Politics

[GoIrish41]

Don't see people starving in the streets. Here is a weeks worth of groceries to feed a family of four - just off the top of my head, much of which is assuming packing lunches five days for all four:

Two dozen eggs - $4
Three boxes of cereal - $6
Two gallons of milk - $6
Two half gallons of soy milk - $6
Cheese (two shredded, one singles) - $6
Three loaves of bread - $6
Lunch meat - $5
Hot dogs - $2
Peanut Butter - $3
Jelly - $3
2lbs of chicken - $6
2lbs of beef - $6
5 boxes of pasta - $6
10 pound bag of potatoes - $5
Mac & Cheese mix - $5

Throw in $25 of fruits, veggies and other stuff and you have plenty to eat for $100 per week. Not to mention, buying in bulk and on sale you can save substantially on this, I am rounding up on most of this.

Cutting food stamps 5% isn't going to have people starving in the streets.

Where do you shop for groceries? Those prices are really low and I want to start shoppiing there, too. A gallon of milk at my grocery store, for example, is $4.25. I don't know all of the prices off the top of my head, but I think your whole list is in 1990s prices.

 

[GoIrish41]

Horrible. I really don't know what the "tea party" is but it seems like a euphemism for ultra socially conservative these days... even though the origins seem to have been for limited government control... I don't know where you draw the line. Speaking of Virginia, Ken Cuccinelli got the Republican nomination over more moderate Republicans. He then went and got destroyed by attack ads that painted him as hating women, etc. The simple fact is that any Republican running on a strictly pro-life stance these days is getting KILLED in the women's vote and losing by almost default.

Terry McCaulife was a horrible candidate. Career politician, bad economic ideas, sleazy backdoor business deals, etc. And he still won narrowly because Cuccinelli was even worse. That's the state of politics in the United States. And for the first time I can remember, Virginia has a Governor who on the surface appears to suck at life. Gilmore, Warner, Kaine, McDonnell... all really legit dudes from both parties who did an awful lot for the state. Just a shame.

To be honest, they were both pretty horrible candidates.

 

[GoIrish41]

^You're "we won" attitude is killing our country


No, we didn't win ****. We just got more of the same garbage. Your ignorance towards the tea party and their message is what keeps you a drone. Or sheep. Which ever you prefer to be called.

Getting these tea party knuckleheads out of office is getting the country back on track. This country needs more moderates who don't think that compromise is a dirty word. We also could use fewer at the extremes of my party as well -- bet they aren't nearly as bad as the tea party dorks.

 

[IrishLax]

To be honest, they were both pretty horrible candidates.

Oh absolutely. I didn't even vote because I thought they both really sucked. It was like the South Park about choosing between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich. Growing up I campaigned for Warner/Kaine because they were good dudes, and voted Republican for McDonnell (Go Irish!) in the last election because he was clearly a solid choice. This election? There was no acceptable choice, much less a good one.

The Libertarian candidate who spent basically $0 on advertising was even polling as high as 15% leading up to the election, and actually finished with 7% of the vote... showing just how disenchanted everyone was with both candidates.

 

[irishpat183]

Getting these tea party knuckleheads out of office is getting the country back on track. This country needs more moderates who don't think that compromise is a dirty word. We also could use fewer at the extremes of my party as well -- bet they aren't nearly as bad as the tea party dorks.

The tea party was the best thing to happen to our congress. Regardless if you agree with them, they scared the **** outta the career guys to the point that they HAD to recognize them as a threat. It showed that people were tired of the same old bullshit.

again, not saying you have to agree with their politics.


We don't need moderates so much as we need new blood.

 

[ACamp1900]

Where do you shop for groceries? Those prices are really low and I want to start shoppiing there, too. A gallon of milk at my grocery store, for example, is $4.25. I don't know all of the prices off the top of my head, but I think your whole list is in 1990s prices.

Where do YOU shop dude?? Most of those are extremely high.. and I live just outside of LA... three things of bread are nowhere near 6 bucks... a gallon of Milk is usually much cheaper than three dollars... two bucks for 12 eggs?? five dollar for lunch meat??

