plus a LARGE resevoir of citizens who are unengaged in politics and voting and choose not to get in the mix……
And u has some reelly cool unskewed polling data to shows us too.
TBone
February 14th, 2013
8:46 am
Despite your wishes, I think the untimely demise of the GOP is greatly being exaggerated. Poll after pol indicate the majority of the country is more conservative than not while the left keeps going lefter.
indigo
February 14th, 2013
8:47 am
Jay, I suggested here, some time ago, that we were headed for a third party.
If I remember correctly, you dismissed me, with a hint of ridicule.
American Christian & Patriot!
February 14th, 2013
8:47 am
And that 3rd party will be the Tea Party! The future is now. Join the Party and support True American and True Patriotic Values.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 14th, 2013
8:47 am
It’s not too hard to imagine a GOP split so severe that it would become a party of Religious Right, much like the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle east, a party much like like the Eisenhower Party, more moderate and center based, along with the so called Tea Party which would still be around with its radical base, and you might throw in, for a lack of a better word, the Anarchist Party, wanting little or no government at all. It would look like some of the European Parliamentary situations you see now. It WOULD be interesting…
JohnnyReb
February 14th, 2013
8:47 am
Please allow me to remind my Moonbat blogger friends here that some of you suffer from dillusion on just how strong was Obama’s win and in turn put forth positions that you believe are majority which are not.
Yes, Obama won. Yes, he won with 51 or so percent. Yes Jay, he is the first to win with 51% twice, etc.
However, he won with about 4 and half million votes. A huge number wanted him out. To believe the liberal position is a majority is kidding yourself just like me believing conservatives are the majority.
My point being, the Democratic Party is a coalition of special causes. You fight among yourselves, currently unions against tree huggers over the pipeline.
There is no reason Republicans cannnot win with various groups having different positions, for example social and economic.
The coming mid-term will tell the tell. If it turns out like the last mid-term, Obama, his and your agenda will be sent to the corner.
hamiltonAZ
February 14th, 2013
8:48 am
Admittedly, this whole conversation recalls the Rovian (as in Karl) attitude in the Bush years when he talked about a permanent Republican majority. Many of us have been around long enough to know that the party in power (because we are human with frailties) will eventually find a way to get fired by the people. But today as we read of improving economies and renewed hope that the rest of us might actually see economic prosperity in our lifetime, that our children will have access to health insurance and hopefully, they’ll lead lives that will mimimize the need to use it – I link to an interesting thought.
Everything’s amazing and nobody’s happy.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8m5d0_everything-is-amazing-and-nobody-i_fun#.URzpkmt5mSM
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 14th, 2013
8:49 am
“Join the Party and support True American and True Patriotic Values.”
Nah! I don’t like tea…now if you called it the Coffee Party…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
8:50 am
meh.
they’ve been saying that about the GOP ever since the religious whack jobs took over the party – that the “moderates” would split off because no one would want to be affiliated with them anymore.
no one will EVER splinter off from a main party because the $$$ just won’t be there for them to win elections.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
8:50 am
3rd Party will be based on TAX REFORM
not CUTS
not INCREASES
TAX REFORM- flat progressive total income tax
will get rid of half the lawyers and lobbyists in Washington
F. Sinkwich
February 14th, 2013
8:51 am
“However, once the smoke clears and the system stabilizes, it will revert to its traditional bipolar, two-party nature.”
I agree.
Conservatives are waxing while RINOs are waning.
It’s all good.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
8:51 am
” A huge number wanted him out”
I love that reasoning. “a huge number wanted him out”, so therefore, neither he nor the democrats are legitimate.
sorry, buddy, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
a win is a win.
RB from Gwinnett
February 14th, 2013
8:52 am
I see Obama is going to be in town today to roll out his free daycare for poor people plan under the guise of it being about education. Let’s just take the kids straight from labor and delivery to the pre-pre-pre-pre K school and start “educating” them and get it over with.
Simple Truths
February 14th, 2013
8:52 am
“it will revert to its traditional bipolar, two-party nature”
Well, it sure has been acting bipolar over the last few decades.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 14th, 2013
8:52 am
However, he won with about 4 and half million votes. A huge number wanted him out.
He won with the GOP introducing laws in an number of states to discourage voting. Over 200000 voters in FL gave up because of long lines. Early voting was discouraged in a number of states, time shorted. But you go ahead and try to claim that it does not represent the rejection of the GOP position that it does. We understand that your Narnia is rather dark.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
8:52 am
“Conservatives are waxing while RINOs are waning.”
yep
you keep on that path, buddy, and we’ll keep winning elections all day long.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
February 14th, 2013
8:52 am
Well, I sure hope your Valentine’s Day is going better than mine. I expect my problem is the missus never liked the Valentine present I got her. I had a choice between flowers and a almost new vacuum cleaner so I took the vacuum cleaner and replaced a couple bearings. Heck, flowers get throwed out after a couple days anyway but she can have the vacuum cleaner for a long time. I got her a mushy card and give her the vacuum cleaner this morning and she never hardly said anything about it. When I told her I was leaving for work she barely even grunted. Women! I’ll never understand them!
I don’t know about you, but I’m all for a third party run for President. The Republicans are too librul now. They’re for this Civil Rights junk and everything. We need a real Conservative to run. This Rand Paul looks like a good one but I expect he has a librul streak too.
Have a good day everybody—at least a better day than I’m having.
kayaker 71
February 14th, 2013
8:53 am
Who is to say that the sheep that voted for Bozo in November have any concern about the state of the economy in this country? We still have 8% and over unemployment and it doesn’t seem to matter. Bozo tells one lie after another and all of those Twitter afflicted robots could care less. So what if he tells lies, demonizes the very people who are paying the bills in this country….. that’s OK because our hero is “cool” and just trying to be “fair”. But we can’t criticize him because some liberal “journalist” will say that’s raaaaaaaaacist. He gets a free ride from the media and 52% of the American electorate who votes for him anyway. Damn.
American Christian & Patriot!
February 14th, 2013
8:54 am
“Nah! I don’t like tea…”
But do you love America and Jesus?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 14th, 2013
8:54 am
Let’s just take the kids straight from labor and delivery to the pre-pre-pre-pre K school and start “educating” them and get it over with.
Well if it works, all for it. Sort of like playing music to the womb. Not everyone wants to be some dumb hick from Gwinnett.
JohnnyReb
February 14th, 2013
8:55 am
You can take a horse to water……
Here’s something to ponder – enough current Dem senate seats for us to take the majority are up for election in states that Romney carried. No, I don’t have a link.
Steve
February 14th, 2013
8:58 am
I love reading the posts here from conservatives proclaiming this and that and skewing statitistics. The very same people who were 100% convinced Romney would win handily. Love it.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
8:58 am
JAY
Couldn’t agree more. The drawback for all of us of the tech reality, is that it allows incumbents to avoid tough questions from traditional media. Obama and his team have been carrying out this policy with great success. The less difficult questions the better for Jay Carney to respond..
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
8:58 am
disjointed losers whose main thrust is legalizing drugs…
uh… huh huh… he said “joint.”
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
8:58 am
yak – do you ever tire of the voices in your head? I’m sure there are medications out there if you just ask for help.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
8:59 am
JAY
I meant that the more challenging tough questions asked by folks like you are relegated to the likes of Jay Carney who has more than one dance mastered.
F. Sinkwich
February 14th, 2013
8:59 am
Well, at least O’bozo is visiting the best functioning and most respected school district in the state.
Bwaahahahahahahaha
Vet
February 14th, 2013
9:00 am
Now that’s funn Jay! Two years from now the Senate may be have a Republican majority because the economy continues to go down the drain.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
9:00 am
Conservatives are waxing
That’s not what the guy who slept with Christine O’Donnell reported.
[slapping own wrist.]
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
9:02 am
kayaker 71
February 14th, 2013
8:53 am
Agree with all your commentary except I do think the tenuous state of the economy is a concern for all..to the extent they pay attention. A mother of 3 trying to raise a family on 14K per year and whose job may be threatened by increase in minimum wage should certainly care.
IMO, the minimum wage should not be increased at this time but an increase in earned tax credit will work..I think.
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 14th, 2013
9:03 am
The Real Movement that the State mouthpiece MSM refuses to see is called the Liberty Movement and it’s subsequent Non-aggression pact, peace, and basic decency.
And it’s happening world-wide.
.
Sad to say, Washington is the only entity standing in the way of a brighter future.
.
But the good guys always win in the end and the rotten federale thugs that eminate out of this District of Crooks will only be a bad memory.
.
Forward Freedom.
curious
February 14th, 2013
9:05 am
kayaker 71
“Who is to say that the sheep that voted for Bozo in November have any concern about the state of the economy in this country?”
I voted for Obama twice and have concern about the Country in all areas. Based on comments you post showing total disrespect for the President, I suspect you’re the one with no concern about the Country.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
9:07 am
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
8:42 am
Third party sounds great but it won’t happen anytime soon..at least not successfully and the impact will be no different than years prior. All a third party candidate does is take votes away from the party he/she most relates..
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 14th, 2013
9:07 am
“But do you love America and Jesus?”
America? Yes. Jesus? Not so much…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:07 am
“That’s not what the guy who slept with Christine O’Donnell reported.”
eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww
kayaker 71
February 14th, 2013
9:07 am
Yeah, Bozo’s victory last November surprised a lot of people, yours truly being at the top of the list. It was just hard to believe that the American electorate had been duped to this degree. Someone who campaigns most to the time instead of leading, someone who panders to the less intelligent and less informed by government rewards for their loyalty and someone who continually lies to cover his backside, all of the time bullying those who disagree with him. Who would have thought that the American people could have stooped that low to give this clown a second term? I am much more worried about the future of this great country being controlled by this kind of electorate. Bozo, we can get rid of in four years….. no problem. But the electorate who put him there? They seem to be in it for the long haul.
HDB
February 14th, 2013
9:08 am
For many voters, there’s only ONE political party….since the GOP tends to IGNORE certain constituencies….and that mentality showed up in the last Presidential election!! The nation…and Georgia in particular… does need viable alternatives to the monopolitical system…alternatives that focuses on ALL constituencies, not just the limited focus we have today……..
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:09 am
poor yak
full of sound and fury
signifying nothing.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
9:09 am
TAX PAYER
Record-High 40% of Americans Identify as Independents in ‘11
More Americans identify as Democrats than as Republicans, 31% to 27%
by Jeffrey M. JonesPRINCETON, NJ — The percentage of Americans identifying as political independents increased in 2011, as is common in a non-election year, although the 40% who did so is the highest Gallup has measured, by one percentage point. More Americans continue to identify as Democrats than as Republicans, 31% to 27%.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/151943/record-high-americans-identify-independents.aspx
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
9:09 am
USinner: no one will EVER splinter off from a main party because the $$$ just won’t be there for them to win elections.
I don’t think it will be a splintering off. What’s going to happen is that the younger people simply will not join or affiliate themselves with a party. I think it’s entirely possible to reach that age group through social media without having to spend the huge sums of money currently needed. Once you’re hip to technological advances, you can’t unlearn what you know. As the older generations die off, the changes will gradually happen. At least that’s how I see it.
And, Doggone’s right in that, regardless to the number of parties, it all boils down to being for or against whatever is being voted on.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
9:10 am
TAX PAYER
Why 40 percent of Americans won’t vote
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49701718/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/why-percent-americans-wont-vote/
jhunt163
February 14th, 2013
9:10 am
Also from the AJC Social Security article:
The trustees who oversee Social Security say the program’s trust funds will run dry in 2033, leaving Social Security with only enough revenue to pay about 75 percent of benefits. Already the program is paying out more in benefits than it collects in payroll taxes.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 14th, 2013
9:10 am
“disjointed losers whose main thrust is legalizing drugs…”
…Then this is a Libertarian, right?
http://cheezburger.com/7057809664
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:12 am
Bro – ” I think it’s entirely possible to reach that age group through social media without having to spend the huge sums of money currently needed.”
Twitter and Facebook are powerful – no doubt – but you can’t win an election with ONLY the 20-30 demographic.
I do agree that more people are calling themselves independent, but they can only vote for the people on offer.
