Ye Olde US Midterm Elections Thread (With Extra Vitimins)

[Novistranaya]

Huh...kinda looking like the final make up of the Senate will be 52-48 (depending on how Colorado goes) in favor of the Dems. Should be an interesting 2 years after this.

[Aubelland]

So do you know anything of the pot culture?

Very nice slippery slope BTW. Do stay off the Roads. I am all for it. Far too many people on them right now.....

I know quite a bit about pot culture. I live in Northern California in Yuba County. This is probably one of the better areas to farm weed, I can walk into a music store in my town and I can look at magazines demonstrating how to grow and groom a certain strand of bud.

"Smelling marijuana" is enough to at least get you brought in for testing,

But the testing method would be inefficient because the pot stays in your blood for 3 weeks, we've been over this.

just like seeing open beer cans is reason enough to brethalize you to see if you're too plastered to drive.

Alcohol does not stay in your system for 3 weeks with the breathalyser test.

And that cop sucks, no offense. LOTS of cops pull kids over in case they can catch a big break with a drug bust or alcohol. If the cop could say he was tailgaiting or speeding or anything he could get away with it usually. The cop in that scenario was OBVIOUSLY just trying to get a bust, which should probably deserve some sort of punishment.

I won't disagree or agree as to whether or not the cop was a bad one, but I will say that my point remains in that they cannot pull you over simply for "suspecting" you.

Well, I wouldn't really have a problem with that. Personally I don't care if folks smoke weed, it doesn't matter to me. What worries me is when they are on the job and they're high, or in their cars and they're high, and they manage to injure someone while under the influence because there was no way to measure of whether they were "high" or not "officially". After all, I could dismiss the "red eyes" thing with an excuse of just being "tired", right?

I also don't really recall alot of doctors losing their practice over prescribing medical marijuana as it is today, however, if it were passed, then the Federal Government and the DEA would no doubt crack down on marijuana, seeing as how that is still illegal to Federal Law. So I could see way more doctors losing their jobs as a result of Prop. 19 passing then it not passing.

You can't drive when you're excessively tired either, so you're screwed either way.

I don't have to be excessively tired. I can just be plain-old regular tired and still have red eyes, and still get away with doing my job/driving my car.

It's the same sort of thing that people under 21 who are caught with a BAL of 0.01 or higher get auto-DUI'd since it's illegal for them to drink. See what I mean along the lines that really nothing would change if weed were legal, since being drunk at work or driving etc. gets you in the same amount of trouble.

See, that wouldn't be a problem, but like one of the people in this thread pointed out, Prop 19 prevented pot smokers from getting fired for getting caught smoking weed, and at the same time, even if you did get "caught" driving a car while under the influence, how would they tell whether or not you're high right now other then "his eyes are red and he smells funny!"

[NERVUN]

Annoying as California is, it sends far more tax dollars to the Federal government than it receives in help.

A state that flagrantly refuses to comply with all federal laws should recieve no funding. The job of government is not act as a welfare state. Californians are wanting federal money to pay people who $100,000 a year jobs while people in Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma can't even get jobs or social assistance because all the money was given to California.

We would be a lot better off if at least 75% of the California public employee workforce were fired and all of the state's free welfare giveaways were eliminated. Then California would not be a drain and it would not be in danger of economic collapse which will be the result of several of the ballot initiatives. We might as well federalize the entire state and get it over with.

This state, that I've lived in my whole life, is no longer viable economically. If the feds don't step in California will cease to exist as a US state.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, and I'm sure you actually have sources for these claims.

