tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post4905177529586757835..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: The Balance of PowerJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-4560041767082288622014-11-05T18:09:37.460-06:002014-11-05T18:09:37.460-06:00Fellow Iowa Resident here.
I have taken to callin...Fellow Iowa Resident here.<br /><br />I have taken to calling the Senator-Elect 'First Term Ernst'. <br /><br />Is it bad I find myself hoping she takes a page out of Sarah Palin's book and quits after 2-3 years?<br /><br />And maybe Mr. Braley can run again and actually win.<br /><br />He is currently my Congressperson and I've liked his work.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08469264092377867319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-61058348568936357242014-11-05T18:06:57.404-06:002014-11-05T18:06:57.404-06:00What makes you think they won't then go after ...What makes you think they won't then go after Biden?<br /><br />Why not? Bill Clinton is white too and they impeached him.<br /><br />Impeached but not convicted. C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08469264092377867319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-80985105382366511802014-11-05T17:51:34.042-06:002014-11-05T17:51:34.042-06:00Can we get that on anything and everything CafePre...Can we get that on anything and everything CafePress offers?<br /><br />Tshirts, mugs, bumperstickers, tote bags, towels... etc.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08469264092377867319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-55081673956003788342014-11-05T15:28:22.183-06:002014-11-05T15:28:22.183-06:00Preach it, Jim. The GOP House has about a 20% appr...Preach it, Jim. The GOP House has about a 20% approval rating and I'm sure they can cut that by half over the next couple of years. The GOP controlled Senate won't be nearly as likely to support House nuttiness as most people think because a shitload of those GOP senators, from not so solidly red states, are up for reelection in 2016 and they need practice CYA to have a hope of coming back.<br /><br />Yeah, there'll be a whole lot of nothing going on these next couple years.<br /><br />Meanwhile, love her or hate her, you know Hillary Clinton has her machine working all this into her plans.Doc Crosshttp://www.thedociverse.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-88461416690363568282014-11-05T14:47:25.629-06:002014-11-05T14:47:25.629-06:00The problem is no matter how vile and malicious th...The problem is no matter how vile and malicious the Rethugs are, the Mainslime Media will spin it to make it Obama's fault. Kathleennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-20464359102459237572014-11-05T13:16:59.714-06:002014-11-05T13:16:59.714-06:00I think the GOP will support these crappy trade de...I think the GOP will support these crappy trade deals, as McConnell already hinted that he would.<br /><br />And that's my point. Do you support those deals? What is your point?<br />~ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©https://www.blogger.com/profile/06252371815131259831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-43628349963306090172014-11-05T09:18:41.111-06:002014-11-05T09:18:41.111-06:00Sure, the Rethugs won't be able to get much do...Sure, the Rethugs won't be able to get much done at the National level (Without getting caught red handed using their usual dirty tricks), but that's not the plan. With the Kochs pulling the strings, and their controls at the state and local level, they're set to gut every protection and progressive law they can. They're going to open the floodgates of pollution and corruption at every level.<br /><br />America, dumb as a box of rocks. Idiocracy was a documentary.<br /><br />And I've never been more ashamed of my country, and I lived through the Shrub years.Cthulhunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-68860165971363252862014-11-05T08:34:41.948-06:002014-11-05T08:34:41.948-06:00While I am appalled that the forces of devolution ...While I am appalled that the forces of devolution have gained (more or less) control of Congress, I see a possible silver lining. For the past six years, in a snit over having a black president, the republicans have basically been on strike, refusing to perform any responsible function of government and blaming the resulting mess on Obama. They have refused even to propose any serious legislation, even on issues they care about, like tax reform. Now the ball is back in their court, and the country will expect them to do something constructive (maybe infrastructure???). If they do, good. The country benefits. If they don't, good. The country gets to see clearly that they are merely passive-aggressive and irresponsible, incapable of governing in any positive way. Time to put up or shut up, kids. The nation is watching. Incoherent babbling about conspiracy theories won't cut it any longer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-23446334610094879402014-11-05T06:28:39.684-06:002014-11-05T06:28:39.684-06:00Jim,
