The Tea Party

[Moonlit_Angel]

it was hilarious seeing them on the TAXPAYER FUNDED AND THEREBY SOCIALIST metro this evening.

please, just be consistent.

Ha, no kidding. But hey, what can you expect from a party that has extremists threatening violence against the government all the while they're stating how "patriotic" they are (swear to God, if I hear one of them talk about how much they "love the Constitution" and want to "take the country back" (FROM WHAT?! Will someone please tell me what the hell they want to take the country back from already?) one more time...)? And I'd still like to know how Sarah can claim to be a patriot and be married to a guy who belongs to a group that wants Alaska to secede from the U.S. I mean, after all, she was harping on like crazy in 2008 about how important connections were when it came to Obama and Bill Ayers or Rev. Wright, so...

Also, I was watching Rachel Maddow's show earlier tonight and they showed a clip of Steve King at one of the rallies today. Since I am originally from Iowa, I would just like to, on behalf of my lovely home state, apologize for this douchebag. Same goes for Chuck Grassley, too. Really. I am so sorry, everyone.

As for the whole Palin/Romney deal...well, I heard that one poll that said Romney came out on top amongst the Republican/Tea Party/whoever groups in regards to favorite presidential nominee, Palin came in third. So apparently Romney has more appeal (but I'm totally with U2387 in regards to him, every time I look at him the words "used car salesman" come to mind...). But honestly, I think I know why the Democrats haven't been more forceful in fighting the Republicans-like stated, they seem to just kinda be imploding in on themselves. They don't need anyone's help in destroying their chances, really.

What a pleasant surprise to come home to! How are you, dear?

Unfortunately, not all that good right now-going through some tough family times at the moment-I mentioned them over in the PLEBAns area, if you're curious, or I could PM you and tell you there, too, whatever. But hello! It's nice to see you're still here ! I'm on my sister's computer at the moment, and could use the distraction, so here I am. It's nice to be back, if only for a short time at the moment.

Angela

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

before that would happen

you would get this on the GOP ticket

Bible thumpers would take a spoonful of Mitt with Sarah to wash it down

the two of them winning office in 2012 would prove that the Mayans were right.

 

[AEON]

the two of them winning office in 2012 would prove that the Mayans were right.

If this is the GOP ticket - Obama wins by a landslide.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

nobody will be winning anything by a landslide.

 

[coolian2]

if it were the gop ticket obama would probably still win, but it'd be closer than last time.

and, at least with the popular vote last time, it was quite close.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

the GOP will be out at the polls in force in 2012... there will be no landslide.

 

[BonosSaint]

I think that's a beautiful idea, Headache. I'd certainly go for that setup.

Angela

Hi, Moonlit. Nice to see you back.

 

[AEON]

the GOP will be out at the polls in force in 2012... there will be no landslide.

I noticed you avatar...

I met Keith Hernandez when I was a kid in St. Louis (he was a Cardinal then). He had some great season there.

 

[AEON]

the GOP will be out at the polls in force in 2012... there will be no landslide.

In my opinion, the best hope for the GOP is a strong fiscal conservative that isn't too loud about social issues, global warming conspiracies, or international intervention (perhaps in the Goldwater mold).

Anyone running on a "smaller government" platform should do well.

 

[Irvine511]

Yeah, but I'm sure they hated every efficient, environmentally-friendly, affordable minute of it.

you know what other city has a metro system? MOSCOW!!!!!!!!!!!

(or, worse, PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[deep]

no one pays to ride the subway in:

HELL !!

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

we have a subway... we just can't afford it anymore.

 

[kramwest1]

you know what other city has a metro system? MOSCOW!!!!!!!!!!!

(or, worse, PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And look what just happened to Moscow's subway.

Wait. If terrorists hate metro systems, and Teabaggers hate metro systems, then don't Teabaggers love terrorists?

A-HA!!! Got 'em!

 

[Irvine511]

but they don't hate SOCIALIST metro systems. they enjoy using them.

they just seem to think that the fare to ride the metro somehow covers all operational costs.

which is hilarious.

really, i can absolutely understand concern about government spending. i do. Obama does need to start to deal with this deficit.

however, rallies on tax day really add up to just one thing: I WANT MORE MONEY!!!

(as well as schools, roads, police, etc.)

 

[kramwest1]

but they don't hate SOCIALIST metro systems. they enjoy using them.

they just seem to think that the fare to ride the metro somehow covers all operational costs.

which is hilarious.

really, i can absolutely understand concern about government spending. i do. Obama does need to start to deal with this deficit.

however, rallies on tax day really add up to just one thing: I WANT MORE MONEY!!!

(as well as schools, roads, police, etc.)

Rallies on tax day are extra crazy when 95% of U.S. taxpayers got a nice tax cut this past year.

 

[Irvine511]

Rallies on tax day are extra crazy when 95% of U.S. taxpayers got a nice tax cut this past year.

whatever! go back to Kenya with your facts!

 

[BVS]

In my opinion, the best hope for the GOP is a strong fiscal conservative that isn't too loud about social issues, global warming conspiracies, or international intervention (perhaps in the Goldwater mold).

Does this person exist?

 

[martha]

Does this person exist?

S/he sounds good.

 

[AEON]

Does this person exist?

