I don't like Rubio but during his town hall, I found myself nodding to his ideas about getting affordable tertiary education. They were pretty good ideas that should be looked at.
2016 US Presidential Elections | Trump Wins
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I don't like Rubio but during his town hall, I found myself nodding to his ideas about getting affordable tertiary education. They were pretty good ideas that should be looked at.
At this point it doesn't matter what Trump does, he'd get the polls in his favor simply because he's managed to keep the Republican circus open all on his own. Rubio and the others are just along for the ride.
This is true enough. Mind you, @barros and @MarceloFalcon are probably more Pro-Republican when it comes to domestic policies.
We did have a Republican nutter - I can't believe I've forgotten his name now (it was to do with a aftermarket high performance vehicle component supplier - Roush? ) ...since banned
I´d say Raoul is definitely a Republican (albeit a sane one), especially concerning economics.
good analysis. Trump knows his base. He gets their attention by appealing to their fears/prejudices. Muslims/Illegals. Once he does he points out some facts. The establishment is screwing you. Jobs/health care/social security. This was what made me toy with the idea of considering Trump. His recent statement on Muslims though is very dangerous. Whatever his ultimate goal. His team have obviously determined that with these statements, he can swing moderate/blue color Democratic voters to him. Think he will climb down from his 'wall'
. In the GE he will try and go to the left of Hillary on jobs and health care..maybe even on social security. I will go out on a limb here. lifting the cap on social security.Bipolar?
You guys still not understand this country, some states in the south the democrats are more to the right than the republicans from the north. I'm a Republican (I was Christian Democrat/Social Democrat in Portugal) and I see good things in both parties but my ideas are more to the right, I believe in the welfare with a limit, I believe in this "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." The democratic party uses the welfare to gain votes like most of the socialists parties in Europe.
Youre certainly right about that.
But wouldnt it also be fair to say that Democrats would be pretty much centre-right in the European context? From the outside looking in, comparing Democrats to European socialists looks like a massive exaggeration.
both parties are being dishonest. Obama came with the theme of unification. Bernie is the first candidate to challenge the established idea that the top are job creators, health care as is,education.
Ooh, I just learned a new word!
My problem with the your and the right´s whole welfare schtick, is that it is only applied to people at the bottom, especially minorities. You never hear about all the "welfare" going to those who least need it like farm subsidies, corporate welfare and tax breaks for the wealthy, the unbelievable amount of "welfare" for the Pentagon, the defense department and the whole military industrial complex or the astounding amounts of "welfare" for the drug war budgets, or the for profit universities getting their loans off the government etc etc etc.
If you listen to the Reagan era right wing "welfare" schtick, it´s one big racist dog whistle, which has come back in fashion with today´s right wing.
This is true enough. Mind you, @barros and @MarceloFalcon are probably more Pro-Republican when it comes to domestic policies.
We did have a Republican nutter - I can't believe I've forgotten his name now (it was to do with a aftermarket high performance vehicle component supplier - Roush? ) ...since banned
And I almost gave up on this thread when certain things were said a few days back. But yeah, trying to keep it from going full-on pro-Sanders echo chamber. Although I don't think there's an election since the reelection of GB Sr. that I would likely vote Republican (and I think Bill Clinton was ok). Its just that I'm open to the idea, if they were ever to put forward a decent candidate. Romney is bland and an uninteresting character which I'd still be able to vote for, but not against Obama. (Not that any of it matters, my only vote now goes to the Presidential elections of Brazil)
I really end up falling somewhere along the center of the US spectrum, because on a more global level I'm to the right on economics and a social liberal. So my ideals are centrist candidates, and since those don't really exist, I like a degree of alternance between Ds and Rs. The Republicans are the more dangerous and irresponsible party nowadays, though.
I understand my country just fine.
By the same token the republicans demonize those on welfare to gain votes like their counterparts in Europe.
I think it's pathetic for people to try to claim - people want to be on welfare. If welfare was so great, why aren't more people on it? Our benefits/welfare system is nothing like what the UK has...it's nowhere close to being as generous. I have never ever heard a person say - 'you know what...I think welfare is awesome, I'm going to give up my job and live it up on welfare.'
