Ye Olde US Midterm Elections Thread (With Extra Vitimins)

[Avenio]

I think the closest answer to what was to 'blame' would be that Americans, as a group, are agitated about the economy and are impatient, wanting it to get back to normal as quick as possible. This, when combined with an atmosphere in which the news media (Right or left, pick your poison) feeds the public predigested tidbits of opinion masquerading as fact and which a strong anti-intellectual and anti-'elite' atmosphere causes an intense dislike of not black-and-white or similarly complicated solutions and problems and of the people that have the capability to solve them, created a merciless anti-incumbent sentiment, hoisting the Republicans into their victory.

[Washington Democrats]

Nevada, Washington,California and Alaska will be very interesting to see.

[Greed and Death]

I don't think the Teabaggers are terrible people, I think that they are just misinformed, and your Republican friends have taken advantage of that. The Republicans are obviously in the back pockets of Corporate America, and wow, y'all just handed them the House. It's very easy to manipulate, deceive and mislead a group of angry people. Mainly because they're too emotional, not thinking clearly. They're angry and they want someone to blame. The Pubs saw this and directed their anger.

However, this is a short term tactic. Sooner or later people will realize that the Pubs have screwed them over for their own interest and the interest of Corporate America, and vote them back out. What's truly sad is that we're a country with ADD, so we'll keep going back and forth until we're in ruins.

I posted this on another forum, but I think it'll fit here as well.

IF we are to follow recent history only after the Republicans hold the House Senate and the Presidency for 6 years.

[Farnhamia]

I say we wait and see what happens. If the economy soars, it'll be a result of the GOP's victory. If the economy tanks, there will be huge Democratic wins. We can't tell what's going to happen. The people simply don't see things getting any better, and they're reacting. If things continue to go badly, they'll react again. Calm down and stop creating bogeymen or else you're no better than the teabaggers you attack.

That there is already a talk of a double dip I wouldn't bet on the economy soaring.

But if it does improve, the GOP will try to take credit for it. We'll just have to see whether anything they do has much effect. From what I can tell, they haven't had a new idea since the 20th century.

[Tahar Joblis]

No. A free market literally has zero bubbles.

Why not?

Experiments conducted by economists suggest bubbles occur quite organically. I saw a presentation about it a couple weeks ago.

[Novistranaya]

I won't "blame" anything. Blame is something put on someone or a group of people for something they have done.

What caused the GOP to gain so many seats? The same reason that any political party gains more favor: people were unhappy with what the government was doing and picked the alternative. Whether this alternative will help or not remains to be seen.

Thank you! You know, I'm getting really sick and tired of people saying "Americans are stupid for going for the GOP! Blah, blah, blah!" We didn't like what the Dems were doing. Get over it. For those of you in foreign countries bugger off. OK rant over. My next post will most likely be more level headed.

[Luciratus]

I don't think the Teabaggers are terrible people, I think that they are just misinformed, and your Republican friends have taken advantage of that. The Republicans are obviously in the back pockets of Corporate America, and wow, y'all just handed them the House. It's very easy to manipulate, deceive and mislead a group of angry people. Mainly because they're too emotional, not thinking clearly. They're angry and they want someone to blame. The Pubs saw this and directed their anger.

However, this is a short term tactic. Sooner or later people will realize that the Pubs have screwed them over for their own interest and the interest of Corporate America, and vote them back out. What's truly sad is that we're a country with ADD, so we'll keep going back and forth until we're in ruins.

I posted this on another forum, but I think it'll fit here as well.

Couldn't the same be said of Democrats to a certain extent? They pander to special interests such as unions, Environmentalist groups, and racial minorities (I oppose a policy based on attracting voters of a particular skin color). The voters reacted similarly when they casted votes against the Republicans following the Bush presidency. The people are both angry and sensible. If they dislike the performance of a party, they will change out leadership.

[Greed and Death]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/opinion/03wed-1.html

Wow, 4 out of 10 voters self identify as tea baggers in exit polls.
I think I am starting to reconsider how I voted.

