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Can The GOP Be Reformed? Some Say No, Others Are Wrong.
You may have noticed that I'm not a fan of the GOP. No, it's true. I think it's clear that small government conservatives are ill served by hitching their wagon to the GOP. Better to focus on a longer game of changing the dominant political culture in the country. If you want to extract the occasional concession for a Republican, fine. But the only way is to make withholding your vote your default position. Let them pander in deed, not just word to earn your case by case transnational support. As a party, the GOP simply has nothing to offer anyone interested in shrinking government.
Jay Cost on the other hand still thinks the GOP is worth reforming and that it might be possible to do so. This worries me because Jay is a very smart guy. But even smart people can be wrong.Second, the Republican party can be reformed. It may be very hard to do so, but the GOP is not a political machine. It is not a closed system, impervious to change. It’s open, and grassroots reformers have recourse -- in the form of party primaries. They may be seriously out-financed in those contests. Still, it is one thing to be an underdog, and another to have no hope of change at all. And there is hope. In fact, I’d argue that there has been an extraordinary amount of change within the GOP over the last generation. Reformers have made some real gains. In the wake of the 2014 wave, I noted this about the incoming Senate: This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative. That year, the Republican caucus included many nominal, moderate, or otherwise unreliable Republicans, notably John Chafee of Rhode Island, Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Jim Jeffords of Vermont, and Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas. Some such Republicans remain—Frank Murkowski was succeeded by Lisa Murkowski—but their numbers have shrunk. My informal count has them declining from about 15 in 1994 to less than half a dozen today. The group of solid conservatives, meanwhile, has grown. The Senate already had many such members, like Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, and Tim Scott. But now they are set to be joined by Tom Cotton, Ben Sasse, and Joni Ernst. My back of the envelope calculations suggest that the number of solid conservative senators has risen from about a dozen in 1995 to 20 or so today. The House has shown similar signs of improvement. The “insurgent” class of House reformers is now large enough to make real noise. Did such a group really exist a decade ago? Certainly not with the same numbers. There is no denying that conservative reformers have won some big elections in the last few cycles, and that the reformist right is on the rise within the GOP, if not yet dominant.Needless to say, I disagree. The passage of the Doc-fix was the final, final straw for me. Last week I shutdown my Twitter account (I'll be back sooner than later but I won't focus on partisan politics). It wasn’t a well thought out plan but rather a sudden urge. Like so many others, Twitter became my main connection to the political world. It’s a great tool for keeping up on the news and for interacting directly with people making and covering that news. So why would a news and politics junkie like myself cut the cord so abruptly (though not completely, I have 30 days to reconsider)? I realized I’d become something I’d mocked in the past.
Remember the anti-Iraq war protests in the run up to the congressional vote and the war itself? You know, the ones organized by the communists at International ANSWERS that always had the giant puppet-heads and left over folk singers from the 60s?
I’ll never forget seeing a woman at one of them in New York City. She identified herself as a public school teacher (of course) and she was crying and screaming hysterically about the war. And then she said something that made me laugh, “We have to make them hear us!” “Lady,” I thought to myself, “we have heard you. We disagree with you. You lost.” After watching and commenting on the actions of the new GOP Congress it dawned on me, I’d become that hysterical, shrieking schoolteacher (sans the life time job security and underfunded pension). The GOP and the country as a whole have heard us small government conservatives talk about the need to get our fiscal house in order. They’ve listened to us warn about the dangers of the leviathan state that will not stop growing until it has inserted itself into every nook and cranny of our lives. They just don’t care. In fact, they kind of like it. The GOP is just a symptom, the attitude of the American people is the real problem. You can't begin to fix things until you admit what's broken. I’ve also found myself doing something incredibly annoying (shut up)….linking to old posts to show that this was all very predictable and in fact was predicted by me. Partially it was out of laziness. Why rewrite what you’d written before? But partially it was out of a desire to say, “I told you so.” Not simply to rub other people’s noses in it but if you’re a pundit, professionally or just for fun, all you have is your record. Still as much fun as it is to show you were right and some very smart people were wrong, it’s not a good look. I’m ok with being in the wilderness of politics. I like being on the fringe of what’s acceptable in polite company. It’s where I’ve been most of my life. The gift and the curse of “new media” is it made me think I’d been wrong all along, fooled by having lived in the northeast all my life and that I was really a part of great and vast silent majority. Nope. The GOP victories in November and the subsequent “accomplishments” of the Congress they produced show nothing has changed. All you need to do is elect a Republican President next year and it’ll be right back to the Hastret/Lott-Frist/Bush mode of Republican big government. Hell, elect Jeb and you’ll really see the similarities. We small, not just smaller than the Democrats, government conservatives are a minority of a minority. Yes, you can point to all sorts of polling that shows people identify as conservative and tell pollster they want smaller government. But if Barack Obama winning two terms and the first 3 months of the GOP Congress haven’t demonstrated the reality of the world to you then you are deep within the cocoon. All I can say is, enjoy it while it lasts. People will learn that we are right because we are. You can forestall collapse but you can’t prevent it. “What cannot continue, won’t” a wise purveyor of DOOM likes to say. But they will only learn through experience. In the meantime the majority of people will do what people always do, pretend the bad man won’t hurt them and hope that if it all goes to hell it’ll be long after they are dead and buried. It’s easier to kick the can down the road than actually try and fix things. This is basic human nature. As a conservative I should have realized long ago that there was no way around that. I’ve often said that we put up with government encroachments and abuses on a daily basis far worse than anything the founders faced. Yet we accept it. That’s not simply an indictment of modern America but rather another bit of proof how miraculous the founding of this country was. The American colonists were essentially the second freest people on Earth. Yet they looked at it and said, “not good enough.” There were plenty of people who opposed the revolution or just didn’t care much one way or another. That the people who fought for the Revolution, politically and on the field of battle, were able to overcome that natural inertia is a blessing we should marvel at. The downside of that miracle is that over 200 years later we are still living off that glory. It’s a glory unearned by us. We think ourselves the rightful inheritors of the Spirit of ’76 but most of us, myself included, aren’t. We’re still in the “suffer, while evils are sufferable” phase that Jefferson wrote about in the Declaration of Independence. And why shouldn’t we be? We’re the richest, most powerful nation on Earth? Hardly the time for a dramatic upheaval. After all, it’s worked pretty well to date. I get the appeal of that. We can go on for quite a while this way. People don’t want to hear about the future and what it will mean when things go to their logical conclusion. I’m sure someone will come along and write a column somewhere about you never quit and this is all just the first step on the road to a great conservative victory! Meh, have it. Every generation must learn for itself an important lesson...the GOP isn't going to be the party of smaller government. There’s nothing wrong with waging the good fight and losing. The problem is not being smart enough to know you’ve lost. Then you’re left shrieking in the street like that NYC teacher, confusing being told “no” for not being heard.Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
The Republican Party is not a conservative party.
Posted by: toby928(C) likes HighRes at March 31, 2015 11:20 AM (evdj2)
2
That doesn't mean it can't be useful but rather that it will always be fighting against limited government.
Posted by: toby928(C) likes HighRes at March 31, 2015 11:21 AM (evdj2)
3
Both the Dems and the Reps are simply a reflection of the population. This country is no longer a center-right, capitalist country. It is a center left, quasi socialist country, trending further and further to the left. And both parties simply are giving the people what they want.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 11:23 AM (0LHZx)
4
I thought Twitter was just for seeing Karashians' boobs
Who knew
Who knew
Posted by: Navycopjoe says death to 3 bean casserole at March 31, 2015 11:23 AM (3f8gu)
5
Pretty much this...
These RINO squishes get elected because they're what the people want.
That's simply true.
These RINO squishes get elected because they're what the people want.
That's simply true.
Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at March 31, 2015 11:24 AM (fwARV)
6
The burned hand teaches best.
Posted by: toby928(C) likes HighRes at March 31, 2015 11:26 AM (evdj2)
7
Any man who uses "less than half a dozen" when "five" would do must be smarter than me.
Posted by: Tony at March 31, 2015 11:27 AM (V2UGp)
8
It was so much better in the past.
Posted by: Robert E Lee at March 31, 2015 11:28 AM (sIhFA)
9
Well. This is depressing.
Posted by: Blue Hen at March 31, 2015 11:28 AM (Spluw)
10
The Democrat Party = The Harlem Globetrotters
The GOPe = The Washington Generals
The GOPe puts up pretend competition, everybody gets paid, rinse, repeat ad nauseam
The GOPe = The Washington Generals
The GOPe puts up pretend competition, everybody gets paid, rinse, repeat ad nauseam
Posted by: Citizen X at March 31, 2015 11:28 AM (7ObY1)
11
The GOP will never cut spending because people don't want it cut. Oh sure people will talk about cutting govt waste in the abstract. But mention anything specific and the majority will say NO WAY, don't cut THAT.
For fuck's sake, the GOP couldn't cut $5M from PBS. And you think they'll cut $500B from Medicaid? Keep dreaming.
For fuck's sake, the GOP couldn't cut $5M from PBS. And you think they'll cut $500B from Medicaid? Keep dreaming.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 11:28 AM (0LHZx)
12
Let's dance.
Posted by: toby928(C) likes HighRes at March 31, 2015 11:28 AM (evdj2)
13
Burn. It. Let.
Assembly required.
Assembly required.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:29 AM (DXB+X)
14
In Drew's last paragraph, what NYC school teacher is he talking about?
Posted by: Penfold at March 31, 2015 11:29 AM (Fbt5B)
15
I have never been a registered Republlican because SC is an open primary State there is ot "registering" . But I have voted Republican via all checked every election but the last wt since I moved here. I quit voing "all" to keep from voting for ladyboy.
The 2016 election will be a time that vote for no Republican assuming I vote at all. Even my Representative has jumped on the amnesty train with the rest of the RNCe.
I with you Drew. As RR said, I didn't leave my Party. It left me.
The 2016 election will be a time that vote for no Republican assuming I vote at all. Even my Representative has jumped on the amnesty train with the rest of the RNCe.
I with you Drew. As RR said, I didn't leave my Party. It left me.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 11:29 AM (wlDny)
16
"It's a glory unearned by us."
A sad and honest statement. In a country of hundreds of millions of people, so few have earned the right to be part of what the Founding Fathers envisioned.
A sad and honest statement. In a country of hundreds of millions of people, so few have earned the right to be part of what the Founding Fathers envisioned.
Posted by: Ever at March 31, 2015 11:29 AM (QZdJj)
17
If the politicians cared about small government like they did in the past we would be okay.
Posted by: FDR at March 31, 2015 11:30 AM (sIhFA)
18
Another Moron made this point earlier this a.m. that bears repeating:
The problem is we're talking about whether or not the party can be saved just 4 months after historic victory in the 2014 mid-terms.
WTF, GOP, how did you blow this so dang quickly?
You can't blame this on *us*.
The problem is we're talking about whether or not the party can be saved just 4 months after historic victory in the 2014 mid-terms.
WTF, GOP, how did you blow this so dang quickly?
You can't blame this on *us*.
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:30 AM (TLTHv)
19
Because we TRIED to reform the Republicans... what the Hell do you think the whole TEA party joining the Republicans was???
But we were taught that we CAN'T reform the GOP... as they just go back to their old ways... and won't give us a seat at the table.
And when the GOP puts the interest of non citizens, before the interests of citizens, as they are doing with all this immigration crap... THEY DO NOT REPRESENT THE ELECTORATE... they represent Business....
But we were taught that we CAN'T reform the GOP... as they just go back to their old ways... and won't give us a seat at the table.
And when the GOP puts the interest of non citizens, before the interests of citizens, as they are doing with all this immigration crap... THEY DO NOT REPRESENT THE ELECTORATE... they represent Business....
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 11:30 AM (qh617)
20
Ruh Roh.
Trevor Noah's anti-Semitic Tweets are coming to light.
Comedy Central didn't vet their candidate?
Or is anti-Semitism just so mainstream among the "enlightened" progressives that nobody cared?
Trevor Noah's anti-Semitic Tweets are coming to light.
Comedy Central didn't vet their candidate?
Or is anti-Semitism just so mainstream among the "enlightened" progressives that nobody cared?
Posted by: Citizen X at March 31, 2015 11:30 AM (7ObY1)
21
Agree completely, but what do small government advocates do then?
Posted by: california red at March 31, 2015 11:30 AM (UyEG4)
22
Because nothing affects the outcome of an election more than not partcipating in it.
Posted by: Dave H at March 31, 2015 11:31 AM (DeQAd)
23
This is my shocked face: Drew hates the GOP insiders.
I disagree with the conclusion, not so much because I think its an easy task kicking the Bushies and their assorted hangers-on out of the party, but because I think, absent a serious national calamity, the possibility of a credible third party arising to power is zilch. After all it took something as serious as the abolition of slavery to bring the GOP to power.
Unless America decides to have a violent civil war to eject the fascist government types I just don't see a third party having a prayer of success.
I disagree with the conclusion, not so much because I think its an easy task kicking the Bushies and their assorted hangers-on out of the party, but because I think, absent a serious national calamity, the possibility of a credible third party arising to power is zilch. After all it took something as serious as the abolition of slavery to bring the GOP to power.
Unless America decides to have a violent civil war to eject the fascist government types I just don't see a third party having a prayer of success.
Posted by: MTF, vote for someone the GOP insiders hate! at March 31, 2015 11:31 AM (LISuA)
24
Think about this:
If Al Gore had been prez, he would have launched us on the Kyoto road, and today the greenies would be TAKING CREDIT for the 18 year "pause" in global warming, instead of having to come up with ridiculous excuses for it.
They would be yelling, "We saved the world! That means we're right about everything! You must do what we say - FOREVER!"
And the general populace would be saying, "I guess they're right. They did save the world."
There would be NO CONVINCING ANYONE that the drop in temp was natural.
I wasn't thrilled with Bush, but, see, he was better than Gore. Gore would have been the end of all industry.
There really IS a lesser of two evils.
If Al Gore had been prez, he would have launched us on the Kyoto road, and today the greenies would be TAKING CREDIT for the 18 year "pause" in global warming, instead of having to come up with ridiculous excuses for it.
They would be yelling, "We saved the world! That means we're right about everything! You must do what we say - FOREVER!"
And the general populace would be saying, "I guess they're right. They did save the world."
There would be NO CONVINCING ANYONE that the drop in temp was natural.
I wasn't thrilled with Bush, but, see, he was better than Gore. Gore would have been the end of all industry.
There really IS a lesser of two evils.
Posted by: RKae at March 31, 2015 11:31 AM (gy5EU)
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:31 AM (MYCIw)
26
Any man who uses "less than half a dozen" when "five" would do must be smarter than me.
"Fewer" than half a dozen.
"Fewer" than half a dozen.
Posted by: Bandersnatch, grammar Nazi at March 31, 2015 11:32 AM (JtwS4)
27
Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 31, 2015 11:32 AM (kff5f)
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 31, 2015 11:32 AM (kff5f)
29
Sure we can fix the 'Pub's - it will take decades. Do we have decades?
Posted by: Jean at March 31, 2015 11:32 AM (ztOda)
30
DrewM your defeatism is music to the ears of people who want a sane GOP. You can take your Nativist theocratic losers somewhere else. The reality is that tea party/socons are a fringe group.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 11:33 AM (2SnmG)
31
29 Sure we can fix the 'Pub's - it will take decades. Do we have decades?
Posted by: Jean at March 31, 2015 11:32 AM (ztOda)
Nope.
Posted by: Jean at March 31, 2015 11:32 AM (ztOda)
Nope.
Posted by: Math at March 31, 2015 11:33 AM (fwARV)
32
Being Not-Democrats is insufficient.
Posted by: toby928(C) likes HighRes at March 31, 2015 11:33 AM (evdj2)
33
>>Or is anti-Semitism just so mainstream among the "enlightened" progressives that nobody cared?
They don't really see it anymore because it's just how everyone talks (all Pauline Kael-like in their group-think). Heck, the New Yorker just published Lena Dunham's "My Dog or My Jewish Boyfriend" quiz.
They don't really see it anymore because it's just how everyone talks (all Pauline Kael-like in their group-think). Heck, the New Yorker just published Lena Dunham's "My Dog or My Jewish Boyfriend" quiz.
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:33 AM (TLTHv)
34
done with the gop.....
Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (u8GsB)
35
Hector<---------Pass the Dutchie
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (TLTHv)
36
You know, I kinda want to have a march with giant puppet heads.
*ponders what to make*
Also, here, I sum up thread.
Drew haters make nasty nasty completely boring and pathetic comments about oh it's Drew blah blah blah
Drew supporters make equally boring and equally nasty comments back
GOP not matter what supporters say their things.
GOP is doing that thing in our mouths after eating asparagus observers of reality say their stuff
I am here to show us a better way.
So. Would Kate Upton use a longbow or cross bow whilst engaging in the Most Dangerous Game with Emily Ratajkowski and would her shotgun of choice be Mossberg or Remington?
Discuss.
*ponders what to make*
Also, here, I sum up thread.
Drew haters make nasty nasty completely boring and pathetic comments about oh it's Drew blah blah blah
Drew supporters make equally boring and equally nasty comments back
GOP not matter what supporters say their things.
GOP is doing that thing in our mouths after eating asparagus observers of reality say their stuff
I am here to show us a better way.
So. Would Kate Upton use a longbow or cross bow whilst engaging in the Most Dangerous Game with Emily Ratajkowski and would her shotgun of choice be Mossberg or Remington?
Discuss.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (mf5HN)
37
I am still astonished you found the DocFix the last straw, unlike most government crap that is one that at least benefits many of us as individuals. But this is the one for you l, not farm bills, or pretend investigations of Obama, etc...
The truth is that the country is RINO at best and if conservatives want to accomplish anything we need to do it through one of the parties, and the other isn't looking good. A third party would terrify the public when it wasn't running 4th to the libertarians, and the GOP as an institution would run like hell from this. I regularly hear my mushy headed neighbors worry about Tea Party extremists and I live in Idaho. Amazingly some of these same people seem to like Scott Walker and have come to dislike Chris Christie. They may be low information voters, but that is who makes elections everywhere.
Politics is compromise.
The truth is that the country is RINO at best and if conservatives want to accomplish anything we need to do it through one of the parties, and the other isn't looking good. A third party would terrify the public when it wasn't running 4th to the libertarians, and the GOP as an institution would run like hell from this. I regularly hear my mushy headed neighbors worry about Tea Party extremists and I live in Idaho. Amazingly some of these same people seem to like Scott Walker and have come to dislike Chris Christie. They may be low information voters, but that is who makes elections everywhere.
Politics is compromise.
Posted by: RoyL at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (0rGe6)
38
Right now, I'm a precinct delegate, on the congressional district executive committee, and the state executive committee.
I may resign from all of it.
It isn't just that the work of reforming the GOP is overwhelming - if reform is even possible.
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that the PEOPLE don't want small, honest government. Sure, if you ask, that's what they say. But when you tell them, "Here's the work YOU will have to do," the answer turns into "Not interested."
I like the lady in the street analogy. I don't want to be that person, either.
I may resign from all of it.
It isn't just that the work of reforming the GOP is overwhelming - if reform is even possible.
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that the PEOPLE don't want small, honest government. Sure, if you ask, that's what they say. But when you tell them, "Here's the work YOU will have to do," the answer turns into "Not interested."
I like the lady in the street analogy. I don't want to be that person, either.
Posted by: EndOfPatience at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (xvblb)
39
The party didn't just leave me.
It roughed me up, stole my lunch money, pissed on my shoes, laughed at my clothes, kicked me in the nuts, stole my girlfriend, called me names, assaulted my mother and left me in the gutter.
And then a little later came around asking if they could hold fifty bucks until 2016 swearing that that's when they'll really get around to fixing all the stuff they've been saying they would fix for the last 40 years.
So: no, just plain no.
It roughed me up, stole my lunch money, pissed on my shoes, laughed at my clothes, kicked me in the nuts, stole my girlfriend, called me names, assaulted my mother and left me in the gutter.
And then a little later came around asking if they could hold fifty bucks until 2016 swearing that that's when they'll really get around to fixing all the stuff they've been saying they would fix for the last 40 years.
So: no, just plain no.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (zRby/)
40
The American people, on the whole, sold their birthright for a mess of pottage.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:35 AM (2Ojst)
41
One of the best-written columns I've read in a while. <Slow clap>.
Posted by: Tony at March 31, 2015 11:35 AM (V2UGp)
42
This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative.
And Cost has been proven wrong.
The fact he neither acknowledges that, nor modifies his position based on that reality undermines any other argument he might make.
And Cost has been proven wrong.
The fact he neither acknowledges that, nor modifies his position based on that reality undermines any other argument he might make.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 31, 2015 11:35 AM (kff5f)
43
"Now seating the Donner Party. Party of 4. Now seating the Donner Party. Party of 4".
Posted by: Bandersnatch, grammar Nazi at March 31, 2015 11:35 AM (JtwS4)
Posted by: Citizen X at March 31, 2015 11:35 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: Jean at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (ztOda)
46
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (mf5HN)
All I saw was blah blah blah Kate Upton blah blah Emily Ratajkowski.
All I saw was blah blah blah Kate Upton blah blah Emily Ratajkowski.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (2Ojst)
47
I still don't get the math on how witholding one's vote gives one a bigger voice. In a choice between a Liberal and a Moderate, vote for the least Liberal candidate, not because of some grand strategy or scheme, but because it keeps the more Liberal pol out of Office and the country tnat much freer. I know, I know, they're all a bunch of squishes, and you feel betrayed and all that other emotional stuff, none of it addresses the math. Fewer conservative votes means more Liberal policies. This political "game" goes on forever, there is no Winning, no final bell, and ceding rounds helps nobody but the opponent.
Posted by: Lincolntf at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (2cS/G)
48
And what a mess of pottage it's become!
Posted by: JohnnyBoy at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (TPjwz)
49
Even Barry Goldwater (pro-choice), Ron Reagan (amnesty/deficits), and Clint (I don't give a flock who gays marry) Eastwood would not pass muster with these palinistas.
Too bad. The country wants the middle.
Too bad. The country wants the middle.
Posted by: Prince Matchabelli at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (zmZ2x)
50
Giving up and pouting FTW!
Were we in a parliamentary system, taking your ball and going home would make sense. Here? Not so much. I also enjoy the frothy glee of the "let it burn" crowd, as if they (or their children) would somehow be untouched by the ruin they propose.
I'm no genius so I don't know what the answer is, but I'm pretty sure throwing your hands up and quitting isn't the solution to anything.
Giving up and pouting FTW!
Were we in a parliamentary system, taking your ball and going home would make sense. Here? Not so much. I also enjoy the frothy glee of the "let it burn" crowd, as if they (or their children) would somehow be untouched by the ruin they propose.
I'm no genius so I don't know what the answer is, but I'm pretty sure throwing your hands up and quitting isn't the solution to anything.
Posted by: radar at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (kQfqk)
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 11:37 AM (evdj2)
52
>>So. Would Kate Upton use a longbow or cross bow whilst engaging in the
Most Dangerous Game with Emily Ratajkowski and would her shotgun of
choice be Mossberg or Remington?
Discuss.
Ooh, good topic. What would Karl Urban use...and, uh, what's he wearing?
Most Dangerous Game with Emily Ratajkowski and would her shotgun of
choice be Mossberg or Remington?
Discuss.
Ooh, good topic. What would Karl Urban use...and, uh, what's he wearing?
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:37 AM (TLTHv)
53
So the conundrum. We must fight for smaller government even though the momentum is still moving towards larger government. If we give up the momentum will move us toward larger government.
Posted by: Soona at March 31, 2015 11:37 AM (/HX7u)
54
I still like Mike Pence. How he was not prepared for the fallout from the bill is astonishing though, business said they would have a negative reaction to it.
And now an underwhelming speech to help mitigate. Oh well.
And now an underwhelming speech to help mitigate. Oh well.
Posted by: Nick in South Bend at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (TlMTA)
55
nativist theocrat nativist surrey with the fringe on top nativist so-so con (except for real cons; they're dreamy) real, fake genuine new coke mt meds are sooooo utterly outta whack this morning the things that I do for my methadone.
Posted by: dutch treat at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (Spluw)
56
Yet we can't stop watching in wonder as the train continues to wreck, wreck, and wreck some more.
At least there's beer.
At least there's beer.
Posted by: JohnnyBoy at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (TPjwz)
57
An entertained population is a complacent one. Our betters figured that out a long time ago, while those of us who are liberals/libertarians shrugged and said "it doesn't affect me if the idiots waste in front of their tv, and drink or smoke away reality." Sadly, now the inertia is against us and it's too late to make people understand (or to care). The masses are mesmerized, the die is cast, and the only thing that will save this country (and the world) from its fate of violent self-inflicted implosion is.... SMOD.
Posted by: m0x at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (WM/AY)
58
Wait, we aren't anarchists anymore?
But I was just about to pull out all my punk clothes from high school and start burning things.
But I was just about to pull out all my punk clothes from high school and start burning things.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (MYCIw)
59
I also enjoy the frothy glee of the "let it burn" crowd, as if they (or their children) would somehow be untouched by the ruin they propose.
Sometimes a good burning is needed to enrich the soil so that good things may once again grow there. But the scorched earth inbetween times is not pretty.
Sometimes a good burning is needed to enrich the soil so that good things may once again grow there. But the scorched earth inbetween times is not pretty.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst)
60
Renee Ellmers (R-NC) is a case in point. Elected as a Tea Party Republican, Eric Cantor folded her under his wing. Even though Eric is gone, she is indistinguishable from a Democrat.
Lather, rinse, repeat. The absolute power makes it impossible to wrest power from the GOPe. They will never shrink government.
Lather, rinse, repeat. The absolute power makes it impossible to wrest power from the GOPe. They will never shrink government.
Posted by: Valiant at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM (4rlxS)
61
I want the GOP to be as sane as me.......wait
Posted by: dutch treat at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM (Spluw)
62
If you follow Drew, Harry Reid wins. Go look at what that smug bastard said on Hot Air and then reconsider giving up the government these fuckhead Dems.
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM (v4zV9)
63
Drew, I hope you get back on Twitter soon so you don't miss out on my pictorial narratives.
I pass along news stories of interest, but I've decided that to preserve my sanity I've turned my back on the GOP and politics in general, and with no hope of seeing the GOP represent our interests, I've just plain lost interest in trying.
Giving up hope is actually kind of liberating, you find you just don't get all that upset anymore because those who do get upset think there's still hope.
"Do you know why you hid in that ditch, Blythe? We're all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. You don't realize that you're already dead"
I pass along news stories of interest, but I've decided that to preserve my sanity I've turned my back on the GOP and politics in general, and with no hope of seeing the GOP represent our interests, I've just plain lost interest in trying.
Giving up hope is actually kind of liberating, you find you just don't get all that upset anymore because those who do get upset think there's still hope.
"Do you know why you hid in that ditch, Blythe? We're all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. You don't realize that you're already dead"
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM (GrXXa)
64
Ultimately, the problem is that we have allowed to many people who don't understand what being an American is about to vote. Until that is fixed (secession, collapse of DC and reorganization, pandemic, whatever), the direction of the country cannot be fixed. Voting was never a right it was a privilege extended to those of like mind in a mutual defense pact. It is useless when the Enemy are here and outnumber us.
And Drew's right. The fact that we still tolerate the arrangement is proof of our inferiority to the Founders.
And Drew's right. The fact that we still tolerate the arrangement is proof of our inferiority to the Founders.
Posted by: Methos at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (ZbV+0)
65
Too depressing.... Wake Me up when it's over...
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (Bn6aD)
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (evdj2)
67
Sometimes a dude gots to do what a dude's got to do, right Dude?
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (2Aj5D)
68
How many Presidencies has your Party won, Drew?
Posted by: Uncle Rick at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (ZbB1q)
Posted by: Roy at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (VndSC)
70
Politics is compromise.
Posted by: RoyL at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (0rGe6)
Sure but right now the compromise is between "should government get incredibly huge or just merely normal huge?
Why don't we start making liberals compromise over whether we eliminate 60% of the government or just 40%?
No one in the GOP is even interested in making that the terms of the debate.
If the only question is "how much do you lose by?" it's probably a bad game to be in.
Posted by: RoyL at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (0rGe6)
Sure but right now the compromise is between "should government get incredibly huge or just merely normal huge?
Why don't we start making liberals compromise over whether we eliminate 60% of the government or just 40%?
No one in the GOP is even interested in making that the terms of the debate.
If the only question is "how much do you lose by?" it's probably a bad game to be in.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (8TqNO)
71
58 Wait, we aren't anarchists anymore?
But I was just about to pull out all my punk clothes from high school and start burning things.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (MYCIw)
That's truly disappointing. Now we're just nativist theocrats, which isn't anywhere near as much fun.
But I was just about to pull out all my punk clothes from high school and start burning things.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (MYCIw)
That's truly disappointing. Now we're just nativist theocrats, which isn't anywhere near as much fun.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (2Ojst)
72
59 I also enjoy the frothy glee of the "let it burn" crowd, as if they (or their children) would somehow be untouched by the ruin they propose.
Sometimes a good burning is needed to enrich the soil so that good things may once again grow there. But the scorched earth inbetween times is not pretty.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst)
____________
Dude, it is burning already.
Sometimes a good burning is needed to enrich the soil so that good things may once again grow there. But the scorched earth inbetween times is not pretty.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst)
____________
Dude, it is burning already.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (0LHZx)
73
Rugged individualists of America, unite!!
Posted by: Muldoon, a solid man at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (NeFrd)
74
I also enjoy the frothy glee of the "let it burn" crowd, as if they (or their children) would somehow be untouched by the ruin they propose.
I will ignore your sarcasm and school you on what you are not understanding about LIB.
The LIB crowd believes that it's too late already. No "frothy glee" and no belief that no one they know will be untouched by the burning.
The LIB crowd believes that the reality is that this shit isn't getting fixed in their lifetimes, or many lifetimes to come, if ever.
I will ignore your sarcasm and school you on what you are not understanding about LIB.