Honestly, there are two easy to find, major, low income grocery chains out here, Food 4 Less (Low Income Ralphs) and Winco... both of them provide almost everything he listed at prices at least 50 cents below what he quoted, some dollars less. I have spent time in, lived in or have family in Maryland, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico and Oregon... again, not hard to find the cheap spots.

 

[ACamp1900]

Getting these tea party knuckleheads out of office is getting the country back on track. This country needs more moderates who don't think that compromise is a dirty word. We also could use fewer at the extremes of my party as well -- bet they aren't nearly as bad as the tea party dorks.

So when do we get rid of Pelosi, Reid and Bammster then???

 

[GoIrish41]

The tea party was the best thing to happen to our congress. Regardless if you agree with them, they scared the **** outta the career guys to the point that they HAD to recognize them as a threat. It showed that people were tired of the same old bullshit.

again, not saying you have to agree with their politics.


We don't need moderates so much as we need new blood.

Obviously I don't agree with their politics, but their methods are what I have a bigger problem with. They ensured that Congress accomplished nothing for the past two years. Not sure how that is the best thing that ever happened to the Congress. Politics is all about finding middle ground and moving forward. They are all about getting their own way at any cost. Their influence is in the final act, IMHO.

 

[irishpat183]

Obviously I don't agree with their politics, but their methods are what I have a bigger problem with. They ensured that Congress accomplished nothing for the past two years. Not sure how that is the best thing that ever happened to the Congress. Politics is all about finding middle ground and moving forward. They are all about getting their own way at any cost. Their influence is in the final act, IMHO.

You mean to tell me that the wittle old tea party is to blame for not being able to pass more ****** legislation that takes us further down the pipes?

Despite the Tea Party ruining the world...the ACA got crammed through, so why the excuse about "not getting anything accomplished"?

Face it, Obama and liberals don't give a **** about anythign else but their baby, the ACA. That is the problem.

And BTW, the tea party was 100% right about the ACA. Maybe they were on to something.....

 

[GoIrish41]

Where do YOU shop dude?? Most of those are extremely high.. and I live just outside of LA... three things of bread are nowhere near 6 bucks... a gallon of Milk is usually much cheaper than three dollars... two bucks for 12 eggs?? five dollar for lunch meat??

Honestly, there are two easy to find, major, low income grocery chains out here, Food 4 Less (Low Income Ralphs) and Winco... both of them provide almost everything he listed at prices at least 50 cents below what he quoted, some dollars less. I have spent time in, lived in or have family in Maryland, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico and Oregon... again, not hard to find the cheap spots.

These are national averages for products according to the bureau of labor statistics.

Average retail food and energy prices, U.S. city average and Midwest region

 

[ACamp1900]

These are national averages for products according to the bureau of labor statistics.

Average retail food and energy prices, U.S. city average and Midwest region

In the great word's of Obama's aunt... "So!?"

In terms of this dialogue, DoL stats on national averages really matter very little.

seriously, go find me the average price of an automobile and we both know you can then EASILY find a car for much cheaper...

Same with food, and I'll also note, even these averages are closer to my statement than not, with the exception of Milk, none of them were excessively higher...

bottom line is though, if you live low income (as I have almost my entire life, and still do from a budgeting standpoint... 700 dollars a month for Food, clothes, toiletries, basically everything but utilities and gas for example…) you know where to shop and where not to… For example, Vons out here absolutely has the four dollar gallons of milk you refer to, they DO exist... I never shop at Vons... even though it's a much nicer place to be... Winco has gallons of 2% that are consistently cheaper by half... 'the average' is just that… and you avoid those 'average' places to… When you make things stretch you don't live on 'national averages'... and that's just fine for myself and many other hard working Americans who grind it out month to month who aren’t fortunate enough be born into a higher rung of the ladder or qualify for numerous, easily defrauded, public programs…

Again, I can say in absolute clear conscious the prices he provided are definitely high for the discussion we are having.

