Why are both parties so stupid!?

[Lazerus]

Most of the forums I visit are fairly liberal, so I was interested in your perspectives on both parties. Unless you have a degree in Art History or are Rush Limbaugh, it's painfully obvious to to anyone with half a brain that both parties are horribly decrepit and keep making the same mistakes over and over again.

Democrats! The radical muslems are not poor little misunderstood children! They are amazingly pissed off fanatics who want to see your country burn, treat them as such! And Republicans! Stop doing everything within your power to make them ever MORE pissed off for no significant gain!

Republicans! Big oil may give a lot to your campaigns, but mideast oil also funds terrorism more then any other source. If you really care about crippling the middle easts ability to hurt us, you should be working with the democrats alternative fuel plans. Democrats! The public is sick of hearing you bitch about every little irrelevent species that's in danger! Focus your enviromental efforts on things that will actually effect the world significantly!

Republicans! Using our conventional army to suppress gurilla revolt didn't work in Vietnam and it sure as hell isn't going to work now. Democrats! Grow a damn spine on this issue!

Republicans! You use information to determine what policy is a good idea, you DO NOT start by deciding what your going to do and then array the information to support that. Democrats! Grow a spine on this......okay, screw it, GROW A DAMN SPINE in general! Your the worst opposition I've ever heard of that isn't actually a puppet of the controling party.

Republicans! While the religous right may be a powerfull lobby, thou shalt remember that god helps those who help themselves, and just because the faithfull think something is a good idea does not make it so! Democrats! Why the hell did you let your party get assocated with hippies, "psychic's" and other such BS? If you want to be the party of rationalists, make that your position! Don't straddle the fence!

Republicans! When the only person who will support your idea is a vile, hate-mongering talk radio host, reconsider! It's probably a bad idea. Democrats! When the only person who will support your idea is a hippie peacenik liberal arts professor, reconsider! It's probably a bad idea.

And libertarians....well, your position is actually coherent. The stem-cell research you support will no doubt help you given that you obviously suffer from massive brain damage.

*inhale*

Okay, I'm done.

[LoneWolf23k]

Well, at least you're not biased in your complaints..

[Lazerus]

Well, at least you're not biased in your complaints..

I voted a straight democratic party ticket, but only because I believe the democrats, by virtue of being more passive, will be less active in screwing things up.

[The JAM]

god helps those who help themselves

Interesting, but before anyone asks: that quote is not in the Bible.

[LoneWolf23k]

god helps those who help themselves

Interesting, but before anyone asks: that quote is not in the Bible.

Near as I can remember, that's actually the moral of a Fable of Lafontaine, about a peasant who prayed for divine help with getting his wagon out of a ditch, and was basically told "do it yourself, you lazy bum!"

[Lazerus]

god helps those who help themselves

Interesting, but before anyone asks: that quote is not in the Bible.

Near as I can remember, that's actually the moral of a Fable of Lafontaine, about a peasant who prayed for divine help with getting his wagon out of a ditch, and was basically told "do it yourself, you lazy bum!"

The bible dosn't have to say it. It's true.

People who go into battle with no plan other then "God is on our side!" dont' live to make that mistake again. Same logic applies in less violent indevors.

[ChronicMisadventures]

People who go into battle with no plan other then "God is on our side!" dont' live to make that mistake again. Same logic applies in less violent indevors.

From the film "We Were Soldiers"

Lt. Colonel Hal Moore: Our Father in Heaven, before we go into battle, every soldier among us will approach you each in his own way. Our enemies too, according to their own understanding, will ask for protection and for victory. And so, we bow before your infinite wisdom. We offer our prayers as best we can. I pray you watch over the young Jack Geoghegan. That I lead into battle. You use me as your instrument in this awful hell of war to watch over them. Especially if they're men like this one beside me, deserving of a future in your blessing and goodwill. Amen.

2nd Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan: Amen.

