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Community => Politics and Government => Topic started by: VirtualStranger on October 16, 2012, 08:04:46 pm

Title: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 16, 2012, 08:04:46 pm
The next Presidential Debate between Obama and Romney will be held at 9pm EST / 6pm PST tonight.

This debate will be in a "Town Hall" format, where the candidates will stand without podiums and answer questions from "undecided" voters who have been selected by Gallup. The moderator chooses which questions will be asked. There are no follow-up questions allowed and the candidates cannot ask questions of the audience.

If you can't watch the debate on TV, it will be steamed online at the following links:
CBS News (http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews)
C-SPAN (http://www.c-span.org/Debates/)
Politico (http://www.politico.com/livestream/)
MSNBC (http://blog.livenewschat.tv/rockinroosters/)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Old Viking on October 16, 2012, 08:11:03 pm
No podium or no lectern? 
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: syaoranvee on October 16, 2012, 08:14:27 pm
Quote
There are no follow-up questions allowed and the candidates cannot ask questions of the audience.

So in other words, all softballs.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: SimSim on October 16, 2012, 08:54:05 pm
They've changed the format a little. The moderator can now ask followups, and the candidates get 1 minute to answer.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 16, 2012, 09:16:02 pm
Obama is doing a lot better this time. He's very attentive, direct, and has been frequently calling out Romney's policies.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RinellaWasHere on October 16, 2012, 09:17:26 pm
I loved watching Mitt get told to basically shut up when he tried to break the rules.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: ironbite on October 16, 2012, 09:18:51 pm
Fire this moderator Mittens...I dare you.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 16, 2012, 09:20:22 pm
Oh man shit's goin' down.

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT


EDIT: Shut the fuck up Mitt and stop interrupting the moderator.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 09:39:14 pm
Goddammit Rmoney, learn when to stop talking.

Finally some women's issues though ^_^
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Id82 on October 16, 2012, 09:47:08 pm
God dammit Romney you don't always have to have the last word.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RinellaWasHere on October 16, 2012, 09:52:20 pm
Did Romney really just say he wants to make sure women are able to make dinner? Really?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 16, 2012, 09:55:23 pm
Did Romney really just say he wants to make sure women are able to make dinner? Really?
Yes, yes he did.

My impressions so far:
• Obama found his balls
• Romney is a fucking whiner and is flip-flopping like a dying fish while giving no specifics
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 09:57:58 pm
Did Romney really just say he wants to make sure women are able to make dinner? Really?
Yes, yes he did.

My impressions so far:
• Obama found his balls
• Romney is a fucking whiner and is flip-flopping like a dying fish while giving no specifics
Obama's strengths are at least showing this time. When they get questions about reproductive rights and equal pay, Obama wins hands down. Also nice shots at Rmoney for being a corporate vulture.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 10:11:48 pm
Also nice zinger on the pensions.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Id82 on October 16, 2012, 10:17:28 pm
For fucks sake Romney you talk too much!
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Jebediah on October 16, 2012, 10:25:45 pm
"Governor, the question was...."

"Governor, the topic was on...."
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 10:30:55 pm
"Governor, the question was...."

"Governor, the topic was on...."
"Governor, please stop dancing in Rabbit's sig..."
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: cheese007 on October 16, 2012, 10:39:35 pm
Obama's final statement was badass.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on October 16, 2012, 10:41:42 pm
My dad is drooling over Romney's wagging mandible because he hates Obama so much.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 16, 2012, 10:43:36 pm
I actually tuned into this debate for once.

Obama impressed me.  So did Romney for an entirely different reason -- never seen a man pander to two opposing viewpoints in one sitting.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 10:47:18 pm
My dad is drooling over Romney's wagging mandible because he hates Obama so much.
...I am so glad you said mandible.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 16, 2012, 10:49:58 pm
Romney, "I care about 100% of the American people."

Right, because reminding everyone of that stupid, elitist thing you said is a good idea.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 16, 2012, 10:51:57 pm
Obama won this debate in a landslide.

Him saving that 47% comment for the last minute when Romney couldn't respond was genius.

edit: Oh my god Obama won so bad that Fox is calling it a tie.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 11:03:30 pm
Buzzfeed analysis (http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/where-barack-obama-won-the-debate)--Obama won on Libya.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 16, 2012, 11:04:03 pm
Best part is when the President turn to Romney and told him that it was offensive to accuse him or anyone on his team of playing politics with Libya.  It showed the Obama is the Commander and Chief and it made Romney seem small.  It rattled him.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: DiscoBerry on October 16, 2012, 11:08:32 pm
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/ (http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 16, 2012, 11:12:38 pm
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/ (http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/)
I loled.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 11:15:41 pm
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/ (http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/)
I loled.
...how did they make this so quickly? ???
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 16, 2012, 11:17:51 pm
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/ (http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/)
I loled.
...how did they make this so quickly? ???

The internet.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 16, 2012, 11:18:27 pm
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/ (http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/)
I loled.
...how did they make this so quickly? ???
The internet.
...and this is what it does!
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2012, 11:27:17 pm
http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/ (http://bindersfullofwomen.tumblr.com/)
I loled.
...how did they make this so quickly? ???
The internet.
...and this is what it does!
(http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/247/728/fc4.jpg)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: cheese007 on October 16, 2012, 11:39:21 pm
CNN-ORC poll has it 46 Obama 39 Romney with +- 5 point error.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 16, 2012, 11:49:52 pm
So, Mittens got served, eh?  Whelp, time to whip it out!

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P6GV9bSRGPU/THhO7E8dT8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/gRE9rNgTIlM/s1600/served.jpg)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 17, 2012, 12:08:18 am
Question: "Women get paid 75% of what men do. What will you do to fight for equality for women?"

Obama: "I passed the Lilly-Ledbetter act to strengthen women's ability to fight against their employers in equal pay disputes, I fought to require private insurers to give coverage for contraceptive costs in the Affordable Care Act, and I'll work to protect Planned Parenthood to reduce the cost of women's health insurance and prevent unplanned pregnancies that would severely affect a woman's career and finances."

Romney: "I hired a woman once"

CNN-ORC poll has it 46 Obama 39 Romney with +- 5 point error.

CNN is completely incompetent, so I wouldn't pay much attention to what they say.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: KZN02 on October 17, 2012, 12:10:38 am
Well, I'm glad Obama learned from his mistakes on the first debate, as well as a better moderator. This is what I want to see (or hear).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: cheese007 on October 17, 2012, 12:30:13 am
Hey, even a small bump would put Obama back in the lead.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 01:12:25 am
PJ Media says (http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/10/16/mitt-romney-wins-debate-on-smooth-presidential-performance-obama%e2%80%99s-ignorance/) Rmoney won the debate on "smooth Presidential performance".  ::)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 17, 2012, 01:16:22 am
Watching the interviews of "undecided voters" on CNN is like watching a parade of stupid.

This is so unbelievably frustrating. How was this not a killing blow?! Romney literally said "No" when the moderator asked him a question and proceeded to talk about something else! He whined after the topic changed about how "He got to be first so i get to be last that's how it works!" (http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-qq.gif)

Obama MURDERED Romney. Undecided voters are so fucking stupid. Romney could come out next debate, pee and poop his pants simultaneously, and spend the rest of the debate crying and getting a diaper change, and undecided voters would still talk about how he held his own.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RinellaWasHere on October 17, 2012, 01:24:36 am
Rmoney

Was that intentional?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 17, 2012, 01:26:26 am
Oh wow...just the beginning of that video...  Romney looks so incredibly fucking uncomfortable, its hilarious.  Obama's waving, cheery disposition, and Romney's acting like he's about to panic right from the beginning.

What a pussy.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Her3tiK on October 17, 2012, 01:27:41 am
The best part was watching them take shots at each other. I'm genuinely curious as to what was really going through their heads as they cut each other off and talked over each other.

But yes, Romney got pubstomped. It was glorious.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 17, 2012, 01:29:51 am
PJ Media says (http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/10/16/mitt-romney-wins-debate-on-smooth-presidential-performance-obama%e2%80%99s-ignorance/) Rmoney won the debate on "smooth Presidential performance".  ::)

I made the terrible mistake of reading the comments.

Good lord the stupid.  Can I smash something?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 01:38:45 am
Rmoney

Was that intentional?
Yes.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 17, 2012, 01:39:23 am
I made the mistake of skimming this article "A Rant on Supposed Racism" saying that the democrats are the real racists due to past history which is not a valid argument since the parties had a switch starting with FDR and culminating with Kennedy.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 17, 2012, 01:50:05 am
My god, I had to stop watching the first part about 20-25 minutes in...I was about to bust out laughing like a maniac.  That's the funniest shit I've seen in weeks, watching Romney flounder like a pathetic little bitch.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Dakota Bob on October 17, 2012, 02:09:56 am
I can't find a good video of the debate, can anybody be a bro and link it?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 17, 2012, 02:22:03 am
Here's an audio sample from the debate of Obama saying "gangbangers"

http://soundcloud.com/user193038612/gangbangers
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 17, 2012, 04:07:34 am
I can't find a good video of the debate, can anybody be a bro and link it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEpCrcMF5Ps

Another highlight for me was at slightly before 1h 19m, when Romney says that the solution to gun violence is to promote (monogamous, heterosexual) marriage and reduce out of wedlock mothers and pre-marital sex.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 17, 2012, 07:23:05 am
Nice thing to say to a guy raised by only his mom who was born at a time where if his parents lived elsewhere would have not been able to get married.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 10:12:53 am
I love these:

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc0s6i9wez1rj8amio1_1280.jpg)

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc0nbjg3Rn1rj8amio1_500.png)

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc0o1wZof01rj8amio1_400.jpg)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Askold on October 17, 2012, 10:38:25 am
Rmoney

Was that intentional?
Yes.
Originally it wasn't.
(http://0.tqn.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/y/8/1/romney-money-picture-c.jpg)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: QueenofHearts on October 17, 2012, 11:29:00 am
Summary of the debate (http://imgur.com/TscQK)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 17, 2012, 11:32:36 am
Rmoney

Was that intentional?
Yes.
Originally it wasn't.
(http://0.tqn.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/y/8/1/romney-money-picture-c.jpg)

Uh-oh, I think some grandchildren are about to be fired.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 12:18:23 pm
Rmoney

Was that intentional?
Yes.
Originally it wasn't.
(http://0.tqn.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/y/8/1/romney-money-picture-c.jpg)
Well that's a shopped (http://www.snopes.com/politics/romney/money.asp) image but still funny.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 17, 2012, 12:18:27 pm
Actually, it's a fake (http://www.snopes.com/politics/romney/money.asp).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Vypernight on October 17, 2012, 12:41:34 pm
Just finished watching it on Youtube.  Looked pretty even to me, though I'm glad Obama was more assertive this time around. 

Not too sure about the, "gas prices were low because the economy was suffering," comment though.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 01:27:59 pm
Already have people saying the entire debate was a conspiracy to make Obama look good.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 17, 2012, 01:51:56 pm
Was Romney in on the conspiracy?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Cataclysm on October 17, 2012, 02:44:02 pm
Well, those two candidates weren't the only ones involved.

