teen persuasion
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Post by teen persuasion on Jun 11, 2019 11:13:47 GMT -5
One thing I remember from my MA in Political Science is that when surveying the general public for their opinion on Congress as a whole the answer is often negative. However, those same people will hold their own representative in high esteem. It's the "other" representatives causing a problem not their own. One issue with term limits is that voters are attached to their representative/senators and don't want them ousted. I see that way of thinking in myself. I live in GA-05 and John Lewis has been the representative for over 30 years. I would be really sad if he was forced to step down because I think he has/is doing a good job. This has got be the explanation for Chris Collins' re-election after his arrest for insider trading. He's useless as a representative - he refuses to meet with locals or hold town meetings, he votes for bills that actively harm locals (but have the desired effect of stymying the governor), and now with his insider trading trial coming up he's been booted out of all House committees (so no influence at all). He's also been refusing to name a post office after his fellow Rep who passed away a bit ago - she's well loved and remembered (it was her district, before we lost a district and lines were redrawn), but she was calling him out on the insider trading before she died. His revenge is to refuse the honor to her. Honestly, why would anyone vote for him, with all that baggage? Oh, right, he has an R next to his name in an R gerrymandered district. Guess what - population is relatively shrinking, we're likely to lose another district, and his is the last number now...
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Jun 11, 2019 12:09:18 GMT -5
teen persuasion I do think part of the problem arises when the party refuses to stand up and say this person's character is not representative of who we are as a party and throws financial support behind a different primary candidate. And that's true for both Republicans and Democrats. In the 2018 mid term election there was a Republican who punched a reporter and still got elected. I think it might of been in Wyoming. A co-worker was commenting how she couldn't believe that result. The previous year there was a special election going on in metro Atlanta's 6th district that had the extremely right wing Republican Karen Handel versus the liberal Democrat John Ossoff. I asked her if John Ossoff had punched a reporter would she have voted for Karen Handel? She thought about it and said no. She would have voted for Ossoff and supported a different Democrat in the primary in 2020.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Jun 11, 2019 12:16:26 GMT -5
teen persuasion I do think part of the problem arises when the party refuses to stand up and say this person's character is not representative of who we are as a party and throws financial support behind a different primary candidate. And that's true for both Republicans and Democrats. In the 2018 mid term election there was a Republican who punched a reporter and still got elected. I think it might of been in Wyoming. A co-worker was commenting how she couldn't believe that result. The previous year there was a special election going on in metro Atlanta's 6th district that had the extremely right wing Republican Karen Handel versus the liberal Democrat John Ossoff. I asked her if John Ossoff had punched a reporter would she have voted for Karen Handel? She thought about it and said no. She would have voted for Ossoff and supported a different Democrat in the primary in 2020. And ultimately, isn't this the smart actual move? If you believe your vote counts, and that your representative's vote counts...and you're faced with "this person is a horrible human being, but they will represent my interests in Congress" or "this person is a good human being, but will do things in Congress that I completely don't believe in"...you'd want the person who will represent what you want I think. Particularly if the thing that makes them a horrible human being is something like punching reporters (meaning, something which is unlikely to necessarily reflect heavily in their voting on a key issue you trust them to represent you on). Nobody wants to be in a position to say "well...I guess the entire country will go in a direction i don't want it to because I voted for someone I don't really support since the other guy punched a reporter".
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Jun 11, 2019 12:36:58 GMT -5
hoops902 I absolutely agree. I would vote for someone whose congressional record aligns with my own views and then vote for someone else in the next primary stage. This is particularly true if there is a huge gulf between the political beliefs of the two candidates, as was the case in Atlanta. However, in Alabama where voters chose the Democrat Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore there's not such a wide gap in political actions. Yes, Doug Jones is more to the left than a Republican but it's certainly not the hard-left. No-one's going to confuse him for a northeast liberal .