Lt. Colonel Hal Moore: Oh, yes, and one more thing, dear Lord, about our enemies, ignore their heathen prayers and help us blow those little bastards straight to Hell. Amen.

[ChronicMisadventures]

...and now for an actual answer from me now that I've gotten some sleep:

Part of the problem with both parties would be the imbalance caused by the defection of the Southern Democrats/Dixiecrats to the Republican Party in the 1970s/80s. This resulted in a further tipping of the Republicans into the conservative camp while removing the counterbalance to the left-wingers in the Democrat Party. As such, both parties have been swinging in opposite directions since then.

There are signs that this election, whether the Democrats want to admit it publically or not, may be swinging the pendulum back once again, however:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/midterms2006/ ... 11,00.html

Short version: A lot of those newly elected Democrats are pro-gun, anti-abortion, in favor of tighter control on public spending, evangelical, and/or anti-stem cell research social conservatives that will probably have the Berkley crowd howling in anguish as soon as they discover who their new 'allies' are.

[Lazerus]

...and now for an actual answer from me now that I've gotten some sleep:

Part of the problem with both parties would be the imbalance caused by the defection of the Southern Democrats/Dixiecrats to the Republican Party in the 1970s/80s. This resulted in a further tipping of the Republicans into the conservative camp while removing the counterbalance to the left-wingers in the Democrat Party. As such, both parties have been swinging in opposite directions since then.

There are signs that this election, whether the Democrats want to admit it publically or not, may be swinging the pendulum back once again, however:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/midterms2006/ ... 11,00.html

Short version: A lot of those newly elected Democrats are pro-gun, anti-abortion, in favor of tighter control on public spending, evangelical, and/or anti-stem cell research social conservatives that will probably have the Berkley crowd howling in anguish as soon as they discover who their new 'allies' are.

Aye, but the Republicans arn't swinging towards the middle. The dems are though, if only because they have no choice if they want to win.

[RHJunior]

The democrats won and the republicans lost for the same reason: they distanced themselves from their voter base.

[The JAM]

[...unWARP!!!]

Good evening.

Interesting, but before anyone asks: that quote is not in the Bible.

The bible dosn't have to say it. It's true.

Sorry again.

I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

Sure we have to do our part, but His help doesn't come because we help ourselves.


¡Zacatepóngolas!

Until next time, remember:

I

AM

THE

J.A.M. (a.k.a. Numbuh i: "Just because I'm imaginary doesn't mean I don't exist")

Good evening.

[WARP!!!]

[Namrepus221]

This is why I miss the Whig party

[The JAM]

Federalist, anyone?

[Sharuuk]

The democrats won and the republicans lost for the same reason: they distanced themselves from their voter base.

Bullseye RH!! The Republicans TOTALLY ABANDONED their core principles and core constituancy. And then proceded to alienate the rest of their base constituancy by continuing to cave in to the libs so they wouldn't be seen as 'confrontational' or 'partisan' by the MSM.

Made me wanna puke!

They wanted to be liked, they wanted to 'get along'. At no time did it EVER seem that they could get it thru their collectively solidly thick skulls that the MSM was NEVER going to give them a break no matter HOW much they tried to play kissy face with them.

I'm just hoping the country can survive after '08. The next 2 years are pretty much going to be devoted to them doing everything possible to hamstring the administration with subpoenas, investigations of every possible kind....you name it The paperwork blizzard is going to look like a confetti cannon at a rock concert.

Far as I'm concerned...they most definitely earned this kick in the 'nads. Lets see if they're smart enough to figure out why. Honestly....I'm not going to hold my breath.

Şaaruuk

[MikeVanPelt]

I'm just hoping the country can survive after '08. The next 2 years are pretty much going to be devoted to them doing everything possible to hamstring the administration with subpoenas, investigations of every possible kind....you name it The paperwork blizzard is going to look like a confetti cannon at a rock concert.

Far as I'm concerned...they most definitely earned this kick in the 'nads. Lets see if they're smart enough to figure out why. Honestly....I'm not going to hold my breath.

