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[electricpirate]

I wonder how this election would have looked if democrats had reduced the medicare age requirement to 55 and held the vote on the Bush tax cuts.

Exactly the same.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Remember when everyone was reporting the Republican's party death 2 years ago? lol


Love it or hate it, the Tea Party has been the most influential political movement in this country in pretty much decades. Even if some of their candidates lost, it acted as a great calling card for a lot of people.

And it cost the Repubs the Senate and may cost them not only the Presidency in 2012 but may just bring down the Repub party altogether.

 

[ToxicAdam]

No states deserve Senators. Unicameral or bust!

 

[Gary Whitta]

Whose idea was it to put a guy with a serious stutter on MSNBC?

 

[Trurl]

I wonder how the things would have went had the death panels been operational before the election. The Democrats should have known better than letting all of those seniors stick around until the midterm.

 

[Drkirby]

The two Senator system dramatically inflates the power of small states. I can't remember the exact stat, but it's something like, states totaling 10% of the population have half the Senators. That tilts national policy toward interests of the very few.

That is sort of the point of the senate, but I will admit it could use some reworking since it was made with there was being only about 15 states instead of 50, and most of the states had sizable populations for there area.

 

[ggnoobIGN]

It also cost republicans the senate,

That's pretty ridiculous.

 

[GhaleonEB]

That was kind of the point when the system was developed.

I'm familiar with the history of the Senate.

It also means the two Dakotas have as much power in the Senate - and thus the entire legislature - as New York and California combined, which is a pretty bad way to run a democracy.

 

[Trurl]

Democrats just need to stack the Senate by dividing up their states.

 

[NewLib]

I'm familiar with the history of the Senate.

It also means the two Dakotas have as much power in the Senate - and thus the entire legislature - as New York and California combined, which is a pretty bad way to run a democracy.

This country is not a democracy.

 

[elrechazado]

It's bolded. Unless you think corporations have religion, the amendment is clearly, and explicitly, about people.



A corporation is not a speaker's "affiliation." It is a separate entity with its own legal and financial existence. We are not talking about a person's speech. Citizens United was specifically about a corporate entity's speech. You seem to not know what a corporation is.

If the right is only as to the people, the government can therefore censor television, newspapers, and the internet without recourse.

Wait, it can't, and your analysis flies in the face of the amendment, and over 200 years of interpretations of it by the courts. ..

 

[Evlar]

Gotta love this quote on the Florida legislature:

But for the state’s Democrats, Ms. Sink’s defeat may be the hardest to take. Many had said that a Sink victory would establish an important beachhead against a conservative storm. Instead, Mr. Scott, a former hospital chain executive who spent $73 million of his own money on his campaign — and who has never served in any public or civic office — will oversee a state government that has shifted substantially to the right.

“It’s a real opportunity for us,” said Mike Haridopolos, the state Senate president. “He’ll have the most conservative Senate since the 1860s.”

Mr. Haridopolos is a Republican, to be clear.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/sink-concedes-in-florida-governors-race/

 

[captmcblack]

It's your right to be that cynical. I can't take that away from you. But, in some of those districts, there was no benefit in having a minority run in those positions. Especially in those deep southern states, it might even be a detriment.

Regardless of what you think is the intention, it's still a minority assuming a role previously held by whites for centuries. It's still a real person in a real position of power making a difference in the world. So, not only did they have to overcome all the prejudices and stereotypes that hold back people of their own color, but they have to overcome the small-mindedness of their own community that sneers at them as a sell-out or an Uncle Tom. Just because they didn't intellectually "get in line" with the rest.

I would rather celebrate minority achievement than attempt to diminish them for cheap political gain. mckmas gets it, maybe you will one day too.

I can celebrate minority achievement without ignoring the subtext behind it. This isn't a post-racial society, and those things I mentioned still exist in this world - so to ignore them, pretend they don't exist, or suggest by mentioning they exist and are legitimate is to diminish those people for being placed in those positions is to lie...so let's not lie.

Trust me, as a young black male in America, born of Caribbean immigrant parents, I know all about what things those people had to do to get into their positions and as such my applauding for their success is understood. I don't have to throw them a party in order to substantiate my understanding of the trials of black people in America.

And trust me, nobody thinks they are "sell-outs" or "Uncle Toms". My comments are about the GOP, and not those people - and they are strictly in a political strategy sense. If you've got stuff to say in that arena with regards to my comments, I feel you. If not...well then, you're off-topic.

 

[GhaleonEB]

This country is not a democracy.

Oh, I agree. And while I didn't come out and say it, that was the point I was getting at.

 

[JayDubya]

We Americans are like battered spouses. No matter how abused we get, we stick it out. Then we reach a point where, only for a little while, we leave our abusive spouse for someone who actually cares and loves us.

But then, they come back with flowers and apologies. "Give me another chance! I've changed, believe me!". And every time, without fail, we believe them. We want to believe them. No matter how many times the cycle repeats, we want to believe.

