My two cents, for what it's worth.
My frustration isn't with the electoral college; it's how there are no individual experience requirements for someone to run for the presidency. I mean seriously, how can there not be a set of prerequisite qualifications, just like for any other job position? Want to run for office? Let's see your resume, education, certifications, accomplishments, and references ... and that's just to get you through the HR process and land you an interview. The right person should be elected not because of party affiliation, money in the bank, or flair at the podium, but because he/she is the right person for the job in regards to knowledge, experience, ethics, mannerism, and overall who they are as a person. Theoretically, unqualified candidates should be weeded out as part of the nomination process, but obviously that doesn't happen ... that is also a significant problem with our political process.
In my humble opinion, the one and only time the political system of the United States has gotten it right in my lifetime was with Ronald Reagan. Not because of his party affiliation, but because he was the all-around best qualified person for the job. Neither Trump nor Clinton come anywhere close to meeting what should be those absolute minimum requirements to run for the presidency. The country has been in a steady decline since January 20, 1989; is that going to change now? I'd like to think so and will be more than happy to say I was wrong ... but realistically, it's going to continue and likely get a lot worse.
The sad part is that this outcome would probably have been the same regardless of who was elected, Trump or Clinton. I don't have a lot of faith in the U.S. political system as a whole, because it has repeatedly proven that it doesn't deserve that faith. How many politicians have been convicted of one crime or another, had all their deeds exposed in hindsight? We are not a United States, that is a misnomer ... we are a country divided along political, racial, and economic lines. We are not United. If we want that, we need another Reagan or Roosevelt, someone to pull the country together rather than divide it further.
I agree that "this too shall pass" ... but we shouldn't have gotten to this point in the first place. Neither primary candidate was a good choice for representing the U.S. To me, electing Trump is the same as when Italy elected ... and kept re-electing ... Silvio Berlusconi, billionaire media tycoon, as Prime Minister. No matter how he acted in public or what he said, no matter what he was accused of (tax fraud, bribery, corruption, abuse of office, embezzlement, soliciting prostitution) they kept him in office. Why? It makes no sense. I mean, what does it take exactly to prove that you're not suitable to hold office? Trump ticked off just about every negative you can think of on the checklist, yet the people ignored that for a vague promised hope; not smart. Yet 4 years ago, you got a guy (Howard Dean) who's political hopes were dashed simply because he screamed once; how does that even compare to what Trump has said and done? But if it wasn't Trump that was elected this time around, then it was Clinton, who (I'm relatively certain it will be proven in the next 10-20 years ... you'll see it on a TV special about this election in 2036) was corrupt or guilty of this or that regarding the e-mails, Benghazi, Clinton Foundation fundraising, pay-to-play, etc. The only reason this woman was on the political stage in the first place was because of her husband's position 20 years ago; otherwise, her background and bad reputation would have precluded anything like this.
So I guess I don't blame Trump or Clinton ... I blame the political system that allowed them to even get this far. Again, perhaps Trump will prove me wrong in which case good for all of us and I'll happily say I was wrong and drink a toast to Mr. Trump's job well done ... but I think my liquor cabinet is safe for the moment.
WANT LIST: Any SK #186; Dark Man Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Black Tape Spine Proof; FDNS Unbound Color Proof
I'll admit I didn't check into it thoroughly because, like you, I wasn't going to use it in all likelihood. But I thought I might be able to get prescription drugs through them if needed. I was told I would be put on a list but unless I was indigent (or near indigent) I would probably never be entitled because I didn't serve in wartime and didn't serve 20 years for retirement purposes.
You don't know my kind.....You don't my mind.....Dark necessities are part of my design.....
Whatever your feelings or opinions are regarding the Presidential race, an election has been conducted and a winner emerged. It's now our duty and obligation to try to support the new President in any way we can as a country. IMHO
We as a people have spoken. Now it's time to act.
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
My feelings are my own and I try NEVER to project them on other people. EVERYONE has a right to their opinion...I may not agree with you, but I RESPECT your opinion as it is yours and you believe in it. That makes it worthy.
