American Politics: The Speaker's Cornered

[Milk Island]

Well, any election updates?

Trump widens lead over DeSantis in 2024 GOP presidential nomination showdown: poll

Shocking after the book bannings

[Cannot think of a name]

Michigan has become the first State in 58 years to repeal its Right-to-Work Law. The last time this happened was in 1965 when Indiana repealed such a law, only to reenact it back in 2012 - the same year Michigan Republicans passed said Right-to-Work Law.

It's a major win for unions and one of many changes expected to come with Democrats controlling the entirety of Michigan's Government, partly thanks to an independent commission, which drew the maps after being approved in a referendum back in 2018, to allow this to happen.

Another State, Missouri, tried to pass a Right-to-Work law back in 2018, but that was vehemently struck down by voters in a referendum that resulted in a 2-1 margin.

But such ballot initiatives are under attack as Republicans look to impose restrictions on them due to the fact they reverse some of their key policies, ranging from increasing signature requirements to making it harder to place an initiative on the ballot to raising the threshold on passing said initiatives from a simple majority to 60%.

The latter has been proposed in Missouri and Ohio; Ohio's would also require petition signatures from all 88 Ohio counties, instead of the current 44, to get a measure on the ballot. Similar bills were voted on in Arizona and Arkansas last year, with Arizona approving raising the threshold to enact constitutional amendments related to taxes to 60%, but rejecting another that would had allowed the State Legislature to more power to make it easier to repeal citizen-led ballot initiatives; Arkansas voters rejected their bill.

In Florida, where it's already 60%, a new bill would raise that threshold to 67%. Ironically, it would only take a simple majority (or 60% in Florida) to enact such changes to set the new standard. And countless others are being considered in other States too.

Suffice to say, as long as people are smart enough to realize the dangers of weakening ballot initiatives, they will continue to vote against them.

So...long long ago I was doing telesurveys because I suck at looking for jobs.

One of the surveys I did was a push poll for relocating cougars, so I got to know what a poll loaded for a desired result looked like.

Another I did was for New Jersey to adopt ballot measures.

Before the days of caller ID (or at least early stages) and before cell phones (again early stages...like it's an accessory type deal) I found that the people available to answer a phone call at 2 in the afternoon on a weekday in Jersey were not the state's brightest. One kept asking me what I thought and after getting a few like her I wanted to go "maybe it's not for everyone..."

Having lived with them forever I've always thought of them as a double edged sword. I got recreational weed out of it, but we also tried to ban same sex marriage. It's not always the merit of the proposal but the people who support the proposal's ability to organize. And they're often not really all that grassroots. At times they're literally just a company trying to rewrite the rules they have to abide by and dumping a bunch of money into making it look like something else. And they can out spend any opposition who might point out what's really happening.

[Shrillland]

New poll's up.

[Zurkerx]

So...long long ago I was doing telesurveys because I suck at looking for jobs.

One of the surveys I did was a push poll for relocating cougars, so I got to know what a poll loaded for a desired result looked like.

Another I did was for New Jersey to adopt ballot measures.

Before the days of caller ID (or at least early stages) and before cell phones (again early stages...like it's an accessory type deal) I found that the people available to answer a phone call at 2 in the afternoon on a weekday in Jersey were not the state's brightest. One kept asking me what I thought and after getting a few like her I wanted to go "maybe it's not for everyone..."

Having lived with them forever I've always thought of them as a double edged sword. I got recreational weed out of it, but we also tried to ban same sex marriage. It's not always the merit of the proposal but the people who support the proposal's ability to organize. And they're often not really all that grassroots. At times they're literally just a company trying to rewrite the rules they have to abide by and dumping a bunch of money into making it look like something else. And they can out spend any opposition who might point out what's really happening.

True: it is those behind a proposal and how well they're organized. It is a double-edge sword in that regard, especially when special interests take hold with lots of money, but I do think it's better to let people decide on some issues - they're the ones that vote after all.

New poll's up.

Ah, it makes me happy to see something I posted turn into a poll.

As to the question, back in the day, I did support Right-to-Work Laws though my stance on them has somewhat shifted. That said, my believe is simple: you want to be in a union, go right ahead; if not, you shouldn't be forced to join one or pay its dues though one shouldn't piggyback off of a union if they want their benefits, but not pay the dues that comes with it. Eh, it's a position that I must really look at.

[Cannot think of a name]

So...long long ago I was doing telesurveys because I suck at looking for jobs.

One of the surveys I did was a push poll for relocating cougars, so I got to know what a poll loaded for a desired result looked like.

Another I did was for New Jersey to adopt ballot measures.

Before the days of caller ID (or at least early stages) and before cell phones (again early stages...like it's an accessory type deal) I found that the people available to answer a phone call at 2 in the afternoon on a weekday in Jersey were not the state's brightest. One kept asking me what I thought and after getting a few like her I wanted to go "maybe it's not for everyone..."