[Tahar Joblis]

May I offer a correction on the Cali props? From the NYT:

19 Legalize marijuana under Calif. (not federal) law 44.2%
25 Only simple majority needed to pass state budget 53.9%
20 Remove elected representatives from redistricting process 64.5%
21 Establish vehicle license surcharge for state parks and wildlife 39.6%
22 State must pay transportation and local government supports 63.8%
23 Suspend air pollution laws until unemployment drops 42.1%
24 Repeal profit- and loss-shifting law for corporations 39.8%
26 Increase margin required to pass some taxes 55.4%
27 Replace redistricting commission with elected officials 39.4%

That is to say, the parks measure is failing because Californians hate vehicle fees (21), the legislature is being told to back off on [mostly vehicle-related] fees (26), and they want the state not to cut corners on roads (22). California loves its cars.

Then we have that California is tired of the Republicans in the state legislature holding up every budget (25) and tired of the gerrymandering (20,27).

Corporations can keep the overly generous tax loopholes (24), but they're not going to be given an incentive to keep California unemployment high by tying air pollution laws to unemployment rates (23), and are satisfied with the status quo where better connected and more mobile white Californians can smoke all the MJ they want after driving over to somewhere lax and getting a medical marijuana card, but them darkies better not get uppity and think they can smoke for fun (19).

So liberal. I think I'm losing 5 of 9 right now unless there's some major movement in the late-reporting precincts.

[Aubelland]

A state that flagrantly refuses to comply with all federal laws should recieve no funding. The job of government is not act as a welfare state. Californians are wanting federal money to pay people who $100,000 a year jobs while people in Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma can't even get jobs or social assistance because all the money was given to California.

We would be a lot better off if at least 75% of the California public employee workforce were fired and all of the state's free welfare giveaways were eliminated. Then California would not be a drain and it would not be in danger of economic collapse which will be the result of several of the ballot initiatives. We might as well federalize the entire state and get it over with.

This state, that I've lived in my whole life, is no longer viable economically. If the feds don't step in California will cease to exist as a US state.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, and I'm sure you actually have sources for these claims.

The funny thing is, he's disapproving of the government yet at the same encouraging government officials to come in and put an end to the "inefficient" government and bring it back in line.

[NERVUN]

Enough of the Americanalization that is going on. From next year on it will be Africanalization, Nigerianalization. Those are the words that will set the right mood for us.

Ok, enough with the attempted threadjacking. This is a thread for the US midterm elections. You are more than welcome to make a thread regarding Nigeria's elections if you so want.

[Farnhamia]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, and I'm sure you actually have sources for these claims.

The funny thing is, he's disapproving of the government yet at the same encouraging government officials to come in and put an end to the "inefficient" government and bring it back in line.

We must destroy the village in order to save it. USofA- tends to echo talking points and not really look into things very deeply, I'm afraid.

[O5vx]

Am just stating the reasion why you folks might want to make the right choice now.

[Tiesabre]

Republicans swept up every statehouse position here in Ohio. I'm massively disappointed, Governor Strickland did so much for education here. The only thing that makes me feel better are that our new Republican senator and governor are old-school Republicans and not Teabag Republicans.

The only bright spot for me in our House Representation, Betty Sutton managed to be one of the few Democrats to win, luckily she represents one of the more Democratic areas of the state.

[Lacadaemon]

A state that flagrantly refuses to comply with all federal laws should recieve no funding. The job of government is not act as a welfare state. Californians are wanting federal money to pay people who $100,000 a year jobs while people in Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma can't even get jobs or social assistance because all the money was given to California.

We would be a lot better off if at least 75% of the California public employee workforce were fired and all of the state's free welfare giveaways were eliminated. Then California would not be a drain and it would not be in danger of economic collapse which will be the result of several of the ballot initiatives. We might as well federalize the entire state and get it over with.

This state, that I've lived in my whole life, is no longer viable economically. If the feds don't step in California will cease to exist as a US state.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, and I'm sure you actually have sources for these claims.

The not complying with federal laws thing I don't know about. But California's civil service compensation problem is fairly common knowledge. The enormous budget gap didn't magically come into existence.

[NERVUN]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, and I'm sure you actually have sources for these claims.