The LIB crowd believes that it's too late already. No "frothy glee" and no belief that no one they know will be untouched by the burning.
The LIB crowd believes that the reality is that this shit isn't getting fixed in their lifetimes, or many lifetimes to come, if ever.
Posted by: Citizen X at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (7ObY1)
75
If you follow Drew, Harry Reid wins. Go look at what that smug bastard said on Hot Air and then reconsider giving up the government these fuckhead Dems.
---
MM...Harry Reid already won. We're simply recognizing that fact and moving on.
---
MM...Harry Reid already won. We're simply recognizing that fact and moving on.
Posted by: @JohnTant at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (eytER)
76
Excellent article.
Problem is, the State will not leave us alone.
Even with a boot on our neck, they won't be satisfied until we're dead.
Problem is, the State will not leave us alone.
Even with a boot on our neck, they won't be satisfied until we're dead.
Posted by: Feh at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (EaH5U)
77
Politics is compromise.
Posted by: RoyL at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (0rGe6)
Politics is the ART of compromise.
The GOPe doesn't compromise, it caves.
Posted by: RoyL at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (0rGe6)
Politics is the ART of compromise.
The GOPe doesn't compromise, it caves.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (zRby/)
78
66 If you follow Drew, Harry Reid wins.
Which differs from where we are how?
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (evdj2)
Just what I was thinking. He's been winning the whole f*cking time.
Which differs from where we are how?
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (evdj2)
Just what I was thinking. He's been winning the whole f*cking time.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (2Ojst)
79
This is like a circular firing squad. Call me when we are attacking the liberals and democrats again.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 31, 2015 11:42 AM (rDqRv)
80
In case you haven't noticed ... I've been on something of a theme. A couple really.
One ... people suck. Welcome to the party, Drew. People do not want freedom. The want serfdom.
Two ... people fucking LOVE to tell other people what to do. Drew's had enough. He's went rogue. So, of course, cue all the usual suspects telling him why he'd be a fool to leave.
Now Drew ... a word of warning. You continue down this philosophical road - and you'll start questioning all kinds of shit. Might even decide the country just ain't worth saving ... because most of it's people deserve to suffer.
One ... people suck. Welcome to the party, Drew. People do not want freedom. The want serfdom.
Two ... people fucking LOVE to tell other people what to do. Drew's had enough. He's went rogue. So, of course, cue all the usual suspects telling him why he'd be a fool to leave.
Now Drew ... a word of warning. You continue down this philosophical road - and you'll start questioning all kinds of shit. Might even decide the country just ain't worth saving ... because most of it's people deserve to suffer.
Posted by: ScoggDog at March 31, 2015 11:42 AM (wQ9BN)
81
Sometimes a good burning is needed to enrich the soil so that good things may once again grow there. But the scorched earth inbetween times is not pretty.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst
Forest fires are the perfect example.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst
Forest fires are the perfect example.
Posted by: f at March 31, 2015 11:42 AM (2Aj5D)
82
Sometimes a good burning is needed to enrich the soil so that good things may once again grow there. But the scorched earth inbetween times is not pretty.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst
Forest fires are the perfect example.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:38 AM (2Ojst
Forest fires are the perfect example.
Posted by: f at March 31, 2015 11:42 AM (2Aj5D)
83
>>Sure we can fix the 'Pub's - it will take decades. Do we have decades?
Truth is the liberals didn't take over the Democrat party in a couple weeks or even a couple elections. It was decades in the making. There are no more conservative or even moderate Dems at the national level when even a few short years ago there were some including a bunch of Blue Dogs.
The Republican Party has been getting more conservative but it is a slow, tedious process with limited results in the short term. And that is a problem for people like us who live politics everyday.
Truth is the liberals didn't take over the Democrat party in a couple weeks or even a couple elections. It was decades in the making. There are no more conservative or even moderate Dems at the national level when even a few short years ago there were some including a bunch of Blue Dogs.
The Republican Party has been getting more conservative but it is a slow, tedious process with limited results in the short term. And that is a problem for people like us who live politics everyday.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (g1DWB)
84
"Better to focus on a longer game of changing the dominant political culture in the country."
I would like to hear more about this.
I would like to hear more about this.
Posted by: JohnJ at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (TF/YA)
85
I'm done being a a battered wife.
Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (WGm5T)
86
So. Would Kate Upton use a longbow or cross bow whilst engaging in the Most Dangerous Game with Emily Ratajkowski
Crossbow. Simple physics. She wouldn't be able to get a full draw on a long bow due to "obstacles".
Crossbow. Simple physics. She wouldn't be able to get a full draw on a long bow due to "obstacles".
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (DXB+X)
87
I will admit I have a LOT of anger towards a large part of the US Electorate.
I chose to serve this country in the Military... bled for this country... gave my youth to it... was not there to see my children born because of War (Desert Storm)...
And did so with the understanding that I was there to protect this nation I love from FOREIGN enemies who would try to destroy her.
But the flip side was that I expected the US Electorate, and its politicians, to protect our Liberties at home...
I kept my end of the deal.... as did my direct ancestors going all the way back to Valley Forge...
You cannot go through some of what I did, and saw, without it leaving a mark.... without there being a price....
Now, I feel like I've been taken...
I chose to serve this country in the Military... bled for this country... gave my youth to it... was not there to see my children born because of War (Desert Storm)...
And did so with the understanding that I was there to protect this nation I love from FOREIGN enemies who would try to destroy her.
But the flip side was that I expected the US Electorate, and its politicians, to protect our Liberties at home...
I kept my end of the deal.... as did my direct ancestors going all the way back to Valley Forge...
You cannot go through some of what I did, and saw, without it leaving a mark.... without there being a price....
Now, I feel like I've been taken...
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (qh617)
88
In 2012, Boehner stood at the front of the RNC and flat-out lied to the attendees' faces, pretending that a vote passed a VERY contentious voice vote that sought to limit the power of the state parties and the grassroots. At that point, it became clear to me that the GOP leadership will do ANYTHING to retain power, and that includes enraging the most active supporters.
Fortunately, that move didn't backfire, and Romney was soon elected president.
There were conservative pundits who screamed bloody murder about Mourdock's garbled answer to a question on abortion, and these people said NOTHING about Boehner's treachery. At that point, it became clear to me that -- with rare individual exceptions like Steyn and McCarthy -- the establishment media on the right, from National Review on down, will not do anything significant in arguing for a grassroots effort to reform the party.
Since then, we've had people like John Podhoretz pooh-pooh grassroots conservatives for raising hell about Cochran's thwarting the will of Mississippi Republicans in the primary, not only by attracting Democrat voters in the runoff, but by invoking the specter of Jim Crow against THE PEOPLE AND PRINCIPLES THE GOP SUPPOSEDLY SUPPORTS.
Read their official party platform, and you'll see the GOP nominally supports things that conservatives can get behind. Watch their behavior since IMMEDIATELY after the November election, and you'll see that the platform is fraudulent, a scam marketing campaign that they have no interest in implementing when (as with the abortion bill) doing so is unquestionably the politically shrewd move.
People who GENUINELY think the party can be reformed at this point haven't been paying attention. At best, we'll get the rare conservative like Cruz trying to run within the system, but I have little doubt that the party leadership would rather lose the general election with a moderate than win with an actual conservative.
We'll see that their antagonism toward Cruz up to now has just been a warm-up. At which point, I hope that we reach a tipping point with the grassroots' realization that the Republicans are treacherous to what they say are our shared principles and values.
What do we do after that? Levin's idea of having the states convene to propose constitutional amendments is about the most promising thing I've heard, but maybe there is no real alternative at this point. But we MUST recognize how dire things are if we are to have any hope at turning things around.
Fortunately, that move didn't backfire, and Romney was soon elected president.
There were conservative pundits who screamed bloody murder about Mourdock's garbled answer to a question on abortion, and these people said NOTHING about Boehner's treachery. At that point, it became clear to me that -- with rare individual exceptions like Steyn and McCarthy -- the establishment media on the right, from National Review on down, will not do anything significant in arguing for a grassroots effort to reform the party.
Since then, we've had people like John Podhoretz pooh-pooh grassroots conservatives for raising hell about Cochran's thwarting the will of Mississippi Republicans in the primary, not only by attracting Democrat voters in the runoff, but by invoking the specter of Jim Crow against THE PEOPLE AND PRINCIPLES THE GOP SUPPOSEDLY SUPPORTS.
Read their official party platform, and you'll see the GOP nominally supports things that conservatives can get behind. Watch their behavior since IMMEDIATELY after the November election, and you'll see that the platform is fraudulent, a scam marketing campaign that they have no interest in implementing when (as with the abortion bill) doing so is unquestionably the politically shrewd move.
People who GENUINELY think the party can be reformed at this point haven't been paying attention. At best, we'll get the rare conservative like Cruz trying to run within the system, but I have little doubt that the party leadership would rather lose the general election with a moderate than win with an actual conservative.
We'll see that their antagonism toward Cruz up to now has just been a warm-up. At which point, I hope that we reach a tipping point with the grassroots' realization that the Republicans are treacherous to what they say are our shared principles and values.
What do we do after that? Levin's idea of having the states convene to propose constitutional amendments is about the most promising thing I've heard, but maybe there is no real alternative at this point. But we MUST recognize how dire things are if we are to have any hope at turning things around.
Posted by: Bubba at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (bpn7O)
89
Renee Ellmers (R-NC) is a case in point. Elected as a Tea Party Republican, Eric Cantor folded her under his wing. Even though Eric is gone, she is indistinguishable from a Democrat.
Then you are a stupid, stupid human being and should refrain from creating any offspring
Then you are a stupid, stupid human being and should refrain from creating any offspring
Posted by: Uncle Rick at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (ZbB1q)
90
I still don't get the math on how witholding one's vote gives one a bigger voice.
Posted by: Lincolntf at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (2cS/G)
Conservatives aren't enough to put a candidate over the top in most places but withholding your vote can certainly cause one to lose.
If someone knows they have your vote locked up no matter what they do, they will move on to promising undecided voters to your left something.
Make them earn your vote and they will offer up support for what you want.
Think of the old saying, "if you want more of something subsidize it. If you want less of it tax it."
Handing out your vote with no strings attached to people who behave badly in office is a subsidy. That's why you get more of it. It's time to start taxing crappy candidates/office holders.
Posted by: Lincolntf at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (2cS/G)
Conservatives aren't enough to put a candidate over the top in most places but withholding your vote can certainly cause one to lose.
If someone knows they have your vote locked up no matter what they do, they will move on to promising undecided voters to your left something.
Make them earn your vote and they will offer up support for what you want.
Think of the old saying, "if you want more of something subsidize it. If you want less of it tax it."
Handing out your vote with no strings attached to people who behave badly in office is a subsidy. That's why you get more of it. It's time to start taxing crappy candidates/office holders.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 11:44 AM (8TqNO)
91
the gop bullied me
Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 31, 2015 11:44 AM (u8GsB)
92
MM...Harry Reid already won. We're simply recognizing that fact and moving on.
Posted by: @JohnTant at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (eytER)
Moving on...to what?
Posted by: @JohnTant at March 31, 2015 11:41 AM (eytER)
Moving on...to what?
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 11:44 AM (v4zV9)
Posted by: Muldoon, a solid man at March 31, 2015 11:44 AM (NeFrd)
94
Another reason not to twitter, facebook, snap chat or all this other shit the "beautiful" people do
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 31, 2015 11:44 AM (2Aj5D)
95
Crossbow. Simple physics. She wouldn't be able to get a full draw on a long bow due to "obstacles".
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (DXB+X)
Getting string bite on the nipples would probably hurt like a bitch, too.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (DXB+X)
Getting string bite on the nipples would probably hurt like a bitch, too.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 11:45 AM (2Ojst)
96
Ooh, good topic. What would Karl Urban use...and, uh, what's he wearing?
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:37 AM (TLTHv)
I do apologize for not being inclusive.
Karl Urban is deeply invested in the true spirit of the game and thus is wearing this:
http://bit.ly/1GcvGrb
However, he's updated his weaponry from merely the jawbone of an ass to a Mossberg over under.
Norman Reedus is sticking with his crossbow, thank you very much.
http://bit.ly/1xvKBez
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:37 AM (TLTHv)
I do apologize for not being inclusive.
Karl Urban is deeply invested in the true spirit of the game and thus is wearing this:
http://bit.ly/1GcvGrb
However, he's updated his weaponry from merely the jawbone of an ass to a Mossberg over under.
Norman Reedus is sticking with his crossbow, thank you very much.
http://bit.ly/1xvKBez
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 11:45 AM (mf5HN)
97
I've had so many last straws from the GOP that i could build an army of scarecrows. To hell with them.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 31, 2015 11:45 AM (ZbCKc)
98
Master Po: Grasshopper, tell me about apples and oranges. Are they different or are they the same?
Kwai Chang: They are different, Master.
Master Po: How so, Grasshopper?
Kwai Chang: Uh, apples are apples and oranges are oranges?
Master Po: Are they not both fruit? Are they not the same?
Kwai Chang: Uh...
Master Po: Now tell me about Democrats and Republicans. Are they different or are they the same?
Kwai Chang: Uh...
Master Po: Are they not all Politicians?
Kwai Chang: Yes, but...
Master Po: But, but, but, but...
Kwai Chang: Master?
Master Po: Grasshopper, everybody has a butt, and they all stink.
Kwai Chang: Is that where the fruit part comes in?
Master Po: Grasshopper, tell me about apples and oranges. Are they different or are they the same?
Kwai Chang: They are different, Master.
Master Po: How so, Grasshopper?
Kwai Chang: Uh, apples are apples and oranges are oranges?
Master Po: Are they not both fruit? Are they not the same?
Kwai Chang: Uh...
Master Po: Now tell me about Democrats and Republicans. Are they different or are they the same?
Kwai Chang: Uh...
Master Po: Are they not all Politicians?
Kwai Chang: Yes, but...
Master Po: But, but, but, but...
Kwai Chang: Master?
Master Po: Grasshopper, everybody has a butt, and they all stink.
Kwai Chang: Is that where the fruit part comes in?
Posted by: Kung Fool at March 31, 2015 11:45 AM (kyG8i)
99
Yes, the government is far too large. No, it cannot be sustained for much longer and reducing the size and scope of government is critical to sustaining our way of life. But do not think that when it all comes crashing down what replaces it won't be much, much worse than what we have now.
The Republican party really is terrible about cutting the size and scope of government-as they have consistently shown-but the only politicians who even pay lip service to how the Republic might be salvaged are almost all Republicans (excepting some Libertarians holding state or local office).
I think it is prudent to give them one more chance after the election of 2016 to see what they might accomplish and whether or not the public will accept that reform. If they fail to move in the direction of making reform, or if the public punishes them for making said reforms in the midterms, then I will know that the small government movement is doomed, and with it the American experiment.
The Republican party really is terrible about cutting the size and scope of government-as they have consistently shown-but the only politicians who even pay lip service to how the Republic might be salvaged are almost all Republicans (excepting some Libertarians holding state or local office).
I think it is prudent to give them one more chance after the election of 2016 to see what they might accomplish and whether or not the public will accept that reform. If they fail to move in the direction of making reform, or if the public punishes them for making said reforms in the midterms, then I will know that the small government movement is doomed, and with it the American experiment.
Posted by: 68W58 at March 31, 2015 11:45 AM (rYFmu)
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 11:46 AM (zRby/)
101
Maybe instead of starting with the GOP, you may want to reform "conservatives" Drew. Like it or not, they've become the Illuminati of the GOP. They've been put into a nice, neat, little category of extremists by the opposition. And they have quite a few alleged "members" who constantly give them new material.
Now, I don't necessarily agree with that whole cloth. In fact, I would describe myself as a constitutional conservative. I also loath what passes for GOP leadership from Reince Dufus to Boehner and McConnell. In fact, I can't thing of a better trio that represents the antithesis of what leadership should be.
But "conservatives" are whiners, complainers and diverters, not doers and strategists. They are almost always one step behind leadership, rending garments and preaching the end of our kingdom.
The way to change things is by using the process against them and by being more creative and inclusive while doing it- not running from it or taking your ball and going home. Have an attack strategy and execute on it.
I've spent far too much time in Washington. So I know there are a lot of people who save their own skin most of the time while putting on a good public face and cheering everyone on from the rear.
The long game here is to defeat current "leadership" and replace in with a person of character and temerity. That's the long game we should be playing. Not this pussy surrender bullshit.
Now, I don't necessarily agree with that whole cloth. In fact, I would describe myself as a constitutional conservative. I also loath what passes for GOP leadership from Reince Dufus to Boehner and McConnell. In fact, I can't thing of a better trio that represents the antithesis of what leadership should be.
But "conservatives" are whiners, complainers and diverters, not doers and strategists. They are almost always one step behind leadership, rending garments and preaching the end of our kingdom.
The way to change things is by using the process against them and by being more creative and inclusive while doing it- not running from it or taking your ball and going home. Have an attack strategy and execute on it.
I've spent far too much time in Washington. So I know there are a lot of people who save their own skin most of the time while putting on a good public face and cheering everyone on from the rear.
The long game here is to defeat current "leadership" and replace in with a person of character and temerity. That's the long game we should be playing. Not this pussy surrender bullshit.
Posted by: Marcus T at March 31, 2015 11:46 AM (GGCsk)
102
I'm sorry you've given up, DrewM, but certainly understand the reaction.
>>Ive also found myself doing something incredibly annoying (shut up).linking to old posts to show that this was all very predictable and in fact was predicted by me. Partially it was out of laziness. Why rewrite what youd written before? But partially it was out of a desire to say, I told you so.
^THIS is the single most annoying thing in the political sphere. It's a favorite activity of many of the Smart Set in the GOPe wing. Annoying as hell.
>>Ive also found myself doing something incredibly annoying (shut up).linking to old posts to show that this was all very predictable and in fact was predicted by me. Partially it was out of laziness. Why rewrite what youd written before? But partially it was out of a desire to say, I told you so.
^THIS is the single most annoying thing in the political sphere. It's a favorite activity of many of the Smart Set in the GOPe wing. Annoying as hell.
Posted by: Y-not at March 31, 2015 11:46 AM (9BRsg)
103
Levin's idea is great academics.
But why would the liberals choose to abide by that part of the constitution that would limit the issues brought into the constitutional convention? Because those limitations are written down? They do not care.
Any constitutional convention would end the same way, with the progressives getting what they want. "Law" be damned.
But why would the liberals choose to abide by that part of the constitution that would limit the issues brought into the constitutional convention? Because those limitations are written down? They do not care.
Any constitutional convention would end the same way, with the progressives getting what they want. "Law" be damned.
Posted by: Nick in South Bend at March 31, 2015 11:46 AM (TlMTA)
104
Truth is the liberals didn't take over the Democrat party in a couple weeks or even a couple elections. It was decades in the making. There are no more conservative or even moderate Dems at the national level when even a few short years ago there were some including a bunch of Blue Dogs.
The Republican Party has been getting more conservative but it is a slow, tedious process with limited results in the short term. And that is a problem for people like us who live politics everyday.Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (g1DWB)This is exactly true. It didn't happen overnight, so let's just pout and give up.
The Republican Party has been getting more conservative but it is a slow, tedious process with limited results in the short term. And that is a problem for people like us who live politics everyday.Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (g1DWB)This is exactly true. It didn't happen overnight, so let's just pout and give up.
Posted by: radar at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (kQfqk)
105
@42
The GOP of 2015 is socially way more conservative than the 1995 version. The 95 GOP was focused on fiscal issues. The 15 version is obsessed with social and racial issues. If the tea party/socons bolted, the GOP would be more fiscally oriented and drop the toxic issues.
The GOP of 2015 is socially way more conservative than the 1995 version. The 95 GOP was focused on fiscal issues. The 15 version is obsessed with social and racial issues. If the tea party/socons bolted, the GOP would be more fiscally oriented and drop the toxic issues.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (2SnmG)
106
So. Would Kate Upton use a longbow or cross bow whilst engaging in the Most Dangerous Game with Emily Ratajkowski and would her shotgun of choice be Mossberg or Remington?
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (mf5HN)
Crossbow, Longbow, there's no Bow like Elbow
https://twitter.com/kbdabear/status/582932432485236736
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (mf5HN)
Crossbow, Longbow, there's no Bow like Elbow
https://twitter.com/kbdabear/status/582932432485236736
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (GrXXa)
107
18 and 42 win the thread.
Posted by: Bubba at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (bpn7O)
108
Crossbow. Simple physics. She wouldn't be able to get a full draw on a long bow due to "obstacles".
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (DXB+X)
And releasing the string would really, really hurt.
(but I would be there to soothe those ravaged breasts.)
*nom, nom, nom*
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (DXB+X)
And releasing the string would really, really hurt.
(but I would be there to soothe those ravaged breasts.)
*nom, nom, nom*
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (zRby/)
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 31, 2015 11:48 AM (ZbCKc)
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:48 AM (LA7Cm)
111
Which differs from where we are how?
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (evdj2)
Mitch McConnell doesn't get quite as nice an office.
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 11:40 AM (evdj2)
Mitch McConnell doesn't get quite as nice an office.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 31, 2015 11:48 AM (kff5f)
112
Lather, rinse, repeat. The absolute power makes it impossible to wrest power from the GOPe. They will never shrink government.
Posted by: Valiant at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM
Excellen point even if Uncle Rick doesn't agree.
Lather, rinse, repeat. The absolute power makes it impossible to wrest power from the GOPe. They will never shrink government.
Posted by: Valiant at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM
Excellen point even if Uncle Rick doesn't agree.
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 31, 2015 11:48 AM (2Aj5D)
113
Drip drip drip
Hillary didn't just delete her private emails
She deleted ALL her emails. Server wiped clean
Next I am sure we will hear she threw the server away or burned it in the back yard fire pit
Hillary didn't just delete her private emails
She deleted ALL her emails. Server wiped clean
Next I am sure we will hear she threw the server away or burned it in the back yard fire pit
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 11:49 AM (zOTsN)
114
The LIB crowd believes that it's too late already.
No "frothy glee" and no belief that no one they know will be untouched by the burning.
The LIB crowd believes that the reality is that this shit isn't getting fixed in their lifetimes, or many lifetimes to come, if ever.
So do what you can to protect you and yours and don't waste time, enery and money trying to stop what you can't.
Isn't insanity doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome?
No "frothy glee" and no belief that no one they know will be untouched by the burning.
The LIB crowd believes that the reality is that this shit isn't getting fixed in their lifetimes, or many lifetimes to come, if ever.
So do what you can to protect you and yours and don't waste time, enery and money trying to stop what you can't.
Isn't insanity doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome?
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 11:49 AM (DXB+X)
115
@105 WTF you talkin' about?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:49 AM (LA7Cm)
116
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 31, 2015 11:48 AM (ZbCKc)
It's Hector. Like Average Joe, he sucks cock by choice.
It's Hector. Like Average Joe, he sucks cock by choice.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 31, 2015 11:49 AM (kff5f)
117
Look at where we are today.
The media won.
Obama won twice.
Hollywood won.
Sports has been transformed.
Everything has been politicized.
Jews and Christians are marginalized while Muslims are elevated.
The IRS, FCC, EPA, and every other fed agency are permanently controlled by leftists.
The academy at all levels is controlled by the left.
How can there possibly be a conservative majority?
The media won.
Obama won twice.
Hollywood won.
Sports has been transformed.
Everything has been politicized.
Jews and Christians are marginalized while Muslims are elevated.
The IRS, FCC, EPA, and every other fed agency are permanently controlled by leftists.
The academy at all levels is controlled by the left.
How can there possibly be a conservative majority?
Posted by: the littl shyning man at March 31, 2015 11:49 AM (fAMNc)
118
Put me on team crossbow w/Norm Reedus! And we'll accept Urban w/his Mossberg, naturally.
Ahh, so much better than pondering the GOPe.....
Ahh, so much better than pondering the GOPe.....
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:50 AM (TLTHv)
119
"Do you know why you hid in that ditch, Blythe? We're all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. You don't realize that you're already dead"
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM (GrXXa)
--------------------------------------------
The next line is the kicker though. "Once you realize your dead, then you can fight".
Those are the best lines spoken in that whole series.
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 11:39 AM (GrXXa)
--------------------------------------------
The next line is the kicker though. "Once you realize your dead, then you can fight".
Those are the best lines spoken in that whole series.
Posted by: Soona at March 31, 2015 11:50 AM (/HX7u)
120
@58
Some here are anarchists, but they are harmless as opposed to the evil tea party/socons.
Some here are anarchists, but they are harmless as opposed to the evil tea party/socons.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 11:50 AM (2SnmG)
121
Crossbow, Longbow, there's no Bow like Elbow
https://twitter.com/kbdabear/status/582932432485236736
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (GrXXa)
Wise, wise words.
https://twitter.com/kbdabear/status/582932432485236736
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (GrXXa)
Wise, wise words.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 11:50 AM (mf5HN)
122
The Republican Party has been getting more conservative
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (g1DWB)
_________
How do you figure? The GOP of 10 years ago was more conservative than today.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:43 AM (g1DWB)
_________
How do you figure? The GOP of 10 years ago was more conservative than today.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 11:50 AM (0LHZx)
123
"The GOPe doesn't compromise, it caves."
Compromise involves giving and getting. Not just giving....and giving....and giving.
Compromise involves giving and getting. Not just giving....and giving....and giving.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:51 AM (LA7Cm)
124
change the political culture?
the US population is increasingly urban, working part-time, in debt, obese, and single
good luck with that
eventually they'll die without issue, but it'll take a while
the coming five decades or so will be a descent into a more or less chaotic caretaker economy ruled by crony capitalist oligarchs
bread and circuses for the foreseeable future
the US population is increasingly urban, working part-time, in debt, obese, and single
good luck with that
eventually they'll die without issue, but it'll take a while
the coming five decades or so will be a descent into a more or less chaotic caretaker economy ruled by crony capitalist oligarchs
bread and circuses for the foreseeable future
Posted by: Feh at March 31, 2015 11:51 AM (EaH5U)
125
Meh, Drew's rants are getting boring, predictable and dumb.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:51 AM (ZPrif)
126
@117
I am glad you see reality. Conservatives have made many enemies over the years. Now those enemies have united and now have the upper hand against conservatives. Being bullies has consequences.
I am glad you see reality. Conservatives have made many enemies over the years. Now those enemies have united and now have the upper hand against conservatives. Being bullies has consequences.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 11:52 AM (2SnmG)
127
So you're expecting politicians who get elected without your vote, who will most likely be Liberals, to what? Lose the next time because the GOP candidate who runs will go further Right? After the Liberal just won? That doesn't seem sound. We have 1400-odd days between Presidential elections to engage in symbolic speech, try to sway voters to our side, but only one of those days can we make a concrete statement, and that's Election Day, in the voting stall. I withheld my vote a few times in MA, when there was a Democrat vs. a Green vs. a Rainbow Party candidate, but had there been a Libertarian or Republican on those tickets they would have had my vote. A wholesale withholding of one's vote strikes me as deliberately getting out of the game because it's more fun to yell from the sidelines.
Posted by: Lincolntf at March 31, 2015 11:52 AM (2cS/G)
128
Moving on...to what?
Ah, so you agree with the GOPe that conservatives should continue to hang with the GOP because no one else would want us?
I bet Ike Turner said something like that to Tina, once upon a time.
Moving on...to what?
Ah, so you agree with the GOPe that conservatives should continue to hang with the GOP because no one else would want us?
I bet Ike Turner said something like that to Tina, once upon a time.
Posted by: @JohnTant at March 31, 2015 11:52 AM (eytER)
129
my vote is secret
my check book closed
my truck backs no one.
my yard doesn't have room for signs.
but if you think i'm going down without a fight, kiss my ass.
my check book closed
my truck backs no one.
my yard doesn't have room for signs.
but if you think i'm going down without a fight, kiss my ass.
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 31, 2015 11:53 AM (2Aj5D)
130
MH for the win
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 11:53 AM (zOTsN)
131
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 11:47 AM (2SnmG)
El PRL is far less socially conservative than the Rat Party was in 1995. They're funding abortions, sanctioning gay "marriage",wilting away from defending religion in general, and accepting drug addictions.
El PRL is far less socially conservative than the Rat Party was in 1995. They're funding abortions, sanctioning gay "marriage",wilting away from defending religion in general, and accepting drug addictions.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (cL79m)
132
Nice post Drew. I say we start the Federal Constitutional Party or F*ck Commies for short.
Posted by: Draki at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (0eidE)
133
Drew - I appreciate you saying why you dropped twitter. I enjoy your pessimism - though I suspect I am a little more optimistic than you. Texas / New York - perhaps.
I agree with a lot of your points - if not your despair. Perhaps I will get there one day.
But in the long run - I don't see much change until the Boomers are gone (or diminished). They just have too many votes and too many hands in the cookie jar.
I agree with a lot of your points - if not your despair. Perhaps I will get there one day.
But in the long run - I don't see much change until the Boomers are gone (or diminished). They just have too many votes and too many hands in the cookie jar.
Posted by: SH at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (gmeXX)
134
"
If someone knows they have your vote locked up no matter what they do, they will move on to promising undecided voters to your left something.
Make them earn your vote and they will offer up support for what you want.
"
Except the GOP will never get the message. If they lose, they think they need to be more "progressive."
If they win they think they need to be more "progressive."
They are unteachable.
If someone knows they have your vote locked up no matter what they do, they will move on to promising undecided voters to your left something.
Make them earn your vote and they will offer up support for what you want.
"
Except the GOP will never get the message. If they lose, they think they need to be more "progressive."
If they win they think they need to be more "progressive."
They are unteachable.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (MYCIw)
135
Why why why talk to hector or average Joe.
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (zOTsN)
136
"my vote is secret
my check book closed
my truck backs no one.
my yard doesn't have room for signs.
but if you think i'm going down without a fight, kiss my ass. "
Awesome, MH. Bears repeating. 100%
my check book closed
my truck backs no one.
my yard doesn't have room for signs.
but if you think i'm going down without a fight, kiss my ass. "
Awesome, MH. Bears repeating. 100%
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (LA7Cm)
137
Out before the Troll who does piece work.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 11:55 AM (b4JMJ)
138
@135 some people want to hit the punching bag that is our troll.
