16

Thoughts on this presidential campaign

Posted by $ Abaco 10 years, 9 months ago to Politics
120 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

I'm curious if others feel this way. To frame where I'm coming from...I have spent some time over the past few years dealing face-to-face with politicians in some of my work and in some of my personal time (fighting a law). I have confirmed the reports that they are shallow, narcissistic whack jobs for the most part.

So...I have come to the conclusion that political campaigns are just a form of entertainment. None of these candidates seem very special, very intelligent, for the most part. I do love Rand Paul's position on liberty and smaller government. But, he's not electable due to lack of connection with the average mouth-breather voter (my editorial, sorry). But...really...this is just entertainment. The President is just a puppet, for the most part. Seriously...do any of these candidates even remotely appear presidential to you? Rubio? Hillary? Christie? Trump? Bernie the socialist? It's surreal to me that they've all made it this far. This is the best we can do? LOL

I'll cut this self-indulgent rant off. But, I'd appreciate your thoughts. And, have a great Christmas, everybody. You are a great group of thinkers. Nice to visit with you all.


All Comments

  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I do miss the older, simpler cars. My first was a '53 Ford 3 on a tree. Even I could fix a few things that could go wrong. I put 185 very rough miles on it before the engine burned out. Still sold it for $200 to a shade tree mechanic who dropped a V8 in place of the straight 6 and drove it for many years after.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Well, I'm not there yet, and I've been "driving" since dad let me sit next to him on the bench seat and steer the car... long before I could even reach the gas pedal! Eternally grateful to him for that.
    And then reached Driving Age in the Wonderful 1960s when cars and engines were really Fun!
    My current ride is an '04 Prius, which is actually a computer with wheels. There's no physical connection between the gas pedal and the engine compartment. You step on the gas and computers decide how much battery or gas engine (or both) to send to the front suspension to move the car. Step on the brakes gently and it uses regenerative braking to slow the car. I've got nearly 70k on the car and still don't even need the front brake pads replaced.
    A far cry from the Old Days. But it still handles like a son of a bitch and out-corners many other cars on the road (and long freeway entrance ramps!) The fun isn't gone yet!
    Happy Motoring!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I rarely drive anymore. Since becoming disabled, I prefer to letting the BW drive. She drives well, but overly cautiously. I often want to shout, "Move it already." But I don't. I finally came to the conclusion that I wouldn't be happy with anyone's driving except my own. So, I think of anything else and let the driving out of my head.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    A long time ago, a Mensan friend of mine in CA mentioned that membership in Mensa was a goal of many people who had high IQ's but couldn't get laid. Mensa was their last hope. :))))
    As for density in general, yep, no group has avoided having an adequate supply of dense members... on all sides of every 'discussion.'
    It took me many decades to realize that 'everyone's brain/mind is "wired differently" and there are some (many) for whom the phrase "I can explain it to you, but I can't Understand It for you" ' is completely appropriate.
    A very bright (otherwise) friend complained that my wife has low "situational awareness." Yep, in some areas, that's true. I always seem to be pulling her out of the way of pedestrian traffic around her... But when the Friend is Driving, she almost always needs me to remind her of what the actual speed limit is on the road we're on, and hugs the white line so well that I, in the passenger's seat, always feel like I'm centered in the driving lane. I close my eyes a lot.

    Such is life, and it's one reason I prefer to do my own driving. Live, Love, Laugh...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by LibertyBelle 10 years, 9 months ago
    I am intending to vote for Cruz in the primary. He is
    not ideal, but at least he is not a socialist. I have
    reservations about religiosity, but he wouldn't have
    the power to do much about that. Also, he seems
    to have courage, considering the way he filibustered on the Senate floor. And at least
    he's not Trump. I just do not want Trump, and
    would vote for him only if he got the nomination,
    which I greatly hope he will not. He has come
    out in favor of eminent domain; he has bragged
    about being unprincipled; and if he did get in,
    it could be a disaster.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    As well as mine.
    Still, I'm active with people all over the world, and I can affirm that for the most part, Gulchers are better responders by and large than even scientific groups and yes, believe it or not, Mensa people. As an aside, if you're not talking in terms of games, Mensa persons often seem dense.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Comment hidden due to member score or comment score too low. View Comment
  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    You have other choices besides a left wing National Socialist wannabe. For sure Super RIno Trump is no where near the center or even the right wing of the left the Republicans.