HDB
February 14th, 2013
9:12 am
“It was just hard to believe that the American electorate had been duped to this degree. Someone who campaigns most to the time instead of leading, someone who panders to the less intelligent and less informed by government rewards for their loyalty and someone who continually lies to cover his backside, all of the time bullying those who disagree with him.”
That sounds more like Mitt Romney to me…….he duped the GOP, campaigned for EIGHT YEARS, pandered to those whose intelligence can be called into question….and informed by the Koch Brothers….and lied about his assets……
Hope you didn’t fall for it……………..
curious
February 14th, 2013
9:12 am
Why not remove the salary cap on Social Security?
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 14th, 2013
9:13 am
kayaker 71
February 14th, 2013
9:07 am
And I submit that the American electorate became unduped for the first time.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
9:13 am
the system is designed to NOT HAVE MANY VOTERS……… each party is better able to CONTROL their BASE……… both parties can maintain power with THEIR BASE
if they had to address the MIDDLE ……… they would not be able to maintain the power structure……and things would get solved….
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
9:13 am
what I can’t believe is – how this loose coalition of disparate interests
spawned from hell has stayed together THIS long, like 30+ yrs.
Imagine what the US and the world could have been now w/out neocons.
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
9:13 am
The trustees who oversee Social Security say the program’s trust funds will run dry in 2033, leaving Social Security with only enough revenue to pay about 75 percent of benefits. Already the program is paying out more in benefits than it collects in payroll taxes.
Simple solution…
Create jobs in America instead of China. Jobs created in China don’t pay OASDI whereas American jobs do.
TaxPayer
February 14th, 2013
9:14 am
kayaker,
Rand Paul is calling out to you. He needs you. Go to him.
F. Sinkwich
February 14th, 2013
9:14 am
“But the electorate who put him there? They seem to be in it for the long haul.”
And that, unfortunately, was my conclusion last November as well. “Free” stuff paid for by someone else is now the credo for a majority of voters.
RIP USA 1776-2012
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
9:14 am
“disjointed losers whose main thrust is legalizing drugs…”
Disjointed, as in separated from one’s marijuana?
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
9:15 am
curious
February 14th, 2013
9:12 am
Why not remove the salary cap on Social Security?
==================================================================
because it VIOLATES the PREMISE of BOTH PARTIES
republicans- you can’t raise taxes
democrats – you can’t touch social security
YET WE ALL KNOW ITS A VIABLE OPTION THAT IS INEVITABLE
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:16 am
“RIP USA 1776-2012″
you need help moving?
I’m happy to recommend the shipping company we used …
jd
February 14th, 2013
9:16 am
This challenge will inevitably occur. Why should tax dollars be used to support elections to choose party nominees? They should not… end the primaries and you will see the death of parties in the south. Then we can get about the business of governing instead of politicking
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:16 am
Brosephus:
I don’t think it will be a splintering off. What’s going to happen is that the younger people simply will not join or affiliate themselves with a party
I totally disagree. Young voters experienced how republicans treat women in particular and want no part of the old people party.
mm
February 14th, 2013
9:17 am
” Poll after pol indicate the majority of the country is more conservative than not while the left keeps going lefter.”
Now that’s funny!
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
9:19 am
Twitter and Facebook are powerful – no doubt – but you can’t win an election with ONLY the 20-30 demographic.
You have to remember that the 20-30 demographic now will be the 30-40 demographic in two presidential election cycles. That’s why I said the change will be gradual. I’m nearing 40 now, and I don’t have a single friend, classmate, or anybody else my age who actually belongs to a party. We have our biases and preferences, but nobody’s out to join a party.
The candidates will begin to emerge as the older people die off or retire. It may sound harsh, but I personally wish they would retire now and save us all the time in waiting. I can’t understand or support someone who’s 60-70 years old and making decisions that I’ll have to work my ass off while they’ll get off by being worm food. No offense intended to older people, but someone who’s going to be dead in 10-20 years should not be making decisions that affect us 30-40 years down the road.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
9:19 am
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
9:07 am
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
8:42 am
Third party sounds great but it won’t happen anytime soon..at least not successfully and the impact will be no different than years prior. All a third party candidate does is take votes away from the party he/she most relates..
====================================================================
I AGREE
however………. within the next 10 years EVENTS will happen that will change that PARADIGM……… the BABY BOOMERS moving into retirement and the EXPANSION of SS and MEDICARE………….. it is a KNOWN TSUNAMI that BOTH PARTIES KNEW ABOUT AND HAVE DONE NOTHING
they will pay the price when we have painful and drastic decisions to make….. NEITHER PARTY WILL BE ABLE TO BLAME THE OTHER SINCE THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN IN POWER FOREVER
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:19 am
Sinkie needs help moving his bowels. I think he would feel a whole lot better.
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 14th, 2013
9:20 am
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am…I think.
February 14th, 2013
9:10 am
“disjointed losers whose main thrust is legalizing drugs…”
…Then this is a Libertarian, right?
http://cheezburger.com/7057809664
———————————————————————–
.
More and more Presstitutes are maligning the Libertarian Party.
This….my friend..(and the fear)…..is a good sign.
.
And the true movement does NOT revolve around a party.
That is something that those who NEED and CRAVE a Federal father figure just…….do …not….understand.
.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:21 am
the dog – exactly how is it that all republicans treat woman. My wife would live to know.
East Cobb RINO, Inc (LLC)
February 14th, 2013
9:21 am
We could end up like many other countries with a 3 party system where nobody wins a majority and they have to form a coalition to get the majority needed to govern. And 6 months after an election, 2 of the 3 parties cannot come together so we have some sort of interim government. Good times for all.
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
9:21 am
I totally disagree. Young voters experienced how republicans treat women in particular and want no part of the old people party.
That doesn’t automatically make them run to join the Democratic Party either, does it? They may currently support the Dems, but all it takes is one screw up from the left, and the pendulum will swing the other direction. That’s what happens in an instant gratification society.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:21 am
I cannot be the only one WHO DOES NOT READ UNCLE SAM’S POSTS BUT AUTOMATICALLY SKIMS ON BY.
alittlecommonsense
February 14th, 2013
9:22 am
I think maybe a third party is the best way to save this country. It seems that a libertarian-like party could pick the fiscal conservatives out of both parties, and leave only the social conservatives in the Republican party. Maybe pick off enough Democrats who are only turned off by the social conservatism of the Republican party. I think it could be viable and leave only the big spender types in the Democrat party, and the big morals types in the Republican party.
Sadly, I’m not sure there are enough Democrats who are actually fiscally conservative to make that jump. It might just leave the big spender types fully in charge.
F. Sinkwich
February 14th, 2013
9:22 am
“I’m happy to recommend the shipping company we used …”
Would you please provide that information to the Yankees down here?
Thanks in advance.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:22 am
Brocephus – wowsers – that’s tough talk!
I would no sooner tell my sweet dad (just turned 86) that he’s not entitled to vote after serving in 2 wars than I would tell him that he can no longer get barbecue at Sonnys (both have the potential to be equally lethal)
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:23 am
in the middle-if your wife didn’t speak out about the transvaginal probes, rapes being heaven sent, etc. she is part of the problem. Or maybe you keep your wife barefoot, pregnant, and undeducated????
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 14th, 2013
9:23 am
I dont know if the Republican party will fade into history or not.
I do know this.
We would all be a lot better for it.
” Poll after pol indicate the majority of the country is more conservative than not while the left keeps going lefter.”
Anyone still saying this clearly isn’t paying attention. The country is moving to the left and fast.
Look at the polls done on young people regarding gay marriage or legalizing pot.
Its easy to see where that is headed and its a good thing.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:24 am
FSink – “Would you please provide that information to the Yankees down here?”
they brought good bread with them – I’ll give them that.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
9:24 am
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
9:13 am
The trustees who oversee Social Security say the program’s trust funds will run dry in 2033, leaving Social Security with only enough revenue to pay about 75 percent of benefits. Already the program is paying out more in benefits than it collects in payroll taxes.
Simple solution…
Create jobs in America instead of China. Jobs created in China don’t pay OASDI whereas American jobs do.
=================================================================
CORRECT!
Apple is the public and media darling yet they create 1 million jobs in CHINA!! Yet everyone fawns all over them……. the American consumer should punish them for this….
TOYOTA, HONDA, KIA, HUYNDAI, NISSAN……… all foreign cars but MADE IN AMERICA….. they understand that producing in the country you sell is a WIN – WIN
we need to start REWARDING this with our consumer decisons
NOT GOVT ACTION
alittlecommonsense
February 14th, 2013
9:25 am
“Young voters experienced how republicans treat women in particular and want no part of the old people party.”
Can you give me some idea of how Republicans treat women badly? Please – no talking points. It’s a real question that I would like to hear a well thought out answer to.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 14th, 2013
9:25 am
I cannot be the only one WHO DOES NOT READ UNCLE SAM’S POSTS BUT AUTOMATICALLY SKIMS ON BY.
You are not. There is nothing to see there anyway.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
9:27 am
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
9:13 am
Unfortunately, our manufacturing based economy is becoming a thing of the past. Global economy a big issue but seems technology is the elephant in the room. RE SS, the big issue is demographics related to future obligations. At the risk of being redundant, we used to have 16 workers supporting one recipient in no time it will be 2:1.
We can’t rely on job creation to address this fact.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:27 am
In what speach exaclty did either Romney or the the Chairman of the GOP state that “rapes are heaven sent”. I guess making things up beats thinking for yourself
East Cobb RINO, Inc (LLC)
February 14th, 2013
9:27 am
Comparing the current version of the GOP with radical groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood is spot on. Just listen to the them. Strip out the accent and change swap out Christian/Muslim and one could not tell the difference in their ramblings. I must hurt to know one is so much like that which they hate.
GT
February 14th, 2013
9:28 am
This is more based on the failure of the Tea Party than magnificent success of a product dictating expansion.
Disenfranchised Democrats are not going to live with big hat no cattle Rand Paul. What is really happening here is a smaller and smaller pool of the right are fighting each other as they watch the wicked witch smelt into the pool of water.
There was a day when the right could rule by their fat guts, but this is an age of independent collaboration of the facts. What keeps the right in the hole is their refusal to mature and stop with the emotional misrepresentation of facts and label their opponents falsely for emotional effect. They are like a football team on its last game after losing every game of the season. No fiery speeches work here just get it over with.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:28 am
alittlecommonsense-you cannot be serious!!! If you don’t recall how the old people party wants to treat women there is no help for you.
Jeffrey
February 14th, 2013
9:28 am
If the third party is the tea party they’ll be dead on arrival in 2016 and make Ross Perot look like a force. If the third party is some sort of independent or intelligent party like I have suggested in the past then they will take a lot from the republicans and a lot from the democrats too. People talk about Bloomberg but I can’t say I know a lot about him. I want someone who is the anti Sarah palin and the anti nancy pelosi all at once. Btw just coincidence I picked two women. I’m not hating especially on valentines day.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
9:29 am
BRO
Everyone seems to think offshoring of manufacturing jobs is a new thing. Nothing can be further from the truth. Seagate Tech was a client of mine in the early 90’s and already was the largest employer in Singapore, the island of Panang…and employed 15,000 in Thailand.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
9:29 am
eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwww
Like my soul brother Rude Pundit says: “Proudly lowering the level of political discourse”.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:29 am
inthemiddle-who said romney or the chair of the gop said it? They agreed with it with their silence.
See akin, todd
Thomas Heyward Jr
February 14th, 2013
9:30 am
Even this flaming Prog got it.
But he had NOT a clue about the internet.
Billions of people sharing info and trade …………makes the State’s violence and control irrelevant.
Washington…….in its death throes will flail around and many innocent people will be harmed but in the end………………………………………..but a bad memory.
.
“Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grand-children are once more slaves.” ~ D.H. Lawrence
the dog
February 14th, 2013
9:31 am
A refresher for the brain damaged:
Forcing women to get transvaginal ultrasounds: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell wanted to force every woman seeking an abortion to go through the extremely uncomfortable and medically unnecessary procedure of a transvaginal ultrasound — sticking a medical wand far into a woman’s vagina to get a clearer ultrasound image.
Ordering women to cremate and bury their miscarried fetus: A huge abortion omnibus bill in Michigan could force women who miscarry to cremate the miscarried fetuses. This comes at no small expense to the woman: cremation of a fetus costs hundreds of dollars, and interment can be additional thousands. The bill has been passed by the Michigan House, and is awaiting a vote by the Michigan Senate.