Quote
Police arrested Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein and her running mate, Cheri Honkala, after they tried to enter the site of tonight’s presidential debate at Hofstra University.
The two were protesting against the exclusion of all but the two major political parties from taking part in the debate.

http://rt.com/usa/news/police-jill-stein-debate-589/
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 17, 2012, 02:55:51 pm
>:| Okay, that's just wrong.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 17, 2012, 04:12:50 pm
FPTP stopping progressing since 1783
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 04:16:31 pm
Well, those two candidates weren't the only ones involved.

Quote
Police arrested Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein and her running mate, Cheri Honkala, after they tried to enter the site of tonight’s presidential debate at Hofstra University.
The two were protesting against the exclusion of all but the two major political parties from taking part in the debate.

http://rt.com/usa/news/police-jill-stein-debate-589/
Pathetic. Extra incentive for me to vote for her.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 17, 2012, 05:32:23 pm
I would if I wasn't more afraid of Romney taking office.

As it stands though, I'm actually happy with what Obama has accomplished despite overwhelming resistance from the Republicans, so I'm not even voting against Romney, I'm voting for Obama.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Random Gal on October 17, 2012, 06:15:31 pm
Not to mention that voting for Jill Stein is effectively the same as voting for Mitt Romney. Remember what happened with Ralph Nader in 2000.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 06:28:46 pm
Not to mention that voting for Jill Stein is effectively the same as voting for Mitt Romney. Remember what happened with Ralph Nader in 2000.
Well first of all there were plenty of Democrats in Florida who voted Bush in that election--some 250,000 if I recall correctly. Whereas Bush won Florida by just over 500 votes. So I suppose you can blame Nader but I think the blame is higher on the Bush-Democrats in FL.

Second of all, since I'm personally in a dyed-in-the-wool Blue state, I doubt my casting a vote for Jill Stein will harm anyone.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 17, 2012, 09:26:33 pm
Not to mention that voting for Jill Stein is effectively the same as voting for Mitt Romney. Remember what happened with Ralph Nader in 2000.
Well first of all there were plenty of Democrats in Florida who voted Bush in that election--some 250,000 if I recall correctly. Whereas Bush won Florida by just over 500 votes. So I suppose you can blame Nader but I think the blame is higher on the Bush-Democrats in FL.

Second of all, since I'm personally in a dyed-in-the-wool Blue state, I doubt my casting a vote for Jill Stein will harm anyone.

And don't forget the steps that Katherine Harris took to illegally disenfranchise likely Gore voters in the run up to the election.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 09:42:02 pm
Not to mention that voting for Jill Stein is effectively the same as voting for Mitt Romney. Remember what happened with Ralph Nader in 2000.
Well first of all there were plenty of Democrats in Florida who voted Bush in that election--some 250,000 if I recall correctly. Whereas Bush won Florida by just over 500 votes. So I suppose you can blame Nader but I think the blame is higher on the Bush-Democrats in FL.

Second of all, since I'm personally in a dyed-in-the-wool Blue state, I doubt my casting a vote for Jill Stein will harm anyone.

And don't forget the steps that Katherine Harris took to illegally disenfranchise likely Gore voters in the run up to the election.
That too--I fully expect voter intimidation and disenfranchisement, especially in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: TigerHunter on October 17, 2012, 10:07:40 pm
Not to mention that voting for Jill Stein is effectively the same as voting for Mitt Romney. Remember what happened with Ralph Nader in 2000.
Well first of all there were plenty of Democrats in Florida who voted Bush in that election--some 250,000 if I recall correctly. Whereas Bush won Florida by just over 500 votes. So I suppose you can blame Nader but I think the blame is higher on the Bush-Democrats in FL.

Second of all, since I'm personally in a dyed-in-the-wool Blue state, I doubt my casting a vote for Jill Stein will harm anyone.
If 500 people who voted for Nader would have voted for Gore if he (Nader) wasn't on the ticket, then blaming Nader is fair and square.

I'm in the same boat as you. Obama's got Illinois locked up, so I'm voting for Stein. I just hope the people in battleground states are pragmatic enough to cast their vote for the guy who's actually got a chance of winning.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2012, 11:46:10 pm
Not to mention that voting for Jill Stein is effectively the same as voting for Mitt Romney. Remember what happened with Ralph Nader in 2000.
Well first of all there were plenty of Democrats in Florida who voted Bush in that election--some 250,000 if I recall correctly. Whereas Bush won Florida by just over 500 votes. So I suppose you can blame Nader but I think the blame is higher on the Bush-Democrats in FL.

Second of all, since I'm personally in a dyed-in-the-wool Blue state, I doubt my casting a vote for Jill Stein will harm anyone.
If 500 people who voted for Nader would have voted for Gore if he (Nader) wasn't on the ticket, then blaming Nader is fair and square.
It's fair but what I was saying is that the blame is shared by more than just the Nader voters.

Also good to see a fellow Green Party voter  :)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 18, 2012, 12:57:48 am
The claim that Nader spoiled the election for Gore is not true. In the year 2000, exit polls reported that the majority of Nader's voters would not have voted at all had he not been in the race.

If you want to blame somebody for the 2000 election, blame the quarter of a million Democrats who voted for Bush. The number of Florida Dems who voted for Bush is several times larger than the total number of people who voted for Nader.


Also, in my opinion, Nader was the only candidate in 2000 that deserved to be president.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 18, 2012, 01:22:23 am
Exit polls are generally not a reliable source of accurate voting information.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Undecided on October 18, 2012, 02:52:45 am
The claim that Nader spoiled the election for Gore is not true. In the year 2000, exit polls reported that the majority of Nader's voters would not have voted at all had he not been in the race.

If you want to blame somebody for the 2000 election, blame the quarter of a million Democrats who voted for Bush. The number of Florida Dems who voted for Bush is several times larger than the total number of people who voted for Nader.


Also, in my opinion, Nader was the only candidate in 2000 that deserved to be president.
There is no doubt that Nader was a spoiler in that election. The number of people who voted for Nader in Florida in 2000 was 97,421, and the margin between Bush and Gore in Florida was 537. No matter how many who might have abstained of people who voted for Nader had he not been on the ballot, only 537 more people had to vote for Gore than for Bush. Since Gore was favored over Bush by about 66% among Nader voters in Florida, only about 900 or so of the people who voted for Nader would have had to vote otherwise for Gore to win the election. That is, if Nader had not run, more than 99% of his supporters could have abstained from voting and Gore would nevertheless have won Florida and the election. Voting across major party lines and losses in other states are irrelevant to the determination of Nader's status as a spoiler as those votes would have been cast whether Nader was running or not and other states did not have enough Nader votes for him to have influenced the outcome.

What's more, by choosing to campaign in swing states like Florida (where votes are rare) instead of safely blue states like California (where liberals could reasonably vote for Nader without worrying about supporting Bush), Nader sabotaged his self-professed goal of achieving 5% of the popular vote (the threshold for earning matching federal funds).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: largeham on October 18, 2012, 08:03:32 am
Yep, it sure is a problem when more left-wing tickets try to pose a real alternative to the Democrats.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 18, 2012, 01:13:29 pm
Oh goodie, it's 3rd party beat up time, and this is why we can't have anything nice in this country...because the status quo must be retained at all costs.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 18, 2012, 04:05:08 pm
Yep, it sure is a problem when more left-wing tickets try to pose a real alternative to the Democrats.
Oh goodie, it's 3rd party beat up time, and this is why we can't have anything nice in this country...because the status quo must be retained at all costs.

Okay, enough of this, let's be realistic here.

This country is not set up to support third party tickets in a serious manner.  This is very unfortunate.

However, it doesn't change the fact that it is not set up for it.  Voting for a third party really is throwing away your vote right now.  No amount of whining on the internet that people aren't voting third party will change this simple fact.

If the liberal vote being split was what caused Bush to get elected, then guess what, that's the facts.  There is no conspiracy to bash third parties to "maintain the status quo".

If people here were interested in maintaining the status quo, guess what, they would always vote the same party as whatever was last in office.  But no.  We aren't.

You're both being awfully silly about this whole thing.  Yes, it would be awesome if Jill Stein stood even a remote chance in today's election.  But she doesn't.

Also, I'm quite frankly getting tired of this idea that democrats are as bad as republicans when the evidence doesn't point to that.  Obama stopped the defense of DOMA, ended DADT, improved the economy, reduced the deficit, is pulling us out of that stupid war as soon as he can, and so forth.  His ideas are actually doing good.  Granted, he's a politician and has also done some bad things, like the drone strikes.  No one is saying he's perfect or a messiah.

On the other hand, Romney is most certainly bad for this country, economically and socially speaking.

I'd rather take the man who has actually given me more rights and passed a law that allowed me to actually stay insured, as well as started a process that would give us an approximation of UHC, than take the man who wants to take those away.

So, please, stop this passive aggressive silliness :-/
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 18, 2012, 04:45:13 pm
*Points up* What he said.

I'd love to have voting for a third party be a viable option, but it just isn't in the current system. So until the system changes, we're stuck voting for the lesser of two evils, and Obama is BY FAR the lesser of these two evils.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Saturn500 on October 18, 2012, 05:50:29 pm
^YES
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Undecided on October 18, 2012, 06:02:38 pm
^
^
^
That. Voting for Stein in protest is a luxury that only those living in safely Democratic states can afford.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 18, 2012, 06:48:35 pm
Or safey red states where it isn't going to make a difference either. It's only the swing states the really matter (which is a whole other can of worms, sorry).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: largeham on October 18, 2012, 07:00:27 pm
Also, I'm quite frankly getting tired of this idea that democrats are as bad as republicans when the evidence doesn't point to that.  Obama stopped the defense of DOMA, ended DADT, improved the economy, reduced the deficit, is pulling us out of that stupid war as soon as he can, and so forth.  His ideas are actually doing good.  Granted, he's a politician and has also done some bad things, like the drone strikes.  No one is saying he's perfect or a messiah.

He stopped support for DOMA because queer people have been pushing for rights for decades, not because he is a nice guy. Getting rid of DADT was necessary considering that the US military is having a recruitment crisis. Don't forget Obama voted for the invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq, and after pulling out of the latter increased troops in the former. $288 billion of the stimulus (just the one) was made of tax breaks. But anyway, what do you expect? A chunk of the administration is made up of ex-Clinton hacks. Also, Timothy Geithner, Bush's president of the New York Fed and architect of the AIG bailout.[/quote]

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On the other hand, Romney is most certainly bad for this country, economically and socially speaking.

Both Obama and Romney will be good for some of the country and bad for the rest. A country isn't some monolithic beast.

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I'd rather take the man who has actually given me more rights and passed a law that allowed me to actually stay insured, as well as started a process that would give us an approximation of UHC, than take the man who wants to take those away.

Sure, vote for the guy who has attacked workers, sided with the banks, increased drone strikes, increased domestic surveillance and pledged to cut Medicare and Social Security. It doesn't matter that the cuts are less than Romney's, cuts are still cuts.

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So, please, stop this passive aggressive silliness :-/

What passive aggressive silliness?

Anyway, as Thomas Frank recently wrote in Harper's:
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Republicans have grasped that it is a contest not about issues but the relative positives of the two parties, then they are free to move ever rightward, dragging the center with them, always keeping a few inches away from the president's anxious, conciliatory grasp.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 18, 2012, 07:05:10 pm
Republicans are moving farther and farther to the right and dragging the center behind them, so the best immediate course of action is to... help them get elected by throwing your vote away?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: largeham on October 18, 2012, 07:14:22 pm
Or not vote for a party that is voting to the right because they spend their time crying about bi-partisanship. No, the point is to organise outside of the established parties. Or at the very least not guarantee your vote to the Democrats so they can do whatever they want, while knowing that liberals will vote for them anyway.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 18, 2012, 07:18:16 pm
He stopped support for DOMA because queer people have been pushing for rights for decades, not because he is a nice guy.

