Americans are working 2+ jobs and selling their blood plasma to make ends meet -- while Republicans and Democrats joust about non-issues like gender pronouns. Time for a change, America!
There is no right answer - Here in Nevada the most meaningful vote I’m providing is the one for open primaries. Glad you found worthwhile 3rd parties in your contests because I didn’t.
Don't forget, Aron, that as a Nevadan, You also have the option to vote "None Of These Candidates."
That may not be a "right answer," but it is certainly a meaningful alternative for those folks who have nobody on the ballot that they can honestly and sincerely vote FOR; and so don't vote at all.
Yes, well, passport is updated and remote work is in place. ... Also told my folks I wanted them to update their passports when they asked what I wanted for my birthday.
Biden and Co. keep pushing the proxy war in Ukraine because they are unwilling to accept anything but the continuation of the unipolar world order under US hegemony, what they euphemistically call the "rules based international order." This is what the proxy war is all about; Ukraine happens to be the territory where the fighting is taking place, but actually this war is not about Ukraine per se. It is imperative that everyone read Putin's speech (in its entirety) that he delivered at the recent Valdai conference (http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/69695 ). As Scott Ritter has explained so clearly, in that speech Putin made clear that the Ukraine war is about the future architecture of global power (https://consortiumnews.com/2022/11/03/scott-ritter-a-dangerous-bloody-dirty-game/?fbclid=IwAR17a36BhMtxe5XYOeyz2U9-ZEHc6rZWOvCuNJjvv922PLOpPq3-pOOedZs&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email ). Will the world continue as a unipolar world, or are we in the process of transitioning to a multipolar world order? Will the world continue to be governed by a so-called "rules based international order" or will it be based on international law that has been codified? What makes the stakes so high in this proxy war is that both sides believe the battle is existential, that losing is not an option. The very fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
The WORST government money can buy is waiting in the wings… :
TOTAL COST OF 2022 STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS PROJECTED TO EXCEED $16.7 BILLION by OpenSecrets Staff November 3, 2022
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 – The total cost of 2022 state and federal midterm elections is projected to exceed $16.7 billion, according to a new OpenSecrets analysis.
“NO OTHER MIDTERM ELECTION HAS SEEN AS MUCH MONEY AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS AS THE 2022 ELECTIONS,” SAID SHEILA KRUMHOLZ, OPENSECRETS’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. “WE’RE SEEING RECORD-BREAKING TOTALS SPENT ON ELECTIONS UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.”
The primary function of Democrats is exactly the same as the primary function of Republicans: To create, foster, maintain, and sustain the illusion/delusion that America has an actual, real two-Party system of politics that really, actually gives the American Voter an actual, real Choice about who is running this government and how this nation is to be governed.
When is the last time that the American Voter had a Choice about ANYTHING their government has done, is doing, and/or will do?
To take the most obvious, ugliest, and costliest example: Over the last twenty-one years since 9/11, how much have the American Voters had to say about the course and conduct of America’s “Forever War,” even as it lurches us all today toward World War III?
How much have the American Voters had to say about twenty-one years of Deficit Spending that drove the national, sovereign Debt from $5.8 Trillion and 55% of GDP in 2001 to $31.2 Trillion and 121.5% of GDP today?
How much have the American Voters had to say about all the various and sundry “Too Big Too Fail” rescues and bailouts, tax and regulatory breaks, subsidies, gifts, grifts, and open graft, collusion, and corruption that characterizes America’s long established operating paradigm: Crony Capitalism?
How much did the American Voter have to say about their government’s complete and totally failed handling of The COVID-19 Event, and then its reaction and response to the economic suffering and social chaos that its own inept handling had unleashed?
The best thing any Voter who is completely and totally fed up with all this Bullshit can do on November 8 is to write in “None Of These Candidates,” and begin working toward making “None Of These Candidates” a mandatory choice on every ballot of every federal election in 2024.
And the last time “morning again in America” was in the news was when GHW Bush and Bozo were running for re-election in 1984. Remember? That was exactly when Saddam was doing our bidding against Iran, Osama and Da Boyz were doing our bidding against the Russkies in a place called Afghanistan, and Ollie North was establishing himself as an arms and cocaine merchant in Central America.
Given where all those things led, maybe it’s a Good thing that it’s not morning again in America again. At least for the moment.
What specifically did Trump and his government do that so many voters are happy ~ if not delirious ~ about?
