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[jamminjames]

I've purposly stayed away from politics here for quite some time for mainly one reason: condensending fact-free moon-bat replies.

But I've been doing some research and this is what I've come up with...

A win for the Democrats in the 2006 election would be a loss for not just the Republicans, but Americans in general. If you're one of those who think Democratic control of Congress will only last for two years -- and that the Republicans will rediscover their Conservative roots while "wandering in the wilderness" -- you haven't thought the matter through. If the Democrats take control, they will take steps to entrench their position by expanding their voter base, none of which will be good for the country... and the effects of which could last a decade or more. That's not "fear-mongering," that's taking a serious look at what Democrats could do to ensure they keep their hold on power, using threats of holding up legislation and blocking nominees to get their bills passed.

It's certain that Democrats will raise both the minimum wage and taxes. All they really have to do is sit tight and let the Bush tax cuts expire. NY Representative Charles Rangel, who will chair the Ways and Means Committee if Democrats take the House, has said he "cannot think of one" of Bush's tax cuts worthy of renewal. Higher taxes won't affect "the rich," at whom high taxes are supposedly aimed -- they'll simply pull money out of their investments and tuck it away where it can't be taxed. The poor don't actually pay income tax, leaving those who make money -- but not enough to hire expensive tax accountants -- to pay ever higher taxes.

Investor pullouts will cause the stock market to drop, taking a toll on retirement funds like 401(k)s. Consumer confidence and spending will fall, while interest rates and inflation rise. Companies will have to lay off employees and raise prices to keep showing a profit. The higher minimum wage will accelerate the layoffs as small companies struggle to stay afloat. Larger companies will relocate more of their operations abroad to save money. The middle class, which will have to shoulder more of the higher tax burden, will begin to shrink, increasing the gap between rich and poor -- and leading to more demand for government support and income redistribution. Unemployment will rise, the welfare rolls will once again increase, and so the Democrats, by playing the old "Republicans want to stop your benefits" card, will gain voters for the 2008 campaign and beyond. Those who are dependent upon government handouts will almost always vote for the politicians who promise to continue or increase them.

Democrats frequently attack Wal-Mart, one of America's largest employers, for its lack of unions and healthcare plans -- ignoring the fact that Wal-Mart employees consistently vote against unions, and that Wal-Mart offers a healthcare plan at a reasonable per-month cost. Forcing the retailer to accept unions would be a great coup for the Democrats, as a huge percentage of mandatory union dues inevitably find their way to fund Democratic campaigns. The Democrat-controlled Maryland legislature, for example, recently voted to force Wal-Mart to pay for expensive health insurance for its workers, a union-driven move designed to make signing a union agreement (despite the wishes of its employees) look cheap. The unions -- with the help of their old partners, the Democrats -- would expand their Wal-Mart corporate union campaign to the rest of the country. Naturally, Wal-Mart would have to increase employee wages in order to comply with union demands... which would lead to store closings, layoffs, and even more unemployment and welfare recipients to swell the Democratic voter ranks.

The Senate passed an immigration reform bill that gave what amounts to total amnesty as well as special privileges to illegal immigrants. It would have allowed all current illegal immigrants to stay in America while awaiting legal status, after which they could bring in their extended families. It also included no provision for making workers who would come to America under its vaunted "guest worker" program return home when their time was up. The Senate bill, if signed into law, would have resulted in up to estimated 100 million new immigrants over the next twenty years -- far more than we could possibly assimilate in so short a time. Only the Republican majority in the House of Representatives prevented this nightmare from becoming reality, with their staunch insistence on an "enforcement first" bill. HR 4437 (passed by 92% of Republicans, opposed by 82% of Democrats) insisted that the government try to stop the flow of new illegals before dealing with those already here. The House Republicans also issued a flat refusal to consider blanket amnesty. If Democrats take control of the House, that barrier will vanish like mist, and the Democrats will have a flood of uneducated, largely ignorant new low-class workers to turn into good little Democrat voters, all demanding a piece of the government pie.

