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Politics Who's Gonna Win?

Discussion in 'Tilted Philosophy, Politics, and Economics' started by issmmm, Sep 25, 2011.

  1. Joniemack

    Joniemack Beta brainwaves in session

    Location:
    Reading, UK
    Wrong is wrong. The fact that Palin was not called a slut for being out there attempting to further the cause for women, notwithstanding.

    Limbaugh's been dropped by at least two advertising sponsors over his comment. Free market justice, baby.
     
  2. loquitur

    loquitur Getting Tilted

    see, redux, you're trying to have it both ways. The govt uses every lever it has to expand its power. The institutions think they will retain their independence if they accept govt money. They won't. The political powers will use that monetary leverage to bend the institutions to their will. I'd rather leave everyone free to do what they please without govt interference. Otherwise they're selling their souls for momentary advantage and long-term servitude. If I thought the govt could give money away for the public good without politically-imposed conditions that would be different -- but it won't, as your comment amply demonstrates. Other people's preferences and liberty mean nothing to you so long as you get to use the government's monopoly on force in order to compel them to do what you want them to do.
     
  3. Joniemack

    Joniemack Beta brainwaves in session

    Location:
    Reading, UK
    You are obviously not a proponent of what's good for society. You make assumptions that "leaving everyone free to do what they please without government interference" will benefit the individual. (you and your nice neighbor) If that comes to pass, I suggest you find yourself an impenetrable titanium bubble.

    The individual, as magnificent as he is when isolated in his natural habitat, is no match for the jungle around him. Hence the strange and tickling need for some "individuals" to keep a firearm close at all times. Imagine a country unwilling to assist those who fall on hard times or one that has no desire to be a collective society anymore. Yeah, let's drive the last nail into the coffin and declare ourselves a 3rd world country or maybe the Wild West. It's every man, woman and child for themselves. Let the madness ensue.

    Are government attempts to aid in preventing unwanted pregnancies, a loss of income leading to poverty, and a life subjected to "dealing" with it, not a public good? Is it not in the interest of the government we elect to protect us from the burden it places on us all, to facilitate this?

    Momentary advantage? Please explain how on-going and effective attempts to improve the life and welfare of families is a momentary advantage or a sentence into long-term servitude for society or the individual.
     
  4. Alistair Eurotrash

    Location:
    Reading, UK
    Who is "the government"? Is it not (meant to be) the people, via their representatives? If representation isn't working, shouldn't the battle be to make government more answerable to the people?

    Isn't that kinda what OWS is about?

    In who's interest is it to dispose of government by the people? Nature abhors a vacuum, so who will fill the power vacuum? Could it be the very same organisations who currently subvert the intended representation? I think so.
     
  5. Aceventura

    Aceventura Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Are you minimizing the personal attacks waged against Palin? Are you trying to re-write history? I remember one comedian publicly wishing that big black studs would go out and rape Palin. Not only racist, but sexist. The silence from the left was remarkable.
     
  6. redux

    redux Very Tilted

    Location:
    Foggy Bottom
    You can distort my position as much as you would like if it makes you feel better. Honestly though, I didnt expect such a distortion and over-reaction from you.

    I think I have been clear throughout this discussion. Women's access to reproductive care should be as accessible as possible and that means primarily through employer based health plans, under the current system. It is not only good health policy, it is good economic policy, as is the case with requiring no co-pays for all preventive care for men and women.

    The majority of the public supports the policy, the majority of Catholics support the policy. medical and health care professionals overwhelmingly support the policy. Do all of these folks fall under your characterization of "other people's preferences and liberty means nothing"?

    I agree that churches should be exempt from the contraception mandate, beyond that as it applies to charities, hospitals, etc. I am of the opinion that the "religious freedom" argument has no merit.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
  7. Aceventura

    Aceventura Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Women's access to contraception products/drugs/services is not at risk, however some cancer patients face a true problem. Priorities???

    http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7398619n

    As Republican candidates repeatedly complain about the failures of Obamacare and Obama's failed leadership - we get media and Democrat Party manufactured issues like a supposed Republican war against women reproductive rights. I think this issue is going to backfire on Obama and Democrats come November.
     