    Jim Webb still considering independent run
    posted at 8:31 am on December 28, 2015 by Taylor Millard

    Share on Facebook
    6
    6 SHARES

    Jim Webb may be considering trying to become the next Ralph Nader by running as an independent. Webb has been pretty active on social media, going after both President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for their policies. He’s tapping into the populist anger that those who are turned off by both Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Ted Cruz might have, but Webb is probably counting on their support too. Ben Brody at Bloomberg Politics thinks Webb is going to hop back into the presidential fray. continued in full at hotair.com

    Just one possibility.....other than going to the extreme left.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I admire your optimism, but don't share it. Check some of the other replies I receive to my posts...
    :)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    My personal position on that kind of stuff is that I'm SO anti-socialist that I'd love to vote for a Republican... if they only would stop going to the Bible for All The Answers (I'm an atheist, and firmly believe that humans can do Good Things, irrespective of Gods or Religions.)...

    But after watching the debates, it occurred to me that if ANY of the Republicans made it to the WH, ALL the Rest of the candidates might, in their own way,comprise a Wonderful Cabinet for the Prez. Or Ambassador or whatever.

    I can agree that Trump might/would be a Wild Card, but hopefully Checks and Balances would rein him in, and some of the individual skills of the other Cabinet Members would do us wonders.

    Remember the Early Days when Christie was pushing back on the unions? That would be good maybe in the Labor Department...

    And shit, Carly would be wonderful for what I always accused her of... her goal is Downsizing To Success... and damned near Every Government Bureau, Agency or Committee needs that more than anything else...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Sarah, maybe I didn't make myself clear... it happens alot...
    I meant that, if the right kind of 'crisis' develops, Obama (or Hillary) will use it as an excuse to turn the US into the semblance of any other country with a despotic leader who confiscates guns and essentially rigs, fixes or flat-out stops ALL future 'elections.'

    For me and a few others, the good news is that I just turned 70 and in my lifetime have experienced some of the best possible things that any country could offer me. If those idiots and the morons who vote for them push us over the cliff, I will still die knowing what Good Life was and the shitty times will be but a small fraction of my lifetime.
    My pity and sorrow to everyone younger than me.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    as you wish... :) I just like to include that phrase so that the listener doesn't even have to figure that out for themselves. Many need that kind of 'help.'
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by $ SarahMontalbano 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Good luck... to all of us. I want to be able to exercise my judgement, but there's just no good candidate for me to condone. I'm apprehensively waiting to see who wins this time.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Comment hidden due to member score or comment score too low. View Comment
  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The USAA is having a civil war. It's still at the ballots not bullets stage. However the stopping power of the caliber is equal to the amount of powder in the control system of the shooter.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Herb7734 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That would be a sub-category under "power." The whole point of power is control of others. Otherwise, the question would be , "What's the power for?" Money, means control, production, control again, every aspect of philosophy, also control of ethics, politics and even art, as was demonstrated in Soviet Russia and pretty much China and Cuba.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago
    DAMN! That took a shitload of time to +1 nearly every post in this thread!
    Well Done. Great "Thoughts", Abaco!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    please consider always adding "and control of others" to that list.
    I always do. I don't even think Money still belongs on that list.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Depends, maybe just a little, on the kind of orders they might give, too... Just sayin'...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Sorry, but you really should include the "Pyramids were built for grain storage" story, too... then smile at what you wrote.
    He's cool, calm, collected and as Bible-Toting as just about every other Conservative/Republican out there. Although I'd vote for a rock before I'd vote for Sanders... :)
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And if you can't vote in the 2020 election, you won't be alone... None of us will be able to vote.
    ... my fear, too, and I've been voting for scores of years!
    Good Luck!
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by plusaf 10 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Well, in theory, it would bring forth people who support the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam... "Leaving the World Better Than You Found It."

    Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have worked out very well in practice. Partially, perhaps, because a LOT of people have been brought up on Strange Ideas of what "Better" means...
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by ProfChuck 10 years, 9 months ago
    It is unfortunate that the skills necessary to be elected are so different from those needed to perform the duties of the office one seeks. There are some jobs that should never be given to those that seek it.
    Reply | Permalink  

  • Comment hidden. Undo