Requiring doctors to lie to female patients: In Kansas, Republicans tried to force doctors to tell women that they faced risk of cancer from having an abortion. That is patently untrue, and making doctors say that it was true would be, in effect, requiring them to lie to their patients.
Making a dying woman consult two doctors before she can get a life-saving abortion: The New Hampshire legislature just overrode a veto by the Governor, forcing through a law that bans “partial birth” abortions. The law only reinforces federal law, but has the additional requirement that any woman who is exempt from the abortion ban because her life is at risk must visit not one but two doctors before she can get the procedure to save her life. For many rural women, especially those facing life-threatening conditions, this is near impossible.
Mandating people pay extra to give medical device companies a tax break: Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) worked so hard to protect medical device companies from having to pay, that he has instead passed their costs onto the consumer — regular Americans — by increasing the cost of health coverage.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 14th, 2013
9:32 am
Comparing the current version of the GOP with radical groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood is spot on. Just listen to the them. Strip out the accent and change swap out Christian/Muslim and one could not tell the difference in their ramblings. I must hurt to know one is so much like that which they hate.
Further proof of that fact
The Taliban has taken over Tennessee. From ThinkProgress: “Senate passed SB 3310 (HB 3621), a bill to update the state’s abstinence-based sex education curriculum to define holding hands and kissing as ‘gateway sexual activities.’ Just one senator voted against the legislation; 28 voted in favor.” This is Tennessee’s answer to increased Teenage pregnancy: not promotion of contraception; just don’t hold hands. Welcome to Afghanistan, Tennessee. The law takes effect July 1, 2012, otherwise and henceforth and forever known as Talibanesseee Day.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:33 am
I have heard some stupid rationalization in my day. But this is one of the best. Do you really think it is the responsibility of all politicians to go around and denounce everything a crackpot says. If that were the case Obama would never bbe able to anything else. Do the world a favor and learn to think for yourself and quit being led around by others.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
9:34 am
I dig cat/dog. Throw it down, girl (I assume).
also, it cannot be underestimated how bat-sht crazy they threw down
all their chips on Health Care Reform, and how badly they lost, and
most importantly, were abysmally, gloriously wrong about it working.
It is.
Everyone noticed that, and I believe that’s when a once-respected
group of conservatives fell into the zero-credibility clown world.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:34 am
“Can you give me some idea of how Republicans treat women badly? ”
well …
- first there is the fact that 22 of them voted against the Violence Against Women Act
- second, there is the the vote against the Lilly Ledbetter Act
- third, there is the fact that they think that my humanity is second to a fetus
- fourth, there is the fact that they want women to take “personal responsibility” to take birth control while putting up every barrier to ACCESSING said birth control as possible
… I could go on, but that has already raised my blood pressure …
GT
February 14th, 2013
9:34 am
What will help this country is it becoming one country. We fight each other more than we fight our enemies. We could solve a few more problems if we got on the same page and worked together. The country feels this and is beginning to sort out the cause of it. There will always be the “forget hell” confederate, but he only hurts his family and state being so hard headed and obtuse. Even the south some day will become part of this great nation.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
9:34 am
“I can’t understand or support someone who’s 60-70 years old and making decisions that I’ll have to work my ass off while they’ll get off by being worm food. No offense intended to older people, but someone who’s going to be dead in 10-20 years should not be making decisions that affect us 30-40 years down the road”
Having just entered your despised age group (I’m 61) I think you’re overlooking the long-term view that only age can bring. Look at how often the demise of the US has been “predicted” here. It’s not us oldies doing that, for the most part…it’s younger people who don’t have the experience of watching this country weather and come out of past bad times.
It takes a coalition of oldies and youngies to properly manage things. You need the enthusiasm and ideas of the younger set, but you also need the steadier hand and more balance view that the older set can bring.
And yes, you need both progressives AND conservatives. That’s one of the strengths of this country and our society, that we NEED all view points…even if some of them are only needed to help us know which way NOT to go!
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:35 am
dB – 9:29 – saaaaaaaaaaaLUTE!
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:36 am
How are republicans stoppong anybody from getting birth control. Last I checked there were no republicans at the pharmacy stopping anybody
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 14th, 2013
9:38 am
How are republicans stoppong anybody from getting birth control. Last I checked there were no republicans at the pharmacy stopping anybody
This is the kind of stupidity we are up against.
This is why we are winning.
Here is someone who doesn’t even understand the issues and makes a simple argument for a simple mind.
Proceed.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:39 am
“How are republicans stoppong anybody from getting birth control. Last I checked there were no republicans at the pharmacy stopping anybody”
well, for one, they believe that anyone – for any reason – should be able to decide not to distribute a legal prescription. I have a problem with that.
for two, they think that anyone – for any reason – should be able to say that they don’t want to pay for a health insurance plan that includes a legal medication like birth control. I have a problem with that, too.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:40 am
“This is the kind of stupidity we are up against.”
which is why you gotta knock ‘em down, one by one.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 14th, 2013
9:40 am
J. Reb — “Please allow me to remind my Moonbat blogger friends here that some of you suffer from dillusion on just how strong was Obama’s win and in turn put forth positions that you believe are majority which are not.”
As I said yesterday, get back to me when you’ve got a few semesters of Statistics under your belt.
Simple Truths
February 14th, 2013
9:41 am
Doggone @ 9:34 – “And yes, you need both progressives AND conservatives. That’s one of the strengths of this country and our society, that we NEED all view points…even if some of them are only needed to help us know which way NOT to go!”
How pragmatic. And true!
Every once in a while, we can mine through the mountain of crap topics and crap comments of Jay’s blog, and find a nugget of wisdom. Today, Doggone provided that wisdom. Re-read his post.
pete
February 14th, 2013
9:41 am
Interesting. The Dems have held the Senate and we have a Dem president for 5 years now. Over that 5 year span, there has not been a whole lot of positives coming out of DC. But yet the GOP has problems?
Wow, talk about delusional. Jay, just keep feeding your ObamaBots the same old sheet.
larry
February 14th, 2013
9:41 am
The GOP only lost the Presidential election by a few percentage points !!
NO THE GOP HAS PLENTY OF SUPPORTERS AND WITH OBAMA’S SUPER LIBERAL AGENDA THEY WILL ONLY GROW STRONGER FOR 2014 AND 2016 !!!
STOP AMNESTY !!
Aquagirl
February 14th, 2013
9:41 am
The info provided to middle is clearly sailing over his head, maybe if it was delivered via internal probe he’d get the point.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:44 am
Aqua – 9:41 – WORD!
TaxPayer
February 14th, 2013
9:44 am
23 billion for HNZ! That’s a lot of ketchup.
Robert
February 14th, 2013
9:44 am
Whatever “Savior” the GOP resurrects they must represent all the American People (elderly, women, minorities, gays & lesbians, Christains, Muslims & Jews, etc.). A third party will split the GOP voting base and will not be a “Savior” for the GOP. The GOP needs to admit they have a problem and apologize to the American People.
Speech to the American People – Voters
Hello American People – I am a GOP candidate and I want your vote in 2016 for the Office of the President of the USA. Before I get started first, I want to apologize for the hatred, fear and bigotry displayed by the GOP. We are all Americans and I will fight for your rights if I am elected.
Second, I reject the values of the homegrown terrorist group(s) known as the “tea party” (klansmen, skinheads, milita’s, birther’s, etc.). The whole world say the hatred and bigotry displayed by the “tea party” (klansmen, skinheads, militia’s, birther’s, etc.) and heard their call to battle (take back my country).
Third,I promise the American People to never let any group(s) dictate how the American People will be governed in the future. No more contracts with Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, etc.
Fourth, I am putting distance between myself and all special interest groups looking to “buy” my vote. No more pandering to the rich and powerful.
Know that I have confessed and I agree to represent ALL the American People can I have your vote?
The American People…
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:44 am
Here is what you don’t get. My wife and daughters are not perptual victims. They can handle themselves. The fact that you cant is not my problem..
SBinF
February 14th, 2013
9:45 am
“Poll after pol indicate the majority of the country is more conservative than not while the left keeps going lefter.”
Conservative =/= GOP
Unfortunately, the GOP has staked out absolutely nutty positions. Look at the last several elections. The demographics are changing, conservative Latinos and conservative blacks and conservative Asians do not support Republicans.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:45 am
“Over that 5 year span, there has not been a whole lot of positives coming out of DC”
let’s see …
growth in job market
growing economy
growing stock market
improving housing market
yeah. nothing going right there …
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
9:46 am
Curious, uncle samantha: “Why not remove the salary cap on Social Security?” / “because it VIOLATES the PREMISE of BOTH PARTIES”
In a sense you’re right Samantha, but in the opposite way that you imply. The Democrats would in theory of course be open to an expansion of Social Security by removing the salary cap. But obviously expansion of SS is not on the table. So not touching SS for Dems just implies not reducing it. But are they willing to fight for an expansion? Of course not, because they, like the Republicans, serve and are part of the same ruling elite that wants to see ALL of the 20th C social edifice dismantled. So expanding SS this way isn’t even in the equation. Dems merely are posing as defenders of SS from any reductions, but in reality the debt scares have been purposely drummed up precisely in order to give them “cover” so that they can have their arms eventually twisted and can claim that they “had” to do it to “support America”.
This is how Washington operates to try to force unpopular policies on the people: by playing a game of charades that is stretched out over time in an attempt to dull the resistance of the people and sow confusion and a sense of inevitability.
YouLibs
February 14th, 2013
9:46 am
Hey Johnny Reb
What are the symptoms and prognosis for dillusion?
Is it covered under Obamacare?
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:46 am
I guess you are why the archaic and outdated term “weaker sex” is unfortunatelly still around.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
February 14th, 2013
9:47 am
The GOP only lost the Presidential election by a few percentage points !!
He lost it by a bunch of votes.
Democrats have gotten more votes in 5 of the last 6 Presidential elections.
That isn’t going to change anytime soon.
This is a good example of the Southern Republican who lives in a bubble.
He only speaks to his small group of friends and they hate Obama too. Wonder why ??
Then he thinks that everyone feels this way.
Fortunately for us it a great big country out there. In most parts of the country Obama is very very popular.
Only in the South does his popularity plummet.
I wonder if there is some characteristic about Obama that would make Southerners feel that way.
Nahhhh that couldn’t be it.
Erwin's cat
February 14th, 2013
9:48 am
Pats by 3
RAMZAD
February 14th, 2013
9:49 am
The only answer is liberalism, because as technology shifts paradigms all over the political and the economic landscape, conservative hate mongering lyrics shouting “lock them up” “let them self deport,” “trans-vaginally probe them,” “cut them off the system,” “bomb them” are going to be a lot less effective. All of those are dated solutions.
Liberalism, by definition, is never afraid to search for new and even revolutionary solutions. Conservative dogma is just dead.
alittlecommonsense
February 14th, 2013
9:50 am
So Dog – The way Republicans mistreat women has everything to do with trying to restrict abortion. I think both sides of that issue have valid points, and both sides go way too far. So yes, in some cases, Republicans have gone too far in their effort to protect fetuses.
I do give them a little slack on that point though, because you can absolutely make the argument that the fetus is a human life. Particularly after it can survive outside the womb. Abortion isn’t my issue – but I can certainly see someone taking fairly strong action if they have a (fairly rational) belief that millions of babies are being murdered.
SBinF
February 14th, 2013
9:51 am
“However, he won with about 4 and half million votes. A huge number wanted him out. To believe the liberal position is a majority is kidding yourself just like me believing conservatives are the majority.”
You know you’re losing the argument when all you have to complain about is the winning margin of your opponent. Fact is, he won. For sure, if Romney had won by even ONE vote, or if he lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College, you and your ilk would be all over the internets shouting about the conservative mandate.
RAMZAD
February 14th, 2013
9:52 am
If you watch Republicans gerrymandering, and repressing voter rights, and trying to rig the electoral processes all over the country- you know they are terrified, and I love it. Republicans need to be extinct.
skipper
February 14th, 2013
9:52 am
As I have previously stated, in many cases common sense has been thrown out the window! Zealotry and partisanship….far left and far right have made a common sense approach to governing (possibly) a thing of the past!