I just hope Bush is not going to put up with it.... say "The Constitution gives my office unlimited pardon power, and I will not hesitate to use it in the face of a partisan witch-hunt. Any prosecution which smells like a partisan witch-hunt, you convince me that there is something to it other than partisan witch-hunting, or I will immediately issue blanket pardons to all concerned, before the victims are bankrupted by legal fees. You don't like me, you come after me, not innocent subordinates."

[Sun tzu]

I'm just hoping the country can survive after '08. The next 2 years are pretty much going to be devoted to them doing everything possible to hamstring the administration with subpoenas, investigations of every possible kind....you name it The paperwork blizzard is going to look like a confetti cannon at a rock concert.

Far as I'm concerned...they most definitely earned this kick in the 'nads. Lets see if they're smart enough to figure out why. Honestly....I'm not going to hold my breath.

I just hope Bush is not going to put up with it.... say "The Constitution gives my office unlimited pardon power, and I will not hesitate to use it in the face of a partisan witch-hunt. Any prosecution which smells like a partisan witch-hunt, you convince me that there is something to it other than partisan witch-hunting, or I will immediately issue blanket pardons to all concerned, before the victims are bankrupted by legal fees. You don't like me, you come after me, not innocent subordinates."

So...If investigations of administration members are launched and Bush automatically pardons them...You're going to cheer on him for "stopping a witch-hunt"?
...
Sorry...Just got flabbergasted for a moment by how differently your side and mine would interpret and react to the same events.

[BrockthePaine]

Federalist, anyone?

Everytime I'm asked my party affiliation, that's usually what I answer!

[LoneWolf23k]

I just hope Bush is not going to put up with it.... say "The Constitution gives my office unlimited pardon power, and I will not hesitate to use it in the face of a partisan witch-hunt. Any prosecution which smells like a partisan witch-hunt, you convince me that there is something to it other than partisan witch-hunting, or I will immediately issue blanket pardons to all concerned, before the victims are bankrupted by legal fees. You don't like me, you come after me, not innocent subordinates."

That may work against the Dems in the long run.. If the entirety of their 2 years before the next election ends up being little more then a vandetta against Bush, then the Republicans can point out to their track record as not being very constructive.

Meanwhile, Bush's first step has been to reach out to the Democrats and go "Fine, we can work together. See? I've already taken some steps in your direction. Now, how about doing the same for me?" He's shown himself to be willing to work with them, and now he's put them on the spot to demonstrate they can work with him.

[MikeVanPelt]

I just hope Bush is not going to put up with it.... say "The Constitution gives my office unlimited pardon power, and I will not hesitate to use it in the face of a partisan witch-hunt. Any prosecution which smells like a partisan witch-hunt, you convince me that there is something to it other than partisan witch-hunting, or I will immediately issue blanket pardons to all concerned, before the victims are bankrupted by legal fees. You don't like me, you come after me, not innocent subordinates."

So...If investigations of administration members are launched and Bush automatically pardons them...You're going to cheer on him for "stopping a witch-hunt"?
...
Sorry...Just got flabbergasted for a moment by how differently your side and mine would interpret and react to the same events.

You're completely ignoring the part that I have marked in read in this posting. When Bush says "I have repeatedly asked for the evidence that this is more than just partisan witch-hunting, and after <x> weeks of requesting that evidence, no evidence whatsoever has been forthcoming from the Democrats. Therefore, I will do what I promised to do, and use my Constitutionally mandated power to stop this baseless, unjust partisan witch hunt" I think most fair-minded people will understand.

Of course, the witch-hunters won't. Or, will pretend not to.

Unfortunately, alas, I have come to doubt that Bush has the guts to do this.

[StrangeWulf13]

Unfortunately, alas, I have come to doubt that Bush has the guts to do this.

Republicans: Guts? What are these "guts" you speak of?

That pretty much cover the problem?