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 11, 2019 12:42:14 GMT -5
... but homey cannoli AOC is showing what a freshman can do... ... What has she done? Hit the ground running. She is always on point with well thought out questions and arguments in any hearing or meeting she presents, giving a better showing than most that have been there much longer. A few things just from January... Co-sponsored her first piece of legislation, H.R. 242, repealing the PAYGO Act on January 4. "Green New Deal" proposal Gave her first speech from the House floor on January 16, She and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut taught a class to fellow lawmakers on how to use social media on January 17 Named to the House Oversight Committee Named to the House Financial Services Committee Hell she even put together IKEA furniture, danced blogged her skin care routine and grew a garden while working towards her government goals Do you follow her on Twitter? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/03/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-first-month-in-congress/index.html
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 11, 2019 12:46:43 GMT -5
teen persuasion I do think part of the problem arises when the party refuses to stand up and say this person's character is not representative of who we are as a party and throws financial support behind a different primary candidate. And that's true for both Republicans and Democrats. In the 2018 mid term election there was a Republican who punched a reporter and still got elected. I think it might of been in Wyoming. A co-worker was commenting how she couldn't believe that result. The previous year there was a special election going on in metro Atlanta's 6th district that had the extremely right wing Republican Karen Handel versus the liberal Democrat John Ossoff. I asked her if John Ossoff had punched a reporter would she have voted for Karen Handel? She thought about it and said no. She would have voted for Ossoff and supported a different Democrat in the primary in 2020. I was listening to an interview with one of the 2,000 Presidential candidates, and she said that the state's Democratic party has a policy of backing incumbents, even if their voting record is against the party platform. That is what it is, but they also went to all companies that service candidates during campaigns and told them if they worked for a candidate who was challenging an incumbent in the primary, they would be blacklisted. No wonder people don't vote. There are hundreds of ways that we feel powerless.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Jun 11, 2019 13:13:31 GMT -5
Hit the ground running. She is always on point with well thought out questions and arguments in any hearing or meeting she presents, giving a better showing than most that have been there much longer. A few things just from January... Co-sponsored her first piece of legislation, H.R. 242, repealing the PAYGO Act on January 4. "Green New Deal" proposal Gave her first speech from the House floor on January 16, She and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut taught a class to fellow lawmakers on how to use social media on January 17 Named to the House Oversight Committee Named to the House Financial Services Committee Hell she even put together IKEA furniture, danced blogged her skin care routine and grew a garden while working towards her government goals [img src="http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/wink.png" class="smile" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png" alt=" "] Do you follow her on Twitter? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/03/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-first-month-in-congress/index.htmlDisclaimer: She's far more left than I am. That said...I think the question of "what did she do" still kind of stands. If we judge "what has she done" in comparison to the PR "splash" of most new members, she's generated a lot of buzz. If we judge her based on the idea of "we'll get term limits, just look what a new person can do"...she hasn't actually done much of anything. She's used her fame to get some attention. Her biggest actual thing she's "done" is the Green New Deal, which isn't legislation and isn't binding (and also seems relatively unlikely to pass even given that it's not binding, and has not been well-received even by the leadership of her own party). So judging based on fame, or even on the standards we use to judge other new folks in Congress...she's doing great. Judging based on how I'd judge new members if we had relatively low term limits...essentially "what important legislation did you get passed" she's done relatively zero. She "is doing" what she excels at...social media, staying relevant, etc...all super important things to get yourself elected. If anything, I actually think she points to a reason not to have low term limits. She's a tornado of energy and ideals, and even she can't seem to actually get much of anything meaningful done. She seems like the classic example of "knows how to get elected, needs some time to learn how to get good at the job she was elected to". And even though she's far more liberal than I am, I think if she can stay elected she'll eventually get very good at it. She's someone that strikes me as having a lot of passion, but not actually having a great grasp of the job she was elected to and how to be good at it, and once she can get her feet under her will be a great asset (I also tend to think that low term limits hurt someone like her in that with low term limits there is enormous value in having someone who has significant experience at lower levels of government, so that they can hit the ground running with the actual legislation/procedurals moreso than just the "fame" aspect).
