There is quite a bit of cause for celebration if you are a Republican.
There is quite a bit of cause for sadness if you are a Democrat.
If you are a Libertarian though, there is a deep reason for alarm. With the results of this election the Democratic party has been pushed to the weakest point since before the great depression. Several state legislatures have now flipped over to a GOP majority along with the federal government, and those wins are significant and upsetting.
The gridlock and battle between parties is not pretty. . .it's not supposed to be, but it forces issues into the light. It delays risky and careless decision making, and involves the public in the process of government. We've seen what can happen when a president has the majority (and super-majority) and can funnel through legislation in the dark of night with careless abandon. No matter what party it is, it always results in damage that is very hard to fix.
Now with one party firmly in control, veto powers are the only balancing tool, and with the backing of an overwhelming number of state governments, use of the veto will become increasingly hard for a president who already faces skyrocketing unpopularity, not because he risks further damage to himself, but because he risks damaging his party.
I was fairly convinced that 2016 was going to be the year of Hillary. I'm not sure of that now. She is cunning, but she will have to make a massive shift to the right-of-middle to be viable against a Christie, Brown, or Romney. All the Republicans need to run on is the "we told you so", and unfortunately Hillary will need to join that mantra, because it's the only narrative that fits.
One extra point - the Republicans have been able to successfully paint a picture the Democrats have no clue how to counter. We are in the longest period of economic recovery in our history, and yet, somehow that is a "bad thing".... and Obama's fault!
Well, as with all things political in the USA these days, it doesn't matter what you, as an individual, thinks.
It also doesn't matter what I think.
If you had a bunch of money...now THEN you could type an opinion that mattered.
Anyway, I'm sure you're comfortable with your prognosticating. I'm certain you will find yourself incorrect as time passes.
In a spate of ballot initiatives around the country, voters sent a signal that they are ready to reform a system that has sent more people in the United States to jail than in any other country in the world.
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/11/05/3589117/why-last-night-was-huge-for-criminal-justice/
Quote from: Gaspar on November 05, 2014, 08:50:22 AM
I was fairly convinced that 2016 was going to be the year of Hillary. I'm not sure of that now.
If the Republicans don't fix a lot of stuff by 2016, their turn to be toast will arrive.
Quote from: Red Arrow on November 05, 2014, 12:44:17 PM
If the Republicans don't fix a lot of stuff by 2016, their turn to be toast will arrive.
They've had two years to stop 'being the stupid party'. You think two more years is going to help?
Unless the Republicans can find a suitable Presidential candidate willing to talk to minorities and women in a way that doesn't put them off, and willing to move more towards the center and not alienate middle-class middle-income America, then they might not win the Presidency for another eight years. People can vote Republican or Democrat in the congressional races all they want, but as long as the three branches of government aren't working together for the betterment of the people in mind, then I'm afraid this will be a continuous cycle until something eye-opening breaks it.
In 2012, I was seriously looking at backing Jon Huntsman. He was moderate enough socially and espoused my same views about fiscal responsibility. I guess his social views are what doomed him in his own party.
Government needs controls but has a function in our government. All I'm hearing now from former candidates-now senators elect are 'we will fight government overreach'. I guess they forget they're part of that 'government'. Right now, it seems that many conservatives lament the government. That is, until it suits them to need it, like during emergencies.
Do I think that government has become fat and bloated? In some areas, sure. Do I think it's the all-encompassing devil like some on the right seem to bleat? No.
Until K Street influence is out of Washington, I'm afraid this will be a never-ending cycle. Both sides have their strengths and weaknesses. But that's the point, they're supposed to strike a balance. Nowadays, it seems like the only thing being struck is the iron.
The elections are give and take and will probably swing quite a bit in the future. The DOW is 25% higher than it ever was and 100% higher than when Obama took office. The deficit when Obama took office was $1.413 trillion. In 2014 it will be about 1/3 of that. Corporate profits are at an all time high and workers are putting out more work than ever before. At the end of the day people are blaming the democrats because none of that money is going to workers. Which the Republican's have no intention to do anything about. If anything the goal is to continue the path because this is viewed as the system working perfectly. So as the money keeps trickling up people are going to be pissed in 2016 and might re-elect a democrat into the white house.
Quote from: CharlieSheen on November 05, 2014, 01:17:06 PM
The elections are give and take and will probably swing quite a bit in the future. The DOW is 25% higher than it ever was and 100% higher than when Obama took office. The deficit when Obama took office was $1.413 trillion. In 2014 it will be about 1/3 of that. Corporate profits are at an all time high and workers are putting out more work than ever before. At the end of the day people are blaming the democrats because none of that money is going to workers. Which the Republican's have no intention to do anything about. If anything the goal is to continue the path because this is viewed as the system working perfectly. So as the money keeps trickling up people are going to be pissed in 2016 and might re-elect a democrat into the white house.
The increase to the national debt for Bush's last fiscal year was $1.9 trillion - a lot higher than 1.413....
everything I see is 1.413 trillion
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/the-budget-deficit-as-seen-from-2009/
Quote from: CharlieSheen on November 05, 2014, 03:27:20 PM
everything I see is 1.413 trillion
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/24/the-budget-deficit-as-seen-from-2009/
2000-2012
Fiscal year 9/30/2008 thru 9/30/2009 was Bush's last budget year - increase about $1.9 trillion (1.885 if one wants to pick nits....this included for guido....). Notice what happened the following year - about a 15% decrease for Obama's first year.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt.htm
Quote from: Hoss on November 05, 2014, 01:06:26 PM
They've had two years to stop 'being the stupid party'. You think two more years is going to help?
