[US Election 2016] Republican Primary Megathread

[The Monogamously Siaxiscosile Islands]

Hello. Could someone help me understanding this? As a dutchie that wouldn't vote democrat in the U.S, I still continue to find the main ''republican'' candidates really scary. If you would do these things in Europe you would be considered right to even far right.

Just a ''few'' things I found and rejected.

So Rand Paul;
1. Pro Rape/pro-life in 2009. (6 years ago, but still)
1b. Then gets back on that. Second idea; Teens can't take ''the pill''... huh?
1c. Then gets back on that, but his voters didn't want abortion. So ''huh'' even more.
2. Anti Gay marriage. (which is his choice, sure)
3. Anti vaccination. (fate, but dangerous)
4. Rich get even more tax cuts?
5. Reduced sentences for drug offenders. (Yes, waste the billions in the 40 years we've spent on that.)
6. Against amnesty for immigrants. (which stimulates smugglers. Again.)
7. Support big Oil & scrap the EPA. (Sure, India and China will surely protect their environment.)
8. Quit Obamacare. (sure, waste $2 billion and get people broke for basis healthcare again).
9. Businesses, when they set fire to your water supply, have the ''right to discriminate''...?
10. Increase the interest rate by 50% for student loans. (so many drawbacks...teenagers resorting to porn, that's one.)

Rubio;
1. Loves torture and the NSA. (Not like we'll cool down the Arab uprisings with the black president out of the building and the US ''going back'' to it ways).
2. Gives tax cuts to wealthy families, just because.
3. ''Climate change is not caused by human activity.''
4. ''Let's go back to the Arab world and (....) them up even more, starting with Syria.''
5. Let's make creationism available to public schools.
6. Private property rights are not strong enough?
7. No gun control, which still hovers away from the question; ''Why does the greatest country in the world relies heavily on a 200 year old law?'' *
8. Fight Hamas even more. Not like Europe is tired with all those Muslims raging there. (Sure that will get you coalitions.)
9. Make immigration even more depressing with registration systems, force employment & new fencing?
10. Wants to enforce federal laws even in states that have legalized pot. Funny when your own brother-in-law got imprisoned.

Cruz (hilarious, opposing immigration as an Canadian born half-Italian naturalized immigrant);
1. No immigration. That has worked.
2. Opposes restricting the Second Amendment, it's not like the 10 million guns in hands of the gang members could get like the EU and get professional.
3. No gays. Do we still need this?
4. Loves the death penalty. What wrong with life sentences?
5. Let working women get rejected when trying to get insurance for birth control. Just like when churches provide that.
6. ''Bomb ISIS back into the Stone Age''. Looks like that helped Iraq the last time.
7. Install Eastern European ABMs. We're not even done in Iraq!?
8. Wants to isolate Iran which worked wonders for North Korea.
9. Kill obamacare. (sure, waste $2 billion and get people broke for basis healthcare again).
10. But let's say yes; bring market-based health insurance to a new high. Isn't that why Obama could invent Obamacare in the first place?

[Libreng]

So, social democracy is the path towards socialism?

No.

Your definition of socialism is very narrow. It rejects Marxist theory, original social democratic theory, etc.

I say this as a staunch capitalist.

[Panchia]

No.

Social democracy was originally a reformist ideology meant to eventually abolish capitalism, and move to a socialist economy. Modern social democracy is a lot different but some people still do see it as a path to socialism.

That's Democratic Socialism, which isn't the same thing.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

No.

Your definition of socialism is very narrow. It rejects Marxist theory, original social democratic theory, etc.

I say this as a staunch capitalist.

My definition of socialism is simply the definition of socialism. It isn't narrow at all.

Social democracy can obviously be intended as a stop on the road to socialism, but I believe most modern social democrats don't see it that way - it isn't completely necessary. Socialism was created as a stop on the road to communism, but it's become an end in itself.

[Eastern Equestria]

I'm of the latter viewpoint, personally.

Same here, though as of late, I've found democratic socialism to have a certain appeal, if only because the socialists are the only ones who seem willing to address systemic issues as they affect those on the lowest economic rung.

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Same here, though as of late, I've found democratic socialism to have a certain appeal, if only because the socialists are the only ones who seem willing to address systemic issues as they affect those on the lowest economic rung.

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

If we can get past the idea of poverty somehow being a moral failing, then we'll have a chance, but that's so tied in to being the flipside of the American Dream that I don't know how we'd even begin to approach it.

[Panchia]

Same here, though as of late, I've found democratic socialism to have a certain appeal, if only because the socialists are the only ones who seem willing to address systemic issues as they affect those on the lowest economic rung.

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

[Diopolis]

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

He's probably referring to a handful of con artists who've scammed money out of the welfare system by being dedicated, professional con artists.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

The entire "welfare queen" myth was based upon a single woman in the 1970s who was convicted and sent to prison. Ronald Reagan used her story to tar all recipients of public aid with the same brush. Here's her story.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

He's probably referring to a handful of con artists who've scammed money out of the welfare system by being dedicated, professional con artists.

Those people surely exist, but I think he's referring to black people.

[Libreng]

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

No. The best way to make welfare more efficient is to focus on programs that would rehabilitate drug addicts/treat the mentally ill/provide temporary security for those in bad situations, helping them receive good employment at the private or public level.