That said.....and after listening to King Monday night and cohorts speak about the 60's and protests...I can't help but think that the 60's (or a version thereof) may revisit itself now. Clearly we are a nation divided and FAR from united....we may (like the 60's) see the "left" organize protests, marches etc. if they disapprove of what comes ahead....Just a thought.
Dragline : Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me - with nothin'.
Luke : Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
Usually less than 60% of the eligible voters vote. And a lot of that is explained by my vote doesn't matter - I'm still getting screwed by Florida and Ohio and Pennsylvania because of the Electoral College. So what matter - local elections matter. The sheep are starting to wake up. City of Houston elected two Democrats to local office. Unheard of in these days.
I'm as guilty as anyone of going "Off Topic", but don't we have a dedicated thread for political discussion?
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
28 in 23 (?)!!!!
63 in '23!!!!!!!!!!
My Collection: https://www.thedarktower.org/palaver...ion-Merlin1958
The Houston Astros cheated Major League Baseball from 2017-18!!!! Is that how we teach our kids to play the game now?????
Be glad you don't live in Alaska, because there your vote doesn't even count. Because of the time zones and number of electorals, the vote will always be mathematically decided before Alaska's ballots are even tallied.
WANT LIST: Any SK #186; Dark Man Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Unbound 1st Proof; FDNS Black Tape Spine Proof; FDNS Unbound Color Proof
Wow, that surprises me, a couple of years ago we started getting Parkinson's meds, hearing aid's etc from the VA for my Father. He served 2 years in the Army in Germany. I am not sure what years, it would have been in the mid 50's. He turned 18 in 1953, so most likely it was in peace time, unless he overlapped the Korean War by a few months, but still, he never saw combat.
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'Salem's Lot Portfolio #606
Fairy Tale UK S/L
It isn't my duty and it isn't my obligation to support shit.
What we have here is an interloper - a thief, a charlatan, an actor, a fraud. Just because rubes at a carnival bought his geek act doesn't mean I have too.
Not for a second of any minute of any day would I willingly support any action taken by this group of scumbags and villains nor would I support anybody who supports this group of scumbags and villains.
I'm an American - not a North Korean, and that's who the rubes just put in charge - the North Koreans.
This is EVIL.
I'm the caretaker of Room 217..............I've always been the caretaker of Room 217
Sensitive topic the politics, right?
We have a saying in Argentina: if you want to keep your friends, never discuss politics, religion or soccer.
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Ubris
Hearts are tough, she said, most times hearts don't break, and I'm sure that's right . . . but what about then? What about who we were then? What about hearts in Atlantis?
No, there wasn't. I was as disappointed as the Democrats are right now when Obama won the last two elections. Terribly disappointed, in fact. But you know what? I got up the next day and went to work. And the day after that I also went to work. I didn't make a lot of "flying the flag upside down" or "moving to Canada" statements. My side had lost a legal election and I had to deal with that fact. I didn't protest or riot. I am just amazed at the actions and statements that are going on right now. It won't change the results of the election.
I completely agree. The protests around the country are really disappointing, and almost a shameful response for something that didn't go their way. I wasn't happy in '08 or '12 either when Obama was elected. He made policy decisions I was very much against, and others that I was ok with. Either way, life went on, and I never once went into my safe space, or thought the country was going to hell.
HAHAHA! I know people that made that mistake. HUGE mistake.
That's interesting for me, since I don't live in USA. Which were your fears about Obama? Why were you disappointed?No, there wasn't. I was as disappointed as the Democrats are right now when Obama won the last two elections. Terribly disappointed, in fact. But you know what? I got up the next day and went to work. And the day after that I also went to work. I didn't make a lot of "flying the flag upside down" or "moving to Canada" statements. My side had lost a legal election and I had to deal with that fact. I didn't protest or riot. I am just amazed at the actions and statements that are going on right now. It won't change the results of the election.
The press, with few exceptions, is a piece of shit everywhere and here it's not an exception. So I always doubted of the pictured painted by the local media about republicans (a party that the press shows somehow "primitive" in its ideas and projects). But the videos I saw about Donald Trump gave me shivers. And since there are people that felt the same way about Democrats, it's interesting to see their point of view.
What I do think is that neither of the other Republican candidates would have produce the repulsion and fear by winning the election as Trump did.
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Ubris