  8. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    There's a good chance this is already taken care of: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/wellness/139920503.html

    You're getting dangerously close to committing a fallacy. Again.

    There's an ongoing problem of sex abuse cases among Catholic clergymen, and they're worrying about paying insurance money that may go towards contraceptives? Priorities???? (See what I mean?)

    You're probably wrong. Name me one women's rights advocate who does not support the idea of birth control and you'll be naming me a hypocrite. Furthermore, access to birth control is an issue, like it or not. Obama's goal is to make birth control accessible. Though there is controversy over his methods, many support his goal.

    There may not be a war on reproductive rights, nor a war on religion, but so long as Obama keeps this goal, among others, in sight, he will have many who support him.

    Do you honestly think he won't get enough support for accessible birth control among liberal voters?
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
  9. Aceventura

    Aceventura Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Specifically he wants employer health insurance plans to cover it and/or medical insurance providers to include it for "free". If accessibility is his goal, he is going about it in a very convoluted manner.
     
  10. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Well, that's what he has to work with, given that the Republicans forced him into coming up with an insurance scheme as a health care reform. Maybe we'll see better practices if and when there is a move towards a universal system. Until then, Obama has taken on the responsibility of solving a problem using what he has to work with.

    All the while, instead of trying to repeal ACA, Republicans should probably instead come up with their own ideas for solutions. Wait: never mind. Republicans aren't interested in universal health care. They don't even seem interested enough in filling in gaps here and there. They'd rather keep things the way they were and continue coming up with justifications for allowing citizens to go without care.
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2012
  11. redux

    redux Very Tilted

    Location:
    Foggy Bottom
    Manufactured issues?

    The attacks against Planned Parenthood and the baseless claims by Republicans that federal funding is used for abortions at Planned Parenthood is a manufactured issue?

    The record number of bills introduced (and the most enacted in the last 25 years) by Republican controlled legislatures around the country to impose restrictions on women's right to chose -- from mandating ultrasounds (including invasive procedures), mandating counseling and extended waiting periods, attempting to provide personhood status to a fertilized egg, mandating new clinic standards to effectively close legal abortion clinics, enacting provisions prohibiting all employer-based insurance policies from covering abortion except in cases of life endangerment (requiring individuals to purchase additional coverage at their own expense) -- are all manufactured issues?
    --- merged: Mar 3, 2012 at 6:47 PM ---
    We're dealing with reality; Ace is not.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 10, 2012
  12. Derwood

    Derwood Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Your'e comparing a random comedian with a media mouth piece for the GOP?
     
  13. Aceventura

    Aceventura Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    North Carolina
    I doubt Republicans forced Obama to do anything.
    --- merged: Mar 5, 2012 at 2:31 PM ---
    Rush is a AM radio talk show host. He does not influence public opinion. He has no power to influence public policy. He has no vote in Congress. No veto authority over any legislation. He has no influence on Republican Party leadership or the selection of Republican Party leadership. Rush does not create his audience, he is a reflection of his audience. The Tea Party movement occurred and established momentum before Rush got on board with it. Rush isn't even endorsing a specific Republican Primary candidate because he knows it is not wise at this time to potentially offend 2/3's of his audience. Rush is an entertainer!

    If you think he has some hidden power or influence, what/where is the proof.

    When I am on the road I listen to AM talk radio, and for people to say his audience is 30 to 40 million is hard to believe. I found this interesting.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/06/AR2009030603435.html

    So he is on about 400 stations, some carry his full show live, some don't. When I listen to talk radio, I constantly change stations depending on the topic - and I have never listened to Rush for 3 hours straight. And the above shows he doesn't lead the Washington market and may not lead in most others. Is he even on any XM or Sirrius? The few times I have used a rental car with XM or Sirrius, given 100's of options Rush would be about the last thing I would tune into. When I listen to internet radio, it is not Rush. I am conservative, and when I talk to other conservatives Rush or what he says does not come up - unless it is regarding something liberals get in a fuss about.