And would Bush, Romney or McCain would have done the same?

The answer is no, they would have obstinately stood against it no matter how hard queers pushed for their rights.

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Getting rid of DADT was necessary considering that the US military is having a recruitment crisis. Don't forget Obama voted for the invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq, and after pulling out of the latter increased troops in the former.

Oh please.  Gay people were already joining the military before DADT was abolished.

You're acting like Obama pushed for drafting gay people, but these are people who want to join the military for one reason or another.

It was still a push towards equal rights and he had a hand in it.  I'm not about to say "Oh, it was really the people" when Obama was the key person in the key position to make it happen.


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$288 billion of the stimulus (just the one) was made of tax breaks. But anyway, what do you expect? A chunk of the administration is made up of ex-Clinton hacks. Also, Timothy Geithner, Bush's president of the New York Fed and architect of the AIG bailout.

And the stimulus saved our economy from crashing into a pitiful mess.  Could it have been more efficient?  Yes.  It did a good thing, though.

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Both Obama and Romney will be good for some of the country and bad for the rest. A country isn't some monolithic beast.

Obama's been good for the country so far.  He'll continue to be good for it in the future.

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Sure, vote for the guy who has attacked workers, sided with the banks, increased drone strikes, increased domestic surveillance and pledged to cut Medicare and Social Security. It doesn't matter that the cuts are less than Romney's, cuts are still cuts.

Actually, it does matter.

Things are not as black and white as you seem to believe.  What little harm Obama has done is nowhere compared to the potential harm that Romney could cause.  The good that Obama has caused far surpasses what little good Romney could bring to the nation.

Obama is just flat-out the better president than Romney.

EDIT: Here's the thing.

I have to face losing rights if Romney gets in office, both as a gay man and as a lower middle class individual, and as someone who is still on his parents' insurance.

There are women here that will lose rights if Romney accomplishes even half of what he promised to the extreme right.

Hell, as it stands, in Wisconsin the unions got absolutely neutered by Walker. The recall failed and we're stuck with him.  I don't want that happening country-wide.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on October 18, 2012, 07:25:39 pm
Wow, it's almost as if largeham has absolutely nothing to lose by Romney being elected president
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 18, 2012, 07:52:12 pm
Sure, vote for the guy who has attacked workers, sided with the banks,

Pretty sure when you post arguments in another thread and they are shown to be BS, they would also be BS here as well.

... and pledged to cut Medicare and Social Security. It doesn't matter that the cuts are less than Romney's, cuts are still cuts.

Cuts?  Really when did Obama do that.  Before you answer you should make sure you understand how the funding for those programs work.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 18, 2012, 09:36:36 pm
However, it doesn't change the fact that it is not set up for it.  Voting for a third party really is throwing away your vote right now.  No amount of whining on the internet that people aren't voting third party will change this simple fact.

I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I cannot stomach this assertion.

What makes voting for somebody who has no chance of winning "throwing away" your vote?  Would I be throwing my vote away if I voted for Obama (down 12 points in my state) or John Gregg (the Democratic candidate for Governor, who is down by more than 10 as well)?  They have no chance of winning here.  Would I be throwing away my vote by voting for Stein or Imaginary Green Gubernatorial candidate?

How is it not "throwing away" your vote to cast your ballot for a candidate who candidate who you fundamentally and seriously disagree with, just because you find the other major one to be even more objectionable?  Jill Stein has the right to run for office.  I have the right to vote for her (if I choose to do so).

Don't forget Obama voted for the invasion of both Afghanistan and Iraq

No, he didn't.  Obama wasn't elected to the U.S. Senate until 2004.  We invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.  At the time, he was a member of the Illinois State Senate, and as such did not get to vote on the war.  What's more, he actually spoke out against it (http://cnsnews.com/news/article/obama-2002-toppling-brutal-dictator-dumb-war), calling it a "dumb war" in 2002, and he went so far as to vote against an appropriations bill to fund the war (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2008/aug/12/john-mccain/obama-tried-to-defund-troops-not-exactly/) in 2007, because the bill did not include a plan to bring the troops home.

Republicans are moving farther and farther to the right and dragging the center behind them, so the best immediate course of action is to... help them get elected by throwing your vote away?
Actually, the quote he posted is saying that the Democrats keep reaching to the center, allowing the Republicans to redefine the center as the Democratic position, and then shift to the right.  The Democrats accept this, and reach to the new center.  The Democrats are shifting to the right as well.

Think about it.  The ACA is basically the same as the Republican counter-proposal to Clinton's healthcare reform plan from the early 1990's.

The Democratic Party has to shoulder some of the blame for that too.

... and pledged to cut Medicare and Social Security. It doesn't matter that the cuts are less than Romney's, cuts are still cuts.

Cuts?  Really when did Obama do that.  Before you answer you should make sure you understand how the funding for those programs work.

The Affordable Care Act did cut $716 billion from Medicare (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/14/romneys-right-obamacare-cuts-medicare-by-716-billion-heres-how/).  Both Clinton and Obama talked about it at the convention.  Long story short, it doesn't cut benefits, it cuts payments to hospitals and insurance companies for a variety of reasons.  It's probably also relevant to the conversation that Paul Ryan proposed the exact same cuts in his budget.

The only thing I can find about Obama cutting Social Security is that he said that he was willing to do so during the debt reduction discussions (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-debt-talks-obama-offers-social-security-cuts/2011/07/06/gIQA2sFO1H_story.html).  But that was him coming to the Republican position.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 18, 2012, 09:58:51 pm
However, it doesn't change the fact that it is not set up for it.  Voting for a third party really is throwing away your vote right now.  No amount of whining on the internet that people aren't voting third party will change this simple fact.

I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I cannot stomach this assertion.

What makes voting for somebody who has no chance of winning "throwing away" your vote?  Would I be throwing my vote away if I voted for Obama (down 12 points in my state) or John Gregg (the Democratic candidate for Governor, who is down by more than 10 as well)?  They have no chance of winning here.  Would I be throwing away my vote by voting for Stein or Imaginary Green Gubernatorial candidate?

How is it not "throwing away" your vote to cast your ballot for a candidate who candidate who you fundamentally and seriously disagree with, just because you find the other major one to be even more objectionable?  Jill Stein has the right to run for office.  I have the right to vote for her (if I choose to do so).

It's about dividing.

If enough people vote for Jill Stein instead of Obama, then it doesn't matter how much of the country is liberal -- Romney wins and the conservatives, who tend to be a unified base (though maybe not so much recently) win because they generally don't bother with third party candidates.

One vote may not make a difference, but a thousand votes can.  Unfortunately, Jill Stein is too big of a risk.

Sure, people are free to vote for Jill Stein.  That's perfectly fine.  But they should be aware of what that vote accomplishes, and shouldn't act offended when the facts are told to them.

(Myself, I'd happily vote for her in 2016 if she ran on the democratic ticket and not on a ticket that's known for being a one-issue ticket -- namely, environmentalism, which is good but not the only important thing.)

What I do not agree with, however, is the outright lies that are flying around and being used as justification for voting against Obama.  I see enough of it on the right, I don't need to see it on the left, either.

I seriously don't want a repeat of Bush Jr.  I really don't.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 18, 2012, 10:27:41 pm
I understand the argument that dividing the vote may result in the least-favored candidate winning, but that's not what I'm talking about.  I take issue with the suggestion that it is possible to "waste" a vote by casting your ballot for somebody that you agree with.  Disagree with it all you want, but saying that somebody "wasted" their vote is as judgmental and offensive as it would be for a conservative to tell you that you "wasted" your vote on Obama.

I'll pose to you the same question I asked somebody else in the other thread when this came up.  Pretend that the Democratic Party is a third party.  Imagine instead, that the Republican Party and the Constitution Party are the two major parties.  Could you cast your ballot for Mitt Romney for President?  Your choice is between very conservative and holyfuckingshit conservative.  Could you, as a liberal, vote for somebody who will pursue policies that you oppose that strongly?  That is the kind of question that socialists face when looking at the Democrats and Republicans--I see more of a difference than largeham does, but it's not that big.  At the end of the day, I have to decide if I, as a socialist, can bring myself to vote for the center-right capitalist Democrats, or the far right capitalist Republicans.

Personally, I haven't made that decision yet.

EDIT:  As  former card-carrying member of the Green Party, let me assure you emphatically that the Greens are NOT a one-issue party (http://gp.org/tenkey.php).  Sorry, I hate that misconception.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 18, 2012, 10:44:50 pm
I think you'll find that each person answers that dilemma differently.

...Personally, though, I'm not voting against Romney, I'm voting for Obama.  So I can see where you're coming from.

That being said, again people are free to vote how they want.  They shouldn't let me or anyone else tell them otherwise.  But to say that democrats and republicans are equal evils?  And to imply that anyone who votes for Obama and doesn't want to vote third party due to valid concerns is a tool?

That's not even close to reality.

Also, on the subject, haven't there been cases where third party candidates that were actually capable of winning were invited to the debate?

I mean, I can sorta understand the limitations.  If you didn't draw the line somewhere, you'd have 20 presidential candidates on stage all trying to answer questions over each other, and it'd be pretty much chaos and hard to keep track of.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 18, 2012, 11:10:42 pm
That being said, again people are free to vote how they want.  They shouldn't let me or anyone else tell them otherwise.  But to say that democrats and republicans are equal evils?  And to imply that anyone who votes for Obama and doesn't want to vote third party due to valid concerns is a tool?

That's not even close to reality.

I never said that anybody who doesn't want to vote third party is a tool, nor did I intend to imply it.

Nor did I say that the Democrats and Republicans are equal.  I have argued (and will continue to argue) that, of all of the possible political philosophies out there, the Democrats and the Republicans are very close together (http://politicalcompass.org/uselection2012), and very conservative.

Also, on the subject, haven't there been cases where third party candidates that were actually capable of winning were invited to the debate?

I mean, I can sorta understand the limitations.  If you didn't draw the line somewhere, you'd have 20 presidential candidates on stage all trying to answer questions over each other, and it'd be pretty much chaos and hard to keep track of.

Ross Perot was invited to the debates in 1992.  If I recall correctly (and I might not, seeing as I was five years old), he bombed magnificently.  Though I don't know that he ever had a real chance of winning, he ended up with a little less than 19% of the popular vote.

Yeah, you definitely couldn't have all of the candidates for every little tiny party on stage.  Somebody suggested in the "improve the debates" thread that anybody who was on enough ballots to reach the 270 electoral votes necessary to win should be invited (Stein would be invited), which I thought was a good idea.  Somebody else (ironbite, I think), said that a candidate should be invited if they make it onto the ballot in every state (Stein would not be invited).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 19, 2012, 12:07:40 am
I never said that anybody who doesn't want to vote third party is a tool, nor did I intend to imply it.

Nor did I say that the Democrats and Republicans are equal.  I have argued (and will continue to argue) that, of all of the possible political philosophies out there, the Democrats and the Republicans are very close together (http://politicalcompass.org/uselection2012), and very conservative.

