This thread will be about the upcoming US Presidential election. While it is not certain who the Republicans will run, I think it is safe to assume their candidate will be Mitt Romney. Obviously the Democrats will run Barack Obama, who now has a record to run against, unless the main stream media chooses to ignore it. He can't hide it this time around.

My objective with this thread will be to have anything on topic if it elates to the candidates, political parties, issues, electorate or anything else currently being discussed in the political arena.

Just to make my position completely clear, I am NOT an Obama supporter. I personally feel he is the single worst President ever to grace the White House. His policies and agenda have suborned the US Constitution and his profligate spending has had a serious impact on the US economy and recovery from the Bush recession. His policy of crony capitalism should not be tolerated and his foreign policy initiatives should be dismissed, if anyone can figure out what his foreign policy really is.

My position is ABO (Anybody but Obama).

Both parties are at fault on some of this but his Presidency will be judged by his actions. His reelection should take the same matters into consideration.

Comments?

I agree that Obama needs to go.

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, as I don't think Romney (or any of the other wannabes) stands a chance against Obama. What, perhaps, should be is not in the same realm as what will be.

OMG, we've got a historian here! Worse president in U.S. history? Translation -- republican on board.

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

OMG, we've got a historian here! Worse president in U.S. history? Translation -- republican on board.

The correct word, as in the OP, was 'worst'.

Sloppy speech and grammar produces 'worse' spellings than should be the case.

Whatever, dude.

Anyway, Romney isn't as "marvelous" as some might think.

With the exception of RP I look at the candidates & I am in awe of their total lack of economical/financial crisis/monetary policy/monetary reform/foreign policy/aid knowledge. They have not a clue of how we arrived at this spot or if they do they have no intention of changing it. Instead they all seem to be of the keep digging/keep kicking the can down the road/serve their true masters school of politics.

They do not even notice the end of the road is just ahead

They do not even notice the end of the road is just ahead

It ends at a very high cliff, with no safety fence.

The current object should be to build such a fence, then re-route the road.

Same in UK, but again, not a clue.

They do not even notice the end of the road is just ahead

It ends at a very high cliff, with no safety fence.

The current object should be to build such a fence, then re-route the road.

Same in UK, but again, not a clue.

Or at least stop digging the hole/kicking the can/speeding towards the cliff

That way it may take a little longer to reach the cliff

Instead they have the pedal to the metal in hopes of masking

off any immediate pain. Yet we had the party & now it is time to suffer the bill & hangover

It is an irresponsible illusion they try to paint that they can keep drinking endlessly & never

pay the bill or suffer the hangover effects

Is America ready for Romneality? I don't think so. Obama may seem "foreign" to Americans, but Romney seems otherworldly.

To be honest, even people like Mr. Fehrnstrom who are experts in Mitt Romney’s reality, or “Romneality,” seem bewildered by its implications; and any person who tells you he or she truly “understands” Mitt Romney is either lying or a corporation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/opinion/sunday/a-quantum-theory-of-mitt-romney.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=general

Ron Paul isn't running against Obama. Romney is.

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

The threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent have a direct effect on me. Who the POTUS is doesn't affect my life at all.

Who the POTUS is doesn't affect my life at all.

I am hoping soon it will not affect mine either

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

We're all bored by both topics, so let's talk about them? And the Eurozone?

The US election is in effect a done deal. We're all heading for the same precipice, Flying, just approaching it from different angles. None of the main players has a clue how to stop the progressive financial meltdown.

The US election is in effect a done deal. We're all heading for the same precipice, Flying, just approaching it from different angles. None of the main players has a clue how to stop the progressive financial meltdown.

What you said about the main player........That is one possibility

The other is business as usual

There is money to be made by the select few in all forms of crisis

Look at the top 10 campaign contributors in the last presidential final.

Puppets nothing more......they are backed & expected to serve their masters ...those that got them the job.

I do not mean voters

So you guys don't care if its going to be Obama or Romney? Fine. Obama then.

Next ...

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

We're all bored by both topics, so let's talk about them? And the Eurozone?

The US election is in effect a done deal. We're all heading for the same precipice, Flying, just approaching it from different angles. None of the main players has a clue how to stop the progressive financial meltdown.

It would seem both the UK and US tax expenditures actually are joined at the hip, so to speak.

________________________________________________________________

IMF CHIEF CALLS ON US FOR BAILOUT CASH

IMF managing director Christine Lagarde implored the United States to help back-stop debt-ridden European countries, wading neck-deep into bubbling US political waters.

Speaking in the US capital, Lagarde said the 187-nation International Monetary Fund needed more firepower to tackle financial crises raging around the globe, arguing it was in the US interest to pitch in and help Europe.

"Americans might ask themselves: why should what happens in the rest of the world concern us? Don't we have our own problems?" she said, according to prepared remarks.

"The answer is simple: In today's world, we cannot afford the luxury of staying in our own mental backyards."

http://www.breitbart...-more-firepower

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9184033/Christine-Lagardes-speech-in-full.html

Edited to add link.

So you guys don't care if its going to be Obama or Romney? Fine. Obama then.