There are systemic problems that assure that these parties won't just die and be replaced by new ones; parties can die - you don't see a Federalist or Whig party around today - but it isn't very likely.

Ideally if a party fails the ideas and values it was supposed to promote, it would be destroyed and those people that hold those ideas and values would make another party, with approximately the same number of supporters. In practice, the GOP and Democratic Party do so, and do not die.

 

[StopMakingSense]

1st Amendment stuff.

JayDubya,

By your reasoning, does congress have the power to repeal corporate personhood, since that would abridge corporations' right to speech?

 

[kylej]

Didn't even want to look at the papers this morning. Vote party lines! Vote for [the other guy] because shit wasn't fixed in 2 years! The Framers are rolling in their graves.

 

[obijkenobi]

Unless I missed something, it looks like there weren't be any Hispanics in Michigan's state legislature for at least two years.

 

[eznark]

Sounds pretty desperate that you're relying on punctuation to make your case.

Punctuation and wording matters. Ask any governor with broad based veto powers.

Didn't if it sentences say wanted you anything could.

 

[leroidys]

The right to peaceably assemble is clearly about people. The clauses before however are clearly separated by punctuation.

I'm not going to wade into the actual argument at the moment, but the usage of punctuation was significantly different now than it was then. If one is to go hardcore originalist, you have to consider things like that as well.

 

[knitoe]

It also cost republicans the senate, and could cost when the presidency in 2012.

Yeah. Tea party cost Republicans the Senate, but they are in better position for 2012 Presidency. Because, if economy continue to struggle, they won't get as much of the blame. Democrats will still get more of the blame since they still control 2/3.

 

[eznark]

I'm not going to wade into the actual argument at the moment, but the usage of punctuation was significantly different now than it was then. If one is to go hardcore originalist, you have to consider things like that as well.

True, and I'm not making a serious argument to be clear. I'm making the argument of the left on the second amendment.

 

[Wallach]

Looks like Bennett is going to win in Colorado.

 

[kylej]

Unless I missed something, it looks like there weren't be any Hispanics in Michigan's state legislature for at least two years.

The Republicans won Michigan. Of course there won't be any brown people.

 

[GhaleonEB]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/iowas_judicial_massacre.php?ref=fpblg

Iowa's Judicial Massacre

A very interesting story out of Iowa where three justices on the Iowa Supreme Court who had ruled in favor of gay marriage were defeated in retention elections.

It's the first time since Iowa instituted the current retention system for justices in 1962 that any justice lost. Now three go down at the same time due to a fierce campaign by anti-gay outside groups.​

Sad, scary and depressing.

 

[GaimeGuy]

So I noticed in a discussion on the star tribune website for an article about the upcoming recount, someone said Dayton "plans to raise taxes on the middle class." Another person pointed out that Dayton's plan only calls for tax increases on the rich, to which someone else responded:
"By Dayton's classification, it's a $140K for a married couple, or $70K each. That's not rich, that's middle class."

How do people fall for the idea that $140k a year for a household is middle class? Especially here in MN. The median home price in Minneapolis is ~$210K iirc, and falling.

Not to mention that this is the top tax bracket (we have three state income tax brackets. For couples filing jointly, these are roughly 0-~$35k, $35K-~$140k, $140K+).

I'm sure the guy saying "that's not rich, that's middle class" makes like 35k and probably has no idea how far $140k goes. After taxes and living expenses, you can easily save enough money to purchase a home with a 100% down payment in 3-4 years, and that is simply with money you put in a checking account with no interest.

I hate people in this country. So ignorant.

 

[ggnoobIGN]

Yeah. Tea party cost Republicans the Senate,

You have to look at the Tea Party's effects well beyond simply losing a few senate races last night. The movement rallied the entire GOP party to go out and vote and take back the country. Thad profound effects across the board, which I'm sure even attributed to other, non Tea Party Repubs winning last night.

 

[StopMakingSense]

In other news, Carly Fiorina, despite being 700k votes and 10 points down, with 93% reporting, has not conceded yet.

She should have tried that when HP's board voted to fire her.

 

[Ponn]

Gotta love this quote on the Florida legislature:

But for the state’s Democrats, Ms. Sink’s defeat may be the hardest to take. Many had said that a Sink victory would establish an important beachhead against a conservative storm. Instead, Mr. Scott, a former hospital chain executive who spent $73 million of THE MONEY HE STOLE FROM MEDICARE on his campaign — and who has never served in any public or civic office — will oversee a state government that has shifted substantially to the right.

“It’s a real opportunity for us,” said Mike Haridopolos, the state Senate president. “He’ll have the most conservative Senate since the 1860s.”

Mr. Haridopolos is a Republican, to be clear.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/sink-concedes-in-florida-governors-race/

Fixed for better accuracy

 

[ToxicAdam]

How do people fall for the idea that $140k a year for a household is middle class? Especially here in MN. The median home price in Minneapolis is ~$210K iirc, and falling

Two teaching salaries can be about 140k (if they have some time under their belt). I would call them middle class, no matter where they live in the country.