The not complying with federal laws thing I don't know about. But California's civil service compensation problem is fairly common knowledge. The enormous budget gap didn't magically come into existence.

This is true, I'm talking about the idea that Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma can't get money from the Federal government because the feds are paying California's civil servants.

[Tahar Joblis]

The Democrats have very little chance of holding the Senate in the NEXT elections. The seats up for election in 2012 are Class I, elected in 2006 — which was a very strong year for Democrats.

Not losing the Senate majority in 2012 is a much bigger ask than winning back the House or winning the Presidency.

However, Democrats in 2012 will be benefiting from a significant increase in turnout over 2010. 2008 turnout demographics on 2006 seats would give results quite possibly even better than 2006. Scott Brown is also almost certainly dead on the ground in 2012 - no Democratic incumbent is in quite as vulnerable a position.

2012 will depend on what's going on with the Obama presidency and the Republican House. No two bones about it.

[Tiesabre]

The Democrats have very little chance of holding the Senate in the NEXT elections. The seats up for election in 2012 are Class I, elected in 2006 — which was a very strong year for Democrats.

Not losing the Senate majority in 2012 is a much bigger ask than winning back the House or winning the Presidency.

However, Democrats in 2012 will be benefiting from a significant increase in turnout over 2010. 2008 turnout demographics on 2006 seats would give results quite possibly even better than 2006. Scott Brown is also almost certainly dead on the ground in 2012 - no Democratic incumbent is in quite as vulnerable a position.

2012 will depend on what's going on with the Obama presidency and the Republican House. No two bones about it.

And in 2012 if jobs pick up there's no way Obama could lose. And Republicans in the House and Senate know they can't game the economy to win again because this time they're on the hook for it.

[Lacadaemon]

The not complying with federal laws thing I don't know about. But California's civil service compensation problem is fairly common knowledge. The enormous budget gap didn't magically come into existence.

This is true, I'm talking about the idea that Georgia, Ohio, and Oklahoma can't get money from the Federal government because the feds are paying California's civil servants.

OIC. I didn't read it that way. I thought he was just bitching that Cal. shouldn't get money because of the civil service salaries.

Yeah, tho'. Californian firemen have nothing to do with Georgia et al.

[Novistranaya]

OK, my question is, what the heck is going on in Alaska?! 39% to Total Write-in Candidates according to Yahoo and MSNBC. That state has gone completely loony!

[Doitzel]

Well... silver lining is in the ballot measures here in Florida. The three most important amendments went the way they should have: public campaign financing is left intact and the state constitution has now outlawed gerrymandering -- which is good because we've just become a one-party state.

I still can't fucking believe that Rick Scott won.

[Drachmar]

Well... silver lining is in the ballot measures here in Florida. The three most important amendments went the way they should have: public campaign financing is left intact and the state constitution has now outlawed gerrymandering -- which is good because we've just become a one-party state.

I still can't fucking believe that Rick Scott won.

Hey, I'm still reeling from the fact that Russ Feingold lost his seat. While I had my doubts he would have kept it, I thought it would have worked out in his favor at the end of the day. Damn good man. One of the few politicians I actually respected.

He actually cared enough about his constituency, that he would visit every county in Wisconsin for listening sessions every year. His opponent actually criticized him for it in political campaign ads. I couldn't believe that considering I heard him say that it's the only campaign promise he wished he wouldn't have made...but he still kept it.

[Doitzel]

Feingold losing is just... ugh. A testament to what a fucking sham elections have become. Millionaires with enough money to control the airwaves and the conversation are all we have to look forward to. It's like a bizarre perversion of what Ralph Nader spoke about in Only the Super-rich Can Save Us. The fact that Russ stood his ground and defended his votes to the bitter end is symbolic of the loss not just to the Democrats but to the nation.

[Sierra Lobo]

May 2009 Times cover:


Lol what happened?