[Panchia]

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

There is no individual valid source that says who exactly isn't applicable to recieve aid and does (because they wouldn't exist if such source exists, logically),

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_fraud#In_the_United_States

However this does evidence the existance of welfare fraud.

[Panchia]

He's probably referring to a handful of con artists who've scammed money out of the welfare system by being dedicated, professional con artists.

Those people surely exist, but I think he's referring to black people.

Um, right, thanks for immediately dismissing me as a racist. Glad to know I'm speaking to someone who is actually going to listen.

[Grave_n_idle]

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

Reagan is actually dead - why are we still hearing the 'welfare queen' myth?

[Panchia]

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

He's probably referring to a handful of con artists who've scammed money out of the welfare system by being dedicated, professional con artists.

I'm more referring to those who leave out important information to recieve benefits, or misuse said benefits which causes them to be unable to work (such as purchasing top dollar food items with SNAP or purchasing illegal drugs or alcohol with outright benefits)

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Those people surely exist, but I think he's referring to black people.

Um, right, thanks for immediately dismissing me as a racist. Glad to know I'm speaking to someone who is actually going to listen.

I've yet to speak to someone who uses the whole "welfare queen" mythical bullshit argument who wasn't at least internally racist, so forgive me for assuming.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

There is no individual valid source that says who exactly isn't applicable to recieve aid and does (because they wouldn't exist if such source exists, logically),

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_fraud#In_the_United_States

However this does evidence the existance of welfare fraud.

Said source seems to indicate it's nearly nonexistent.

[Grave_n_idle]

He's probably referring to a handful of con artists who've scammed money out of the welfare system by being dedicated, professional con artists.

I'm more referring to those who leave out important information to recieve benefits, or misuse said benefits which causes them to be unable to work (such as purchasing top dollar food items with SNAP or purchasing illegal drugs or alcohol with outright benefits)

And how prevalent is that?

I very much doubt that there's a whole lot of people buying lobster on SNAP. But if they did, and still made their budget... wouldn't that be a good thing?

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Source for there being any significant number of people living on welfare exclusively.

There is no individual valid source that says who exactly isn't applicable to recieve aid and does (because they wouldn't exist if such source exists, logically),

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_fraud#In_the_United_States

However this does evidence the existance of welfare fraud.

1.9%.

Great. I'm sure that increasing efficiency by nearly 2% will change everything.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

In order to make welfare more efficient, we need to weed out the welfare queens so the legitimately disadvantaged can get about and have aid.

Reagan is actually dead - why are we still hearing the 'welfare queen' myth?

Because if we don't have that myth, then people might start to get the crazy idea that there are people in legitimate need who are not being helped by the system, and that would destroy our entire self-image as a generally good nation.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Reagan is actually dead - why are we still hearing the 'welfare queen' myth?

Because if we don't have that myth, then people might start to get the crazy idea that there are people in legitimate need who are not being helped by the system, and that would destroy our entire self-image as a generally good nation.

Emphasis on self-image. The rest of the world knows we're shit.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

He's probably referring to a handful of con artists who've scammed money out of the welfare system by being dedicated, professional con artists.

I'm more referring to those who leave out important information to recieve benefits, or misuse said benefits which causes them to be unable to work (such as purchasing top dollar food items with SNAP or purchasing illegal drugs or alcohol with outright benefits)

Right. And exactly what how do you plan to address these non-issues?

[Eastern Equestria]

Yeah. I feel as though certain issues could be solved very easily if not for our country's political culture and it's warped take on individualism. I'm for self-reliance as much as the next guy. The problem is simply that the disadvantaged among us aren't provided the necessary assistance to become self-reliant. And instead of promoting policies that would provide that assistance and elevate society as a whole, we tend to blame those people for their own misfortune and look down upon them as inferior. It's sad, but true. What's even sadder is that people like Bernie Sanders are the only ones who seem to recognize this and are trying to fix it. I am by no means a socialist, but if it's going to take one to truly solve America's deep-seated problems, then so be it.

If we can get past the idea of poverty somehow being a moral failing, then we'll have a chance, but that's so tied in to being the flipside of the American Dream that I don't know how we'd even begin to approach it.

"The American Dream" (which is a tad arbitrary in the first place) could actually become achieveable if only our own government stepped in. I really can't quite comprehend the conservative mindset that personal success and government assistance are mutually exclusive. By simply instituting a more comprehensive social welfare program, enacting more generous minimum wage laws, and giving reasonable power to workers unions, etc. etc., we could return to the golden age of American standard of living. Therein lies another problem, though: corporate reaction to such policy.

I recall once reading an interview of a German entrepreneur where he was asked what his attitude was towards Germany's very high (comparatively speaking, at least) tax rates on the rich. He told the reporter that he accepted them because "I don't want to be a rich man in a poor country." See the stark contrast there? I'd kill to have the CEO of Exxon Mobile or JP Morgan Chase share similar sentiments.

[The Princes of the Universe]

I hope Santorum wins the primary. If he's dumb enough/enough of a demagogue to tell a scientist (who's also the highest-ranking human in his religion) to leave science to scientists, he's probably rather likely to crash and burn while the rest of us laugh at him.