Dennis and Dee do that on Sunny, it doesnt end well tho.
case closed
The Republican party have really shot themselves in the foot - Obama got handed a dud and has to deal with it his entire presidency....in that time, they could have really gone to work to clean house. Instead, McCain and Romney look like wonderful candidates compared to who they have lined up this time around.
By the same token - the Democrats haven't done much better. I get Sanders is a breath of fresh air (well as fresh as a 70 something year old is ever going to be
), but for them to have to lean back on Hillary again, is a sad reflection on the party and the lack of leadership.As someone who has voted for Democrats and will do so again in November - I am honest enough to say, if Hillary was the Republican candidate, I would be tearing her record apart. Instead, I'm backing her.
FML!
Marcelo, perhaps not the thread for it, but do you have an opinion on the Lula stuff back home? I haven't seen a thread on it here. I used to teach a lot of Brazilians and am somewhat familiar with the story.
@MarceloFalcon
@MarceloFalcon
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Just think how bad the GE is going to be. Two candidates disliked by large chunks of the population with endless pots of money to use trying to make each other look worse.
@Red Dreams
Trump can't be trusted on the economy either...
https://theintercept.com/2016/03/10...ice-makes-a-mockery-of-his-campaign-rhetoric/
Trump can't be trusted on the economy either...
https://theintercept.com/2016/03/10...ice-makes-a-mockery-of-his-campaign-rhetoric/
I have many opinions. Suffice to say that I have said both that I will drink to celebrate each step of his indictment/trial that I hope leads to his conviction and jail time, and yesterday I got a bit excited and promised to do cartwheels down Park Ave. when he's first arrested. The last one I might not keep.
Part of my suspicions regarding socialism (and this doesn't apply to Sanders because I believe he's an honest man) started in my teen years when Lula was elected President. His and the party's discourse has always been very dismissive of correctness and legality within a republican context (not the party, the form of government). He also paraded his lack of education as a virtue, which is no way to run a railroad. Things worked out for him for many years and I'll admit it made me somewhat bitter, but I believe the developments of the last two years in the economy and the corruption investigations will prove to history that there was little merit and virtue in his cause and mission.
Overall though it doesn't mean Brazil will find top-quality leadership out of this mess. I'm not a believer in the country for a multitude of reasons, I just want to see the grandest fraud demystified.
EDIT: Things are getting a bit heated though, if certain groups that the left keeps fed with government money turn to violence even the military could get involved and people will die. Not the most likely scenario, but not impossible either. Army generals have let a few Supreme Court Judges and leading politicians know that they will not stay on the sidelines if someone initiates violence.
Turnout is the key. If it is Hillary, expect a 'normal' turnout. Trump as it looks will get new people who had not voted to vote.
I hope the Dems don't regret their choice of candidate.
tbh I don't trust Hillary either.
As I say, I've only heard dribs and drabs over the past few years, but a great deal of it was cynicism. Sincerely hope it doesn't come to violence.
@MarceloFalcon : Have you coincidentally read anything from Wendy Hunter (u-texas) about the issue?
Nope, is she good? For the last year or so I've been more focused on following day-to-day developments of the corruption investigations and the political repercussions, not so big picture.
I have read "The Transformation of the Workers' Party in Brazil, 1989–2009" and a couple of her essays a while ago. Most of her writing has nothing to do with the corruption scandals that surrounded the PT. Still her take on that is essentially, that the PT/Lula turned to corruption, because other avenues, that made Brazilian politics work were closed to the PT due to their ideological origins.
For a long time (especially till 02/03) the PT didn´t take (and obviously didn’t get) donations from the big donors. That´s why they started their original kick-back schemes to fund their activities.
Additionally the more radical wing of the party wasn´t happy to share too many ministries, which made it harder to create a functional coalition. So instead of rewarding other parties with ministries they just bought their votes.
In short: She argues, that the corruption in the PT (Mensalão/slush funds) didn´t start primarily for self-enrichment.
For a long time (especially till 02/03) the PT didn´t take (and obviously didn’t get) donations from the big donors. That´s why they started their original kick-back schemes to fund their activities.
Additionally the more radical wing of the party wasn´t happy to share too many ministries, which made it harder to create a functional coalition. So instead of rewarding other parties with ministries they just bought their votes.
In short: She argues, that the corruption in the PT (Mensalão/slush funds) didn´t start primarily for self-enrichment.