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:52 am
“Here is what you don’t get. My wife and daughters are not perptual victims. They can handle themselves. The fact that you cant is not my problem..”
oh, my, oh my, oh, my … playing the “victim” card.
you seem to think that demanding that we have equal access to legal healthcare makes me a “victim”???
hell, noes. it makes me fighting mad, my dear – and sick and frickin tired of dickweeds who think that it’s perfectly okay for some wimmen folk to be marginalized because their wives and daughters “can handle themselves”
(of course, I’d LOVE to hear what you’d say if your daughter needed an abortion but was told that she 1) had to wait another 24 hours despite calling weeks ahead to make an appointment, 2) then had to pay for an unnecessary and invasive procedure just to satisfy the prurient jollies of a bunch of legislators and 3) then was lied to by the doctor who is then forced to read a government-approved schpiel, telling her that she could be suicidal or get cancer because those same legislators want to scare her into carrying the pregnancy to term … but, yeah, she can “handle herself”)
alittlecommonsense
February 14th, 2013
9:53 am
As far as the birth control issue, no one was trying to restrict access to birth control. The only thing Republicans were doing was trying to keep insurance companies from being required to pay for birth control.
Really.. You can buy a condom for about a dollar. Do we really have to force insurance companies to pay for that? Girls – If your guy can’t afford a condom, you have bigger problems than the Republican party.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:54 am
“Abortion isn’t my issue – but I can certainly see someone taking fairly strong action if they have a (fairly rational) belief that millions of babies are being murdered.”
then don’t have an abortion.
or take a morning-after pill.
the red herring
February 14th, 2013
9:55 am
Every month that goes by Obama digs us deeper into a financial hole. 6.5 trillion more in debt than when he took office and he’s still digging deeper. The american people will soon tire of unemployment lines and no jobs. The tea party has strengthened the republican party and given it more spine. Ask john boehner if you don’t think that’s true. We finally elected some people to go to washington d.c. and demand some fiscal responsibility. We had none under bush and we’ve had far less under obama.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:56 am
“As far as the birth control issue, no one was trying to restrict access to birth control. The only thing Republicans were doing was trying to keep insurance companies from being required to pay for birth control. ”
it’s a legal prescription that will lead to FEWER abortions and FEWER unwanted pregnancies – and, while we’re at it, FEWER people needing support.
yeah. I can see why the republicans would hate that.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
9:56 am
and here’s another clue, free from your accountant –
People like to be counted.
People want to be counted.
People want to count (two meanings there).
Whether it’s Voting, your Rights, Opportunities, or Help when u need it
F. Sinkwich
February 14th, 2013
9:57 am
“Only in the South does his popularity plummet.
I wonder if there is some characteristic about Obama that would make Southerners feel that way.
Nahhhh that couldn’t be it.”
Please provide the link showing the south as “blue” but only turning “red” in 2008.
Thanks.
Mama Says
February 14th, 2013
9:57 am
Every time one of the parties is down we start to hear about an end to the two party system. While I dont put anymore likelihood into that in 2016 as I did when the cons took over the entire government, I would like to see it.
There is no place for those of us who share some thoughts from both parties. The dems hate to admit it but they too have folks in their party that dont like the spending, abortion or gay marriage. Where do they go ? and more to the point of this story, why is that not spoken of ?
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
9:57 am
“Really.. You can buy a condom for about a dollar.”
and anyone who write anything SO FRICKING STUPID has lost the right to be taken seriously.
SBinF
February 14th, 2013
9:57 am
“The tea party has strengthened the republican party and given it more spine.”
The Tea Party is the reason the GOP doesn’t have the Senate right now, and lost seats in the House.
I’m not sure how that’s a good thing, Republicans lost seats in both chambers of Congress.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
9:58 am
Ha Ha, funny. She is actually quite a remarkable woman. I am very proud of her. She has one of the most difficult jobs I know of, hospice. She is very self reliant and highly intelligent, prone to making up her own mind..
ATL Tiger
February 14th, 2013
9:58 am
If Rand Paul continues to be an alternative voice to the GOP backed candidate (Rubio), and gains popularity there will still be only 2 candidates in 2016. The GOP will simply throw it’s power behind Paul, and Paul will have to remain strong in not ’selling out’ to what the GOP dictates.
southpaw
February 14th, 2013
9:59 am
“Strip out the accent and change swap out Christian/Muslim and one could not tell the difference in their ramblings.”
OK, so which group of Christians is advocating the amputation of hands and/or heads, along with the installation of Sharia law? That will be a new one on me.
“This is the kind of stupidity we are up against.”
Meaning, in this context: I can’t make an intelligent argument to the effect that birth control devices can’t be found in pharmacies, available to anyone who can pay for them. News flash: Republicans are not trying to stop anyone from going to a pharmacy/grocery store/convenience store and buying whatever birth control devices they see, contrary to the earlier assertion about women being prevented from ACCESSING birth control.
bookman parrot
February 14th, 2013
10:00 am
it would be “wonderful”… then we could have unchecked spend spend spend
and great big government involved in more and more aspects of our lives
and to a greater degree… i mean why the hell would we ever want to be responsible
or accountable for anything
SBinF
February 14th, 2013
10:01 am
“OK, so which group of Christians is advocating the amputation of hands and/or heads, along with the installation of Sharia law?”
There are many, many Christians who believe our system of law is based on Christian beliefs, and that we should legislate as such.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:01 am
“Girls – If your guy can’t afford a condom, you have bigger problems than the Republican party”
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but condoms are not foolproof protection against pregnancy.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:02 am
St. Simons … did you say count???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWobt9Zn_Ms
TBone
February 14th, 2013
10:02 am
” I voted for Obama twice and have concern about the Country in all areas. Based on comments you post showing total disrespect for the President, I suspect you’re the one with no concern about the Country.”
Are you sure your calendar is on Valentine’s Day and not April Fools Day!
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
10:02 am
Bozo’s victory last November surprised a lot of people…
Indeed. A lot of really, really, really foolish people who were apparently completely disconnected from reality.
I tried to warn you, 71. Mitt was/is so pathetic and clearly unfit to lead that there was no way in hell he was NOT gonna get crushed.
I also told you that the most virulent and extremist members of the right wing were gonna get tossed to the curb, and almost to a man, they were.
So listen up, or don’t. 2014 portends another neocon beat down.
Because Americans are sick of fascistic reactionaries and their Wars on women, gays, science and minorities.
Either the Stupid, Insulting & Backward Party (credit to B. Jindal) will evolve or they will die.
And either way is good with me…
RB from Gwinnett
February 14th, 2013
10:03 am
“Well if it works, all for it. Sort of like playing music to the womb. Not everyone wants to be some dumb hick from Gwinnett.”
Yea, cause the Gwinnett schools rank where exactly in the state rankings????? And where do all the democrat run school systems rank?
Look, Keep, if you’re going to post stupidity, at least do something to make people think it’s joke or something so they aren’t left thinking it’s you who is the joke. Like in this case.
BTW, you work on getting these inner city kids to stay in school with your own money, which we know is a major societal problem, THEN we’ll think about adding another year of taxpayer funded baby sitting to the front end of the school years.
weetamoe
February 14th, 2013
10:04 am
From Jon Stewart’s over dramatic overreaction, to David Letterman’s perverted innuendo, to the tragic Mrs Colbert’s confused son’s ramblings, we see the reaction to Marco Rubio’s speech reduced to the terribly great importance of a young Hispanic senator’s simple sip of water. On CNN we see the somber discussion of that simple sip of water being a possible career ender for a bright and decent young man followed by comments about a rogue cop murderer being a sort of hero. Obama has so denigrated, so polluted discussion of government policy–has so infected the body politick- that the consequences can be nothing but catastrophic.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:04 am
I am a little disappointed. Are there no simple answers to Jay’s simple question?
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:04 am
“As far as the birth control issue, no one was trying to restrict access to birth control. The only thing Republicans were doing was trying to keep insurance companies from being required to pay for birth control. ”
And the irony is…the complete contradiction of the first sentence by the second one.
Bob
February 14th, 2013
10:05 am
On state and local levels the repubs hold more power than ever. They hold 30 Governors seats and have a majority in 27 states. 27 states represent a majority unless Obama was correct when he said we had 57 states.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:05 am
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
9:34 am
You deserve everything (and more) owed to you per SS. In that sense, your generation is lucky. We are running extremely short on youngies…they will face enormous increases in SS taxes to make good on the next generations obligations..
Demographics are stacked against us an we can’t do a thing about that…
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
10:05 am
Oh, and the parrot reminded me that added to that list of the things that good Americans hate, are the GOP’s Uncle Sam haters and their new anti-Americanism.
Be forewarned, if you would be traitors and your second amendment remedies don’t fix that one and SOON, you may well be headed to the trash heap of history, where you ingrates belong…
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
10:05 am
USinner @ 9:22
You’re misreading my point. I wouldn’t stop anybody from voting. My issues is with the people formulating the plan in DC. Why should an 80-90 year old person be writing and/or debating legislation that will affect his/her grand or great grand kids instead of someone from that generation that will be most effected being there themselves? My point is that the people who will be most affected by the decisions should have representation in the deliberations and not simply just voting for someone to make those decisions.
—————————-
Stevie Ray: At the risk of being redundant, we used to have 16 workers supporting one recipient in no time it will be 2:1.
We can’t rely on job creation to address this fact.
The only thing that’s going to change that ratio IS job creation. So, if we can’t rely on job creation, then how do we address that ratio?
Everyone seems to think offshoring of manufacturing jobs is a new thing. Nothing can be further from the truth. Seagate Tech was a client of mine in the early 90’s and already was the largest employer in Singapore
Dude, I remember textile plants shutting down in the 80s back at home. You’re preaching to the choir.
F. Sinkwich
February 14th, 2013
10:05 am
Cheesy can’t find a link substantiating his assertion that the south was “blue” until 2008 when O’bozo ran for president.
Cheesy = Racebaiter.
Ivan
February 14th, 2013
10:06 am
““Girls – If your guy can’t afford a condom, you have bigger problems than the Republican party”
but they’ll keep voting Dem. Regardless they still can’t buy anything for a dollar.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
10:06 am
RB-I live in Gwinnett county, my son went to Parkview. I know it has the highest SATs in the state but he was still not prepared for college level work. There is a reason Ga ranks near the bottom in the USA.
Emily Litella
February 14th, 2013
10:07 am
What is all this I keep hearing about “turd parties.”
It sounds absolutely revolting and unsanitary. It sets a terrible example for our kids.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:07 am
RB from Gwinnett
February 14th, 2013
10:03 am
Here’s a item that will turn your head. My kid had a cheerleading competition at one of Gwinnetts finest high schools. Posted in the assembly center, was a quote from Ayn Rand…I sh*t you not…Also posted were references to christianity…Trip eh?
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
10:08 am
hahaha, I’m de coconut counting mon!
one other hard lesson mrsstsimons learned in her line o work –
people don’t care how much you know til they know how much you care
Listen ta me Republicans, mon.
I’m seein some long faces at de yacht club, dontcha-know
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:08 am
Girls – If your guy can’t afford a condom
I think I have finally found the one (1) guy who actually believed Rush when he said that Sandra Fluke had to spend lots of money on birth control because she had “so much sex.”
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
10:09 am
RAMZAD: “The only answer is liberalism … Liberalism, by definition, is never afraid to search for new and even revolutionary solutions. Conservative dogma is just dead.”
Wish I could go along with you there, but I can’t
Liberalism is necessary, that much is clear. But unfortunately it’s also inadequate and insufficient, as it lacks the ability to challenge a highly radicalized conservatism.
Liberalism is dying just as conservatism appears to be in such a shambles. In its timidity, liberalism fails to realized how much it has already incorporated so much of the conservative project into its own world view in decisive ways. Just think of Bill Clinton saying that the “era of big government is over”, thereby ceding the central argument to conservatives at precisely the point where it should have been militantly defended.
Bottom line is that liberalism is unable to save itself, and thus will perish without a radical movement to come to its aid.