Democratic control of Congress could last for years, crushing this country under the burden of nanny-state social programs paid for with ever-increasing taxation upon the only productive members of society. Soon, like most of Europe, we could be mired in a demi-Socialist hell as jobs are guaranteed by the government, causing corporate reluctance to hire new workers, leading to a permanent underclass of angry unemployables with whom the dwindling group of Old Americans can't even communicate. The only way any party could win back control of the government would be to move as far Left as they can, in order to capture those votes. Even if Democrats lose Congress again in a few years, the damage will have been done -- benefits and rights granted are almost impossible to take away. Conservatives will no longer have a party at all. We might not even have a country.

And when people complain about what America has become, my response will be, "Did you vote in '06? Did you 'teach the Republicans a lesson' by staying home? Then you got what you wanted."

Feel free to chat amonst yourselves - I'll be too busy the next few weeks to worry about what the few tin-foil wearers think.
_________________
Some say time is the fire in which we burn.
--Dr. Soren


91 325ic "Tasha" 145K
04 X3 2.5 "Yet Unnamed" 45K
95 Dodge Neon "Beater" Work Car 125K

[Henry]

James writes: "I've purposly stayed away from politics here for quite some time for mainly one reason: condensending fact-free moon-bat replies."

Wrong answer James. The reason you've stayed away from politics is because there's been very little interest in political posts on the Forum.

Short response...let the record of the past 6 years of unimpeded executive, legislative and judicial one party rule speak for itself as it impacts upon you, your children, our national interest, foreign relations, national debt and prestige.

(Cleared my sinuses and eliminated the long winded answer.

[Henry]

Bottom Line: We either want One Party Government and more of the same one party rule by executive fiat and a rubber stamp one party parliament. Or, via the franchise, reinstitute the Constitutional protections inherent within the mechanism of seperation of powers and checks and balances. Utilize the two party system necessary to activate these constitutionally enumerated mandates for a safe, effective and cautious government.


Dictatorships have One Party Government.
Dictatorships have a culture of fraudulent electoral process.
Dictatorships have zero legislative oversight of the executive branch.


Want Checks and Balances?
Want viable Seperation of Powers?
Want legislative O-V-E-R-S-I-G-H-T?

Or want more of the same?

[Henry]

For the record and to look back upon many months from now...James writes and I provide anecdotes:

#1. If the Democrats take control, they will take steps to entrench their position by expanding their voter base, none of which will be good for the country... and the effects of which could last a decade or more.

(If the demos are doing a good job then you have a point...otherwise this is crass fear mongering at its best. If the demos do a lousy job then they'll be voted outta office. No one knows how this will play out. Hence, fear tactic.)

#2. using threats of holding up legislation and blocking nominees to get their bills passed.

(Last I looked, Mr. James, ...during the Clinton times the repos held majorities in congress and blocked most judicial nominations. They also held up legislation until they were satisfied with the product. Anyway...we are supposed to govern by compromise and not by executive fiat. This is why we have a legislature and not a king holding absolute power. Something we learned from the British.)

#3. The poor don't actually pay income tax...

(My surmise is the "poor" can be those with 2/3 children and a $40,000 a year or $30.000 gross income. Last I looked those incomes were being taxed. And those tax cuts of 4/5 years ago were directed at the top ONE percent of the earners. The working poor did not benefit much to speak of.

And...Poor does not mean a 10K income these days. That is not poor. That is starving, homeless and destitute.)

#4. Investor pullouts will cause the stock market to drop, taking a toll on retirement funds like 401(k)s.

(Call me in six months about this. And be sure to factor in $3.00 per gallon and up gasoline costs and oil costs and natural gas costs as the factor in slowing down investments and stock market activity.)

#5. Consumer confidence and spending will fall, while interest rates and inflation rise.

(Call me in 6 months. Call me in 12 months.)