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 11, 2019 13:22:06 GMT -5
teen persuasion I do think part of the problem arises when the party refuses to stand up and say this person's character is not representative of who we are as a party and throws financial support behind a different primary candidate. And that's true for both Republicans and Democrats. In the 2018 mid term election there was a Republican who punched a reporter and still got elected. I think it might of been in Wyoming. A co-worker was commenting how she couldn't believe that result. The previous year there was a special election going on in metro Atlanta's 6th district that had the extremely right wing Republican Karen Handel versus the liberal Democrat John Ossoff. I asked her if John Ossoff had punched a reporter would she have voted for Karen Handel? She thought about it and said no. She would have voted for Ossoff and supported a different Democrat in the primary in 2020. I was listening to an interview with one of the 2,000 Presidential candidates, and she said that the state's Democratic party has a policy of backing incumbents, even if their voting record is against the party platform. That is what it is, but they also went to all companies that service candidates during campaigns and told them if they worked for a candidate who was challenging an incumbent in the primary, they would be blacklisted. No wonder people don't vote. There are hundreds of ways that we feel powerless. I can't quite decide if term limits with entrench that more or less. Part of me thinks that if the parties had to frequently court new people to their party that it would dispel some of the overwhelming power the political party has. The other part of me thinks that it would make it so the political parties are the only constant and it would flip wholly to a bend to our will or suffer the might of us. Then I wonder if it getting to that point would be what would finally break the entrenchment of our two party system.
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Jun 11, 2019 13:28:40 GMT -5
I was listening to an interview with one of the 2,000 Presidential candidates, and she said that the state's Democratic party has a policy of backing incumbents, even if their voting record is against the party platform. That is what it is, but they also went to all companies that service candidates during campaigns and told them if they worked for a candidate who was challenging an incumbent in the primary, they would be blacklisted. No wonder people don't vote. There are hundreds of ways that we feel powerless. I can't quite decide if term limits with entrench that more or less. Part of me thinks that if the parties had to frequently court new people to their party that it would dispel some of the overwhelming power the political party has. The other part of me thinks that it would make it so the political parties are the only constant and it would flip wholly to a bend to our will or suffer the might of us. Then I wonder if it getting to that point would be what would finally break the entrenchment of our two party system. My personal opinion is that it seems VERY likely to simply turn state governments into even MORE of a minor league system for the national. State Rep A, you go to the House and do your 2 terms, when you're done we'll send State Rep B in your place. The shorter the timelines the more valuable your experience if you want people to get things done quickly. There may be differing opinions on whether that higher focus on experience is a good or a bad thing I guess...but it probably does reduce the number of random non-politicians who can win (and let's be honest, part of the reason random non-politicians can win is because they can "fight the system" as a rebel against those long-tenured folks).
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souldoubt
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Post by souldoubt on Jun 11, 2019 13:34:10 GMT -5
National debt, healthcare costs, illegal immigration, infrastructure, SS and Medicare. I'm in favor policies that benefit the environment but they need to be realistic (i.e gradual) and if it isn't something the majority of the world gets behind and follows I don't think it will have the desired effect. I'm fine with something being done to address the rising costs of college but part of the issue is the government guaranteeing student loans. People need to take a good look at what they're majoring in and be wary of running up large amounts of debt for some degrees. I don't support any kind of bail out for student loan debt like some candidates have discussed because it doesn't address the issues and it's on the person who took the loan out to pay it back. If the country doesn't start to get its financial house in order now it's going to be a much harder landing than it needs to be. Unfortunately I don't have high hopes of much being done that addresses the long term issues we're facing.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Jun 11, 2019 13:42:18 GMT -5