Now there were things... like his price for 2lbs of beef... no way... that's low... but MOST of that list... laughably high... I laughed at some of it... 5 pound bag of potatoes, Mac & Cheese mix (Unless you are having that every night for five days it's not five bucks... you can get those boxes for a dollarish each...) and the lunch meat, bread, etc....??

Anyway, you can tell I'm a value shopper huh??

 

[irishpat183]

If for no other reason...here's enough to move away from CA:


"A parent’s complaint about the dictionary’s inclusion of the word “oral sex” has prompted a ban on the book in southern California. The book’s definition of the word, which is written, “oral stimulation of the genitals,” was considered too obscene for elementary school students."

And

"A little boy was suspended and had a count of sexual battery on his school record for brushing up against his friend’s leg or groin area during a game of tag. The school took the charge off the boy’s record after learning that “sexual assault by six-year-olds” does not legally exist in California."




What an awesome state.

 

[irishpat183]

Possibly the best gun control example ever:

http://hsgca.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/compromise_v21.png


liberals just don't get it.

 

[phgreek]

In the great word's of Obama's aunt... "So!?"

In terms of this dialogue, DoL stats on national averages really matter very little.

seriously, go find me the average price of an automobile and we both know you can then EASILY find a car for much cheaper...

Same with food, and I'll also note, even these averages are closer to my statement than not, with the exception of Milk, none of them were excessively higher...

bottom line is though, if you live low income (as I have almost my entire life, and still do from a budgeting standpoint... 700 dollars a month for Food, clothes, toiletries, basically everything but utilities and gas for example…) you know where to shop and where not to… For example, Vons out here absolutely has the four dollar gallons of milk you refer to, they DO exist... I never shop at Vons... even though it's a much nicer place to be... Winco has gallons of 2% that are consistently cheaper by half... 'the average' is just that… and you avoid those 'average' places to… When you make things stretch you don't live on 'national averages'... and that's just fine for myself and many other hard working Americans who grind it out month to month who aren’t fortunate enough be born into a higher rung of the ladder or qualify for numerous, easily defrauded, public programs…

Again, I can say in absolute clear conscious the prices he provided are definitely high for the discussion we are having.

Now there were things... like his price for 2lbs of beef... no way... that's low... but MOST of that list... laughably high... I laughed at some of it... 5 pound bag of potatoes, Mac & Cheese mix (Unless you are having that every night for five days it's not five bucks... you can get those boxes for a dollarish each...) and the lunch meat, bread, etc....??

Anyway, you can tell I'm a value shopper huh??

...its keeping those habits regardless of income that generates wealth...real wealth...

Its kinda funny, I knew a dentist who told me to maintain the lifestyle I have when I reach 28, and that money would never be a problem for the rest of my life...so far he's been right.

 

[phgreek]

I've been busy the last few days. How did the tea party do in the elections yesterday?
All I've seen so far is that New York has a democratic mayor for the first time in 20 years, Virginia has a democrat for governor, a regular republican beat out a tea party member in Alabama for a chance at a house seat and Christie the closet democrat won again.

...both sides accuse oneanother of being the fiddle player while Rome burns...but it is yours who hold the emporer's chair...play on Nero...play on

see you in 2014...hehehehe.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

If for no other reason...here's enough to move away from CA:


"A parent’s complaint about the dictionary’s inclusion of the word “oral sex” has prompted a ban on the book in southern California. The book’s definition of the word, which is written, “oral stimulation of the genitals,” was considered too obscene for elementary school students."

And

"A little boy was suspended and had a count of sexual battery on his school record for brushing up against his friend’s leg or groin area during a game of tag. The school took the charge off the boy’s record after learning that “sexual assault by six-year-olds” does not legally exist in California."




What an awesome state.

Oh them liberals are so crazy... I heard they teamed up with conservatives to ban people from having sex doggystyle, because as we all know it leads to people having sex with dogs.

The religious crowd and animal rights activists have come together on this one.



By the way I have no source for this

 

[BGIF]

...its keeping those habits regardless of income that generates wealth...real wealth...