I was speaking in general, not speaking of you specifically.  Sorry if I implied that.

I already know that our liberals would be considered conservative in other countries.  And that democrat isn't necessarily synonymous with liberal (nor should it be)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 12:12:14 am
That being said, again people are free to vote how they want.  They shouldn't let me or anyone else tell them otherwise.  But to say that democrats and republicans are equal evils?  And to imply that anyone who votes for Obama and doesn't want to vote third party due to valid concerns is a tool?

That's not even close to reality.

I never said that anybody who doesn't want to vote third party is a tool, nor did I intend to imply it.

Nor did I say that the Democrats and Republicans are equal.  I have argued (and will continue to argue) that, of all of the possible political philosophies out there, the Democrats and the Republicans are very close together (http://politicalcompass.org/uselection2012), and very conservative.

Oh Noses, you can't say that you'll make certain members here pissed off, because it can't be true, the Democrats and Republicans are totally different. And rememeber we can't have any real change here because liberal ideas are too complex to translate into sound bites for the avenge joe to understand. :P

Also Zack, I'm just sick of third party bashing. The problem is that we have 2 parties that don't want any give up power, and won't in the near future, I'll be shocked if they do in my life time. And the Democrats are more than happy to bend over backwards for the Republicans, but god forbid they try moving a little to the left, and stop sucking on that corporate teet, that's all I ask. I would personally love for Democrats to try not name calling Greens, and try working together, but that won't anytime soon either. But, I'm also more than willing to meet Libertarians half way, they can have their economic and tax system, if they would be willing to let people have some sort universal healthcare, and social safety net(other than private charity).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 19, 2012, 12:24:56 am
That being said, again people are free to vote how they want.  They shouldn't let me or anyone else tell them otherwise.  But to say that democrats and republicans are equal evils?  And to imply that anyone who votes for Obama and doesn't want to vote third party due to valid concerns is a tool?

That's not even close to reality.

I never said that anybody who doesn't want to vote third party is a tool, nor did I intend to imply it.

Nor did I say that the Democrats and Republicans are equal.  I have argued (and will continue to argue) that, of all of the possible political philosophies out there, the Democrats and the Republicans are very close together (http://politicalcompass.org/uselection2012), and very conservative.

Oh Noses, you can't say that you'll make certain members here pissed off, because it can't be true, the Democrats and Republicans are totally different. And rememeber we can't have any real change here because liberal ideas are too complex to translate into sound bites for the avenge joe to understand. :P

^ This is the passive aggressive silliness I was talking about earlier.  Just for reference.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 12:52:35 am
I know, I'm not stupid, I'll stop when people stop bashing those who are sick of having the choice of voting for center-right or batshit crazy right. I'm more than willing to work with people, but I'm sick of the name calling. And in case your wondering, I'm very pissed off today, and I want bash some heads in.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 19, 2012, 01:06:25 am
Informing people of the consequences of their actions is bashing now?

You're not exactly endearing me to third party voters with this.

The fact of the matter is, the last time people got out and tried to vote for a third party, we got Bush Jr.  (And before that, the other side doing it resulted in Clinton, though that was intentional sabotage on the part of the third party candidate)

People are wary of voting third party, especially with such polarized sides.  It's gotta be all or nothing in this political climate, either a candidate gets a lot of votes, or they get almost no votes.

Feel free to vote your conscience, but don't get uppity when people tell you what your vote can mean.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 19, 2012, 01:08:14 am
That being said, again people are free to vote how they want.  They shouldn't let me or anyone else tell them otherwise.  But to say that democrats and republicans are equal evils?  And to imply that anyone who votes for Obama and doesn't want to vote third party due to valid concerns is a tool?

That's not even close to reality.

I never said that anybody who doesn't want to vote third party is a tool, nor did I intend to imply it.

Nor did I say that the Democrats and Republicans are equal.  I have argued (and will continue to argue) that, of all of the possible political philosophies out there, the Democrats and the Republicans are very close together (http://politicalcompass.org/uselection2012), and very conservative.

Oh Noses, you can't say that you'll make certain members here pissed off, because it can't be true, the Democrats and Republicans are totally different. And rememeber we can't have any real change here because liberal ideas are too complex to translate into sound bites for the avenge joe to understand. :P

Also Zack, I'm just sick of third party bashing. The problem is that we have 2 parties that don't want any give up power, and won't in the near future, I'll be shocked if they do in my life time. And the Democrats are more than happy to bend over backwards for the Republicans, but god forbid they try moving a little to the left, and stop sucking on that corporate teet, that's all I ask. I would personally love for Democrats to try not name calling Greens, and try working together, but that won't anytime soon either. But, I'm also more than willing to meet Libertarians half way, they can have their economic and tax system, if they would be willing to let people have some sort universal healthcare, and social safety net(other than private charity).
I don't think anyone is bashing third parties. We're just trying to be realistic about what voting for them does (not much).

I'm all for getting more parties involved in American politics, but that's a long term goal. It's a great thing to work toward but it doesn't help in the short term. So I for one am not disagreeing on what the long term goal should be, just saying you need a practical short term goal too, and maybe a medium term goal as well.

In the short term, vote Democrat. Sure, there's not as much difference between the parties as you might like, but a little bit better is preferable to a little bit worse.

In the medium term, if you want the Democratic party to move farther to the left, get involved. Work to change the party for the better. You're not going to get them to change their ways by complaining about it from the outside. If they know you're not going to vote for them, donate to them, or work for them, why should they care what you want?

In the long term, get involved with building a viable third party and/or work for/support efforts to change the system to level the playing field for third parties. And by the way, third parties aren't going to get anywhere by only running candidates for president and other high offices. If you want to build a strong party, start locally, from the ground up. Get on school boards, city councils, etc. That's how the religious right became such a strong force in American politics. Running presidential candidates before you've built a base and a party infrastructure is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 01:29:22 am
And I'm sick of the whole "Everyone must vote Democratic, even though they like to throw liberals under the bus and ignore them" mentality in general. Here's a news flash, we're never going to have any meaningful change from the Democratic Party, they don't give a shit about liberals, if they did they would never have gone center right, and might respect our opinions.  Hey, I'm all for starting over with this country, but I'm afraid at this point, we might just have to burn the shit down.

Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 19, 2012, 01:37:39 am
Abolishing DADT and getting DOMA put into a position where it can be eradicated isn't significant change already?

Seriously, I hear enough of "You vote democrat, therefore you're evil and lazy" from the right, I don't need to hear "You vote democrat, therefore you're a tool" from here.

Also, I'm not entirely sure that democrats are as "LOL fuck the liberals" as you seem to believe they are, considering what they've tried to do so far only to be blocked by the republicans.

...Don't tell me the republican strategy of making Obama look like he's doing nothing by blocking everything he has tried to do is actually working god dammit.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Cataclysm on October 19, 2012, 01:53:33 am
Abolishing DADT and getting DOMA put into a position where it can be eradicated isn't significant change already?

Both were signed by a democrat, and Romney would have repealed DADT.

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Seriously, I hear enough of "You vote democrat, therefore you're evil and lazy" from the right, I don't need to hear "You vote democrat, therefore you're a tool" from here.

But our criticism of democrats are legitimate.

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...Don't tell me the republican strategy of making Obama look like he's doing nothing by blocking everything he has tried to do is actually working god dammit.

Well, many of the things Obama has actually done are far from attractive. I generally don't oppose him for whe he didn't do.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 02:03:06 am
Well, they don't have to suck the corporate teet, like they do
We could of at least tried to keep the public opition in the healthcare bill, but I forgot that's too liberal of an idea, especially with the bill being written by the insurance companies. We could have have some real education reform, not just having for profit charters being push on the public, while public schools only get this Race to the Top, with it's teach the test steaming pile of shit.
After all we can't frame liberal ideas, because they're "too complex" for to make into soundbites that John Q Public can understand.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: davedan on October 19, 2012, 02:37:01 am

After all we can't frame liberal ideas, because they're "too complex" for to make into soundbites that John Q Public can understand.

Unfortunately in a country where the right wing propaganda is such that socialist is considered an insult, this may be true.

I actually think the only way to move the debate back from the Right and to the centre is with organised lobbying and protesting. I think that  the Occupy movement was a good example of that. But it needs to be a loud and continous effort. Letting politicians know directly that you want left policies.

Honestly I don't think there is much more of a right wing in America than a left, just that the right are so fucking loud.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 02:50:31 am
I don't think people are as right wing in this country as the MSM likes to make it out to be, it's just the Republicans have controlled the debate for decades, and I see very few Democrats with backbone standing up to them. More often than not, they're willing to lean more and more to the right, in order to appease to them.

I just want to add, that I'm sorry about coming off as somewhat of a bitch tonight...
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Vypernight on October 19, 2012, 04:45:45 am
I hate when people throw around the terms Liberal and Conservative because they've basically become meaningless by themselves.  A bill isn't stupid because it's Liberal; it's stupid because it hurts more people than it helps or gives one group of people more rights than others. 

I've heard Bloomberg's soda ban being a Stupid Liberal Plot against small businesses even though many of Boomberg's own supporters have spoken out against it.  Also, if (hypothetically speaking) it was liberal, wouldn't the part of Romney's health care plan that penalizes businesses with 11 or fewer workers who don't provide coverage also be liberal for the exact same reason?

I also find it strange that a lot of people I talk to who claim to be Independent or Libertarian are siding with Romney and bashing gays, abortion etc.  Wouldn't that make you more to the right than the middle?  Maybe I shouldn't talk though because I'm Independent, but I support Obama because I disagree with Romney's economic plans.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Sylvana on October 19, 2012, 06:15:57 am
I would like to say that I despise strategic voting on principle. I would rather not vote than vote for a party or candidate that I do not agree with and support. In my opinion voting is the same as picking up a weapon to fight for your side, and I will not do that for someone I disagree with.

Additionally, voting strategically and voting democrat in the short term will ensure that no long term solutions ever come about. As long as they know they will get your support because the other option is crazy, then they will continue to throw you under the bus. They know that the voting is so polarized that they can take any position and do anything they want because people are going to vote for them just to prevent the other side from coming to power. There is a reason why congress has an abysmal approval rating. I think bill maher pointed out that the Libyan Gaddafi government had greater approval ratings than the US senate and congress. This is because the people who end up in power come from the parties in power and those parties don't care about anyone other than their own bank balances and the corporate teat. Those parties foster and support candidates from their regions that will tow the party line ensuring that the cycle of control is never broken. That is why you have to vote 3rd party for because you wont change those 2 primary parties from the inside.

I just listened to the debate and I thought it was lovely. All the points Obama made sounded beautiful. However the fact remained that if he is elected you will get exactly the same as you have gotten these past 4 years. Yes Mitt Romney will be far worse a president than Obama, but both will continue with things roughly the same as they are now. Both the democrats and the republicans are equally committed to maintaining the status quo.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: largeham on October 19, 2012, 07:03:52 am
And would Bush, Romney or McCain would have done the same?

The answer is no, they would have obstinately stood against it no matter how hard queers pushed for their rights.

Doesn't change the fact that Obama didn't do this out of the goodness of his own heart.

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Oh please.  Gay people were already joining the military before DADT was abolished.

You're acting like Obama pushed for drafting gay people, but these are people who want to join the military for one reason or another.

