American Politics

[Ocram's Razr 964]

4 hours ago, igotthis said:

http://www.dol.gov/featured/minimum-wage/mythbuster

Pretty cool read, even if from the Dept of Labor.

IGT

Undocumented workers will still be paid under the table

~50% of the population is women so I would expect 40-60% of minimum wage workers be women

20th Century logic no longer applies to politics (Bernie and D'ump wouldn't have stood a chance), why would it apply to economics? When a machine or computer can do your job for a small fraction of your cost (electricity & maintenence vs minimum wage)...

[igotthis 12]

Oh, you are funny! I like that! It is good that wages would be lifted for women working low-pay jobs. It is a start to women making just as much as a man. Don't be so sexist about it.

And what is this love of robots? Assembly lines, sure. Maybe automated data functions in a software environment. People still have to design and maintain them. Whatever, I just think that is quite over-reactive and a bit fear-mongery. Destroy the oligarchy and we can bring man-made work back to the States.

IGT

 

[Ocram's Razr 964]

3 hours ago, igotthis said:

Oh, you are funny! I like that! It is good that wages would be lifted for women working low-pay jobs. It is a start to women making just as much as a man. Don't be so sexist about it.

And what is this love of robots? Assembly lines, sure. Maybe automated data functions in a software environment. People still have to design and maintain them. Whatever, I just think that is quite over-reactive and a bit fear-mongery. Destroy the oligarchy and we can bring man-made work back to the States

If the percentage of working-age persons in the USA who are women is the same as the percentage of minimum-wage workers who are women, that proves nothing about the wage gap. Also men earn no more than 10% above women in the same field for equivalent jobs with equivalent non-monetary benefits and can be as high as 2% in the female workers' favors in certain (STEM+Med) fields.

The media is responsible for all the issues (it loves to blame on corporations and governments) because advertising reinforces gender roles. FYI, elementary school teachers and social workers are paid far less than engineers. Corporations are wasting money on outsourcing (offshore) and insourcing (visas) foreign engineers, that both corporations and governments are investing billions on encouraging more children to pursue STEMM fields, especially girls.

 

Did you watch my video? I am not mongering fear; I'm rather satisfied with technological innovations. I just hope this puts more money into skilled or educated workers instead of lining the pockets of the Elites or worse (decreasing the purchasing power of workers through tax breaks & subsidies for the rich and public assistance for the non-workers). There will never be an increase in total quantity of man-made work in the USA. The only way to increase percentage is through destruction (economic collapse, bad economic policy, or war). Many people love working with technology and enjoying higher quality of lives than their manual laborer parents (or grandparents).

Excuse me while I do my engineering homework while sipping a 500mL triple shot Mayan Mocha from Briggo.

[Odainsaker 2,136]

The Huffington Post blog offered this article yesterday:  "How Fox News Unwittingly Destroyed the Republican Party"

There are too many "of course" sleighs-of-hand in the writing, and I don't actually expect the Republican Party to disappear, but the article does again remind us of the darker aspects of political media on the unwitting masses.  I admit I have family members who first started watching and lightening to right-wing media because they thought it was funny or entertaining, but then those family members slowly and disturbingly...changed.   Now Fox News talking heads are almost permanently on their television, and their car radio is almost permanently tuned to Fox Radio, with a constant angry and snide barrage of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Michael Berry.  This long and constant immersion has to have some psychological impact on the audience, and, sure enough, once passively liberal family members now speak with overt racism against Mexicans, Muslims, and blacks, while also hoping for some strongman to use blatantly unconstitutional and extrajudicial means to ruthlessly crush threats foreign and domestic.  We're not even personally in a political or economic position that would justify such anger or fear, and yet they are angry and fearful over issues that are not actually impacting us, and they are now openly blaming the politically expected targets.  I'm told that they are "telling it like it is," but I am seeing that to "tell it like it is" actually means to shout down opposition, silence critics, and muzzling any critical thinking.  It's what they want to do to them, and tuning in isn't funny or entertaining anymore.