Next ...

If you don't mind, maybe we can keep this thread open for a day or two more?

I thought the thread was about Obama vs. Romney. Not the same old doomsday financial crisis conspiracy theory Ron Paul cultist memes. Isn't the presidential race a big enough topic for y'all?

I thought the thread was about Obama vs. Romney.

Well then you need to check your eyeglass prescription

With the exception of RP I look at the candidates & I am in awe of their total lack of economical/financial crisis/monetary policy/monetary reform/foreign policy/aid knowledge. They have not a clue of how we arrived at this spot or if they do they have no intention of changing it. Instead they all seem to be of the keep digging/keep kicking the can down the road/serve their true masters school of politics.

Whatever baggage Ron Paul and Gingrich have in reality or in the minds of voters, at least they can intelligently discuss the issues you list above without relying on notes, advisers/handlers telling them what to say - unlike Romney, Santorum or even Obama.

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

The threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent have a direct effect on me. Who the POTUS is doesn't affect my life at all.

Sure it does. Look at how much time you have spent in threads here over the years discussing what Bush or Obama have done. In contrast, I haven't spent a single minute in any UK tax thread.

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

We're all bored by both topics, so let's talk about them? And the Eurozone?

Personally speaking, I don't read or post in topics/threads that aren't of interest to me. I understand others are interested and let them enjoy them without me posting how boring it is, who cares, etc. That said, I think the majority of people in just about any country find politics boring. I envy them sometimes.

To an outsider, it's a fairly boring topic, ...

The same can certainly be said of the threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent. However while both topics are boring, only one has ramifications across the world. Of course, that doesn't keep the majority of Americans themselves from being bored silly by it.

The threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent have a direct effect on me. Who the POTUS is doesn't affect my life at all.

Sure it does. Look at how much time you have spent in threads here over the years discussing what Bush or Obama have done. In contrast, I haven't spent a single minute in any UK tax thread.

I've spent very little time discussing what Bush or Obama has done. You must be confusing me with someone else.

The Supreme Court is going to be an even bigger issue this election than usual.

The current supreme court is dominated by right wing fascists.

What has this shockingly partisan court done?

-- Stole the election for the right wing in 2000

-- Made corporations people

-- Expanded the SuperPac madness, corrupting U.S. elections even more

-- Said it was OK for anyone to be strip searched for any type of minor crime (reason, rich people are rarely arrested)

-- Threatening to overturn Obamacare, perpetuating the current health care access crisis which is responsible for the premature deaths of millions of people, mostly poorer people, disproportionally minority race people

Elect Romney and this horror show goes on or gets worse.

It will be a top issue, for sure.

About Obamacare, while it is true that the mandate is unpopular, if they strike down the ENTIRE bill instead of just the mandate, there will be a huge backlash. The part of the bill that lets people with preexisting conditions buy insurance is very popular. There are other mechanisms that are possible to to use that would not involve a mandate and still strongly nudge most of the population into insurance, which is of course the basis of funding for the system. The right wing let the sick uninsured just die cold heartless crowd have no answer for the health care access crisis. They just want to destroy, destroy, destroy, and care nothing about poor and sick people.

So you guys don't care if its going to be Obama or Romney? Fine. Obama then.

Next ...

It's not a question of not caring; it's a question of whether or not there is a contest. I don't think there is; I think Obama is a shoo-in.

As for your post about the Supreme Court, for once I find myself agreeing with you.

So you guys don't care if its going to be Obama or Romney? Fine. Obama then.

Next ...

It's not a question of not caring; it's a question of whether or not there is a contest. I don't think there is; I think Obama is a shoo-in.

As for your post about the Supreme Court, for once I find myself agreeing with you.

Obama is not a shoo-in. The odds are with him but it is still early. Romney is a true chameleon and American voters can be very stupid and vote against their own self interest because a vote for Romney is a vote for the wealthy only. He will definitely pick a smart VP choice.

The Supreme Court is going to be an even bigger issue this election than usual.

The current supreme court is dominated by right wing fascists.

What has this shockingly partisan court done?

-- Stole the election for the right wing in 2000

-- Made corporations people

-- Expanded the SuperPac madness, corrupting U.S. elections even more

-- Said it was OK for anyone to be strip searched for any type of minor crime (reason, rich people are rarely arrested)

-- Threatening to overturn Obamacare, perpetuating the current health care access crisis which is responsible for the premature deaths of millions of people, mostly poorer people, disproportionally minority race people

Elect Romney and this horror show goes on or gets worse.

It will be a top issue, for sure.

About Obamacare, while it is true that the mandate is unpopular, if they strike down the ENTIRE bill instead of just the mandate, there will be a huge backlash. The part of the bill that lets people with preexisting conditions buy insurance is very popular. There are other mechanisms that are possible to to use that would not involve a mandate and still strongly nudge most of the population into insurance, which is of course the basis of funding for the system. The right wing let the sick uninsured just die cold heartless crowd have no answer for the health care access crisis. They just want to destroy, destroy, destroy, and care nothing about poor and sick people.

Thanks for your post, JT.

Now let me address it.