[Panzerjaeger]

That there is already a talk of a double dip I wouldn't bet on the economy soaring.

But if it does improve, the GOP will try to take credit for it. We'll just have to see whether anything they do has much effect. From what I can tell, they haven't had a new idea since the 20th century.

I hope it remains so. I want the GOP dead and gone it is a bloated corpse that needs to make way for fresh blood instead of it just floundering around.

[Luciratus]

That there is already a talk of a double dip I wouldn't bet on the economy soaring.

But if it does improve, the GOP will try to take credit for it. We'll just have to see whether anything they do has much effect. From what I can tell, they haven't had a new idea since the 20th century.

Reagan initiated new ideas in the 21st century. Naturally, the power in party is able to claim credit for beneficial economic times whether they are responsible or not. It occurs all the time.

[Farnhamia]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/opinion/03wed-1.html

Wow, 4 out of 10 voters self identify as tea baggers in exit polls.
I think I am starting to reconsider how I voted.

We'll see. I think the Tea Party is like immigration reform, it blossoms every two years but in between, nothing. If they're serious, these "TEA Party" people, let them break free of the Republican Party and run some candidates on their own.

[Mahaj]

Virginia-- District 11.

My District. The incumbent democrat leads by 600 or so votes, 98% of precincts reporting.

[Panzerjaeger]

But if it does improve, the GOP will try to take credit for it. We'll just have to see whether anything they do has much effect. From what I can tell, they haven't had a new idea since the 20th century.

Reagan initiated new ideas in the 21st century. Naturally, the power in party is able to claim credit for beneficial economic times whether they are responsible or not. It occurs all the time.

Trickle Down Economics isn't new it is how America has operated since its creation.

[Allrule]

Russ Feingold just lost to Ron Johnson.

God damn this country to hell.

[Holy Paradise]

Russ Feingold just lost to Ron Johnson.

God damn this country to hell.

*laughs a little*

I kid. Relax, my friend, you guys will be in the Republican's position soon enough. This crap goes in cycles.

I'm off to a little frat party (yes, it's Tuesday, but I finished my school stuff). Have a good night.

[Bluth Corporation]

1. I agree with you analysis here pretty much entirely. However I'd argue that it produces benefits beyond the simple repairs to the road - every extra pound/dollar each worker earned is a pound/dollar they can spend elsewhere, benefiting the economy.

The problem is, it's a pound/dollar that's not backed up by any actual contribution to the economy, so when the road worker then goes and spends it, he's basically exchanging no value for some value, and so is pulling a fast one on the unlucky firm that has the "pleasure" of doing business with him. It doesn't increase the total amount of wealth in the economy--all it's done is shift some of the wealth that was already there from one party to another, and done so in a rather dishonest and sneaky fashion.

And yes, you can get the same effect by just paying them benefits - but this way we also get a repaired road.

A repaired road, yes, but in so doing the total amount of resources in the economy has suffered a net loss. I fail to see how that's a superior outcome. At least with a straight-up handout, then ignoring the effects of the bureaucracy to administer it then at least you haven't wasted the gas on a counterproductive trip out to the pothole.

There's also various other jobs supported by the road repairs - the company that makes tarmac for example.

But again, since the purchases made from these firms don't actually represent a positive contribution to the total size of the economy, all it's doing is shifting resources around. And you're going to have the bureaucracy whether you do make-work programs or just give out handouts; at least handouts don't waste other resources on top of that.

2. While it is true that in the long run this can lead to problems, in the short term it supports the economy when it needs the help. In the long run it can be dealt with - the short term increase in consumer and business confidence is more important.

I've got homework I've put off far too long; hopefully I can get to this later on. But in short: you and Keynes are right in the short run; the problem is ending such policies after that "short run" has expired.

[Luciratus]

Reagan initiated new ideas in the 21st century. Naturally, the power in party is able to claim credit for beneficial economic times whether they are responsible or not. It occurs all the time.

Trickle Down Economics isn't new it is how America has operated since its creation.

