US Gen. Election Thread V: The Hunt for Red October Surprise

[Eol Sha]

Calling a whole state a shithole based on its politics is a bit much, don't you guys think?

I've never lived in Texas, but all of my experiences there have been mostly nice. I've lived in both NY and CA and they're definitely not "shitholes" either (though I got tired of several aspects of living in Southern California, mainly the urban sprawl, bad air quality and traffic).

I live here, I went to school here, Ive worked here. Its a shithole.

@Gallo: I-35 has always and will forever be under construction.

Texas: The Permanent Construction State

[IceBuddha]

Calling a whole state a shithole based on its politics is a bit much, don't you guys think?

I've never lived in Texas, but all of my experiences there have been mostly nice. I've lived in both NY and CA and they're definitely not "shitholes" either (though I got tired of several aspects of living in Southern California, mainly the urban sprawl, bad air quality and traffic).

I know several folks who've lived in Texas. None of them had anything particularly complimentary to say about it.

I've got family from there.

Basic summary of life in Texas from my grandfather: "It's flat and hot."

Seriously though, I feel like people stereotype states based on their politics a bit too much. Keep in mind that, even in Texas, over 40 percent of the population voted for Obama in 2012. A bit under 40 percent of Californians voted for Romney. Things aren't as polarized on a state by state basis (at least when it comes to how voters think... when it comes to governance it's a different story) as people sometimes make it out to be.

[The East Marches]

The existence of my state proves your assertion about immigrants to be wrong. They haven't brought more growth or a surplus here. Quite the contrary actually, they are responsible for a gaping hole in the budget. The increased taxes are ruining my state and driving people out. Kravencia merely used the wrong state as an example as the data you showed appears that California's income tax isn't so bad.

You've completely misunderstood my point. I'm not looking at what immigrants cause, I'm looking at the reverse.

I apologize, I thought you were positing that immigration on its own causes growth and a surplus.

[Freefall11111]

It's not taxes, I'll tell you that much.

I compared tax rates. That wasn't it.

I tried governor party. That wasn't it.

I looked at Arkansas being up and Texas being down, and thought maybe it was Medicaid expansion (Arkansas took it), but that wasn't it either.

So... not sure.

Look at the regional growth rates to further add to your confusion.
New England: 1.5%
Great Lakes: 0.7%
Southeast: 1.5%
Plains: -0.8%
Rocky Mountain: 1.7%
Southwest: 0.5%
Far West: 2.2%

[Lady Scylla]

I live here, I went to school here, Ive worked here. Its a shithole.

@Gallo: I-35 has always and will forever be under construction.

Texas: The Permanent Construction State

Whats humorous is that they keep running out money, yet spend loads putting in colourful tile along the sides of the highway, and lush green grass that died the next month.

[Philjia]

It's not taxes, I'll tell you that much.

I compared tax rates. That wasn't it.

I tried governor party. That wasn't it.

I looked at Arkansas being up and Texas being down, and thought maybe it was Medicaid expansion (Arkansas took it), but that wasn't it either.

So... not sure.

Average income? Certain civil rights?

[Eol Sha]

But California has 130% more immigrants??

Huh. San Antonio has a surprisingly low immigrant population. Although, I guess I can't be too surprising since many Hispanic Americans' families in the area have lived there for centuries.

[Freefall11111]

Here's income growth by state.

[Hittanryan]

The Republicans aren't obstructionist, guys, believe me

[Freefall11111]

I compared tax rates. That wasn't it.

I tried governor party. That wasn't it.

I looked at Arkansas being up and Texas being down, and thought maybe it was Medicaid expansion (Arkansas took it), but that wasn't it either.

So... not sure.

Average income? Certain civil rights?

Here's median household income by state.

[Hittanryan]

I know several folks who've lived in Texas. None of them had anything particularly complimentary to say about it.

I've got family from there.

Basic summary of life in Texas from my grandfather: "It's flat and hot."

Seriously though, I feel like people stereotype states based on their politics a bit too much. Keep in mind that, even in Texas, over 40 percent of the population voted for Obama in 2012. A bit under 40 percent of Californians voted for Romney. Things aren't as polarized on a state by state basis (at least when it comes to how voters think... when it comes to governance it's a different story) as people sometimes make it out to be.