Having lived with them forever I've always thought of them as a double edged sword. I got recreational weed out of it, but we also tried to ban same sex marriage. It's not always the merit of the proposal but the people who support the proposal's ability to organize. And they're often not really all that grassroots. At times they're literally just a company trying to rewrite the rules they have to abide by and dumping a bunch of money into making it look like something else. And they can out spend any opposition who might point out what's really happening.

True: it is those behind a proposal and how well they're organized. It is a double-edge sword in that regard, especially when special interests take hold with lots of money, but I do think it's better to let people decide on some issues - they're the ones that vote after all.

In balance I'm in favor of them, but they're like anything else. Those who participate get to make the rules and, well...

...I won't tilt at that windmill again.

[Zurkerx]

True: it is those behind a proposal and how well they're organized. It is a double-edge sword in that regard, especially when special interests take hold with lots of money, but I do think it's better to let people decide on some issues - they're the ones that vote after all.

In balance I'm in favor of them, but they're like anything else. Those who participate get to make the rules and, well...

...I won't tilt at that windmill again.

Yes, of course, I do understand what you're saying. Nothing is perfect, unfortunately.

[Cannot think of a name]

In balance I'm in favor of them, but they're like anything else. Those who participate get to make the rules and, well...

...I won't tilt at that windmill again.

Yes, of course, I do understand what you're saying. Nothing is perfect, unfortunately.

Can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good as they say.

[The Black Forrest]

Florida principle forced to resign after allowing pornography in school. The pornography? Michelangelo's David.

X https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/flori ... lo-statue/

What times we live in.

[Northern Seleucia]

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

[The Black Forrest]

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

Basically? Say you are a machinist and you want a job who machinist area is unionized. You would have to join the union.

Right to work eliminates that and eliminates collection of union dues.

The phrase that pays is right to work improves economic growth.

Basically; make the wealthy more wealthy at the expense of the workers.

[American Legionaries]

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

It makes it illegal to run a 'closed shop' that is a business where all employees are members of a trade union. In a non right-to-work state, the union could mandate that all employees join the union as part of their hiring. A right-to-work state says a worker has the "right to work" at a place even if they don't want to join the union.

[Northern Seleucia]

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

It makes it illegal to run a 'closed shop' that is a business where all employees are members of a trade union. In a non right-to-work state, the union could mandate that all employees join the union as part of their hiring. A right-to-work state says a worker has the "right to work" at a place even if they don't want to join the union.

---

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

Basically? Say you are a machinist and you want a job who machinist area is unionized. You would have to join the union.

Right to work eliminates that and eliminates collection of union dues.

The phrase that pays is right to work improves economic growth.

Basically; make the wealthy more wealthy at the expense of the workers.

Ah okay

[Northern Seleucia]

As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions or emotions about any particular topic, including American politics. My role is to provide factual information and answer questions to the best of my abilities based on the data available to me.

However, I can say that American politics is a complex and often contentious topic. The United States has a unique system of government, with a federal system that divides power between the national government and the individual states. This system has been shaped by a long history of political, social, and economic developments, including the principles of democracy, the legacy of slavery and racial inequality, and the influence of interest groups and political parties.

The political climate in the United States is often polarized, with deeply held beliefs and strong emotions on both sides of many issues. Political debates can be heated and divisive, and there is often a lack of consensus on how to address many of the country's most pressing problems. Nevertheless, the democratic institutions of the United States have proven to be resilient over time, and the country has a long tradition of peaceful transitions of power, even in times of political upheaval.

[Rusozak]

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

Basically? Say you are a machinist and you want a job who machinist area is unionized. You would have to join the union.

Right to work eliminates that and eliminates collection of union dues.

The phrase that pays is right to work improves economic growth.

Basically; make the wealthy more wealthy at the expense of the workers.

And like much legislation, insidiously disguised to sound like it's helping the people its screwing over.

[Cannot think of a name]

It makes it illegal to run a 'closed shop' that is a business where all employees are members of a trade union. In a non right-to-work state, the union could mandate that all employees join the union as part of their hiring. A right-to-work state says a worker has the "right to work" at a place even if they don't want to join the union.

---

Basically? Say you are a machinist and you want a job who machinist area is unionized. You would have to join the union.

Right to work eliminates that and eliminates collection of union dues.

The phrase that pays is right to work improves economic growth.

Basically; make the wealthy more wealthy at the expense of the workers.

Ah okay

They then get union negotiated benefits without contributing, which is a sweet deal for them and also weakens the unions and their negotiating power which is a sweet deal for management.

[Diuhon]

Arkansas governor signs bill cutting duration of "welfare assistance" for poor families from two years to one

that "welfare assistance" is $81 per month, by the way

[Ancient Poland]

Arkansas governor signs bill cutting duration of "welfare assistance" for poor families from two years to one

that "welfare assistance" is $81 per month, by the way

But don’t touch those corporate subsidies and tax cuts.