Hit the ground running. She is always on point with well thought out questions and arguments in any hearing or meeting she presents, giving a better showing than most that have been there much longer. A few things just from January... Co-sponsored her first piece of legislation, H.R. 242, repealing the PAYGO Act on January 4. "Green New Deal" proposal Gave her first speech from the House floor on January 16, She and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut taught a class to fellow lawmakers on how to use social media on January 17 Named to the House Oversight Committee Named to the House Financial Services Committee Hell she even put together IKEA furniture, danced blogged her skin care routine and grew a garden while working towards her government goals Do you follow her on Twitter? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/03/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-first-month-in-congress/index.htmlAll members of Congress are named to committees. Teaching a class to members of Congress does not require a person be an elected official. Yes, gave a speech. Proposed something. Attached her name to a piece of legislation. Results? Effective legislators have results.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 11, 2019 13:43:37 GMT -5
I can't quite decide if term limits with entrench that more or less. Part of me thinks that if the parties had to frequently court new people to their party that it would dispel some of the overwhelming power the political party has. The other part of me thinks that it would make it so the political parties are the only constant and it would flip wholly to a bend to our will or suffer the might of us. Then I wonder if it getting to that point would be what would finally break the entrenchment of our two party system. My personal opinion is that it seems VERY likely to simply turn state governments into even MORE of a minor league system for the national. State Rep A, you go to the House and do your 2 terms, when you're done we'll send State Rep B in your place. The shorter the timelines the more valuable your experience if you want people to get things done quickly. There may be differing opinions on whether that higher focus on experience is a good or a bad thing I guess...but it probably does reduce the number of random non-politicians who can win (and let's be honest, part of the reason random non-politicians can win is because they can "fight the system" as a rebel against those long-tenured folks). Yeah, that's possible. I honestly don't follow much beyond mine so I don't know how many do go from state to national. Passing a no lobby after working at the fed level might put the breaks on a bit of that. I do think 2 terms is too little for the house unless you staggered elections like the senate. While I think our government is desperate for new blood, I think cutting everyone off after 4 years cuts off a lot of institutional knowledge when everyone's up for reelection every 2 years. 2 terms might work for senate since that's 12 years and their elections are staggered. So maybe 2 terms for senators and 6 for congress for a total of 12 years in office for either one? These were never supposed to be full time gigs, and while I can see how the world has become complicated enough that it may need to be a full time gig I don't think they should be able to sit up in Washington for longer than they do anywhere else.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jun 11, 2019 14:32:20 GMT -5
My senior senator is 85 years old. His term expires in 2022. He's already said he intends to run. He will be 88 years old.
It doesn't matter the party. Some of his age should not be in political office. He is on his 7th term in the Senate.
He tries to say he is a farmer. If anything, he is a hobby farmer and his family runs the farm. Yes, he accepts any and all government money available for farmers.
2 terms, in the Senate is enough. In the House, 2 terms is too short. I like the idea of 12 years each, so 6 terms in the House.
Having watched the senior senator for 10 years now (I did not live here when he was elected), I can see how he is aging and it shows in his speech patterns even when giving prepared remarks. Just like mine will, his brain cells are dying and he needs to go. However, he is so powerful in the GOP in this state, that he will die in office if that is what he wants to do.
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 11, 2019 14:49:42 GMT -5
Hit the ground running. She is always on point with well thought out questions and arguments in any hearing or meeting she presents, giving a better showing than most that have been there much longer. A few things just from January... Co-sponsored her first piece of legislation, H.R. 242, repealing the PAYGO Act on January 4. "Green New Deal" proposal Gave her first speech from the House floor on January 16, She and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut taught a class to fellow lawmakers on how to use social media on January 17 Named to the House Oversight Committee Named to the House Financial Services Committee Hell she even put together IKEA furniture, danced blogged her skin care routine and grew a garden while working towards her government goals Do you follow her on Twitter? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/03/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-first-month-in-congress/index.htmlAll members of Congress are named to committees. Teaching a class to members of Congress does not require a person be an elected official. Yes, gave a speech. Proposed something. Attached her name to a piece of legislation. Results? Effective legislators have results. Ok. Which legislators have been more effective in the same time period?