East Cobb RINO, Inc (LLC)
February 14th, 2013
10:10 am
The wiping of the sweat from his face and the drink of water are merely something to have fun with. Just like the creepy Mr Rogers delivery Jindal gave in his speech. The real problem where Rubio blew it was he had a chance to portray a different GOP and he fell into the trap of just regurgitating standard talking points. Same product – different packaging. Sales continue in downward spiral. Maybe next year the GOP will trot a token single black mom to give basically the same speech.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:10 am
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
10:05 am
Thats the big question. I guess we need more births…maybe like some lesser countries we know, perhaps we should require all women to have 4 kids? JK
As the average age goes up, the ability to sustain the programs funded by the working diminish..
I remain, master of the obvious..
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
10:11 am
Doggone: It takes a coalition of oldies and youngies to properly manage things. You need the enthusiasm and ideas of the younger set, but you also need the steadier hand and more balance view that the older set can bring.
I won’t argue that one bit. That’s what we need, but we definitely do not currently have. I’m not advocating throwing out all the old folks
, as I know experience is needed to ensure stability and functionality. I would personally like to see more people in the middle age range being involved in things. I don’t agree with everything that comes from Cantor, Rubio, and some others, but you don’t see the Democratic Party putting forth younger leaders in prominent positions on the national level where you know they are helping to formulate ideas and such for future generations.
That’s just my personal gripe though. Last time I articulated such things, I was accused of ageism and wanting to kill off old folks, nevermind the fact that my mom is slightly older than the baby boomer generation.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:11 am
“Demographics are stacked against us an we can’t do a thing about that”
Maybe not, but there’s a LOT that can be done to strengthen SS
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:12 am
if they have a (fairly rational) belief
There isn’t a single solitary thing about that “belief” that is rational.
It is entirely based on superstition and obsequious adherence to propaganda from radical clerics.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:13 am
“I think I have finally found the one (1) guy who actually believed Rush when he said that Sandra Fluke had to spend lots of money on birth control because she had “so much sex.””
seriously, if anyone ever needed evidence that we desperately NEED more sex education in our schools, not less, they can find all the proof they need in some of the postings here.
Bubba
February 14th, 2013
10:13 am
I would love to see a centrist workhorse party focused on getting things done rather than extremist posturing of the left or the right. Where are the Sam Nunns and Howard Bakers when we need them?
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:14 am
Whoever posted those ugly and offensive state positions on internal ultra sounds, burying the fetus and the like..I had no idea.
The anal probes belong inside any and all folks who would subscribe to such. Not only are they unduely punitive, unless the state or the arrogant churches can guarantee a loving home for those kids, they should keep damn mouths shut.
thekimmer
February 14th, 2013
10:14 am
Expressing concern for a child’s very LIFE above a woman’s inconvenience is not placing that person’s humanity above that of a fetus. To put this on equal terms the pro-life community does not advocate preventing a choice in the occasion when pregnancy endangers the life of the mother.
Also, protecting the rights of religious organizations to not violate their long held religious beliefs is not putting up barriers to anything. I just love how the pro-choice crowd is only in favor of allowing choices they approve of. If you are truly pro-choice then choose to work for an employer that offers the healthcare options that you want. NOBODY on the right opposes that.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:15 am
Bottom line is that liberalism is unable to save itself, and thus will perish without a radical movement to come to its aid.
I think it’s time to go to the Phil Ochs well once again:
“In every political community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times. Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally.”
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:15 am
“Whoever posted those ugly and offensive state positions on internal ultra sounds, burying the fetus and the like..I had no idea.”
and NOW you know why we’ve been calling it a war on women.
and why the GOP wants you to think that’s all just “hysteria from the little wimmen who don’t realize that we’re just trying to protect them from themselves”
RB from Gwinnett
February 14th, 2013
10:15 am
the dog, “RB-I live in Gwinnett county, my son went to Parkview. I know it has the highest SATs in the state but he was still not prepared for college level work. There is a reason Ga ranks near the bottom in the USA.”
Parkview doesn’t have the highest SAT in Gwinnett county much less in the state. Perhaps you and your kid need to do a little more homework: your kid to get prepared for college level work, and you to prepare to debate with people who are actually paying attention.
And when you say Georgia ranks near the bottom, what is that based on? Be specific.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
10:15 am
USinUK – former Girl Scout @9:52. Ok. I’ll bite. Which exact piece of legislation proposed by the Republicans requires you to wait 24 hours after making an appointment or, requires them to pay for procedures to give “jollies” or requires doctors to lie. Be specific. If you cannot identify the legislation than your entire premise is BS.
Uh Huh....... The name means nothing, only what they are
February 14th, 2013
10:16 am
@UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
8:42 am
bring on the 3rd party
it will bring down BOTH parties
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The names of things do not matter, only what things ARE.
We THINK we know what we WANT, but we can never really know
until we’ve GOT it.
And sometimes when we have IT, we discover we never really wanted
it in the first place – but then it’s too LATE
Be careful what you wish for…….. the moment it is spoken
you can NEVER TAKE IT BACK.
Uh Huh
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
10:16 am
Re, Bob’s post, I always get a chuckle when one of the GOPers here desperately tries to convince themselves that last November was NOT a horrible beatdown for them by trotting out that data about how well they did!
In Montana, North Dakota, Alaska and Georgia.
LOL…
Liberalism is dying…
???????????????????
Yeah, a sixty year winning streak against backwardness and bigotry is proof!
As are the new liberal laws enacted in Colorado, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota and Washington last November.
No, liberalism is not dying, unless by dying you mean vibrant, engaged and excited about America’s future.
Occupy that.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:16 am
“Also, protecting the rights of religious organizations to not violate their long held religious beliefs is not putting up barriers to anything”
religious organizations have ALWAYS been exempt from the insurance law.
the problem is that the Hobby Barn thinks that the religious beliefs of its CEO put it on equal footing as a church or synagogue.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:17 am
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
10:11 am
The clear, true ruling party is the professional career politicians of any and all flavors. Its an outstanding club to join….you never want to leave.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:17 am
“Last time I articulated such things, I was accused of ageism and wanting to kill off old folks, nevermind the fact that my mom is slightly older than the baby boomer generation”
Dick Francis wrote a book that included an older woman as one of the characters. His hero was surprised at her good sense and intelligent conversation. She said something like “If you are a foolish young women, you will be a foolish old woman”
The problem with defining people by age (ageism) is that not EVERYONE is a “foolish young woman” OR a “foolish old woman.” It’s the same problem that *I* have with term limits…it is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
10:18 am
Slanties run amok in my last!
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
10:18 am
As the average age goes up, the ability to sustain the programs funded by the working diminish..
The average will go up for a while, and then it will stop. The reason the projections for SS and such are the way they are is because of the baby boomers. Unless science takes a major leap forward, they will eventually get to the point where they are no longer taking in Social Security because they will no longer be taking in oxygen.
Reagan increased taxes during his administration to help with that problem. Spendhappy politicians f**ked up what was a great idea. Once the baby boomers are absorbed into the system, there won’t be a major strain to the system such as that. Our population growth will be able to take care of itself then.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:19 am
“Expressing concern for a child’s very LIFE above a woman’s inconvenience is not placing that person’s humanity above that of a fetus”
Yes, it is…because a foetus is not a CHILD
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:19 am
Where are the Sam Nunns and Howard Bakers when we need them?
O yes, where are the next brilliant ideas like “Don’t ask, don’t tell” going to come from?
Middle-Man, rescue us from our dirty-hippiedom.
East Cobb RINO, Inc (LLC)
February 14th, 2013
10:19 am
Parkview doesn’t have the highest SAT in Gwinnett county much less in the state.
But they did win GHSA swim championship. Congrats to Parkview swimmers. If only Lassiter had some breast strokers.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:19 am
USinUK – former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:15 am
My view on this issue has existed since the 80’s…the christians, not unlike unions, are clinging desparately to relevance which has trended poor since the 60’s…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:19 am
“Which exact piece of legislation proposed by the Republicans requires you to wait 24 hours after making an appointment or, requires them to pay for procedures to give “jollies” or requires doctors to lie. Be specific. If you cannot identify the legislation than your entire premise is BS.”
holy crap – you really don’t pay much attention to the news, do you:
http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_MWPA.pdf
35 states require that women receive counseling before an abortion is performed: 27 of these states detail the information a woman must be given; 8 states have abortion-specific requirements generally following the established principles of informed consent.
– 26 of these states also require women to wait a specified amount of time—most often 24 hours—between the counseling and the abortion procedure.
– 10 states require that counseling be provided in person and that the counseling take place before the waiting period begins, thereby necessitating two separate trips to the facility
as for the ultrasound bill:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/07/bob-mcdonnell-virginia-mandatory-ultrasound-bill_n_1327707.html
Aquagirl
February 14th, 2013
10:20 am
it’s perfectly okay for some wimmen folk to be marginalized because their wives and daughters “can handle themselves”
Middle’s wimmenfolk are so empowered their daddy/hubby speaks for them. That’s Republican-itis for ya—”Us men are here to tell you all about a women’s point of view.”
If you’re a real life Onion article, maybe it’s time to go play some golf, or get a job instead of blogging while your super-empowered wife is at work.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/man-finally-put-in-charge-of-struggling-feminist-m,2338/
BOHICA
February 14th, 2013
10:20 am
Jay blogs and then we insult each other! How Pavlovian! Jay may be laughing at us all!.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 14th, 2013
10:21 am
“Do GOP problems presage an end to the two-party system?”
Inspite of getalife’s rantings you had better pray it doesn’t.
Brosephus™
February 14th, 2013
10:21 am
Stevie Ray @ 10:17
You already know my beliefs on how to derail the “career” of a politician. It just takes a public with the testicular fortitude to do so.
—————————
Doggone
Whatever you had for breakfast, I need to incorporate into my diet. Words of wisdom @ 10:17 if I’ve ever read any before.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
10:21 am
RB-http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_does_Georgia_rank_in_public_education_in_the_US
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:22 am
it both terrifies me and saddens me that some people pay so little attention to reproductive rights that they didn’t even know about the waiting perior laws – which, frankly, are only the tip of the iceberg for the ways that they are trying to hobble women’s rights to control their own fertility.
curious
February 14th, 2013
10:22 am
комиссар (Occupation)
Curious, uncle samantha: “Why not remove the salary cap on Social Security?” / “because it VIOLATES the PREMISE of BOTH PARTIES”
“In a sense you’re right Samantha, but in the opposite way that you imply. The Democrats would in theory of course be open to an expansion of Social Security by removing the salary cap”
Don’t expand, remove the salary cap to fund it or raise the salary cap enough to do the same.
breckenridge
February 14th, 2013
10:23 am
“Idiological rigidity” is putting it nicely. It’s the foolish, illogical and irrational fundamentalist Christianity that had driven millions of us out of the GOP and completely disenfranchised millions of other party members. The Tea Party started out okay, I suppose, as a fiscal conservative offshoot of the GOP. But then the religious right ( James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Gary Bauer, David Barton, Donald Wildom, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists) set their sights on the Tea Party and destroyed it also.
The end result is we fiscal conservatives are left without a home and the rest of the country laughs at the asinine joke that is America’s fundamentalist religious party.
Stevie Ray the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!
February 14th, 2013
10:24 am
BRO,
This year, about 157 million U.S. workers support some 55 million Social Security recipients, according to the SSA’s data. In 1950, 48 million workers supported 2 million recipients.
Discouraging eh? I have no idea how anyone can project changes in birthrates 20-30 years down the road.
http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements/2011/apr/12/mark-warner/va-senator-says-fewer-workers-supporting-more-soci/
the dog
February 14th, 2013
10:24 am
RB-I also didn’t say he had just graduated from Parkview did I? When he did, Parkview had the highest SATs in the state.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:27 am
“Whatever you had for breakfast, I need to incorporate into my diet. Words of wisdom @ 10:17 if I’ve ever read any before”
Thanks!
Nobama
February 14th, 2013
10:27 am
Not a chance Jayboy – we will still be able to effectively block the Dems attempts to turn the US into Europe – Bite me
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
10:28 am
breckenridge: “The end result is we fiscal conservatives are left without a home ”
Not true at all.
You want fiscal conservatism? Then the DEMOCRATIC party is your party!
southpaw
February 14th, 2013
10:29 am
“There are many, many Christians who believe our system of law is based on Christian beliefs, and that we should legislate as such.”