#6. Larger companies will relocate more of their operations abroad to save money.

(NAFTA is an old story. And...under which president did the IDEA of NAFTA start?)

#7. The middle class, which will have to shoulder more of the higher tax burden, will begin to shrink, increasing the gap between rich and poor.

(The middle class is currently shouldering the tax burden. Where? Try the local real estate tax. Try local and state sales tax. And try income tax. Those recent tax cuts did not benefit the middle class. Unless a 100K income is middle class.)

#8. Naturally, Wal-Mart would have to increase employee wages in order to comply with union demands... which would lead to store closings, layoffs, and even more unemployment and welfare recipients to swell the Democratic voter ranks.

(Walmart going outta business...giving up stores? Do you doubt this or do you believe this?)

#9. Democrats will have a flood of uneducated, largely ignorant new low-class workers to turn into good little Democrat voters, all demanding a piece of the government pie.

(They'll have to become citizens before voting in an American election. And the citizen requirements are really tough...really quite tough..)

#10. Soon, like most of Europe, we could be mired in a demi-Socialist hell.

(I've a good friend living in Germany. When I asked about his paying for college and for graduate/professional school for his 8 year old child. I was greeted with a bemused and puzzled glance. Seems that higher education costs are payed for by the German government. Does tuition assistance constitute demi socialist hell?)


================ ================ ================ ================

Personally, I doubt we'll become a nation of socialists in hell. Though I do believe we shall become a Stronger and Unified nation while defeating our mortal enemy.

Democrats are not interested in "demi-socialist hell(s)." We want much the same for ourselves and our loved ones. Democrats are loyal and patriotic Americans. We are not ones to be defamed as "mired in a demi-socialist hell." We live under the same roof, fly the same flag and honor our precious Constitution.

[jamminjames]

I refuse to reply specifically - anyone with half-a-brain can look on the 'net for five minutes and can get the answers that they want to see. Especially while wearing tin-foil hats...

All that aside, you know what really frightens me? Not the higher taxes, not more illegal immigrants, not higher inflation, not a slower economy, and not even Henry gloating!

What really scares me is that I live 250 miles from Washington, DC! Since our military will now be reduced and demoralized, the insurgents (scratch that - terrorists) will now be more emboldened, and our counter-terrorist agencies will now become impotent and restrained - mark my words...
Radiation can travel 300-400 miles depending on wind conditions. I absolutely hope it never happens, but now the chances are going to increase. Only time will tell.
But, I still try to look at things as the glass is half full. Maybe some of these new people will be more intelligent than they have acted. Maybe some individuals will stand their ground against the new status quo.
Maybe...
I hope so.

But, I'm still considering Montana. Or the Dakotas. Even though I hate the cold.
And yes, go ahead an call me an alarmist. Maybe I am.
I think of myself as a realist. I just hope I never have to say "I told ya so"

Now y'all can talk amonst yourselves.
James

PS - The proof is in the puddin'...



_________________
Some say time is the fire in which we burn.
--Dr. Soren


91 325ic "Tasha" 145K
04 X3 2.5 "Yet Unnamed" 45K
95 Dodge Neon "Beater" Work Car 125K

[jamminjames]

One other prediction:

See if these things don't happen to some degree or another. From a conservative Canadian.

[panzerkeil302]

Oddly, I was hoping the republicans would hold power...

...Iraq is a tragic joke with no resolve. I said when we went in, it was a mistake, and it turned out I was right. We invaded a country with no connection to the 9/11 terrorists. It's fact.

160,000 civilians have been accidentally murdered by the United States. 160,000 little girls and boys, at our hand, because George Bush lied.

Now the democrats will need to fix the F ucking mess, the mess that belongs to George Bush. George Bushes' legacy.

So I was hoping the republicans would hold power, sadly, the majority of Americans felt like republicans are idiots who are destroying what it means to be American...so I didn't get my wish.