The manner in which he pursued the policy was rather unique. It involved decentralizing power from the national government to the states through economic payments. This effectively permitted states to delegate money for their own local interest, while the federal government focused on more national issues. In effect, this policy reduced the centralization that had been occuring since the 1920's. Taxes were cut to an effective degree and the economy prospered. The policy was new, as it actually reversed prior policies and created a new system.

[Yenke-Bin]

Russ Feingold just lost to Ron Johnson.

God damn this country to hell.

I feel the same way.

[Political Pilgrims]

@ Wilgrove

Here's a shocker:

Until corporate America has confidence in the economy, corporate America will not invest in the economy. If the Pubs are on the business's side, the economy will turn around. Isn't that a good thing?

[Panzerjaeger]

Trickle Down Economics isn't new it is how America has operated since its creation.

The manner in which he pursued the policy was rather unique. It involved decentralizing power from the national government to the states through economic payments. This effectively permitted states to delegate money for their own local interest, while the federal government focused on more national issues. In effect, this policy reduced the centralization that had been occuring since the 1920's. Taxes were cut to an effective degree and the economy prospered. The policy was new, as it actually reversed prior policies and created a new system.

All it did was make the Fed into a Corporate Whore not that it was surprising. American Government has long since been in the pocket of Big Business. That you consider that new and revolutionizing is disturbing on many levels.

[Mahaj]

Russ Feingold just lost to Ron Johnson.

God damn this country to hell.

I feel the same way.

agreed.

[UnitedStatesOfAmerica-]

With large GOP gains expected, how do you think the left will explain the midterm results?

I've already seen MSNBC blame it on money, forgetting races where the Dems spent more. I was not surprised to see many on NSG blame it on Americans' alleged idiocy. So what do you think the overall response will be? I'm guessing option #1, with a strong showing by 3 and 6.

Really? And who exactly did that? I see people having honest differences of opinion but I have not seen anyone called an "idiot".

Calling the term, "obamacare" idiotic is not the same as calling someone an idiot.

[Luciratus]

The manner in which he pursued the policy was rather unique. It involved decentralizing power from the national government to the states through economic payments. This effectively permitted states to delegate money for their own local interest, while the federal government focused on more national issues. In effect, this policy reduced the centralization that had been occuring since the 1920's. Taxes were cut to an effective degree and the economy prospered. The policy was new, as it actually reversed prior policies and created a new system.

All it did was make the Fed into a Corporate Whore not that it was surprising. American Government has long since been in the pocket of Big Business. That you consider that new and revolutionizing is disturbing on many levels.

It paid money to the states who delegated it to local purposes, I mentioned corporations no where in the equation. I must protest your understanding of what a 'corporate whore' is. Contrary to popular opinion, businesses do not and rarely ever have dominated American politics under either party. Unions are still permitted, if America was a corporate whore this would not be the case. A more fitting example of a corporate whore state would be one such as Fascist Italy which banned unions, placed businesses in charge of government, and restricted workers' rights. America does not do any of those things.

[Panzerjaeger]

All it did was make the Fed into a Corporate Whore not that it was surprising. American Government has long since been in the pocket of Big Business. That you consider that new and revolutionizing is disturbing on many levels.

It paid money to the states who delegated it to local purposes, I mentioned corporations no where in the equation. I must protest your understanding of what a 'corporate whore' is. Contrary to popular opinion, businesses do not and rarely ever have dominated American politics under either party. Unions are still permitted, if America was a corporate whore this would not be the case. A more fitting example of a corporate whore state would be one such as Fascist Italy which banned unions, placed businesses in charge of government, and restricted workers' rights. America does not do any of those things.

Your lack of understanding of what Corporatism means is hilarious. History Fail/Political Fail!

[Greed and Death]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/opinion/03wed-1.html

Wow, 4 out of 10 voters self identify as tea baggers in exit polls.
I think I am starting to reconsider how I voted.

We'll see. I think the Tea Party is like immigration reform, it blossoms every two years but in between, nothing. If they're serious, these "TEA Party" people, let them break free of the Republican Party and run some candidates on their own.

I worry about congressmen acting like how their voters act personally.