———————————————-
I won’t try to argue against that. But I have yet to meet any Christians in favor of Sharia law, and no news report I’ve ever read has talked about a Christian beheading somebody. On the other hand, articles about some Muslims advocating Sharia law or beheading someone are not that difficult to find. My point was to disprove the notion that “one could not tell the difference in their ramblings.”
But-but-but–the Crusades!
The Crusaders are long dead, and no one is suggesting a Christian invasion of Muslim countries.
But-but-but–the Serbian invasion of Bosnia! Didn’t the Serbs say they’re Christian?
I’m not going to “pass judgment” on the Serbs, except to say that their attempts at “ethnic cleansing” were atrocities. But they finally quit fighting and haven’t started again. A couple of friends of mine have moved from Georgia to a town in Bosnia. The locals know that my friends are Christian, among a mostly Muslim population, but they realize that many, many Christians are not like the Serbian soldiers. They don’t hold my friends responsible for the death and destruction from the war. Now if we could have some of that wisdom over here, and not try to hold people responsible for what they didn’t do….
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 14th, 2013
10:30 am
and when a forest fire rages across a land destroying everything……….. it lays the foundation for incredible growth…..
time to take down the 2 parties and rebuild the system
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
10:31 am
UK – “seriously, if anyone ever needed evidence that we desperately NEED more sex education in our schools, not less, they can find all the proof they need in some of the postings here.”
seriously, when mrsstsimons walks by the computer and shakes her
head at me on this blog, her favorite under her breath comment is –
“there’s $200k worth of therapy in some of those posts”
did i just violate HIPAA?
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:31 am
“we will still be able to effectively block the Dems attempts to turn the US into Europe”
Yep, it will be VERY easy to do that…since it’s not happening in the first place. It’s easy to “stop” something that doesn’t exist.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:32 am
St S – 10:31 – hahahaha … tell Mrs. St. Simons that she just won the internets with that comment!
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:33 am
Doggone – “since it’s not happening in the first place. It’s easy to “stop” something that doesn’t exist.”
but, of course, that won’t stop them from unfurling their little mental “mission accomplished” signs and declaring Victory
Lance in Carrollton
February 14th, 2013
10:34 am
Both political parties have been in this place before. The fact of the matter there has been a conservative and liberal party in the United States since the Treaty of Paris was signed. Demmocratic-Republicans and the Federalists had this argument; conservative and liberal Democrats had this argument during the “Era of Good Feelings.” In 1976, the Republicans seemed down for the count. In 1988, the Democrats were experiencing what the Republicans are going through now. They held focus groups and came to the conclusion that by coming to the middle and nominating a conservative Democrat to run in 1992 was their best option. That decision was not easy; I bet if I could find editorials from the time, I would see many liberals hating the fact that the party was becoming more like Republicans.
Republicans are doing this now during an era of 24 hour news; Fox News does not help this argument because the editorial side of the network wants ideological purity. This would be like the Daily Kos driving the inner workings of the Democrat Party. That would drive people away from them. This leads people inside the beltway, like Ron Fournier, to state wild claims like a coming split within the party. However, this could create a more big-tent party like what existed from the 1990s. Where people like Paul Coverdell,Rudy Guiliani can be pro-choice, pro-gun control, and still have a place with the Republicans. Once the exorcism of political purity happens, the Republican Party will be strongee, like the Democrats in 1992.
SBinF
February 14th, 2013
10:34 am
“I won’t try to argue against that. But I have yet to meet any Christians in favor of Sharia law, and no news report I’ve ever read has talked about a Christian beheading somebody. On the other hand, articles about some Muslims advocating Sharia law or beheading someone are not that difficult to find. My point was to disprove the notion that “one could not tell the difference in their ramblings.””
What difference does it make? There are millions of “Christians” in this country that think we should legislate based on their view of the Bible. Saying it’s not the same simply because they don’t advocate beheading nonbelievers is completely missing the point.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:35 am
it both terrifies me and saddens me that some people pay so little attention to reproductive rights that they didn’t even know about the waiting perior laws – which, frankly, are only the tip of the iceberg for the ways that they are trying to hobble women’s rights to control their own fertility.
What’s really horrifying is that these have been mostly empty-net goals scored by the Grand Old Misogynists. That is why you continue to see polling that has more Americans self-identifying as “pro-life” rather than “pro-choice”; it’s nothing to do with how they feel on the legal issues (a solid majority continues to support Roe, wants first trimester abortion legal, etc.), it’s because the goddamned “liberal” “democrats” (yes, the bunny ear quotes are intended, here) have been mostly complete wusses about proclaiming themselves pro-choice and proud.
It’s more like “pro-choice but only if we’re in private,” for most of the horrible, horrible people who lead us.
/soapbox
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
10:36 am
curious: “Don’t expand, remove the salary cap to fund it or raise the salary cap enough to do the same.”
I think you’re missing my point. Any step that strengthens Social Security is by definition off the table in Washington today. The big scare over deficits and spending, which has been created by BOTH parties, not just one, is by its very nature an attempt to make sure that any suggestion that social programs be bolstered or strengthened, let alone expanded, be absolutely off the table and that instead to make sure that the public debate remains focused squarely on HOW he will cut them, not WHETHER.
The whole point being that those who run the show in Washington, the ruling elite, want the 20th C social programs cut. And in particular they have their eyes on the crown jewel of that social edifice, SS and Medicare. And they have both parties working on it, as we speak. Nothing the ruling elite in the US despises more than the so-called “third rail”, and they think they’ve finally found a way to neutralize it, and of course they’re almost certainly right.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:37 am
“but, of course, that won’t stop them from unfurling their little mental “mission accomplished” signs and declaring Victory”
Yeah, true…but it gives them something to do and keeps them out of trouble!
the dog
February 14th, 2013
10:37 am
I am not usually confrontational in person but have a question. Is it permissible to ask parents of kids in private school uniforms who is paying the tuition at their school, taxpayers or them?
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
10:37 am
My question again, which laws require “jollies”, which laws require “doctors lying”. Also, are the laws in those states “secret” so nobody can know about them until after they show up for the first appointment.
Notice, I haven’t come down one way or the other on birth control or abortion. But the lunatics still can’t help calling names. Pity.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
10:39 am
Stands-I am pro choice and proud!! Safe, legal, rare.
breckenridge
February 14th, 2013
10:41 am
“There are many, many Christians who believe our system of law is based on Christian beliefs, and that we should legislate as such.”
There are many, many Christians who are 100% wrong.
US Law is based on English Common Law. And here is where they get off track, they think English Common Law is based on the Bible. But that is absolutely false, English Common Law originated in that country 178 years prior to the arrival of Christianity. English Common Law is based on common morality and not religion. And those two terms are in no way synonymous.
“Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.” Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:41 am
“My question again, which laws require “jollies”, which laws require “doctors lying”. Also, are the laws in those states “secret” so nobody can know about them until after they show up for the first appointment. ”
no, that’s not your question “again” – that’s the first time you’ve asked that … and I can’t help but notice how you artfully dodge the fact that I’ve struck down your “if you can’t prove it, then it’s BS” comment.
in other words, you can apologize for that anytime you like.
so, yes, here’s another one of your questions amply answered:
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-05-15/women-contraception-abortion-reproductive-rights-doctors/54979766/1
Five states require doctors to tell women that a link might exist between abortion and breast cancer, despite the fact that careful studies have not found any such link.
Similarly, eight states require doctors to tell women that abortion could cause psychological problems, despite evidence to the contrary.
and, they’re not secret to those of us who actually PAY ATTENTION.
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
10:41 am
“we will still be able to effectively block the Dems attempts to turn the US into Europe”
So when our resident rubes spout these little gems, I’m always curious to know: just WHICH “Europe” is it that Obama and his pals are trying to turn us into? Is it the unfolding catastrophe of southern Europe, with its emergent neo-fascist parties. Those places come about as close as possible to approaching what would result were the policy proposals of the Republicans to ever actually come to fruition.
Or is it countries like Germany that they have in mind with its natural proclivity towards strict fiscal policy and debt/deficit skepticism. Or is it France, which lies somewhere in between. Something tells me our rube friends haven’t bothered to think it through this much, and instead simply think “Europe” as a cipher for “foreign, scary, socialist bogeyman”.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
10:42 am
“It’s leading to some type of crash and reassessment and change…
It can’t continue on this path.”
–Thelma, to Louise in the last scene at about 600 ft
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
10:42 am
I am too. I just hate being told what I think. So there.
guy
February 14th, 2013
10:42 am
All crats listen: It is not over yet. Savor the moment but wait for obamacare to kick in and then we will see. People don’t really know what is lurking ahead but they will find out soon. Then lets see what occurs. When you start taxing and taxing and then more taxing,look out.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:44 am
oh, and as far as your “jollies” question – go back and look up the comments that were made when the bill was for trans-vaginal ultrasound tests – “she’s already spread her legs once, this shouldn’t be a big deal”.
I stand by my jollies comment.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
10:44 am
So, since when is a state law a mandate for how all republicans should think, and what all republicans believe. You should be a journalist. Same ability to actually think through an statement.
barking frog
February 14th, 2013
10:45 am
Just remove the cap on earnings for SS tax. We currently
have three parties, but two go by the same name. I believe
the same thing is beginning to happen in the Democratic
party and seems to be along an age line just like the
Republicans.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 14th, 2013
10:46 am
the dog – it is permissible, but not necessary.
It is either their customers if they have a bidness,
or the taxpayers – never Them.
(disclosure – all mine are by-god public)
barking frog
February 14th, 2013
10:47 am
I like the term presstitute, shockingly realistic.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:47 am
“So, since when is a state law a mandate for how all republicans should think, and what all republicans believe. You should be a journalist. Same ability to actually think through an statement.”
since the republicans in those states are the ones who wrote and passed the bills.
and I’m three for three – I’ll happily accept your apology now.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
10:50 am
I am looking for facts, not rhetoric. I can get any number of loons to say any number of things on any number of issues. It is about understanding “beyond emotion” what people actually believe. Questioning you stance and asking for details is just that. Prove your point without becoming an emotional wreck. If you belive all republicans think a certain way, PROVE IT.. Because there are laws on the books that you disagree with does not by extension mean that every republican walking on the planet believes a certain way..
barking frog
February 14th, 2013
10:50 am
Democrats want Social Security to become SSI and
Republicans want it to become 401k. It will become
both, SSI for low earners, 401k for high earners.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
10:51 am
You are 0 for 3. You still cannot prove 100% of all republicans think a certain way.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:51 am
Requiring docs to lie through legislative fiat. Yet another conservative “family value.”
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:52 am
SSI for low earners, 401k for high earners.
Those high earners would be begging for SSI after the banksters have made them into low earners, of course.
Perhaps we can issue them wooden bowls, at least. We can call them “Simpson Bowls.”
southpaw
February 14th, 2013
10:52 am
SB in F @10:34
Sounds like you have a different point, not the one I was disproving.
barking frog
February 14th, 2013
10:54 am
Both the GOP and Democrats truly believe that they
are doing what is best for the USA and that is a good
thing and is what keeps the world trusting us.
Jefferson
February 14th, 2013
10:55 am
Political unions are 200 time worse than labor unions. “Stand on your on 2 feet, John”
комиссар (Occupation)
February 14th, 2013
10:55 am
barking frog: “Democrats want Social Security to become SSI and
Republicans want it to become 401k. It will become
both, SSI for low earners, 401k for high earners”
Which will pave the way for its ultimate dismantling, root and branch. That’s the plan.
By the way, no takers on my claim that it is the US ruling elite that stands behind BOTH parties that wants to see SS and Medicare dismantled and that pesky “third rail” of American politics neutralized once and for all?
Surprised no one wants to challenge that.
Maybe you guys are just a very trusting bunch and trust that appearances as they’re made to seem in the Beltway debates are as they appear. .
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
10:55 am
The GOP has simply gone WAY beyond the limits of what mainstream Americans are willing to tolerate.
Like a certain political movement in the 1930s/40s Germany and Italy they want to:
Outlaw labor unions. Outlaw homosexuality. Outlaw abortions. Use the word “communist” to attack anyone who disagrees with them. All they need is a Ministry of Corporations and a man named Mussolini to oversee there new Corporations Uber Alles ideology. Since wall Street is their friend and Uncle Sam, their enemy. (Right Mitt, my friend?)
