Obama's Mandate

[renard_ruse]

http://drudgereport.com/cm.jpg

We won Orange County. Woo hoo!

 

[renard_ruse]

We lost Washoe county? Interesting.

 

[Byron In Exile]

We won Orange County. Woo hoo!

You can't have, according to Sean Renaud.

That's an urban area.

 

[mercury14]

SS, Medicare cuts for everyone under 45. Let them have 401K type plans. Agency cuts. Streamline income taxes so that Americans and business don't have to spend billions upon billions on compliance, Cut regulations, create a friendly business environment, it means more revenue for government. We have to defend the nation. Drop the Education Department, drop the Energy Department, drop the Department of Agriculture, for openers.

Privatizing Medicare is a terrible idea because it makes Medicare way more expensive than it need to be. Just look at Medicare Advantage for proof. The whole premise of that program was that the private sector would be able to provide health care coverage for seniors in a more efficient, cheaper way.

Turns out that Medicare Advantage ended up being 14% more expensive than conventional Medicare. No, sorry, unless you have a new idea to make things cheaper this idea is a total dead end.

 

[mercury14]

Just curious....how in the world did anyone live, work, have a family, succeed in this world before all of these government programs were enacted? I think there are many many people who greatly underestimate the American spirit. Give people a chance, they just might surprise you on how they can make their lives work without ANY government interference.

Prior to social security and medicare, the living conditions for the elderly were usually horrid. Many had to live under the roofs of Church shelters or be warehoused in buildings where America stored its mentally ill (the ones who couldn't pay for treatment). Malnourishment, failure to obtain appropriate clothing, and death from preventable disease were the norm.

 

[doctor_insanus]

You've never met anyone who lived then, have you?

As a matter of fact, my grandfather did.

 

[garbage can]

Prior to social security and medicare, the living conditions for the elderly were usually horrid. Many had to live under the roofs of Church shelters or be warehoused in buildings where America stored its mentally ill (the ones who couldn't pay for treatment). Malnourishment, failure to obtain appropriate clothing, and death from preventable disease were the norm.

And here I thought the family took care of their own.

 

[Byron In Exile]

As a matter of fact, my grandfather did.

So did mine.

I guess your grandfather lived in poverty, then?

 

[phrodeau]

Cute graph. I am sure the rise in life expectancy could only be contributed to the government intruding into people's lives.

Hmm, still curious how those we know of from the bible lived to be in their hundreds. Must have had one heck of a medicare/social security/welfare system back then.

None of the figures in the Book of Genesis are accurate. They were all just learning how to count back then.

 

[KRCummings]

That was a great show. Ever since I first saw Charles Ingalls' hair, I've been a fan of the "Landon strip".

It was a terrible show. It had only very faint, passing similarities to the real family and the life they portrayed was not authentic in any way. Everyone on the show was clean, polite (even the assholes were just tv assholes and not really all that mean), helpful, honest, hard working, etc.
In real life they were just like people today. Some were mean, some were lazy, some lied and cheated and stole, most were dirty and smelly.
Pa Ingalls didn't stay in one place for long because he disliked being around people and had a bit of wanderlust to go with it. A minor social phobia of some sort perhaps. They moved often because as soon as people started moving in around them he decided it was time to go. Not at all like the homesteader, super awesome, perfect guy Landon portrayed.
He was by all accounts a nice man but also very stern with the kids. He supposedly played a mean fiddle, too.
Nellie didn't exist at all. She was a composite that Laura made up so as not to offend anyone.
The whole storyline with Mary is pure bullshit. She was blind. After that the tv show and her real story part ways and never meet up again.
An interesting tidbit, Laura's daughter Rose was heavy into politics and one of the founders of Libertarianism. She was also possibly a lesbian but that's just rumor that maybe came about from her somewhat feminist life.

 

[blobfish]

It was a terrible show. It had only very faint, passing similarities to the real family and the life they portrayed was not authentic in any way. Everyone on the show was clean, polite (even the assholes were just tv assholes and not really all that mean), helpful, honest, hard working, etc.
In real life they were just like people today. Some were mean, some were lazy, some lied and cheated and stole, most were dirty and smelly.
Pa Ingalls didn't stay in one place for long because he disliked being around people and had a bit of wanderlust to go with it. A minor social phobia of some sort perhaps. They moved often because as soon as people started moving in around them he decided it was time to go. Not at all like the homesteader, super awesome, perfect guy Landon portrayed.
He was by all accounts a nice man but also very stern with the kids. He supposedly played a mean fiddle, too.
Nellie didn't exist at all. She was a composite that Laura made up so as not to offend anyone.
The whole storyline with Mary is pure bullshit. She was blind. After that the tv show and her real story part ways and never meet up again.
An interesting tidbit, Laura's daughter Rose was heavy into politics and one of the founders of Libertarianism. She was also possibly a lesbian but that's just rumor that maybe came about from her somewhat feminist life.

I don't actually like the show; I just wanted to make that Michael Landon joke.

Rose Wilder Lane was a great American. People often accuse libertarians of sexism, but women held the movement on their shoulders in its infancy.

 

[RobDownSouth]

We lost Washoe county? Interesting.

If you're a fan of Nevada politics, you should read the Ralston Report.

Harry Reid built a political machine in Nevada with two goals: maximum Democratic turnout in Clark county and neutralize the Republican vote in Washoe county. The rest of the state was ceded to the Republicans.

By all accounts he succeeded fantastically. I honestly didn't think Dems could build a political group from scratch anymore.

 

[garbage can]

If you're a fan of Nevada politics, you should read the Ralston Report.

Harry Reid built a political machine in Nevada with two goals: maximum Democratic turnout in Clark county and neutralize the Republican vote in Washoe county. The rest of the state was ceded to the Republicans.