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Jun 11, 2019 14:59:55 GMT -5
All members of Congress are named to committees. Teaching a class to members of Congress does not require a person be an elected official. Yes, gave a speech. Proposed something. Attached her name to a piece of legislation. Results? Effective legislators have results. Ok. Which legislators have been more effective in the same time period? Isn't the correct answer "anyone who had their legislation passed"? Whatever that list is.
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 11, 2019 15:46:56 GMT -5
Ok so how many pieces of legislation proposed since January have been passed into law?
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Jun 11, 2019 16:55:27 GMT -5
I was listening to an interview with one of the 2,000 Presidential candidates, and she said that the state's Democratic party has a policy of backing incumbents, even if their voting record is against the party platform. That is what it is, but they also went to all companies that service candidates during campaigns and told them if they worked for a candidate who was challenging an incumbent in the primary, they would be blacklisted. No wonder people don't vote. There are hundreds of ways that we feel powerless. I can't quite decide if term limits with entrench that more or less. Part of me thinks that if the parties had to frequently court new people to their party that it would dispel some of the overwhelming power the political party has. The other part of me thinks that it would make it so the political parties are the only constant and it would flip wholly to a bend to our will or suffer the might of us. Then I wonder if it getting to that point would be what would finally break the entrenchment of our two party system. I think killing PAC money donations and Citizens United would go a long way to improve the quality of our politicians - get rid of the Big Money.
They should be limited to spending 1 million dollars on their campaign, which will be given to all qualified POTUS candidates from a government fund. (You'll need a certain number of voters signing a petition for you in order to get the funding).
Right now, politicians on both sides spend crazy amounts of money getting re-elected, which most of them get from big money donors, which makes the politicians toady to Big Money, and not us. PLUS - the UK only allows campaigning for something like 6 - 8 weeks prior to the election. No yard signs, no commercials, no ads, no robo-calls until 6 - 8 weeks from the election - we need to adopt that, too.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Jun 11, 2019 18:57:35 GMT -5
I think 2 terms in each is plenty, they need to get out and not get so entrenched they are there forever. ... I would prefer entrenched elected officials having the power than to have entrenched staff and bureaucrats be in control. Two terms and laying groundwork for their 20 year career as a lobbyist...
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 11, 2019 20:42:00 GMT -5
Hit the ground running. She is always on point with well thought out questions and arguments in any hearing or meeting she presents, giving a better showing than most that have been there much longer. A few things just from January... Co-sponsored her first piece of legislation, H.R. 242, repealing the PAYGO Act on January 4. "Green New Deal" proposal Gave her first speech from the House floor on January 16, She and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut taught a class to fellow lawmakers on how to use social media on January 17 Named to the House Oversight Committee Named to the House Financial Services Committee Hell she even put together IKEA furniture, danced blogged her skin care routine and grew a garden while working towards her government goals Do you follow her on Twitter? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/03/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-first-month-in-congress/index.htmlAll members of Congress are named to committees. Teaching a class to members of Congress does not require a person be an elected official. Yes, gave a speech. Proposed something. Attached her name to a piece of legislation. Results? Effective legislators have results. What has anyone else done? The house passes things that the Senate won't even consider and Mitch can stop all progress. Pelosi is making a bunch of noise, but not really saying anything. But other than that, I don't really know what anyone is accomplishing.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 11, 2019 20:48:18 GMT -5
Ok so how many pieces of legislation proposed since January have been passed into law? I think the more correct question should be ‘how many pieces of legislation have been passed by the House, but are languishing in the Senate due to McConnell stonewalling?’
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Jun 11, 2019 21:10:04 GMT -5
My main concern is the Russians throwing the election again and we have that man in again. God help us all.