Posted by: lurkingestlurker - Giant Plush Porcupine at March 31, 2015 11:55 AM (+kY13)
139
There was a time when conservatives could have taken over the Republican Party and made a difference, but it was back when Reagan was president. It would have taken a good 10 years or more to fully conquer and take over the GOP, and by that time Clinton was in office. By 2000 there could have been a real difference but now? We're out of time. Even if somehow conservatives managed to take over and fix the Republican Party, it wouldn't matter.
That last time I had any genuine hope in government was 1994, when the house was making sweeping changes that were long needed (all since reversed by Pelosi & company).
That last time I had any genuine hope in government was 1994, when the house was making sweeping changes that were long needed (all since reversed by Pelosi & company).
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 11:55 AM (39g3+)
140
Too depressing... How about a thread about something cheerful... Like the Iran "deal.?"
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 11:56 AM (Bn6aD)
141
Meh, Drew's rants are getting boring, predictable and dumb.
-----
Despair is not very inspiring.
The revolution took 8 years - with years prior in laying the ground work. The Constitution took another 7. Slavery ended 80 years later.
Liberty has been a long-term work in progress.
Our liberty has its roots in the pushback against the crown that began 1000 years ago.
The crown pushes back and sometimes it gains the upper hand.
-----
Despair is not very inspiring.
The revolution took 8 years - with years prior in laying the ground work. The Constitution took another 7. Slavery ended 80 years later.
Liberty has been a long-term work in progress.
Our liberty has its roots in the pushback against the crown that began 1000 years ago.
The crown pushes back and sometimes it gains the upper hand.
Posted by: SH at March 31, 2015 11:56 AM (gmeXX)
142
Average Oink Oink.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 11:56 AM (b4JMJ)
143
>>How do you figure? The GOP of 10 years ago was more conservative than today.
nonsense. The Tea Party candidates who won in the House and Senate took the place of squishes or Dems.
I think what a lot of people overlook is the Obama affect. We have never had such a corrupt and lawless president and I mean that literally. He does stuff that is totally unprecedented and does it on a daily basis.
Yea, I know we all want our guys to fight back harder but as was laid out by another poster above the liberals today control almost all aspects of public life including the msm and the schools. Something as innocuous as the Indiana religious freedom law becomes THE story of the day when it is virtually the same law that Clinton singed as president 20 years ago. When you control society its a hell of a lot easier to control the political climate.
Society has changed. We need to fight in politics but on the broader stage as well. And we need to do it instead of just pretending that a bunch go politicians are going to do it because we elected them. Team liberal fights in every area of our lives. We need to do the same.
nonsense. The Tea Party candidates who won in the House and Senate took the place of squishes or Dems.
I think what a lot of people overlook is the Obama affect. We have never had such a corrupt and lawless president and I mean that literally. He does stuff that is totally unprecedented and does it on a daily basis.
Yea, I know we all want our guys to fight back harder but as was laid out by another poster above the liberals today control almost all aspects of public life including the msm and the schools. Something as innocuous as the Indiana religious freedom law becomes THE story of the day when it is virtually the same law that Clinton singed as president 20 years ago. When you control society its a hell of a lot easier to control the political climate.
Society has changed. We need to fight in politics but on the broader stage as well. And we need to do it instead of just pretending that a bunch go politicians are going to do it because we elected them. Team liberal fights in every area of our lives. We need to do the same.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
144
Hector<---------Pass the Dutchie
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (TLTHv)
Hector misspelled douche.
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 11:34 AM (TLTHv)
Hector misspelled douche.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (cL79m)
145
evvvvvvvvviiiiiilll! Yuppers, that's my idea of insightful analysis.
And I can prove it: *crickets*
And I can prove it: *crickets*
Posted by: dutch treat at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (Spluw)
146
Norman Reedus is sticking with his crossbow, thank you very much
After Sunday night I'm tempted to join Team Walking Stick.
After Sunday night I'm tempted to join Team Walking Stick.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (zt+N6)
147
140 Too depressing... How about a thread about something cheerful... Like the Iran "deal.?"
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at
Shipwrecks, shipwrecks aren't depressing. Just look at Gilligan's Island.
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at
Shipwrecks, shipwrecks aren't depressing. Just look at Gilligan's Island.
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (2Aj5D)
148
Continuing to always vote for the lesser of the evils is a bad strategy. If the RNCe see's that you will vote for them even after they shit all over you they will continue to reward you with shit.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (wlDny)
149
Nascar issued a statement bashing Indiana for hating gays.
Nate Ryan @nateryan 42m42 minutes ago
Statement from @bjewkes: "#NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate (more)"
Nate Ryan @nateryan 42m42 minutes ago
Statement from @bjewkes: "#NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate (more)"
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (ZPrif)
150
Kwai Chang: Master, can we reform the GOP via the primaries?
Master Po: Grasshopper, does GOPe control how the primaries are run?
Kwai Chang: Uh...
Kwai Chang: Master, can we reform the GOP via the primaries?
Master Po: Grasshopper, does GOPe control how the primaries are run?
Kwai Chang: Uh...
Posted by: Kung Fool at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (kyG8i)
151
yep
Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (ZPrif)
152
149
Nascar issued a statement bashing Indiana for hating gays.
Nate Ryan @nateryan 42m42 minutes ago
Statement from @bjewkes: "#NASCAR is disappointed by the recent
legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate
(more)"
Now this is the crap that is really pissing me off...
Nascar issued a statement bashing Indiana for hating gays.
Nate Ryan @nateryan 42m42 minutes ago
Statement from @bjewkes: "#NASCAR is disappointed by the recent
legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate
(more)"
Now this is the crap that is really pissing me off...
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (Bn6aD)
153
Good ol' NASCAR.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (LA7Cm)
154
146 He killed three liberals with one swing of that chain.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (b4JMJ)
155
Get this: I'm all about sanity.
Really; stop laughing
I can prove it: i refer to people who dare disagree with me as being "eeeeeeeevvvvvvvvviiiiilll"
TaDa.
Really; stop laughing
I can prove it: i refer to people who dare disagree with me as being "eeeeeeeevvvvvvvvviiiiilll"
TaDa.
Posted by: dutch treat at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (Spluw)
156
If you feel the GOP doesn't serve your ideological agenda, I understand leaving.
But what I think is incredibly stupid is this strategy of "withholding" your vote and therefore expecting Republican leadership to shift rightward in order to recapture those lost voters. It's just a complete lack of understanding of human nature and how politics works in the real world.
If millions of conservatives were to drop out, the Party would simply shift further leftward, it's going to go where the votes are. And despite what you hear, the Republican Party has dramatically moved rightward on most issues since Reagan. The average Republican back then was more like Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee.
My opinion is the problem is poor leadership at the top and being in a situation where we have a President that's "crossed the Rubicon" and not knowing how to wrangle it back in without blowing everything up.
But what I think is incredibly stupid is this strategy of "withholding" your vote and therefore expecting Republican leadership to shift rightward in order to recapture those lost voters. It's just a complete lack of understanding of human nature and how politics works in the real world.
If millions of conservatives were to drop out, the Party would simply shift further leftward, it's going to go where the votes are. And despite what you hear, the Republican Party has dramatically moved rightward on most issues since Reagan. The average Republican back then was more like Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee.
My opinion is the problem is poor leadership at the top and being in a situation where we have a President that's "crossed the Rubicon" and not knowing how to wrangle it back in without blowing everything up.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (RV4Sy)
157
Vote GOPe I lose.
Vote fascist democrat I lose.
Now I'm in it to steal as much as I can as fast as I can.
Vote fascist democrat I lose.
Now I'm in it to steal as much as I can as fast as I can.
Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (WGm5T)
158
They are unteachable.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (MYCIw)
This is the true argument that is being had.
There are those who believe that this time, this time, not like all those other times, the GOP will learn that it must take the concerns of conservatives seriously.
Then there are those that look at actual results and go, nope, it doesn't matter what happens because once elected, the GOP slams back to the center to drifting to center left.
That is the argument. Can the GOP be taught and, if so, what form should that lesson take?
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 11:54 AM (MYCIw)
This is the true argument that is being had.
There are those who believe that this time, this time, not like all those other times, the GOP will learn that it must take the concerns of conservatives seriously.
Then there are those that look at actual results and go, nope, it doesn't matter what happens because once elected, the GOP slams back to the center to drifting to center left.
That is the argument. Can the GOP be taught and, if so, what form should that lesson take?
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (mf5HN)
159
I don't see much change until the Boomers are gone (or diminished)
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (W5DcG)
160
alex
hillary would have been the next president if she had quit immediately after her friend was killed in benghazi....and turned on the scoamf.....instead of protecting him (i'm listening to the pod cast)
hillary would have been the next president if she had quit immediately after her friend was killed in benghazi....and turned on the scoamf.....instead of protecting him (i'm listening to the pod cast)
Posted by: phoenixgirl at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (u8GsB)
161
If the tea party/socons bolted, the GOP would be more fiscally oriented and drop the toxic issues.
Nothing says "fiscally oriented" like Uncle Sugar paying for abortions and birth control and tampons.
Nothing says "fiscally oriented" like Uncle Sugar paying for abortions and birth control and tampons.
Posted by: Ian S. at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (B/VB5)
162
When it comes to attitude we need more Cruz and less Drews.
Posted by: Cruzinator at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (sIhFA)
163
Meh, I don't find Drew's rants depressing. Just kinda dumb.
It's like listening to a loser rant about how everything in life is rigged against him. Depressing for him, I guess, not for me. For me it's just some idiot loser ranting.
It's like listening to a loser rant about how everything in life is rigged against him. Depressing for him, I guess, not for me. For me it's just some idiot loser ranting.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (ZPrif)
164
But what I think is incredibly stupid is this strategy of "withholding" your vote and therefore expecting Republican leadership to shift rightward in order to recapture those lost voters. It's just a complete lack of understanding of human nature and how politics works in the real world.Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (RV4Sy)
THIS
THIS
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (od1KN)
165
NASCAR is doing everything it can to destroy its own popularity. The guys who run it seem to understand nothing of their fan base; I'm frankly amazed they still allow a prayer at the start of each race.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (39g3+)
166
Nothing says "fiscally oriented" like Uncle Sugar paying for abortions and birth control and tampons.
Yup. America is full of entitlement junkies.... Hard to compete...
Yup. America is full of entitlement junkies.... Hard to compete...
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (Bn6aD)
167
Nate Ryan @nateryan 42m42 minutes ago Statement from @bjewkes: "#NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate (more)"
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (ZPrif)
---------------------------------------------
The left took control of NASCAR when drivers started spouting "green" policy. Very sad, really.
Netflix and Hulu are my viewing choices on most occasions now anyway. I watched the Daytona 500, but I doubt I'll watch any of the rest of the races.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (ZPrif)
---------------------------------------------
The left took control of NASCAR when drivers started spouting "green" policy. Very sad, really.
Netflix and Hulu are my viewing choices on most occasions now anyway. I watched the Daytona 500, but I doubt I'll watch any of the rest of the races.
Posted by: Soona at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (/HX7u)
168
Ah, so you agree with the GOPe that conservatives should continue to hang with the GOP because no one else would want us?
I bet Ike Turner said something like that to Tina, once upon a time.
Posted by: @JohnTant at March 31, 2015 11:52 AM (eytER)
Naw, man. I think it's a legit question: reform the GOP, go third party or quit the game?
I bet Ike Turner said something like that to Tina, once upon a time.
Posted by: @JohnTant at March 31, 2015 11:52 AM (eytER)
Naw, man. I think it's a legit question: reform the GOP, go third party or quit the game?
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (v4zV9)
169
"This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative."
No. More people who call themselves "conservative". But the whole country has moved left since 1995, and the positions these people hold now would have been considered leftist in 1995.
Example: Homosexual "marriage". Once an extreme leftist position. Now celebrated in TV commercials.
No. More people who call themselves "conservative". But the whole country has moved left since 1995, and the positions these people hold now would have been considered leftist in 1995.
Example: Homosexual "marriage". Once an extreme leftist position. Now celebrated in TV commercials.
Posted by: despair at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (J6suc)
170
@143
Americans have rejected social conservatism. Deal with it.
Americans have rejected social conservatism. Deal with it.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (2SnmG)
171
Drew,
Couldn't have said it better and the thing is...I'm not even angry anymore. I'm just like "Damn this is going to be a catastrophic clusterfuck when it all hits the fan and these people are either to stupid to see it or too lazy to fix it while it can still be."
Like Pilate, I wash my hands of the whole affair.
The only hope is that these things seem to be cyclical in history, so there is a possibility of coming back to reality.
Unfortunately, the "coming back to reality" usually requires multiiple years of hard, hard times.
Couldn't have said it better and the thing is...I'm not even angry anymore. I'm just like "Damn this is going to be a catastrophic clusterfuck when it all hits the fan and these people are either to stupid to see it or too lazy to fix it while it can still be."
Like Pilate, I wash my hands of the whole affair.
The only hope is that these things seem to be cyclical in history, so there is a possibility of coming back to reality.
Unfortunately, the "coming back to reality" usually requires multiiple years of hard, hard times.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (wSwVe)
172
146 Norman Reedus is sticking with his crossbow, thank you very much
After Sunday night I'm tempted to join Team Walking Stick.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (zt+N6)
Right? When did Morgan become all Jedi Knight/kung fu master?
After Sunday night I'm tempted to join Team Walking Stick.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 11:58 AM (zt+N6)
Right? When did Morgan become all Jedi Knight/kung fu master?
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (2Ojst)
173
Meh, I don't find Drew's rants depressing. Just kinda dumb. It's like listening to a loser rant about how everything in life is rigged against him. Depressing for him, I guess, not for me. For me it's just some idiot loser ranting.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (ZPrif)
I think it's most the "'Tis only I who see the future clearly!" vibe that's the most off-putting.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (ZPrif)
I think it's most the "'Tis only I who see the future clearly!" vibe that's the most off-putting.
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (od1KN)
Posted by: DaveA at March 31, 2015 12:03 PM (DL2i+)
175
We respect the rights of homosexuals to choose to be rearended.
Posted by: Nascar at March 31, 2015 12:03 PM (b4JMJ)
176
This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative. That year, the Republican caucus included many nominal, moderate, or otherwise unreliable Republicans...My informal count has them declining from about 15 in 1994 to less than half a dozen today.
Jay Cost
Count again. Also might want to consider that the number of moderate/conservative Democrats to net into the conservative coalition total has gone to zero, which means Team Con is worse off now.
And the bosses are back to a level of operational and financial control of the party not seen since the '40s, which makes it impossible for conservatives to block legislation, or even stage a meaningful protest on the floor.
This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative. That year, the Republican caucus included many nominal, moderate, or otherwise unreliable Republicans...My informal count has them declining from about 15 in 1994 to less than half a dozen today.
Jay Cost
Count again. Also might want to consider that the number of moderate/conservative Democrats to net into the conservative coalition total has gone to zero, which means Team Con is worse off now.
And the bosses are back to a level of operational and financial control of the party not seen since the '40s, which makes it impossible for conservatives to block legislation, or even stage a meaningful protest on the floor.
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:03 PM (kdS6q)
177
Nascar's official statement about all you gay-hating right wing nut jobs.
www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/3/31/nascar-statement-on-indiana-legislation.html
www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/3/31/nascar-statement-on-indiana-legislation.html
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:03 PM (ZPrif)
178
And despite what you hear, the Republican Party has dramatically moved rightward on most issues since Reagan. The average Republican back then was more like Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee.
Posted by: McAdams
Really?
You can prove that by listing how fiscally conservative they were back in ye Olde dayse?
And how they were loving abortion, gays, gay abortion?
If so, then explain all of the evolving bullshit.
Posted by: McAdams
Really?
You can prove that by listing how fiscally conservative they were back in ye Olde dayse?
And how they were loving abortion, gays, gay abortion?
If so, then explain all of the evolving bullshit.
Posted by: dutch treat at March 31, 2015 12:03 PM (Spluw)
179
despair isn't inspiring
but it can help make you more efficient by focusing your attention on what can't be changed, and thus on what can
IIRC, the vast majority of people in the world do not live in two-party systems
but it can help make you more efficient by focusing your attention on what can't be changed, and thus on what can
IIRC, the vast majority of people in the world do not live in two-party systems
Posted by: Feh at March 31, 2015 12:03 PM (EaH5U)
180
Ya know what will turn the Country against gay marriage-- Gay Divorce and Alimoney. Be careful what you wish for, You just might get it
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (rDqRv)
181
The long game here is to defeat current "leadership" and replace in with a person of character and temerity. That's the long game we should be playing. Not this pussy surrender bullshit.
Posted by: Marcus T at March 31, 2015 11:46 AM (GGCsk)
The "leadership" will fight conservative insurgents with all the ferocity that we hoped they would use on Democrats. Instead, McConnell, Boehner, and the power boys will join Democrats in using the government, the media, and money to destroy anyone who makes even a mild attempt to usurp their power.
Democrat vs Republican has become WWE Wrestling. It's a circus set up with those who are "good guys" that we cheer on cue and "villains" that we boo because the script says so.
The naive actually think they're actually busting chairs on heads and mashing faces into the mat, but it's all choreographed and the "enemies" go out for drinks together after putting on a show for the rubes
Posted by: Marcus T at March 31, 2015 11:46 AM (GGCsk)
The "leadership" will fight conservative insurgents with all the ferocity that we hoped they would use on Democrats. Instead, McConnell, Boehner, and the power boys will join Democrats in using the government, the media, and money to destroy anyone who makes even a mild attempt to usurp their power.
Democrat vs Republican has become WWE Wrestling. It's a circus set up with those who are "good guys" that we cheer on cue and "villains" that we boo because the script says so.
The naive actually think they're actually busting chairs on heads and mashing faces into the mat, but it's all choreographed and the "enemies" go out for drinks together after putting on a show for the rubes
Posted by: kbdabear at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (GrXXa)
182
I don't see much change until the Boomers are gone (or diminished)
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
-----
No - we won't have our utopia - but nor will we have a generation who paid into a system for 40 years with the expectation that they will get theirs. And the millenials will not be the leaders - they will merely be the foot soldiers. Gen X will lead - our generation has no expectation of SS/Medicare. Even if we wanted to save it - the millenials are not going to pay for it. In that regard they have the votes to stop it.
The millenials aren't perfect - no generation is. But I think KW is on to something when he says that a generation that has all the choices in the world may not appreciate a one-size fits all government.
We'll see.
Its a theory that is a work in progress.
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
-----
No - we won't have our utopia - but nor will we have a generation who paid into a system for 40 years with the expectation that they will get theirs. And the millenials will not be the leaders - they will merely be the foot soldiers. Gen X will lead - our generation has no expectation of SS/Medicare. Even if we wanted to save it - the millenials are not going to pay for it. In that regard they have the votes to stop it.
The millenials aren't perfect - no generation is. But I think KW is on to something when he says that a generation that has all the choices in the world may not appreciate a one-size fits all government.
We'll see.
Its a theory that is a work in progress.
Posted by: SH at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (gmeXX)
183
88
This! Yes, they've changed the entire presidential nominating process, the GOP party process, yet we hear nary a word from our 'conservative' press about that, heh. Good luck trying to change the party from within.
And it's not just the party or our official 'conservative' press. Look how the right-leaning blogs and pundits reacted when that broad (a big ol' softie on immigration) was fired or resigned from Walker's campaign and when Cruz announced (merely announced!!) he was throwing his hat in the ring. Many of our 'freedom fighters' were whining (oh, sorry, joking, right?) like children for days.
It's not just the GOPe that has something to lose if some of the money gets cut off from DC or if the popular people in power are threatened. With the money, the structure, the sheer number of people, firms, etc. involved, dislodging any single part of this pits even our side against each other, let alone the other side and the public.
This! Yes, they've changed the entire presidential nominating process, the GOP party process, yet we hear nary a word from our 'conservative' press about that, heh. Good luck trying to change the party from within.
And it's not just the party or our official 'conservative' press. Look how the right-leaning blogs and pundits reacted when that broad (a big ol' softie on immigration) was fired or resigned from Walker's campaign and when Cruz announced (merely announced!!) he was throwing his hat in the ring. Many of our 'freedom fighters' were whining (oh, sorry, joking, right?) like children for days.
It's not just the GOPe that has something to lose if some of the money gets cut off from DC or if the popular people in power are threatened. With the money, the structure, the sheer number of people, firms, etc. involved, dislodging any single part of this pits even our side against each other, let alone the other side and the public.
Posted by: jeannebodine at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (SR3U3)
184
As of March 9 2015, Gallup says that 44% of the electorate self identifies as Independent.
A larger number than either party contains.
Can we survive on a 'two party system' when we are nearing the time when a MAJORITY of people say they are not represented by either of the Political parties?
Note, there is nothing in the Constitution about Two Parties... it has only been the parties themselves, with their lock on the legal mechanisms of US law, who have enshrined a two party system.
A larger number than either party contains.
Can we survive on a 'two party system' when we are nearing the time when a MAJORITY of people say they are not represented by either of the Political parties?
Note, there is nothing in the Constitution about Two Parties... it has only been the parties themselves, with their lock on the legal mechanisms of US law, who have enshrined a two party system.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (qh617)
185
And despite what you hear, the Republican Party has dramatically moved
rightward on most issues since Reagan. The average Republican back then
was more like Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee.
-----------------------
BS
The democrats are full on fascist and the republicans are what the old democrats were. There has been an enormous shift to the left.
rightward on most issues since Reagan. The average Republican back then
was more like Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee.
-----------------------
BS
The democrats are full on fascist and the republicans are what the old democrats were. There has been an enormous shift to the left.
Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (WGm5T)
186
Dutchie we accept your desire to have anal sex. We get it. Now go get to it. Go find your bliss.
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (zOTsN)
187
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
Psst there's more than 30 years between boomers and millennials.
And conservatives don't stop voting Republican to force the leadership to listen to them. They stop voting Republican because they're tired of supporting enemies. Its obvious the GOP leadership hates conservatives, as do some libertarians here. Why on earth vote for them to have more power? Why support them?
Psst there's more than 30 years between boomers and millennials.
And conservatives don't stop voting Republican to force the leadership to listen to them. They stop voting Republican because they're tired of supporting enemies. Its obvious the GOP leadership hates conservatives, as do some libertarians here. Why on earth vote for them to have more power? Why support them?
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (39g3+)
188
I, unfortunately, am already there, Drew. I gave up a while ago. I am happy to see some progress towards reducing the growth of the State here in Maryland, but as we all know it is only delaying the inevitable, not changing course.
Posted by: DanInMaryland at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (KTjKp)
189
180 Ya know what will turn the Country against gay marriage-- Gay Divorce and Alimoney. Be careful what you wish for, You just might get it
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (rDqRv)
How do they figure out who's the husband so they know which one to f*ck over?
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (rDqRv)
How do they figure out who's the husband so they know which one to f*ck over?
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (2Ojst)
190
151
yep
Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (ZPrif)
NASCAR has always been a POS. The days of racers like Fireball Roberts are long gone. I haven't been a fan since those old days of real stock car racing disappeared.
yep
Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (ZPrif)
NASCAR has always been a POS. The days of racers like Fireball Roberts are long gone. I haven't been a fan since those old days of real stock car racing disappeared.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (wlDny)
191
If you had a job that paid $175K/year to do no work and make everyone happy, wouldn't you go with the flow?
There is no incentive for anyone in congress, except for the true believers, to reduce spending. If you want something other than the same thing you've had for decades, you need to change something.
The private sector has always found that bonuses, tied to a well defined set of goals, work very well at motivating people to do things.
Certainly, people should just do the right thing just for the sake of doing the right thing. Employees should take their employer's interest to heart and work diligently all day, every day. And of course, women all should swallow.
In the real world, this doesn't happen unless some extra sweetener is applied.
There is no incentive for anyone in congress, except for the true believers, to reduce spending. If you want something other than the same thing you've had for decades, you need to change something.
The private sector has always found that bonuses, tied to a well defined set of goals, work very well at motivating people to do things.
Certainly, people should just do the right thing just for the sake of doing the right thing. Employees should take their employer's interest to heart and work diligently all day, every day. And of course, women all should swallow.
In the real world, this doesn't happen unless some extra sweetener is applied.
Posted by: jwest at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (9ZZd+)
192
Right? When did Morgan become all Jedi Knight/kung fu master?
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (2Ojst)
Well according to the actor part of it depends on training with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in his garage.
And sometime between crazy town and the church is my guess.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (2Ojst)
Well according to the actor part of it depends on training with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in his garage.
And sometime between crazy town and the church is my guess.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (zt+N6)
193
The only hope is that these things seem to be cyclical in history, so there is a possibility of coming back to reality.
Unfortunately, the "coming back to reality" usually requires multiiple years of hard, hard times.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (wSwVe)
You misspelled centuries (and it's not single digits either).
Unfortunately, the "coming back to reality" usually requires multiiple years of hard, hard times.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 12:02 PM (wSwVe)
You misspelled centuries (and it's not single digits either).
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (cL79m)
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (DXB+X)
195
Nascar's statement on the radical right-wing Republican bigots with their gay-hate who probably want to bring back slavery!!
Nascar must purge itself from icky so-cons and right-wing nutjobs!!
Thank you Nascar!!
==
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 31, 2015) -- "NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race." -- NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes
Nascar must purge itself from icky so-cons and right-wing nutjobs!!
Thank you Nascar!!
==
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 31, 2015) -- "NASCAR is disappointed by the recent legislation passed in Indiana. We will not embrace nor participate in exclusion or intolerance. We are committed to diversity and inclusion within our sport and therefore will continue to welcome all competitors and fans at our events in the state of Indiana and anywhere else we race." -- NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes
Posted by: Progtard 2000 at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (ZPrif)
196
After Sunday night I'm tempted to join Team Walking Stick.
Posted by: buzzion
Walking Dead writers need to fess up and admit that it's a 'bo' staff , not a walking stick.
... which of course leads to the question, why the fuck aren't the majority of the living assholes *not* using spears for the majority of their zombie killing?
Posted by: buzzion
Walking Dead writers need to fess up and admit that it's a 'bo' staff , not a walking stick.
... which of course leads to the question, why the fuck aren't the majority of the living assholes *not* using spears for the majority of their zombie killing?
Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (JBzwC)
197
Well according to the actor part of it depends on training with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in his garage.
And sometime between crazy town and the church is my guess.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (zt+N6)
Heh. I also had no idea that actor was a Brit until I caught the first few minutes of Talking Dead.
And sometime between crazy town and the church is my guess.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 12:05 PM (zt+N6)
Heh. I also had no idea that actor was a Brit until I caught the first few minutes of Talking Dead.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (2Ojst)
198
I will note... the ONLY time the US has had a balanced budget, was when the Two Parties came together to balance said budget, to minimize the outside threat Ross Perot and the Reform party posed.
They did the RIGHT F'n thing, ONLY because their power was threatened...
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
They did the RIGHT F'n thing, ONLY because their power was threatened...
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (qh617)
199
Dutchie we accept your desire to have anal sex. We get it. Now go get to it. Go find your bliss.
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (zOTsN)
The problem is, Hector and its ilk believe in "You all shall be made tocare partake in our debauchery."
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 12:04 PM (zOTsN)
The problem is, Hector and its ilk believe in "You all shall be made to
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (cL79m)
200
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Big Anus has won.
Big Anus has won.
Posted by: Ian S. at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (B/VB5)
201
I don't see much change until the Boomers are gone (or diminished)
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (W5DcG)
------------------------------------------
Heh. Yup all those young punks that have been educated on American civics, the Constitution and the real American history in the public indoctrination centers will keep the lamp of freedom shining brightly.......NOT!
Yeah, we're pretty awful. Once the Millennials take over we'll have our utopia.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 31, 2015 12:01 PM (W5DcG)
------------------------------------------
Heh. Yup all those young punks that have been educated on American civics, the Constitution and the real American history in the public indoctrination centers will keep the lamp of freedom shining brightly.......NOT!
Posted by: Soona at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (/HX7u)
202
For me it's just some idiot loser ranting.
Posted by: Costanza Defense
So, are we going to be seeing your comprehensive list of GOP accomplishments since gaining their largest legislative majority since socks had garters anything soon?
Still checking for typos, giving it a final polish?
For me it's just some idiot loser ranting.
Posted by: Costanza Defense
So, are we going to be seeing your comprehensive list of GOP accomplishments since gaining their largest legislative majority since socks had garters anything soon?
Still checking for typos, giving it a final polish?
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (kdS6q)
203
No. More people who call themselves "conservative".
But the whole country has moved left since 1995, and the positions these
people hold now would have been considered leftist in 1995.
Example: Homosexual "marriage". Once an extreme leftist position. Now celebrated in TV commercials.
Posted by: despair
On cultural and social issues, the country has moved in a more secular direction, no question.
On many fiscal issues, it has moved rightward. Reagan wouldn't dare even talk about welfare reform, you then had Clinton bragging about a bill he signed ending welfare as we know it. Before Reagan, we had a 70% tax rate that Democrats defended. Not even Obama has the balls to call for something like that.
But the whole country has moved left since 1995, and the positions these
people hold now would have been considered leftist in 1995.
Example: Homosexual "marriage". Once an extreme leftist position. Now celebrated in TV commercials.
Posted by: despair
On cultural and social issues, the country has moved in a more secular direction, no question.
On many fiscal issues, it has moved rightward. Reagan wouldn't dare even talk about welfare reform, you then had Clinton bragging about a bill he signed ending welfare as we know it. Before Reagan, we had a 70% tax rate that Democrats defended. Not even Obama has the balls to call for something like that.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (RV4Sy)
204
Team liberal fights in every area of our lives. We need to do the same.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
No.
No.
A trillion times no.
The politicization of everything is vile. Utterly vile. It is appalling. It is dehumanizing. It is destructive. It is reductive. It is acceding to the notion that all we are is political beings. It is accepting the premise that the political is the be all and end all of existence.
