New Continental Congress

[dshans]

\

Still want to know how Clinton managed [to] smoke without inhaling. He must have some special evolutionary mechanism [to] close off his trachea.

I can't believe a smart guy like Clinton could say something that dumb.

It was political pandering. Personally I would have respected him more had he admitted to getting toasted now and then. A little honesty is refreshing. Hell, I'd even have a modicum of grudging respect for G-Dub had he 'fessed up to snorting the occasional snootful "in the day."

 

[BobD]

BobD,

Are your family and relatives supporting you?

I couldn't do this without them.

 

[dshans]

My fellow Americans,
You can further your causes and help to insure our future by generously donating to me through our IE vbank system. Remember the more you contribute, the harder I can fight FOR YOU!

Sincerely, BobD

This message was sent to you by the BobD he's for ME 2013 committee.

I'm BobD and I approved this message.

So ... are v-contributions v-deductible on my v-taxes? Are they guaranteed to be v-free speech and assured v-anonymity?

Is your Insurance policy well funded with reserves enough to ensure payment in full of any and all legitimate claims? Enquiring (picky-arse) minds want to know.

 

[DSully1995]

Only if theres a rink at the congress eh?

im in.

 

[BobD]

So ... are v-contributions v-deductible on my v-taxes? Are they guaranteed to be v-free speech and assured v-anonymity?

Is your Insurance policy well funded with reserves enough to ensure payment in full of any and all legitimate claims? Enquiring (picky-arse) minds want to know.

 

[chicago51]

My fellow Americans,

For those members that don't care to join in, I'd love the opportunity to represent your interests in our IE congress. Just send me your concerns and I will go to battle for your rights and interests. While I consider myself a man of modest means, politics as you well know is an expensive endeavor, as such I have begun accepting contributions to cover the ever rising costs of protecting our freedom. You can further your causes and help to insure our future by generously donating to me through our IE vbank system. Remember the more you contribute, the harder I can fight FOR YOU!

Sincerely, BobD

This message was sent to you by the BobD he's for ME 2013 committee.

I'm BobD and I approved this message.

I can see it now. Bob D being impeached for gambling campaign funds. Or better yet for gambling the IE tax payers vbucks. Although if he gambles well he might be able to wipe out the national debt. Though if he gambles poorly he'll quadruple it

 

[pkt77242]

I can see it now. Bob D being impeached for gambling campaign funds. Or better yet for gambling the IE tax payers vbucks. Although if he gambles well he might be able to wipe out the national debt. Though if he gambles poorly he'll quadruple it

How about getting impeached for using his campaign vbucks to pay a ND recruit? I can see it now, BobD tries to pay Andrew Williams and ends up in jail. A sad story.

 

[chicago51]

I think the key to winning this election is getting the backing of vbookies. Promise tax loopholes to gambling industry in exchange for major campaign contributions.

 

[BobD]

I think the key to winning this election is getting the backing of vbookies. Promise tax loopholes to gambling industry in exchange for major campaign contributions.

I can do better than loopholes. I can have my friends at the IRS look into anyone that disagrees with my constituents.

 

[Bubba]

My fellow Americans,

For those members that don't care to join in, I'd love the opportunity to represent your interests in our IE congress. Just send me your concerns and I will go to battle for your rights and interests. While I consider myself a man of modest means, politics as you well know is an expensive endeavor, as such I have begun accepting contributions to cover the ever rising costs of protecting our freedom. You can further your causes and help to insure our future by generously donating to me through our IE vbank system. Remember the more you contribute, the harder I can fight FOR YOU!

Sincerely, BobD

This message was sent to you by the BobD he's for ME 2013 committee.

I'm BobD and I approved this message.

And we have our first agenda... Campaign finance reform. This is gonna be just like the real thing!

Do I need to use italics?

 

[no.1IrishFan]

Will there be refreshments?

I'm in!

More people will come if we tell them there is punch and pie.


I'm in too.

 

[Cackalacky]

My fellow Americans,

For those members that don't care to join in, I'd love the opportunity to represent your interests in our IE congress. Just send me your concerns and I will go to battle for your rights and interests. While I consider myself a man of modest means, politics as you well know is an expensive endeavor, as such I have begun accepting contributions to cover the ever rising costs of protecting our freedom. You can further your causes and help to insure our future by generously donating to me through our IE vbank system. Remember the more you contribute, the harder I can fight FOR YOU!

Sincerely, BobD

This message was sent to you by the BobD he's for ME 2013 committee.

I'm BobD and I approved this message.

BobD, I think you missed this in my opening of the proceedings.....

I will leave the sign in open for a week starting today 5/15/13. If you are are not signed in by 5/22/13, you must participate from the outside. No lobbying allowed at this point.

LOL......We are all millionaire and billionaires in here.