And what did he and it do that so many voters are not happy ~ if not outraged ~ about?
And i'm curious: How many of Rand Paul's constituents there in Kentucky gave or give two shits about how much money America is spending in and on Ukraine, and where all those weapons systems end up?
That's not a "low opinion" of the people of Kentucky, Dennis.
It is a simple statement of my perception of the facts of life about a State that has infinitely more immediate, important, and pressing economic and environmental problems to worry about than what the US is up to in Ukraine.
And the people i "express angst about" benefit from their links to the government no matter who is in the White House: be it Bush the Elder/Bozo, Clinton, Cheney/Bush the Lesser, Obama, Trump, and now Biden
Dennis, You were the one who brought up Senator Paul as apparently the only person in Swampland You could think of "doing something about government" with his doomed-from-the-start plan for a special IG in Ukraine.
What are some of the other things that he has done that Kentuckians are so appreciative of?
And which taxpayers in which other States have paid for all the good things he's done directly for Kentucky?
Maybe this will give You a clue as to how things stood near the end of Trump’s reign:
KENTUCKY DEPENDS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONEY MORE THAN MOST by J.D. Davidson November 02, 2020
The states most reliant on the federal government for money are also Republican leaning states, including Kentucky, according to new a study.
KENTUCKY RANKS SIXTH IN THE NATION IN A LIST OF STATES THAT ARE THE MOST DEPENDENT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, according to the study recently released by MoneyGeek, a personal finance technology company.
Kentucky receives $2.15 in federal money for every dollar of taxes paid. BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, 35% OF THE STATE’S TOTAL REVENUES CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, and next year the state projects a 5% dip in revenue.
“Kentucky is one of the most federally dependent states in the nation,” Doug Mines, head of data analytics at MoneyGeek, said. “Additionally, the state government receives 35% of its revenues from the federal government while that national average is 26%. That’s 35% more funding than average.”
EXCEPT FOR THE MOST DEPENDENT STATE – NEW MEXICO – NINE OF THE 10 STATES MOST DEPENDENT ON FEDERAL MONEY ARE RED-LEANING STATES. OVERALL, RED STATES RECEIVE $1.23 OF FEDERAL TAXES PAID, WHILE BLUE STATES RECEIVE 95 CENTS.
Overall, people and organizations in 32 states receive more from the federal government than they pay. STATES WITH A HIGHER GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAVE A LOWER DEPENDENCY ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SUBSIDIZE STATES WITH LOWER GDP THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
On average, federal funds make up 26% of state budgets across the country. Wisconsin has the lowest proportion of revenue from the federal government at 17%, while Louisiana is the highest at 37%.
THE 10 MOST DEPENDENT STATES ARE NEW MEXICO, ALASKA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH DAKOTA, WEST VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, ARIZONA, ALABAMA, MONTANA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
THE 10 LEAST DEPENDENT STATES ARE NEW JERSEY, IOWA, ILLINOIS, WASHINGTON, OHIO, MINNESOTA, UTAH, KANSAS, NEBRASKA AND DELAWARE.
When over the last 77 years has Republicans running either end of Pennsylvania Avenue ~ the White House or the Congress ~ been “good from an anti-war perspective”? i must have missed that in the history books and on the news.
And You like “horrible repressive governance,” do You, eh? Heh. I must admit that i’ve sometimes suspected as such.
Nobody’s talking about nobility or Your so-called “virtue signaling,” Dennis; whatever that is.
And who’s beating a Dead Horse now? How many times have You thrown up the same scenario and asked the same question? Particularly when it involves Bill’s friend’s campaign in North Carolina?
If there is no candidate on the ballot that i can honestly and sincerely vote FOR ~ as opposed to voting for him or her merely as a vote AGAINST some other candidate or even all the other candidates ~ then i will write in “None Of These Candidates.” And if for some reason that is not permitted, then i won’t vote.
You may call that “virtue signaling,” Dennis. i call it voting with my brain, heart, and gut.
A Public Opinion Poll that needs to take place next week right after Election Day would ask the following Questions:
Did You vote in Election 2022?
If YES: If “None Of These Candidates” was a listed choice on the ballot for every election, would You have voted for it?
a. No b. In a few of the elections c. In some of the elections d. In most of the elections e. In all of the elections
If NO: If “None Of These Candidates” was a listed choice on the ballot for every election, would You have voted, if nothing else than to vote for it?
