General politics

[Craig Arko]

 

Wow, the nra ceo is ****ing nuts. I didn't know how bad it was until listening this morning. He just said the right to own guns is a God given right.....

I'm also pro gun. The things people want in gun control are widely supported. It's not even close. Gun people are too hung up on semantics. Just try to institute what we know is right and try to save a few lives. Save a few kids.

He's just worried his gravy train from the arms manufacturers will dry up.

[nicksaviking]

 

He's just worried his gravy train from the arms manufacturers will dry up.

 

Which in turn makes the lawmakers worry that their million dollar bribes from the NRA will dry up.

 

Rubio has gotten 3.3M from them? Man, those figures need to be required to be worn on their lapel while campaigning instead of the ironic American flag they pin to it.

[D. Hocking]

He got a standing ovation at CPAC today and Trump tweeted that he is a great patriot this morning, so sadly, do not see much changing without change at election time.  He really is creepy and the NRA just seems to get more extreme (watch the Dana Loesch videos - or any of Wayne's speeches).

 

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/02/22/npr-nra-leard-warns-of-socialist-wave

[TheLeviathan]

Dana Loesch is just as scary as Alex Jones.  Maybe more so.

 

[Badsmerf]

Anyone that was on the fence about the nra before last night, can't possibly support them now. They showed their true colors coming out in public.... It's stained blood red btw.

 

Trump is also saying the nra is ready to do things. Great. Glad the nra makes our public policy.

[PseudoSABR]

https://www.theonion.com/unstable-man-plots-to-bring-guns-to-schools-1819574765?utm_content=Main&utm_campaign=SF&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing

[Badsmerf]

That was from 5 years ago! Timeless....

[Riverbrian]

I actually don’t see this as a great example, but I do understand what you mean. They shouldn’t make it an issue on which to campaign. They don’t really need to make it an issue because it’s already protetected in the constitution, so yeah, don’t go there as a rallying cry in campaigns. But what I saw was the other side actually start to introduce bills, at the statehouse level, that make it illegal to kneel and force people to stand. That is akin to fascism and I would hope for individuals and the Dem party to stand up to that while not making it a specific platform for themselves.

That is how the game is played. The republicans introduce it and force the democrats to come down on the unpopular side. I’ll bet money that individual Republicans could give a crap themselves but they know it influences the sheep.

[Riverbrian]

Which in turn makes the lawmakers worry that their million dollar bribes from the NRA will dry up.

 

Rubio has gotten 3.3M from them? Man, those figures need to be required to be worn on their lapel while campaigning instead of the ironic American flag they pin to it.

Yep... Follow the money. If something doesn’t make sense politically. You just ask yourself. How is it paid for and the reason becomes clear.

 

No sense getting angry about it. If we can’t recognize it and band together to force effective campaign finance reform that actually works... we will deserve it.

[Badsmerf]

Companies are running from the nra right now. Coming out in the public with their ideals was a terrible move. They alienated libertarian leaning republicans and pro gun democrats. I'd like to say this is the end of the nra, but know better. If they shrink in size and power it will be a good thing for our country.

[TheLeviathan]

Let's see this sustain.  That's the key.

[Riverbrian]

Let's see this sustain. That's the key.

Yep

 

If the NRA is going to bleed you gotta keep the wound open because when the middle goes back to the middle... the NRA will go back to getting people elected.

[nicksaviking]

It would be a good time for the FBI to add the NRA to the list of domestic terrorist organizations on the grounds that they aid and facilitate domestic terrorism. It's not like the FBI is on very good terms with that demographic at the moment anyway.

 

Well I'd make me smile at least.

[Mr. Brooks]

It would be a good time for the FBI to add the NRA to the list of domestic terrorist organizations on the grounds that they aid and facilitate domestic terrorism. It's not like the FBI is on very good terms with that demographic at the moment anyway.

 

Well I'd make me smile at least.

Even though I think you are at least partially joking, i think lawsuits would be the better avenue.

Even if they aren't winning cases, bankrupt them fighting the lawsuits.

[Riverbrian]

 

Even though I think you are at least partially joking, i think lawsuits would be the better avenue.
Even if they aren't winning cases, bankrupt them fighting the lawsuits.

 

Attacking the money is always going to get my applause. I'm a single issue guy and that single issue is campaign finance reform (actual effective campaign finance reform without truck sized loopholes). 