No.
I will not be a part of any process that demands fealty to such a notion. No.
Of course, I am well aware of the irony that merely asserting that my life and my choices and my very existence are not political is, in and of itself, a political act.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
No.
No.
A trillion times no.
The politicization of everything is vile. Utterly vile. It is appalling. It is dehumanizing. It is destructive. It is reductive. It is acceding to the notion that all we are is political beings. It is accepting the premise that the political is the be all and end all of existence.
No.
I will not be a part of any process that demands fealty to such a notion. No.
Of course, I am well aware of the irony that merely asserting that my life and my choices and my very existence are not political is, in and of itself, a political act.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (mf5HN)
205
I have wondered if the pro-life movement should more adopt the NRA single-issue focus with supporting any politician so long as they are pro-life. I don't know if it would work as well. But something to consider.
Posted by: SH at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (gmeXX)
206
As Mary's beautiful daughter, I want to say two things to Mr. Nas Car.
First, thank you for standing up to the blooding drinking papists, reactionaries and other not beautiful people.
Second, on behalf of beautiful people everyway, we still hate your fucking guts.
First, thank you for standing up to the blooding drinking papists, reactionaries and other not beautiful people.
Second, on behalf of beautiful people everyway, we still hate your fucking guts.
Posted by: Bob Cloggenstein at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (Spluw)
207
... which of course leads to the question, why the fuck aren't the majority of the living assholes *not* using spears for the majority of their zombie killing?
Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (JBzwC)
Actually, that's a very good question.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (JBzwC)
Actually, that's a very good question.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (2Ojst)
208
If ever in history there was a metaphor for the left, this is it:
http://tinyurl.com/q4zqktr
Six Flags to cut down 18k trees for solar power.
Oh, and ...
F--k the GOP.
http://tinyurl.com/q4zqktr
Six Flags to cut down 18k trees for solar power.
Oh, and ...
F--k the GOP.
Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (BZAd3)
209
"I still don't get the math on how witholding one's vote gives one a bigger voice."
It doesn't. The result is exactly the same whether you vote for the Dem or sit home. The difference is you don't invest your time, energy, money and emotions in people who have demonstrated time after time that they will betray you.
It doesn't. The result is exactly the same whether you vote for the Dem or sit home. The difference is you don't invest your time, energy, money and emotions in people who have demonstrated time after time that they will betray you.
Posted by: despair at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (J6suc)
210
Actually I am going to have to agree with the Trolls on one thing: We are losing the War on many Social Issues or have already lost them. Not because we are in the wrong, but because while we were all working, bringing up families, maybe Serving in the Military...we let the left take over the Universities and the Media. THAT is were we fucked up big time.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (rDqRv)
211
who's keeping score on gay divorce? anybody?
Posted by: Feh at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (EaH5U)
212
"This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative."
It amazes me anyone could conceivably be that ignorant. Perhaps Jack Straw is too young to remember 1995's congress, but this is one of the most false and uneducated statements I've ever read.
It amazes me anyone could conceivably be that ignorant. Perhaps Jack Straw is too young to remember 1995's congress, but this is one of the most false and uneducated statements I've ever read.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (39g3+)
213
***"The passage of the Docfix was the final, final straw for me."***
How many times are you going to quit the GOP. Your relationship with them is resembling co-dependence at this point.
As much as I agree with you and share your pessimism, this quit-the-GOP schtick every other week is...less than persuasive.
How many times are you going to quit the GOP. Your relationship with them is resembling co-dependence at this point.
As much as I agree with you and share your pessimism, this quit-the-GOP schtick every other week is...less than persuasive.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (xSCb6)
214
but I'm pretty sure throwing your hands up and quitting isn't the solution to anything.
let me show you.
ignore_user()
let me show you.
ignore_user()
Posted by: DaveA at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (DL2i+)
215
" They stop voting Republican because they're tired of supporting enemies"
This is just it. A party, many of it's candidates who openly talk down to conservatives......and I'm supposed to support them?
Why?
This is just it. A party, many of it's candidates who openly talk down to conservatives......and I'm supposed to support them?
Why?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (LA7Cm)
216
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (RV4Sy)
If the restaurant down the street served shit for sandwiches, would you keep going back hoping that you could change their policy?
Or would you go to a different restaurant, maybe even start your own because who knows maybe others are tired of shit sandwiches?
The idea that there's no way a third party can work is propaganda from; (wait for it). . . the very people who would be put out of a job by a third party. Or have to work harder for their job.
If the restaurant down the street served shit for sandwiches, would you keep going back hoping that you could change their policy?
Or would you go to a different restaurant, maybe even start your own because who knows maybe others are tired of shit sandwiches?
The idea that there's no way a third party can work is propaganda from; (wait for it). . . the very people who would be put out of a job by a third party. Or have to work harder for their job.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (zRby/)
217
I'd love to know what planet Jay Cost was on when he wrote that piece. Basically, he just told me "Never believe anything I say."
Posted by: Null at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (xjpRj)
218
They did the RIGHT F'n thing, ONLY because their power was threatened...
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
-----
That's a good point. Extenuating circumstances with the "Peace Dividend" but it is a good point.
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
-----
That's a good point. Extenuating circumstances with the "Peace Dividend" but it is a good point.
Posted by: SH at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (gmeXX)
219
Drew sez:
"The American colonists were essentially the second freest people on Earth."
I'm confused by this statement. If in 1776 American colonists were the second-freest (or maybe "free-est"), then who were the most free? Were there one particularly free nation in 1776 I'm supposed to be aware of?
Well, if you look at the still-untouched primitive societies around the world still extant at that time, one might argue that some of them were indeed "more free" than ANY civilized peoples. Plenty of Polynesian islands had yet to be "discovered" by Europeans as of 1776, and some (not all, but some) had extremely laissez-faire societies which we would consider to be quite "free." And there are countless similar examples.
Granted, primitive free peoples were often living in subsistence-level poverty. And granted some "primitive" societies had bizarre and oppressive social customs a hundred times worst than anything a western dictator might dream up. But I would wager that in 1776 all around the world were small tribes and societies living essentially law-free, rule-free, in pre-civilizational anarchy. It may not be the most enviable life as far as creature comforts are concerned, but they were definitely "free-er" than any civilized society, including colonial America,
"The American colonists were essentially the second freest people on Earth."
I'm confused by this statement. If in 1776 American colonists were the second-freest (or maybe "free-est"), then who were the most free? Were there one particularly free nation in 1776 I'm supposed to be aware of?
Well, if you look at the still-untouched primitive societies around the world still extant at that time, one might argue that some of them were indeed "more free" than ANY civilized peoples. Plenty of Polynesian islands had yet to be "discovered" by Europeans as of 1776, and some (not all, but some) had extremely laissez-faire societies which we would consider to be quite "free." And there are countless similar examples.
Granted, primitive free peoples were often living in subsistence-level poverty. And granted some "primitive" societies had bizarre and oppressive social customs a hundred times worst than anything a western dictator might dream up. But I would wager that in 1776 all around the world were small tribes and societies living essentially law-free, rule-free, in pre-civilizational anarchy. It may not be the most enviable life as far as creature comforts are concerned, but they were definitely "free-er" than any civilized society, including colonial America,
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (K4YiS)
220
A formation of spearmen would pure hell for slow moving mindless zombies. You could even leave animal parts on the pointy end. Shields and short swords.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (b4JMJ)
221
Team liberal fights in every area of our lives. We need to do the same.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
__________
Yep. The right thinks politics is a 9-5 job. The left understands it's a 24/7/365 effort.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
__________
Yep. The right thinks politics is a 9-5 job. The left understands it's a 24/7/365 effort.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (0LHZx)
222
"Six Flags to cut down 18k trees for solar power. "
That. Is. Awesome.
Now the tree people and the green energy people can fight it out.
That. Is. Awesome.
Now the tree people and the green energy people can fight it out.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (LA7Cm)
223
We know the Boomers can't govern.
We are only pretty sure that GenX and the Millennials can't...so we have that going for us.
We are only pretty sure that GenX and the Millennials can't...so we have that going for us.
Posted by: Nick in South Bend at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (TlMTA)
224
Not even Obama has the balls to call for something like that.
Posted by: McAdams
So, you missed out on that whole expanding Medicaid shit, huh? Or using a zillionaires' secretary as a stage prop?
Fair share? %1?
Jesus this is pathetic.
Posted by: McAdams
So, you missed out on that whole expanding Medicaid shit, huh? Or using a zillionaires' secretary as a stage prop?
Fair share? %1?
Jesus this is pathetic.
Posted by: Bob Cloggenstein at March 31, 2015 12:10 PM (Spluw)
225
I will note... the ONLY time the US has had a balanced budget, was when the Two Parties came together to balance said budget, to minimize the outside threat Ross Perot and the Reform party posed.
They did the RIGHT F'n thing, ONLY because their power was threatened...
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (qh617)
It took historically-high tax revenues, and then the budget wasn't really balanced - because the various "Trust Funds", all flush with a lot more incoming cash than outgoing expenses,were still being raided to make the budget look balanced, the total debt still increased every year in the 1990s/2000.
They did the RIGHT F'n thing, ONLY because their power was threatened...
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (qh617)
It took historically-high tax revenues, and then the budget wasn't really balanced - because the various "Trust Funds", all flush with a lot more incoming cash than outgoing expenses,were still being raided to make the budget look balanced, the total debt still increased every year in the 1990s/2000.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:10 PM (cL79m)
226
So, are we going to be seeing your comprehensive list of GOP accomplishments since gaining their largest legislative majority since socks had garters anything soon?
Still checking for typos, giving it a final polish?
--
Meh.
There's ointment for your butthurt.
Still checking for typos, giving it a final polish?
--
Meh.
There's ointment for your butthurt.
Posted by: Progtard 2000 at March 31, 2015 12:10 PM (ZPrif)
227
... which of course leads to the question, why the fuck aren't the majority of the living assholes *not* using spears for the majority of their zombie killing?
Double ended jab sticks.
Double ended jab sticks.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:10 PM (DXB+X)
228
"Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over"
Oh FFS. This is getting ridiculous. People are so stupid. I mean, really just so.damn.stupid.
The only thing this bill does is force the government to show that it has a) a compelling interest and b) is acting in the least restrictive manner when addressing an issue that deals with a legitimately held religious belief.
That's it. *punches everyone*
Oh FFS. This is getting ridiculous. People are so stupid. I mean, really just so.damn.stupid.
The only thing this bill does is force the government to show that it has a) a compelling interest and b) is acting in the least restrictive manner when addressing an issue that deals with a legitimately held religious belief.
That's it. *punches everyone*
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 12:10 PM (MYCIw)
229
>>Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Ugh, why does NASCAR, or any sports organization, need to weigh in on this?
SO tired of everything being politicized
[insert AtC rant on "Stop fucking politicizing fucking everything you stupid fucking people!!"]
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Ugh, why does NASCAR, or any sports organization, need to weigh in on this?
SO tired of everything being politicized
[insert AtC rant on "Stop fucking politicizing fucking everything you stupid fucking people!!"]
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 12:10 PM (TLTHv)
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (LA7Cm)
231
3
Both the Dems and the Reps are simply a reflection of the population.
This country is no longer a center-right, capitalist country. It is a
center left, quasi socialist country, trending further and further to
the left. And both parties simply are giving the people what they want.
==========
(I'm sure this will start a flame war, but I don't really care.)
You know the reason why?
We are an older country. Older people care about security, safety and avoiding risks.
That means they want a government that takes care of them, pays for their leisure, pays for their healthcare, pays for their housing, etc.
Think about it, you're 65--you going to bite the (government) hand that feeds you and move in with one of your kids?
And seniors are a solid core of the GOP. No way the GOP goes against them.
Both the Dems and the Reps are simply a reflection of the population.
This country is no longer a center-right, capitalist country. It is a
center left, quasi socialist country, trending further and further to
the left. And both parties simply are giving the people what they want.
==========
(I'm sure this will start a flame war, but I don't really care.)
You know the reason why?
We are an older country. Older people care about security, safety and avoiding risks.
That means they want a government that takes care of them, pays for their leisure, pays for their healthcare, pays for their housing, etc.
Think about it, you're 65--you going to bite the (government) hand that feeds you and move in with one of your kids?
And seniors are a solid core of the GOP. No way the GOP goes against them.
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (ZvKdv)
232
229
>>Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Ugh, why does NASCAR, or any sports organization, need to weigh in on this?
SO tired of everything being politicized
[insert AtC rant on "Stop fucking politicizing fucking everything you stupid fucking people!!"]
Amen! Or is that too Religious?
>>Allahpundit @allahpundit 5m5 minutes ago
Man, if NASCAR's issuing statements against Indiana this culture war really is over
Ugh, why does NASCAR, or any sports organization, need to weigh in on this?
SO tired of everything being politicized
[insert AtC rant on "Stop fucking politicizing fucking everything you stupid fucking people!!"]
Amen! Or is that too Religious?
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (Bn6aD)
233
141 "Despair is not very inspiring.
The revolution took 8 years - with years prior in laying the ground work. The Constitution took another 7. Slavery ended 80 years later.
Liberty has been a long-term work in progress."
This.
One time, one of the parachute malfunctions I've experienced, the reserve chute lines got so twisted my canopy wouldn't properly inflate. I could see the needle on the altimeter moving quickly to zero but I kept kicking like a sonofabitch and trying to pull the risers apart. At about 800 ft, the lines untwisted and 'POP', my reserve inflated. Seriously, never give up even if you know the ground is rushing up at you.
The revolution took 8 years - with years prior in laying the ground work. The Constitution took another 7. Slavery ended 80 years later.
Liberty has been a long-term work in progress."
This.
One time, one of the parachute malfunctions I've experienced, the reserve chute lines got so twisted my canopy wouldn't properly inflate. I could see the needle on the altimeter moving quickly to zero but I kept kicking like a sonofabitch and trying to pull the risers apart. At about 800 ft, the lines untwisted and 'POP', my reserve inflated. Seriously, never give up even if you know the ground is rushing up at you.
Posted by: fastfreefall at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (desXV)
234
The enemy of my enemy can still be my enemy.
Posted by: toby928(C) ponders at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (evdj2)
235
Heh. I also had no idea that actor was a Brit until I caught the first few minutes of Talking Dead.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (2Ojst)
They said #MorganIsBritish was trending worldwide on Twitter a few minutes later. So apparently you were definitely not alone.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:06 PM (2Ojst)
They said #MorganIsBritish was trending worldwide on Twitter a few minutes later. So apparently you were definitely not alone.
Posted by: buzzion at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (zt+N6)
236
I see it this way. The only way the left/progs are getting their agenda thru is by tricks and lies. They are desperate. They are willing to throw gasoline all around the room and hold a match and DARE you to stop them..
The media , TV, movies, etc are all on board with shaping stupid meme's to divide and make issues up like gay marriage , when in reality they are losing all over the country. Abortion, is being restricted like never before and the only reason Planned Parenthood is still functioning is because Barry got elected.
States are as conservative or leaning that way as they've ever been. Now is not the time to see the weeds. Sure there is disappointment and we've been lied to, but there is a new generation in the Senate and House that just got there and as they build seniority and they will gain influence. We gained a LOT when Kennedy finally died. Now we're about to see Reid leave and Boxer too. The Dem bench in the Senate are OLD. So are the GOP RINO's... most of them.
Things will improve. Not the time to get bent and stay home. Fight the good fight.. the GOP is having a hard time trying to control an illegal administration and a opposition party that will flat out lie to get what they want.
The media , TV, movies, etc are all on board with shaping stupid meme's to divide and make issues up like gay marriage , when in reality they are losing all over the country. Abortion, is being restricted like never before and the only reason Planned Parenthood is still functioning is because Barry got elected.
States are as conservative or leaning that way as they've ever been. Now is not the time to see the weeds. Sure there is disappointment and we've been lied to, but there is a new generation in the Senate and House that just got there and as they build seniority and they will gain influence. We gained a LOT when Kennedy finally died. Now we're about to see Reid leave and Boxer too. The Dem bench in the Senate are OLD. So are the GOP RINO's... most of them.
Things will improve. Not the time to get bent and stay home. Fight the good fight.. the GOP is having a hard time trying to control an illegal administration and a opposition party that will flat out lie to get what they want.
Posted by: Yip at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (84SRe)
237
212 "This Senate majority will be as large as the one seated in 1995, but much more conservative."
It amazes me anyone could conceivably be that ignorant. Perhaps Jack Straw is too young to remember 1995's congress, but this is one of the most false and uneducated statements I've ever read.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (39g3+)
_______
Relatively speaking this is true in a way. When compared to the sitting president, the 2015 Senate is more conservarive than the 1995 Senate. But that's only because Obama is much more left than Clinton.
It amazes me anyone could conceivably be that ignorant. Perhaps Jack Straw is too young to remember 1995's congress, but this is one of the most false and uneducated statements I've ever read.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (39g3+)
_______
Relatively speaking this is true in a way. When compared to the sitting president, the 2015 Senate is more conservarive than the 1995 Senate. But that's only because Obama is much more left than Clinton.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (0LHZx)
238
Tony Stewart with the KY Jelly sponsorship.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (b4JMJ)
239
Both sides see it:
http://tinyurl.com/nmnpgct
But one side's politicians say, "Obviously, more government is the answer," while the other side says, "Big government is the problem," while winking at theirs benefactors to make government bigger and slipping the schlong to their idiot constituents.
http://tinyurl.com/nmnpgct
But one side's politicians say, "Obviously, more government is the answer," while the other side says, "Big government is the problem," while winking at theirs benefactors to make government bigger and slipping the schlong to their idiot constituents.
Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (BZAd3)
240
They did the RIGHT F'n thing, ONLY because their power was threatened...
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
Your history is confused. Ross Perot was still around destroying elections in 1996 and by then the GOP had already caved and was back to its big spending (they folded in the government shut down and went right back to to being the old GOP).
As soon as he was gone.. and the threat alleviated... they went back to their overspending ways.
Your history is confused. Ross Perot was still around destroying elections in 1996 and by then the GOP had already caved and was back to its big spending (they folded in the government shut down and went right back to to being the old GOP).
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (39g3+)
241
We are losing the War on many Social Issues or have already lost them. Not because we are in the wrong, but because while we were all working, bringing up families, maybe Serving in the Military...we let the left take over the Universities and the Media.
---
If you've raised your kids right, exposure to the Leftism of some a-hole professor or a pop star would not matter.
I read people wanting the Boomers to die off. The problem isn't the Boomers. It's their kids. All of this shit begins at home.
---
If you've raised your kids right, exposure to the Leftism of some a-hole professor or a pop star would not matter.
I read people wanting the Boomers to die off. The problem isn't the Boomers. It's their kids. All of this shit begins at home.
Posted by: Y-not at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (9BRsg)
242
The Doc fix as the final straw is a pretty good one, and until a real pundit comes along to explain it better with links and shit I'll have to do.
The doc fix has been around for xx years (yawn...real pundit, get in here and fill in those xxes). But in 2009, as part of shoving OCare far up our asses, the Dems had the CBO score it with the annual doc fix kabuki 'absent'. That way, OCare looked more like a budget saver and allowed reconciliation. They also moved the new OCare taxes to the front years and the bennies to later years to create the fake savings effect, but the missing doc fix was a key component.
So Boehner allies with the Wicked Witch to make the fix permanent, instead of insisting that the doc fix was budgeted out by the Dems and thus is now an inviolate part of OCare. He could have had them feel the pain of their lies; instead he totally bails them out.
The doc fix has been around for xx years (yawn...real pundit, get in here and fill in those xxes). But in 2009, as part of shoving OCare far up our asses, the Dems had the CBO score it with the annual doc fix kabuki 'absent'. That way, OCare looked more like a budget saver and allowed reconciliation. They also moved the new OCare taxes to the front years and the bennies to later years to create the fake savings effect, but the missing doc fix was a key component.
So Boehner allies with the Wicked Witch to make the fix permanent, instead of insisting that the doc fix was budgeted out by the Dems and thus is now an inviolate part of OCare. He could have had them feel the pain of their lies; instead he totally bails them out.
Posted by: GnuBreed at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (hKkAB)
243
220 A formation of spearmen would pure hell for slow moving mindless zombies. You could even leave animal parts on the pointy end. Shields and short swords.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (b4JMJ)
Rome would never have fallen to Zombies...
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (b4JMJ)
Rome would never have fallen to Zombies...
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (qh617)
244
Really?
You can prove that by listing how fiscally conservative they were back in ye Olde dayse?
And how they were loving abortion, gays, gay abortion?
If so, then explain all of the evolving bullshit.
Posted by: dutch treat
In the old days, Republicans were more deficit hawk and actually didn't support tax cuts. Look at Nixon's "accomplishments" as President, it sounds worst than what Obama has passed. Heavy regulations, price and wage controls, rationing, etc.
On cultural issues, the country is simply in a different place. Biden started out as a "pro-life" Senator from Delaware if that tells you anything.
I don't like the cultural direction the country has taken, but I really don't think it's a political problem with a political solution. Having Huckabee/Santorum-type Republicans is not going to make the country more moral.
You can prove that by listing how fiscally conservative they were back in ye Olde dayse?
And how they were loving abortion, gays, gay abortion?
If so, then explain all of the evolving bullshit.
Posted by: dutch treat
In the old days, Republicans were more deficit hawk and actually didn't support tax cuts. Look at Nixon's "accomplishments" as President, it sounds worst than what Obama has passed. Heavy regulations, price and wage controls, rationing, etc.
On cultural issues, the country is simply in a different place. Biden started out as a "pro-life" Senator from Delaware if that tells you anything.
I don't like the cultural direction the country has taken, but I really don't think it's a political problem with a political solution. Having Huckabee/Santorum-type Republicans is not going to make the country more moral.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (RV4Sy)
245
"At about 800 ft, the lines untwisted and 'POP', my reserve inflated. "
Jeezus.
That were your nick comes from?
Jeezus.
That were your nick comes from?
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (LA7Cm)
246
Of course, I am well aware of the irony that merely asserting that my life and my choices and my very existence are not political is, in and of itself, a political act.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (mf5HN)
....but one also worthy of a Lemon Square.
Or aBlonde Blondie
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (mf5HN)
....but one also worthy of a Lemon Square.
Or a
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (od1KN)
247
Hypothetical. what would we do if this were the last election. If some how we knew this was likely the last election ever, what would we do differently? Would we pack? Would we fight? Would we join the new regime?
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (zOTsN)
248
Huh. This goes right along with my mood today. I'm resigned to the fact that things are only going to get worse in my lifetime and nothing I do will stop that because the majority of government and citizens are against me.
So, its fend for me and my own.
So, its fend for me and my own.
Posted by: DangerGirl at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (L9GR7)
249
153 Good ol' NASCAR.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (LA7Cm)
Nascar has been kissing affirmative action's ass for years.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 11:59 AM (LA7Cm)
Nascar has been kissing affirmative action's ass for years.
Posted by: Bob from table9 at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (WNERA)
250
On many fiscal issues, it has moved rightward. Reagan wouldn't dare even talk about welfare reform, you then had Clinton bragging about a bill he signed ending welfare as we know it. Before Reagan, we had a 70% tax rate that Democrats defended. Not even Obama has the balls to call for something like that.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (RV4Sy)
Two points of order:
- Teh SCOAMT ripped up workfare, and El PRL isn't even talking about doing anything about it on the federal level, much less restoring it.
- Teh SCOAMT and his pals on both sides of the bipartisan Party-In-Government don't need to ratchet up the top rate to 70% to get "the rich" to pay a largershare of the tax burden than they did when the top rate was 90%because they got rid of all the deductions for "the rich" and gave them all, in refundable form, to "the poor".
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:07 PM (RV4Sy)
Two points of order:
- Teh SCOAMT ripped up workfare, and El PRL isn't even talking about doing anything about it on the federal level, much less restoring it.
- Teh SCOAMT and his pals on both sides of the bipartisan Party-In-Government don't need to ratchet up the top rate to 70% to get "the rich" to pay a largershare of the tax burden than they did when the top rate was 90%because they got rid of all the deductions for "the rich" and gave them all, in refundable form, to "the poor".
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (cL79m)
251
>>"Six Flags to cut down 18k trees for solar power. "
Just like windmills killing all sorts of rare birds.
And yet CA was perfectly happy to destroy farms to save the delta smelt. SO that means:
Solar panels> trees
Windmills>birds
Delta smelt>farmers
Just like windmills killing all sorts of rare birds.
And yet CA was perfectly happy to destroy farms to save the delta smelt. SO that means:
Solar panels> trees
Windmills>birds
Delta smelt>farmers
Posted by: Lizzy at March 31, 2015 12:14 PM (TLTHv)
252
The problem with Drew's plan is thus: the game plays on whether he engages or not; the only difference is how much he loses.
I see little profit in being GOP, but only loss in letting the dems get what they want
I see little profit in being GOP, but only loss in letting the dems get what they want
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:14 PM (t06LC)
253
Heh. I also had no idea that actor was a Brit until I caught the first few minutes of Talking Dead.
Which one? Rick or Maggie? (They both are)
Which one? Rick or Maggie? (They both are)
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (DXB+X)
254
"Nascar has been kissing affirmative action's ass for years."
Oh yeah. They wanted to become mainstream, part of the "Big Four" in sports.
Oh yeah. They wanted to become mainstream, part of the "Big Four" in sports.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (LA7Cm)
255
We are an older country. Older people care about security, safety and avoiding risks.
That means they want a government that takes care of them, pays for their leisure, pays for their healthcare, pays for their housing, etc.
Think about it, you're 65--you going to bite the (government) hand that feeds you and move in with one of your kids?
And seniors are a solid core of the GOP. No way the GOP goes against them.
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (ZvKdv)
____________
Good point. When it comes to SS/Medicare, even "conservative" older people want nothing touched. So we have the double whammy of 65+ oldsters wanting their free shit and the under 30 LIVs wanting their free shit (free internet, free college, college loan forgiveness, free birth control, etc).
That means they want a government that takes care of them, pays for their leisure, pays for their healthcare, pays for their housing, etc.
Think about it, you're 65--you going to bite the (government) hand that feeds you and move in with one of your kids?
And seniors are a solid core of the GOP. No way the GOP goes against them.
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (ZvKdv)
____________
Good point. When it comes to SS/Medicare, even "conservative" older people want nothing touched. So we have the double whammy of 65+ oldsters wanting their free shit and the under 30 LIVs wanting their free shit (free internet, free college, college loan forgiveness, free birth control, etc).
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (0LHZx)
256
Spot on. I learned this lesson a while back. Politics is downstream from culture.
The Repubs and Dems aren't simply giving people "what they want" - they (especially the liberals) had an active hand from the cradle in grooming and molding the current and upcoming generations to want/expect/demand certain things and reenforcing in them that govt. is the provider of those things.
The nation is infested with social engineers that guide you, and at times force you, to change. A generation that knows what liberty and freedom actually is will resist, but it eventually dies off and is replaced with a new generation of dumbasses that demand a govt-sponsered asswiping.
If this describes you and your kid, you failed as a parent. You raised LIV Step 1 Thinker.
If this describes people you are related to or know, the only way to change their minds is to lead by example - show them how you live your life, what you teach your kids, etc. and why that works. Work to hide you assets from confiscation. Vote with your feet and your wallet - demand a handout for your vote, or sit on ass.
The Repubs and Dems aren't simply giving people "what they want" - they (especially the liberals) had an active hand from the cradle in grooming and molding the current and upcoming generations to want/expect/demand certain things and reenforcing in them that govt. is the provider of those things.
The nation is infested with social engineers that guide you, and at times force you, to change. A generation that knows what liberty and freedom actually is will resist, but it eventually dies off and is replaced with a new generation of dumbasses that demand a govt-sponsered asswiping.
If this describes you and your kid, you failed as a parent. You raised LIV Step 1 Thinker.
If this describes people you are related to or know, the only way to change their minds is to lead by example - show them how you live your life, what you teach your kids, etc. and why that works. Work to hide you assets from confiscation. Vote with your feet and your wallet - demand a handout for your vote, or sit on ass.
Posted by: Saltyron at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (i6shs)
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (LA7Cm)
258
Ugh, why does NASCAR, or any sports organization, need to weigh in on this?
SO tired of everything being politicized
[insert AtC rant on "Stop fucking politicizing fucking everything you stupid fucking people!!"]
Amen! Or is that too Religious?
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (Bn6aD)
------
WURD...
Shut up and ...... sing....act....play your instrument...paint....sculpt.... and apparently, drive your NASCAR car.
Please.
SO tired of everything being politicized
[insert AtC rant on "Stop fucking politicizing fucking everything you stupid fucking people!!"]
Amen! Or is that too Religious?
Posted by: hello it's Me Donna... again at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (Bn6aD)
------
WURD...
Shut up and ...... sing....act....play your instrument...paint....sculpt.... and apparently, drive your NASCAR car.
Please.
Posted by: fixerupper at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (NaV4z)
259
Huh. This goes right along with my mood today. I'm resigned to the fact that things are only going to get worse in my lifetime and nothing I do will stop that because the majority of government and citizens are against me. So, its fend for me and my own.
Posted by: DangerGirl at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (L9GR7)
So, I think what I hear you saying is, that life is a swirling, sucking, eddy of despair, punctuated by brief moments of false hope, in an ever-blackening universe.
Posted by: DangerGirl at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (L9GR7)
So, I think what I hear you saying is, that life is a swirling, sucking, eddy of despair, punctuated by brief moments of false hope, in an ever-blackening universe.
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (od1KN)
260
If you've raised your kids right, exposure to the Leftism of some a-hole professor or a pop star would not matter.
I read people wanting the Boomers to die off. The problem isn't the Boomers. It's their kids. All of this shit begins at home.
Posted by: Y-not at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (9BRsg)
yeah sometimes. My kids learned at home, but I was passionate and also explained things. I am afraid not everyone does. And even if we all should be doing a job of teaching our kids, or have been doing, ceding control of the School system to left wing crazy radicals was huge mistake, HUGE
I read people wanting the Boomers to die off. The problem isn't the Boomers. It's their kids. All of this shit begins at home.