First of all, Dennis, do Yourself a favor and do not presume to tell me when my emotions are overruling my judgement. And also do not presume to tell me what my "default position" on anything is. Thank You.
And second of all, Alaska has the option to literally and physically Write In whoever the Voter wants to Write In. They just have to be able to spell the name correctly.
And finally, given who is running for Senator in Alaska this year, it will not make the slightest difference to Alaskans who gets elected.
Did that "special inspector general" overseeing how American money is spent and weapons systems are distributed ever get created? Let alone actually go into business and report to Congress or the American People its findings?
If so, i must have missed that on the evening News.
Just like our conversation regarding "None Of These Candidates," Dennis, we have had this conversation before with You raising the exact same objections and debate points ad nauseum.
And just like that conversation, continuing this chit chat serves absolutely no useful purpose at all. At least not for me. Have a Great day.
Dennis: Do you really think Cheri Beasley will provide a 50% chance? That she, like Joe Biden, allegedly, can be "pushed to the left"? The Democratic Party wouldn't be behind her if it didn't know exactly who she was and what she's going to do, which is to kowtow to the party line if she wins.
I don't live in North Carolina, but if I did, I'd vote for Matt Hoh for Senate. His values and positions align with mine.
I looked at Beasley's web site. She says she wants to "uphold the law" and "create jobs" while "expanding access" to health care. It's all glittering generalities devoid of meaning.
If she actually took firm stands that aligned somewhat with mine, I'd consider her. But it's all fluff designed to be inoffensive and anodyne and "safe." And we need more than that, Dennis.
Americans are working 2+ jobs and selling their blood plasma to make ends meet -- while Republicans and Democrats joust about non-issues like gender pronouns. Time for a change, America!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/05/multiple-jobs-census-data-inflation-us
There is no right answer - Here in Nevada the most meaningful vote I’m providing is the one for open primaries. Glad you found worthwhile 3rd parties in your contests because I didn’t.
Don't forget, Aron, that as a Nevadan, You also have the option to vote "None Of These Candidates."
That may not be a "right answer," but it is certainly a meaningful alternative for those folks who have nobody on the ballot that they can honestly and sincerely vote FOR; and so don't vote at all.
Yes, that was an option I considered. I'm not quite ready to vote for "nobody" yet. Maybe next time.
The way things are going today, hopefully there will be a next time, eh?
Yes, well, passport is updated and remote work is in place. ... Also told my folks I wanted them to update their passports when they asked what I wanted for my birthday.
That would be a great gift from Your folks for Your birthday.
Ok
Biden and Co. keep pushing the proxy war in Ukraine because they are unwilling to accept anything but the continuation of the unipolar world order under US hegemony, what they euphemistically call the "rules based international order." This is what the proxy war is all about; Ukraine happens to be the territory where the fighting is taking place, but actually this war is not about Ukraine per se. It is imperative that everyone read Putin's speech (in its entirety) that he delivered at the recent Valdai conference (http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/69695 ). As Scott Ritter has explained so clearly, in that speech Putin made clear that the Ukraine war is about the future architecture of global power (https://consortiumnews.com/2022/11/03/scott-ritter-a-dangerous-bloody-dirty-game/?fbclid=IwAR17a36BhMtxe5XYOeyz2U9-ZEHc6rZWOvCuNJjvv922PLOpPq3-pOOedZs&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email ). Will the world continue as a unipolar world, or are we in the process of transitioning to a multipolar world order? Will the world continue to be governed by a so-called "rules based international order" or will it be based on international law that has been codified? What makes the stakes so high in this proxy war is that both sides believe the battle is existential, that losing is not an option. The very fate of humanity hangs in the balance.
American "Democracy" is no good example for the rest of the World to follow.
... a third of the country votes one way, another third the other, the final third not-at-all... this is now America
... when there's no clear-cut-leader in-sight... why should we be expecting anything-else
Well said.
The WORST government money can buy is waiting in the wings… :
TOTAL COST OF 2022 STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS PROJECTED TO EXCEED $16.7 BILLION by OpenSecrets Staff November 3, 2022
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 – The total cost of 2022 state and federal midterm elections is projected to exceed $16.7 billion, according to a new OpenSecrets analysis.