 

I realize it probably won't happen in my lifetime but I will remain in the middle, on the sidelines and I won't get very serious about politics until I know the money is out. 

 

The NRA campaign donations are certainly something that bugs me and they help get people elected and the money does influence our lives. 

 

However, the true strength of the NRA is the single mindedness of the membership and the ability to mobilize this membership. The NRA has adopted this no compromise attitude and the members get the newsletters, refuse to compromise and they back this up by actually voting. The NRA has ended the careers of politicians who have opposed them. 

 

If you want to beat them... Yep... Make it harder for them to fund raise and this may be starting to happen because this new movement actually has potential if they can sustain it. However... more importantly... The NRA survives and flourishes despite being on the minority side of opinion because they can mobilize while the other side just kind of... bitches about it... at best. 

 

But here come the kids. If they can get the kids engaged and I think they can because the kids are rarely given the time of day politically. By taking them seriously... you are building engagement that will last until they are actually able to show that engagement at the ballot box. 

 

To beat the NRA...  You have to grow an equal sized base of similar uncompromising individuals on the other side who are prepared to yield their votes like NRA Membership does and the gun safety side simply hasn't had the single-mindedness on the issue to compete. 

 

Like I said... I'm anti political but I do watch from the sidelines and this is the first time that I have ever felt that the opposition has a legitimate chance of a fair fight with the NRA Giant.

 

Those kids can change it all. Let the kids speak and support them. They will get more teens and they will pull from the majority middle... let the adults build the infrastructure to inform and mobilize this new unified base that the kids will bring in and let the adults find the corporate sponsors, and strategically target the elected officials who do not act in their best interest just like the NRA does. 

 

My campaign finance reform issue isn't going to be solved soon so the best I can do is hope for balance and that means heavyweights on both sides of all issues. 

 

I give my full-throated support to those kids for this reason. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Badsmerf]

Iowa is embarrassing me yet again. A bill passed the state Senate outlawing abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. That's right.... and doctors aren't allowed to perform an abortion until a heartbeat was scanned for.

 

This is one of the most extreme bills on abortion I've ever seen... and it passed our state Senate. No doubt it would go to the Supreme Court if it passes. That won't help all the women that become immediately impacted by the passage of it though.

 

Iowa was also somehow ranked the best state to live in by us news. That is laughable. We have a budget crises emerging because of tax cuts, our teachers were just stripped of their rights, the education system in general is sub par, and access to healthcare is marginal. Sorry for the Iowa rant, but I can't wait to leave.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Iowa was also somehow ranked the best state to live in by us news. That is laughable. We have a budget crises emerging because of tax cuts, our teachers were just stripped of their rights, the education system in general is sub par, and access to healthcare is marginal. Sorry for the Iowa rant, but I can't wait to leave.

 

Trust me, Iowa's problems pale in comparison to pretty much everyone south of Iowa from coast to coast.

 

[Badsmerf]

Trust me, Iowa's problems pale in comparison to pretty much everyone south of Iowa from coast to coast.

I won't disagree... But I'd say Minnesota and some states in New England are doing pretty well right now. Also, Colorado Washington and Oregon.... Even California is doing comparatively better.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I won't disagree... But I'd say Minnesota and some states in New England are doing pretty well right now. Also, Colorado Washington and Oregon.... Even California is doing comparatively better.

 

Still top 10!

[gunnarthor]

In case you were wondering what it looks like when immigration takes a family 

 

[stringer bell]

I find yesterday's news that the Republicans are shutting down their Russian inquiry as really disappointing. This indicates that the House Republicans have totally sold out to President Trump. It is not like the old days IMHO. Now, Republicans will quote right-wing sources to cover their actions. There is an alternate reality out there and nearly half of one party is buying it.

 

I suppose if the Democrats take over the House next year they can reopen the investigation, or that the Senate or Mueller can ferret out the facts.

[Squirrel]

I find yesterday's news that the Republicans are shutting down their Russian inquiry as really disappointing. This indicates that the House Republicans have totally sold out to President Trump. It is not like the old days IMHO. Now, Republicans will quote right-wing sources to cover their actions. There is an alternate reality out there and nearly half of one party is buying it.I suppose if the Democrats take over the House next year they can reopen the investigation, or that the Senate or Mueller can ferret out the facts.