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teen persuasion
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Post by teen persuasion on Jun 11, 2019 21:55:30 GMT -5
teen persuasion I do think part of the problem arises when the party refuses to stand up and say this person's character is not representative of who we are as a party and throws financial support behind a different primary candidate. And that's true for both Republicans and Democrats. In the 2018 mid term election there was a Republican who punched a reporter and still got elected. I think it might of been in Wyoming. A co-worker was commenting how she couldn't believe that result. The previous year there was a special election going on in metro Atlanta's 6th district that had the extremely right wing Republican Karen Handel versus the liberal Democrat John Ossoff. I asked her if John Ossoff had punched a reporter would she have voted for Karen Handel? She thought about it and said no. She would have voted for Ossoff and supported a different Democrat in the primary in 2020. The problem was state rules KEEPING him on the ballot. Initially, the Dems were cautiously optimistic that it was an opportunity to flip a heavily gerrymandered R district. Collins got very quiet, as it was clear the party wanted to replace him to hold the seat. The only ways he could legally be removed from the ballot were if he moved out of the district (not going to happen), if he accepted a different political position, or if he died. They hunted high and low for a town/village clerk position they could move him to, to hit door number 2, and came up with nada. No sitting clerk would take one for the team, and for the few empty clerk positions those towns/villages fought tooth and nail to block Collins from becoming their albatross. Most rightly pointed out that he didn't actually live in their district, so it was a moot point, he wasn't eligible to take the position. There were probably a dozen Rs eagerly lined up to replace him in the election. As his legal problems worsened, he did an about face and decided he wanted to run. I believe he realized his legal standing was better as a member of Congress. Those others are still lined up, waiting for his seat to open up when he goes to jail. I just can't believe so many voters would rather vote for a criminal who thumbs his nose at constituents, just because of party.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Jun 12, 2019 6:40:45 GMT -5
Outside of your opening sentence, I agree 100% When you say term limits, what is the number you want? Mine is 12 in the House, or six terms, and 18 in the Senate, three terms. I am not opposed from a House member after 12 years, going to a Senate seat. Realistically I wonder if we should go for much higher numbers. We have had numerous people in the Senate/House serve 30, 35, 40+ years. John Dingell served 59 years in the House. He was 89 years old when he left office. At a minimum, how about having an upward cap on who can run for office? Say you can't run for office after you are 75 years old. That would mean the Oldest people in the Senate would be in their Early 80's? I also think since it is not uncommon for People serving in the House/Senate to reach 30+ years, these numbers are very low - How about 30 years of service max, so in the House 15 terms and in the Senate five terms. What is your thinking on why a lower total years of service in the house? I was thinking that since they stand for re-election every two years, it may be logical to let them serve a little longer?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_longevity_of_service
Sure would be nice if we could get Corporate money (lobbying $$) our of Washington. Right now our government is for sale to the highest bidder. My priorities are Election Security, Women's rights, Healthcare for all/access to affordable healthcare/lower US Prescription drug costs in line with other countries - there is no reason we should pay for the research for the rest of the world. My in-laws went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for FIL's diabetes last week and it was over $1,000 for a 3 month supply (either that or it was $1,000/month). MIL said she told them to prescribe something else and they left without filling the prescription. This is going to happen more and more imho. I myself have a prescription I refuse to fill because it is like $173/month and I feel it is just too much. I don't think our legislators live in the real world on healthcare because their health insurance is so much better than the average American, and they get benefits after retirement.
I like your thoughts, but I believe no one over say over 72 yrs of age should be in Congress. I know that is an arbitrary number, but the fact is people over 70 are simply starting to slow down mentally and physically. Was watching Biden yesterday at the two rallies. I was shocked at his performances. He has slowed down. Maybe he is mentally fine, but his two recent flipflops make Kerry's flipflops look really good right about now. He looked old and acted it for the most part, and that makes him unacceptable as a President. Sanders at least has the fire for the position, and seems to be on top of his game, although he is way too left for me, and probably is way too influenced by his wife's political leanings..... I agree about the prescription situation. It is a mess that can be fixed if Congress was not in the back pocket of pharma.