 

[eznark]

In other news, Carly Fiorina, despite being 700k votes and 10 points down, with 93% reporting, has not conceded yet.

She should have tried that when HP's board voted to fire her.

Feingold and Barrett both did the same last night. Sore losers the lot.

 

[elrechazado]

Biggest story nobody's really talking about is the GOP controlling more state legislatures than they have since the 20's. That is going to have a huge effect on gerrymandering and whatnot that will impact 2012 in a much bigger way than the GOP having the senate might have.

 

[empty vessel]

If the right is only as to the people, the government can therefore censor television, newspapers, and the internet without recourse.

Wait, it can't, and your analysis flies in the face of the amendment, and over 200 years of interpretations of it by the courts. ..

Is it your contention that the early American press--that which existed when the First Amendment was ratified--was in the nature of the corporate form? Is it your contention that, historically, persons seeking the government privilege of the corporate form were not required to act in the public interest and only for a limited time and for an express purpose? Is it your contention that the governmental powers endowed by the corporate form have not changed in the last 200 years? Finally, is it your contention that state governments have no regulatory power over corporations that claim they are the press?

One might suggest this result to be a pernicious one that has largely contributed the higly dysfunctional state of the American polity today.

 

[eznark]

Biggest story nobody's really talking about is the GOP controlling more state legislatures than they have since the 20's. That is going to have a huge effect on gerrymandering and whatnot that will impact 2012 in a much bigger way than the GOP having the senate might have.

I said it earlier, passing the voter ID bill in Wisconsin significantly changes Midwest Democratic strategy. I can't imagine there will be volunteers from all the neighboring states flocking to Wisconsin for get out the vote efforts.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Two teaching salaries can be about 140k (if they have some time under their belt). I would call them middle class, no matter where they live in the country.

What is you definition of "middle"? Median household income in the US is $50,000. That "middle class" household would make nearly three times the national average.

 

[06nbarnhill]

Biggest story nobody's really talking about is the GOP controlling more state legislatures than they have since the 20's. That is going to have a huge effect on gerrymandering and whatnot that will impact 2012 in a much bigger way than the GOP having the senate might have.

Not really. I found a blog on electoral-vote.com breaking it down by state and the republicans (with their gains) are only likely to pick up 5 seats via Gerrymandering (or less. Gerrymandering has a history of being poorly done and actually costing seats).

 

[S1lent]

Not really. I found a blog on electoral-vote.com breaking it down by state and the republicans (with their gains) are only likely to pick up 5 seats via Gerrymandering (or less. Gerrymandering has a history of being poorly done and actually costing seats).

You have a link?

 

[Kusagari]

So, looks like Rubio will win with 49%. If Meek had dropped out before early voting started could Crist have won?

 

[obijkenobi]

The Republicans won Michigan. Of course there won't be any brown people.

We had 3 Hispanics in the state legislature, but they are all termed out

 

[dschalter]

Not really. I found a blog on electoral-vote.com breaking it down by state and the republicans (with their gains) are only likely to pick up 5 seats via Gerrymandering (or less. Gerrymandering has a history of being poorly done and actually costing seats).

Yeah, gerrymandering is quite tricky, because if there is a wave election you can get blown out massively (the idea is to make a bunch of districts that narrowly favor your party, which is pretty awkward when there is a big swing against you).

 

[Evlar]

So, looks like Rubio will win with 49%. If Meek had dropped out before early voting started could Crist have won?

It would have been very close. Voter turnout among Dems would have been depressed somewhat.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Obama live at 1pm est

stream
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/39988257#39988257

 

[NumberTwo]

Obama live at 1pm est

stream
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/39988257#39988257

Can you say awkward....

 

[jmdajr]

it be cool if his first words were..

"we'll that sucked..."

 

[Mrbob]

Feingold and Barrett both did the same last night. Sore losers the lot.

Feingold was supremely bitter. Is this video online anywhere?

 

[-PXG-]

And here we go. Man he looks pissed.

 

[GaimeGuy]

What is you definition of "middle"? Median household income in the US is $50,000. That "middle class" household would make nearly three times the national average.

This bears repeating, toxicadam: while I don't know where exactly a household with $140k stands, I do know that the top quintile of households had incomes exceeding $91.7k back in 2006, and the top 7.5% of households had incomes over $150K. Households making $140k or more are most likely the top duodecimitile or tredecimitile (top 1/12th or top 1/13th). How can even the least wealthy of these households be considered middle class, when they're wealthier than ~92% of the nation?

 

[eznark]

conciliatory so far, more pragmatist than ideologue?

 

[empty vessel]

This bears repeating, toxicadam: while I don't know where exactly a household with $140k stands...

Top 10%, but still having a share of its wealth confiscated by the top 1%.

 

[giga]

HCR repealed!