“NO OTHER MIDTERM ELECTION HAS SEEN AS MUCH MONEY AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS AS THE 2022 ELECTIONS,” SAID SHEILA KRUMHOLZ, OPENSECRETS’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. “WE’RE SEEING RECORD-BREAKING TOTALS SPENT ON ELECTIONS UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.”
Continued at https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2022/11/press-release-total-cost-of-2022-state-and-federal-elections-projected-exceed-16-7-billion [EMPHASIS added.]
The primary function of Democrats is exactly the same as the primary function of Republicans: To create, foster, maintain, and sustain the illusion/delusion that America has an actual, real two-Party system of politics that really, actually gives the American Voter an actual, real Choice about who is running this government and how this nation is to be governed.
When is the last time that the American Voter had a Choice about ANYTHING their government has done, is doing, and/or will do?
To take the most obvious, ugliest, and costliest example: Over the last twenty-one years since 9/11, how much have the American Voters had to say about the course and conduct of America’s “Forever War,” even as it lurches us all today toward World War III?
How much have the American Voters had to say about twenty-one years of Deficit Spending that drove the national, sovereign Debt from $5.8 Trillion and 55% of GDP in 2001 to $31.2 Trillion and 121.5% of GDP today?
How much have the American Voters had to say about all the various and sundry “Too Big Too Fail” rescues and bailouts, tax and regulatory breaks, subsidies, gifts, grifts, and open graft, collusion, and corruption that characterizes America’s long established operating paradigm: Crony Capitalism?
How much did the American Voter have to say about their government’s complete and totally failed handling of The COVID-19 Event, and then its reaction and response to the economic suffering and social chaos that its own inept handling had unleashed?
The best thing any Voter who is completely and totally fed up with all this Bullshit can do on November 8 is to write in “None Of These Candidates,” and begin working toward making “None Of These Candidates” a mandatory choice on every ballot of every federal election in 2024.
And the last time “morning again in America” was in the news was when GHW Bush and Bozo were running for re-election in 1984. Remember? That was exactly when Saddam was doing our bidding against Iran, Osama and Da Boyz were doing our bidding against the Russkies in a place called Afghanistan, and Ollie North was establishing himself as an arms and cocaine merchant in Central America.
Given where all those things led, maybe it’s a Good thing that it’s not morning again in America again. At least for the moment.
What specifically did Trump and his government do that so many voters are happy ~ if not delirious ~ about?
And what did he and it do that so many voters are not happy ~ if not outraged ~ about?
And i'm curious: How many of Rand Paul's constituents there in Kentucky gave or give two shits about how much money America is spending in and on Ukraine, and where all those weapons systems end up?
That's not a "low opinion" of the people of Kentucky, Dennis.
It is a simple statement of my perception of the facts of life about a State that has infinitely more immediate, important, and pressing economic and environmental problems to worry about than what the US is up to in Ukraine.
And the people i "express angst about" benefit from their links to the government no matter who is in the White House: be it Bush the Elder/Bozo, Clinton, Cheney/Bush the Lesser, Obama, Trump, and now Biden
Dennis, You were the one who brought up Senator Paul as apparently the only person in Swampland You could think of "doing something about government" with his doomed-from-the-start plan for a special IG in Ukraine.
What are some of the other things that he has done that Kentuckians are so appreciative of?
And which taxpayers in which other States have paid for all the good things he's done directly for Kentucky?
Maybe this will give You a clue as to how things stood near the end of Trump’s reign:
KENTUCKY DEPENDS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONEY MORE THAN MOST by J.D. Davidson November 02, 2020
The states most reliant on the federal government for money are also Republican leaning states, including Kentucky, according to new a study.
KENTUCKY RANKS SIXTH IN THE NATION IN A LIST OF STATES THAT ARE THE MOST DEPENDENT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, according to the study recently released by MoneyGeek, a personal finance technology company.
Kentucky receives $2.15 in federal money for every dollar of taxes paid. BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, 35% OF THE STATE’S TOTAL REVENUES CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, and next year the state projects a 5% dip in revenue.
“Kentucky is one of the most federally dependent states in the nation,” Doug Mines, head of data analytics at MoneyGeek, said. “Additionally, the state government receives 35% of its revenues from the federal government while that national average is 26%. That’s 35% more funding than average.”
EXCEPT FOR THE MOST DEPENDENT STATE – NEW MEXICO – NINE OF THE 10 STATES MOST DEPENDENT ON FEDERAL MONEY ARE RED-LEANING STATES. OVERALL, RED STATES RECEIVE $1.23 OF FEDERAL TAXES PAID, WHILE BLUE STATES RECEIVE 95 CENTS.