It was still a push towards equal rights and he had a hand in it.  I'm not about to say "Oh, it was really the people" when Obama was the key person in the key position to make it happen.

Of course gay people were joining the military, but then we might as well keep DADT? But then of course, Obama is so nice and humane, tell that to the people in Pakistan killed by drone strikes.


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Obama's been good for the country so far.  He'll continue to be good for it in the future.

What do you mean by good for the country? People within a country have wildly diverging interests, nothing is ever 'good for the country'.

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Actually, it does matter.

Things are not as black and white as you seem to believe.  What little harm Obama has done is nowhere compared to the potential harm that Romney could cause.  The good that Obama has caused far surpasses what little good Romney could bring to the nation.

Obama is just flat-out the better president than Romney.

EDIT: Here's the thing.

I have to face losing rights if Romney gets in office, both as a gay man and as a lower middle class individual, and as someone who is still on his parents' insurance.

There are women here that will lose rights if Romney accomplishes even half of what he promised to the extreme right.

Hell, as it stands, in Wisconsin the unions got absolutely neutered by Walker. The recall failed and we're stuck with him.  I don't want that happening country-wide.

The unions have neutered themselves over the decades with their craven support for the democrats. Also, look at all the women, queers and poor people who will vote for Romney.

Wow, it's almost as if largeham has absolutely nothing to lose by Romney being elected president

Not directly, no. I would rather not see the left in America chase after a party that has since th 90s been the nice, smiling side of neo-liberalism.

Pretty sure when you post arguments in another thread and they are shown to be BS, they would also be BS here as well.

So, Obama has been a great friend to the poor?

Quote
Cuts?  Really when did Obama do that.  Before you answer you should make sure you understand how the funding for those programs work.

If you want to ignore all the evidence I presented earlier, be my guest.

Seriously, I hear enough of "You vote democrat, therefore you're evil and lazy" from the right, I don't need to hear "You vote democrat, therefore you're a tool" from here.

If you don't want to defend your politics, then too bad.

I don't think people are as right wing in this country as the MSM likes to make it out to be, it's just the Republicans have controlled the debate for decades, and I see very few Democrats with backbone standing up to them. More often than not, they're willing to lean more and more to the right, in order to appease to them.

I just want to add, that I'm sorry about coming off as somewhat of a bitch tonight...

Yeah, since the 80s, everything in mainstream politics has been framed within neo-liberalism. I dare say that is the biggest victory of Reagan/Thatcher.

snip

I completely agree.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: StallChaser on October 19, 2012, 08:17:32 am
The elections amount to choosing Obama or Romney, or have that choice made for you.  If you're in a state that's solidly red or blue, throwing away your vote on a protest vote for a third party may not be a bad idea.  It's just when the state is teetering on the edge that third parties act as spoilers.

What do you mean by good for the country? People within a country have wildly diverging interests, nothing is ever 'good for the country'.
Good, as in Obama's policies make more economic sense.  As in, mathematically possible.  We'd have a stronger overall economy than with the Romney Magic Mystery plan.

If you're really trying to define 'good for the country' as good for every single individual, then there really is no such thing, and it's completely meaningless to make any decision at all.  I mean, we might as well just let Romney do his thing, because someone will benefit, right?  We can also repeal the first amendment and make the Westboro Baptist Church the state religion, because who's to judge what's good or bad for the country?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: rookie on October 19, 2012, 08:32:20 am
Hey guys. I've kept my trap shut in this thread to this point, I've been following it quietly. And I see everyone is talking about third parties and the presidency. Cool. But in November, you'll be voting for a bunch of position, not just POTUS. You know a viable third party isn't going to be an option for president in the next at least 16 years, but would you be willing to accept local and try to work your way up? A third party city or county councilor or state senator or something like that? It's an easier and cheaper win. Everyone here knows how agonizingly slow political change comes in this country. You're looking at like 20 years to get enough local and state third party candidates to filter up to House of Representatives and then Senate to have a serious shot at the Oval Office. But if you're willing to put the time and effort in, and convince enough friends and neighbors, it could happen. It's also a damn effective way to promote the change you want to see.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 19, 2012, 10:49:00 am
Exactly. Start locally and work your way up, which you can do either with a third party or as the religious right did, with a faction within an exiting party that pulls it in a particular direction.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 04:10:21 pm
Running on the local level is fine, but the problem is that they can't go any higher than that given our electoral system is winner take all, which is greatly unfair to third parties. And neither of the mainstream parties seem all that interested in any kind of electoral reform.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: rookie on October 19, 2012, 04:44:39 pm
Running on the local level is fine, but the problem is that they can't go any higher than that given our electoral system is winner take all, which is greatly unfair to third parties. And neither of the mainstream parties seem all that interested in any kind of electoral reform.

You understand I'm not talking about getting elected to the school board November then making a big run in 2016, right? If the same third party does respectable a few cycles in a row, they'll get to the debates. Or they always have the option of buying their ticket in (Nader, Perot, Roosevelt).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 19, 2012, 04:56:23 pm
And would Bush, Romney or McCain would have done the same?

The answer is no, they would have obstinately stood against it no matter how hard queers pushed for their rights.

Doesn't change the fact that Obama didn't do this out of the goodness of his own heart.

Doesn't change the fact that it was he who did it where other presidents and potential presidents wouldn't

Seriously, this is a massive deflection on your part.

Quote
Of course gay people were joining the military, but then we might as well keep DADT? But then of course, Obama is so nice and humane, tell that to the people in Pakistan killed by drone strikes.

You act like I'm for the drone strikes, but seriously, I condemn those, too.

I'm not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater over this, though.

Quote
What do you mean by good for the country? People within a country have wildly diverging interests, nothing is ever 'good for the country'.

StallChaser nailed this question far better than I could've.

Quote
The unions have neutered themselves over the decades with their craven support for the democrats.

...What.

No, seriously, what.  What is this crap?

Are you even paying attention to what you're saying anymore?  Or are you typing anything that comes to mind without any thought?

Quote
Also, look at all the women, queers and poor people who will vote for Romney.

And?  There will always be people who cut their nose off to spite their face.

Quote
Not directly, no. I would rather not see the left in America chase after a party that has since th 90s been the nice, smiling side of neo-liberalism.

Oh joy, more buzzwords that have little to no meaning.

I'm not even going to address the rest of your post.  You rely on sources that are factually incorrect (such as Obama supporting the war, as was disproved earlier-- which you conveniently ignored), you take any source that says what you want to say, and quite frankly, nothing is to be gained from arguing with you.

Good day.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 19, 2012, 05:30:47 pm
Running on the local level is fine, but the problem is that they can't go any higher than that given our electoral system is winner take all, which is greatly unfair to third parties. And neither of the mainstream parties seem all that interested in any kind of electoral reform.
As others said, it takes time to build up a party. You work your way up bit by bit, year after year. That's how political parties and movement within established parties get a foothold. You can't just jump into the race at the top and expect to be taken seriously. And from what I've seen (though I could be wrong), that's pretty much what third parties do. They need to change their strategy if they want to make any real difference.

But let's say you're right and it's pretty much impossible to get a third party candidate elected to a high office even if you build up a base for years, and that neither party is interested in election reform that would make it easier for third parties to get in the game (which I agree with), what's the solution? What can/should Joe and Jane AverageCitizen do make things better?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: ironbite on October 19, 2012, 05:32:56 pm
Right largeham I asked you for sources for your points earlier now let's go to the other side.  Convince me to vote for Romney.  Tell me why he's better for the country then Obama ever would be.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 19, 2012, 06:15:50 pm
Running on the local level is fine, but the problem is that they can't go any higher than that given our electoral system is winner take all, which is greatly unfair to third parties. And neither of the mainstream parties seem all that interested in any kind of electoral reform.
As others said, it takes time to build up a party. You work your way up bit by bit, year after year. That's how political parties and movement within established parties get a foothold. You can't just jump into the race at the top and expect to be taken seriously. And from what I've seen (though I could be wrong), that's pretty much what third parties do. They need to change their strategy if they want to make any real difference.

Third parties do run in, and occassionally win, local and even statewide elections.  There are currently 134 Green Party officeholders (http://www.gp.org/elections/officeholders/index.php) (including five mayors) and 154 Libertarian Party office holders (http://www.lp.org/candidates/elected-officials) in the United States.  Members of third parties have been Governors, most recently Angus King (Independent-ME) and Jessie Ventura (Reform Party-MN).  There are currently two independents in the United States Senate:  Bernie Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist from Vermont, and Joe Lieberman from Connecticut.  Lieberman isn't running for reelection, but Angus King is going to be elected to the Senate (still as an independent) in a landslide.

Earlier you described third party candidates seeking office as a "publicity stunt."  That's exactly right.  It attracts far more attention and generates far more enthusiasm than local campaigns could.  Jill Stein, Rocky Alexander, Virgil Goode, etc. don't have any illusions that they might actually win.  But when they get into the news (even for being arrested trying to enter the debate) it gets them attention.  It raises awareness of the fact that their party exists.  Running candidates for national office helps get party members elected to local offices.

But let's say you're right and it's pretty much impossible to get a third party candidate elected to a high office even if you build up a base for years, and that neither party is interested in election reform that would make it easier for third parties to get in the game (which I agree with), what's the solution? What can/should Joe and Jane AverageCitizen do make things better?

There's not much that can be done.  The systemic bias against third parties goes well beyond first past the post elections.  For example, ballot access is attained by getting petitions from eligible voters in a district/state/whatever.  The laws in most states require more signatures for third party candidates than they do for Democrats and Republicans.  The Democrats and the Republicans have wealth and power, and they get to write the rules of the game.  They make damn sure to write them in a way that ensures that the wealth and power stays exactly where it is.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 06:24:04 pm
But let's say you're right and it's pretty much impossible to get a third party candidate elected to a high office even if you build up a base for years, and that neither party is interested in election reform that would make it easier for third parties to get in the game (which I agree with), what's the solution? What can/should Joe and Jane AverageCitizen do make things better?

There's not much that can be done.  The systemic bias against third parties goes well beyond first past the post elections.  For example, ballot access is attained by getting petitions from eligible voters in a district/state/whatever.  The laws in most states require more signatures for third party candidates than they do for Democrats and Republicans.  The Democrats and the Republicans have wealth and power, and they get to write the rules of the game.  They make damn sure to write them in a way that ensures that the wealth and power stays exactly where it is.

And this why I'm a proponent for starting over from scratch with this country, personally I'm in favor of burning the shit down.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 19, 2012, 08:36:23 pm
Well, they don't have to suck the corporate teet, like they do
We could of at least tried to keep the public opition in the healthcare bill, but I forgot that's too liberal of an idea, especially with the bill being written by the insurance companies. We could have have some real education reform, not just having for profit charters being push on the public, while public schools only get this Race to the Top, with it's teach the test steaming pile of shit.
After all we can't frame liberal ideas, because they're "too complex" for to make into soundbites that John Q Public can understand.

They did try for a public option, it failed.  See you posted this ridiculousness in this thread...

http://forums.fstdt.net/politics-and-government/how-did-the-democrats-and-republicans-choose-their-positions/75/ (http://forums.fstdt.net/politics-and-government/how-did-the-democrats-and-republicans-choose-their-positions/75/)

...and I addressed each of them.  Some you tried to respond to other you didn't.  You can say these things over and over but it will not make them true.

So, Obama has been a great friend to the poor?

