political thoughts - read at own peril!

[TX82FIAT]

I know this post will be contraversial. We are car guys. With that said, I find the vast majority of people on this forum to be intelligent, reasonable and open to ideas. For those in the US, I offer some thoughts on the upcoming election that may give you hope or give you anger.

I find it interesting that the President has decided to use executive privilege with respect to the fast and furious scandal. The use of executive privilege is only to be used when events directly involve the president. The use of executive privilege is, in my opinion, an admission of some direct involvement by the President in a decision process that needs protection. I find his Executive Order to stop deportations of a segment of young illegal aliens (undocumented?) most interesting as well. He has been very clear that that is not within the scope of the President’s powers as we are a nation of laws. Yet, he issues an Executive Order now when approaching re-election. The Supreme Court will issue a ruling today or before the current court term ends Thursday the 28th. I do not believe this will be good for the Presidents health care bill. In any event, it will be one of the most significant rulings by the court in our lifetime. I believe the decision will go in the way of liberty. These three things are all taking place in a short period of time. Now combine these current events with some history during the last few years. The pro-Obama media tide is going to change before the election even occurs.

I would ask you how many of the people that voted for John McCain four years ago are now going to vote for Romney. Yep… 100%. Will Obama increase or decrease his strong African American voter base this election compared to last? Yep, decrease. The historical significance is gone. Now it is a matter of record. The gay marriage issue is not going over well when measured against the faith of the community. Will Obama increase or decrease the number of Catholics that vote for him this time? Yep, decrease. Trying to buy the women’s vote and make it a contraception issue rather than a religious liberty issue has backfired and many Catholics that voted for Mr. Obama last time will not do that again. The young voters that rallied for the president under hope and change are now struggling to make a living. These folks are waking up to the real world outside of academia. Young voter base, increase or decrease? Yep. Decrease. Business Owners – Increase or decrease? Decrease, they have seen what socialist policies are doing to the bottom line. The cost of the healthcare bill is now coming into focus. Deceptive practices such as passing a bill with timelines that extend beyond the next election have not fooled people that need to understand the business environment. Hispanics – this one is a wild card. A lot will depend on Romney’s running mate. I suspect if Mitt picks Rubio this will sway the Hispanic vote. The Jewish community has watched Obama’s weak support of Israel. I see this support decreasing as well.

The above commentary does not even get into the percieved arrogance of the President. Many people have grown to dislike and distrust the man. I do not think the President will be as sheltered during this election. He has a difficult record to defend. This Presidential election is going to be very divisive for the American people. When you push for too long you should not be surprised when folks push back. Unfortunately, this will lead to some social unrest. I’m not sure how significant it will be. My prediction is that Obama will lose in a landslide election. When that happens, people that have been lied to for the last four years will see this election as a takeaway of their entitlements. Just look at the confused Occupy movement and know we will have some social unrest.

Buckle up for one hell of a ride over the next year!

[Kent124]

Obama will be re-elected because we live in the Entitlement States of America.

[Daniel]

I believe it will be a close race not sure who will win. I hope we get a "change " in presidents again and if he sucks
lets "change" him next time as well let's not put up with poor performance terms any more ...

[maytag]

I agree with much of what you've said.
Here's where we diverge:

My prediction is that Obama will lose in a landslide election.

In order for this to happen, there needs to be someone else capable of winning. Don't jump ahead of me; I believe Romney IS capable of winning, were it not for Paul.
Above all else, it is quite clear that Ron Paul is VERY capable of (and extremely willing to) hand this election to Obama.

The only way Romney wins this election right now is with Ron Paul's endorsement.
Ron Paul has indoctrinated his followers to the extent that most would rather fall on their swords and STAY HOME on election day than go out and vote for Romney.

What we REALLY need is a nice "Green Party" candidate to throw into the mix. Make this a "4-party race", so that the liberal / Democrat vote is also at risk of being divided.

[Daniel]

Last time something like that happened was in 92 Bush Sr (Rep) vs Clinton (Dem) vs Perot (Ind) and the experts say
most of the Perot supports would of voted Bush had Perot not run and this may have cost Sr. Bush the presidency as
the race was very close between Clinton and Bush .

[maytag]

Last time something like that happened was in 92 Bush Sr (Rep) vs Clinton (Dem) vs Perot (Ind) and the experts say
most of the Perot supports would of voted Bush had Perot not run and this may have cost Sr. Bush the presidency as
the race was very close between Clinton and Bush .