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thyme4change
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Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 12, 2019 8:57:02 GMT -5
Realistically I wonder if we should go for much higher numbers. We have had numerous people in the Senate/House serve 30, 35, 40+ years. John Dingell served 59 years in the House. He was 89 years old when he left office. At a minimum, how about having an upward cap on who can run for office? Say you can't run for office after you are 75 years old. That would mean the Oldest people in the Senate would be in their Early 80's? I also think since it is not uncommon for People serving in the House/Senate to reach 30+ years, these numbers are very low - How about 30 years of service max, so in the House 15 terms and in the Senate five terms. What is your thinking on why a lower total years of service in the house? I was thinking that since they stand for re-election every two years, it may be logical to let them serve a little longer?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_longevity_of_service
Sure would be nice if we could get Corporate money (lobbying $$) our of Washington. Right now our government is for sale to the highest bidder. My priorities are Election Security, Women's rights, Healthcare for all/access to affordable healthcare/lower US Prescription drug costs in line with other countries - there is no reason we should pay for the research for the rest of the world. My in-laws went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for FIL's diabetes last week and it was over $1,000 for a 3 month supply (either that or it was $1,000/month). MIL said she told them to prescribe something else and they left without filling the prescription. This is going to happen more and more imho. I myself have a prescription I refuse to fill because it is like $173/month and I feel it is just too much. I don't think our legislators live in the real world on healthcare because their health insurance is so much better than the average American, and they get benefits after retirement.
I like your thoughts, but I believe no one over say over 72 yrs of age should be in Congress. I know that is an arbitrary number, but the fact is people over 70 are simply starting to slow down mentally and physically. Was watching Biden yesterday at the two rallies. I was shocked at his performances. He has slowed down. Maybe he is mentally fine, but his two recent flipflops make Kerry's flipflops look really good right about now. He looked old and acted it for the most part, and that makes him unacceptable as a President. Sanders at least has the fire for the position, and seems to be on top of his game, although he is way too left for me, and probably is way too influenced by his wife's political leanings..... I agree about the prescription situation. It is a mess that can be fixed if Congress was not in the back pocket of pharma. They are also more likely to die, leaving voters with someone appointed, rather than elected.
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Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 63,388
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Post by Tennesseer on Jun 12, 2019 10:07:21 GMT -5
Realistically I wonder if we should go for much higher numbers. We have had numerous people in the Senate/House serve 30, 35, 40+ years. John Dingell served 59 years in the House. He was 89 years old when he left office. At a minimum, how about having an upward cap on who can run for office? Say you can't run for office after you are 75 years old. That would mean the Oldest people in the Senate would be in their Early 80's? I also think since it is not uncommon for People serving in the House/Senate to reach 30+ years, these numbers are very low - How about 30 years of service max, so in the House 15 terms and in the Senate five terms. What is your thinking on why a lower total years of service in the house? I was thinking that since they stand for re-election every two years, it may be logical to let them serve a little longer?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_longevity_of_service
Sure would be nice if we could get Corporate money (lobbying $$) our of Washington. Right now our government is for sale to the highest bidder. My priorities are Election Security, Women's rights, Healthcare for all/access to affordable healthcare/lower US Prescription drug costs in line with other countries - there is no reason we should pay for the research for the rest of the world. My in-laws went to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for FIL's diabetes last week and it was over $1,000 for a 3 month supply (either that or it was $1,000/month). MIL said she told them to prescribe something else and they left without filling the prescription. This is going to happen more and more imho. I myself have a prescription I refuse to fill because it is like $173/month and I feel it is just too much. I don't think our legislators live in the real world on healthcare because their health insurance is so much better than the average American, and they get benefits after retirement.
I like your thoughts, but I believe no one over say over 72 yrs of age should be in Congress. I know that is an arbitrary number, but the fact is people over 70 are simply starting to slow down mentally and physically. Was watching Biden yesterday at the two rallies. I was shocked at his performances. He has slowed down. Maybe he is mentally fine, but his two recent flipflops make Kerry's flipflops look really good right about now. He looked old and acted it for the most part, and that makes him unacceptable as a President. Sanders at least has the fire for the position, and seems to be on top of his game, although he is way too left for me, and probably is way too influenced by his wife's political leanings..... I agree about the prescription situation. It is a mess that can be fixed if Congress was not in the back pocket of pharma. You (and me) are only a couple of years from your arbitrary age of 72. When you reach 72, get back to us (as I will) and tell us about your mental faculty and its ability. ETA: trump is 72 years old.