Its kinda funny, I knew a dentist who told me to maintain the lifestyle I have when I reach 28, and that money would never be a problem for the rest of my life...so far he's been right.

Still living with your parents, huh?

 

[phgreek]

Still living with your parents, huh?

in the basement baby...my own TV

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Getting these tea party knuckleheads out of office is getting the country back on track. This country needs more moderates who don't think that compromise is a dirty word. We also could use fewer at the extremes of my party as well -- bet they aren't nearly as bad as the tea party dorks.

Not trying to pick a fight at all, but moderates **** me off more than anyone. Whether you get someone on the far left or or the far right, moderates suck both teets to "cut deals", "reach across the aisle", and stay in office. Hell, I want more polarization. I'd hope by now the two choices in big picture philosophical differences couldn't be any more clear for voters.

If Nancy Pelosi is my state rep, I know exactly what I'm getting and what to expect. Same with Rick Santorum. Moderates are like Nick Foles playing QB...never know what you're gonna get week to week.

 

[bmf175]

Just joining this conversation. I grew up in SD and now live in the south east.
California is a lesson in how a state should not be ran. If I'm not mistaken California recently declared bankruptcy or admitted to being so many hundreds of billions of dollars in debt.
The lesson, Any state that stays liberal for too long is doomed to fail.California, Illinois, Michigan, DC. Also have the highest crime rates in the country not to mention the highest unemployment and welfare recipients.

 

[irishpat183]

Oh them liberals are so crazy... I heard they teamed up with conservatives to ban people from having sex doggystyle, because as we all know it leads to people having sex with dogs.

The religious crowd and animal rights activists have come together on this one.



By the way I have no source for this

LOL...

 

[ACamp1900]

Just joining this conversation. I grew up in SD and now live in the south east.
California is a lesson in how a state should not be ran. If I'm not mistaken California recently declared bankruptcy or admitted to being so many hundreds of billions of dollars in debt.
The lesson, Any state that stays liberal for too long is doomed to fail.California, Illinois, Michigan, DC. Also have the highest crime rates in the country not to mention the highest unemployment and welfare recipients.

I helped campaign for representative Baca out of SB county during the 2000 elections. I remember specifically he and aides discussing how they had to get more inner city folk (I’ll just leave it at that as they did NOT use that language in their descriptions) in the “red” areas of SB county to help solidify democrat control.

Within short order prison inmates were given special deals where they could gain early release if they moved to the High Desert upon release, section 8 caps (property value wise) were removed for the same area and in ten years or so you had a relatively safe area, overall anyway, turn into one of the worst areas in the state (research the worst crime rates/most dangerous cities in Cali data and you’ll find Victorville among cities like Oakland and Compton) with ludicrously high levels of welfare and section 8. Now this wasn’t done in some attempt to help anyone, it was a power play pure and simple. It destroyed an entire valley, believe me, I still live here. I will also say that unless you live amongst it every day you really have no clue. People can talk about the poor all they want, these programs were not meant to help anyone, they were all designed to enable a lifestyle that keeps the votes heading in a certain direction… Add all this up and when anyone cries about the poor (of which I was born and am just recently no longer considered) and screams for mre and more gov. to fix the problem... you lose me at hello.

Now of course everyone has their own experiences... so there you have it.

 

[GoIrish41]

Not trying to pick a fight at all, but moderates **** me off more than anyone. Whether you get someone on the far left or or the far right, moderates suck both teets to "cut deals", "reach across the aisle", and stay in office. Hell, I want more polarization. I'd hope by now the two choices in big picture philosophical differences couldn't be any more clear for voters.

If Nancy Pelosi is my state rep, I know exactly what I'm getting and what to expect. Same with Rick Santorum. Moderates are like Nick Foles playing QB...never know what you're gonna get week to week.

I don't want to argue about this because it is a simple universal fact of life -- the place you make deals is in the middle and not on the fringes. Sure you know what you are going to get -- polarizing figures who never really get much done except to get their face in front of a camera. Government only works when things get done and that requires compromise that starts with the Congress. In a perfect world, nobody gets everything they want, but they don't get nothing either.