Posted by: Y-not at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (9BRsg)
yeah sometimes. My kids learned at home, but I was passionate and also explained things. I am afraid not everyone does. And even if we all should be doing a job of teaching our kids, or have been doing, ceding control of the School system to left wing crazy radicals was huge mistake, HUGE
Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 31, 2015 12:16 PM (rDqRv)
261
There are no Hoopties in Nascar? Rayciss!
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:16 PM (b4JMJ)
262
Hypothetical. what would we do if this were the last election. If some how we knew this was likely the last election ever, what would we do differently? Would we pack? Would we fight? Would we join the new regime?
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (zOTsN)
There's nowhere we could run and start new without a fight, and the entire world wouldn't mind using every weapon at their disposal (from economic to nuclear, from high explosive to biological) to eradicate us if we fought. That said, they're not all that interested in letting us be even third-class citizens.
Posted by: ThunderB, have you packed your bag? at March 31, 2015 12:13 PM (zOTsN)
There's nowhere we could run and start new without a fight, and the entire world wouldn't mind using every weapon at their disposal (from economic to nuclear, from high explosive to biological) to eradicate us if we fought. That said, they're not all that interested in letting us be even third-class citizens.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:16 PM (cL79m)
263
>>>People are so stupid. I mean, really just so.damn.stupid.
Yes. Something like this is going on in Arkansas right now too. (of course, our bill could actually be stupid, as our new R legislature is attempting to pass dumb bills lately like banning wine from California. Which thankfully did not pass because WTF???)
>>>People are so stupid. I mean, really just so.damn.stupid.
Yes. Something like this is going on in Arkansas right now too. (of course, our bill could actually be stupid, as our new R legislature is attempting to pass dumb bills lately like banning wine from California. Which thankfully did not pass because WTF???)
Posted by: Lea at March 31, 2015 12:16 PM (lIU4e)
264
If the restaurant down the street served shit for sandwiches, would you keep going back hoping that you could change their policy?
Or would you go to a different restaurant, maybe even start your own because who knows maybe others are tired of shit sandwiches?
The idea that there's no way a third party can work is propaganda from; (wait for it). . . the very people who would be put out of a job by a third party. Or have to work harder for their job.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (zRby/)
Hey, I keep hearing about this Third Party restaurant, but when is it gonna open? There's been a "Coming soon" sign on it for ages.
Or would you go to a different restaurant, maybe even start your own because who knows maybe others are tired of shit sandwiches?
The idea that there's no way a third party can work is propaganda from; (wait for it). . . the very people who would be put out of a job by a third party. Or have to work harder for their job.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 12:08 PM (zRby/)
Hey, I keep hearing about this Third Party restaurant, but when is it gonna open? There's been a "Coming soon" sign on it for ages.
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 12:16 PM (v4zV9)
265
"The American colonists were essentially the second freest people on Earth."
Were there one particularly free nation in 1776 I'm supposed to be aware of?
Posted by: zombie
Can't speak for Drew, but perhaps he means Great Britian? And guess Holland and Switzerland might be contenders.
"The American colonists were essentially the second freest people on Earth."
Were there one particularly free nation in 1776 I'm supposed to be aware of?
Posted by: zombie
Can't speak for Drew, but perhaps he means Great Britian? And guess Holland and Switzerland might be contenders.
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (kdS6q)
266
@210
If conservatives had focused on taking over schools, universities and Hollywood they could have molded the culture. Instead conservatives fell into the trap of thinking government is where the answer lies. Americans may not want Santorum as President, but they shore would like him as a principal.
If conservatives had focused on taking over schools, universities and Hollywood they could have molded the culture. Instead conservatives fell into the trap of thinking government is where the answer lies. Americans may not want Santorum as President, but they shore would like him as a principal.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (2SnmG)
267
On cultural issues, the country is simply in a different place. Biden started out as a "pro-life" Senator from Delaware if that tells you anything.I don't like the cultural direction the country has taken, but I really don't think it's a political problem with a political solution. Having Huckabee/Santorum-type Republicans is not going to make the country more moral.
Posted by: McAdams
What utter shit.
A round of amnesty was pushed through in the early 80s.
Delaware's Joe Biden played both sides from the beginning.
" political problem with a political solution"
theat whole, what is legal and what ain't IS a political matter. Think slavery.
Posted by: McAdams
What utter shit.
A round of amnesty was pushed through in the early 80s.
Delaware's Joe Biden played both sides from the beginning.
" political problem with a political solution"
theat whole, what is legal and what ain't IS a political matter. Think slavery.
Posted by: Bob Cloggenstein at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (Spluw)
268
"So, I think what I hear you saying is, that life is a swirling, sucking, eddy of despair, punctuated by brief moments of false hope, in an ever-blackening universe."
Well, if you have to be all Pollyanna-ish and sugary about it, yeah.
Well, if you have to be all Pollyanna-ish and sugary about it, yeah.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (LA7Cm)
269
Lighten up Francis!!
Listen to a Ukrainian chick tinkling on the piano. It will soothe your mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEGOihjqO9w
Listen to a Ukrainian chick tinkling on the piano. It will soothe your mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEGOihjqO9w
Posted by: MachiasPrivateer at March 31, 2015 12:18 PM (wFIA5)
270
"
If you've raised your kids right, exposure to the Leftism of some a-hole professor or a pop star would not matter."
I want to believe this, but I've known too many people who were conservative until they became "educated". It's depressing as all hell.
If you've raised your kids right, exposure to the Leftism of some a-hole professor or a pop star would not matter."
I want to believe this, but I've known too many people who were conservative until they became "educated". It's depressing as all hell.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 12:18 PM (MYCIw)
271
Good point. When it comes to SS/Medicare, even "conservative" older people want nothing touched. So we have the double whammy of 65+ oldsters wanting their free shit and the under 30 LIVs wanting their free shit (free internet, free college, college loan forgiveness, free birth control, etc).
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (0LHZx
Well then, stop posting and get back to working.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (0LHZx
Well then, stop posting and get back to working.
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 31, 2015 12:18 PM (2Aj5D)
272
You know what would make the country more conservative?
Giving tens of millions of third worlders a free ride on the government teat. Yeah that's the ticket.
Giving tens of millions of third worlders a free ride on the government teat. Yeah that's the ticket.
Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (WGm5T)
273
Nascar's official statement about all you gay-hating right wing nut jobs.
Naturally, there's no place for comments about nascar's pro-sodomite, anti-Christian position
Naturally, there's no place for comments about nascar's pro-sodomite, anti-Christian position
Posted by: Methos at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (ZbV+0)
274
NASCAR annoys me mostly because they claim to be racing stock cars, when what they are driving out there is hardly even a car any longer. It has a fiberglass fake car-shaped body, four wheels, and an engine but beyond that there's little resemblance.
People here seem to think that the generations went Boomer-Gen X, or even weirder, Boomer-Millennial.
But there was a generation in between there, a quieter one that gets little attention. Mostly underachievers and slackers, but out there. And they're the generation that first started the home schooling boom. If this country has any future at all, its from home schooled families.
People here seem to think that the generations went Boomer-Gen X, or even weirder, Boomer-Millennial.
But there was a generation in between there, a quieter one that gets little attention. Mostly underachievers and slackers, but out there. And they're the generation that first started the home schooling boom. If this country has any future at all, its from home schooled families.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (39g3+)
275
Well, if you have to be all Pollyanna-ish and sugary about it, yeah.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (LA7Cm)
That's my middle name.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (LA7Cm)
That's my middle name.
Posted by: Sean Pollyanna Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (od1KN)
276
Can the GOP be taught and, if so, what form should that lesson take?
Probably not and most speculations are ban-worthy, hence SMOD.
Probably not and most speculations are ban-worthy, hence SMOD.
Posted by: DaveA at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (DL2i+)
277
56
Yet we can't stop watching in wonder as the train continues to wreck, wreck, and wreck some more.
At least there's beer.
===========
There's a lot of ruin in a country, as Adam Smith said.
Which . . . is fricking fascinating, to me.
I tell you: You quit caring about the end and this "movie" is absolutely amazing.
Every day brings ever and ever more bizarre and illogical events.
Yet we can't stop watching in wonder as the train continues to wreck, wreck, and wreck some more.
At least there's beer.
===========
There's a lot of ruin in a country, as Adam Smith said.
Which . . . is fricking fascinating, to me.
I tell you: You quit caring about the end and this "movie" is absolutely amazing.
Every day brings ever and ever more bizarre and illogical events.
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (ZvKdv)
278
So, I think what I hear you saying is, that life is a swirling, sucking, eddy of despair, punctuated by brief moments of false hope, in an ever-blackening universe.
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (od1KN)
*raises hand*
I would like a chocolate chip cookie.
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (od1KN)
*raises hand*
I would like a chocolate chip cookie.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (mf5HN)
279
If in 1776 American colonists were the second-freest (or maybe "free-est"), then who were the most free? Were there one particularly free nation in 1776 I'm supposed to be aware of?
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (K4YiS)
There was this country called "England" you may have heard of. You know, the Magna Cartar and home of Westminster, "the Mother of Parliaments."
Sure rights weren't as universal then as they are now but at the period of political development, subjects of the British Crown enjoyed far more rights and liberty than anyone else.
American colonists enjoyed most but not all of those rights and liberties but they enjoyed more than just about everyone else except the English.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:09 PM (K4YiS)
There was this country called "England" you may have heard of. You know, the Magna Cartar and home of Westminster, "the Mother of Parliaments."
Sure rights weren't as universal then as they are now but at the period of political development, subjects of the British Crown enjoyed far more rights and liberty than anyone else.
American colonists enjoyed most but not all of those rights and liberties but they enjoyed more than just about everyone else except the English.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (aQssP)
280
Every great nation eventually turns socialist. The reason is it's easier to let the govt take care of you than working hard to take care of yourself. The fact the US has lasted as long as it has while the rest of the world went socialist/communist is actually something to be proud of. We outlasted the rest of the world by a good 1/2 century.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:20 PM (0LHZx)
281
So, I think what I hear you saying is, that life is a swirling, sucking, eddy of despair, punctuated by brief moments of false hope, in an ever-blackening universe.
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (od1KN)
Also a cruel joke without a punchline.
Posted by: Sean Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:15 PM (od1KN)
Also a cruel joke without a punchline.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:20 PM (2Ojst)
282
Britain was enslaved in the early 1600. They had 200 years of heaven on earth from 1400 to 1600. They worked 14 weeks a year. Then the John 8:44's were allowed back in.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:20 PM (b4JMJ)
283
*raises hand* I would like a chocolate chip cookie.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (mf5HN)
#EuphemismAlert
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (mf5HN)
#EuphemismAlert
Posted by: Sean Pollyanna Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:20 PM (od1KN)
284
Heh.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:21 PM (LA7Cm)
285
"Which one? Rick or Maggie? (They both are)"
Morgan (Lenny Bruce)
Dang. Didn't know that.
Lauren Cohan, (Maggie), WAS born in Philly, moved to the UK.
That's where she picked up the accent.
Morgan (Lenny Bruce)
Dang. Didn't know that.
Lauren Cohan, (Maggie), WAS born in Philly, moved to the UK.
That's where she picked up the accent.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:21 PM (DXB+X)
286
I wasn't thrilled with Bush, but, see, he was better than Gore. Gore would have been the end of all industry.
There really IS a lesser of two evils.
***
Bush 43 is a far right wing extremist by the current standards of the GOPe.
Of course a non-partisan analysis would put him as center left.
But that is an indictment of where we are today.
We have a radical left party and a far left party and that is it.
There really IS a lesser of two evils.
***
Bush 43 is a far right wing extremist by the current standards of the GOPe.
Of course a non-partisan analysis would put him as center left.
But that is an indictment of where we are today.
We have a radical left party and a far left party and that is it.
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:21 PM (78TbK)
287
Balanced Budget???
Yes, the MFM likes to say Clinton cut spending and he drifted the Dems to the center. In fact he was a hard core liberal and the Republican congress sent him three budgets before he would quit vetoing them. And NONE of those actually cut spending. They always said it was a cut but the cuts did not occur until ten years down the road. And then those cuts disapeared when the Dems got control.,
Yes, the MFM likes to say Clinton cut spending and he drifted the Dems to the center. In fact he was a hard core liberal and the Republican congress sent him three budgets before he would quit vetoing them. And NONE of those actually cut spending. They always said it was a cut but the cuts did not occur until ten years down the road. And then those cuts disapeared when the Dems got control.,
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 12:22 PM (wlDny)
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:22 PM (t06LC)
289
Dang. Didn't know that.
Lauren Cohan, (Maggie), WAS born in Philly, moved to the UK.
That's where she picked up the accent.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:21 PM (DXB+X)
She also played a bad-girl thief in Supernatural. I honestly didn't recognize her as a Georgia-accented farm girl.
Lauren Cohan, (Maggie), WAS born in Philly, moved to the UK.
That's where she picked up the accent.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:21 PM (DXB+X)
She also played a bad-girl thief in Supernatural. I honestly didn't recognize her as a Georgia-accented farm girl.
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (2Ojst)
290
1. Great powers generally fail because of flundering economies brought on by debt.
2. Said debt squeezes out the ability to do important stuff like gernating fear in hostile actors.
3. The end comes swiftly.
This is my version of optimism and we are waaaaay past the point where even idieological purity and perfect policy choices will keep America from at least a prolonged period of diminishment.
2. Said debt squeezes out the ability to do important stuff like gernating fear in hostile actors.
3. The end comes swiftly.
This is my version of optimism and we are waaaaay past the point where even idieological purity and perfect policy choices will keep America from at least a prolonged period of diminishment.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (659DL)
291
Too bad. The country wants the middle.
Posted by: Prince Matchabelli at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (zmZ2x)
The country wants to have its cake and eat it too: Only the good stuff from socialism, only the good stuff from capitalism. Too bad they don't know ass from elbows on either system.
Posted by: Prince Matchabelli at March 31, 2015 11:36 AM (zmZ2x)
The country wants to have its cake and eat it too: Only the good stuff from socialism, only the good stuff from capitalism. Too bad they don't know ass from elbows on either system.
Posted by: cajun caret at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (UZQM8)
292
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:19 PM (39g3+)
It's a (mostly) steel body, a rather heavy (for a racing car) steel body at 3,350 pounds (which used to be increased by the difference between the driver's weight and 200 pounds).
The fiberglass bodies are at your local track on the late models.
Safety at high speeds started the move of "stock" cars away from cars one could buy at the dealer, and downsizing and the end of RWD cars out of Detroit finished that move.
It's a (mostly) steel body, a rather heavy (for a racing car) steel body at 3,350 pounds (which used to be increased by the difference between the driver's weight and 200 pounds).
The fiberglass bodies are at your local track on the late models.
Safety at high speeds started the move of "stock" cars away from cars one could buy at the dealer, and downsizing and the end of RWD cars out of Detroit finished that move.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (cL79m)
293
Just put a lounge chair on 295. You can watch cars drive around in circles forever.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (b4JMJ)
294
"If you've raised your kids right, exposure to the Leftism of some a-hole professor or a pop star would not matter."
I can only guess your kids are not college age yet. Leftist ideology appeals enormously to young people, and in college - surrounded by leftists, taught by leftists, blanketed by left wing culture, and pressured by leftist peers - it takes an unusually extraordinary youth to resist. Even the ones who resist end up absorbing more than they realize.
I can only guess your kids are not college age yet. Leftist ideology appeals enormously to young people, and in college - surrounded by leftists, taught by leftists, blanketed by left wing culture, and pressured by leftist peers - it takes an unusually extraordinary youth to resist. Even the ones who resist end up absorbing more than they realize.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (39g3+)
295
This is my version of optimism and we are waaaaay past the point where even idieological purity and perfect policy choices will keep America from at least a prolonged period of diminishment.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (659DL)
Standing by, ready to cash in.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (659DL)
Standing by, ready to cash in.
Posted by: Death Tax: Boomers edition. at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (UZQM8)
296
The country wants to have its cake and eat it too: Only the good stuff from socialism, only the good stuff from capitalism. Too bad they don't know ass from elbows on either system.
Posted by: cajun caret at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (UZQM
__________
A good majority of the public doesn't think there is any good stuff from capitalism. All capitalism does is create income inequality and poor people.
The country wants to have its cake and eat it too: Only the good stuff from socialism, only the good stuff from capitalism. Too bad they don't know ass from elbows on either system.
Posted by: cajun caret at March 31, 2015 12:23 PM (UZQM
__________
A good majority of the public doesn't think there is any good stuff from capitalism. All capitalism does is create income inequality and poor people.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (0LHZx)
297
What Drew said.
Our legislators need to resist the urge to "do it better, do it smarter".
Ya wanna know who does it better and smarter, every time, than some government dweeb?
We. The. People.
Our legislators need to resist the urge to "do it better, do it smarter".
Ya wanna know who does it better and smarter, every time, than some government dweeb?
We. The. People.
Posted by: Outarange Guy at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (XBF+S)
298
@272
Your xenophobic racism is another reason why Americans reject socons/tea party. Many white Americans are intermarried with Latinos or Asians. You can deny that reality all you want, but its why your xenophobic agenda goes nowhere.
Your xenophobic racism is another reason why Americans reject socons/tea party. Many white Americans are intermarried with Latinos or Asians. You can deny that reality all you want, but its why your xenophobic agenda goes nowhere.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (2SnmG)
299
The Left used the Indiana thing to ask if Nascar could ban gays from the Brickyard race in Indianapolis since everybody knows Nascar fans hate Teh Ghey.
It's the old Alinskyite practice. Pick a target, freeze it, polarize it. Force people to pick sides.
Nascar was mostly being a coward and trying to get out of the way. But it stepped in it.
It's the old Alinskyite practice. Pick a target, freeze it, polarize it. Force people to pick sides.
Nascar was mostly being a coward and trying to get out of the way. But it stepped in it.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (ZPrif)
300
You do all realize the gnashing of teeth and wailing you hear around here is probably akin to what you would have heard from the democrats around the time McGovern had his ass handed to him.
The key was that the New (hard) left took over the party totally. They should be our model.
The key was that the New (hard) left took over the party totally. They should be our model.
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (t06LC)
301
Judging by my personal experience over my lifetime, I would say, controversially, that American society is just about as free now, no more nor less, than it was in previous decades.
Seriously, I can sit here in my home office and engage in the work of my choice and pretty much do whatever else I want, and neither the government nor the "social justice" totalitarians nor the religious fundamentalists have much or any influence over my daily existence.
We are intensely focused on a super-zoomed-in closeup of the social needle, and various sides freak out when it jigs a little left or jogs a little right. But on a grand historical scale, it's barely moving at all.
It's sort of like the hysteria over global warming. The Warming go into hysterical tizzies over a 0.02 degree rise, and predict (GASP!) a 5-degree rise over the next 400 years...when the temperature has fluctuated wildly far far beyond that for millions of years back and forth. So they're going apoplectic over minutia.
The same is true (so far) over the freedom-level in the US. So far, as o this moment, it really hasn't eroded that much during my lifetime. And in some respects, it has gotten less invasive.
Now, that doesn't mean I think we should relax our guard. The totalitarians are always trying to find ways to impose their boots on our necks. And the reason it hasn't gotten that bad so far is that we've stopped them, pro-actively.
All I'm saying is: No time to get depressed, or hit the depths of despair. It's not nearly as bad in the US as it is in almost every other country on Earth.
The most totalitarians invasive this that has happened in this country since Obama took office is, without a doubt, Obamacare, which MUST be repealed. For that reason alone, I will vote for any GOP presidential candidate who vows to sign the Congress's repeal. (Except for Jeb -- he'll be lying when he says that.)
Seriously, I can sit here in my home office and engage in the work of my choice and pretty much do whatever else I want, and neither the government nor the "social justice" totalitarians nor the religious fundamentalists have much or any influence over my daily existence.
We are intensely focused on a super-zoomed-in closeup of the social needle, and various sides freak out when it jigs a little left or jogs a little right. But on a grand historical scale, it's barely moving at all.
It's sort of like the hysteria over global warming. The Warming go into hysterical tizzies over a 0.02 degree rise, and predict (GASP!) a 5-degree rise over the next 400 years...when the temperature has fluctuated wildly far far beyond that for millions of years back and forth. So they're going apoplectic over minutia.
The same is true (so far) over the freedom-level in the US. So far, as o this moment, it really hasn't eroded that much during my lifetime. And in some respects, it has gotten less invasive.
Now, that doesn't mean I think we should relax our guard. The totalitarians are always trying to find ways to impose their boots on our necks. And the reason it hasn't gotten that bad so far is that we've stopped them, pro-actively.
All I'm saying is: No time to get depressed, or hit the depths of despair. It's not nearly as bad in the US as it is in almost every other country on Earth.
The most totalitarians invasive this that has happened in this country since Obama took office is, without a doubt, Obamacare, which MUST be repealed. For that reason alone, I will vote for any GOP presidential candidate who vows to sign the Congress's repeal. (Except for Jeb -- he'll be lying when he says that.)
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (K4YiS)
302
She also played a bad-girl thief in Supernatural. I honestly didn't recognize her as a Georgia- accented farm girl.
And she was in Death Race 2. September Jones.
And she was in Death Race 2. September Jones.
Posted by: rickb223 at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (DXB+X)
303
Tired of talented girls?
How about some Frank Sinatra?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Er9mYil0gM
How about some Frank Sinatra?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Er9mYil0gM
Posted by: MachiasPrivateer at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (wFIA5)
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (ZPrif)
305
#EuphemismAlert
Posted by: Sean Pollyanna Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:20 PM (od1KN)
http://bit.ly/1OVqPyJ
Posted by: Sean Pollyanna Bannion at March 31, 2015 12:20 PM (od1KN)
http://bit.ly/1OVqPyJ
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (mf5HN)
306
@296
That is because we don't practice real Capitalism.
That is because we don't practice real Capitalism.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (2SnmG)
307
NO.........They are racist towards our Presdent of Color and are stooped just like Romney !!!!!!!
Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, VT at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (Sd++4)
308
I've known too many people who were conservative until they became "educated"
I'm not so sure about this
the light bulb came on when someone told me to stop rewarding these people
so now when they start spouting their stupid "positional goods" and expect me to go along, I give a little snort and look at them with a mixture of scorn and pity
they become uncomfortable because they realize their views may not be in a "safe place" anymore
they're not rewarded for herd behavior
I think many of them say this stupid shit because they think it makes them part of a successful crowd
don't give it to them
I'm not so sure about this
the light bulb came on when someone told me to stop rewarding these people
so now when they start spouting their stupid "positional goods" and expect me to go along, I give a little snort and look at them with a mixture of scorn and pity
they become uncomfortable because they realize their views may not be in a "safe place" anymore
they're not rewarded for herd behavior
I think many of them say this stupid shit because they think it makes them part of a successful crowd
don't give it to them
Posted by: Feh at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (EaH5U)
309
NASCAR annoys me because its boring as fuck.
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:22 PM (t06LC)
You want boring, try Formula 1.
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:22 PM (t06LC)
You want boring, try Formula 1.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (cL79m)
310
When the Orange man fired all the representatives who hadn't sold their souls to Molech should have clued you in.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (b4JMJ)
311
The GOP left me. There are few politicians worth supporting, and none are perfect. I'll give Rand Paul my vote, but if he's not in the general, I'll vote Gary Johnson again in November. I'd rather vote libertarian than stay home. CATO and Reason and the libertarians are where I feel most at home. They care more about limited government than a lot of the GOP now.
Posted by: Rob Westbrook at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (BoTPp)
Posted by: Insomniac at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (2Ojst)
313
A good majority of the public doesn't think there is any good stuff from capitalism. All capitalism does is create income inequality and poor people.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (0LHZx)
Sure they do:
Capitalism: My stuff is mine.
Socialism: Your stuff is mine.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (0LHZx)
Sure they do:
Capitalism: My stuff is mine.
Socialism: Your stuff is mine.
Posted by: Death Tax: Boomers edition. at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (UZQM8)
314
The highest tax rate should be 99%. and the lowest should be 50%. See how fast things change. We should just get out of the way of the fascist left.
Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (WGm5T)
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (K4YiS)
316
Damn you sock!1!
Posted by: cajun caret at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (UZQM8)
317
I just came here to say, let it burn.
Posted by: ExiledInNYC at March 31, 2015 12:26 PM (T0SPa)
318
And guess Holland and Switzerland might be contenders.
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (kdS6q)
Yeah, I always think the Dutch would be contenders but I honestly don't know enough about 18th century Dutch politics.
I hadn't thought of the Swiss (about which I know even less).
That's why I try to caveat that statement with "basically" or "essentially". It's hard to say for sure but the basic idea is that the colonists were in a position most people would have killed to have been in. They had it relatively good but wanted it more.
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:17 PM (kdS6q)
Yeah, I always think the Dutch would be contenders but I honestly don't know enough about 18th century Dutch politics.
I hadn't thought of the Swiss (about which I know even less).
That's why I try to caveat that statement with "basically" or "essentially". It's hard to say for sure but the basic idea is that the colonists were in a position most people would have killed to have been in. They had it relatively good but wanted it more.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (ldFt4)
319
Has anyone ever noticed how much easier it is to challenge the GOP than to actually accomplish anything?
If you know that you are never going to have the burden of power you can run your mouth, come up with great reasoning and NEVER HAVE TO SEE YOUR IDEAS TESTED AND THUS FACE FAILURE!!!!!
That's what I hate about the supposed small government conservatives. They know nothing they believe will ever be tested, they live in the complete security that they can criticize, without having to face anything but theory in the real world.
JUST LIKE THE LOONEY LEFT!!!
The GOP has the disadvantage and the advantage of actually being able to use power to effect the world and face the consequences of their own actions.
I hate philosophical Conservatism. It is just another lie.
If you know that you are never going to have the burden of power you can run your mouth, come up with great reasoning and NEVER HAVE TO SEE YOUR IDEAS TESTED AND THUS FACE FAILURE!!!!!
That's what I hate about the supposed small government conservatives. They know nothing they believe will ever be tested, they live in the complete security that they can criticize, without having to face anything but theory in the real world.
JUST LIKE THE LOONEY LEFT!!!
The GOP has the disadvantage and the advantage of actually being able to use power to effect the world and face the consequences of their own actions.
I hate philosophical Conservatism. It is just another lie.
Posted by: petunia at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (VoCyE)
320
My problem with a 3rd Party is there's just too many disparate interests within conservatism.
The Whigs were basically scrapped over single issue: slavery. It's very easy to form a Party when there's a single issue. We don't have that one issue.
It would be easy to say it's simply "smaller government" but I see all sorts of conservatives hopping mad that the military budget isn't large enough. Or you see people railing that the current GOP is too pro-gay or isn't strident enough on abortion, etc.
And then you have more Chamber of Commerce types that want a more open system for cheap labor, and then you have Border Hawks.
I just a new party would mean 3 to 4 conservative Parties with the Democrats just taking the reins for a generation. I would love it if the Left tried such a gamble.
I think it's much easier to cut the heads off leadership and make an example than remaking an entire political party
The Whigs were basically scrapped over single issue: slavery. It's very easy to form a Party when there's a single issue. We don't have that one issue.
It would be easy to say it's simply "smaller government" but I see all sorts of conservatives hopping mad that the military budget isn't large enough. Or you see people railing that the current GOP is too pro-gay or isn't strident enough on abortion, etc.
And then you have more Chamber of Commerce types that want a more open system for cheap labor, and then you have Border Hawks.
I just a new party would mean 3 to 4 conservative Parties with the Democrats just taking the reins for a generation. I would love it if the Left tried such a gamble.
I think it's much easier to cut the heads off leadership and make an example than remaking an entire political party
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (RV4Sy)
321
American colonists enjoyed most but not all of those rights and liberties but they enjoyed more than just about everyone else except the English.
Until the mid 1700s, Americans were far, far more free than the English, because while in principle and in some small urban areas they were under English rule, in practice they were under no rule whatsoever in most areas and simply made do with what the land provided them. Most colonists were not actually under any law at all but what they provided.
Until the mid 1700s, Americans were far, far more free than the English, because while in principle and in some small urban areas they were under English rule, in practice they were under no rule whatsoever in most areas and simply made do with what the land provided them. Most colonists were not actually under any law at all but what they provided.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (39g3+)
322
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:12 PM (39g3+)
Nope, my history is fine.
Perot was done in 1992, after he suspended his Presidential run after he said operatives were starting to go after his family...
He ran in 1996, reluctantly... but his real chance at power... and the power of the Reform movement was already past.
If you look at the deficit numbers... they peaked in 92, at the height of the threat.... came down until actually balanced in 99-00... then increased... once the Reform Party threat was totally gone.
Nope, my history is fine.
Perot was done in 1992, after he suspended his Presidential run after he said operatives were starting to go after his family...
He ran in 1996, reluctantly... but his real chance at power... and the power of the Reform movement was already past.
If you look at the deficit numbers... they peaked in 92, at the height of the threat.... came down until actually balanced in 99-00... then increased... once the Reform Party threat was totally gone.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (qh617)
323
Seriously, I can sit here in my home office and engage in the work of my choice and pretty much do whatever else I want, and neither the government nor the "social justice" totalitarians nor the religious fundamentalists have much or any influence over my daily existence.
Don't you maintain your anonymity to avoid the consequences of divergence from the commie horde?
Don't you maintain your anonymity to avoid the consequences of divergence from the commie horde?
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 12:28 PM (evdj2)
324
You do all realize the gnashing of teeth and wailing you hear around here is probably akin to what you would have heard from the democrats around the time McGovern had his ass handed to him.
The key was that the New (hard) left took over the party totally. They should be our model.
--
Yep.
Hell, the Democrat convention in 1968 literally had Democrats ordering cops to beat the shit out of all crazy, left-wing prog hippie protesters.
Yet the Progs took over the Democrats anyway.
We'll be in 1968 territory when the Repubs are ordering the cops to literally beat conservatives with nightsticks.
The key was that the New (hard) left took over the party totally. They should be our model.
--
Yep.