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Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jun 12, 2019 15:34:24 GMT -5
I like your thoughts, but I believe no one over say over 72 yrs of age should be in Congress. I know that is an arbitrary number, but the fact is people over 70 are simply starting to slow down mentally and physically. Was watching Biden yesterday at the two rallies. I was shocked at his performances. He has slowed down. Maybe he is mentally fine, but his two recent flipflops make Kerry's flipflops look really good right about now. He looked old and acted it for the most part, and that makes him unacceptable as a President. Sanders at least has the fire for the position, and seems to be on top of his game, although he is way too left for me, and probably is way too influenced by his wife's political leanings..... I agree about the prescription situation. It is a mess that can be fixed if Congress was not in the back pocket of pharma. You (and me) are only a couple of years from your arbitrary age of 72. When you reach 72, get back to us (as I will) and tell us about your mental faculty and its ability. ETA: trump is 72 years old. Sorry Tenn, my dad is almost 72 and I can tell a difference. Not a put him in a home difference, but the critical thinking is definitely not where it used to be. To be fair, he was a big viewer of all things cable news, and Fox in particular before they cut the cord. But still, my dad of a decade or more ago wouldn't have bought as much of this garbage as he does now.
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Tennesseer
Member Emeritus
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 63,388
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Post by Tennesseer on Jun 12, 2019 16:14:14 GMT -5
You (and me) are only a couple of years from your arbitrary age of 72. When you reach 72, get back to us (as I will) and tell us about your mental faculty and its ability. ETA: trump is 72 years old. Sorry Tenn, my dad is almost 72 and I can tell a difference. Not a put him in a home difference, but the critical thinking is definitely not where it used to be. To be fair, he was a big viewer of all things cable news, and Fox in particular before they cut the cord. But still, my dad of a decade or more ago wouldn't have bought as much of this garbage as he does now. Your dad may be having some problems but not everyone physically and mentally ages at the same rate.
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Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jun 12, 2019 16:17:54 GMT -5
Sorry Tenn, my dad is almost 72 and I can tell a difference. Not a put him in a home difference, but the critical thinking is definitely not where it used to be. To be fair, he was a big viewer of all things cable news, and Fox in particular before they cut the cord. But still, my dad of a decade or more ago wouldn't have bought as much of this garbage as he does now. Your dad may be having some problems but not everyone physically and mentally ages at the same rate. True, but not everyone is doing the politics kind of job either that needs a lot of mental sharpness to keep from getting run over
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oped
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 20, 2018 20:49:12 GMT -5
Posts: 4,676
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Post by oped on Jun 12, 2019 16:38:37 GMT -5
You know what ages people? A 24 hour a day job for 4 years... it isn’t for the old, even the oldish, sorry.
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thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,379
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 12, 2019 16:50:34 GMT -5
Hit the ground running. She is always on point with well thought out questions and arguments in any hearing or meeting she presents, giving a better showing than most that have been there much longer. A few things just from January... Co-sponsored her first piece of legislation, H.R. 242, repealing the PAYGO Act on January 4. "Green New Deal" proposal Gave her first speech from the House floor on January 16, She and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut taught a class to fellow lawmakers on how to use social media on January 17 Named to the House Oversight Committee Named to the House Financial Services Committee Hell she even put together IKEA furniture, danced blogged her skin care routine and grew a garden while working towards her government goals Do you follow her on Twitter? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/03/politics/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-first-month-in-congress/index.htmlAll members of Congress are named to committees. Teaching a class to members of Congress does not require a person be an elected official. Yes, gave a speech. Proposed something. Attached her name to a piece of legislation. Results? Effective legislators have results. 2 Republicans, including Cruz, are reaching out to her to partner on different legislation. 235 Democrats in the house, and they both picked her.
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