All I see is a massive democratic loss in the house, a major pick up of senate seats, a massacre in state legislatures and a spanking of the governor seats. It was an election shake up at all levels for the democrats, not only contained at the national levels.

[Drachmar]

Feingold losing is just... ugh. A testament to what a fucking sham elections have become. Millionaires with enough money to control the airwaves and the conversation are all we have to look forward to. It's like a bizarre perversion of what Ralph Nader spoke about in Only the Super-rich Can Save Us. The fact that Russ stood his ground and defended his votes to the bitter end is symbolic of the loss not just to the Democrats but to the nation.

I could not care less about the rest of the Democrats. Honestly, Reid getting ousted would probably have done the party better than Russ losing his seat. At least Feingold had stones. The rest of the party confounds me. They fled from their accomplishments instead of embracing them, and telling voters what they actually accomplished.

Idk, but maybe a GOP led House is more a blessing in disguise (give Boehner his own rope), and maybe Reid will actually change the Filibuster rules this session. Him and his fellow Dems better, because the Senate created most the gridlock in legislation we've seen over the past two years, not the House.

[NERVUN]

May 2009 Times cover:


Lol what happened?

All I see is a massive democratic loss in the house, a major pick up of senate seats, a massacre in state legislatures and a spanking of the governor seats. It was an election shake up at all levels for the democrats, not only contained at the national levels.

*shrugs* And after the 2002 midterms when the GOP gained seats, Rove predicted a permanent GOP majority.

[NERVUN]

On this night when the US electorate delivered a split Congress, my son demanded that I read The Zax by Dr. Seuss... seems to be pretty much what's going to happen. Hopefully both parties will get the message that the world won't stand still.

[Doitzel]

Feingold losing is just... ugh. A testament to what a fucking sham elections have become. Millionaires with enough money to control the airwaves and the conversation are all we have to look forward to. It's like a bizarre perversion of what Ralph Nader spoke about in Only the Super-rich Can Save Us. The fact that Russ stood his ground and defended his votes to the bitter end is symbolic of the loss not just to the Democrats but to the nation.

I could not care less about the rest of the Democrats. Honestly, Reid getting ousted would probably have done the party better than Russ losing his seat. At least Feingold had stones. The rest of the party confounds me. They fled from their accomplishments instead of embracing them, and telling voters what they actually accomplished.

Idk, but maybe a GOP led House is more a blessing in disguise (give Boehner his own rope), and maybe Reid will actually change the Filibuster rules this session. Him and his fellow Dems better, because the Senate created most the gridlock in legislation we've seen over the past two years, not the House.

More likely we can expect the government to shut down completely by Spring.

[Drachmar]

May 2009 Times cover:


Lol what happened?

All I see is a massive democratic loss in the house, a major pick up of senate seats, a massacre in state legislatures and a spanking of the governor seats. It was an election shake up at all levels for the democrats, not only contained at the national levels.

*shrugs* And after the 2002 midterms when the GOP gained seats, Rove predicted a permanent GOP majority.

Dewey Defeats Truman...That's all I'm going to say about that magazine cover.

[Sierra Lobo]

May 2009 Times cover:


Lol what happened?

All I see is a massive democratic loss in the house, a major pick up of senate seats, a massacre in state legislatures and a spanking of the governor seats. It was an election shake up at all levels for the democrats, not only contained at the national levels.

*shrugs* And after the 2002 midterms when the GOP gained seats, Rove predicted a permanent GOP majority.

What I mean is that I am shocked.

I was expecting major changes in the house but was not expecting a 60+ seat gain by the repubs, and even if I did expect the senate to hold firm but the republican gain of senate seats upward of 6 seats is amazing.
What I am not expecting are the loses at state levels, nor did I expect major shifts in state legislatures and/or state posts all across the nation. I mean 2 years ago we were expecting a dying republican party and now all I see is a repudiation of the left.
The district changes will have a major impact in the next 10 years.