After last nights results, I hope you are co...Jim,<br /><br />After last nights results, I hope you are correct that not much will change the next two years; from your lips to God's ears! I fully expect the Rs to eliminate the filibuster in the Senate so they can do as they wish. The Rs will interpret these results as a mandate to do as they wish. The only thing standing in their way is a presidential veto. I guess we will find out the degree to which President Obama can stand against the Republican Congress. The results I find most frightening is that the governors of Florida and Wisconsin get re-elected. How could people in those states vote for those guys?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-71652355200127823202014-11-05T02:01:24.014-06:002014-11-05T02:01:24.014-06:00Which means Eric Holder is not laving anytime soon...Which means Eric Holder is not laving anytime soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-9453908239032812522014-11-04T23:48:56.235-06:002014-11-04T23:48:56.235-06:00Run for your lives everybody, there's a Deem a...Run for your lives everybody, there's a Deem and Pass loose!!!11!<br /><br /><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/03/expert-pelosi-deem-and-pass-strategy-for-health-care-is-not-unusual/1" rel="nofollow">"Deem and Pass" is not unusual...</a><br /><br /><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/03/18/87367/sessions-deem-pass/" rel="nofollow">Even Republicans have admitted this...</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/03/deem-and-pass" rel="nofollow">Some think it was a dumb move by the democrats--and for some pretty good reasons!</a><br /><br />But hey, it got the damn thing passed, in a majority Democrat Congress, which is what Republicans have used it for--like 35 fucking times in 2005-2006, when they controlled Congress. They call it "Demon Pass" when Democrats do it, and call it "....[insert sound of crickets here]..." when they do it.<br /><br />All D&P obsessives, please to be shutting the piehole now. Thank you.<br /><br />And I won't even get into how the ACA was basically a Republican idea with (most of) the serial numbers filed---well, painted over. I mean, y'all do know where the prototype ACA plan was passed, and by whom, right? (Hint: Massachusetts. Bonus hint: Willard RMoney, notorious Lefty Alinskyite and major ACORN donor. OK, I made up the ACORN bit). <br /><br />And those of you who think Obama alienated the Republicans and created animosities, and then turned around and *gasp!* <i>exacerbated</i> them (by "Presidenting while Black") really need to grow the fuck up. The Republican party fucking hates the ground Obama walks on (and especially, for reasons that may never be clear, the fairways he has the unmitigated audacity to golf on), and they are never, ever, going to help govern while he's in office. Not. Gonna. Happen. If the preceeding 6 years haven't shown you that, you got problems I cain't hep you with...<br /><br /> Meanie-meanie, tickle a personhttp://www.fakeassurl.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-90031506373259392062014-11-04T23:10:58.918-06:002014-11-04T23:10:58.918-06:00Sorry, but one thing the Repugniphants *will* do i...Sorry, but one thing the Repugniphants *will* do is block all of Obama's remaining appointments, especially the Judicials. This is a "something" that will look like a "nothing" to those not paying attention. And no, Jim, I don't include you in that group. I'm pretty sure you know this is gonna be done. Or be not done. Or whatever...Meanie-meanie, tickle a personhttp://www.fakeassurl.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-80303794027155363732014-11-04T23:08:43.294-06:002014-11-04T23:08:43.294-06:00I don't know, man. My father (an Independent) ...I don't know, man. My father (an Independent) tells me that in the near future, by the time I'm grown up (I'm fourteen), people will be trading their essential rights and liberties for some cool app.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02832689019215949087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-75302387014177792322014-11-04T23:01:37.240-06:002014-11-04T23:01:37.240-06:00Sure the odds are stacked against you and the game...<i>Sure the odds are stacked against you and the game is rigged.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txb11vp-Luk" rel="nofollow">So what?</a></i>Meanie-meanie, tickle a personhttp://www.fakeassurl.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-89055206207178356342014-11-04T22:09:07.250-06:002014-11-04T22:09:07.250-06:00You think the GOP will be on your side?You think the GOP will be on your side?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-53111947860023498492014-11-04T20:09:29.195-06:002014-11-04T20:09:29.195-06:00Jim, I do not agree that nothing will happen.