 

[ACamp1900]

. I'd hope by now the two choices in big picture philosophical differences couldn't be any more clear for voters..

Absolutely, you have one side that hates babies, women, children, Blacks, Jews, Asians (how dare they!!??), Hispanics, Gays, Muslims and just about everyone else other than ultra-rich White men, who also, for the record, hate all of the the same demographics...

then you have democrats.

 

[GoIrish41]

Absolutely, you have one side that hates babies, women, children, Blacks, Jews, Asians (how dare they!!??), Hispanics, Gays, Muslims and just about everyone else other than ultra-rich White men, who also, for the record, hate all of the the same demographics...

then you have democrats.

See, even ACamp gets it.

 

[Wild Bill]

I helped campaign for representative Baca out of SB county during the 2000 elections. I remember specifically he and aides discussing how they had to get more inner city folk (I’ll just leave it at that as they did NOT use that language in their descriptions) in the “red” areas of SB county to help solidify democrat control.

Within short order prison inmates were given special deals where they could gain early release if they moved to the High Desert upon release, section 8 caps (property value wise) were removed for the same area and in ten years or so you had a relatively safe area, overall anyway, turn into one of the worst areas in the state (research the worst crime rates/most dangerous cities in Cali data and you’ll find Victorville among cities like Oakland and Compton) with ludicrously high levels of welfare and section 8. Now this wasn’t done in some attempt to help anyone, it was a power play pure and simple. It destroyed an entire valley, believe me, I still live here. I will also say that unless you live amongst it every day you really have no clue. People can talk about the poor all they want, these programs were not meant to help anyone, they were all designed to enable a lifestyle that keeps the votes heading in a certain direction… Add all this up and when anyone cries about the poor (of which I was born and am just recently no longer considered) and screams for mre and more gov. to fix the problem... you lose me at hello.

Now of course everyone has their own experiences... so there you have it.

Married a woman with a little coin, huh?

 

[ACamp1900]

Married a woman with a little coin, huh?

Even worse, I married of those damned minorities... seeing that I believe in small government, it must be I want to start breeding them out...

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I don't want to argue about this because it is a simple universal fact of life -- the place you make deals is in the middle and not on the fringes. Sure you know what you are going to get -- polarizing figures who never really get much done except to get their face in front of a camera. Government only works when things get done and that requires compromise that starts with the Congress. In a perfect world, nobody gets everything they want, but they don't get nothing either.

I'm not arguing and you don't need to talk down to me like I'm a 19 year old college kid. Deals getting done in the middle is a thing of the past. There are plenty of moderate Republicans (McCain, Scott Brown, etc) making deals but there are zero moderate Democrats in Congress (local levels are different).

If person A is having disagreements and "cutting deals" with person B, but person B is getting far more out of the deals than person A, person A will eventually look around and say, "Ya know what, enough of this. I'm getting screwed here."

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm not arguing and you don't need to talk down to me like I'm a 19 year old college kid. Deals getting done in the middle is a thing of the past. There are plenty of moderate Republicans (McCain, Scott Brown, etc) making deals but there are zero moderate Democrats in Congress (local levels are different).

If person A is having disagreements and "cutting deals" with person B, but person B is getting far more out of the deals than person A, person A will eventually look around and say, "Ya know what, enough of this. I'm getting screwed here."

^^^

 

[GoIrish41]

I'm not arguing and you don't need to talk down to me like I'm a 19 year old college kid. Deals getting done in the middle is a thing of the past. There are plenty of moderate Republicans (McCain, Scott Brown, etc) making deals but there are zero moderate Democrats in Congress (local levels are different).

If person A is having disagreements and "cutting deals" with person B, but person B is getting far more out of the deals than person A, person A will eventually look around and say, "Ya know what, enough of this. I'm getting screwed here."

???????

If deals getting done in the middle is a thing of the past, democracy is doomed!!!!