Politics What is happening????

IMHO they should, to quote Eddie Murphy in Delirious, "Have a Coke & A Smile and shut the fuck up..."

 

I think the Supreme Court screwed the pooch when they allowed most money in campaigns thru "free speech"
and then allowing the creation of political groups with anonymous donors.

There is so much cash flowing about, it's skewing the dynamics.
Much less encouraging corruption.

Why don't we just have our campaign ads with people in masks and altered voices??
Free speech allows you to speak...not hide.

 

I believe China and Iran are trying to buy elections.

 

Oh yes...I believe this will really go over well.

Probably the same guy who recommended to Romney that it was alright to say that 47% don't count...

 

Hoo Boy...the loud-mouth rich are on a roll this month...

The same guy who compared progressives to Nazis...is saying that the rich deserve more votes.
Link - Whiny one-percenter Tom Perkins puts his foot in his mouth...again

While I'm not pro for any side...but I can't help post this to show the extreme of idiocy ideology.
(then again I was nauseous watching the liberal love fest on this week's Bill Maher, usually it's a bit more balanced...but they went for the full lib panel)

This shit just writes itself...as bad as the ones that said that women's bodies reject rape pregnancies.
It's like they want to get laughed at and have their compatriot/allies/bribe-ees get voted out of office.

But then again, the insane usually don't know they are insane...at least at the time they are being insane.

Enjoy your giggles reading it...it's a doozy.

How about an alternative?? You get a percent of vote for the PERCENT of income you pay in taxes...
This would mean that Warren Buffet's secretary would now have more vote than Buffet himself.
Maybe that would be more balanced.
Just as silly to me...but maybe you'd end up paying more taxes to get "influence" (lobbying and bribes not withstanding)

 

Two items of interest...

First...an article showing "What House of Cards gets wrong"
What's scary, it's not that they are showing political protocol that the show gets wrong, as you would expect before reading TFA
BUT that it notes how they are not being fully efficient in their corruption...with the lack of monetary regulation in US elections and politics.
Just sad...

---------------

Second, pictures of a modern revolution...Ukraine. - House fit for a tyrant
Now what was interesting to me...was NOT the house, although it is a wonder of how unfettered nouveau riche spend their money.

What IS interesting...is all the pics of protesters taking pics, lounging, doing selfies with their cell phones,
with many of them in para-military outfits, Kevlar vests...or just in normal modern winter outfits.
Kind of surreal.

 

The Nazis practiced historical revisionism. (Sorry. I had to.)

The Soviets did too. (Sorry. Last one.)

But seriously. I know about the Treaty of Tripoli, and I'm a godless Soviet Canuckistani.

Then, of course, anyone is free to look at the Constitution for the sheer lack of Christian references.

America was founded on rationalism. That there is little evidence of said rationalism today doesn't mean history should be rewritten to accommodate it.

The closest thing to what Palin is getting at would be America becoming a Christian nation. If it never does, it wouldn't be from a lack of trying.

The issue, of course, is that America is a nation of Christians (if you consider the clear majority who identify as such). That shouldn't make America a theocracy by default. You know, like a kind of "Christian caliphate." That would be counter to reason, and would destroy America's founding principles.

Palin's view, my friends, is what we call irony.

Also, I like these arguments about how the Ten Commandments are un-American:

Alex Wilhelm: Why the Ten Commandments Are Un-American

 

I can't think of anything more generic and unoriginal. Aren't there already many reality shows "exemplifying the American spirit"? Just turn on History, Discovery, or National Geographic for fuck's sake.

It will probably have a broad but watered-down scope...with lots of flag-waving and ham-fisted (and hilariously misinformed) references to American exceptionalism.

My guess is that her interpretation of the "American spirit" will be so banal as to resemble the spirit of, well, the "outdoorsy" just about anywhere.

 

If you're going to work for the government, even as a contractor...get ready to sign your privacy away during that time.
The clearance is more than enough...but this is continuous.

 

Yes, I do know...and I did know. (more so than most)
And I saw the extent when I worked for OMB...and it was a bitch to get through the FBI QnA on my credit record.
And I figured out they likely put a listening app on my cell. (How do I know?...they hinted at a conversation my wife & I had at home)

But now it's even more extensive, centralized and authorized.
What many people don't know, despite Hollywood's output, is that most systems were separate, so what was known one place, was not at the other.
Now, they can aggregate and analyze all together. (actually, they're now taking their best techniques from the ad agencies gathering info on you)

I was part of a centralization monitoring project done for criminal/police systems in just one region...I know how difficult it is to get info together.
But now a true emphasis has been put in place to do so...not just for crime...but focusing on those working for the govt.

Now, if you're comfortable with this...cool, go get a job...they need people always. (and pay well)
Me? I'm over it. Not because I have anything to hide.
But because it's a pain explaining things to black & white mindset people looking over your life.
And...I also know quite a bit can always be taken wrong or used against you...not because you've done wrong, but they just are in a snit.
This would be like your boss staying with you for a year.
Think you could stand that?

I'm not paranoid, but I do know what they're capable of.
My philosophy is the same as a lady avoiding getting attacked...
if you don't want it, don't put yourself in the situation in the first place.

But that doesn't mean I won't give a hint to others what may be coming.
Ignorance is not bliss.

 

This just makes your roll your eyes...
A good example of bad organization business rules in action...and leaders that are unwilling to act or change.

Sinkhole of Bureaucracy

However, this is NOT only the US Federal Government.
This happens in corporate.
This happens in all levels
This happens in all countries.

I've experienced it again and again.
I've read about it again and again.
And as one of the inside players...I've fixed it again and again.

As a matter of fact, I'm doing it for a very large school system at the moment.
And I've seen it in the Executive Office.
And I've dealt with it in other nations I've assisted.

And this shit can last for YEARS...maybe decades.

WHY??
How stupid.

But I find that often it's just how the tree grows over time.
And VERY diligent workers...that try to fix it...it keeps going.
It's like a hamster on a wheel...

But I find it is this...things get so large.
First...That everyone is just dealing with what they can...in their own focused worldview or department. Out of sight, out of mind.
So things get ignored, due to the "make it happen" mindset or they are putting out another fire.
Second...solutions are fixes, work-arounds, or processes that are applied on top of or within an already complicated system...so it gets more complicated.
Third...leadership doesn't make this a priority. (they've either got an agenda...or they've got other fires...or they aren't aware)

It is rare to find the individual, leader or group that can cut through the Gordian Knot.
You need to have the overview & organization skills and the mindset/focus.
And also difficult to find an environ, where everyone cooperates to allow and negotiate a full and proactive solution.
Groups that are to monitor/guide standards become "rulers" or bottlenecks.
No one attempts to setup traps or constraints to prevent it from occurring again or happening in the first place.

Well, at least it keeps me employed and well paid.
But personally, I would like to be put out of business. (at least for this case)
But like wars and lawsuits...they always pop up.

Hmm...I wonder if I can offer my services to the Fed after this project is solved??
Naaah...I don't want to deal with the friggin' security clearances.

Anyone else want to take a shot at it??
I'm sure it's good money...