Hell, the Democrat convention in 1968 literally had Democrats ordering cops to beat the shit out of all crazy, left-wing prog hippie protesters.
Yet the Progs took over the Democrats anyway.
We'll be in 1968 territory when the Repubs are ordering the cops to literally beat conservatives with nightsticks.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:28 PM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 12:28 PM (v4zV9)
326
Are Drew's rants boring, predictable and dumb?
Keep repeating yourself, like always.
Your comments sure do get more interesting the five-hundred and sixty-fifth time you re-post them.
Keep repeating yourself, like always.
Your comments sure do get more interesting the five-hundred and sixty-fifth time you re-post them.
Posted by: FOAD at March 31, 2015 12:28 PM (9Z8lH)
327
***"I don't like the cultural direction the country has taken, but I really don't think it's a political problem with a political solution."***
The problem here is that the left sees the culture as political even if you don't. They're fighting tooth and nail on every front, all the time and making extraordinary gains. It's all about power, and the cultural front is granting them extraordinary power.
You may not want to make everything about politics, but your enemy is doing it with impunity.
And they're kicking ass at it.
The problem here is that the left sees the culture as political even if you don't. They're fighting tooth and nail on every front, all the time and making extraordinary gains. It's all about power, and the cultural front is granting them extraordinary power.
You may not want to make everything about politics, but your enemy is doing it with impunity.
And they're kicking ass at it.
Posted by: Burn the Witch at March 31, 2015 12:28 PM (xSCb6)
328
Drew, I appreciate your opinion here. It's difficult to see any possibility of redemption for the GoP.
But look at what the left has accomplished since the 50s. Almost every aspect of the establishment - news media, corporations, the Democrat party, academia - that were, for the most part, dominated by "the enemy" have been infiltrated, taken over, and redirected to support their cause.
Surely we are capable of doing likewise with the GoP.
But look at what the left has accomplished since the 50s. Almost every aspect of the establishment - news media, corporations, the Democrat party, academia - that were, for the most part, dominated by "the enemy" have been infiltrated, taken over, and redirected to support their cause.
Surely we are capable of doing likewise with the GoP.
Posted by: The Spelling Police at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (F9l4e)
329
Don't you maintain your anonymity to avoid the consequences of divergence from the commie horde?
--
The Progs don't have to be anonymous. They are proud, open, fire-breathing left-wingers. They don't fear being fired when they call us racist, nazi scum.
--
The Progs don't have to be anonymous. They are proud, open, fire-breathing left-wingers. They don't fear being fired when they call us racist, nazi scum.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (ZPrif)
330
Before Reagan, we had a 70% tax rate that Democrats defended.
Posted by: McAdams
Pre-Reagan, you had a higher marginal rate, but more deductions. Today's lower marginal rates with fewer deductions and few shelters are probably just a wash -- or worse.
The more or less constant Federal revenues as a % of GDP indicates that, especially considering the decrease in older revenue sources like tariffs and the narrowing of the tax base from the bottom.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
Before Reagan, we had a 70% tax rate that Democrats defended.
Posted by: McAdams
Pre-Reagan, you had a higher marginal rate, but more deductions. Today's lower marginal rates with fewer deductions and few shelters are probably just a wash -- or worse.
The more or less constant Federal revenues as a % of GDP indicates that, especially considering the decrease in older revenue sources like tariffs and the narrowing of the tax base from the bottom.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (kdS6q)
331
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 12:16 PM (v4zV9)
that's because the "let's keep beating our heads against this wall" crowd keep picketing the construction site and no work gets done.
Maybe, just maybe if those of use who see that the GOP isn't the answer would try to form a 3rd party, it would actually have the numbers to make some headway.
A Republican is probably a lock for 2016. They (might) keep the Congress under control in the big ways for another 4 years that gives a nascent 3rd party time to build a base and elect some reps who can raise hell in the Congress.
never know unless we try.
that's because the "let's keep beating our heads against this wall" crowd keep picketing the construction site and no work gets done.
Maybe, just maybe if those of use who see that the GOP isn't the answer would try to form a 3rd party, it would actually have the numbers to make some headway.
A Republican is probably a lock for 2016. They (might) keep the Congress under control in the big ways for another 4 years that gives a nascent 3rd party time to build a base and elect some reps who can raise hell in the Congress.
never know unless we try.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (zRby/)
332
FOAD 2016.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (b4JMJ)
333
@301
zombie raises a good point: we are arguably freer than we were under Wilson and probably FDR.
Perspective helps. Doesn't mean I like where things are headed, it just means we need to fight like hell to pull things the right direction.
All auto racing is boring unless you're in the car.
zombie raises a good point: we are arguably freer than we were under Wilson and probably FDR.
Perspective helps. Doesn't mean I like where things are headed, it just means we need to fight like hell to pull things the right direction.
All auto racing is boring unless you're in the car.
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (t06LC)
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:30 PM (qh617)
335
Your comments sure do get more interesting the five-hundred and sixty-fifth time you re-post them.
--
Awww.
--
Awww.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:30 PM (ZPrif)
336
301 Judging by my personal experience over my lifetime, I would say, controversially, that American society is just about as free now, no more nor less, than it was in previous decades.
_________
Really?
Donate $1000 to a non-PC political cause and see how long you keep your job.
Try to buy an incandescent light bulb
If you live in certain cities, you are mandated to recycle and if you don't the Green Police will ticket you, after they go through your garbage
Allow your 8 year old to play in the park unattended and see how long it will be until CPS is called
Ever hire someone? You should try it sometime. It's eye opening how much fucking paper work there is. Oh and if you hire someone in a large (100+ Employees) company and that person is a white man....you got some 'splainin' to do to HR why you made such a racist/misogynist decision.
_________
Really?
Donate $1000 to a non-PC political cause and see how long you keep your job.
Try to buy an incandescent light bulb
If you live in certain cities, you are mandated to recycle and if you don't the Green Police will ticket you, after they go through your garbage
Allow your 8 year old to play in the park unattended and see how long it will be until CPS is called
Ever hire someone? You should try it sometime. It's eye opening how much fucking paper work there is. Oh and if you hire someone in a large (100+ Employees) company and that person is a white man....you got some 'splainin' to do to HR why you made such a racist/misogynist decision.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:30 PM (0LHZx)
337
There's nowhere we could run and start new without a fight, and the
entire world wouldn't mind using every weapon at their disposal (from
economic to nuclear, from high explosive to biological) to eradicate us
if we fought. That said, they're not all that interested in letting us
be even third-class citizens.
Didn't Churchill say something about putting off a fight you know you have to have to the point point where your only options are death or slavery?
He seemed to think it's better to act sooner.
entire world wouldn't mind using every weapon at their disposal (from
economic to nuclear, from high explosive to biological) to eradicate us
if we fought. That said, they're not all that interested in letting us
be even third-class citizens.
Didn't Churchill say something about putting off a fight you know you have to have to the point point where your only options are death or slavery?
He seemed to think it's better to act sooner.
Posted by: Methos at March 31, 2015 12:30 PM (ZbV+0)
338
A thousand years scarce serve to form a state; An hour may lay it in the dust.
Time is never our ally--it always favors rot, corruption and entropy. That said, the long game is called for...but you have to be playing for the right prize. Which is not the State; it is the people and culture. That's where the battles were lost that put us here.
Time is never our ally--it always favors rot, corruption and entropy. That said, the long game is called for...but you have to be playing for the right prize. Which is not the State; it is the people and culture. That's where the battles were lost that put us here.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, Unrepresented Christian Objectivist at March 31, 2015 12:30 PM (DT3rQ)
339
Think about it, you're 65--you going to bite the (government) hand that feeds you and move in with one of your kids?And seniors are a solid core of the GOP. No way the GOP goes against them.
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (ZvKdv)
---------------------------------------------------
How the hell did this nation survive without SS, Medicare, Medicaid, or welfare? All of these things came within my lifetime. And I can tell you that everyone was getting along much better before the government stepped in. Families did take care of their old folks. Medicine was affordable because it was a free market service. And many of the old folks never thought of retiring. They worked until they died. Just as I will.
And people were much happier with their lives back then.
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:11 PM (ZvKdv)
---------------------------------------------------
How the hell did this nation survive without SS, Medicare, Medicaid, or welfare? All of these things came within my lifetime. And I can tell you that everyone was getting along much better before the government stepped in. Families did take care of their old folks. Medicine was affordable because it was a free market service. And many of the old folks never thought of retiring. They worked until they died. Just as I will.
And people were much happier with their lives back then.
Posted by: Soona at March 31, 2015 12:30 PM (/HX7u)
340
Want to attract LIV bobby soxers? Play some Frankie for them! They can't resist it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z26panRGOI
What you say won't matter, they'll be under your spell!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z26panRGOI
What you say won't matter, they'll be under your spell!
Posted by: MachiasPrivateer at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (wFIA5)
341
In Summary the GOP of 1995 was economic/fiscal conservative , socially moderate and racially inclusive.
The GOP of 2015 is fiscally/economically Socialist, socially reactionary and white nationalist on racial issues.
In short the GOP of today is National Socialist.
The GOP of 2015 is fiscally/economically Socialist, socially reactionary and white nationalist on racial issues.
In short the GOP of today is National Socialist.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (2SnmG)
342
The country wants to have its cake and eat it too: Only the good stuff from socialism, only the good stuff from capitalism.
Indeed. Most of them don't realize what they want from capitalism is actually from capitalism, but they want it. And they want government to intrude in their lives less.... but only in the places they don't like. They want less government spending, but any time a cut is proposed, they think its awful. Basically most people are idiots who need to be led. And only a virtuous public can sustain a democracy, which we ain't got.
You do all realize the gnashing of teeth and wailing you hear around here is probably akin to what you would have heard from the democrats around the time McGovern had his ass handed to him.
But it took 30 years to get to the point of McGovern, and 30 years after him to get to the point where the left began to control government and culture.
We ain't got 30 years, let alone 60 left in this republic.
Indeed. Most of them don't realize what they want from capitalism is actually from capitalism, but they want it. And they want government to intrude in their lives less.... but only in the places they don't like. They want less government spending, but any time a cut is proposed, they think its awful. Basically most people are idiots who need to be led. And only a virtuous public can sustain a democracy, which we ain't got.
You do all realize the gnashing of teeth and wailing you hear around here is probably akin to what you would have heard from the democrats around the time McGovern had his ass handed to him.
But it took 30 years to get to the point of McGovern, and 30 years after him to get to the point where the left began to control government and culture.
We ain't got 30 years, let alone 60 left in this republic.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (39g3+)
Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (JBzwC)
344
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (t06LC)
Uh... No knock Raids? Swat? NSA spying on everyone? Forfeiture Laws???
Hell... try to do something with your own Damn land without the EPA being involved.
We are NOT more free than in FDRs day... their is WAY more Government now.
Uh... No knock Raids? Swat? NSA spying on everyone? Forfeiture Laws???
Hell... try to do something with your own Damn land without the EPA being involved.
We are NOT more free than in FDRs day... their is WAY more Government now.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (qh617)
345
Delta smelt>farmers FOOD
Posted by: Jukin, Former Republican at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (WGm5T)
346
Nood daily show.
Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (kff5f)
347
It would be nice if you could get a full tank of gas an adjustment or two and four new tires in 15 seconds.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (b4JMJ)
348
I don't want to be predictable when I point out Drew's rants are predictable, boring, and dumb.
I know some disagree. They are, as Drew says --- wrong.
I know some disagree. They are, as Drew says --- wrong.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (ZPrif)
349
If you know that you are never going to have the burden of power you can run your mouth, come up with great reasoning and NEVER HAVE TO SEE YOUR IDEAS TESTED AND THUS FACE FAILURE!!!!!
Posted by: petunia at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (VoCyE)
Yes, won't someone think of the poor, poor Republicans holding office?
it's so mean to expect to act on what they say during a campaign.
We should just thank them for their service and avert our eyes from how their actions do not match their words.
Posted by: petunia at March 31, 2015 12:27 PM (VoCyE)
Yes, won't someone think of the poor, poor Republicans holding office?
it's so mean to expect to act on what they say during a campaign.
We should just thank them for their service and avert our eyes from how their actions do not match their words.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (r+LOT)
350
There was this country called "England" you may have heard of. You know, the Magna Cartar and home of Westminster, "the Mother of Parliaments."
Sure rights weren't as universal then as they are now but at the period of political development, subjects of the British Crown enjoyed far more rights and liberty than anyone else.
American colonists enjoyed most but not all of those rights and liberties but they enjoyed more than just about everyone else except the English.
Posted by: DrewM.
Thanks for the clarification!
True, most nations at that time around the world were still ruled by God-kings, or were feudal, or had rigid class structures, or endured religious theocracy, or were under the fists of warlords, and the concept of an enforceable document guaranteeing rights was yet unknown.
However, in practice, there surely were plenty of (smaller) nations where political incompetence led to a de facto libertarian/anarchic "freedom" in which there were no real rules nor enforcers at all.
Sure rights weren't as universal then as they are now but at the period of political development, subjects of the British Crown enjoyed far more rights and liberty than anyone else.
American colonists enjoyed most but not all of those rights and liberties but they enjoyed more than just about everyone else except the English.
Posted by: DrewM.
Thanks for the clarification!
True, most nations at that time around the world were still ruled by God-kings, or were feudal, or had rigid class structures, or endured religious theocracy, or were under the fists of warlords, and the concept of an enforceable document guaranteeing rights was yet unknown.
However, in practice, there surely were plenty of (smaller) nations where political incompetence led to a de facto libertarian/anarchic "freedom" in which there were no real rules nor enforcers at all.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (K4YiS)
351
I think Drew is overly optimistic. In the end, the motto of all that wish to be free will be 'Take two with you.'
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (evdj2)
352
The Progs don't have to be anonymous. They are proud, open, fire-breathing left-wingers. They don't fear being fired when they call us racist, nazi scum.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (ZPrif)
No. No, you're right. You're so right.
http://tinyurl.com/p8wale8
::: sobs :::
You're so, so right.
Posted by: Costanza Defense at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (ZPrif)
No. No, you're right. You're so right.
http://tinyurl.com/p8wale8
::: sobs :::
You're so, so right.
Posted by: Adam Smith at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (od1KN)
353
I think the scariest thing the government is doing is using the FDIC to steal money from people they don't like.
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 12:33 PM (MYCIw)
354
To all you Libertarian assholes who are, apparently, unchurched:
Liberty, not license.
Works best in the long run.
And in the long run, we are all dead.
Liberty, not license.
Works best in the long run.
And in the long run, we are all dead.
Posted by: Outarange Guy at March 31, 2015 12:33 PM (XBF+S)
Posted by: wrg500 at March 31, 2015 12:33 PM (kQBSd)
356
Judging by my personal experience over my lifetime, I would say, controversially, that American society is just about as free now, no more nor less, than it was in previous decades.
Seriously, I can sit here in my home office and engage in the work of my choice and pretty much do whatever else I want, and neither the government nor the "social justice" totalitarians nor the religious fundamentalists have much or any influence over my daily existence....
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (K4YiS)
If you haven't looked outside your home office in the last 30 years, that's changed quite significantly. You can't get an incadescent light bulb anymore; you have to buckle up when you drive; you have to buy health insurance; in most states, you have to buy auto insurance and, if you ridea motorcycle, wear a brain bucket; you can't bring in an Opel Astra because the government hasn't deemed it "safe" or "not too polluting"; you pretty much have to burn ethanol in your gas-powered devices; if you rent out a property, you essentially have to take the first person who shows up with a check that doesn't bounce....
I could go on and on and on.
Seriously, I can sit here in my home office and engage in the work of my choice and pretty much do whatever else I want, and neither the government nor the "social justice" totalitarians nor the religious fundamentalists have much or any influence over my daily existence....
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:25 PM (K4YiS)
If you haven't looked outside your home office in the last 30 years, that's changed quite significantly. You can't get an incadescent light bulb anymore; you have to buckle up when you drive; you have to buy health insurance; in most states, you have to buy auto insurance and, if you ridea motorcycle, wear a brain bucket; you can't bring in an Opel Astra because the government hasn't deemed it "safe" or "not too polluting"; you pretty much have to burn ethanol in your gas-powered devices; if you rent out a property, you essentially have to take the first person who shows up with a check that doesn't bounce....
I could go on and on and on.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:33 PM (cL79m)
357
We had a 91% tax rate as well. But nobody actually paid it since everything under the sun was deductible. And back in the 91% era, FICA wasn't 12.4% like it is today, it was 3-4%. States didn't have 10% income tax rates. Sales tax wasn't 10% like it is today. Property tax didn't hit $10K a year like it does today for many.
It's absurd to think that we are taxed less today than a few decades ago.
It's absurd to think that we are taxed less today than a few decades ago.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 31, 2015 12:33 PM (0LHZx)
358
I sure wish Ted Cruz would propose selling off BLM land in the western states to raise money AND because it's time. There is no reason for so many of the west and northwest to be so overly controlled by the Feds. A time... for Change!... that would get the leftards riled up.. heh
Posted by: Yip at March 31, 2015 12:33 PM (84SRe)
359
My suggestion for what it is worth is to form a third party that is mostly a shadow party.
When the R's run an actual conservative, the Conservative Party (or you pick the name) can nominate him or her as well. When the Rs run a leftie like Christie or the Jeb the Conservative Party runs its own candidate, or supports a Libertarian or whatever.
Let RINOs lose by the number of votes that go to the Conservative candidate and watch R office holders start to change their tune.
And in some locales, we might be able to beat RINOs with a purely nominated Conservative Party member.
The advantage here is that you don't have to form a nationwide political organization from scratch. You try and take over the Rs, but much more formally then we have done so far.
When the R's run an actual conservative, the Conservative Party (or you pick the name) can nominate him or her as well. When the Rs run a leftie like Christie or the Jeb the Conservative Party runs its own candidate, or supports a Libertarian or whatever.
Let RINOs lose by the number of votes that go to the Conservative candidate and watch R office holders start to change their tune.
And in some locales, we might be able to beat RINOs with a purely nominated Conservative Party member.
The advantage here is that you don't have to form a nationwide political organization from scratch. You try and take over the Rs, but much more formally then we have done so far.
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:34 PM (78TbK)
360
Are Drew's rants boring, predictable and dumb?
Posted by: Costanza Defense
So, still working on your comprehensive list of GOP accomplishments since gaining their majority. Need to pull a couple of gals from the steno pool to help you type it up?
Are Drew's rants boring, predictable and dumb?
Posted by: Costanza Defense
So, still working on your comprehensive list of GOP accomplishments since gaining their majority. Need to pull a couple of gals from the steno pool to help you type it up?
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:34 PM (kdS6q)
361
ace is awake
Posted by: Lauren at March 31, 2015 12:34 PM (MYCIw)
362
Posted by: The Spelling Police at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (F9l4e)
The liberals didn't start in the 50s, they started at the dawn of the 20th Century. And they didn't start with the Democrats (think Teddy Roosevelt).
If you think reforming the GOP is the starting point, you're missing where the real battle is. The GOP is an irrelevant afterthought at this point.
The liberals didn't start in the 50s, they started at the dawn of the 20th Century. And they didn't start with the Democrats (think Teddy Roosevelt).
If you think reforming the GOP is the starting point, you're missing where the real battle is. The GOP is an irrelevant afterthought at this point.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 12:35 PM (8LT/S)
363
Until the mid 1700s, Americans were far, far more free than the English, because while in principle and in some small urban areas they were under English rule, in practice they were under no rule whatsoever in most areas and simply made do with what the land provided them. Most colonists were not actually under any law at all but what they provided.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
That's pretty much what I was thinking. I agree.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
That's pretty much what I was thinking. I agree.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:35 PM (K4YiS)
364
nood; pop culture wars
oh. and fuck hector.
oh. and fuck hector.
Posted by: andycanuck at March 31, 2015 12:36 PM (kivUY)
365
The GOP of 2015 is fiscally/economically Socialist, socially reactionary and white nationalist on racial issues. In short the GOP of today is National Socialist.
I haven't got a fucking clue what a national Socialist is.
dutch treat
I'm Sen Tim Scott, and I WTF!?! this message
I haven't got a fucking clue what a national Socialist is.
dutch treat
I'm Sen Tim Scott, and I WTF!?! this message
Posted by: Bob Cloggenstein at March 31, 2015 12:36 PM (Spluw)
366
They should sell the BLM employees as well.
Posted by: Boss Moss at March 31, 2015 12:36 PM (b4JMJ)
367
344 Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (t06LC)
Uh... No knock Raids? Swat? NSA spying on everyone? Forfeiture Laws???
Hell... try to do something with your own Damn land without the EPA being involved.
We are NOT more free than in FDRs day... their is WAY more Government now.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (qh617)
Really, they did all that back the, albeit with more antiquated technology. Also, we had the blue eagle laws
Uh... No knock Raids? Swat? NSA spying on everyone? Forfeiture Laws???
Hell... try to do something with your own Damn land without the EPA being involved.
We are NOT more free than in FDRs day... their is WAY more Government now.
Posted by: BB Wolf at March 31, 2015 12:31 PM (qh617)
Really, they did all that back the, albeit with more antiquated technology. Also, we had the blue eagle laws
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:36 PM (t06LC)
368
298 @272
Your xenophobic racism is another reason why Americans reject socons/tea party. Many white Americans are intermarried with Latinos or Asians. You can deny that reality all you want, but its why your xenophobic agenda goes nowhere.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (2SnmG)
Open borders for all heh? I know 200 million Chinese who need help getting here. Will you please help?
Your xenophobic racism is another reason why Americans reject socons/tea party. Many white Americans are intermarried with Latinos or Asians. You can deny that reality all you want, but its why your xenophobic agenda goes nowhere.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:24 PM (2SnmG)
Open borders for all heh? I know 200 million Chinese who need help getting here. Will you please help?
Posted by: Bob from table9 at March 31, 2015 12:36 PM (WNERA)
369
Zombie, I have to go (relucantly) with Moo Moo on this. We're significantly, tangibly less free than our parents' generation, and they less than their parents.
The problem is you're the frog in the pot and aren't really noticing what you can't do any more. Its true that if all you do is sit home and don't bother anyone you're largely left alone. That was true in Nazi Germany for most people. That's not the test of liberty in any conceivable sense of the word. The test of liberty is how things go when you rock the boat.
The problem is you're the frog in the pot and aren't really noticing what you can't do any more. Its true that if all you do is sit home and don't bother anyone you're largely left alone. That was true in Nazi Germany for most people. That's not the test of liberty in any conceivable sense of the word. The test of liberty is how things go when you rock the boat.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (39g3+)
370
I think the scariest thing the government is doing is using the FDIC to steal money from people they don't like.
****
The current point of the government is to take from the productive class and give to the government and dependent classes.
It does make me wonder why the hell I continue to be a member of the productive class...
I think the scariest thing the government is doing is using the FDIC to steal money from people they don't like.
****
The current point of the government is to take from the productive class and give to the government and dependent classes.
It does make me wonder why the hell I continue to be a member of the productive class...
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (78TbK)
371
Don't you maintain your anonymity to avoid the consequences of divergence from the commie horde?
Posted by: toby928(C)
Yes, that is true. I fear them. But my fear has still not prevented me from STILL confronting and fighting them. In a true totalitarian society, my anonymity would be stripped away. The fact that I can comment here proves in fact that I am still free.
Posted by: toby928(C)
Yes, that is true. I fear them. But my fear has still not prevented me from STILL confronting and fighting them. In a true totalitarian society, my anonymity would be stripped away. The fact that I can comment here proves in fact that I am still free.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (K4YiS)
372
@355 Now, if the recurve Annie Oakley could ride a horse like a Central Asian....
Posted by: Outarange Guy at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (XBF+S)
373
However, in practice, there surely were plenty of (smaller) nations where political incompetence led to a de facto libertarian/anarchic "freedom" in which there were no real rules nor enforcers at all.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (K4YiS)
Undoubtedly but I wouldn't consider some Hobsonian jungle to be representative of liberty based freedom. Some sort of freedom, sure. But that "freedom" would also include the "freedom" to have everything you possessed stolen and your life taken on a whim.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:32 PM (K4YiS)
Undoubtedly but I wouldn't consider some Hobsonian jungle to be representative of liberty based freedom. Some sort of freedom, sure. But that "freedom" would also include the "freedom" to have everything you possessed stolen and your life taken on a whim.
Posted by: DrewM. at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (8LT/S)
374
"NASCAR turns... to the Left???
How... surprising... "
Heh. NASCAR joke. Because they only turn left during the races.
How... surprising... "
Heh. NASCAR joke. Because they only turn left during the races.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (LA7Cm)
375
Drew, I appreciate your replying to commenters, especially with your Twitter account being disabled, *hopefully* only temporarily. I DEFINITELY agree with you about the GOP, but I HOPE you're wrong about the American people: it's a slim thing on which to pin one's hopes, but the GOP got votes this past year in part because A) voters are repudiating Obama and the Dems, B) the GOP ran by claiming -- falsely, obviously -- that they would oppose Obama and the Dems, and C) the GOP knows that they don't dare change the stated party platform to reflect the leadership's actual behavior.
Americans are at least somewhat conservative, just complacent: I'm not sure we're conservative enough, or that we can be roused to a sustained effort against both major parties, but the problem has LARGELY been what Codevilla describes as (both parties of) the Ruling Class against everyone else.
Americans are at least somewhat conservative, just complacent: I'm not sure we're conservative enough, or that we can be roused to a sustained effort against both major parties, but the problem has LARGELY been what Codevilla describes as (both parties of) the Ruling Class against everyone else.
Posted by: Bubba at March 31, 2015 12:38 PM (bpn7O)
376
Pre-Reagan, you had a higher marginal rate, but more
deductions. Today's lower marginal rates with fewer deductions and few
shelters are probably just a wash -- or worse.
The more or less
constant Federal revenues as a % of GDP indicates that, especially
considering the decrease in older revenue sources like tariffs and the
narrowing of the tax base from the bottom.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix
I disagree, Reagan cut taxes from 70% to eventually 28% on marginal rates. Some loopholes were closed, but taxes most certainly went down dramatically. Conservatives should embrace a lower rate with fewer deductions, so I'm fine with that strategy.
Just the the symbolism of a 70% tax rate is powerful and the fact that it was at one time defended by Democrats and now would be considered toxic is a conservative victory.
deductions. Today's lower marginal rates with fewer deductions and few
shelters are probably just a wash -- or worse.
The more or less
constant Federal revenues as a % of GDP indicates that, especially
considering the decrease in older revenue sources like tariffs and the
narrowing of the tax base from the bottom.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix
I disagree, Reagan cut taxes from 70% to eventually 28% on marginal rates. Some loopholes were closed, but taxes most certainly went down dramatically. Conservatives should embrace a lower rate with fewer deductions, so I'm fine with that strategy.
Just the the symbolism of a 70% tax rate is powerful and the fact that it was at one time defended by Democrats and now would be considered toxic is a conservative victory.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:38 PM (RV4Sy)
377
that's because the "let's keep beating our heads against this wall" crowd keep picketing the construction site and no work gets done.
Maybe, just maybe if those of use who see that the GOP isn't the answer would try to form a 3rd party, it would actually have the numbers to make some headway.
A Republican is probably a lock for 2016. They (might) keep the Congress under control in the big ways for another 4 years that gives a nascent 3rd party time to build a base and elect some reps who can raise hell in the Congress.
never know unless we try.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (zRby/)
What are you doing to make this "third" party a reality, aside from posting comments about it?
Maybe, just maybe if those of use who see that the GOP isn't the answer would try to form a 3rd party, it would actually have the numbers to make some headway.
A Republican is probably a lock for 2016. They (might) keep the Congress under control in the big ways for another 4 years that gives a nascent 3rd party time to build a base and elect some reps who can raise hell in the Congress.
never know unless we try.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at March 31, 2015 12:29 PM (zRby/)
What are you doing to make this "third" party a reality, aside from posting comments about it?
Posted by: Mister Magic at March 31, 2015 12:39 PM (v4zV9)
378
People bitch and moan about the military budget and yet it is the only thing we spending money on now that is covered by the Constitution.
When I was a kid the military budget was the largest single item in the budget being over 50%. It is now one of the lower items.
There is nothing in the Constitution that supports all the money being spent on socialist programs.
When I was a kid the military budget was the largest single item in the budget being over 50%. It is now one of the lower items.
There is nothing in the Constitution that supports all the money being spent on socialist programs.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 12:40 PM (wlDny)
379
Quitters. What a shame.
Posted by: Mark at March 31, 2015 12:40 PM (xDI7h)
Posted by: toby928(C) at March 31, 2015 12:41 PM (evdj2)
381
There's a saying attributed to Voltaire (but probably not him) going around, "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize."
And there's validity to that, a validity we're experiencing every day. But there's a corollary to this law:
"To learn who is powerless, simply find out who you are allowed to criticize without consequence."
And there's validity to that, a validity we're experiencing every day. But there's a corollary to this law:
"To learn who is powerless, simply find out who you are allowed to criticize without consequence."
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:41 PM (39g3+)
382
The liberals didn't start in the 50s, they started at the dawn of
the 20th Century. And they didn't start with the Democrats (think Teddy
Roosevelt).
***
I'd argue modern liberalism was born when the Imperial German aristocracy paid off the German lower classes with social welfare to get their support against the rising German middle class.
From the aristocracy's perspective, paying off the plebes with the bourgeoisie's money is a great bargain that leaves them to control the state apparatus with the appearance of representative government to keep everyone in line...
The liberals didn't start in the 50s, they started at the dawn of
the 20th Century. And they didn't start with the Democrats (think Teddy
Roosevelt).
***
I'd argue modern liberalism was born when the Imperial German aristocracy paid off the German lower classes with social welfare to get their support against the rising German middle class.
From the aristocracy's perspective, paying off the plebes with the bourgeoisie's money is a great bargain that leaves them to control the state apparatus with the appearance of representative government to keep everyone in line...
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:41 PM (78TbK)
383
The fact that I can comment here proves in fact that I am still free.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (K4YiS)
The fact you're using a pseudonym out of fear belies that claim.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:37 PM (K4YiS)
The fact you're using a pseudonym out of fear belies that claim.