I can agree with that. They weren't even the first to engage in the practice of buying votes for straight up cash. That Brazil is a corrupt mess and has been for most of its history is why I don't believe in the country in general, but not what moves me to be so against PT's government in particular. It just happens to be the crime they can actually be convicted of.
What I've always been against was the manner in which their government has been conducted since around 2005-6, when they began the process of tossing out the hard-earned economic stability principles Brazil had managed to follow since the mid 90s. They did it so haphazardly and yet sure of their convictions, that stimulating consumer demand by credit and investment would bring its own supply so as to not create inflation, and the growth would be enough to increase tax revenues and avoid a fiscal crisis. Its all gone bust and people as far back as 2009 and 2010 were seeing and warning about it. By 2014 it was blatant.
In this thread discussing how the Federal Budget would grow under Sanders and the risk it creates of fiscal issues or a debt crisis down the line I've admitted that I don't quite know where the US actually gets into a debt crisis or what happens when it does. The US enjoys a unique situation. Brazil and all other countries do not, you play fast and loose with the budget and a debt crisis and inflation are just around the corner. It was true in the 80s, in the 90s, and is true today. PT just said feck it, bloated the government, doctored the numbers in 2014, and laughed in my face all along whilst claiming that people like me dislike the fact that poor people can now afford plane tickets (which this year they no longer can).
Anyways, don't want to drag this to another continent. Feel the Bern!
I'm all for Bernie and his ideas but let's be totally honest here. Nothing would be done in a Sander's presidency unless the American people wake up and change Congress...you know, that group of people that create/change legislation that would have an impact on people's lives. At the end of the day, a president can only do so much without the help of a functioning Congress.
yeah. I agree with all of that. Sadly almost no country in latin america has decent government. It is one big shit show. The standard is so low, that anyone who isn´t a downright criminal, seems decent.
Anway, back to the topic: http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-...esults/2016/03/marco-rubio-ohio-kasich-220635
Anway, back to the topic: http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-...esults/2016/03/marco-rubio-ohio-kasich-220635
How does 700 billion of tax payer money sound?
Pretty risky. Realistic of course, but risks yet another weak narrative in his litany of weakness.
Rubio is imo toast (in this election cycle). GOP voter don´t really want him and as a far-right candidate he needs to mobilize the conservative base to win the general election. Cruz might be able to do that, but he is the one candidate that is a lot more hated than Clinton; he can´t win the general election.
At this point Trump is probably their only shot at winning, which is quite bizarre.
According to every poll of public opinion that I've seen, Trump is far and away the most hated from either party.
Maybe what Brazil needs is a return to the days of the Military Dictatorships your boy Kissinger was in bed with.
I agree. Lot of time between now and November.
@MarceloFalcon
I can understand your frustration with corruption. But its not unique to a Socialist system. We have corruption here in the States. Congress/courts/Presidency in one way or another are corrupt.
I can understand your frustration with corruption. But its not unique to a Socialist system. We have corruption here in the States. Congress/courts/Presidency in one way or another are corrupt.
Apparently Carson's line about 'there are two Donald Trump' is not received all that well
Oh and this is the response of the very liberal Don about his supporters hitting protesters.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-...2016/03/trump-defends-protest-violence-220638
Oh and this is the response of the very liberal Don about his supporters hitting protesters.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-...2016/03/trump-defends-protest-violence-220638
Rubio Campaign is requesting Rubio supporters to vote for Kasich in Ohio. Don't think Kasich will return the favor.
This is pretty big...it was being insinuated...but Rubio Campaign now saying it explicitly.
This is pretty big...it was being insinuated...but Rubio Campaign now saying it explicitly.
Donald Drumpf likened Ben Carson to a child molester and today Ben Carson endorses Donald Drumpf.
You really couldn't make this shit up. Unbelievable.
You really couldn't make this shit up. Unbelievable.
I'm torn between Clinton and Sanders (I'm not american), I like both.
Everyone knows he's going to be the nominee, they just want a job with him now if he does become the president.
Donald Drumpf likened Ben Carson to a child molester and today Ben Carson endorses Donald Drumpf.
You really couldn't make this shit up. Unbelievable.
Everyone knows he's going to be the nominee, they just want a job with him now if he does become the president.
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