And the ONE thing that used to be their biggest selling point – national security – has been co-opted by the liberals and the skinny black guy!
Truly amazing.
They need a new champion and alas, Joseph McCarthy is dead…
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 14th, 2013
10:56 am
As the piece suggests, technological change has lowered or in some cases removed many of the obstacles to the rise of multiple parties. With the Internet and social media, as well as independent fund-raising committees, you no longer need the structure of a traditional political party to raise money, spread your message or even organize your followers.
20 years ago, H. Ross. Perot got nearly 20% of the popular vote but didn’t receive a single solitary EC vote.
Get rid of the EC, and then we’ll see a rise in a third party — not before.
Lance in Carrollton
February 14th, 2013
10:56 am
The biggest thing that depresses me reading all comments is that both sides participate in hyperbole in regards to abortion. Conservatives should not believe that pro-choice people like abortions. Abortions are tough decisions that women make; it is not like a mulligan if golf. Young women who do make that choice do not take it so lightly. And liberals should believe that people who are pro-life want control of women’s bodies. They truly believe that fetus’s life is worth protecting. They are not trying to bring Sharia law, or trying to enact a theocracy in America. It is easy being rude to someone over the internet because you have the luxury of not dealing with repercussions.
Aquagirl
February 14th, 2013
10:58 am
since the republicans in those states are the ones who wrote and passed the bills.
Republicans, the party of personal responsibility—unless they’re feeling trapped, then they display complete confusion as to why you’d connect them with their own legislation.
Their new party symbol is the weasel.
Doggone/GA
February 14th, 2013
10:58 am
“You are 0 for 3. You still cannot prove 100% of all republicans think a certain way.”
Congratulations on your acceptance into the “percentage Troll club”
alex
February 14th, 2013
10:59 am
“paradigm”–please loose the “80’s word Jay, please…Currently “I feel as strong as a Bull Moose….”Bring TR back !
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
10:59 am
“You are 0 for 3. You still cannot prove 100% of all republicans think a certain way.”
laugh effing riot.
you can’t argue the facts that the Republican Party (by the way – have you checked out their platform, lately???) have argued for and enacted all the bills I’ve listed and provided evidence for –
WHICH YOU DIDN’T EVEN BELIEVE EXISTED
yet, you say that I have to prove that EVERY republican believes that way???
not only is that incredibly lame, it’s downright spineless of you not to even acknowledge that you were completely unaware that this was going on.
but, I guess you do get points for moving the goal posts.
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
11:00 am
Just remove the cap on earnings for SS tax
yeah, that’s gonna happen. If you think our aristocracy cried like stuck pigs over having their marginal rates on the amount of 400K going up a few points, can you imagine what would happen if they had to cope with regular withholding percentages that like… those of… I can scarcely type the word…commoners?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 14th, 2013
11:00 am
Get rid of the EC, and then we’ll see a rise in a third party — not before.
May be one of the reasons that the 2 top parties keep it, but if the GOP tries to tamper with the EC system as they started to until others pulled them back in most states, we may see the move to get rid of the EC system completely.
In the middle
February 14th, 2013
11:00 am
And the other shoe drops. I am fairly conservative. I do belive that my wife and daughter should be able to get birth control if they want (and do). I dont think I should be able to dictate my stance to another person (people that disagree with you have rights too). If my daughter were to ever want an abortion I would support her and help her any way I could. The object here is, I beleive in freedoms, which extends beyond me getting what I want, but extends to protecting those that disagree.
the dog
February 14th, 2013
11:00 am
Lance-the ones being rude are the ones calling people fruits, loons, etc. The pro choice postings I have seen on here are factual with clear sources.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 14th, 2013
11:02 am
Aqua – “Republicans, the party of personal responsibility—unless they’re feeling trapped, then they display complete confusion as to why you’d connect them with their own legislation. ”
but … but … but … I’m sure that someone somewhere didn’t agree with it, therefore, NO ONE did … or something like that …
TR
February 14th, 2013
11:03 am
@Jam:the repubs have simply gone WAY beyond what this blog allows and the increasingly polarized portion of the dems, In my day we had “yellow journalism”, now you have ” whinining blogs”.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 14th, 2013
11:05 am
But-but-but–the Crusades!
The Crusaders are long dead, and no one is suggesting a Christian invasion of Muslim countries.
George Bush says, “What?”
Lance in Carrollton
February 14th, 2013
11:06 am
the dog
February 14th, 2013
11:00 am
There have been many comments stating that Republicans are essentially the Taliban of the the United States. This is factually wrong. Republicans have not become a major party by taking the reins of failed nations by implementing rules that women should be stoned to death for being educated, or if they engage in premarital sex. A section of the party, a larger percent that 10 years ago but still a section, is only focused on social issues.
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
11:07 am
“The party,” he told me, “is irrelevant.”
He cited the familiar litany of problems: demographic change, poor candidates, ideological rigidity, deplorable approval ratings, and a rift between social and economic conservatives.
And the joke is on them – there are no economic conservatives in the GOP. Just extreme fiscal liberals.
They are so insanely out of touch with that c word that they will not accept real words and their real meanings:
Economic liberalism, also known as fiscal liberalism, is the ideological belief in organizing the economy on individualist lines, such that the greatest possible number of economic decisions are made by private individuals and not by collective institutions.
It includes a spectrum of different economic policies, but it is always based on strong support for a market economy and private property in the means of production.
Although economic liberalism can also be supportive of government regulation to a certain degree, it tends to oppose government intervention in the free market when it inhibits free trade and open competition.
However, economic liberalism may accept government intervention in order to remove private monopoly. Economic liberalism emphasizes that individuals should make their own choices with their money, so long as it does not infringe on the liberty of others.
Even so Republispeak is not the disease, it is just an obvious symptom of their mass confusion via their willful ignorance…
Tom Middleton
February 14th, 2013
11:07 am
Jay, you realize, of course, that we’re traditionally a three-party system, not just two, for the Democrats are a fully capable two-party system all unto themselves.
I mean, the Republicans could suddenly disappear and we’d be just fine, for the Dems actually like one another and know how to put people to work.
And without Republican obstruction, well, you get the picture, I’m sure: We could have America to full employment in virtually no time at all.
So tell them not to worry, in fact to go ahead and go. And in ’14 when Mitch McConnell leaves, please welcome Senator Judd!
Jefferson
February 14th, 2013
11:07 am
Laws don’t stop women from doing what they are going to do.
alittlecommonsense
February 14th, 2013
11:07 am
“I am not usually confrontational in person but have a question. Is it permissible to ask parents of kids in private school uniforms who is paying the tuition at their school, taxpayers or them?”
I suppose you could, but 99% of them will be paying out of their own pocket. When they give you that answer, will you thank them for subsidizing your child’s public school? That would only be fair wouldn’t it?
stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
11:09 am
Gun-tard SHEETZ.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 14th, 2013
11:10 am
Laws don’t stop women from doing what they are going to do.
“Women and cats do as they like, so men and dogs better get used to the idea.”
– Thomas “Lazarus Long” Jefferson
Shar
February 14th, 2013
11:10 am
Even more than the Republicans’ short-sighted rush to embrace and emotionally motivate the very same religious and fiscal extremists who now have a choke-hold on their policy, what is preventing the party from adjusting to the voice of the American people is their dependence upon gerrymandering and the loud, ugly rantings of “conservative entertainers” in the Rush Limbaugh/Sean Hannity mold.
Democrats have used these types of tactics, too, but not to the degree that Republicans have, and have staked their futures on. Without diversity of opinion in either self-selected media or voting groups, differences must be worked out on a larger stage. Democrats, by the nature of their coalition, have a more diverse group of interests within their “tent” and the candidates they run tend to have already been pushed through the compromise mill and been found acceptable by a wider range of voters. Republicans, however, have cynically manipulated the most extreme issues that motivate the farthest right social and fiscal conservatives, making full use of the dramatic talents of the Limbaughs without fettering them with inconvenient facts or dissenting voices, in order to get them to the polls with absolutely no intention of giving them access to power. They now find themselves trapped by that strategy, trying to sideline or co-opt the extremist representatives that have managed to get elected while deafened by the rhetoric they’ve presented as “fact” and that the majority of voters reject as spin, pandering or outright lies.
Something’s gotta give, and I would not be surprised to see the Republicans split between the classic Eisenhower/Rockefeller moderates and the personality-driven fringes. However, should that happen a significant number of Democratic voters who have been pushed by GOP extremism into uneasy support for candidates who are only somewhat less obnoxious, may well find a more comfortable match in those moderates who concentrate on legislating finances rather than morality, and inevitably big changes will happen within the Democratic Party as well.
The GOP, as the Party Of Business, should understand the foundational principle that the customer is always right. If certain customers – minorities, the young, and women – feel that the GOP offerings target them for oppression, the solution is NOT to tell those customers (over and over, louder and louder) they are wrong. Geographically marginalizing customers who don’t like the GOP’s product or, worse, trying to keep those customers from being able to make another choice is antithetical to efforts to adapt and attract their custom.
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
11:10 am
TR, I have read it three times and still cannot decipher the meaning of your post.
Would you rephrase to accommodate my predilection for standard written English?
East Cobb RINO, Inc (LLC)
February 14th, 2013
11:15 am
Can you spot the difference between the Christian social conservatives and the Islamic fundamentalists? I got 7 of 9 right but was just guessing.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/10/richard_mourdock_rape_scandal_spot_the_difference_between_the_christian.html?wpisrc=newsletter_slatest_morning_newsletter
alex
February 14th, 2013
11:18 am
@in the middle; a fragrant breath of fresh air….thank you.
Tundra Dude
February 14th, 2013
11:20 am
Bro:
Whatever you had for breakfast, I need to incorporate into my diet. Words of wisdom @ 10:17 if I’ve ever read any before”
Ditto!
Our Lady of Dogs is on a roll today……
Joe Hussein Mama
February 14th, 2013
11:21 am
Breckenridge — “English Common Law is based on common morality and not religion.”
Please elaborate on this point.
Quite frankly, I don’t agree with you and I think you’re quite incorrect, but I’m willing to forbear for the moment while you clarify your point.
Uh Huh....... The name means nothing, only what they are
February 14th, 2013
11:25 am
@stands for decibels
February 14th, 2013
10:15 am
Bottom line is that liberalism is unable to save itself, and thus will perish without a radical movement to come to its aid.
I think it’s time to go to the Phil Ochs well once again:
“In every political community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times. Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“liberalism is unable to save itself?”
From the EVIL cons?
“will perish?”
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
“One of the shadiest of these is the liberals?”
CONS are so FAKE they make BARBIE look real.
GT
February 14th, 2013
11:25 am
Doggone/GA, I am totally with you, those old people seemed to make plenty of decisions that did pretty well for us before and during our lifetime so far.
I am tire of the right and their negative description of the country or their idea we are dependent on the wealthy to provide this nation an economy. Seems to me the upper class bails out now days as soon as they can. One thing my parent’s generation had was a bench. If some fat cat crazy eccentric decided to take his act to Paris chasing young French woman, there were plenty of bright benchwarmers ready to take his place. These guys had a realistic picture of the country from their own vantage point. It is funny how you find the same Mr. Potters in every small town. The need evolves the person, the need is the same, and it is the person that is interchangeable or was. I think this generation is soft, less educated and easily distracted from the goal. Guns should have never been the topic; it should have been jobs and economic development. But guns are the only topic many middle class white Americans know about now days. There subject matter is shallow. We are losing our second string to vegetation and the rich cement their position because of lack of competition.
Dekalb comments
February 14th, 2013
11:28 am
I would welcome a vibrant multi-party system. I think new parties have a better chance of succeeding at the local and perhaps state level than nationally. For example a party whose platform includes addressing climate change and preparing for rising sea levels, etc. might do well in local elections along the Jersey shore and maybe even other areas of Jersey. But it would be difficult to make a decent showing nationally because of the sheer amount of money and existing infrastructure of the entrenched parties.
Parliamentary systems are better suited to multi-party participation. Governments are more often than not created by coalitions that come and go over time. Parties tend to have more clearly defined policies and members are closely bound by party policies and not individual opinion.
