US Midterm Election Megathread II: The Stretch Run Begins

[Yohannes]

I have to post this (because I feel really bad, sorry guys haha). Big Gunz Interweb is just one of my (many) NationStates personas. I have always been a proud "social justice warrior" (and will always be). I disagreed with many of Big Gunz Interweb's lines of thought, but it was a good way for me to learn people's honest opinions. I've found that when I post with this account, people tend to be cautious and not reply as they would have with my other accounts. This means that I can't learn about new things and hear the true/honest opinions of other people (not good for me)

To contribute to this thread (and this will be my only post here as I don't like to flood this account's forum posting history with out of character posts), I am not an American (and not going to pretend I'm an expert in American electoral politics) but if I'm an American I would probably belong to the Democrat camp (and would therefore support a mid-term Democrat win!). Hugs and kisses from us in New Zealand to you Americans!

[Bakery Hill]

odd

[New Zacharianasville]

I wish my proposal was used for the 2018 congressional elections in Arkansas, but they are too crooked to let that occur

[Thermodolia]

So it seems the Cruz campaign may be engaging in mail fraud, disguising requests for campaign donations to look like official summons to the casual observer.

He'll be given a free pass in the courts.

Because what he did while super scummy isn’t illegal.

[San Lumen]

He'll be given a free pass in the courts.

Because what he did while super scummy isn’t illegal.

If he were a Democrat though it would be different

[Telconi]

Because what he did while super scummy isn’t illegal.

If he were a Democrat though it would be different

There are other laws that apply only to Democrats?

[Bakery Hill]

Because what he did while super scummy isn’t illegal.

If he were a Democrat though it would be different

The courts are run by the Republican party.

[San Lumen]

If he were a Democrat though it would be different

There are other laws that apply only to Democrats?

I didn't say that. But a different standard is applied to Republicans

[Thermodolia]

Because what he did while super scummy isn’t illegal.

If he were a Democrat though it would be different

No it wouldn’t be. Laws don’t change depending on your political beliefs.

If a democrat put first class mail stamp on it it would be illegal, as it’s impersonating a summons. If that same democrat put Presorted STD stamp on it it’s legal. And the second one is what Cruz did.

It’s scummy as hell but it’s not illegal

[Telconi]

There are other laws that apply only to Democrats?

I didn't say that. But a different standard is applied to Republicans

But the standard of illegality is the law...

[Petrasylvania]

I didn't say that. But a different standard is applied to Republicans

But the standard of illegality is the law...

This from the guy who admits he wants Democratic judicial nominees blocked.

[Ifreann]

If he were a Democrat though it would be different

No it wouldn’t be. Laws don’t change depending on your political beliefs.

If a democrat put first class mail stamp on it it would be illegal, as it’s impersonating a summons. If that same democrat put Presorted STD stamp on it it’s legal. And the second one is what Cruz did.

It’s scummy as hell but it’s not illegal

The law doesn't have to change for a Republican to get preferential treatment in court over what a Democrat would get.

[Telconi]

But the standard of illegality is the law...

This from the guy who admits he wants Democratic judicial nominees blocked.

I also had pancakes this morning, and got some coffee from Richard down at the corner store, and various other irrelevant things.

[Thermodolia]

This from the guy who admits he wants Democratic judicial nominees blocked.

I also had pancakes this morning, and got some coffee from Richard down at the corner store, and various other irrelevant things.

Pancakes are good. I had Crispx for breakfast

[Ngelmish]

Why is the hard left specifically more offputting than the hard right, though?

Like, when Telconi puts air quotes around "even more extreme and uncompromising," he's not actually denying the fact that the GOP is extreme and uncompromising, he's signaling that his policy and partisan preferences lie more in that direction currently and that he likes to frame his opposition in terms that delegitimize the left. So when you specifically find one extreme stylistically distasteful to the point that you want to spite it, even though you note that you would prefer not to empower the hard right, suggests that your base partisan identity leans towards the right anyway.

As for centrism, whether it's center left, center right or simply centrist, with only a couple of prominent exceptions, it's not playing well electorally anywhere right now.

Point is that what constitutes "extreme" is dependent on the person making that judgement, the idea that Republicans are somehow verifiably more extreme is ridiculous.