It's happened a couple of times in my lifetime. But it happened last election as well, with Ron Paul. "Experts" say he had up to 20% of the conservative voter base "locked-up". That would equate roughly to a 10% "American Voter" base, which, had it all gone to McCain, would've been enough to beat Obama.

I remember it happening years ago (I was less invested at the time, so I don;t remember specifics) with what's-his-name-ex-basketball-star-turned-greenparty candidate. HE pulled voter-support from (Gore?) and the Republican (Bush?) won.

I'm all for the guys who believe this needs to be more than a two-party system. but eventually, when the writing is on the wall, lend your support to someone who can win. The American voter memory is too short for a divisive loss to be an effectual agent of change.

[TX82FIAT]

Maytag, I think you mean Ralph Nader!

The Normalcy Fallacy is a dangerous one. We go through our routine life and think that out of the ordinary things can not happen because they have not happened in such a long time. an example would be a sunami hitting the west coast or an astroid hitting the US. Yet, these things have happened in those exact places. Our country was born out of social unrest best on unfair taxation. I’m sure people in Greece would not have said they would have wide scale riots prior to late 2007 because of Austerity measures. The American people are not so desensitized that they will accept whatever comes along with a smile when it directly effects them. Germany has always been a great nation with well educated and proud people. Do not forget the rioting that took place in Germany during the 30's because of the economic/currency situation. Human nature is a powerful thing when a group feels they are being oppressed.

Looking at the United States from a cash flow stand point, what will this country truly need to do in order to remain an economic power? At some point politicians have to represent the people and do what is required for the long term health of the nation and our children/grandchildren. Cut backs or American Austerity measures will happen.. They have too! When they do we will have rioting just like Greece. History repeats itself and we as Americans are not immune to situational anger. I don’t know if any of you walked the streets of New York in the 70’s. Trash piled up and desperation all around. A virtual powder keg waiting to explode and often did. It does not take a lot of austerity to create social unrest. And yet… what other choice do we as a nation have.

We need to live within our means and adjust our standard of living to preserve our liberty. Ben Franklin "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." When citizens sacrifice personal liberties for security/comfort rather than tightening their belts we will lose what so many have fought hard to create. We need to sacrafice now or pay later.

Nope, I say Obama loses in a landslide. Pull this string up again in November.

[opus10583]

Hi,

I make no comment on your position or argument, other than: You've misunderstood Executive Privilege as a legal doctrine.

It is not limited to the President as a person, it is and has been applied to the Executive Branch of government.

It was first invoked by George Washington and affirmed by the Supreme Court with Nixon.

Ciao,
Mark

[TX82FIAT]

Opus, you are correct. I misunderstood the privilege. Technically executive privilege can be applied to over 4 million employees of the executive branch that cannot legally be forced to disclose their confidential communications when such disclosure would adversely affect the operations or procedures of the executive branch. So, a few questions still remain. What in the documents could adversely affect the executive branch? Adverse affect.... too broad for me to define. Who governs when it is an appropriate use. It is supposed to be the supreme court. The U.S. Vs Nixon case also established that executive privilege could not be used to to protect the President since he is NOT above the law. The executive branch is already adversly affected by the statments released and facts surrounding fast and furious. The truth will come out in the end. it always does.

[surfingfreeman]

Sounds like he's got all the qualifications for office......or NOT!
http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/rss.js ... d=-1&spf=1

[maytag]

Sounds like he's got all the qualifications for office......or NOT!
http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/rss.js ... d=-1&spf=1

hehe....
I ain't gonna lie; I'd put more trust in the editorials of MAD magazine than the Washington Post.

[surfingfreeman]

His history with Baine Capital and the resulting loss of American jobs (shipped overseas) is nothing new it's factual! While reaping millions of dollars for himself. Do your own research and prove me otherwise!

[opus10583]

The truth will come out in the end. it always does.

Your assumption that something nefarious lies at the root serves you, nor your argument, well.

Ciao,
Mark

[opus10583]

His history with Baine Capital and the resulting loss of American jobs (shipped overseas) is nothing new it's factual! While reaping millions of dollars for himself. Do your own research and prove me otherwise!

Yours is a fool's quest... Post-Roger Ailes, facts are merely opinion and research is parroting the wingnut echo chamber.

To paraphrase the imbecile Kanye West ('a stopped clock is right twice a day'): Mitt Romney don't care about working white people.

Ciao,
Mark

[surfingfreeman]

Thank you Mark, so now you've introduced 2 other characters to the play, danced around the subject at hand with your prose; heavy on the limericks, riddles and rhymes, unfortunately lacking in substance.............you failed to rise to my challenge. Try again! Focus and stay on topic, you can do it Mark!