One elderly family member and Fox News junkie who voluntarily checked herself into a hospital for an age-related illness was later shouting in commotion that the nursing staff were Big Government agents of Obamacare trying to "inject her with Obama blood"!  Senility, medical narcotics, and the stress of hospitalization can bring out all sorts of unnerving things unknowingly sitting latent in the weakened mind, but I was appalled to hear that the latent fears were a runaway mishmash of harrowingly contorted right-wing propaganda.  Where did all this come from?  Obviously, no one at Fox used the words "inject with Obama blood," but I think they had preyed upon people's general anger and fears with regard to political issues and health care for so long that a shrieking fear of injections of "Obama blood" was a natural connection that one susceptible victim's confused mind made.  It was not a rational, linearly predictable connection in itself, but it was a trajectory in a pattern of thinking, and patterns of thinking can be made by continuously pegging angers and fears to consistently repeated targets.  It is classic propaganda at work, where the point is driven not by logical argumentation but though total, continuous immersion, and I have to wonder how others susceptible in the general populace who listen to this long-term brainwashing everyday are similarly being affected.  Oh, that's right:  deportation squads, mass roundups, revoking the constitution, use of torture, extrajudicial killings, nuclear bombing, and war crimes...all to thunderous applause.  "Cut down the tall trees" indeed!

 

[LexusInfernus 908]

It is interesting how schizophrenic the right has become. At the one hand, they have a strong dislike, if not downright hatred for the government. Because the government is to big, to inefficient, to centralized, constantly on the verge of morphing into a totalitarian state that takes away all individual freedom. So the government must be fought, resisted, cut down, made smaller and removed from peoples lives. 

Yet at the same time, the right wing candidates are also constantly flirting with actually turning the state into a totalitarian nightmare, often to thunderous applause. Because the government needs to deport all illegals, build a giant wall around the borders, wage wars with all kinds of foreign threats, institute economic protectionist policies, fight the terrorists at home, use tools of repression to combat crime and support the largest military on the planet to keep America safe. 

Right wing Americans demand that their government has the biggest, most advanced military in the world, yet at the same time live in constant fear of that government and demand that they are also allowed to own weapons in case the government suddenly decides to use that military power against its own citizens for some inexplicable reason. An interesting contradiction. 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

There is no doubt that the G.O.P. has a bad case of conflicting principles with no good solutions.  They've become so bound up in nay-saying on this or that, or pushing divisiveness that they are now allowing the tail to wag the dog.  They don't have any good candidates for president, and what kind of people are they putting up for seats in Congress?  The same old, same old boys with all the imagination of a brick.  Worst of it is that the Democrats in the the same position.  Both parties are mired in some sort of quicksand that is going to eventually engulf the country because they have forgotten the principle of advise and consent.  Each now insists on my way or the highway without the slightest thought of the consequences to both the country and its international position.

It is time for both parties to have a renewal of some sort and get back to friendly persuasion in place of partisan bluster.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

California might be able to fix its economy if it does the following after its minimum wage hikes:

1. Cut CALPERS

2. Tighten unemployment and welfare (make fewer qualify)

3. Enact graduated water pricing (to punish wastefulness in drought-prone areas)

4. Cut state need based grants to students attending private colleges

5. Tax pollution

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Photo Op.

The occasion seems to be purely social.  Lunch with HM, then a dinner at Kensington with the popular grandchildren.  A golden final moment for the Obamas.

[MissVanleider 1,851]

9 minutes ago, A Nonny Moose said:

Photo Op.

The occasion seems to be purely social.  Lunch with HM, then a dinner at Kensington with the popular grandchildren.  A golden final moment for the Obamas.

