Countdown to Extinction: The 2016 Presidential Election

[Todd]

Have to agree with Droggy.  Sure, it was worse in 1860, but the Republican Party has definitely been losing it's grip on reality over the past 30 years, and the trend has really accelerated over the last 5 years.  Hopefully we won't need another William Tecumseh Sherman.

It's not surprising that you would agree with him given your Progressive inclinations.  Your melodramatic comparison is, of course, purposely ahistorical.  I mean, for all the bluster of the current Republican party, they still haven't even reached 1979 levels of recklessness/obstructionism/whatever other description you prefer and allowed an actual federal default to occur.  Maybe next year?  I would think that something at least that bad would have to happen before going to war.

In your estimation, what issue or issues could potentially lead to a second Civil War?

[Daverz]

It's not surprising that you would agree with him given your Progressive inclinations.  Your melodramatic comparison is, of course, purposely ahistorical.  I mean, for all the bluster of the current Republican party, they still haven't even reached 1979 levels of recklessness/obstructionism/whatever other description you prefer and allowed an actual federal default to occur. 

Ah, didn't know that and had to google it:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/delayed-payments-in-1979-offer-glimpse-of-default-consequences/2011/07/10/gIQARRBj7H_story.html

(I was in high school at the time.)

The article describes the 1979 default as "inadvertant".

Maybe next year?  I would think that something at least that bad would have to happen before going to war.
In your estimation, what issue or issues could potentially lead to a second Civil War?

"Don't make me come down there again."

[Karl Henning]

The article describes the 1979 default as "inadvertant".

The guilty parties would like to color it so 

[Karl Henning]

A friend of mine likes to point out that political discourse could hardly be getting worse by the year, if we started with the Vice President literally murdering his political rival.

(* chortle *)

[Karl Henning]

The latest batch of released Hillary Clinton e-mails appears to show, again, that Clinton Foundation donors got special access to the Clinton-led State Department, raising questions, again, about conflicts of interest that could serve to further jeopardize her campaign.

RTWT here.

[Ken B]

RTWT here.

People amaze me sometimes. My congressman was the longest serving ever, John Dingell, who spent only a few months working before joining congress. He retired immensely rich, with for example over$5M in GM stock. He voted for anythinh GM wanted and the bailout. How did he get rich except through favors, tips, and other forms of influence peddling. But it's impolite to call him corrupt! And he's a piker next to HRC!

[Pat B]

People amaze me sometimes. My congressman was the longest serving ever, John Dingell, who spent only a few months working before joining congress. He retired immensely rich, with for example over$5M in GM stock. He voted for anythinh GM wanted and the bailout. How did he get rich except through favors, tips, and other forms of influence peddling. But it's impolite to call him corrupt! And he's a piker next to HRC!

Too bad Scott Walker dropped out.

[Ken B]

Trump is not the only one running.
https://www.bobbyjindal.com/jindal-we-fill-our-culture-with-garbage/

[mc ukrneal]

People amaze me sometimes. My congressman was the longest serving ever, John Dingell, who spent only a few months working before joining congress. He retired immensely rich, with for example over$5M in GM stock. He voted for anythinh GM wanted and the bailout. How did he get rich except through favors, tips, and other forms of influence peddling. But it's impolite to call him corrupt! And he's a piker next to HRC!

What about his wife? She worked for GM and succeeded him as Congressperson I thought.

[ibanezmonster]

Trump is not the only one running.
https://www.bobbyjindal.com/jindal-we-fill-our-culture-with-garbage/

Not again with this bullshit...

We have generations of young boys who were raised on video games where they compete with other young boys around the country and the world to see who can kill the most humans. We make it so fun, so realistic, so sensational.

I guess you can't expect everyone to catch up. Some are slow learners, especially politicians.

[Daverz]

Trump is not the only one running.
https://www.bobbyjindal.com/jindal-we-fill-our-culture-with-garbage/

Jindal's lack of self-awareness is stunning even in a world with Donald Trump.  Can we bring back shunning, please? 