Perhaps you missed those extension of unemployment benefits, or the GOP harping on the number of people receiving food stamps now. 

Quote
If you want to ignore all the evidence I presented earlier, be my guest.

...and what evidence is that?

Running on the local level is fine, but the problem is that they can't go any higher than that given our electoral system is winner take all, which is greatly unfair to third parties. And neither of the mainstream parties seem all that interested in any kind of electoral reform.

You should realize that the winner take all laws regarding the electoral college are state laws.  That means enough support in a few states could vastly change the system.  Also when you talk about winner take all it is only for the Presidency.  A couple of third party Senators could wield enough power in the Senate to get some concession on legislation.

Oh, and California just changed it's election laws so not the top two candidates in any primary run in the general election, regardless of party.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Random Gal on October 19, 2012, 09:04:01 pm
You should realize that the winner take all laws regarding the electoral college are state laws.  That means enough support in a few states could vastly change the system.

I believe Nebraska and Maine can split their electoral votes, and Colorado was considering a similar measure.

Of course, I believe the President should be elected by direct popular vote.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: JohnE on October 19, 2012, 09:28:06 pm
But let's say you're right and it's pretty much impossible to get a third party candidate elected to a high office even if you build up a base for years, and that neither party is interested in election reform that would make it easier for third parties to get in the game (which I agree with), what's the solution? What can/should Joe and Jane AverageCitizen do make things better?

There's not much that can be done.  The systemic bias against third parties goes well beyond first past the post elections.  For example, ballot access is attained by getting petitions from eligible voters in a district/state/whatever.  The laws in most states require more signatures for third party candidates than they do for Democrats and Republicans.  The Democrats and the Republicans have wealth and power, and they get to write the rules of the game.  They make damn sure to write them in a way that ensures that the wealth and power stays exactly where it is.

And this why I'm a proponent for starting over from scratch with this country, personally I'm in favor of burning the shit down.
Very practical.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Distind on October 19, 2012, 09:40:21 pm
Running on the local level is fine, but the problem is that they can't go any higher than that given our electoral system is winner take all, which is greatly unfair to third parties. And neither of the mainstream parties seem all that interested in any kind of electoral reform.
Personally I'd rather avoid the special interest clusterfuck known as third parties. At least now the various lobbies have to compete with eachother over which of the sides they get to do their bidding. If they could just start their own parties and be taken seriously we'd never accomplish a damn thing.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 19, 2012, 09:43:58 pm
If you call that trying, it's hardly trying, but the Democrats don't know how to try at anything. If they really wanted to try, they won't be so right leaning as they are and know how to get the message across, which they don't. Why?? Because they don't want to, and a good deal of them are in bed with Wall Street, and the insurance companies, and could care less about the little people. Here's a news flash, not everyone wants to wait 5 generations for real reform, and if anyone wants any real reform they have to demand it, and not wait around for it to happen.We need someone in congress that would keep on demanding it until the cows come home, shutting up about it up and forgetting about isn't going to change anything. Heck, this is why I'm for starting over from scratch, since I little faith in the current system as it stands now.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 19, 2012, 10:35:58 pm
If you call that trying, it's hardly trying, but the Democrats don't know how to try at anything. If they really wanted to try, they won't be so right leaning as they are and know how to get the message across, which they don't. Why?? Because they don't want to, and a good deal of them are in bed with Wall Street, and the insurance companies, and could care less about the little people. Here's a news flash, not everyone wants to wait 5 generations for real reform, and if anyone wants any real reform they have to demand it, and not wait around for it to happen.We need someone in congress that would keep on demanding it until the cows come home, shutting up about it up and forgetting about isn't going to change anything. Heck, this is why I'm for starting over from scratch, since I little faith in the current system as it stands now.

Please pull your head out of your ass.  If you did that you might see that the Dems have accomplished quite a damn bit over the last few years, and did so during a massive cluster that was the economy.  Having someone in congress demand something over and over is simply going to get other congress members to remember where the exist are whenever that member speaks.  It takes a lot more that just standing up and yelling.  I know that is fun every once in awhile, but it rarely gets much done.

Perhaps if you would have paid attention in your civics class you would also understand that the way the US government is set up, with the separations of power and the two houses, it is not really built for fast changes.  Nor is it built for people to simply sit on the sidelines and make demands.  You want a viable third party, fine go make it happen.  Go join the green party, volunteer at their phone banks, canvas neighborhoods, if you have to run as their candidate.

You know what the vast difference was between the Tea Party movement and the Occupy movement was?  Work!  The Tea Parties put in the work and got some of there people elected.  Yes it was under the GOP banner, but they got people in office.  They also moved the GOP as a party closer to were they wanted it. 

The Occupy movement for all of its thunder and fury did not accomplished much other than making a mess.  Yes, people camped out for weeks and months, but that is easier that putting in the work the Teabaggers did.

So even if you get your way and we start over unless the left in this country starts to really get involved and put in the long hours and build things up the results will be the same.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 19, 2012, 11:23:38 pm
Frankly, no one is going to change anyone else's mind here so...

Simplest solution: Just vote your conscience. If your political positions align with Barack Obama, vote for him. If you agree more with a third party candidate, as I do, vote for that person.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Undecided on October 20, 2012, 03:05:35 am
Simplest solution: Just vote your conscience. If your political positions align with Barack Obama, vote for him. If you agree more with a third party candidate, as I do, vote for that person.
Unfortunately, that's picking a side, not proposing a solution. The choice between voting tactically and voting sincerely is actually one of the key points of contention. Your decision to vote for a minor party candidate means that the major party candidate who you dislike more is just as likely to win as if you had not voted at all. Conversely, if you vote for the major party candidate you most prefer (or least dislike), then your preferences are not accurately reflected in the final tally. You've picked your poison, and I've picked mine.

What's worse, it's not anyone's fault that the incentives to vote insincerely exist. All voting schemes are susceptible to tactical voting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbard-Satterthwaite_theorem) (although, in winner-take-all systems like those of the US, the distortion is particularly egregious (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winner-takes-all#Tactical_voting)).
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 20, 2012, 11:37:01 am
M52nickerson, you need to stop being condesending, otherwise your point is null and void. I get what you are saying, and I do know how the political process works, I'm not a moron. You're the one that comes across as someone who thinks if we follow the book everything will be fine and dandy. Guess what, we have been following the book and everything isn't fine and dandy. We're at a point where both parties are more than happy to whore themselves out to the highest bidder, and are controlled by the special interests. And until the boat is rocked in some way(it'll take way more than just following the book and going through the system), nothing will ever change, because I doubt that the asshats in DC will do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Also when you have an electoral system that doesn't allow for other voices to be heard, and elections that are governed by money, is any wonder the public is jaded as fuck when it comes to politics?? Also I forgot to add, I'm done with this shit...
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 20, 2012, 12:35:59 pm
M52nickerson, you need to stop being condesending, otherwise your point is null and void. I get what you are saying, and I do know how the political process works, I'm not a moron. You're the one that comes across as someone who thinks if we follow the book everything will be fine and dandy. Guess what, we have been following the book and everything isn't fine and dandy. We're at a point where both parties are more than happy to whore themselves out to the highest bidder, and are controlled by the special interests. And until the boat is rocked in some way(it'll take way more than just following the book and going through the system), nothing will ever change, because I doubt that the asshats in DC will do it out of the goodness of their hearts. Also when you have an electoral system that doesn't allow for other voices to be heard, and elections that are governed by money, is any wonder the public is jaded as fuck when it comes to politics??

You say that you know how it works, but can see that some of your arguments don't pan out.  Right now in this country the economy sucks.  The public education system needs help.  So yes there are problems.  There are always problems.  Thing is Americans still have a ridiculously high standard of living.  Overall things are not so horrible we are even close to having to burn it down and start over.

You seem to ignore the progress that has been made because it has not come fast enough or because there is more to do.  You and other keep harping on the electoral system even after it has been pointed out that thirds parties have found success in some places and that the only national elected position is the Presidency.  (and the VP if you wan to get nit-picky).  Every other election is state wide or local.

You talk about the Dems sucking up to corporations, but that when pushed you really don't provide anything.  If you think that any economic policy based around a free market is right wing you will always be disappointed.  This country will always be based on a free market, based around capitalism.  At one point in thread or the other you complained about the people on Wall Street not being arrested, when asked for what you did not have an answer.  You and other yell about special interests without realizing some of those groups are working on the behalf of thing you want.

In the end I don't think you know how it all works.  If you did you would not be making the arguments you are.

Oh, and me being condescending or even a complete asshole in now way invalidates my points.  If you are here to win an argument you are on the wrong site.  Stick around if you want to discuss things and perhaps learn with the rest of us.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 20, 2012, 12:39:54 pm
Simplest solution: Just vote your conscience. If your political positions align with Barack Obama, vote for him. If you agree more with a third party candidate, as I do, vote for that person.
Unfortunately, that's picking a side, not proposing a solution. The choice between voting tactically and voting sincerely is actually one of the key points of contention. Your decision to vote for a minor party candidate means that the major party candidate who you dislike more is just as likely to win as if you had not voted at all.
I'm sorry but I cannot, in good conscience, vote for the "lesser of two evils". I cannot vote for a man who has a kill list, murders Americans via drone strike and signed away Americans' right to trial via the NDAA. Nor can I vote for a man who, I'm certain, would continue all those policies and clearly also holds half our country in contempt.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 20, 2012, 12:46:22 pm
Simplest solution: Just vote your conscience. If your political positions align with Barack Obama, vote for him. If you agree more with a third party candidate, as I do, vote for that person.
Unfortunately, that's picking a side, not proposing a solution. The choice between voting tactically and voting sincerely is actually one of the key points of contention. Your decision to vote for a minor party candidate means that the major party candidate who you dislike more is just as likely to win as if you had not voted at all.
I'm sorry but I cannot, in good conscience, vote for the "lesser of two evils". I cannot vote for a man who has a kill list, murders Americans via drone strike and signed away Americans' right to trial via the NDAA. Nor can I vote for a man who, I'm certain, would continue all those policies and clearly also holds half our country in contempt.

Than vote for a third party candidate...just vote.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: largeham on October 20, 2012, 08:22:36 pm
Doesn't change the fact that it was he who did it where other presidents and potential presidents wouldn't

Seriously, this is a massive deflection on your part.

It is not. I'm not going to vote for a person who's only good enough to see the writing on the wall.

Quote
You act like I'm for the drone strikes, but seriously, I condemn those, too.

I'm not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater over this, though.

But should we keep DADT as queers still joined the military?

Quote
...What.

No, seriously, what.  What is this crap?

Are you even paying attention to what you're saying anymore?  Or are you typing anything that comes to mind without any thought?

As you can't seem to join the dots, I will do it for you. For decades the union movement has bowed and scraped to the Democrats. No matter how right wing the Democrats become, the unions still support them. So when someone who froths at the mouth at the word union is elected, their one solution is to vote Democrat. And when that fails they don't have the experience/tradition/strength/morale to fight on their own.

Quote
Oh joy, more buzzwords that have little to no meaning.

Buzzwords with no meaning? I'll repeat myself. The Democrats have since the 90s presented the nice, happy face of neoliberalism, after Reagan destroyed the welfare state the Democrats have followed behind the Republicans. Yet leftists still support and vote for the Democrats. Instead of breaking away and either voting for a third party or simply organising on the ground, they still look to the Democrats for help despite the Democrats moving further and further to the right.