1. Your claim the SCOTUS stole the 200 election is patently absurd for this simple reason. On all of the myriad and mysterious ways the recount was managed, Al Gore NEVER LED at the end of any recount. It has now been 12 years and the Democrats have still not resolved themselves to the fact that GWB beat the best man they had at the time. He also beat the best man the Democrats ran four years later.

2. Why not give corporations the right to participate in federal elections? Corporations have at least as much at stake as labor unions and unions have unlimited cash and access to the campaigns and have had for years. If it is fair for labor unions to participate and espouse the Democratic party agenda, why can't corporations espouse their own agenda?

3. A recent decision by SCOTUS allowed strip searches but did not require them. Here is what the recent SCOTUS decision has been summarized as:

"Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, joined by the court’s conservative wing, wrote that courts are in no position to second-guess the judgments of correctional officials who must consider not only the possibility of smuggled weapons and drugs, but also public health and information about gang affiliations."

and...

" The Supreme Court did not say that strip-searches of every new arrestee were required; it ruled, rather, that the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition of unreasonable searches did not forbid them."

It would appear to be a search by local authorities that is allowable but not mandatory and would further seem to have nothing to do with a person's wealth or lack of same.

http://www.nytimes.c...?pagewanted=all

4. I don't recall any Justice of the Supreme Court threatening to overturn Obamacare. They might do it and hopefully will do it (from my perspective) but, unless you have access to the private vote taken last Friday, that Obama probably has by now, there is no way you can make the statement that the Supreme Court's intent is to overturn Obamacare.

The Supreme Court's charge is to insure the constitutionality of legislation enacted in the US. They have over the past 200+ years generally performed admirably. I would expect them to do the same in this case. For the record I do believe Congress overstepped their constitutional limits by the mandate and The Democratic party, who wrote the bill, screwed up by not including a severability clause.

As Nancy Pelosi crowed..."Congress needs to pass this bill so you can find out what's in it." Perhaps somebody should have read it before it was passed.

As far as health insurance is concerned, there are a few things that Congress can legally do that will lower the cost of care and they won't be in violation of the Constitution by doing so.

1. Enact tort reform which will lower the ability of misdiagnosed hangnails costing a liability company millions to settle a frivolous suit. The effects of tort reform will lower liability insurance premiums for care givers and doctors. It will stop unnecessary tests and lab reports since the medical field will not have to cover their collective behinds by testing everything before they operate on the hangnail.

2. Allow cross state insurance exchanges to operate. Now, as the law stands, a company in Georgia cannot go to an insurance provider in Alabama to obtain medical coverage for his employees. What we currently have is a state by state monopoly with the deepest pockets getting each state.

3. Permit companies to set up medical savings accounts for their employees where both employees and employers contribute. If they are not sick, they get the money back that has accumulated on their behalf at retirement. If they leave early they would still get their portion back.

I notice the CBO has now come out with an estimate that Obamacare will now cost roughly twice as much as was originally forecast. The forecast is up from $940 Billion to $1.76 Trillion...but what's $820 Billion among friends, right?

http://news.yahoo.co...-163500655.html

There are probably many other areas where savings could be made in the health industry but right now my brain is fried and I need to eat dinner.

Nothing in there at all for ACCESS to private health insurance for people under age 65 with preexisting conditions. That's a moral outrage. But right wingers don't care. They are blind to that kind of thing. Just ideological BS that the so called "free market" solves everything. NO IT DOES NOT. Look at at all the civilized nations that have realized that with health care.

BTW, I say I like Obamacare. I like it a little. Better than the no solutions at all promoted by the right wing. Mandates were Romney's idea. It was a reasonable right wing idea and now because Obama passed it, it gets labeled socialism and evil. The best idea is to cut out the insurance industry entirely and go single payer. Americans have the most expensive health care system in the world with the very poorest access of any so called advanced country. It is a national disgrace and yes it the republicans fault 100 percent.

Costs? Yes, a huge problem! Single payer solves it. The government enforces cost limits on procedures and gives docs bonuses for good health prevention outcomes like in the UK. Doctors, take it or leave it, one less Mercedes. The government can also train more docs at government expense. There won't be a shortage of docs in the long term because docs can focus on patient health instead of the insurance nightmare they spend much of their time with now.

Right wingers are always spouting about American exceptionalism. In health care, that means exceptionally bad, as in exceptionally too many people dead well before their time because of the most messed up health care access system in the advanced world. They are so proud of something that is totally crappy, and wear denial blinders about that for days, when all they have to do is just look at what other countries have done and well surpassed America. Just COPY them. DUH!

The threads droning on about how UK tax money is spent have a direct effect on me. Who the POTUS is doesn't affect my life at all.

Sure it does. Look at how much time you have spent in threads here over the years discussing what Bush or Obama have done. In contrast, I haven't spent a single minute in any UK tax thread.

I've spent very little time discussing what Bush or Obama has done. You must be confusing me with someone else.

I'll remember that next time you post in a thread about wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, sanctions, potential wars or nukes in Iran, waterboarding, Israel, or any of the many other threads where decisions made by the POTUS play a major part.