[Gurn Blanston]

Spend 8 minutes watching Scott Adams, an amazingly intelligent person, actually, discussing his thoughts about Donald Trump.  His essential premise, which is that reason isn't what makes us choose our leaders (sorry, Todd), is something to consider.

https://youtu.be/55NxKENplG4

[Todd]

His essential premise, which is that reason isn't what makes us choose our leaders (sorry, Todd), is something to consider.

Wait, when did that start happening?  Surely you don't mean to imply "There is a bear in the woods . . ." or "Daisy" were anything other than deeply thoughtful, honest, and appealing to reason. 

Trump's an effective showman, there's no doubt about that, and he has been since the 80s when he used to be on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Phil Donahue, but fortunately, he has made enemies who don't want to see him in power, and hopefully some of them will be unreasonable (though entirely lawful) in their ongoing efforts to derail him.

[Karl Henning]

I dig the title: “Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, From Eisenhower to the Tea Party.”

[Gurn Blanston]

Wait, when did that start happening?  Surely you don't mean to imply "There is a bear in the woods . . ." or "Daisy" were anything other than deeply thoughtful, honest, and appealing to reason. 

Trump's an effective showman, there's no doubt about that, and he has been since the 80s when he used to be on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Phil Donahue, but fortunately, he has made enemies who don't want to see him in power, and hopefully some of them will be unreasonable (though entirely lawful) in their ongoing efforts to derail him.

No, even simpler than that; you and I are now going through our 4th presidential election together, it isn't like there are a lot of hidden secrets any longer!! All I'm saying is that you have consistently applied reason and logic to the process, and the results have usually shown that the electorate at large is ultimately swayed more by demagoguery and a nice smile. Just sayin'...

[Karl Henning]

Perhaps this time around, demagoguery, narcissism, and a toupé!

[Todd]

No, even simpler than that; you and I are now going through our 4th presidential election together, it isn't like there are a lot of hidden secrets any longer!! All I'm saying is that you have consistently applied reason and logic to the process, and the results have usually shown that the electorate at large is ultimately swayed more by demagoguery and a nice smile. Just sayin'...

I admit I do apply reason, and for that, um, reason, I can never quite bring myself to trumpet the benefits of losing candidates.  For instance, I believe I called the 2012 Republican race a contest between hair, and sure enough, the best hair won.  I never thought Romney would beat Obama.  This time around, it's too early to tell still, but Hillary looks strong for the Dems but not as strong all around, but the Republicans need to end their circus and choose a serious candidate if they want to win.  I'm not convinced that Trump has a broad enough appeal beyond his fans who either like him because he's a sideshow, or because they are racist simpletons, or because they believe in the value of snake oil. 

[Karl Henning]

It was a winning snake!

[Gurn Blanston]

I admit I do apply reason, and for that, um, reason, I can never quite bring myself to trumpet the benefits of losing candidates.  For instance, I believe I called the 2012 Republican race a contest between hair, and sure enough, the best hair won.  I never thought Romney would beat Obama.  This time around, it's too early to tell still, but Hillary looks strong for the Dems but not as strong all around, but the Republicans need to end their circus and choose a serious candidate if they want to win.  I'm not convinced that Trump has a broad enough appeal beyond his fans who either like him because he's a sideshow, or because they are racist simpletons, or because they believe in the value of snake oil.

It was a winning snake!

The scary thing is that Karl may be right; the demographic you describe, the Trumpians, are unable to see past their myopic world view. And as Scott Adams was saying in that video, Trump is so good at what he does that he might be able to sway enough of the electorate to get through the process. After all, if there is one thing we have learned in recent elections, it isn't how good I am, it's how bad I can make YOU appear to be. And Trump is damn sure good at that.

Back in the 1990's somewhere, I gave up even the pretense of being emotionally invested in this shit. I always vote, but I know it isn't worth any more than the vice-presidency (i.e. - a bucket of warm spit), and so at best I can say that I am eternally hopeful that we won't screw the pooch until after I am dead...

[Karl Henning]

We heard it from Miss Alabama first: GOP should be 'absolutely terrified' of Trump