I don’t think the U.S. is quite ready for a multi-party system yet. We have had 3rd parties dabble here and there but their performance has been lackluster. I think until we find a way to get money out of our elections, small 3rd parties will struggle unless they are backed by very wealthy supporters such as the Koch Brothers, etc.
Uh Huh....... The name means nothing, only what they are
February 14th, 2013
11:29 am
Whatever the PARTY……
They got to come THROUGH the LIBERALS to win the
white house.
Uh Huh
TR
February 14th, 2013
11:31 am
@Jam,..deelighted to help, my writing was in response to your 10;55 opinion, I simply referred to the wide difference between the “mainstream american” opinion you believe and the opinion of the partisans of this commentary blog. In other words, dear fellow you and Woodrow can’s see beyond your GOverment-issued spectacles. I, on the other hand can’t see at all out of one my eyes, but the other…
jconservative
February 14th, 2013
11:33 am
In the US House we are very close to a European model parliament with the current majority being a coalition of two minority parties, the Republican and the Teas Party. Recall that the Tea Party came close to fielding their own candidate for Speaker to oppose Boehner. Only the threat of Pelosi as Speaker brought them to their senses.
Tundra Dude
February 14th, 2013
11:34 am
Indigo:
Jay, I suggested here, some time ago, that we were headed for a third party.
If I remember correctly, you dismissed me, with a hint of ridicule.
Nothing personal, he always does that.
He was hired by the status quo.
He gets paid by the status quo to wave pom-poms in support of the status quo.
He’s like a dedicated band member on the Titanic.
(if one believes the 2010 IMF audit of the US, which suggests we’re already bankrupt, we just don’t know it, yet)
Politically Speaking
February 14th, 2013
11:40 am
Unfortunately, the huge shift to the right by both parties has caused this problem. Think of it as a table with a Republican on the right side and a Democrat on the left. If the Democrat moves to the center and the Republican moves farther to the right, the Republican will run out of space and fall off the table.
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
11:41 am
TR, government issued spectacles?
Reminds me of the black plastic ones they issued to me in boot camp, which were nicknamed CGLs. (For Can’t Get Laid!)
Of course, Uncle Sam/gubmint haters would know nothing about military service and CGLs…
Dekalb comments
February 14th, 2013
11:43 am
jconservative @ 11:33
Functionally I agree the House is split among the Democrats, “traditional” Republicans and the Tea Party. But they are not organized that way structurally or procedurally.
We lack the concept of “no confidence” as a way to oust the governing party or coalition.
One thing that parties in European-style parliamentary systems have learned to do is to compromise. You might have a 3-party coalition with one party of fiscal conservatives, another that is a green party and another that is a Christian Democratic party.
The 3 parties, in order to retain the government, learn to trade off and negotiate. They know they can’t get everything they want. They don’t threaten to shut down the government when they don’t get their way. They know politics is an art of give and take. Therein lies the difference with the U.S. The Tea Party especially is not open to compromise. They see it as an evil whereas pragmatic politicians understand it is one of the messy, but necessary, characteristics of democratic government.
southpaw
February 14th, 2013
11:45 am
George Bush says, “What?”
Southpaw repeats,
The Crusaders are long dead, and no one is suggesting a Christian invasion of Muslim countries.
GT
February 14th, 2013
11:45 am
If Democrats defect it will be with the Republican Party of the new just forming kind that is much more realistic and moderate. I can see and would be happy to welcome a crowd of adults as our opposition. The Tea Party is the Dixiecrat confusion of the old Democrat Party that caused them to loose a few elections too. These populous high on emotion, low on rationality and morality groups always make the opponent look sophisticated like a Volkswagen making your house look larger.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 14th, 2013
11:51 am
Southpaw repeats,
The Crusaders are long dead, and no one is suggesting a Christian invasion of Muslim countries.
All you have to do is google the words “George”, Bush”, “crusades.”
Doesn’t get any simpler than that.
GT
February 14th, 2013
11:51 am
What kills the Tea Party is their facts are all wrong. They introduce these backwater intellects that are backwater intellects for a reason. They remind me of a great high school star that looks like a world-beater in the small stadium but in the bright lights can’t carry water. What makes this country great, cruel but great, is these impostures get drowned out by more talented and on point players.
Uh Huh....... The name means nothing, only what they are
February 14th, 2013
11:55 am
@Politically Speaking
February 14th, 2013
11:40 am
the Republican moves farther to the right, the Republican will run out of space and fall off the table.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Fall off the table?
heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
Even though we can’t have ALL we want, we ought to be thankful
we don’t get what we DESERVE.
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
12:08 pm
Talk about grasping for straws… The GOP still easily controls the house and it seems they will for the foreseeable future… By the way they have a great shot at taking the Senate in 14′….
appleseed
February 14th, 2013
12:15 pm
Repubs do not mistreat women.If you think you may get pg,you can get prenatal care,and sign up for food stamps,all this by inviitation.Single or married low income,nothing to discourage just do your thing and let the taxpayer foot the bill.Women have the control,give them the responsibility that goes with the liberty,then and only then will abortions come down.
appleseed
February 14th, 2013
12:18 pm
Great chance taking the senate,from same guy that said mitten would win…
JamVet
February 14th, 2013
12:23 pm
By the way they have a great shot at taking the Senate in 14′….
The new version of Romney in a landslide…
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
12:32 pm
JamVet:
What happened in 2010? A landslide Republican victory. Actually if you look at races all across the country state and federal Repubs won easily this last time. More Governorship and more state led Congress’s…. Perhaps you and Jay should do a little research before spewing about non-sense…..
Logical Dude
February 14th, 2013
12:35 pm
Quoting the quote in Jay’s article: “He cited the familiar litany of problems: demographic change, poor candidates, ideological rigidity, deplorable approval ratings, and a rift between social and economic conservatives.”
This is how I see it: Social Conservatives have become the object holding the middle back.
Most people think that government should be out of the bedroom – meaning those social conservatives that dislike gay marriage will be on the losing side. (same as those who didn’t want women to vote, same as those who were against interracial marriage, etc)
Most people think that individual rights should not be interfered by a religion – meaning as much as anyone dislikes abortion, it should be safe, legal, and rare. Contraceptives should be safe and easy to obtain – to prevent unwanted pregnancy. (and “when the fetus feels pain” should be left to science, not politicians)
Most people know that abolition does not work, and only gives more power to those who are most violent. The fiscal conservative knows that throwing huge amounts of money at this to jail (those who want the equivalent to a few drinks every once in a while) is the wrong way to go. Punish the stuff that is actually illegal (theft, driving intoxicated, etc), not the use of drugs.
Most people know that any religion should be free to worship. I’ve seen too many Social Conservatives berate Islam and those who worship Allah as “terrorists” or other derogatory terms. That has got to stop.
Unfortunately, there are still a few minority groups that wield the power to keep the Republican from moving forward on these issues.
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
12:39 pm
Logical Dude:
Until you think the majority approves homo marriage then ask those 30+ states that have put a ban on it….
Logical Dude
February 14th, 2013
12:39 pm
my “abolition” should be “prohibition” – LD regrets the error
Logical Dude
February 14th, 2013
12:41 pm
Itchy,
It’s a losing proposition to ban gay marriage. The young OVERWHELMINGLY support it. The old prejudices will die off, and it will be legal. It’s a matter of when.
Why would anyone be against any couple that just wants to share their love for each other?
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
12:55 pm
Logical Dude:
The young don’t know any better. They also support obama. Of course the older and wiser you become you inform yourself more. Older people realize how dangerous it is to be homo and that we as a nation shouldn’t be supporting this type of activities…. Aids suddenly appeared and his almost totally a gay disease. Unfortunately the media won’t report that because it would go against what they want….
Steve
February 14th, 2013
1:29 pm
It’s hard to listen to conservatives anymore, since they are just repeatedly proven wrong over and over and over and again. Same distorted thinking, same lost in the past mentality, same fear of change or anyone who’s not a white/anglo straight male.
Steve
February 14th, 2013
1:30 pm
Dangerous to be homo???? What about dangerous to deal with gun toting raving honey boo boo rednecks?
Steve
February 14th, 2013
1:31 pm
Oh itchy you troll….” South Africa is reported to have the largest population living with the disease, at well over 5 million people infected, followed by Nigeria in 2nd place and India being the 3rd largest population of HIV infected with more than 2 million people reported due to its large overall population”
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
2:02 pm
Steve:
I honestly don’t care what happens in South Africa. Its a fact that HIV and other STD’s are prevalent in the homo community. I simply don’t agree with that repulsive lifestyle and don’t think it should be rewarded with marriage as if it was normal. I would say the same of a drug addict, alcoholic, or common criminal. Should these people be given special rights simply because of their impulses???
Elections Have Consequences
February 14th, 2013
2:48 pm
“but polls show that voters are not exactly thrilled with the opposition either.”
Really? They’ve finally figured out the last 4 years have been a total failure? Gee…
appleseed
February 14th, 2013
2:52 pm
I do not think they (homos) are asking for special rights only equal.The three compairsons you make have equal rights.I do not agree with it,but think they should be equal.
Uh Huh....... The name means nothing, only what they are
February 14th, 2013
3:20 pm
@Elections Have Consequences
February 14th, 2013
2:48 pm
“but polls show that voters are not exactly thrilled with the opposition either.”
Really? They’ve finally figured out the last 4 years have been a total failure? Gee…
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“a total failure?”
Total = A whole quantity; an entirety
Obama’s Accomplishments:
Avoided Scandal: As of November 2011, served longer than any president in decades without a scandal, as measured by the appearance of the word “scandal” (or lack thereof) on the front page of the Washington Post.
Passed Health Care Reform
Passed the Stimulus
Passed Wall Street Reform
Ended the War in Iraq: Ordered all U.S. military forces out of the country.
Last troops left on December 18, 2011.
Began Drawdown of War in Afghanistan
Eliminated Osama bin laden
Turned Around U.S. Auto Industry
Recapitalized Banks
Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”:
Toppled Moammar Gaddaf
Told Mubarak to Go
Reversed Bush Torture Policies
Improved America’s Image Abroad
Kicked Banks Out of Federal Student Loan Program
Expanded Pell Grant Spending
Created Race to the Top
Boosted Fuel Efficiency Standards
Coordinated International Response to Financial Crisis
Passed Mini Stimuli
Began Asia “Pivot
Increased Support for Veterans
Tightened Sanctions on Iran:
Created Conditions to Begin Closing Dirtiest Power Plants
Passed Credit Card Reforms
Eliminated Catch-22 in Pay Equality Laws
Protected Two Liberal Seats on the U.S. Supreme Court
Improved Food Safety System
Achieved New START Treaty
Expanded National Service
Expanded Wilderness and Watershed Protection
Gave the FDA Power to Regulate Tobacco
Pushed Federal Agencies to Be Green Leaders
Passed Fair Sentencing Act
Trimmed and Reoriented Missile Defense
Began Post-Post-9/11 Military Builddown
Let Space Shuttle Die and Killed Planned Moon Mission
Invested Heavily in Renewable Technology
Crafting Next-Generation School Tests
Cracked Down on Bad For-Profit Colleges
Improved School Nutrition
Expanded Hate Crimes Protections
Brokered Agreement for Speedy Compensation to Victims of Gulf Oil Spill
Created Recovery.gov
Pushed Broadband Coverage
Expanded Health Coverage for Children
Recognized the Dangers of Carbon Dioxide
Expanded Stem Cell Research
Provided Payment to Wronged Minority Farmers
Helped South Sudan Declare Independence
Killed the F-22
TOTAL FAILURE?
Are you stupid or just IGNORANT?
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
7:26 pm
appleseed
I do not think they (homos) are asking for special rights only equal.The three compairsons you make have equal rights.I do not agree with it,but think they should be equal.
They already have the ability to marry. Just not to the same sex. Redefining marriage solely for their benefit would give them a special right… Its logic really that I simply don’t agree with….
Itchy Finger
February 14th, 2013
7:28 pm
Uh Huh……. The name means nothing, only what they are:
Nice copy and paste but I can’t seem to find any of those that puts more money in my pocket…. There’s many that takes it away though….
Rabbit
February 17th, 2013
8:37 pm
Simple answer: two party system stays, but the Republican party structure starts looking more like the Democrats. That is not to say the philosophy, merely the structure. This means there will be a big tent in both parties and people will have to compromise to gain a majority within their own party.