I actually feel bad for the true conservative republicans as a result of this election. The administration truly has pulled so far away from its base that it is neither centrist or actually leaning democtratic. It is something totally unique and at this time unwanted. This administration's policies really no longer have a supporting base. Unfortunately, for many republicans, they could not run as a true conservative, as it that is not exactly what this administration truly wants fiscally, border security or national security. For those running for election this time under the republican hat, that hat was totally defined by GWB and it really didn't matter what the candidate said as much as it was what GWB stands for.
The republican base wants deficit reduction (not increases beyond their wildest dreams), federal government reduction (not expansion that has not been seen since FDR's years), borders controlled (not a program inviting illegals into the country) and they aren't interested in McCain-Feingold, new education laws.
I think of myself more in terms of a independent-libertarian. In the recent past, I have voted along the lines of the conservative republicans. However, I found it interesting that I voted for a democrat this time because they were running on what truly was a conservative centrist platform of a few years ago.
Recently talking to a friend in the US, we both came up to the conclusion that the democrats really need to just do nothing until the presidential election. They need to let the media report less negative news on Iraq and more positive news on the economy and just wait. If they can do this, I think almost anyone they would put up to run for the presidency would win. However, I am confident that they will not allow themselves to do that and will try to change several things (tax cuts, aminesty programs that they and the President wants, etc...) that will energize the dormant republican base, again.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
As I believe I've mentioned before, it really doesn't matter that much who is in office anymore. Both parties are funded by corporate interests, which fund both democrats and republicans, often equally! Perhaps there will be slight changes here and there, but I will be really surprised to see any significant changes at all. The two parties are so corrupt that any representation by or for the people is non-existent. They are all trying to line their pockets with whatever they can get -- and too often what they are getting is legal (on paper) because they vote it into law for themselves.
I'm fed up with the lot, and wish we as a country could move beyond all this rhetoric and rehashing of tired old ideas that get us nowhere.
As Albert Einstein put it: "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." And, "Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius, and a lot of courage, to move in the opposite direction."
International Level: Ambassador / Political Participation: 595 59.5%
You definitely are correct FarSeer.
The corporations have seen to it that they will get their interest taken care of by supporting both parties and supporting them heavily. But what the corportations want is not necessarily what is most important to us average people, that is unless it cost us our jobs. We are interested in the "little things". We are interested in our deficeit, because that is money we owe (trust me, the corportations aren't going to get together and bail us out on that one...it would lower their profit margin and drop their stock value and they can't have that). We are interested in abortion (companies definitely don't care on this one). We care about who we let in this country...legal or illegally! Now some companies would be interested in THAT topic...but if they are using a lot of illegal aliens for a work force, they probably don't have enough money to hire lobbyist for their causes or donate heavily to all the politicians necessarly to influence their cause. The average person definitely cares about personal property taxes! Corporations will make sure that the corporate tax law benefits them with their contributions, but they could care less about how much the average american pays.
It is a ironic symbiotic relationship. The politicians sell their souls for the most part to corporate interest, but they NEED us to get the job. Deep down inside they really do think they can change things...the little things. Did you see the look on Pelosi's face? Tell me she doesn't think she can change things now. The best part is that in order to be allowed to continue working on the "little things", they have to appease us or they are gone. They also need to appease their corporate masters as well or no money for their next election. Doesn't matter if they like it or not, we are their check and balance.
I liken politicians to cosmetic surgeons. The cosmetic surgeon gets his money from face-lifts, lyposuction, breast implants and nose jobs. That is his bread and butter and it pays the bills. However, if you ask them what their greatest joy is, it usually is the pro-bono work that they do in the community. The hairlips and burn victims that they can do free of charge or significantly reduced rates, since they make enough money off the elective surgery. Politicians have to do the corporate bidding, as that is what pays the bills, but it is the "little things" that charge their engines. That is what has Pelosi and crew smiling a mile wide.
The US is like a great, big, huge oceanliner. Large waves can move it slightly off its course, but you will never see a total 180 degree turnaround on the spot once it gets rolling. When Reagan took office there were some changes, but nothing too earthshattering in the first 100 days. When Clinton took office there were some changes, but again, nothing too drastic in the first 100 days. Even the "Contract witih America" movement made some changes, but nothing that altered my everyday life. I mention the first 100 days since that is when it is believed that most of the mandated items from the average people get done following a election. They were the "little things" that got done and these were considered pretty revoluationary and significant changes in modern US politics, but in the grander scheme of things, they were just a blip on the map.
So, you are right. It really doesn't matter who is in office, because there is not going to be that huge of a change. The system sees to it that there is little chage. However, if you want the "little things" taken care of in the way that you desire, it is important.
If left unchecked, the waves that hit the oceanliner can make it offly hard to right again. For instance, do you think that FDR could have imagined a federal government employer as big as it is today and still in existance with such low unemployment? Probably not and if he could have seen this far into the future, do you think he would started the welfare program and other government employment agencies?