Overall, people and organizations in 32 states receive more from the federal government than they pay. STATES WITH A HIGHER GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAVE A LOWER DEPENDENCY ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SUBSIDIZE STATES WITH LOWER GDP THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
On average, federal funds make up 26% of state budgets across the country. Wisconsin has the lowest proportion of revenue from the federal government at 17%, while Louisiana is the highest at 37%.
THE 10 MOST DEPENDENT STATES ARE NEW MEXICO, ALASKA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH DAKOTA, WEST VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, ARIZONA, ALABAMA, MONTANA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
THE 10 LEAST DEPENDENT STATES ARE NEW JERSEY, IOWA, ILLINOIS, WASHINGTON, OHIO, MINNESOTA, UTAH, KANSAS, NEBRASKA AND DELAWARE.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/kentucky-depends-on-federal-government-money-more-than-most [EMPHASES added.]
And You and i have already had our conversation about "None Of These Candidates," Dennis, and it is totally pointless to bother continuing it.
Consider this scenario:
Candidate (D): Bad Choice
Candidate (R): Very Bad Choice
Candidate (G): Very Good Choice
I don't have to think very hard or long. I'm voting Candidate G.
But no, you can't! Candidate R might win! Well, I didn't vote for R. I voted for G.
More people should vote for G. I shouldn't have to vote for D so maybe R can't win.
When over the last 77 years has Republicans running either end of Pennsylvania Avenue ~ the White House or the Congress ~ been “good from an anti-war perspective”? i must have missed that in the history books and on the news.
And You like “horrible repressive governance,” do You, eh? Heh. I must admit that i’ve sometimes suspected as such.
Nobody’s talking about nobility or Your so-called “virtue signaling,” Dennis; whatever that is.
And who’s beating a Dead Horse now? How many times have You thrown up the same scenario and asked the same question? Particularly when it involves Bill’s friend’s campaign in North Carolina?
If there is no candidate on the ballot that i can honestly and sincerely vote FOR ~ as opposed to voting for him or her merely as a vote AGAINST some other candidate or even all the other candidates ~ then i will write in “None Of These Candidates.” And if for some reason that is not permitted, then i won’t vote.
You may call that “virtue signaling,” Dennis. i call it voting with my brain, heart, and gut.
A Public Opinion Poll that needs to take place next week right after Election Day would ask the following Questions:
Did You vote in Election 2022?
If YES: If “None Of These Candidates” was a listed choice on the ballot for every election, would You have voted for it?
a. No b. In a few of the elections c. In some of the elections d. In most of the elections e. In all of the elections
If NO: If “None Of These Candidates” was a listed choice on the ballot for every election, would You have voted, if nothing else than to vote for it?
First of all, Dennis, do Yourself a favor and do not presume to tell me when my emotions are overruling my judgement. And also do not presume to tell me what my "default position" on anything is. Thank You.
And second of all, Alaska has the option to literally and physically Write In whoever the Voter wants to Write In. They just have to be able to spell the name correctly.
And finally, given who is running for Senator in Alaska this year, it will not make the slightest difference to Alaskans who gets elected.
Did that "special inspector general" overseeing how American money is spent and weapons systems are distributed ever get created? Let alone actually go into business and report to Congress or the American People its findings?
If so, i must have missed that on the evening News.
Just like our conversation regarding "None Of These Candidates," Dennis, we have had this conversation before with You raising the exact same objections and debate points ad nauseum.
And just like that conversation, continuing this chit chat serves absolutely no useful purpose at all. At least not for me. Have a Great day.
Dennis: Do you really think Cheri Beasley will provide a 50% chance? That she, like Joe Biden, allegedly, can be "pushed to the left"? The Democratic Party wouldn't be behind her if it didn't know exactly who she was and what she's going to do, which is to kowtow to the party line if she wins.
I don't live in North Carolina, but if I did, I'd vote for Matt Hoh for Senate. His values and positions align with mine.
I looked at Beasley's web site. She says she wants to "uphold the law" and "create jobs" while "expanding access" to health care. It's all glittering generalities devoid of meaning.
If she actually took firm stands that aligned somewhat with mine, I'd consider her. But it's all fluff designed to be inoffensive and anodyne and "safe." And we need more than that, Dennis.