It's so strange that such a photo op would be viewed positively from an American perspective. Media in the UK constantly tell us of the popularity of our royal family abroad, but I always assumed that was one-eyed parochialism.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

17 minutes ago, MissVanleider said:

It's so strange that such a photo op would be viewed positively from an American perspective. Media in the UK constantly tell us of the popularity of our royal family abroad, but I always assumed that was one-eyed parochialism.

I think you'll find that the British Royals are much more active than many others who live quiet lives as titular heads of state with little to do in the civic world.  In the U.K. and the Commonwealth, while the roles are symbolic, the continuity over the thousand year history of the Throne is a cohesive force and costs little compared to maintaining a separate elected head of state.  Also, it is widely believed that Americans love a lord, maybe because they threw this baby out with the bath water in the 1770s.

Can you imagine H.R.H. George Washington, Duke of Columbia?

[MissVanleider 1,851]

I do appreciate that perspective, and I think that despite what my views on lordship are - George Washington probably could have imagined that! I think I'll always be more of a fan of Thomas Paine when it comes to fathers of the American Revolution, although I understand why he is less revered from an American perspective.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Thomas Paine spent a lot of time reading French literature on the needs for freedom.  It is something I tend to agree with.  However, I live in a constitutional monarchy with a Westminster style government, and all things being equal, I wouldn't trade it for an American-style republic.  The basic idea that the government can be defeated in Parliament resulting in a national election is one of the great points of this style of government.

Theoretically, we have a fixed term for a Parliament of five years from the date of taking office, but if the government gets caught out on some issue and loses a confidence motion in the house, the fat is in the fire.  The Governor General can ask another party to try to form a government or he can call a general election.  Usually the latter is chosen.

There is no such provision in the U.S. Constitution.  It is one of the true lacks.  Instead you have this two year auto da fé every four years to elect a new Congress and a new President and administration (cabinet) together with a third of the Senate.  How anything gets done between these ceremonies is a wonder.  Of late, of course, there has been so much interest in electing members of Congress that any position in that organization has become a sinecure.

[igotthis 12]

1 hour ago, MissVanleider said:

I do appreciate that perspective, and I think that despite what my views on lordship are - George Washington probably could have imagined that! I think I'll always be more of a fan of Thomas Paine when it comes to fathers of the American Revolution, although I understand why he is less revered from an American perspective.

I also think that Thomas Paine was under-appreciated. He wrote several works that were quite influential on me. Then I moved to Bertrand Russel and Madeleine O'Hair (sp?).

Folks need to realize, though, that many of our Founding Fathers were not Christian. They were Deists. Tom Paine is just the most notable example.

IGT

[LexusInfernus 908]

3 hours ago, MissVanleider said:

It's so strange that such a photo op would be viewed positively from an American perspective. Media in the UK constantly tell us of the popularity of our royal family abroad, but I always assumed that was one-eyed parochialism.

It kinda depends what you mean with 'abroad' and 'popularity'. Like for example the Netherlands doesn't really care that much about the English royal family. We got our own to care about. And the popularity seems to be of a rather gossipy level. You know, speculating about babies and fawning over how good looking the princess is and all that other paparazzi stuff. 

[Ocram's Razr 964]

2 hours ago, A Nonny Moose said:

Thomas Paine spent a lot of time reading French literature on the needs for freedom.  It is something I tend to agree with.  However, I live in a constitutional monarchy with a Westminster style government, and all things being equal, I wouldn't trade it for an American-style republic.  The basic idea that the government can be defeated in Parliament resulting in a national election is one of the great points of this style of government.

Theoretically, we have a fixed term for a Parliament of five years from the date of taking office, but if the government gets caught out on some issue and loses a confidence motion in the house, the fat is in the fire.  The Governor General can ask another party to try to form a government or he can call a general election.  Usually the latter is chosen.

There is no such provision in the U.S. Constitution.  It is one of the true lacks.  Instead you have this two year auto da fé every four years to elect a new Congress and a new President and administration (cabinet) together with a third of the Senate.  How anything gets done between these ceremonies is a wonder.  Of late, of course, there has been so much interest in electing members of Congress that any position in that organization has become a sinecure.