Quote
I'm not even going to address the rest of your post.  You rely on sources that are factually incorrect (such as Obama supporting the war, as was disproved earlier-- which you conveniently ignored), you take any source that says what you want to say, and quite frankly, nothing is to be gained from arguing with you.

Good day.

Boo hoo for you. So Obama did not vote for war funding. (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/03/22/obama_defends_votes_in_favor_of_iraq_funding/) And last year, he was still offering to keep 10,000 troops in Iraq. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/05/us-troops-iraq-withdrawal-_n_890551.html) Or maybe it was Bush that began the end of the Iraq war. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/24/obamas-war-crime-taking-credit-from-bush-adminsitration-for-ending-the-iraq-war.html) No, Obama would never send in more troops to Afghanistan. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8389778.stm) And there are still 68,000 in the country.

Right largeham I asked you for sources for your points earlier now let's go to the other side.  Convince me to vote for Romney.  Tell me why he's better for the country then Obama ever would be.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.

(http://www.reactionface.info/sites/default/files/images/1310483412100.jpg)

Perhaps you missed those extension of unemployment benefits, or the GOP harping on the number of people receiving food stamps now. 

The GOP crying about people on food stamps says nothing about the Democrats.
Oh dear (http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/19/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20120219), pension cuts (http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/12760/senate_democrat_says_obama_caused_pension_cut_on_federal_workers/) and pay freezes (http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/22/news/economy/federal-worker-pay-freeze/index.html) for federal workers, (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-extends-federal-pay-freeze/2012/08/21/d8087966-ebf2-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html) but not for prisons. (http://solitarywatch.com/2010/02/22/no-budget-freeze-for-incarceration-nation-obama-proposes-increased-prison-spending/)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: ironbite on October 20, 2012, 08:35:53 pm
Alright since you want to be a little bitch about this....convince me to vote for you whatever candidate you support.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 20, 2012, 09:28:26 pm
Alright since you want to be a little bitch about this....convince me to vote for you whatever candidate you support.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.
Vote for Emperor Kang.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 20, 2012, 09:31:18 pm
The GOP crying about people on food stamps says nothing about the Democrats.
Oh dear (http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/19/business/la-fi-hiltzik-20120219), pension cuts (http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/12760/senate_democrat_says_obama_caused_pension_cut_on_federal_workers/) and pay freezes (http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/22/news/economy/federal-worker-pay-freeze/index.html) for federal workers, (http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-extends-federal-pay-freeze/2012/08/21/d8087966-ebf2-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html) but not for prisons. (http://solitarywatch.com/2010/02/22/no-budget-freeze-for-incarceration-nation-obama-proposes-increased-prison-spending/)

Says nothing about the Dems?  Really I guess that is why the GOP is using it as an attack line.

As for the links you posted....hello this is reality calling!  If being a leftist means shutting your eyes and ignoring the reality of situation. 

First regarding social security.  Yes the reduction of payroll taxes reduces the amount going to the SS trust fund right now.  That reduction had written into the law that any short fall must be made up by general revenue.  It has not cause any loss in benefits.

Now as far as the freezes in salary for federal employees, again welcome to reality.  There is not a lot of pay increases for workers going on right now for anyone.  It is really hard for the government to justify increase in federal employees salaries when we are still running large deficits and the economy is still in the tank.

Of course the rest of your arguments ignore any type of reality as well.  Yes the President send more troops to Afghanistan.  He could have just pulled out and left all people high and dry and at the mercy of the Taliban or what ever group came along.  I guess you think if we would have just picked up and left Afghanistan would have become a land of milk, honey, and rainbow shitting unicorns!

Perhaps the people on the left that support the Dems do so because they have basis in reality.  Seems you don't.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Saturn500 on October 20, 2012, 09:32:03 pm
Alright since you want to be a little bitch about this....convince me to vote for you whatever candidate you support.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.
Vote for Emperor Kang.
No, vote for Kodos!
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 20, 2012, 10:44:22 pm
Not only do you need to stop being condescending (if only because it's not nice), you also...

If you think that any economic policy based around a free market is right wing you will always be disappointed.

need to stop lying.

Right now in this country the economy sucks.

And the Democrats have no done what they could to help. In fact, they have made things worse.

Quote
The public education system needs help.

And the Democrats will only make it worse.

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Thing is Americans still have a ridiculously high standard of living.

A standard of living paid for with debt.

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You seem to ignore the progress that has been made

Negative progress. The US has gone backwards since 1968.

Quote
If you think that any economic policy based around a free market is right wing you will always be disappointed.

Which, of course, he doesn't.

Quote
At one point in thread or the other you complained about the people on Wall Street not being arrested, when asked for what you did not have an answer.

Fraud will do.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: niam2023 on October 20, 2012, 11:45:57 pm
I am just going to vote for Obama because it makes sense for me to.

I do not mind his kill list. I like that he has a list of people he'd like to kill. I can respect that.

At the end of the day, meaningfully, there is little chance for the Two Party System to go away, and so, even if I had a conscience, I'd not have much choice. I am not about to vote for a third party and potentially divert a vote from a Democrat who might be progressive and have a good chance to get in the White House, better than someone who has little chance anyway.

But, really, I do not really care who wins the election one way or the other. This just gives me something to stave off boredom.


Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 21, 2012, 12:02:51 am
need to stop lying.

Oh, so you think that any economic policy based around a free market is right wing?

Quote
And the Democrats have no done what they could to help. In fact, they have made things worse.

Not done what they could?  Have you missed them pushing for more stimulus ans for job bills?  How have they made it worse?

Quote
And the Democrats will only make it worse.

Again, how so?  It easy to say that harder to provide an actual argument.

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A standard of living paid for with debt.

Yes...and?

Quote
Negative progress. The US has gone backwards since 1968.

I had to stop laughing before I could respond to this.  Backwards?  How about you giver some examples of how that is.

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Which, of course, he doesn't.

I'm glad you think you know that.  I'll wait for him to explain.

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Fraud will do.

Care to expand on that including the applicable federal laws?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on October 21, 2012, 12:32:48 am
Alright since you want to be a little bitch about this....convince me to vote for you whatever candidate you support.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.
Vote for Emperor Kang.
No, vote for Kodos!

Vermin Supreme 2012, bitches.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: syaoranvee on October 21, 2012, 12:47:47 am
I hate the argument that if a president actually kills our enemies they are seen as a terrible person.  If you are a american citizen you are apart of a government that decided the best way to end a war was to unleash the worst weapon of mankind upon non-combatants. Twice.  It was on par with what the jews got in the gas chambers in which we made the japanese citizens suffer with radiation.  Horrible, horrible, slow, agonizing death.

Yet it's justifable.  It was the only way to end the war in the pacific without catastrophic casualities on both sides.  The citizens of our OWN country will always, ALWAYS be more important then the citizens of another country(and if you commit treason? Oh boy, you hope we don't find you motherfucker, I fully support torture on that issue), sorry, that's how it works.
Drone strikes give us zero casualities on our side, minimal casualities of civilians, and our enemies dead.  I rather have our enemies dead then them alive and be able to plan out something in the future to kill more of OUR citizens.  The bleedinghearts can squak all they want but they won't change reality.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Veras on October 21, 2012, 01:24:22 am
A study by the Columbia Law School (http://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/human-rights-institute/COLUMBIACountingDronesFinalNotEmbargo.pdf) shows that Predator drone strikes kill 50 civilians for every suspected terrorist (http://www.policymic.com/articles/16949/predator-drone-strikes-50-civilians-are-killed-for-every-1-terrorist-and-the-cia-only-wants-to-up-drone-warfare).  The only reality that the "bleeding hearts" have a desire to change is the murder of innocent people.  After all, as Tony Benn said, "There is no moral difference between a suicide bomber and a stealth bomber.  They both kill innocent people for political reason."

Also:
It [the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki] was the only way to end the war in the pacific without catastrophic casualities on both sides.

That is not true (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debate_over_the_atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki#Militarily_unnecessary).  Many top military officials argued that dropping the bomb was unnecessary, including Eisenhower, MacArthur, the chief of staff, and the commander of the Pacific fleet.  The Japanese were already looking for a way to surrender, but they wanted one condition--that the emperor not be removed from power.  The United States insisted on unconditional surrender, and dropped the bombs.  Incidentally, the United States allowed the emperor to remain in power after Japan did surrender.

The real reason that the United States committed this egregious war crime, arguably the worst terrorist attack in the history of the world, was posturing against the Soviet Union.  Truman wanted to demonstrate that the U.S. had the bomb, it worked, and that he wasn't afraid to use it.

The unchallenged claim that it would cost a million American lives to force Japan's surrender is blatant propaganda passed off as history.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 21, 2012, 01:28:26 am
I hate the argument that if a president actually kills our enemies they are seen as a terrible person.  If you are a american citizen you are apart of a government that decided the best way to end a war was to unleash the worst weapon of mankind upon non-combatants. Twice.  It was on par with what the jews got in the gas chambers in which we made the japanese citizens suffer with radiation.  Horrible, horrible, slow, agonizing death.

Yet it's justifable.  It was the only way to end the war in the pacific without catastrophic casualities on both sides.  The citizens of our OWN country will always, ALWAYS be more important then the citizens of another country(and if you commit treason? Oh boy, you hope we don't find you motherfucker, I fully support torture on that issue), sorry, that's how it works.
Drone strikes give us zero casualities on our side, minimal casualities of civilians, and our enemies dead.  I rather have our enemies dead then them alive and be able to plan out something in the future to kill more of OUR citizens.  The bleedinghearts can squak all they want but they won't change reality.
(http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/281/752/0fb.jpg)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 21, 2012, 01:29:27 am
I hate the argument that if a president actually kills our enemies they are seen as a terrible person.

Because civilians of a country we are invading are "enemies" now.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: syaoranvee on October 21, 2012, 01:42:36 am
I hate the argument that if a president actually kills our enemies they are seen as a terrible person.

Because civilians of a country we are invading are "enemies" now.

We haven't had a modern conflict with an enemy who did not try to purposely hide in civilian populated areas as a way of either ambushing our troops or trying to say along the lines "see how terrible these people are harming people?" even though it's THEIR being there that makes them in harms way.  WW1 was probably the last conflict in which the two armies were in a proper place outside of civilian zones. (trench warfare).  This changed by WW2 with the mass production of bombing air warfare, speaking of which:

Quote
That is not true (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debate_over_the_atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki#Militarily_unnecessary). 

Yet even if we didn't drop the bombs this would have happened:

Quote
This conclusion assumed conventional fire bombing would have continued, with ever-increasing numbers of B-29s, and a greater level of destruction to Japan's cities and population.

We would still be firebombing the shit out of their cities, even harder then eariler, before they would surrender.  So either way, you had a large number of civilian casualities.


(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 21, 2012, 01:53:36 am
I hate the argument that if a president actually kills our enemies they are seen as a terrible person.

Because civilians of a country we are invading are "enemies" now.
(click to show/hide)
Just watch South Park's "Raising the Bar" episode.

Anyway, I think the A-Bomb argument has been done to death at this point, but I should point out that the "Kill List" isn't just about foreigners--American citizens have been assassinated as well.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 21, 2012, 02:12:54 am
I hate the argument that if a president actually kills our enemies they are seen as a terrible person.