    Where does this Rush fantasy come from? Tom Joyner, do you know who he is, I bet he has more radio influence than Rush. Joyner reaches about 1 in 4 black Americans every weekday. Are you worried about him?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 12, 2012
  14. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Oh, I'm sorry: [...] given that he came up with an insurance scheme as a health care reform as the only feasible way to avoid Republican obstructionism.
     
  15. Aceventura

    Aceventura Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Avoiding an obstruction is a choice. Dealing with an obstruction has options other than avoidance. Your choice of the word "force" suggests a level of weakness that is not consistent with a person of high intellect and of a person who holds the office of President of the US.
     
  16. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    I've corrected myself. Move on.

    Obama chose between an insurance scheme over nothing at all to get the coverage he hoped to get for thousands of Americans. Whether he sees that as a first step or not is another matter.

    Republicans, on the other hand, would rather have had nothing. I think if there was a victory to be had, it's Obama's. He just may go down in history as the president who made the meaningful first step towards a better health care model. I suppose time will tell. After all, the Republicans are seeking to destroy this same health coverage. I don't know if that's the way to go. I'm unsure what their solution is. Do you know what it is?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. Aceventura

    Aceventura Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    North Carolina
    Most Republicans recognized, acknowledged, and proposed solutions to the healthcare problem in the US. One proposal that I liked was making heath care insurance coverage available across state lines.
    --- merged: Mar 5, 2012 at 5:29 PM ---
    Is reality that Republicans did not offer solutions to the healthcare problem?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 12, 2012
  18. pan6467

    pan6467 a triangle in a circular world.

    No one has to get him fired, the pompous fool just keeps digging his own hole... "
    He added:
    I'm sure it's a vast "left wing" conspiracy that got him to call her those names and then to continue to dig a deeper hole. Imus you ain't Mr. Limbaugh.

    NOONE is coming out talking about how you help kids at your ranch in Florida, (New Mexico in Imus' case). You may recover but your audience will be smaller, fewer stations will carry you, those advertisers YOU claim to turn away... won't be knocking anymore....

    Mr. Limbaugh you did this to yourself. You truly need help. It's not like the drugs where once you got busted you claim it's politically driven then go crying to the ACLU for help.

    No Mr. Limbaugh, I no longer feel happy you destroyed yourself but kind of sad for you. How often you claimed the 3 hours you did on radio every day were the happiest 3 hours of your day.... No, Mr. Limbaugh, there are many of you now, Levin, Hannity, Beck, O'Reilly that will happily take your spot and stations will eagerly schedule them in and advertisers will be happy to flock to them because they'll be cheaper and carry just as much of an audience.

    All those people you stepped on to get where you are and all those people you gladly tried to destroy Mr. Limbaugh, the have not come to praise Cesar, they have come to bury Cesar. The best thing to do Mr. Limbaugh (not that you have ever taken anyone's advice), is to take a vacation. Hope it all blows over and that somehow some way when you get back you'll be on top again. That you will have been forgiven and all was forgotten.

    IF there truly is a double standard Mr. Limbaugh, you aren't doing yourself any favors by crying about it. Good bye, sir.....
     
  19. Joniemack

    Joniemack Beta brainwaves in session

    Location:
    Reading, UK
    I know Cloris Leachman called her a slut and David Letterman said she looked like a slutty flight attendant. Howard Stern made reference to Palin liking big black men but Howard says outrageous things like that about everyone. He has an audience who loves his outrageousness but who don't take what he says to the bank. Unlike Rush who has a huge listening audience. 95% of who believe every word of what he says. So what comedian are you referring to?

    I wasn't minimizing the personal attacks, I was comparing them. Political media hog vs. college girl unaccustomed to the spotlight who goes to the Capitol with a genuine concern.

    Looks as if Patricia Heaton is getting in on the act now. (career at standstill)





     
  20. redux

    redux Very Tilted

    Location:
    Foggy Bottom
    The ACA includes a compromise provision -- the creation of interstate agreements:
    http://sites.google.com/site/healthreformnavigator/ppaca-sec-1333

    One of many Republican amendments that were included, just not in the rigid absolute terms that Republicans demanded.

    That is how compromise works...both sides give a little..a concept that Republicans would not accept.
     
    • Like Like x 1