By all accounts he succeeded fantastically. I honestly didn't think Dems could build a political group from scratch anymore.

I'm thinking that if anyone underestimates the power of Harry Reid is making a grave mistake.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Just curious....how in the world did anyone live, work, have a family, succeed in this world before all of these government programs were enacted? I think there are many many people who greatly underestimate the American spirit. Give people a chance, they just might surprise you on how they can make their lives work without ANY government interference.

Look all around the world, at all the countries where things in general go as well as in the U.S. or better, all the industrialized democracies. One thing you won't find in any of them is small government.

 

[KingOrfeo]

Hmm, still curious how those we know of from the bible lived to be in their hundreds. Must have had one heck of a medicare/social security/welfare system back then.

It was called "biographers who lie."

 

[KingOrfeo]

That's not helpful in seeing who voted for whom, as it's by State. Ohio, for example, is all blue, although almost half the people there voted for Romney.

You want something like this, then; but that one's from 2004. (Say, Florida's looking rather . . . engorged . . .)

 

[julybaby04]

It's pretty much a fact, even in the south that if you live in a city you vote Democrat, if you don't you vote Republican. There are of course exceptions but the rule is solid enough to place bets that nobody should take on.

And why would this be the case (if it is actually true)? The only thing I can think of is those who live outside of the city have learned how to depend more on themselves, thereby no needing government interference, thereby not voting Democrat.

If those who live in the city vote Democrat, then by looking at the reverse, does it mean that those people must be dependent on the government for everything thereby have to vote democrat?

 

[julybaby04]

It was called "biographers who lie."

Or it is called God's Will.

It is also called a way to have an example of helping one's self instead of relying on government to "make the life happy and perfect" for them.

 

[RobDownSouth]

And why would this be the case (if it is actually true)? The only thing I can think of is those who live outside of the city have learned how to depend more on themselves, thereby no needing government interference, thereby not voting Democrat.

If those who live in the city vote Democrat, then by looking at the reverse, does it mean that those people must be dependent on the government for everything thereby have to vote democrat?

Those out in the hustings have no dadburn need for the government, as long as their social security checks, medicare checks and disability checks are deposited into their accounts each month.

They're bootstrappy...BOOTSTRAPPY, DAMMIT!

 

[julybaby04]

Look all around the world, at all the countries where things in general go as well as in the U.S. or better, all the industrialized democracies. One thing you won't find in any of them is small government.

Oh yes, please look at all of these countries. Please look at how those "not small governments" ruined the countries. You will be happy to know that we are headed that way!!

This country was better when the spirit of hard working and wanting a better life for your self and family was what drove the people who live here.

The country is now full (at least a slight majority full), of people who want a better life, happiness, ease of life, every material thing the decide is important to have, perfect healthcare, freedom to do anything personally they choose (not caring if immoral or even murder ...in the case of abortion).......all of this completely free. Free by having the other half (the slightly under majority) paying for it all. This "slightly under" are the ones who still work hard and try to make it on their own, trying to make a better life for their families.

The "slightly under" will not be able to support their own families and all of the "happy lives" of the "slightly over". There will come a time when the "unders" will learn to settle and live off "others" as well.

Then, oh my, what will we all do then? No One funding these "free happy lives".

Nothing is free.....EVERYONE has to help. If that is not understood, then no one will have anything.

Disagree as you will......but those who have the means will choose another "great country" to live in as the takers keep on taking.

 

[julybaby04]

Those out in the hustings have no dadburn need for the government, as long as their social security checks, medicare checks and disability checks are deposited into their accounts each month.

They're bootstrappy...BOOTSTRAPPY, DAMMIT!

Hmm, I believe you have it wrong. I believe the people in the city are the ones receiving the checks. Perhaps that is why they are in the city....more banks....easier to cash those checks.

Those in the "outer" are usually too busy working, spending time with their families, enjoying their lives with those around them, volunteering in places where people have needs (oh my goodness, all on their own too.....not mandated to do so), and not being too concerned about dealing with someone deciding they need something else for "free" because someone has more (....just sounds like a jealous spirit to me).

 

[jeninflorida]

We won Orange County. Woo hoo!

the only winner is Big Government and massive welfare spending. America has become a big loser. Long live the regime

 

[mercury14]

Hmm, I believe you have it wrong. I believe the people in the city are the ones receiving the checks. Perhaps that is why they are in the city....more banks....easier to cash those checks.

Those in the "outer" are usually too busy working, spending time with their families, enjoying their lives with those around them, volunteering in places where people have needs (oh my goodness, all on their own too.....not mandated to do so), and not being too concerned about dealing with someone deciding they need something else for "free" because someone has more (....just sounds like a jealous spirit to me).

The rural unemployment rate is routinely 8% or more above the urban one. Rural red state poverty in the south is third-worldish in many areas.

 

[mercury14]

the only winner is Big Government and massive welfare spending. America has become a big loser. Long live the regime

In a few months the 2012 statistics will come out. Since unemployment has improved markedly this year do you think welfare utilization will have risen or fallen?

 

[IrezumiKiss]

Or it is called God's Will.

It is also called a way to have an example of helping one's self instead of relying on government to "make the life happy and perfect" for them.

Pre-existing conditions were once called "God's Will," too.

Great when your kid don't got one, but when he or she does...welp, either you "help one's self" perform an open-heart surgery on the kitchen table at home with butter knives and plastic forks or you're shit outta luck, looks like! Best let the defective delete itself and get to popping another one out of your oven as is your duty for being a woman and a wife, huh?

And if you can't do that, for like, being too old or barren, then you're useless. And then your husband gets a younger, fresher model that can do what you can't do. See, alla that used to be "God's Will," also.