The Current Events, News, and Politics Thread
11-01-2016, 02:55 PM
#7122
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The best argument against democracy is a conversation with an average voter.
Nevermind the US is not a full democracy, and our vote for president is actually a vote for a representivie that says theybwill vote for that candidate in the vote the electoral college takes. Nevermind that not all states require them to vote for who they said they will.
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11-01-2016, 03:05 PM
#7123
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I'd love to see voting rights here restricted to those who can demonstrate some basic concept of the structure and function of the government which they are electing, though I fear such a measure would never come to pass. At least, not given the present political climate in the US.
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11-01-2016, 03:15 PM
#7124
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...5DovamsFQtAB9w
Here is the link if you want to download and read the entire pdf sent to Comey.
Here is the link if you want to download and read the entire pdf sent to Comey.
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11-01-2016, 03:22 PM
#7125
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The best argument against democracy is a conversation with an average voter.
Nevermind the US is not a full democracy, and our vote for president is actually a vote for a representivie that says theybwill vote for that candidate in the vote the electoral college takes. Nevermind that not all states require them to vote for who they said they will.
Nevermind the US is not a full democracy, and our vote for president is actually a vote for a representivie that says theybwill vote for that candidate in the vote the electoral college takes. Nevermind that not all states require them to vote for who they said they will.
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11-01-2016, 04:07 PM
#7126
Yes, thankfully we don't have a democracy and never have. A constitutional representative republic is a much more enlightened design. Although we slipped towards the direction of mob rule with the 17th amendment causing senators to be direct elected by popular vote rather than being appointed by state legislatures. The senators were designed to be appointed by the states and the representatives were to be elected by the people, maintaining a separation of purpose and interest between the two.
Remember, in the beginning it was the individual states who determined who had the right to vote. If you were a white male and a property owner you were golden. Pretty much narrowed it down to the "educated" "monied" class or as some would now call them, liberals.
Last edited by bahurd; 11-01-2016 at 04:41 PM.
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11-01-2016, 07:40 PM
#7129
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some wed morning reading: BREAKING: Day After Hillary Blasts the FBI, They Hit Her with NOVEMBER SURPRISE...
Clintons love money for favors -- they did back then, and still today.
Denise Rich also gave money to the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, which was tasked with building his Arkansas library.
Those donations caught the attention of the FBI, ethics watchdogs, and Clinton critics when Clinton pardoned Marc Rich and Green on Jan. 20, 2001 — the last day of his presidency.
The pardon caused an uproar, as Rich had fled justice. Media and critics immediately linked the pardons to Denise Rich's donations. Congressional hearings were soon held, and the FBI showed up to take notes, according to the document.
While there was little Congress could do to reverse the full and unconditional pardon that Rich got, the FBI pursued Clinton on questions of taking money for pardons. Perhaps most damning in discovery is the finding that none of the usual procedures for a pardon were followed.
Those donations caught the attention of the FBI, ethics watchdogs, and Clinton critics when Clinton pardoned Marc Rich and Green on Jan. 20, 2001 — the last day of his presidency.
The pardon caused an uproar, as Rich had fled justice. Media and critics immediately linked the pardons to Denise Rich's donations. Congressional hearings were soon held, and the FBI showed up to take notes, according to the document.
While there was little Congress could do to reverse the full and unconditional pardon that Rich got, the FBI pursued Clinton on questions of taking money for pardons. Perhaps most damning in discovery is the finding that none of the usual procedures for a pardon were followed.
Clintons love money for favors -- they did back then, and still today.
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11-02-2016, 01:07 AM
#7131
Yes, thankfully we don't have a democracy and never have. A constitutional representative republic is a much more enlightened design. Although we slipped towards the direction of mob rule with the 17th amendment causing senators to be direct elected by popular vote rather than being appointed by state legislatures. The senators were designed to be appointed by the states and the representatives were to be elected by the people, maintaining a separation of purpose and interest between the two.
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11-02-2016, 09:06 AM
#7134
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we have term limits: it's 6 years for Senate, and 2 years for House.
voters can reelect at will, why would you want to take this away from the voter?
VA has (8) Republican and (3) Democratic Representatives. However we have (2) Democratic Senators.
Two years is already a very short tenure, and they they spend time working on reelection. If they were no longer able to serve, the House would be worthless -- full of junior people with no influence to be able to do anything and everyone constantly having to learn how Washington operates. Do you want your representatives to do work, or spend all their time campaigning, then learning how Washington works?