To paraphrase Pete Burns and other celebrities: it's not about who did it first but rather who did it better.

The USA pioneered representative democracy (among other things such as electrical grids, automobiles, daytime television, print news, popular modern music, assembly lines, robots, solar power, et cetera) but  other nations improved upon the American system (and inventions) and are much better off now because of it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

14 hours ago, OcramsRzr said:

To paraphrase Pete Burns and other celebrities: it's not about who did it first but rather who did it better.

The USA pioneered representative democracy (among other things such as electrical grids, automobiles, daytime television, print news, popular modern music, assembly lines, robots, solar power, et cetera) but  other nations improved upon the American system (and inventions) and are much better off now because of it.

Well, good for you.  Personal communications systems on the other hand are a Canadian invention.  Where would we have gone without the telephone?

And, of course, I prefer evolution of governmental systems rather than revolution.  It may have taken a thousand years, but the Westminster system is the best one we've tried so far.

[Larks2242 251]

New England votes today, Connecticut, RI, Delaware, Maryland and PA, Let's hope at least one votes the right way, At least PA has unbound delegates that will be for Cruz.

In other news I was invited to Indiana to campaign but turned it down, Might reconsider for later states if things get close.

[igotthis 12]

4 hours ago, Larks2242 said:

New England votes today, Connecticut, RI, Delaware, Maryland and PA, Let's hope at least one votes the right way, At least PA has unbound delegates that will be for Cruz.

In other news I was invited to Indiana to campaign but turned it down, Might reconsider for later states if things get close.

I'm fairly certain Hillary and Drumpf will take all five, but I would like to be surprised.

IGT

[Proximity123456 0]

On 4/18/2016 at 2:38 AM, OcramsRzr said:

California might be able to fix its economy if it does the following after its minimum wage hikes:

2. Tighten unemployment and welfare (make fewer qualify)

That's what everyone says but in reality welfare/unemployment increase economic activity which leads to higher employment. That's pretty cut & dry.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

29 minutes ago, Proximity123456 said:

That's what everyone says but in reality welfare/unemployment increase economic activity which leads to higher employment. That's pretty cut & dry.

It's cut and dry when capital cannot replace much labor. Very, very soon, humans need not apply for minimum wage entry level jobs. Removing government pensions and unemployment benefits to former workers and welfare to nonworkers will prevent the imminent spiral of debt.

[Sabretooth78 808]

 

19 hours ago, igotthis said:

I'm fairly certain Hillary and Drumpf will take all five, but I would like to be surprised.

IGT

 

Spoiler

 

 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

^ You know, if would be funny if there wasn't an echo of truth there.  It would be better for America if the right wing fell off.

The way things are going the Democratic nomination is going to Hillary.  I wonder of the American people are ready for a woman in the Oval Office?  If not, and the Republican nominee is Der Donald, what then?  Can the Electoral College save America from itself?

Before November, Americans have to ask themselves, what on earth are we doing?  Are we so disaffected with our politics that it has come to this?  Are we going to fall into a police state?  Are we expecting too much from the government?  Governments are non-productive.  Their only product is bad breath.  They will happily spend everyone's money to the benefit of who?

[Larks2242 251]

Ted Cruz announces his running mate today!

 

Not who I expected, Was hoping for a Jim Demint or a Mike Lee,  But it is good to see a moral principled woman in the race to battle against one with zero ethics.

Either way,  We need a brokered convention and I've submitted paperwork to be a delegate, I hope to play a role in getting Cruz a victory this country needs.

[igotthis 12]

5 minutes ago, Larks2242 said:

Ted Cruz announces his running mate today!

 

Not who I expected, Was hoping for a Jim Demint or a Mike Lee,  But it is good to see a moral principled woman in the race to battle against one with zero ethics.