It's really not ridiculous at all when it comes to an "objective" (and I know you are prepared to pedantically and mendaciously question that term too) analysis between the parties and party actors in terms of how they interact with government structures and norms of political conduct. Point is, you have argued explicitly and consistently that you disregard structural analysis of political behavior as unimportant at best, or simply a mirage at worst, because ensuring your political prerogatives is a moral imperative beyond consensus, legitimacy, the health of the body politic or peaceful transitions of power.

Your credibility on what constitutes "extreme" is limited to those who already agree with you that freedom and higher principles consist of the outcome of a single 10 year old judicial precedent in the entirety of American history.

As for my credibility on what constitutes extreme... well, I'm sure you have some rationale or other about why it's not credible.

[Telconi]

Point is that what constitutes "extreme" is dependent on the person making that judgement, the idea that Republicans are somehow verifiably more extreme is ridiculous.

It's really not ridiculous at all when it comes to an "objective" (and I know you are prepared to pedantically and mendaciously question that term too) analysis between the parties and party actors in terms of how they interact with government structures and norms of political conduct. Point is, you have argued explicitly and consistently that you disregard structural analysis of political behavior as unimportant at best, or simply a mirage at worst, because ensuring your political prerogatives is a moral imperative beyond consensus, legitimacy, the health of the body politic or peaceful transitions of power.

Your credibility on what constitutes "extreme" is limited to those who already agree with you that freedom and higher principles consist of the outcome of a single 10 year old judicial precedent in the entirety of American history.

As for my credibility on what constitutes extreme... well, I'm sure you have some rationale or other about why it's not credible.

You could have agreed in far fewer words.

[San Lumen]

This from the guy who admits he wants Democratic judicial nominees blocked.

I also had pancakes this morning, and got some coffee from Richard down at the corner store, and various other irrelevant things.

and this is relevant how? This is the same person who said they wanted a hamstrung government so if the the people dared to vote someone into statewide office you disagree with they can't get anyone they want to nominate through

[Jerzylvania]

I also had pancakes this morning, and got some coffee from Richard down at the corner store, and various other irrelevant things.

Pancakes are good. I had Crispx for breakfast

*Gets out pancake mix*

*Turns on TV*

It's C-span, Washington Journal.

Oh look! they're taking calls from lunatics again today!

*tests griddle for hotness* Oooh.

[Telconi]

I also had pancakes this morning, and got some coffee from Richard down at the corner store, and various other irrelevant things.

and this is relevant how? This is the same person who said they wanted a hamstrung government so if the the people dared to vote someone into statewide office you disagree with they can't get anyone they want to nominate through

And this is relevant how?

[Valrifell]

and this is relevant how? This is the same person who said they wanted a hamstrung government so if the the people dared to vote someone into statewide office you disagree with they can't get anyone they want to nominate through

And this is relevant how?

Okay, let me spell this out.

H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E

Got that? Now you can't pretend you didn't understand what they were trying to say.

[Telconi]

And this is relevant how?

Okay, let me spell this out.

H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E

Got that? Now you can't pretend you didn't understand what they were trying to say.

We shouldn't dramatically spell words we don't understand.

[Valrifell]

Okay, let me spell this out.

H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E

Got that? Now you can't pretend you didn't understand what they were trying to say.

We shouldn't dramatically spell words we don't understand.

I was clarifying the point to you since you seemed to be struggling to understand. It's so hard to watch people not get something so very and abundantly clear.

[Telconi]

We shouldn't dramatically spell words we don't understand.

I was clarifying the point to you since you seemed to be struggling to understand. It's so hard to watch people not get something so very and abundantly clear.

Like how you calling me hypocrite is foolish and nonsensical. I know, but alas, I am doomed to watch you struggle...

[Valrifell]

I was clarifying the point to you since you seemed to be struggling to understand. It's so hard to watch people not get something so very and abundantly clear.

Like how you calling me hypocrite is foolish and nonsensical. I know, but alas, I am doomed to watch you struggle...

Just answer the fucking point next time, we both know you knew what they were getting at. Explain how your positions aren't self-contradictory instead of doing this whole bullshit routine you pull with everyone.

[Jerzylvania]

Okay, let me spell this out.

H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E

Got that? Now you can't pretend you didn't understand what they were trying to say.

We shouldn't dramatically spell words we don't understand.

Speak for yourself.