90% of the time Congress is reelected -- that means the voters in those states like who they are being represented by. and can actually send to Washington people they want.
I'm strongly opposed to term limits for congress. If you have an issue with the people in Congress, maybe look at why the incumbent always beats the challenger...
voters can reelect at will, why would you want to take this away from the voter?
VA has (8) Republican and (3) Democratic Representatives. However we have (2) Democratic Senators.
Two years is already a very short tenure, and they they spend time working on reelection. If they were no longer able to serve, the House would be worthless -- full of junior people with no influence to be able to do anything and everyone constantly having to learn how Washington operates. Do you want your representatives to do work, or spend all their time campaigning, then learning how Washington works?
90% of the time Congress is reelected -- that means the voters in those states like who they are being represented by. and can actually send to Washington people they want.
I'm strongly opposed to term limits for congress. If you have an issue with the people in Congress, maybe look at why the incumbent always beats the challenger...
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11-02-2016, 09:54 AM
#7135
Personally, I favor changing Senate terms to 3 - 4yr with a limit of 3 terms. And a change in Congressional terms to 3 yr with a limit to 2 terms. Stagger elections so there's a body of knowledge maintained in the respective chambers.
https://www.brennancenter.org/analys...-redistricting
Note, I didn't use the "gerrymandering" excuse.
Two years is already a very short tenure, and they they spend time working on reelection. If they were no longer able to serve, the House would be worthless -- full of junior people with no influence to be able to do anything and everyone constantly having to learn how Washington operates. Do you want your representatives to do work, or spend all their time campaigning, then learning how Washington works?
90% of the time Congress is reelected -- that means the voters in those states like who they are being represented by. and can actually send to Washington people they want.
90% of the time Congress is reelected -- that means the voters in those states like who they are being represented by. and can actually send to Washington people they want.
I think term limits are one of the first steps in blowing up the system.
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11-02-2016, 09:58 AM
#7136
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This isn't something that would be in my own personal best interest. Right now, every other ad on my station is a political ad, mostly of the negative-attack type. PACs and campaigns buy a lot of airtime, and they pay their bills on time. Broadcasters love election season, and I'd hate to see any kind of political reform that limits the abilities of corporations and politicians to spend money in this particular way.
1: Large installed base of financial campaign supporters at re-election time.
2: Name-recognition among the electorate.
Apologies if you meant that as sarcasm, but I find that to be a sadly optimistic outlook.
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11-02-2016, 11:17 AM
#7137
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Your House members are that way because of redistricting over time.
They spend all their time campaigning now with no limits! What's your point?
The main reason a person is reelected is because of party affiliation not because of anything they actually did. Which is a throwback to the point @z31maniac made about the public being unengaged and uninformed.
I think term limits are one of the first steps in blowing up the system.
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11-02-2016, 11:31 AM
#7138
In my travels I would estimate, at best, 25% of the people who can vote have a basic understanding of the issues or what their vote actually means. Maybe I'm being generous.
I'm sorry but anyone who starts off with "hang the bitch" or "he's nothing but a misogynist" isn't even going to get me to engage anymore. This country deserves better but is going to get what in the end, will be what a small majority wants.
We'll see which side wins.
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11-02-2016, 12:08 PM
#7140
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I dont think the KKK cares if they hurt people...
“I know what happened not far from here at Pulse night club in Orlando,” she said. “I was in New York City on 9/11 as one of the two senators. I will defeat ISIS. I will protect America.”
But Clinton wasn’t in New York on 9/11, according to Politico.
As a United States Senator she was in Washington D.C. at her home in Whitehaven when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. She spent most of the day reacting to the attacks in media interviews and joined her colleagues singing “God Bless America” on the Capitol Hill steps.
Clinton flew to New York on September 12, after making a speech on the Senate Floor in the morning. She traveled with her fellow New York Senator Chuck Schumer and Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel.
Clinton toured the disaster site with New York mayor Rudy Giuliani before leaving the city that evening to travel back to Capitol Hill.
As a United States Senator she was in Washington D.C. at her home in Whitehaven when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. She spent most of the day reacting to the attacks in media interviews and joined her colleagues singing “God Bless America” on the Capitol Hill steps.
Clinton flew to New York on September 12, after making a speech on the Senate Floor in the morning. She traveled with her fellow New York Senator Chuck Schumer and Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel.
Clinton toured the disaster site with New York mayor Rudy Giuliani before leaving the city that evening to travel back to Capitol Hill.
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