Ron Paul is close. But I doubt such a person will win the Republican primary - so no matter how poorly Obama performs, he will likely hold onto power.

I can't see Romney or Palin defeating Obama.

 

[martha]

Ron Paul is close.

He'd have to really keep quiet on the social issues, though.

 

[deep]

why?

you were on board with this

"that isn't too loud about social issues"

aginst gay rights
aginst abortion, fine


just not too loud .

 

[BVS]

Ron Paul is close. But I doubt such a person will win the Republican primary - so no matter how poorly Obama performs, he will likely hold onto power.

Ron has some oddball social beliefs though. The thing that scares me about Paul is I always get the feeling he would cave in on his libertarian beliefs in order to get political power.

 

[AEON]

why?

you were on board with this

"that isn't too loud about social issues"

aginst gay rights
aginst abortion, fine


just not too loud .

My preference is to have a two terms of strong fiscal management led by the following principles:

1) Lower personal and corporate taxes
2) Drastic cuts in social programs
3) Leaner military (more reliance on technology and special forces)
4) Removing teaching unions
5) Tax credits for private schools
6) Tax credits for tuition spent on degrees in science and math
7) Infrastructure projects that are environmentally sustainable
8) All wealth is surrendered by federal politicians upon election - never to be returned, the government will give each one reasonable housing and health coverage for life (long shot, but I like the idea –and, it sounds expensive, but I think it will cost less than the robbery of the public coffers that’s taking place right now)

 

[martha]

4) Removing teaching unions

Why would I be denied union representation?

 

[martha]

Ron has some oddball social beliefs though. The thing that scares me about Paul is I always get the feeling he would cave in on his libertarian beliefs in order to get political power.

He's not all that libertarian, unless you count being loony.

 

[AEON]

Why would I be denied union representation?

Let me ask you this - could leave the union and keep your present position?

 

[U2387]

Rallies on tax day are extra crazy when 95% of U.S. taxpayers got a nice tax cut this past year.

Very true!

Americans are, on the whole, extremely misinformed about taxes. The media, the guy on the street, everyone, treats April 15 like a day of doom to dread starting on April 16 of the previous year! I even saw a guy walking around dressed like a Minute Man yesterday!

What they never mention or even seem to realize, is that Americans pay the lowest taxes of any industrialized country and live in the most prosperous, politically and socially stable countries in the entire world.

That is to say nothing of what you pointed out- the burden on the average American is down this year for a variety of reasons!

Its not just taxes, though, I think it is the continuous, slow erosion of sense in the country over time(even my short lifetime) that contributes to a general ignorance of all civic matters. I think Judge Judy can be entertaining once in a while, and I admire her as a person. Most Americans think she is a real judge or even a Supreme Court Justice!

I am fascinated by the tom-tom and Garmin GPS devices, especially since the navigation system built into my own vehicle, a 2002 Acura, is bigger, bulkier and runs off a DVD in the trunk, but only has 1/3 of the information this little hand held or wind shield mounted Tom Tom my brother has. We used it driving cross country this summer, but only to know how many miles were left on our route, how much time we had left, what exits had gas stations and how much slower/faster were we going than the old, out of calibration speedometer is telling us! I still make it a point to know where I am going- to look at a map before I go, to know how roads intersect, how to parallel, how to square a block, how to use exits and mile markers and spur around highways, etc. I still learn my way around places. Most idiots these days have no idea where they are going if its not in their hometown, can not for the life of them read a map or tell you the name of a street or whether a given city is 15 miles or 60 miles from their home, et cetera. I have co workers who park in garages that their GPS found in Boston, then rip the GPS off the windshield and use it to give WALKING DIRECTIONS to work!! Even my aunt who got along fine the old fashioned way for 50 years is wed to her GPS now. We went in separate cars to Providence once, and she met me all upset that the GPS had taken her down all these different roads and finally dumped her off in the right place. She asked if I had the same experience; how did you get here? My answer: "Took 95 down to Providence Place exit, took a left, a left and another left, went 3 blocks and here I am!" I knew that way from using it before. She probably did too. But she still used the GPS,which has a brain, but will not think for you!

I tell this irrelevant story just to provide some meaning in my endless quest to understand how such an idiotic person, Sarah Palin, and such an idiotic movement, The Tea party, can resonate in this country. Considered in this context, it really is not too damn difficult to understand the appeal of simpleton idiocy to a large block of Americans!

 

[martha]

Let me ask you this - could leave the union and keep your present position?

Yes. But what does that have to do with anything?

 

[AEON]

Yes. But what does that have to do with anything?

I think the teacher's unions have a stranglehold of power in education and are holding back much needed reforms (performance based promotions and firing, school choice, tax credits for private schools..etc). Free market competition will produce better schools. Also, by giving tax credits you enable lower income families to send their kids to better schools.

Additionally, in the public school system may not be legally required to join the union - it is certainly expected that you join.

 

[martha]

I think the teacher's unions have a stranglehold of power in education and are holding back much needed reforms (performance based promotions and firing, school choice, tax credits for private schools..etc). Free market competition will produce better schools. Also, by giving tax credits you enable lower income families to send their kids to better schools.

You should read both sides of these issues, and maybe talk to some actual teachers.