Posted by: troyriser at March 31, 2015 12:42 PM (Bvf82)
384
If we just stick with the Acme Buggywhip Company a little longer I'm sure their stock will rebound.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at March 31, 2015 12:42 PM (j6e8f)
385
204
Team liberal fights in every area of our lives. We need to do the same.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
No.
No.
A trillion times no.
The politicization of everything is vile. Utterly vile. It is
appalling. It is dehumanizing. It is destructive. It is reductive.
It is acceding to the notion that all we are is political beings. It is
accepting the premise that the political is the be all and end all of
existence.
No.
I will not be a part of any process that demands fealty to such a notion. No.
Of course, I am well aware of the irony that merely asserting that
my life and my choices and my very existence are not political is, in
and of itself, a political act.
========
I think, though, read the "Justified" article from the Dump. Touches on, but not quiet fully, that civilization needs hard men to make civilization.
So: Into the mud with gusto.
Then: The most depressing thing about the future is the hard and awful things we (if we're lucky) or our children are going to have to do to others just to get back to the freedoms our parents used to enjoy.
Also: There are, in this group, many who will not be welcomed back to civilization--John Wayne's characters in "Liberty Valance," "The Shootist" and "The Searchers."
Team liberal fights in every area of our lives. We need to do the same.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 31, 2015 11:57 AM (g1DWB)
No.
No.
A trillion times no.
The politicization of everything is vile. Utterly vile. It is
appalling. It is dehumanizing. It is destructive. It is reductive.
It is acceding to the notion that all we are is political beings. It is
accepting the premise that the political is the be all and end all of
existence.
No.
I will not be a part of any process that demands fealty to such a notion. No.
Of course, I am well aware of the irony that merely asserting that
my life and my choices and my very existence are not political is, in
and of itself, a political act.
========
I think, though, read the "Justified" article from the Dump. Touches on, but not quiet fully, that civilization needs hard men to make civilization.
So: Into the mud with gusto.
Then: The most depressing thing about the future is the hard and awful things we (if we're lucky) or our children are going to have to do to others just to get back to the freedoms our parents used to enjoy.
Also: There are, in this group, many who will not be welcomed back to civilization--John Wayne's characters in "Liberty Valance," "The Shootist" and "The Searchers."
Posted by: RoyalOil at March 31, 2015 12:42 PM (ZvKdv)
386
John Boehner only beats me because he loves me.
Posted by: The Great White Snark at March 31, 2015 12:43 PM (j6e8f)
387
Way too soon to give up, Drew. We just have to organize without being Republicans -- which by the way, you will find earns us a broader audience among the general public.
For the past dozen years, the Republican party has attacked salesmanship for marketing. They don't grow the base, they sell what the base already thinks and they discourage the opposition from even showing up. Time to end that and search out effective persuasion.
If you believe persuasion is beyond you I urge you to find somebody who does think it is possible and support them. You will be surprised how far they can get.
For the past dozen years, the Republican party has attacked salesmanship for marketing. They don't grow the base, they sell what the base already thinks and they discourage the opposition from even showing up. Time to end that and search out effective persuasion.
If you believe persuasion is beyond you I urge you to find somebody who does think it is possible and support them. You will be surprised how far they can get.
Posted by: Chris Balsz at March 31, 2015 12:43 PM (8rRE+)
388
There are two areas the left has lost in. I wouldn't call them conservative victories except in that they are constitutional concepts the left failed to triumph in, so far:
Gun control
Taxes
Neither one really works; even President Obama has lied and deflected about his tax increases. And gun control keeps losing battle after battle.
But two victories in a sea of cultural, legal, and political defeat does not mean the country or Republican Party has remotely become more conservative in any sane sense of the word.
Gun control
Taxes
Neither one really works; even President Obama has lied and deflected about his tax increases. And gun control keeps losing battle after battle.
But two victories in a sea of cultural, legal, and political defeat does not mean the country or Republican Party has remotely become more conservative in any sane sense of the word.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:44 PM (39g3+)
389
I disagree
Posted by: McAdams
Math says otherwise. If federal revenues have remained about constant as a percentage of GDP, and the tax burden has shifted toward income and payroll taxes, as they have, then real taxes on workers have not decreased.
There are a couple of other factors you can toss in for a more rigorous analysis, but that's about what the game is.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/revenue.cfm
I disagree
Posted by: McAdams
Math says otherwise. If federal revenues have remained about constant as a percentage of GDP, and the tax burden has shifted toward income and payroll taxes, as they have, then real taxes on workers have not decreased.
There are a couple of other factors you can toss in for a more rigorous analysis, but that's about what the game is.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/revenue.cfm
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 12:45 PM (kdS6q)
390
@368
Open borders is a strawman. Keep it up and continue to marginalize yourself. It sucks being a Klansman.
Open borders is a strawman. Keep it up and continue to marginalize yourself. It sucks being a Klansman.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:45 PM (2SnmG)
391
Really?
Try to buy an incandescent light bulb
If you live in certain cities, you are mandated to recycle and if you don't the Green Police will ticket you, after they go through your garbage
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo
GREAT example!
Guess what?
I can buy all the incandescent light bulbs I want! At $1.99 per 4-pack! Even though they are "illegal."
How do I do that? Go to Chinatown, my friend.
All sorts of stores in Chinatown openly sell imported incandescents for cheap. I actually get them for less now than I paid when they were legal.
No one complains. People want the incandescents, so why would they "turn in" the retailer?
A little research showed that it's not just in Chinatown, but all sorts of "ethnic" retailers sell not just incandescents but other banned items as well.
Know why? Because capitalism finds a way. Adam Smith's invisible hand routinely bitchslaps anyone attempting to restrict free commerce.
That's because we still have capitalism. It's worth defending.
Try to buy an incandescent light bulb
If you live in certain cities, you are mandated to recycle and if you don't the Green Police will ticket you, after they go through your garbage
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo
GREAT example!
Guess what?
I can buy all the incandescent light bulbs I want! At $1.99 per 4-pack! Even though they are "illegal."
How do I do that? Go to Chinatown, my friend.
All sorts of stores in Chinatown openly sell imported incandescents for cheap. I actually get them for less now than I paid when they were legal.
No one complains. People want the incandescents, so why would they "turn in" the retailer?
A little research showed that it's not just in Chinatown, but all sorts of "ethnic" retailers sell not just incandescents but other banned items as well.
Know why? Because capitalism finds a way. Adam Smith's invisible hand routinely bitchslaps anyone attempting to restrict free commerce.
That's because we still have capitalism. It's worth defending.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:45 PM (K4YiS)
392
@382
Read Bastiat's "The Law". It was written in 1830's France. Its the same basic debate between prosperity and equality we have today
Read Bastiat's "The Law". It was written in 1830's France. Its the same basic debate between prosperity and equality we have today
Posted by: Jollyroger at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (t06LC)
393
I'd argue modern liberalism was born when the Imperial German aristocracy paid off the German lower classes with social welfare to get their support against the rising German middle class.
From the aristocracy's perspective, paying off the plebes with the bourgeoisie's money is a great bargain that leaves them to control the state apparatus with the appearance of representative government to keep everyone in line...
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:41 PM (78TbK)
Er, they faked out the plebes. Their version of SocSecurity, shamelessly stolen by FDR 30 years later, ensured that almost nobody collected, as the average life expectency of a German in 1900 was 60, and the earliest one could collect was 65.
Sort of like PlaceboCare, really.
From the aristocracy's perspective, paying off the plebes with the bourgeoisie's money is a great bargain that leaves them to control the state apparatus with the appearance of representative government to keep everyone in line...
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:41 PM (78TbK)
Er, they faked out the plebes. Their version of SocSecurity, shamelessly stolen by FDR 30 years later, ensured that almost nobody collected, as the average life expectency of a German in 1900 was 60, and the earliest one could collect was 65.
Sort of like PlaceboCare, really.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (cL79m)
394
I'm bearish on ACME, frankly.
Posted by: Wile E. Coyote, Genius at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (Bvf82)
395
There really IS a lesser of two evils.
Posted by: RKae at March 31, 2015 11:31 AM (gy5EU)
But, you still end up voting for "Evil"!
Sorry count me out, let it burn....
Posted by: RKae at March 31, 2015 11:31 AM (gy5EU)
But, you still end up voting for "Evil"!
Sorry count me out, let it burn....
Posted by: Paladin at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (E1aoU)
396
"Of course, I am well aware of the irony that merely asserting that my life and my choices and my very existence are not political is, in and of itself, a political act."
So I am not sure you will be granted the grace to assert you are neutral. Dissent is treason. Not showing approval is bigotry. In that atmosphere, demanding independent conscience is subversion, and you will have a political struggle against people who will ostracize you for objecting to applauding on cue.
So I am not sure you will be granted the grace to assert you are neutral. Dissent is treason. Not showing approval is bigotry. In that atmosphere, demanding independent conscience is subversion, and you will have a political struggle against people who will ostracize you for objecting to applauding on cue.
Posted by: Chris Balsz at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (8rRE+)
397
The problem here is that the left sees the culture
as political even if you don't.
You may not want to make everything about politics, but your enemy is doing it with impunity.
Posted by: Burn the Witch
I don't think our culture flows from politics, I think it goes from the bottom up. At one time, I absolutely believed there was a "Silent Majority" or
"Moral Majority" that kept our country from going off the rails, but now
I can't really say I believe that.
Honest question, how do you win elections in a secular society with politicians that are pushing moral and religious issues that voters are adamantly opposed to? To me its simply a recipe for failure.
Even if we somehow had an outspoken social conservative in the White House like Mike Huckabee who was a former Baptist preacher, do you really think the nation is going to be more culturally conservative from him giving stump speeches?
as political even if you don't.
You may not want to make everything about politics, but your enemy is doing it with impunity.
Posted by: Burn the Witch
I don't think our culture flows from politics, I think it goes from the bottom up. At one time, I absolutely believed there was a "Silent Majority" or
"Moral Majority" that kept our country from going off the rails, but now
I can't really say I believe that.
Honest question, how do you win elections in a secular society with politicians that are pushing moral and religious issues that voters are adamantly opposed to? To me its simply a recipe for failure.
Even if we somehow had an outspoken social conservative in the White House like Mike Huckabee who was a former Baptist preacher, do you really think the nation is going to be more culturally conservative from him giving stump speeches?
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (RV4Sy)
398
@320
It is as simple as limited government. Want to increase defense spending? Propose cuts elsewhere and balance the budget? Same with border security. Want to dictate what happens in the bedroom, or prevent monogamous gays from accessing the benefits of legal secular marriage, punishing women for 1st trimester abortions, or protect American workers from having to actually compete with qualified foreign workers..I don't think that's what limited government is all about. The libertarians are more limited government on social issues (arguably on fiscal issues, too). The GOP has to square their "talk" about limited government with their actions: big deficits and occasionally overbearing on social issues. Sure, individuals have their personal or religious beliefs. Not everyone's going to agree with everyone, but limiting federal power has to be the thread that binds the party together. Otherwise this divide is just going to continue widening.
It is as simple as limited government. Want to increase defense spending? Propose cuts elsewhere and balance the budget? Same with border security. Want to dictate what happens in the bedroom, or prevent monogamous gays from accessing the benefits of legal secular marriage, punishing women for 1st trimester abortions, or protect American workers from having to actually compete with qualified foreign workers..I don't think that's what limited government is all about. The libertarians are more limited government on social issues (arguably on fiscal issues, too). The GOP has to square their "talk" about limited government with their actions: big deficits and occasionally overbearing on social issues. Sure, individuals have their personal or religious beliefs. Not everyone's going to agree with everyone, but limiting federal power has to be the thread that binds the party together. Otherwise this divide is just going to continue widening.
Posted by: Rob Westbrook at March 31, 2015 12:48 PM (BoTPp)
399
@397
You pretty much sum up the conservative movement. Instead of trying to win converts, they attack minorities, young people, single women and immigrants. This is a sign of a dying ideology.
The Conservatism of 2015 resembles Stalinism, where no one is allowed to question.
You pretty much sum up the conservative movement. Instead of trying to win converts, they attack minorities, young people, single women and immigrants. This is a sign of a dying ideology.
The Conservatism of 2015 resembles Stalinism, where no one is allowed to question.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:48 PM (2SnmG)
400
Just the the symbolism of a 70% tax rate is powerful and the fact that it was at one time defended by Democrats and now would be considered toxic is a conservative victory.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:38 PM (RV4Sy)
It won't be toxic in the 3rd year of President O'Malley's term. In fact, by year 7, El PRL will adopt the existing 70% top rate as their (temporary) standard because the CommuRATs will be pushing for a 90% rate.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:38 PM (RV4Sy)
It won't be toxic in the 3rd year of President O'Malley's term. In fact, by year 7, El PRL will adopt the existing 70% top rate as their (temporary) standard because the CommuRATs will be pushing for a 90% rate.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:49 PM (cL79m)
401
Regarding that doc fix....
What it looks like is that they made a huge jump to a budget.
HOWEVER.
What they were "fixing" is a government-run criminal scheme to pay docs a SMALL fraction of what they should be able to charge for services. THIS is what Obamacare was built on--this is how they decided it would be OK budget-wise--we'll just slash payments to docs and then the numbers will work! It is driving doctors into retirement, literally. SO yes, it increases payouts from the federal budget due to Medicaid/Medicare, those beasts of burden. BUT it shouldn't be doctors' faults. They shouldn't be paying for these enormous underfunded liabilities with their own livelihoods. Back in the 80s, doctors made obscene amounts of money, hand over fist. Sure. Now? They are lucky if they pay off their student loans within a couple of decades. This particular "sellout" was only fair. Does the system still suck? Sure. Are we paying for enormous amounts of medical care we shouldn't be? YES. BUT it shouldn't have to be shouldered by one particular segment of our economy over any other. Not fair. Needed fixing. I don't think this was the ultimate betrayal. Not even close.
What it looks like is that they made a huge jump to a budget.
HOWEVER.
What they were "fixing" is a government-run criminal scheme to pay docs a SMALL fraction of what they should be able to charge for services. THIS is what Obamacare was built on--this is how they decided it would be OK budget-wise--we'll just slash payments to docs and then the numbers will work! It is driving doctors into retirement, literally. SO yes, it increases payouts from the federal budget due to Medicaid/Medicare, those beasts of burden. BUT it shouldn't be doctors' faults. They shouldn't be paying for these enormous underfunded liabilities with their own livelihoods. Back in the 80s, doctors made obscene amounts of money, hand over fist. Sure. Now? They are lucky if they pay off their student loans within a couple of decades. This particular "sellout" was only fair. Does the system still suck? Sure. Are we paying for enormous amounts of medical care we shouldn't be? YES. BUT it shouldn't have to be shouldered by one particular segment of our economy over any other. Not fair. Needed fixing. I don't think this was the ultimate betrayal. Not even close.
Posted by: hslade at March 31, 2015 12:49 PM (P1lVg)
402
I see Hector the douche-passer is bald-spot-deep in projection.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:50 PM (cL79m)
403
The left doesn't view culture as politics, they realized long ago that politics follow culture, and sought to conquer popular culture, education, and law in order to shape future politics. And they succeeded. They will always succeed in this kind of thing; civilization eats its self.
All of the virtues it took to build and maintain a civilization become unnecessary and even considered bad once that civilization takes hold. The rough, masculine strength it took to build and protect America is considered destructive and evil. This has happened again and again in every civilization in history. It is a continuous and repeated pattern. What it takes to get there is the opposite of what civilization breeds and nurtures.
Once you're safe, comfortable, and at ease, those gunmen who tamed the town are scary and worse remind you of the coward you were back then. They must go. Emasculated, effete traits become more powerful and useful in a civilized society, and despise the stronger more dangerous traits.
Civilizations destroy themselves by their very nature and existence. The only thing that could possibly stave this off is a constant internal mechanism and pressure - religion - shared by the culture that celebrates and appreciates those virtues that built it. Which is why religion had to go for the left to triumph.
All of the virtues it took to build and maintain a civilization become unnecessary and even considered bad once that civilization takes hold. The rough, masculine strength it took to build and protect America is considered destructive and evil. This has happened again and again in every civilization in history. It is a continuous and repeated pattern. What it takes to get there is the opposite of what civilization breeds and nurtures.
Once you're safe, comfortable, and at ease, those gunmen who tamed the town are scary and worse remind you of the coward you were back then. They must go. Emasculated, effete traits become more powerful and useful in a civilized society, and despise the stronger more dangerous traits.
Civilizations destroy themselves by their very nature and existence. The only thing that could possibly stave this off is a constant internal mechanism and pressure - religion - shared by the culture that celebrates and appreciates those virtues that built it. Which is why religion had to go for the left to triumph.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:50 PM (39g3+)
404
Donate $1000 to a non-PC political cause and see how long you keep your job.
...
Allow your 8 year old to play in the park unattended and see how long it will be until CPS is called
Ever hire someone? You should try it sometime. It's eye opening how much fucking paper work there is. Oh and if you hire someone in a large (100+ Employees) company and that person is a white man....you got some 'splainin' to do to HR why you made such a racist/misogynist decision.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo
Now, your other examples are on-point. And those ARE social and legal restrictions that have crept in, I concede.
But on the other hand, other social/legal restrictions have faded away or disappeared. (For example, we no longer have the military draft. Under FDR, we were essentially under martial law. And other oppressive social customs have relaxed over the years.)
Im not claiming that US society is perfect or that the totalitarians aren't making in-roads. Only claiming that, overall, it;s not so bad YET. And hopefully it never will be.
...
Allow your 8 year old to play in the park unattended and see how long it will be until CPS is called
Ever hire someone? You should try it sometime. It's eye opening how much fucking paper work there is. Oh and if you hire someone in a large (100+ Employees) company and that person is a white man....you got some 'splainin' to do to HR why you made such a racist/misogynist decision.
Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo
Now, your other examples are on-point. And those ARE social and legal restrictions that have crept in, I concede.
But on the other hand, other social/legal restrictions have faded away or disappeared. (For example, we no longer have the military draft. Under FDR, we were essentially under martial law. And other oppressive social customs have relaxed over the years.)
Im not claiming that US society is perfect or that the totalitarians aren't making in-roads. Only claiming that, overall, it;s not so bad YET. And hopefully it never will be.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 12:50 PM (K4YiS)
405
Can the GOP be taught and, if so, what form should that lesson take?
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (mf5HN)
I don't know, but I think the safe word should be "palomino".
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow. at March 31, 2015 12:00 PM (mf5HN)
I don't know, but I think the safe word should be "palomino".
Posted by: physics geek at March 31, 2015 12:50 PM (MT22W)
406
Honest question, how do you win elections in a secular society with
politicians that are pushing moral and religious issues that voters are
adamantly opposed to?
***
The LIVs that decide elections don't know what the issues you are taking about involve, and have no desire to get educated about them.
If the media is able to Akin-ize such a Republican, as for example Akin, they will vote against him. If they fail, the LIVs will vote for him, as for example Bush 43.
The issue isn't the views of social conservatives, but their abilities to express them.
politicians that are pushing moral and religious issues that voters are
adamantly opposed to?
***
The LIVs that decide elections don't know what the issues you are taking about involve, and have no desire to get educated about them.
If the media is able to Akin-ize such a Republican, as for example Akin, they will vote against him. If they fail, the LIVs will vote for him, as for example Bush 43.
The issue isn't the views of social conservatives, but their abilities to express them.
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 12:51 PM (78TbK)
407
399 @397
You pretty much sum up the conservative movement. Instead of trying to win converts, they attack minorities, young people, single women and immigrants. This is a sign of a dying ideology.
The Conservatism of 2015 resembles Stalinism, where no one is allowed to question.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:48 PM (2SnmG)
You need to pay off your student loans and grow up you little twit. Get out of Mom's basement and get a job, pay your taxes.
You pretty much sum up the conservative movement. Instead of trying to win converts, they attack minorities, young people, single women and immigrants. This is a sign of a dying ideology.
The Conservatism of 2015 resembles Stalinism, where no one is allowed to question.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:48 PM (2SnmG)
You need to pay off your student loans and grow up you little twit. Get out of Mom's basement and get a job, pay your taxes.
Posted by: Bob from table9 at March 31, 2015 12:51 PM (WNERA)
408
'Tis a generational task. Like the commies have, need to take country back with baby steps and with babies themselves. Teach the young. Take education and conduct own re-education program. Just grab textbooks from 50s and update neutrally or something. Hell, I don't fucking know. I hate the GOPe with a passion these days and am with you Drew. Fuck the party. Maybe the total collapse under them and the 'rats is necessary. Austerity by necessity and rebuild smaller. Fuck, I don't know. Sure as hell don't like this bullshit anymore. Fuck it. I'm going to get some work done and love my family more.
Posted by: Jim Dolt@AssQuake at March 31, 2015 12:51 PM (g1MTt)
409
I can buy all the incandescent light bulbs I want! At $1.99 per 4-pack! Even though they are "illegal."
How do I do that? Go to Chinatown, my friend.
Yes, and you could buy Levi's jeans in Soviet Russia. From the black market. Your very responses are proving the point.
How do I do that? Go to Chinatown, my friend.
Yes, and you could buy Levi's jeans in Soviet Russia. From the black market. Your very responses are proving the point.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:53 PM (39g3+)
410
Discuss.
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow.
+++++++++++++++++++
Re: Upton-Crossbow (tits in way of longbow) Mossburg (shorter for her build)
Posted by: alexthechick - Meow.
+++++++++++++++++++
Re: Upton-Crossbow (tits in way of longbow) Mossburg (shorter for her build)
Posted by: Jim Dolt@AssQuake at March 31, 2015 12:56 PM (g1MTt)
411
Honest question, how do you win elections in a secular society with politicians that are pushing moral and religious issues that voters are adamantly opposed to?
Well if you're a Democrat, you lie about what you want to do, then when in power do it anyway and rely on the popular culture, entertainment, and media to back you and shame anyone who disagrees to the point even those on the right start to agree.
Well if you're a Democrat, you lie about what you want to do, then when in power do it anyway and rely on the popular culture, entertainment, and media to back you and shame anyone who disagrees to the point even those on the right start to agree.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 12:56 PM (39g3+)
412
@407
I am making money like no other times since the 90s. I support the low IQ racist tea party trash with my tax dollars.
I am making money like no other times since the 90s. I support the low IQ racist tea party trash with my tax dollars.
Posted by: Pass the Dutchie at March 31, 2015 12:56 PM (2SnmG)
413
Yay! Does that mean we won't have to see your complaining posts re the GOP anymore? If it's hopeless for GOP you must start or join a third party. Make your 'minority of the minority' and 'fringe' comfortable somewhere else and leave those of us who are not looking for perfection to ourselves to win and save this country. You and Mark Levin can gather all of your followers and build that party of your dreams by shunning all the RINOS. All 10 or so of you... Good luck!
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 12:58 PM (fXzSI)
414
Math says otherwise. If federal revenues have
remained about constant as a percentage of GDP, and the tax burden has
shifted toward income and payroll taxes, as they have, then real taxes
on workers have not decreased.
There are a couple of other factors you can toss in for a more rigorous analysis, but that's about what the game is.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/revenue.cfm
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix
Reagan's tax cuts were real, if you think going back to Jimmy Carter's tax rate would be no different than Reagan's, I'd like to know what you're smoking. I'm amazed a conservative thinks Reagan's tax policies had nothing to do with the dramatic turnaround of the economy.
The fact that roughly the same % of federal revenue came from the individual tax rate despite the tax cuts is an endorsement of supply side economics.
Also, the punitive nature of a 70% tax rate is in of itself a problem as just a symbol. Everyone knows that dramatic increases in taxes to the 1% are not going to produce any real money for the federal government. It's more about "pushing down" a certain class of people
Math says otherwise. If federal revenues have
remained about constant as a percentage of GDP, and the tax burden has
shifted toward income and payroll taxes, as they have, then real taxes
on workers have not decreased.
There are a couple of other factors you can toss in for a more rigorous analysis, but that's about what the game is.
www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/background/numbers/revenue.cfm
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix
Reagan's tax cuts were real, if you think going back to Jimmy Carter's tax rate would be no different than Reagan's, I'd like to know what you're smoking. I'm amazed a conservative thinks Reagan's tax policies had nothing to do with the dramatic turnaround of the economy.
The fact that roughly the same % of federal revenue came from the individual tax rate despite the tax cuts is an endorsement of supply side economics.
Also, the punitive nature of a 70% tax rate is in of itself a problem as just a symbol. Everyone knows that dramatic increases in taxes to the 1% are not going to produce any real money for the federal government. It's more about "pushing down" a certain class of people
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 12:58 PM (RV4Sy)
415
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 12:58 PM (fXzSI)
How about you being honest and rejoining the party of your youth?
How about you being honest and rejoining the party of your youth?
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:01 PM (cL79m)
416
Reagan's tax cuts were real, that's not in question. What Laurie is trying to say is that subsequent changes to the tax law and expansions to what is taxed ate up all the differences until it was a push.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 01:01 PM (39g3+)
417
Oh, that's right; creating a Rat supermajority would allow an opposition party to gain traction.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:02 PM (cL79m)
418
Yes, and you could buy Levi's jeans in Soviet Russia. From the black market. Your very responses are proving the point.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
And the black market in Soviet Russia constantly undermined and corroded the Kremlin's rule, until that rule collapsed. Yes, there were plenty of other factors, but the free exchange of goods and ideas flowing in from the West and being available on the black market undermined both the sensation that the government was in control and undermined the monopoly on discourse.
What happens "outside the rules" is just as important as what happens inside the rules.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
And the black market in Soviet Russia constantly undermined and corroded the Kremlin's rule, until that rule collapsed. Yes, there were plenty of other factors, but the free exchange of goods and ideas flowing in from the West and being available on the black market undermined both the sensation that the government was in control and undermined the monopoly on discourse.
What happens "outside the rules" is just as important as what happens inside the rules.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 01:03 PM (K4YiS)
419
The issue isn't the views of social conservatives, but their abilities to express them.
Posted by: 18-1
I disagree. I think views like Akin or Mourdock on "no exception" abortion were the catalyst to that blowup, and when polled, something like 90% of Americans oppose such a strident position on abortion, at least in the legal sense. The mainstream pro-life movement used to stress they were for exceptions like rape, incest, or the life of the mother.
Does the MSM misrepresent social conservatives? Of course, and they ignore the extremism of Democrats on the abortion issue like late term abortion, but sometimes the position itself is the problem for SoCons when it's out of the mainstream even in Red States.
The issue isn't the views of social conservatives, but their abilities to express them.
Posted by: 18-1
I disagree. I think views like Akin or Mourdock on "no exception" abortion were the catalyst to that blowup, and when polled, something like 90% of Americans oppose such a strident position on abortion, at least in the legal sense. The mainstream pro-life movement used to stress they were for exceptions like rape, incest, or the life of the mother.
Does the MSM misrepresent social conservatives? Of course, and they ignore the extremism of Democrats on the abortion issue like late term abortion, but sometimes the position itself is the problem for SoCons when it's out of the mainstream even in Red States.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 01:03 PM (RV4Sy)
420
@401
The problem isn't the doc-fix itself. We need a permanent doc-fix. The problem is that it's funded with more debt, and does nothing to even start to get the government out of the healthcare system. The GOP has to start fighting deficit spending; putting the doc-fix and the DoD increases on a credit card instead of finding other areas to cut is the fastest way for them (including Ted Cruz) to lose my support. His first year Rand proposed balancing in 5 years by cutting all foreign aid and the hardcore pro Israel Repubs criticized him. Sorry but if you're in a "limited govt" party, a balanced budget should be higher priority. If you want a broke govt to pay for your stuff, even aid to Israel (which is not a poor country), find somewhere else to cut.
The problem isn't the doc-fix itself. We need a permanent doc-fix. The problem is that it's funded with more debt, and does nothing to even start to get the government out of the healthcare system. The GOP has to start fighting deficit spending; putting the doc-fix and the DoD increases on a credit card instead of finding other areas to cut is the fastest way for them (including Ted Cruz) to lose my support. His first year Rand proposed balancing in 5 years by cutting all foreign aid and the hardcore pro Israel Repubs criticized him. Sorry but if you're in a "limited govt" party, a balanced budget should be higher priority. If you want a broke govt to pay for your stuff, even aid to Israel (which is not a poor country), find somewhere else to cut.
Posted by: Rob Westbrook at March 31, 2015 01:05 PM (BoTPp)
421
And the black market in Soviet Russia constantly undermined and corroded the Kremlin's rule, until that rule collapsed. Yes, there were plenty of other factors, but the free exchange of goods and ideas flowing in from the West and being available on the black market undermined both the sensation that the government was in control and undermined the monopoly on discourse.
What happens "outside the rules" is just as important as what happens inside the rules.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 01:03 PM (K4YiS)
Soviet Russia actually had less of an incentive to crush the black market than the Western states - they wanted the goods too. Our betters don't want (for example) the Edison light bulbs, so once they can spend money to actively go after that black market, it will be crushed.
What happens "outside the rules" is just as important as what happens inside the rules.
Posted by: zombie at March 31, 2015 01:03 PM (K4YiS)
Soviet Russia actually had less of an incentive to crush the black market than the Western states - they wanted the goods too. Our betters don't want (for example) the Edison light bulbs, so once they can spend money to actively go after that black market, it will be crushed.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:08 PM (cL79m)
422
416
Reagan's tax cuts were real, that's not in question. What Laurie is
trying to say is that subsequent changes to the tax law and expansions
to what is taxed ate up all the differences until it was a push.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
Well I can't hold Reagan responsible for what subsequent Democrats did to the tax code, but I would still argue the fact that Democrats can't outwardly call for a 70% rate for any individual as a victory.
Now are Democrats going to continue to find stealth ways to raise taxes? Of course. But bright lines like this are important.
Even Bush's tax cuts which weren't as dramatic have made a HUGE difference to my bottom line. I would be paying dramatically more very year in taxes for me and my business if I was still under Clinton's tax rate.
