The Official GMG US Election Results Thread 2014

[Karl Henning]

"... the tightest general election in modern Massachusetts politics."

[Ken B]

To me the best single result is Scott Walker winning. But this is an important milestone, and worth noticing: the first openly gay GOP congressman: http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/11/first-openly-gay-republican-wins-seat-in-congress/ A squeaker.

[Todd]

What do you mean? It has been like that for almost two decades! Nothing is ever agreed upon.....   

Actually, it's been like that since the 1790s.  That's how it is supposed to be.  People who bemoan the adversarial nature of American politics, and talk of the good old days, don't read much history and/or succumb to false nostalgia.  The supposed halcyon days of cooperation that occurred during the Cold War were marked by mass protests, a resigning President, a Red Scare, and so on.  I know it's worse now.  It's always worse now.

I expect a lot of public posturing by some select politicians who fancy that they would make good presidents while the Republicans push through a good number of bills designed to draw a veto.  There is still the possibility that a few big things get through.  (I was going to write "for political reasons", but laws only ever pass for political reasons.)

The uptick in entertainment value will come from the presidential wannabes.  Cruz and Paul, say.  And will the Democrats actually live up to their aspirations and have a contested primary, or will they hand the nomination to the predestined Clinton, you know, just because she's, um, earned it?  I mean, come on, at least the Populist One Percenter Elizabeth Warren should give it a go.

To me the best single result is Scott Walker winning. But this is an important milestone, and worth noticing: the first openly gay GOP congressman: http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2014/11/first-openly-gay-republican-wins-seat-in-congress/ A squeaker.

Plus Tim Scott won his senate bid.

[Gurn Blanston]

Looks like the Republicans did it.  Hopefully, the new Congress and the President can work together to formulate serious, effective policies and legislation. 

Of course, I'll be fine with the Republicans adopting a Crush, Kill, Destroy approach to every Obama Administration proposal and action.  There is a lot of entertainment to be had in the next couple years.

They've done nothing else since he has been in office. Which is not to say the Dems haven't shot themselves in the ass many times over too. Everyone I spoke with yesterday and in recent weeks has been completely disgusted with both parties in congress. The net result here has been that the Repubs spun it better, with Obama's help, of course, and walk off the winners. Meanwhile, nothing will change, so hilarity will reign in Washington yet again.

[Karl Henning]

They've done nothing else since he has been in office. Which is not to say the Dems haven't shot themselves in the ass many times over too.

Well, everyone has some talent or other . . . .

Everyone I spoke with yesterday and in recent weeks has been completely disgusted with both parties in congress. The net result here has been that the Repubs spun it better, with Obama's help, of course, and walk off the winners. Meanwhile, nothing will change, so hilarity will reign in Washington yet again.

Truth.

[springrite]

Filibuster Heaven...

[snyprrr]

"LET THE PURGES BEGIN!!"

                   George Soros



Does anyone remember the story by Solhz... where there was a State Function that Stalin was not at, and, in the chatter, the name 'Stalin' was heard, and everyone stood up and started to clap wildly- and even more so, everyone wanting to be seen as such a loyalist. But no one would stop, and, apparently, it became a Monty Python sketch of exhaustion. Finally, some reasonable soul sat down, and then rest, herd-like, believed it was ok to sit down too.


This story was told to Solhz in prison by the man who sat down first.

There. That's what's coming, no matter who wins what.

"We didn't love freedom ENOUGH."





on lighter news- the shellacking here was awesome and stupendous- "shit face" got played and owned- ha ha "I will dip my toe in your blood." Hangings would not be out of order, frankly.




STILL- Gold-in-my-sachs contributes evenly to both parties. On a local level you can make a dif, but nationally the gov in run by INVESTORS!!!!! Right?











And, Reeeally Todd? Are you really into this "working together" slosh? I mean, you DO seem to know a thing or what, so,... why act so 'hopey'? Any time the Vampires and Werewolves work together, it is to devour your corpse More Perfectly... right? Nothing short of a military coup by a Calvinist Messenger of God will do,... eh?

[Todd]

And, Reeeally Todd? Are you really into this "working together" slosh?

Not so much working together as making political trades.  Obama has some long-term vacancies to fill in the judiciary, and at least some Republicans want tax reform, and lots of people dream of being President, so who knows?  I'm fine with that.  I'm also fine with paralyzing gridlock.  I love paralyzing gridlock.  It's harder for the government to screw people in new ways if the government is not working.

On a happier note, Oregon has become an early adopter of legal pot.  I voted no on the ballot measure - I always vote no on ballot measures - but I have an indirect economic interest in this vote, so thank you Oregonians! 

[Florestan]

nothing will change

I defy you all to find a better definition of democracy! (excluding, of course, Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose)

[jochanaan]

Well (I'll probably have to duck for saying this) the corporate overlords have won for the moment...

[Todd]

Well (I'll probably have to duck for saying this) the corporate overlords have won for the moment...

Don't you mean a different set of corporate overlords?

[Florestan]

Well (I'll probably have to duck for saying this) the corporate overlords have won for the moment...

Don't you mean a different set of corporate overlords?

Different set, same democracy! 

[Ken B]

They've done nothing else since he has been in office.

You are forgetting that the dems had majorities in both houses and still didn't pass a budget.

[Todd]

You are forgetting that the dems had majorities in both houses and still didn't pass a budget.

The rules are simple:

1.) If Republicans do it, it's wrong, and Republicans are to blame.
2.) If Republicans don't do it, Republicans are to blame.
3.) If Democrats don't do it, Republicans are to blame.
4.) If Democrats do it, Democrats deserve the credit.

[jochanaan]

The rules are simple:

1.) If Republicans do it, it's wrong, and Republicans are to blame.
2.) If Republicans don't do it, Republicans are to blame.
3.) If Democrats don't do it, Republicans are to blame.
4.) If Democrats do it, Democrats deserve the credit.

Funny how the Fox News commentators see it in the converse.

[Florestan]

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. - H. L. Mencken

Never truer tale was told
To a man of woman born

Case closed, forever and ever, amen!

There is no more stupid, idiotic and dangerous way of selecting the leaders of a nation than one man, one vote..

[Karl Henning]

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. - H. L. Mencken

The man who coined the term booboisie.

[Cosi bel do]

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. - H. L. Mencken

Never truer tale was told
To a man of woman born

Case closed, forever and ever, amen!

There is no more stupid, idiotic and dangerous way of selecting the leaders of a nation than one man, one vote..

Well, I'm not sure democracy is really worse than Ceaușescu. Is it ?

[Florestan]

Well, I'm not sure democracy is really worse than Ceaușescu. Is it ?

Of course not. I was just being provocative and a little drunk. 

EDIT:Democracy is just as good or as bad as the people are, and it is also strongly dependent on the economic conditions. An uneducated electorate in a dysfunctional economy, as is the case with Romania, can easily fall prey to demagogues and is easily manipulated by TV propaganda and brainwashing.

[Cosi bel do]

Of course not. I was just being provocative and a little drunk. 

EDIT:Democracy is just as good or as bad as the people are, and it is also strongly dependent on the economic conditions. An uneducated electorate in a dysfunctional economy, as is the case with Romania, can easily fall prey to demagogues and is easily manipulated by TV propaganda and brainwashing.

OK we quite agree then
That's also why education and economic conditions (the right to work, the right to have a decent salary, etc.) are essential to democracy. Democracy should not be defined only as the vote. There can well be non democratic regimes with elections, and democratic regimes without elections (for nominations, anyway).