[Henry]

First...I've a sense of relief. No gloating words or rebuke nor hostile words of recrimination in my post. And so help me not a word of nastiness uttered to anyone anywhere. Only relief. And hope.

Wednesday morning there was a collective sigh of relief at my local newstand. Really.

Panz writes: "Oddly, I was hoping the republicans would hold power... " Actually...it's still up to the executive branch to fix this mess. The strategic initiative, legislative agenda and tactical play eminates from higher up and not from the legislative branch. Perhaps they will listen to a range of opinion and not only to aggreable opinion. And not marginalize, rebuke label, fire and worse to anyone holding ideas to the contrary.

However, the legislative branch has the authority to hold oversight hearings, mandate sworn testimony and investigate the behavior and activity of the executive branch. They can finally uncover the so far protected and hidden criminal activity...something not even considered by the congress during the past 6 years.

The executive branch is already beginning to listen to the implied authority of the legislative branch. There is already one firing and soon to be policy shifts.

Better to begin the repair job now. We've a bad roof. Wait 2 more years the rot will spread to the foundation.

However, the virtual dictatorship of the Executive Branch was tempered by this election. Just a superficial knowledge of the breadth of executive fiat exercised by this regime indicates it's now time for power to be checked and shared. A glancing familiarity of the past 6 years of malefiacence without rebuke indicates the immediate need for review and rectification.

I've a feeling this mess of right wing extremism and absolutism has brought us to a place where, frankly, I can truly appreciate the ideas of moderate Republicans. Not the no stem cell, anti-evolution, favor the top 1% trickle down hold everyones feet to the fire, label anyone who disagrees a traitor kind of repo...but the secular, centrist, personal responsibility, reward initiative and fiscal responsibility repo. A Republican who doesn't call those who disagree Godless or traitor.

This election touched every district in the nation. It indicates the diversity of opinion and the diffusion of power inherent to our system. In the most direct way the American people transcended political party and sent a message to the executive branch.

As I've said before...here...there should be a tablet of the first ten amendments to our Constitution (the Bill of Rights) in front of buildings and not the 10 Commandments as this administration championed. The study of the American Constitution and system of government is deficient and should be encouraged. People must know their rights and obligations as citizens, know about seperation of powers, know why executive power should be subject to oversight, know the enumerated powers of the executive branch and each legislative branch.

American people should know this (Civics) as thoroughly as some know the 10 Commandments and the Bible. Because without this knowledge our freedom of religion wouldn't be worth the 10kb of bandwith necessary to digitalize the Bible; because we wouldn't have this freedom. All, not just some, American people got lucky this week. Study your Constitution and system of government...study the historical foundation of our system of government. Better to rely upon understanding and knowledge then luck and/or the rants of some radio host(s) or charlatan.

[donaldan]

One must give some credit to the American People. The election result shows that large portion of the population was not happy with the Republican regime - time for change, hopefully for the better. Future is not for us to accurately predict but at least, "grass could be greener on the other side." We all have to do something instead of being stuck in the mess.

The recent history of Democrat regime was in fact quite good. The 2 terms of Clinton's administration covered a period of unprecedented peace and properity. We had a booming economy. The country even ran a bit of budget surplus versus the Bush's record deficit spending. I guess the American public has good short term memory and opted for a change.

The recent Republican power tended to speak the ultra conservative lines but practiced otherwise. There was too much hipocracy. We need to be a lot more truthful to ourselves and be realistic and pragmatic. We are at war and need to be a lot more disciplined. Time to think public interest instead of self interest.

By the way, I regualrly shop at Wal-Mart and greatly impressed by the overall service they render to the low income population. For one thing, they are fearless in opening stores in smaller rural communities where no other supermarkets dare to go. In many localities, they brought low prices and quality goods not available before. They also provide employment to borderline cases, single mothers, elderly poor, physcially challenged that no other business would hire. That is one entity I don't like the Democrats to bother. If they do, it could be their downfall.
_________________
Don

[Henry]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/18/AR2006111801076.html