Unless the Republicans can find a suitable Presidential candidate willing to talk to minorities and women in a way that doesn't put them off, and willing to move more towards the center and not alienate middle-class middle-income America, then they might not win the Presidency for another eight years.
The democratic party just took one of the worst election beatdowns in history. On top of that, the Rs elected two AA to Congress, and women senators for the first time from Iowa and W. Virginia. And forget about Illinois, Maryland, and Mass electing GOP governors. And YOU are talking about the Rs being the "stupid party".
Excuse me. Bwahahahahahaha (taking breath) Bwahahahahahaha (taking breath) well, even you get where this is going.
And this is about the best thing I think I have read this year: "Government needs controls but has a function in our government."
Quote from: guido911 on November 05, 2014, 04:15:34 PM
The democratic party just took one of the worst election beatdowns in history. On top of that, the Rs elected two AA to Congress, and women senators for the first time from Iowa and W. Virginia. And forget about Illinois, Maryland, and Mass electing GOP governors. And YOU are talking about the Rs being the "stupid party".
Excuse me. Bwahahahahahaha (taking breath) Bwahahahahahaha (taking breath) well, even you get where this is going.
And this is about the best thing I think I have read this year: "Government needs controls but has a function in our government."
It's amusing you have split your sides over this Counselor. Let's remember who it was that called Republicans 'the Stupid Party'. I guess you've forgotten since 2012. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83743.html
Thanks for taking the bait. I hope you research cases better than my posts, which, given your signature, you have kind of a creepy stalker vibe going on.
Obvious troll is obvious.
Inhofe is probably going to be the Chairman over the committee for the environment.
That'll go just fine.
Quote from: Hoss on November 05, 2014, 04:30:39 PM
It's amusing you have split your sides over this Counselor. Let's remember who it was that called Republicans 'the Stupid Party'. I guess you've forgotten since 2012. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83743.html
Thanks for taking the bait. I hope you research cases better than my posts, which, given your signature, you have kind of a creepy stalker vibe going on.
Obvious troll is obvious.
Just stop. Please.
(http://m.memegen.com/w3lxph.jpg)
Quote from: Townsend on November 05, 2014, 04:45:32 PM
Inhofe is probably going to be the Chairman over the committee for the environment.
That'll go just fine.
Yep, welcome to the Stone Age.
'Murica!
Quote from: Townsend on November 05, 2014, 04:45:32 PM
Inhofe is probably going to be the Chairman over the committee for the environment.
That'll go just fine.
That's hilarious.
Quote from: guido911 on November 05, 2014, 04:46:22 PM
Just stop. Please.
(http://m.memegen.com/w3lxph.jpg)
Wow, guess you shore told me, huh?
Quote from: Hoss on November 05, 2014, 05:00:49 PM
Wow, guess you shore told me, huh?
Atlantic or Pacific?
Quote from: Hoss on November 05, 2014, 01:06:26 PM
They've had two years to stop 'being the stupid party'. You think two more years is going to help?
That's the point. Republicans need to start coming up with solutions.
By 2016, voters will have had their fill of the GOP.
Quote from: patric on November 05, 2014, 05:28:09 PM
By 2016, voters will have had their fill of the GOP.
Republicans need to shift the fed up factor to having voters being fed up during Presidential election years rather than mid-term elections.
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on November 05, 2014, 01:49:24 PM
The increase to the national debt for Bush's last fiscal year was $1.9 trillion - a lot higher than 1.413....
You guys are mixing up debt with deficit. CharlieSheen was talking about deficit. Two different things. The deficit has been reduced under Obama.
Quote from: Red Arrow on November 05, 2014, 05:22:43 PM
That's the point. Republicans need to start coming up with solutions.
Why haven't they started before now??
Inhofe not getting a welcomed arrival. ;D
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120134/climate-change-denier-james-inhofe-lead-environment-committee
Quote from: Tulsa Zephyr on November 05, 2014, 06:10:46 PM
You guys are mixing up debt with deficit. CharlieSheen was talking about deficit. Two different things. The deficit has been reduced under Obama.
No. Any time the debt goes up, it is from a deficit. And the real deficit - not just the "cooked up, waving of hands, calling it the deficit" numbers - as shown by the bottom line as an increase in debt - was largest under Bush. The deficit AND the rate of increase in the debt have both dropped dramatically in the last 6 years. That's a good thing!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1xmf4KCEAAU0Y_.jpg)
Quote from: guido911 on November 06, 2014, 01:57:48 AM
Inhofe not getting a welcomed arrival. ;D
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120134/climate-change-denier-james-inhofe-lead-environment-committee
If he's trying to land a plane, people might want to clear him about a 20 mile berth.
Quote from: Hoss on November 06, 2014, 02:41:51 PM
If he's trying to land a plane, people might want to clear him about a 20 mile berth.
You sure that's enough for ol' Wrongway Inhofe?
Quote from: Conan71 on November 06, 2014, 04:05:28 PM
You sure that's enough for ol' Wrongway Inhofe?
Well, if you paint a big yellow X on it he might be able to hit it. 8)
Begich defeated.
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/282303591.html
You-know-who is mentioned in the article.
Cassidy kinda creeps me out...
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10805560_10152875330173588_431578740658634208_n.jpg?oh=73de6740950d7381e3bccf28faf53889&oe=54D682A1)