 

[Cackalacky]

More people will come if we tell them there is punch and pie.


I'm in too.

No hookers and coke yet, please.

 

[chicago51]

I can do better than loopholes. I can have my friends at the IRS look into anyone that disagrees with my constituents.

I've decide to drop out the race. With friends in the IRS you won't face a primary challenge from me.

 

[GoIrish41]

I'm in.

 

[Cackalacky]

Ok. Seems like we have some good momentum. I am curious what you think about arguments and how to handle them, especially sources and references (A lot of what goes on in DC is just firebranding and politicking on both sides. I would like to see a good logic driven discussion with citations or sources that are reputable, if possible). I know everyone does not have access to journals and primary sources for debate, but I think we should do our best to stay away from articles and try to go straight to the source if possible.

I would also like less opinion and more facts or as close to facts as we can get. I am totally guilty of the former.

 

[GowerND11]

Ok. Seems like we have some good momentum. I am curious what you think about arguments and how to handle them, especially sources and references (A lot of what goes on in DC is just firebranding and politicking on both sides. I would like to see a good logic driven discussion with citations or sources that are reputable, if possible). I know everyone does not have access to journals and primary sources for debate, but I think we should do our best to stay away from articles and try to go straight to the source if possible.

I would also like less opinion and more facts or as close to facts as we can get. I am totally guilty of the former.

I think this is a great idea! The source is always so much better than second hand nonsense.

I also think facts are key here, even if we all still have opinions. They will come out, but if we can try to debate facts as much as posible this will be a great thread and debate.

 

[GowerND11]

4 Things We Should Remember When Arguing About Politics | Cracked.com

I just read this article and it was pretty spot on with what it was trying to say. I know Cracked is a comedy website, but they still have some stuff worth reading.

 

[chicago51]

If we are talking about constitutional issues. I would like to discuss is voting. This may seem weird to many but please I encourage everyone to think outside the box a bit here.

Essentially with our 2 party system we are surpressing new ideas because candidates that want a chance have stick to the party platform. Also with our primary system that is dominated by the hardcore bases or the party we are seeing more on the hard right, and the hard left as well (there is actually 84 progressive in the House, like 75 or so tea party candidates.) While many of my views would be considered hard left what the country needs to function is probably moderates that don't take an absolute "never ever stance" on anything from raising taxes to changes in social programs, etc.

We also as I mentioned could use candidates with new ideas, or at least a different mix of ideas. Basically right now when it comes improving the economy everyone falls into categories: 1-Just Cut Taxes or 2-Tax/Borrow and Spend/Invest. Reality wise it would be nice to see some sort of hybrid plan as well as ideas will do more to create competition and encourage innovation.

So to take away from the traditional Democrat vs Republican system. I encourage a different voting system that allows more candidates to run. More candidates equals more ideas and better debate.

Instant runoff voting would do just that.

FairVote.org | What is IRV?

Three is a crowd in a plurality voting system. By discouraging new candidates, plurality voting suppresses new ideas and dissenting opinion. It encourages campaigns built around negative attacks.

In contrast, instant runoff voting (IRV) upholds the goals of majority rule and voter choice. IRV alleviates concerns about the dreaded “spoiler effect” and encourages winning candidates to reach out to more people. Unlike traditional runoff elections, it accomplishes these goals in a single election.

How It Works
Instant runoff voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference (i.e. first, second, third, fourth and so on). Voters have the option to rank as many or as few candidates as they wish, but can vote without fear that ranking less favored candidates will harm the chances of their most preferred candidates. First choices are then tabulated, and if a candidate receives a majority of first choices, he or she is elected. If nobody has a clear majority of votes on the first count, a series of runoffs are simulated, using voters' preferences as indicated on their ballot.

The candidate who receives the fewest first place choices is eliminated. All ballots are then retabulated, with each ballot counting as one vote for each voter's highest ranked candidate who has not been eliminated. Specifically, voters who chose the now-eliminated candidate will now have their ballots added to the totals of their second ranked candidate -- just as if they were voting in a traditional two-round runoff election -- but all other voters get to continue supporting their top candidate who remains in the race. The weakest candidates are successively eliminated and their voters' ballots are added to the totals of their next choices until a candidate earns a majority of votes.

IRV allows all voters to vote for their favorite candidate, while avoiding the fear of helping elect their least favorite candidate. It ensures that winners enjoy majority support when matched against their top opponents.

Although used in most American elections, plurality voting does not meet these basic requirements for a fair election system. Compared to traditional runoff elections, IRV saves tax dollars, reduces money in politics and elects winners when turnout is highest.

 

[BobD]

I would also like less opinion and more facts or as close to facts as we can get. I am totally guilty of the former.

So are we going to be political or factual?

 

[Cackalacky]

I think this is a great idea! The source is always so much better than second hand nonsense.