This doesn’t shut down Mueller’s investigation. I think that’s what they want ultimately to happen, or discredit it in the public’s eyes, by coming out and saying all is okay. I wonder if it’s not so much as selling out to Trump as maybe they already did long ago and the leadership of the party was involved, too.

[nicksaviking]

 

This doesn’t shut down Mueller’s investigation. I think that’s what they want ultimately to happen, or discredit it in the public’s eyes, by coming out and saying all is okay. I wonder if it’s not so much as selling out to Trump as maybe they already did long ago and the leadership of the party was involved, too.

 

Yeah, but it does indicate that even if Mueller happened to turn up an actual video of Trump and Putin exchanging money in a urine soaked bed filled with Russian prostitutes and the corpses of Dreamers which they just sacrificed to appease Satan's demands, nothing will come of it because there's nothing he could possibly do that would make them impeach him.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Yeah, but it does indicate that even if Mueller happened to turn up an actual video of Trump and Putin exchanging money in a urine soaked bed filled with Russian prostitutes and the corpses of Dreamers which they just sacrificed to appease Satan's demands, nothing will come of it because there's nothing he could possibly do that would make them impeach him.

In six months, Congress' identity may change.   That the Republicans aren't willing to do anything about Russia, I think, is good campaign fodder come November.

[nicksaviking]

 

In six months, Congress' identity may change.   That the Republicans aren't willing to do anything about Russia, I think, is good campaign fodder come November.

 

I hope so, but I'm less and less optimistic. Is anyone who voted Trump a year and a half ago actually ashamed of doing so now? That's what needs to happen and the GOP is basically now running on the platform that there is no such thing as shame.

[Riverbrian]

 

I hope so, but I'm less and less optimistic. Is anyone who voted Trump a year and a half ago actually ashamed of doing so now? That's what needs to happen and the GOP is basically now running on the platform that there is no such thing as shame.

 

It may not be a matter of Trump Voters being ashamed.

 

It may be a matter of Trump opponents getting motivated enough to actually go to the ballot box and stuffing something in there this time. 

[Badsmerf]

I hope so, but I'm less and less optimistic. Is anyone who voted Trump a year and a half ago actually ashamed of doing so now? That's what needs to happen and the GOP is basically now running on the platform that there is no such thing as shame.

There are plenty of people that regret voting for him. The Kasich song of the party is starting to gather some momentum I think. The republicans could very well lose the house (despite favorable maps) and the Senate is in play. If Trump loses both this year, the non-crazy Republicans should start pressuring more and primary him. Even with a strong economy, the Republicans don't have much support from independents.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I hope so, but I'm less and less optimistic. Is anyone who voted Trump a year and a half ago actually ashamed of doing so now? That's what needs to happen and the GOP is basically now running on the platform that there is no such thing as shame.

Well, fewer than half the voters opted for Trump in 2016 and many of those who did are now fat and happy, which means they're less likely to show up in the 2018 midterms.

 

Sure, the old folks and religious voters will always show up so it'll be a battle but do you see the one-and-done Trump supporters showing even half the energy they had in 2016 when their favorite candidate isn't even on the ballot?

 

On the other side of that coin, pretty much every person I know who didn't vote Trump is mad as hell right now, even several of the Libertarians.

[TheLeviathan]

Last night's Dem win is a perfect case study in all of this. Many Trump labor voters will turn on him for the corporate handout. (Aka tax cur) Many of his voters are also still single issue voters on health care.

 

So run a smart candidate to win that district not to check boxes on how left vs. Right you are. Thats how Republicans think, best way to beat them is to keep running sharp candidates that will represent their constituency.

[Badsmerf]

Last night's Dem win is a perfect case study in all of this. Many Trump labor voters will turn on him for the corporate handout. (Aka tax cur) Many of his voters are also still single issue voters on health care.

So run a smart candidate to win that district not to check boxes on how left vs. Right you are. Thats how Republicans think, best way to beat them is to keep running sharp candidates that will represent their constituency.

This all day. Run a candidate that the district can relate to, and win it. The guys was a social conservative Democrat and former Marine. Those types of candidates can win districts that voted trump by 20 points.

 

The democrats still need a cohesive message these candidates can fall back on. I maintain Nancy Pelosi as minority leader is a huge mistake.