[Elwher]

The fact that Nazis support something does not make it bad in itself. Hitler was a vegetarian, does that mean all vegetarians are Nazis?

What a strange thing to try and deflect about. "Hitler hated trans people. Hitler also loved dogs. Therefore, hating trans people isn't evil just because Hitler believed it." That's the essence of your argument. Hurling up some non sequitur about Hitler being a vegetarian to imply it's okay to agree with a Nazi on something when we're specifically talking about threatening the existence of a group the Nazis sent to the gas chambers. Is that the hill you want to die on?

Hating trans people is not evil because Hitler believed it. It is evil because hating people because of what they are is evil in and of itself. My point is that just because an evil person likes something does not make that thing evil. It is good or evil on its own merits, not due to who likes it.

[Elwher]

What's Right-To-Work? Ik it has to do with unions and fees but I never quite understood it

It makes it illegal to run a 'closed shop' that is a business where all employees are members of a trade union. In a non right-to-work state, the union could mandate that all employees join the union as part of their hiring. A right-to-work state says a worker has the "right to work" at a place even if they don't want to join the union.

Forcing a person to join an organization is no different from prohibiting them from joining one. A person should have the right to choose what organizations they choose to associate with. However, a union should have the right to insist that their contract only applies to union members, thereby eliminating the free rider problem.

[Corrian]

The fact Republicans think they "have" to make ballot initiatives harder is pretty sad. Republicans literally hate democracy. Sorry that your shitty policy isn't even popular in your conservative state. That doesn't mean you need to destroy peoples right to passing laws.

But y'all know you'll get reelected anyway, no matter what you do against the people who voted for you, so why wouldn't you ruin their ballot initiatives so you can keep passing your evil laws?

[-Astoria-]

As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions or emotions about any particular topic, including American politics. My role is to provide factual information and answer questions to the best of my abilities based on the data available to me.

However, I can say that American politics is a complex and often contentious topic. The United States has a unique system of government, with a federal system that divides power between the national government and the individual states. This system has been shaped by a long history of political, social, and economic developments, including the principles of democracy, the legacy of slavery and racial inequality, and the influence of interest groups and political parties.

The political climate in the United States is often polarized, with deeply held beliefs and strong emotions on both sides of many issues. Political debates can be heated and divisive, and there is often a lack of consensus on how to address many of the country's most pressing problems. Nevertheless, the democratic institutions of the United States have proven to be resilient over time, and the country has a long tradition of peaceful transitions of power, even in times of political upheaval.

That service is now available?

I feel like that list should apply to heterosexual acts as well, though...yeah? Like, is any of that okay if they're heteronormative? 'cause it shouldn't be.

Indeed: one would believe that such were already criminalised under previous legislation.

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that: that's as far as my knowledge on Ugandan law goes.

[El Lazaro]

It makes it illegal to run a 'closed shop' that is a business where all employees are members of a trade union. In a non right-to-work state, the union could mandate that all employees join the union as part of their hiring. A right-to-work state says a worker has the "right to work" at a place even if they don't want to join the union.

Forcing a person to join an organization is no different from prohibiting them from joining one. A person should have the right to choose what organizations they choose to associate with. However, a union should have the right to insist that their contract only applies to union members, thereby eliminating the free rider problem.

Having a “right to work” by undermining workers’ bargaining power so you (and the employer) have more money at their expense makes about as much sense as having a “right to stay at home” would be in a hypothetical country where widespread vote buying is legal and encouraged. It’s plainly undemocratic and scummy. Selling your vote isn’t a right; it’s an attack on the rights of others on behalf of those screwing everyone over.

[Risottia]

Florida principle forced to resign after allowing pornography in school. The pornography? Michelangelo's David.

X https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/flori ... lo-statue/

What times we live in.

It's what you get when you have religious fundamentalists and totalitarianists in power. If the David were exposed in America, I'd expect it to end up just like the Bamiyan Buddhas.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions or emotions about any particular topic, including American politics. My role is to provide factual information and answer questions to the best of my abilities based on the data available to me.

However, I can say that American politics is a complex and often contentious topic. The United States has a unique system of government, with a federal system that divides power between the national government and the individual states. This system has been shaped by a long history of political, social, and economic developments, including the principles of democracy, the legacy of slavery and racial inequality, and the influence of interest groups and political parties.

The political climate in the United States is often polarized, with deeply held beliefs and strong emotions on both sides of many issues. Political debates can be heated and divisive, and there is often a lack of consensus on how to address many of the country's most pressing problems. Nevertheless, the democratic institutions of the United States have proven to be resilient over time, and the country has a long tradition of peaceful transitions of power, even in times of political upheaval.

I was hoping for a Chat GMS post. I rest my case.

[Cannot think of a name]

Florida principle forced to resign after allowing pornography in school. The pornography? Michelangelo's David.

X https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/flori ... lo-statue/

What times we live in.

Simpsons did it.