I also think facts are key here, even if we all still have opinions. They will come out, but if we can try to debate facts as much as posible this will be a great thread and debate.

Yes, my intent is to have a lively and informed debate. I do not want to suppress emotion or opinions but I would love to see more demonstrable facts, or at least things that can be dissected. On the other hand....goodness knows if we did not have those hot headed Massachutians (Massachusettsians???? LOL) we would probably still be under English rule.

 

[Cackalacky]

So are we going to be political or factual?

All right I am going to throw BobD in the Obstructionist party.....

 

[BobD]

All right I am going to throw BobD in the Obstructionist party.....

I've got my party good Sir!

In all seriousness, I think this is a great idea and I'm looking forward to getting started.

 

[chicago51]

All right I am going to throw BobD in the Obstructionist party.....

I'll say one thing if Bob D becomes President, I want to attend the White House correspondance dinner.

I can see President Bob D taking a month off totally ignoring national security, and economy just to make sure the commedy for the White House correspondance dinner was up to par.

 

[Mr. Larson]

Great idea here.

Since no one else has stepped for the role of gaining favor of the Court of Louis XVI (and banging copious amounts of courtesans); I will.

Count in Mr. Larson from the great state of New York.

 

[Black Irish]

My fellow Americans,

For those members that don't care to join in, I'd love the opportunity to represent your interests in our IE congress. Just send me your concerns and I will go to battle for your rights and interests. While I consider myself a man of modest means, politics as you well know is an expensive endeavor, as such I have begun accepting contributions to cover the ever rising costs of protecting our freedom. You can further your causes and help to insure our future by generously donating to me through our IE vbank system. Remember the more you contribute, the harder I can fight FOR YOU!

Sincerely, BobD

This message was sent to you by the BobD he's for ME 2013 committee.

I'm BobD and I approved this message.

I'm sold. Where do I drop my unmarked, cash-filled envelope?

 

[kmoose]

No hookers and coke yet, please.

You bet! Hookers and Pepsi it is!

 

[Cackalacky]

I'm sold. Where do I drop my unmarked, cash-filled envelope?

 

[DSully1995]

If we are talking about constitutional issues. I would like to discuss is voting. This may seem weird to many but please I encourage everyone to think outside the box a bit here.

Essentially with our 2 party system we are surpressing new ideas because candidates that want a chance have stick to the party platform. Also with our primary system that is dominated by the hardcore bases or the party we are seeing more on the hard right, and the hard left as well (there is actually 84 progressive in the House, like 75 or so tea party candidates.) While many of my views would be considered hard left what the country needs to function is probably moderates that don't take an absolute "never ever stance" on anything from raising taxes to changes in social programs, etc.

We also as I mentioned could use candidates with new ideas, or at least a different mix of ideas. Basically right now when it comes improving the economy everyone falls into categories: 1-Just Cut Taxes or 2-Tax/Borrow and Spend/Invest. Reality wise it would be nice to see some sort of hybrid plan as well as ideas will do more to create competition and encourage innovation.

So to take away from the traditional Democrat vs Republican system. I encourage a different voting system that allows more candidates to run. More candidates equals more ideas and better debate.

Instant runoff voting would do just that.

FairVote.org | What is IRV?

This is a huge problem in canada too, since we have multiple parties but still only a first to the post system, the left-centre votes can be split by as much as three parties in some regions, whihc means our only conservative party can and has won elections with like 35% of the votes (a majority too)

 

[chicago51]

This is a huge problem in canada too, since we have multiple parties but still only a first to the post system, the left-centre votes can be split by as much as three parties in some regions, whihc means our only conservative party can and has won elections with like 35% of the votes (a majority too)

Yes instant runoff largely fixes that. You basically have your first choice, then you next choice if first choice is not there and so on.

Proportional democracy also would work. Essentially you have to make your representative districts bigger and then you elected multiple representives from that district based on party vote. I believe the UK does something like this but I'm not sure. So if your district voted 40% conservative, 40% center to center left, and 20% far left. If you had 5 seats they would be 2 conservatives, 2 moderates, and 1 progressive. With that system you are essentially voting for party and not candidates which is why I am not a fan.

Proportional democracy though does encourage voter turnout. Say if one is a conservative in a very liberal district. Why vote a liberal is going to get at least 50% of the vote. However in my example if losing 59% to 41% and 61% to 39% was meaningful because it means one extra seat then voter turnout would in that district actually means something. It gives alot more incentive to vote.

Reality wise they the districts are drawn (right now it favors the Republicans but it is and has always been done by both sides) there are very few safe seats. Ultimately candidates are worried more about primaries that the general elections here in the US. It encourages absolutism and no compromise instead of moderatism which is ultimately what it takes in a divided government to get things done.

I think multiple parties and more ideas are a good thing. Our current voting system discourages that greatly.