Because civilians of a country we are invading are "enemies" now.

We haven't had a modern conflict with an enemy who did not try to purposely hide in civilian populated areas as a way of either ambushing our troops or trying to say along the lines "see how terrible these people are harming people?" even though it's THEIR being there that makes them in harms way.  WW1 was probably the last conflict in which the two armies were in a proper place outside of civilian zones. (trench warfare).  This changed by WW2 with the mass production of bombing air warfare, speaking of which:

1) The WW2 analogy isn't quite right. Soldiers were not deliberately quartered in civilian areas in order to generate international condemnation. Both sides just decided to treat civilians as combatants.
2) Typically, the opponents of US invasions were civilians until the US invaded. Without the possibility of an effective conventional counter to occupation (and finding occupation unacceptable for whatever reason) they did the obvious thing and gave it a shot themselves. Americans did a similar thing in 1776 (minutemen were basically insurgents).
3) Of course, a simple way to reduce civilian casualties to zero would be for the US to not needlessly invade countries at random.
4) Occasionally, insurgent groups go to some lengths to reduce civilian casualties. Before the Second Battle of Fallujah, for instance, large numbers of civilians were evacuated from the city. The Americans showed far less tact, firing illegal weapons with indiscriminance.
5) Vietnam is a whole different story. Let's not go there.
6) This is probably somewhat true of Korea. The Northern troops did use refugees as human shields, the assholes.

Quote
Yet even if we didn't drop the bombs this would have happened:

Quote
This conclusion assumed conventional fire bombing would have continued, with ever-increasing numbers of B-29s, and a greater level of destruction to Japan's cities and population.

We would still be firebombing the shit out of their cities, even harder then eariler, before they would surrender.  So either way, you had a large number of civilian casualities.

Option 3: siege. If you're not willing to accept less-than-unconditional surrender (for no reason), sit off the coast until enough people have starved for them to accept it.
Option 4: drop a nuke nowhere. Send a letter to Tokyo telling them about your terrible weapon that can kill them all in five seconds, it will be tested on X at Y.

Wouldn't have scared the Russians as much, though.

Yet it's justifable.  It was the only way to end the war in the pacific without catastrophic casualities on both sides. 

The trouble with old Droney is that he's probably producing more people that hate you. Just doing nothing would probably see the problem, to the extent that international terrorism is a problem at all, disappear within a decade or so.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 21, 2012, 02:48:01 am
Open Secrets (http://www.opensecrets.org/) is your friend when it comes to the money in politics. YAy for revolving doors...oh look both parties do it... look  (http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/09/committee-members-opposed-to-p.html) at what it found about the Democrats that opposed the public option, but Democrats never get in bed with wall street (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444752504578024661927487192.html), or anything of that sort, though to be fair, this couple has recently spilt up, but it did come with a price (http://www.salon.com/2012/08/10/obamas_goldman_sachs_surrender/). I think it's for the best, personally.

Here's what (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/suit-against-jpmorgan-alleges-widespread-mortgage-fraud-at-bear-stearns/2012/10/01/90fb7e88-0c13-11e2-bb5e-492c0d30bff6_story.html) the Wall Streeters could face, though it's a shame it isn't at the level Iceland has taken it. (http://www.businessinsider.com/iceland-has-hired-an-ex-cop-bounty-hunter-to-go-after-the-bankers-that-wrecked-its-economy-2012-7)

On a less serious note:
Alright since you want to be a little bitch about this....convince me to vote for you whatever candidate you support.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.
Vote for Emperor Kang.
No, vote for Kodos!

Vermin Supreme 2012, bitches.

I raise you two Sith Lords...
PLAGUEIS/SIDIOUS 2012  ;D
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Smurfette Principle on October 21, 2012, 03:42:05 am
I'm still waiting for someone to explain how voting third party is viable in the system we currently have and won't make me into a second-class citizen by virtue of being a woman and queer.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: nickiknack on October 21, 2012, 03:48:52 am
I'm still waiting for someone to explain how voting third party is viable in the system we currently have and won't make me into a second-class citizen by virtue of being a woman and queer.

Only if you live in a state that is either safe/soild red or blue...if you live in a swing state, than voting 3rd party is not great of an idea, until we overhaul our electoral system.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 21, 2012, 03:55:55 am
Ever notice that every time someone brings up the whole "third party vote" thing, we end up with yet another idiotic, mud-flinging clusterfuck, complete with evasion, dodging, ad hominems, and what seems to be a near-complete refusal to cite sources on anything?

Please, tell me it isn't me.  Please, tell me I'm not the only one that got sick of it after the first time.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: VirtualStranger on October 21, 2012, 05:08:54 am
This derail is annoying as shit and I hate you all. Shut the fuck up.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: largeham on October 21, 2012, 08:00:28 am
Alright since you want to be a little bitch about this....convince me to vote for you whatever candidate you support.

Ironbite-cite your sources please.

Vote for Pedro.

Says nothing about the Dems?  Really I guess that is why the GOP is using it as an attack line.

The GOP calls Obama a socialist, it doesn't make it any more true.

Quote
First regarding social security.  Yes the reduction of payroll taxes reduces the amount going to the SS trust fund right now.  That reduction had written into the law that any short fall must be made up by general revenue.  It has not cause any loss in benefits.

But it will make it harder for SS to remain secure.

Quote
Now as far as the freezes in salary for federal employees, again welcome to reality.  There is not a lot of pay increases for workers going on right now for anyone.  It is really hard for the government to justify increase in federal employees salaries when we are still running large deficits and the economy is still in the tank.

Yeah, austerity is working well. Anyway, so I guess banks and car companies can get bail out (the banks got hundreds of billions of dollars with no repercussions, car manufacturing workers had to increase productivity and take pay cuts) but public servants have to tighten their belts.

Quote
Of course the rest of your arguments ignore any type of reality as well.  Yes the President send more troops to Afghanistan.  He could have just pulled out and left all people high and dry and at the mercy of the Taliban or what ever group came along.  I guess you think if we would have just picked up and left Afghanistan would have become a land of milk, honey, and rainbow shitting unicorns!

Or you know, maybe the US should not have gone in the first place. Poppy production has risen since the US invasion, thousands of civilian deaths and a new generation of kids growing up seeing their country being destroyed. America should stop meddling in other people's affairs. It is due to American involvement that Afghanistan is in this predicament in the first place. And guess what, drone strikes just piss people off more.

Quote
Perhaps the people on the left that support the Dems do so because they have basis in reality.  Seems you don't.

Damn this thread is funny.

Oh, so you think that any economic policy based around a free market is right wing?

A problem is the definition of free market. After how much government interference does a market become 'not free'.

Quote
Not done what they could?  Have you missed them pushing for more stimulus ans for job bills?  How have they made it worse?

Yup, stimulus that involves huge tax breaks. But hey, demand has nothing to do with discretionary income, am I right?

Quote
I had to stop laughing before I could respond to this.  Backwards?  How about you giver some examples of how that is.

Well, real wages have fallen since 1971 or so.

Man, those bankers are really going to pay for the crisis. (http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2012/09/yes-really-truly-no-joke-that-schneiderman-mortgage-task-force-is-gonna-get-someone-soon.html)

This derail is annoying as shit and I hate you all. Shut the fuck up.

Deal with it.  8)
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 21, 2012, 08:17:29 am
"Democrats are always right because reality" isn't a sentence, let alone an argument.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: m52nickerson on October 21, 2012, 10:20:27 am
The GOP calls Obama a socialist, it doesn't make it any more true.

You're right, but we were not talking about that.

Quote
But it will make it harder for SS to remain secure.

True, if those cuts stay in place forever.  There is a reason they are set to expire.

Quote
Yeah, austerity is working well. Anyway, so I guess banks and car companies can get bail out (the banks got hundreds of billions of dollars with no repercussions, car manufacturing workers had to increase productivity and take pay cuts) but public servants have to tighten their belts.

The US in now were close to austerity.  The banks got money to make sure they did not crumble and take everything with them.  The auto industry got help but did have to low pay for some workers simply to insure they would not fall right back down.

Quote
Or you know, maybe the US should not have gone in the first place. Poppy production has risen since the US invasion, thousands of civilian deaths and a new generation of kids growing up seeing their country being destroyed. America should stop meddling in other people's affairs. It is due to American involvement that Afghanistan is in this predicament in the first place. And guess what, drone strikes just piss people off more.

If we were talking about Iraq I would agree with you.  When it comes to Afghanistan the group the ruling Taliban was protecting pulled us in there by destroying a couple of buildings. 

Quote
A problem is the definition of free market. After how much government interference does a market become 'not free'.

At the point were private ownership has no meaning.

Quote
Yup, stimulus that involves huge tax breaks. But hey, demand has nothing to do with discretionary income, am I right?

Might be if I know what you were talking about.

Quote
Well, real wages have fallen since 1971 or so.

So one single metric means we have gone backwards?

"Democrats are always right because reality" isn't a sentence, let alone an argument.

Good think no one here made that argument.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: ironbite on October 21, 2012, 11:09:51 am
So Largeham, you have no other candidate who's semi-decent enough to vote for instead of Obama?  You only have a large amount of hatred of the man based on the fact that he's a politician who's trying, trying mind you, to do good and work the system against itself?

Ironbite-good to know.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: Saturn500 on October 21, 2012, 11:36:54 am
Hey, look at the new title for the thread, guys.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: rookie on October 21, 2012, 02:44:40 pm

Or you know, maybe the US should not have gone in the first place. Poppy production has risen since the US invasion, thousands of civilian deaths and a new generation of kids growing up seeing their country being destroyed. America should stop meddling in other people's affairs. It is due to American involvement that Afghanistan is in this predicament in the first place. And guess what, drone strikes just piss people off more.

You have no idea how much I hate this there. We should have done this, we shouldn't have done that. Guess what, we went in. And right now it doesn't matter one damn bit of difference what we should have done. We're there. And we have to deal with ourselves being there.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 21, 2012, 06:22:03 pm

Or you know, maybe the US should not have gone in the first place. Poppy production has risen since the US invasion, thousands of civilian deaths and a new generation of kids growing up seeing their country being destroyed. America should stop meddling in other people's affairs. It is due to American involvement that Afghanistan is in this predicament in the first place. And guess what, drone strikes just piss people off more.

You have no idea how much I hate this there. We should have done this, we shouldn't have done that. Guess what, we went in. And right now it doesn't matter one damn bit of difference what we should have done. We're there. And we have to deal with ourselves being there.

Maybe we can learn some lessons for the future? For instance: don't invade a country unless you really need to.

Obviously everyone knows that Afghanistan isn't about 9/11- which wasn't a particularly important event?
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: rookie on October 21, 2012, 06:41:00 pm
As an intellectual exercise, sure, what you say has merit. But that doesn't change that when everyone is done bitching about our involvement in Afghanistan and how it should have been done differently, at the end of the day it wasn't.
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: DasFuchs on October 22, 2012, 10:27:19 am
Rmoney

Was that intentional?
Yes.
Originally it wasn't.
(http://0.tqn.com/d/urbanlegends/1/0/y/8/1/romney-money-picture-c.jpg)
Couldn't help but comment on this; The flag is backwards too
Title: Re: 2nd Presidential Debate thread: Shut the fuck up about 3rd party voters
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 22, 2012, 09:20:22 pm
It looks like they're standing behind a flag.

Hence the backwardsness