T...Jim, I do not agree that nothing will happen. <br /><br />There are some bad things Our President favors. For example, the trade deals TPP, TTIP, and worst of all, the TISA. (The TISA is so awesome, <a href="https://wikileaks.org/tisa-financial/press.html" rel="nofollow">its details are supposed to be kept secret</a> from the citizens it will be inflicted upon for five full years AFTER it is passed. Obviously, those details are not secrets to the corporations who drew up their wish lists.)<br /><br />Bill Clinton passed two of his worst pieces of legislation near the end of his 2nd term: The repeal of Glass-Steagall, and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. <br /><br />One of the reasons I supported Obama in the primary against Hillary in 2008 was because he ran against her on NAFTA. And he ran on transparency. It was only thanks to wikileaks that we learned that he resumed the negotiations G.W. Bush had begun on the TPP in the fall of 2009. <br /><br />The fight has to continue after the election. And on this one, Obama is not on our side.<br />~ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©https://www.blogger.com/profile/06252371815131259831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-13602007734936560142014-11-04T19:27:06.989-06:002014-11-04T19:27:06.989-06:00I'm surprised Jim let you in here. You be a cl...I'm surprised Jim let you in here. You be a closet racist. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-27121550509016638402014-11-04T17:41:42.388-06:002014-11-04T17:41:42.388-06:00Can somebody explain to this poor Brit WHY Dem can...Can somebody explain to this poor Brit WHY Dem candidates are scared of being associated with Obama. What is poisonous about helping people get healthcare and strengthening the economy?<br /><br />Oh yeah, I remember - ordinary people who look at their life, look at what the Right tells them, and then believes the Right. People who only have to hear the word 'Socialism' and assume it must be true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-41258371924248801272014-11-04T16:01:10.316-06:002014-11-04T16:01:10.316-06:00George Carlin said it best. "The real owners ...George Carlin said it best. "The real owners are the big wealthy business interests that control things and make all the important decisions. Forget the politicians, they're an irrelevancy. The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don't. You have no choice. You have owners. They own you. They own everything. They own all the important land. They own and control the corporations. They've long since bought and paid for the Senate, the Congress, the statehouses, the city halls. They've got the judges in their back pockets. And they own all the big media companies, so that they control just about all of the news and information you hear. They've got you by the balls. They spend billions of dollars every year lobbying lobbying to get what they want. Well, we know what they want; they want more for themselves and less for everybody else." <br /><br />So get over this election as being so damn important. I voted, but I have no illusions that anything will get better or worse regardless of who hold the majority.Queenbeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01726258173148844436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-90287203912202274752014-11-04T15:54:01.667-06:002014-11-04T15:54:01.667-06:00Here is the Orange Country Register's explanat...<a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pass-239766-house-bill.html" rel="nofollow">Here</a> is the Orange Country Register's explanation of the "deemed to pass" approach used by house Democrats. The ACA itself was never voted on in the House. My point isn't that we shouldn't have had such a law, only that there should have been a wider national consensus before attempting it. The country was probably close to a consensus. Jumping the gun and forcing the policy into place, marginalizing the opposition in the process, has created deep animosities. Subsequent executive orders have exacerbated them.<br /><br />Yes, Ted Cruz. No Republican candidate wants to be seen with him. They call in establishment stalwart Chris Christie instead. Cruz holds no sway with the Republican leadership.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47208187896681050402014-11-04T15:52:21.754-06:002014-11-04T15:52:21.754-06:00Ok then don't vote by mail. I do vote by mail ...Ok then don't vote by mail. I do vote by mail as I take care of an invalid 24/7 and I make sure she gets to vote too. She is lucid and completely capable of making her own choices, but would use violence if your name wasn't on the ballot? It is a lot easier to fix computers votes than absentee votes. You scare me.Queenbeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01726258173148844436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-51282563093499588752014-11-04T14:58:40.575-06:002014-11-04T14:58:40.575-06:00Some of my friends have been crowing the last few ...Some of my friends have been crowing the last few days because they are positive that when the Republicans win that the first thing they are going to do is impeach the president for what I have no idea but they are positive he has done something wrong. <br /><br />I know it looks bad out there because the news media has been telling me for months that this is going to be blowout but you know what, if that was the case how come the polls are so close in every single race, if it was going to be a blowout then the Republicans would be 15-20 points ahead. I know I am a dreamer and that is fine, it is what I am.<br /><br />But if they win we all know they will do everything in their power to make this a miserable 2 years for the president, actually it will be more of the same. But trust me I am not happy with the Democrats. We shall see what happens.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-20182782401804232232014-11-04T14:46:45.954-06:002014-11-04T14:46:45.954-06:00While I get your point, there are still quite a fe...While I get your point, there are still quite a few judicial vacancies that could be filled if Democrats held on to the Senate. No way would that happen with Republicans in charge. And the judiciary has an effect long past the President's term.<br /><br />So it really does matter which side wines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-54821622190123401312014-11-04T14:06:34.853-06:002014-11-04T14:06:34.853-06:00I think liberals are missing an opportunity for se...I think liberals are missing an opportunity for self assessment. During his presidency, Obama's approval ratings have declined from the low sixties to the 40%. His negatives went from 20% to 55%. Most of the damage was in the wake of the passage of Obamacare. The rest resulted from foreign policy disasters over the last two years.<br /><br />Voters did not suddenly wake up to Obama's blackness and didn't suddenly become irrational and petty. Blaming those factors will only obscure the real reason for losses at the ballot box. Yes, the Republicans are just as myopic, but this is opening the door for the rise of third parties and independents unless the major parties sort out their dysfunctions and learn from voter frustration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-23714127268937488822014-11-04T14:05:41.740-06:002014-11-04T14:05:41.740-06:00But it will be a miserable two years where they wi...But it will be a miserable two years where they will try to impeach the President. They may not succeed but they will try. Because they've got nothing else on him. Because that is their last resort. Because they cannot let his presidency stand as a success. They cannot let the first black president be a success. That would just open the door wider to others and permanently shift the balance of power from white men.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com