Reagan's tax cuts were real, that's not in question. What Laurie is
trying to say is that subsequent changes to the tax law and expansions
to what is taxed ate up all the differences until it was a push.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor
Well I can't hold Reagan responsible for what subsequent Democrats did to the tax code, but I would still argue the fact that Democrats can't outwardly call for a 70% rate for any individual as a victory.
Now are Democrats going to continue to find stealth ways to raise taxes? Of course. But bright lines like this are important.
Even Bush's tax cuts which weren't as dramatic have made a HUGE difference to my bottom line. I would be paying dramatically more very year in taxes for me and my business if I was still under Clinton's tax rate.
Posted by: McAdams at March 31, 2015 01:10 PM (RV4Sy)
423
You misspelled centuries (and it's not single digits either).
Point taken and agree that this is true in many cases.
A good World War seems to hasten the process.
Point taken and agree that this is true in many cases.
A good World War seems to hasten the process.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 01:12 PM (wSwVe)
424
I disagree. I think views like Akin or Mourdock on "no exception"
abortion were the catalyst to that blowup, and when polled, something
like 90% of Americans oppose such a strident position on abortion
***
And yet plenty of other Republicans were elected that believe the same thing.
Heck in Mordock's case he was already an office holder who only lost because he chained himself to the Akin bandwagon.
abortion were the catalyst to that blowup, and when polled, something
like 90% of Americans oppose such a strident position on abortion
***
And yet plenty of other Republicans were elected that believe the same thing.
Heck in Mordock's case he was already an office holder who only lost because he chained himself to the Akin bandwagon.
Posted by: 18-1 at March 31, 2015 01:13 PM (78TbK)
425
Point taken and agree that this is true in many cases.
A good World War seems to hasten the process.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 01:12 PM (wSwVe)
Of collapse, defintely. Given this is the tail end of the second "enlightened" period in human history (the first being Democratic Athens and Republican Rome), a world war won't help in bringing about the third "enlightened" period (assuming there is to be one).
A good World War seems to hasten the process.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 01:12 PM (wSwVe)
Of collapse, defintely. Given this is the tail end of the second "enlightened" period in human history (the first being Democratic Athens and Republican Rome), a world war won't help in bringing about the third "enlightened" period (assuming there is to be one).
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:15 PM (cL79m)
426
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 12:58 PM (fXzSI)
How about you being honest and rejoining the party of your youth?
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:01 PM
________________
I don't get it?
How about you being honest and rejoining the party of your youth?
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:01 PM
________________
I don't get it?
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:15 PM (fXzSI)
427
493 Er, they faked out the plebes. Their version of
SocSecurity, shamelessly stolen by FDR 30 years later, ensured that
almost nobody collected, as the average life expectency of a German in
1900 was 60, and the earliest one could collect was 65.
Sort of like PlaceboCare, really.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (cL79m)
That myth has been put to bed numerous times. Yes, the average life expectancy has increased since SS was passed in the 30s. But that data is irrelevant for SS. The average life expectancy for people who reach age 60 has changed very little since the 30s. And that is what counts. The other numbers have changed a lot due to less child deaths and deaths due to wars. But those deaths don't impact SS. True they never collect SS but they don't contribute for a lifetime either.
SocSecurity, shamelessly stolen by FDR 30 years later, ensured that
almost nobody collected, as the average life expectency of a German in
1900 was 60, and the earliest one could collect was 65.
Sort of like PlaceboCare, really.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 12:46 PM (cL79m)
That myth has been put to bed numerous times. Yes, the average life expectancy has increased since SS was passed in the 30s. But that data is irrelevant for SS. The average life expectancy for people who reach age 60 has changed very little since the 30s. And that is what counts. The other numbers have changed a lot due to less child deaths and deaths due to wars. But those deaths don't impact SS. True they never collect SS but they don't contribute for a lifetime either.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 01:16 PM (wlDny)
428
I don't get it?
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:15 PM (fXzSI)
Go back to the DemocRAT Party.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:15 PM (fXzSI)
Go back to the DemocRAT Party.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:16 PM (cL79m)
429
What happens "outside the rules" is just as important as what happens inside the rules.
Certainly. But that has nothing to do with whether or not you're as free today as you once were. You're not.
Certainly. But that has nothing to do with whether or not you're as free today as you once were. You're not.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 31, 2015 01:17 PM (39g3+)
430
Eh. I've pretty much given up on America.
Posted by: adolfo_velasquez at March 31, 2015 01:19 PM (/6hbU)
431
That myth has been put to bed numerous times. Yes, the average life expectancy has increased since SS was passed in the 30s. But that data is irrelevant for SS. The average life expectancy for people who reach age 60 has changed very little since the 30s. And that is what counts. The other numbers have changed a lot due to less child deaths and deaths due to wars. But those deaths don't impact SS. True they never collect SS but they don't contribute for a lifetime either.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 01:16 PM (wlDny)
I was talking about the Imperial German version, passed in 1900, when the life expectancy of one who did make it to 60 was significantly shorter than it was in America in the mid-1930s or today. Further, as those who made it to 60 back in the day were disproportionately rich, it was a double-whammy for the plebes.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 31, 2015 01:16 PM (wlDny)
I was talking about the Imperial German version, passed in 1900, when the life expectancy of one who did make it to 60 was significantly shorter than it was in America in the mid-1930s or today. Further, as those who made it to 60 back in the day were disproportionately rich, it was a double-whammy for the plebes.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:19 PM (cL79m)
432
Drew, I really wish you would reconsider leaving twitter and espousing your views there. Ok, so we've lost; then the next step is to convince others of this so we all don't wallow in this mess one minute longer than we have to.
Posted by: dogfish at March 31, 2015 01:23 PM (1vYi0)
433
Mac/Safari usage note on banning the Black Diamonds . . .
View, Text Encoding, Western (ISO Latin 1).
Y'all probably knew that already.
View, Text Encoding, Western (ISO Latin 1).
Y'all probably knew that already.
Posted by: filbert at March 31, 2015 01:24 PM (h6Mpm)
Posted by: The Political Hat at March 31, 2015 01:26 PM (0Ew3K)
435
I'm amazed a conservative thinks Reagan's tax policies had nothing to do with the dramatic turnaround of the economy.
Posted by: McAdams
The Economy is not the same as Federal revenue, although they are related.
Reagan tax policies helped economic growth*, but the rate of growth in Federal revenues in constant dollar terms remained about the same up to the Clinton Era, when they bounced up , then went all gat-eyed in the Dubya/Barrack years. As a percentage of GDP, revenues have been about constant since WWII.
*there are other factors. A significant change in efficiency from the personal computer revolution and the effects of free trade.
I'm amazed a conservative thinks Reagan's tax policies had nothing to do with the dramatic turnaround of the economy.
Posted by: McAdams
The Economy is not the same as Federal revenue, although they are related.
Reagan tax policies helped economic growth*, but the rate of growth in Federal revenues in constant dollar terms remained about the same up to the Clinton Era, when they bounced up , then went all gat-eyed in the Dubya/Barrack years. As a percentage of GDP, revenues have been about constant since WWII.
*there are other factors. A significant change in efficiency from the personal computer revolution and the effects of free trade.
Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 31, 2015 01:26 PM (kdS6q)
436
Of course, you can't post if you diddle with the text encoding, though.
Aw, it's an old thread, anyway . . .
Aw, it's an old thread, anyway . . .
Posted by: filbert at March 31, 2015 01:27 PM (h6Mpm)
437
"The downside of that miracle is that over 200 years later we are still living off that glory."
According to the late Sir John Glubb, the average lifespan of an "empire" is about 250 years.
The US is coming up on 240 years.
http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/glubb.pdf
Cheers
According to the late Sir John Glubb, the average lifespan of an "empire" is about 250 years.
The US is coming up on 240 years.
http://people.uncw.edu/kozloffm/glubb.pdf
Cheers
Posted by: Russtovich at March 31, 2015 01:27 PM (8zhoe)
438
I don't get it?
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:15 PM (fXzSI)
Go back to the DemocRAT Party.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:16 PM
__________
Brilliant comeback steveegg. BTW I've been a Republican since helping my mom stuff envelopes for Reagan's 1966 run for Governor.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:15 PM (fXzSI)
Go back to the DemocRAT Party.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:16 PM
__________
Brilliant comeback steveegg. BTW I've been a Republican since helping my mom stuff envelopes for Reagan's 1966 run for Governor.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:30 PM (fXzSI)
439
a world war won't help in bringing about the third "enlightened" period Posted by: steveegg
you may be right....in which case, I (or anyone else for that matter) won't have to worry government dictates. We will have to worry about our neighbors.
I guess in a way that is the point I'm trying to make...the citizens of this country seem heel bent on bankrupting it (both morally and fiscally). I can;t decide if they are too stupid to see it or too lazy to fix it.
Either way, the GOP offers no hope of a remedy
you may be right....in which case, I (or anyone else for that matter) won't have to worry government dictates. We will have to worry about our neighbors.
I guess in a way that is the point I'm trying to make...the citizens of this country seem heel bent on bankrupting it (both morally and fiscally). I can;t decide if they are too stupid to see it or too lazy to fix it.
Either way, the GOP offers no hope of a remedy
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 01:33 PM (wSwVe)
440
As much as I understand the desire to quit, unfortunately, we don't have a choice but to keep trying for reform. Drew's way leads to democrats in office in perpetuity. I'm not pleased (understatement) of what is occurring in our party right now but do you honestly think surrendering to the democrats (which is exactly what Drew is advocating, however indirectly) solves any problems or makes anything better? No way. Democrat rule leads to nightmares, both long and short term. As one of the other commentators noted, what if nobody had opposed the idiot greenies and their "Climate change will destroy the planet". There are many republican squishes who are terrible and Rinos and whatever else but there are some principled conservatives who will continue to fight the good fight- sure, it might be tilting at windmills in some cases, but at least we're not surrendering to the "windmills are better than oil" crowds. Don't give up the fight. Not yet.
Posted by: Matt in Tampa at March 31, 2015 01:36 PM (vDEpI)
441
Brilliant comeback steveegg. BTW I've been a Republican since helping my mom stuff envelopes for Reagan's 1966 run for Governor.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:30 PM (fXzSI)
You had to have either done that under protest or under familial bribery because you wouldn't stuff Reagan's envelopes now.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:30 PM (fXzSI)
You had to have either done that under protest or under familial bribery because you wouldn't stuff Reagan's envelopes now.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:39 PM (cL79m)
442
Posted by: Matt in Tampa at March 31, 2015 01:36 PM (vDEpI)
Give it another year. I'll even give you 3-1 odds that the RepublicRAT party platform coming out of the conventionwill say that "man-made global warming" is real and a threat that must be dealt with.
Give it another year. I'll even give you 3-1 odds that the RepublicRAT party platform coming out of the conventionwill say that "man-made global warming" is real and a threat that must be dealt with.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:42 PM (cL79m)
443
but do you honestly think surrendering to the democrats (which is
exactly what Drew is advocating, however indirectly) solves any problems
or makes anything better?
I mean no offense Matt, but you have obviously mistaken me for someone who cares.
See, when the political party that you have sworn loyalty to and voted for for as long as you have been able lies and lies, and lies and parses, and obfuscates over and over and over it tends to break your "give a damn".
If the US wants Dems and the GOP refuses to even go so far as to present an opposing idea then I say let the people of the US have what they voted for----all day, every day, fast, hard and dirty.
exactly what Drew is advocating, however indirectly) solves any problems
or makes anything better?
I mean no offense Matt, but you have obviously mistaken me for someone who cares.
See, when the political party that you have sworn loyalty to and voted for for as long as you have been able lies and lies, and lies and parses, and obfuscates over and over and over it tends to break your "give a damn".
If the US wants Dems and the GOP refuses to even go so far as to present an opposing idea then I say let the people of the US have what they voted for----all day, every day, fast, hard and dirty.
Posted by: FITP at March 31, 2015 01:45 PM (wSwVe)
444
Read F. Paul Wilson An Enemy of the State if you want some sci-fi predictions of where we are heading.
If you want the scholarly version of soothsaying, the Austrian School of Economics provides ample observations.
Similarly, if you want the scholarly version using economic history for the last 500 years, This Time it is Different by Reinhart and Rogoff.
Putnam and Murray in their recent works lay out the social costs of social liberalism of family implosion and lack of sexual morality that occurs in its absence.
Last, Voltaire quite captures the absurdist social milieu in which we dwell today with Candide which was written just before the French Revolution.
Drew's pessimism is warranted by both history and theory and his desire to till his own garden ala Candide is perfectly understandable. Pessimism is the natural state of Conservatives.
Conservatism is based on some harsh truths about human nature--such as many people prefer serfdom, many avoid responsibility, many people would oppress others if they had the power to do so, equality in outcomes is impossible regardless of what government does, etc.
It is doubtful that such ideas will become popular in the electorate until Dr. Panglossian ideas that we are living the best of all times are ruthlessly crushed in the burning times by societal dire straits. Then, the malleable masses will cheer whatever brings them temporary peace and security in creating new beliefs and institutions. Think, meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The closer to actual human nature that the newly created beliefs and institutions reflect, the longer they survive. And thus the cycle begins anew.
The ideals that Americans created in the Revolution and those friends of liberty throughout history will continue, but all political regimes ultimately founder on the rocks of reality.
If you want the scholarly version of soothsaying, the Austrian School of Economics provides ample observations.
Similarly, if you want the scholarly version using economic history for the last 500 years, This Time it is Different by Reinhart and Rogoff.
Putnam and Murray in their recent works lay out the social costs of social liberalism of family implosion and lack of sexual morality that occurs in its absence.
Last, Voltaire quite captures the absurdist social milieu in which we dwell today with Candide which was written just before the French Revolution.
Drew's pessimism is warranted by both history and theory and his desire to till his own garden ala Candide is perfectly understandable. Pessimism is the natural state of Conservatives.
Conservatism is based on some harsh truths about human nature--such as many people prefer serfdom, many avoid responsibility, many people would oppress others if they had the power to do so, equality in outcomes is impossible regardless of what government does, etc.
It is doubtful that such ideas will become popular in the electorate until Dr. Panglossian ideas that we are living the best of all times are ruthlessly crushed in the burning times by societal dire straits. Then, the malleable masses will cheer whatever brings them temporary peace and security in creating new beliefs and institutions. Think, meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The closer to actual human nature that the newly created beliefs and institutions reflect, the longer they survive. And thus the cycle begins anew.
The ideals that Americans created in the Revolution and those friends of liberty throughout history will continue, but all political regimes ultimately founder on the rocks of reality.
Posted by: wg at March 31, 2015 01:53 PM (Lq0lz)
445
Brilliant comeback steveegg. BTW I've been a Republican since helping my mom stuff envelopes for Reagan's 1966 run for Governor.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:30 PM (fXzSI)
You had to have either done that under protest or under familial bribery because you wouldn't stuff Reagan's envelopes now.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:39 PM
_______________
True - I wouldn't. Because he's dead Einstein.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:30 PM (fXzSI)
You had to have either done that under protest or under familial bribery because you wouldn't stuff Reagan's envelopes now.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 01:39 PM
_______________
True - I wouldn't. Because he's dead Einstein.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:56 PM (fXzSI)
446
For those too young to remember, Ronald Reagan was not an "Establishment Republican" in 1976 when he first tried to run for President. He was definitely an outsider. So much so that to try to placate some of the establishment-types, he said he would make Senator Schweiker (R-PA) his VP.
Posted by: Islamic Rage Boy at March 31, 2015 01:59 PM (tLRcG)
447
"I disagree. I think views like Akin or Mourdock on "no exception" abortion were the catalyst to that blowup, and when polled, something like 90% of Americans oppose such a strident position on abortion, at least in the legal sense. The mainstream pro-life movement used to stress they were for exceptions like rape, incest, or the life of the mother."
How revealing, since that wasn't discussed at the time.
As often as you run from it, we will destroy you just by bringing it up.
How revealing, since that wasn't discussed at the time.
As often as you run from it, we will destroy you just by bringing it up.
Posted by: Chris Balsz at March 31, 2015 02:01 PM (8rRE+)
448
We Boomers elected Reagan. You post-Boomers have elected...a number of winners. Please, impress us some more with your wisdom.
Posted by: Mark in Portland at March 31, 2015 02:04 PM (DpRZj)
449
True - I wouldn't. Because he's dead Einstein.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:56 PM (fXzSI)
You wouldn't even if he were alive.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:56 PM (fXzSI)
You wouldn't even if he were alive.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 02:16 PM (cL79m)
450
We had a woman in Alaska but no, she wasn't serious enough for you fucking ass holes who trashed her like the left did.
Now you whine about how the GOP is pointless to support. There have been a few conservatives who would have fought for us, but instead you trashed them with talking points straight from the LSM. You wanted Christie instead for gods sake.... until you finally threw him overboard too!
We had our chance, and you fucking blew it. Now we are stuck. Totally fucked. Say by a miracle ted cruz or someone like him gets elected, it wont even matter much. The bureaucracy is entrenched more than ever and the rank and file GOP senators congressman and governors are at the fucking trough shoveling shit.
Now you whine about how the GOP is pointless to support. There have been a few conservatives who would have fought for us, but instead you trashed them with talking points straight from the LSM. You wanted Christie instead for gods sake.... until you finally threw him overboard too!
We had our chance, and you fucking blew it. Now we are stuck. Totally fucked. Say by a miracle ted cruz or someone like him gets elected, it wont even matter much. The bureaucracy is entrenched more than ever and the rank and file GOP senators congressman and governors are at the fucking trough shoveling shit.
Posted by: Dan at March 31, 2015 02:39 PM (COpZ4)
451
The BUSH family destroyed the conservative movement.
I don't think people fully grasp the damage bush w did to us as a movement.
You could easily make an argument that Bush hurt the conservative movement far more than Obama!
I don't think people fully grasp the damage bush w did to us as a movement.
You could easily make an argument that Bush hurt the conservative movement far more than Obama!
Posted by: Dan at March 31, 2015 02:41 PM (COpZ4)
452
Great! Thank you!
The GOP has enough problems without whiners like you. Now, just remember, now that you've cut the cord, you have NO business in our primaries, debates, or other party matters.
Don't want to vote for our nominees? Up to you! But the flip side is we don't have to pay attention to your constant complaining anymore, either. So good luck, have a nice life, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
The GOP has enough problems without whiners like you. Now, just remember, now that you've cut the cord, you have NO business in our primaries, debates, or other party matters.
Don't want to vote for our nominees? Up to you! But the flip side is we don't have to pay attention to your constant complaining anymore, either. So good luck, have a nice life, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Posted by: Adjoran at March 31, 2015 02:44 PM (QIQ6j)
453
That was a lot of damn words to paraphrase PJ O'Rourke, "Don't Vote, It Only Enrouages the Bastards".
Posted by: Ken in NH at March 31, 2015 02:45 PM (MqjGP)
454
TV is the problem.
the Internet may isolate you, but it only pumps the lies you choose into your brain, TV pumps the lies The Ruling Class chooses into your brain.
persuade, beg, bribe, do anything you can to yourself and everyone you know to stop watching it.
the Internet may isolate you, but it only pumps the lies you choose into your brain, TV pumps the lies The Ruling Class chooses into your brain.
persuade, beg, bribe, do anything you can to yourself and everyone you know to stop watching it.
Posted by: Shoey at March 31, 2015 02:48 PM (vA94g)
455
True - I wouldn't. Because he's dead Einstein.
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:56 PM (fXzSI)
You wouldn't even if he were alive.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 02:16 PM
______________
What are you -- twelve years old?
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 01:56 PM (fXzSI)
You wouldn't even if he were alive.
Posted by: steveegg at March 31, 2015 02:16 PM
______________
What are you -- twelve years old?
Posted by: Alix at March 31, 2015 02:53 PM (fXzSI)
456
Just about ready to make the mental transition to the hardest truth of all to face - this country is dying, the plunge is irreversible, and when it dies it will deserve everything that has happened to it. As will its residents.
Posted by: Tom Servo at March 31, 2015 02:54 PM (Kpl3J)
457
I'd bet that the average republican voter is still mostly sympathetic to the capitalist agenda of private property rights and individual liberty. So the existence of the GOP does more harm than good, because it crowds out a true capitalist party by co-opting capitalism's natural base of support for its own left-of-center agenda. The faster the GOP goes extinct, the better off the country.
Posted by: Mikey at March 31, 2015 03:10 PM (Uff7i)
458
As a friend said in reply:
"For me it is purely a question of efficiency: is it easier to take over the Democratic Party, take over the Republican Party, start our own party (Down With The Whigs!), or win the revolution? In order it is not going to happen, could happen, could happen, could happen. So allocate resources accordingly.
"I am path agnostic, I just want to win baby.
"My attitude is 'why not try all of them?' You don't just invade France. You stretch the enemies resources and stress their systems by supporting the underground, bombing Berlin, fighting in Africa, supporting the Soviets, sinking their shipping, broadcasting BBC propaganda ("Uncle Jacques has a black mustache"), knocking Italy out of the war, etc. Then you invade France.
"The only option that is off the table is quiting in disgust. Anyone, including Drew M, who says "it didn't work, we lost, I'm quitting the effort to change the GOPe, the American people just aren't with us" is a Petainist cheese eating surrender monkey. (obThomasPaine quote)."
"For me it is purely a question of efficiency: is it easier to take over the Democratic Party, take over the Republican Party, start our own party (Down With The Whigs!), or win the revolution? In order it is not going to happen, could happen, could happen, could happen. So allocate resources accordingly.
"I am path agnostic, I just want to win baby.
"My attitude is 'why not try all of them?' You don't just invade France. You stretch the enemies resources and stress their systems by supporting the underground, bombing Berlin, fighting in Africa, supporting the Soviets, sinking their shipping, broadcasting BBC propaganda ("Uncle Jacques has a black mustache"), knocking Italy out of the war, etc. Then you invade France.
"The only option that is off the table is quiting in disgust. Anyone, including Drew M, who says "it didn't work, we lost, I'm quitting the effort to change the GOPe, the American people just aren't with us" is a Petainist cheese eating surrender monkey. (obThomasPaine quote)."
Posted by: Kirk at March 31, 2015 04:26 PM (GBnWt)
459
"The GOP has enough problems without whiners like you. Now, just
remember, now that you've cut the cord, you have NO business in our
primaries, debates, or other party matters."
Smithers, please remember that the feeling is mutual. I'll welcome most every moron here, disagree in the past or not, into whatever third party, Article V, whackdoodle hobbit solution I'm engaged in. But my Galt's Gulch has no no room for toadying lickspittle yay-team Buffys like you. You're a snotty elitist ankle biter who tail-ends threads to avoid engaging in an actual debate, and a second-hander mob-rule collectivist who'd fit in just as well on the Left both personality and policy wise.
Slink back to whatever hole you crawled from, Grima, or hit the top of the thread for a change and take the heat, you pom-pom waving chickenshit.
remember, now that you've cut the cord, you have NO business in our
primaries, debates, or other party matters."
Smithers, please remember that the feeling is mutual. I'll welcome most every moron here, disagree in the past or not, into whatever third party, Article V, whackdoodle hobbit solution I'm engaged in. But my Galt's Gulch has no no room for toadying lickspittle yay-team Buffys like you. You're a snotty elitist ankle biter who tail-ends threads to avoid engaging in an actual debate, and a second-hander mob-rule collectivist who'd fit in just as well on the Left both personality and policy wise.
Slink back to whatever hole you crawled from, Grima, or hit the top of the thread for a change and take the heat, you pom-pom waving chickenshit.
Posted by: SocietyIs2Blame at March 31, 2015 05:43 PM (QKIQb)
460
More constructively than wasting my time with the bootlick...
Drew, the Silent Majority may not be there but we do have about 40-50% of voters who don't engage, and that's fertile enough ground to fuel some change if they could be inspired. All a strong third party needs is 5-10% of the total vote to form a pivot. Totes agree that the GOP is dead for purposes of change, but I'm not cashing in my chips just yet.
Drew, the Silent Majority may not be there but we do have about 40-50% of voters who don't engage, and that's fertile enough ground to fuel some change if they could be inspired. All a strong third party needs is 5-10% of the total vote to form a pivot. Totes agree that the GOP is dead for purposes of change, but I'm not cashing in my chips just yet.
Posted by: SocietyIs2Blame at March 31, 2015 05:46 PM (QKIQb)
461
Withholding your vote from the not-too-conservative Republican only serves to get candidates such as Obama and Hillary elected. And you can make your point that way if you want to. But you'll also have to be willing to abide a hard left Supreme Court for the next generation or two. Or longer. Is it worth that to make your little point?
Posted by: Random Thought Generator at March 31, 2015 07:37 PM (wLLbf)
462
Different day, same old shit from DrewM.
Posted by: Colonel Haiku at March 31, 2015 08:21 PM (Y8JQ4)
463
So you said you feel like we have become the hysterical school teacher. The rest of America has heard us but they don't care? Hmmm, this is simply not true. The problem is that the Republicans in congress right now are not representing the will of the American people that voted them into office. The vast majority of Republicans are more conservative then the establishment leaders. The rank and file Republican IS for small government. On issue after issue the American people agree with us conservatives. The polls show that the majority of people did not want Obamacare. The vast majority of the people also do not want this cramnesty. I could go on and on. And this is the reason why I am no longer a Republican. It is because the American people put them in power and they are acting like Democrats. Boehner and McConnell are completely out of step with the people they are supposed to represent.
Posted by: Mr Kobeyashi at April 01, 2015 03:18 AM (2/oBD)
464
random thought generator
yeah, yeah, yeah, we've all heard the argument that with holding our votes only serves to get the ultra leftists elected. the thing is, we tried to vote for the rinos. we've done it. we voted for boehner and mcconnell. we even voted for mccain. but it didn't matter. the republican party no longer represents the people that voted them into power. to make matters worse, they actually have the gall to even mock us, make fun of us, ridicule us in the press. it's shocking.
if ya want people to vote for ya, perhaps it would be a good idea to refrain from calling them names? just a suggestion!
yeah, yeah, yeah, we've all heard the argument that with holding our votes only serves to get the ultra leftists elected. the thing is, we tried to vote for the rinos. we've done it. we voted for boehner and mcconnell. we even voted for mccain. but it didn't matter. the republican party no longer represents the people that voted them into power. to make matters worse, they actually have the gall to even mock us, make fun of us, ridicule us in the press. it's shocking.
if ya want people to vote for ya, perhaps it would be a good idea to refrain from calling them names? just a suggestion!
Posted by: Mr Kobeyashi at April 01, 2015 04:13 AM (2/oBD)
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AllahPundit's Paul Anka 45's Collection
AnkaPundit: Paul Anka Takes Over the Site for a Weekend (Continues through to Monday's postings)
George Bush Slices Don Rumsfeld Like an F*ckin' Hammer
Top Top Tens
Democratic Forays into Erotica
New Shows On Gore's DNC/MTV Network
Nicknames for Potatoes, By People Who Really Hate Potatoes
Star Wars Euphemisms for Self-Abuse
Signs You're at an Iraqi "Wedding Party"
Signs Your Clown Has Gone Bad
Signs That You, Geroge Michael, Should Probably Just Give It Up
Signs of Hip-Hop Influence on John Kerry
NYT Headlines Spinning Bush's Jobs Boom
Things People Are More Likely to Say Than "Did You Hear What Al Franken Said Yesterday?"
Signs that Paul Krugman Has Lost His Frickin' Mind
All-Time Best NBA Players, According to Senator Robert Byrd
Other Bad Things About the Jews, According to the Koran
Signs That David Letterman Just Doesn't Care Anymore
Examples of Bob Kerrey's Insufferable Racial Jackassery
Signs Andy Rooney Is Going Senile
Other Judgments Dick Clarke Made About Condi Rice Based on Her Appearance
Collective Names for Groups of People
John Kerry's Other Vietnam Super-Pets
Cool Things About the XM8 Assault Rifle
Media-Approved Facts About the Democrat Spy
Changes to Make Christianity More "Inclusive"
Secret John Kerry Senatorial Accomplishments
John Edwards Campaign Excuses
John Kerry Pick-Up Lines
Changes Liberal Senator George Michell Will Make at Disney
Torments in Dog-Hell
Greatest Hitjobs
The Ace of Spades HQ Sex-for-Money Skankathon
A D&D Guide to the Democratic Candidates
Margaret Cho: Just Not Funny
More Margaret Cho Abuse
Margaret Cho: Still Not Funny
Iraqi Prisoner Claims He Was Raped... By Woman
Wonkette Announces "Morning Zoo" Format
John Kerry's "Plan" Causes Surrender of Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia
World Muslim Leaders Apologize for Nick Berg's Beheading
Michael Moore Goes on Lunchtime Manhattan Death-Spree
Milestone: Oliver Willis Posts 400th "Fake News Article" Referencing Britney Spears
Liberal Economists Rue a "New Decade of Greed"
Artificial Insouciance: Maureen Dowd's Word Processor Revolts Against Her Numbing Imbecility
Intelligence Officials Eye Blogs for Tips
They Done Found Us Out, Cletus: Intrepid Internet Detective Figures Out Our Master Plan
Shock: Josh Marshall Almost Mentions Sarin Discovery in Iraq
Leather-Clad Biker Freaks Terrorize Australian Town
When Clinton Was President, Torture Was Cool
What Wonkette Means When She Explains What Tina Brown Means
Wonkette's Stand-Up Act
Wankette HQ Gay-Rumors Du Jour
Here's What's Bugging Me: Goose and Slider
My Own Micah Wright Style Confession of Dishonesty
Outraged "Conservatives" React to the FMA
An On-Line Impression of Dennis Miller Having Sex with a Kodiak Bear
The Story the Rightwing Media Refuses to Report!
Our Lunch with David "Glengarry Glen Ross" Mamet
The House of Love: Paul Krugman
A Michael Moore Mystery (TM)
The Dowd-O-Matic!
Liberal Consistency and Other Myths
Kepler's Laws of Liberal Media Bias
John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate
"Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long)
The Donkey ("The Raven" parody)
News/Chat