Frustration is understandable with US politics. Most people like to affiliate with their party of choice. It is difficult when your "little things" are not represented by either party. That is where I found myself at this years elections. It is truly unfortunate that US politics really discourages a 3rd party, because I really sense that a party that runs to the center on issues would be a great success. But believe me, the new Majority believes they can change the "little things" and have a great big smile that says "we are going to show you how to do it now" and with the way the current administration has abandoned the ideas that got them elected, they deserve the chance.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
I have to agree with what Nighthawk said about the polls, they are not always credible and are sometimes biased. However, more the most part, they are accurate and the election results usually show that out. If the polls show it close, and the projected person loses, you have to remember that polls have a 5% error rate up or down. So I guess in this election, if you want to get technical about it, the majority of people who cared enough to vote have spoken. I no, its not necessarily that "we want democrats running the government", and in many cases it is "we just don't want republicans running the government" but it the end, when you have only a two party system, that is what happens. Democrats won this election by virtue of Republicans doing a bad job in most peoples (people who cared enough to vote) eyes. In our system, thats called a majority whether we like it or not. In all but one election I voted for, I voted for the democrat because I was tired of what the republicans have been doing. One of the incumbents I voted for two years ago and he let me down. There is only one way, unfortunately, to make a statement in this government, and that is to vote people and parties out of power. The good thing is, we have two years and we can do it again if necessary!
The US usually has about a 50 to 60% voter turnout during presidential election years. However that number is about 30 to 40% voter turnout during non-presidential years. So, this years turnout was actually pretty strong considering it was a non-presidential election year.
https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html
Not a majority, but it doesn't exactly smell of apathy either.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
Unless I am badly mistaken the bombing of the Kovar towers, the bombing of the Cole, the first truck bombing of the Twin Towers, and the bombing of two of our embassies ( I don't remember the countries ) were all executed on the Bill Clinton watch. Since he did nothing but blow up an aspirin factory with a missile, the terrorist of the world believe the United States is weak. A Republican president proved them wrong, so they are celebrating in the streets because the "weak" ones are back in power.
LDS, for the life of me I cannot believe you and others cannot believe what the terrorist goal is. They intend to force the muslim religion on the world, and behead those that don't convert. LDS, you are an infidel in their eyes and one day, if let run loose, they will get around to Trinidad. You and yours will convert to Islam, or die. Does that bring the battle close enough to home for you to understand? Is that graphic enough? LDS, please wake up. They intend to rule the world and our Democrats aren't going to stop them.
Rather off topic, but... When someone uses my name in a post and writes like I am ignorant and stupid, I do not continue to waste my time in reply. |
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QUOTE |
LDS, for the life of me I cannot believe you and others cannot believe what the terrorist goal is. They intend to force the muslim religion on the world, and behead those that don't convert. LDS, you are an infidel in their eyes and one day, if let run loose, they will get around to Trinidad. You and yours will convert to Islam, or die. Does that bring the battle close enough to home for you to understand? Is that graphic enough? |
Rather off topic, but... If you intend to participate on a thread and you are going to mention my name, you better be ready to do it in a mature and respectful manner. As you see, I am not afraid to speak up my mind. |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 1089 100%
Mousetrails, for the life of me, I cannot understand why you or anyone else finds the need to insult any self respecting american by insinuating that any american simply wants to sit by and let the terrorists attack us! Democrats have a different way of dealing with it, one that does not involve attacking countries that the former secretary of defense has since admitted had nothing to do with terrorism when we attacked them. Perhaps we voted for not attacking Iraq and doing something that involves finishing our business in Afghanistan, where we KNOW the terrorists are, instead of wasting resources in Iraq, thats what I voted for.
And yes, lets talk about what Clinton did. He sent troops to both Kosovo, and Somalia. In both cases, the slaughter being perpetrated was done by the Muslim majority on the non-muslim minority. Further, Al-Queda has had significant operations in both Kosovo and Albania and Somalia. The fact is that while I really didn't like Clinton, he still sent troops to more countries housing Al-Queda than Bush has. But this is not the debate for that. But it simply shows why we voted against the republican party this election as a whole. We just got tired of hearing the same argument, that they weren't clinton, that WMD's and terrorist are in Iraq, and that the best way to protect us is to spy on american citizens and ignore the whole of the 9/11 Commissions suggestions on how to protect us.
We voted democrat hoping that they squash the Patriot Act, enact the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and get us a plan to get out of the country we are in that doesn't want us there or having anything to do with terrorists that attacked our country. This last voted said we are tired of the lies and corruption that have spewed forth from the republican party when the platform they ran on was about integrity!
In fact, exit polls showed that corruption was second only to the war in why people voted democrat this last election. You may not agree with our decision, but we do, we are tired of congress passing every single bill that bush wants into law. There has to be some balance, if at least a congress that can put a stop to all this rubber stamping. And thats what we got, exactly what we wanted, we will see what they can do, they can't do any worse.