Either way,  We need a brokered convention and I've submitted paperwork to be a delegate, I hope to play a role in getting Cruz a victory this country needs.

Seriously? Fiorina is a horrible person, top to bottom. Just look at what she did to HP,  leaving with a lovely umbrella package after putting so many out of work. CA hates her and with reason. Not to mention her made-up 'viewing' of Planned Parenthood videos that she could never prove or provide (because they don't exist).

That Cruz would even designate a VP shows just how slimy and desperate he is. No one in his own Party likes him. He is a snake oil solution with extra snake. Even his 'deal' with Kasich is a sign that he will do anything to gain ground, but he is still a loser.

IGT

[Larks2242 251]

2 hours ago, igotthis said:

Seriously? Fiorina is a horrible person, top to bottom. Just look at what she did to HP,  leaving with a lovely umbrella package after putting so many out of work. CA hates her and with reason. Not to mention her made-up 'viewing' of Planned Parenthood videos that she could never prove or provide (because they don't exist).

That Cruz would even designate a VP shows just how slimy and desperate he is. No one in his own Party likes him. He is a snake oil solution with extra snake. Even his 'deal' with Kasich is a sign that he will do anything to gain ground, but he is still a loser.

IGT

I trust Cruz over Trump who is not even a real republican, His values are not Republican values.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

What are Republican values?  Surely not those of Ted Cruz?

[LexusInfernus 908]

19 hours ago, A Nonny Moose said:

What are Republican values?  Surely not those of Ted Cruz?

Unbridled greed, racism, sexism, xenophobia, ignorance and intolerance marinated in jingoism and military imperialism. So yeah, Ted Cruz embodies those Republican values perfectly but then again, so does Donald Trump. Maybe they both embody those values a bit to much, because no one likes them, not even the rest of the Republicans. I guess they don't like what they see when someone forces them to look at their own reflection in a mirror. 

[Sabretooth78 808]

I'm all for a woman president or VP, but it seems like everyone is in all too much of a hurry to have one for the sake of having one.  Let's face it, most of the options we've had (especially recently) flat out stink.  (Palin, Bachmann, Clinton, this woman, etc.)  Maybe we can ditch the affirmative action route and elect one who is competent and won't ruin the chances of future women?  Maybe one who embodies less the behavior of the worst men?  (Though that's probably an idea at odds with the concept of running for office in the first place.)

 

59 minutes ago, LexusInfernus said:

Unbridled greed, racism, sexism, xenophobia, ignorance and intolerance marinated in jingoism and military imperialism.

While it's sort of implied in the values quoted, I think fiscal irresponsibility is another one which deserves its own specific mention.  Though it's a shared trait with the "other" party so it doesn't really differentiate them.

 

[LexusInfernus 908]

Meh, to be honest I think the 'fiscal irresponsibility' of the American political elite isn't actually that bad. Sure, they waste a lot of money on what I believe to be bad policies, but thats more a difference in opinion on what constitutes good governance. Real fiscal irresponsibility is what happens in places like Russia or certain parts of Africa and South America. 

[Delta 88 262]

31 minutes ago, LexusInfernus said:

Meh, to be honest I think the 'fiscal irresponsibility' of the American political elite isn't actually that bad. Sure, they waste a lot of money on what I believe to be bad policies, but thats more a difference in opinion on what constitutes good governance. Real fiscal irresponsibility is what happens in places like Russia or certain parts of Africa and South America. 

But it really is that bad. Russia, African and South American countries don't hold the world's reserve currency. They don't owe $16 trillion in debt to China. Fiscal irresponsibility in those regions tends to stay within small circles compared to the United States. It's like when people think that the US doesn't have political corruption or is very minor in scale compared to eastern European countries - not true. Sure, some other countries are far more blatant about it, but the US is just better at concealing its own political corruption. Or perhaps the world has become numb to it. The US may not exactly be a failed state (yet), but we're sure as hell far from pure and innocent.