I was talking about their government and the tendency of Texan Republicans to try to project their niche onto the entire nation. Lower taxes and deregulation may help hijack jobs from one part of the country to another, but it doesn't create jobs, and it's not going to work when it's the entire country competing against, say, China.

[Eol Sha]

Epic Rap Battles is back and they started off with Clinton vs. Trump.

[The Emerald Dawn]

Epic Rap Battles is back and they started off with Clinton vs. Trump.

I haven't touched ERB since they did Hulk v Jenner.

Never watched it, wasn't interested in watching them go either way with that hand grenade.

[Genivaria]

Calling a whole state a shithole based on its politics is a bit much, don't you guys think?

I've never lived in Texas, but all of my experiences there have been mostly nice. I've lived in both NY and CA and they're definitely not "shitholes" either (though I got tired of several aspects of living in Southern California, mainly the urban sprawl, bad air quality and traffic).

I know several folks who've lived in Texas. None of them had anything particularly complimentary to say about it.

Yeah I'm one of them, I've lived in Texas all my life and it lost its charm long ago.

[The Emerald Dawn]

I know several folks who've lived in Texas. None of them had anything particularly complimentary to say about it.

Yeah I'm one of them, I've lived in Texas all my life and it lost its charm long ago.

Was stationed in Texas...three times. Best part about being stationed there was the delivery steak joint that didn't mind large orders and waiting outside the SCIF in the pouring rain.

[Washington Resistance Army]

Epic Rap Battles is back and they started off with Clinton vs. Trump.

It was pretty bad tbh.

[IceBuddha]

The Republicans aren't obstructionist, guys, believe me

"We the People should be able to make a choice this November about the kind of Supreme Court we are going to have!"
"lol we're gonna lose never mind"

Hopefully the Democrats win the Senate and stick in a moderate Justice (which would be my preference). Or maybe they should put in a very left wing justice to stick it to the GOP for all the two faced bullshit they've pulled, I dunno.

[Genivaria]

Yeah I'm one of them, I've lived in Texas all my life and it lost its charm long ago.

Was stationed in Texas...three times. Best part about being stationed there was the delivery steak joint that didn't mind large orders and waiting outside the SCIF in the pouring rain.

I don't deny I like our big portions.
Whataburger I love your portion sizes but Sonic is cheaper.

[Conserative Morality]

It was pretty bad tbh.

They've been weak for a long time. Won't deny that Stalin v. Rasputin and Alexander the Great v. Ivan the Terrible were good though.

Also, "I'm gonna run the country like I run my casinos: more police, and less Latinos!" gave me a laugh.

[Major-Tom]

Met Donald Trump Jr at the GOP headquarters today. Much more well spoken, courteous, and even outgoing than his father. If he was running instead of his father, I'd vote GOP for President.

[Corrian]

Met Donald Trump Jr at the GOP headquarters today. Much more well spoken, courteous, and even outgoing than his father. If he was running instead of his father, I'd vote GOP for President.

Isn't he the White Supremacist?

[Agritum]

These days, I've been pondering if an "October" (well, I guess November by now) Surprise would really affect the election by much. Early Voting rounds haven't even reached their first weekend and yet millions of people have already voted (About 6.5 million or more. It is relatively small, but it's a pretty whopping result for such an early date).

It also proves the assertion that early voting is progressively becoming more and more widespread as a practice, as elections pass.

[Major-Tom]

Met Donald Trump Jr at the GOP headquarters today. Much more well spoken, courteous, and even outgoing than his father. If he was running instead of his father, I'd vote GOP for President.

Isn't he the White Supremacist?

Can't say I've heard about those allegations...

[Washington Resistance Army]

It was pretty bad tbh.

They've been weak for a long time. Won't deny that Stalin v. Rasputin and Alexander the Great v. Ivan the Terrible were good though.

Also, "I'm gonna run the country like I run my casinos: more police, and less Latinos!" gave me a laugh.

It had some good lines (I respect all females, but your rhymes are trash, put em next to your emails) but the bias has really shown in the last couple of episodes.

[Major-Tom]

It was pretty bad tbh.

They've been weak for a long time. Won't deny that Stalin v. Rasputin and Alexander the Great v. Ivan the Terrible were good though.

Also, "I'm gonna run the country like I run my casinos: more police, and less Latinos!" gave me a laugh.

Bond vs Austin Powers was alright. This one was pretty weak, too heavy handed.