Politics

[TorontoGold]

A bit of a broad and inaccurate brush there. Not everyone who's against current vaccine policies or even the vaccine itself would fall into the category of anti-vaxxers, as that term is usually used. My wife, who is rather left leaning on most things and certainly identifies as strongly liberal, is fully vaccinated, but HATES the government forcing her and dictating to her. She sees that as a major overstep on their part and an intrusion into her private life. My brother has avoided getting the vaccine so far because he worries about possible long term effects of a vaccine that didn't go through the typical lengthy development and testing process. Neither of them lack for critical thinking skills. Both have legit concerns.

It's not. Anti-vaxxers in Canada are a very niche bunch, especially those in BC. As I noted in my previous post anti-vaxxers made a concerted effort to disrupt a Nov 11 memorial. The loud minority have been a noisy and stupid bunch.

 

[drayer54]

Chuck Grassley says hello.

What I especially like is guys like this who have NOBODY groomed as a replacement. They are all self-serving pricks. Thought the same thing with John McCain - where is your prodigy old man?

False. Jack Whitver will take that spot. Chuck's grandson Pat Grassley would be the other contender.

Pat Grassley is the Speaker of the House for Iowa House of Representatives. He's not as talented or likable as grandpappy, but he got that role because of his ties to Chuck's donors which have helped the Iowa GOP secure a large majority in the IA legislature.

Jack Whitver is a former footballer for ISU, a WR, and well-connected. He's likable and nice. I actually supported his campaign from afar in 2018 as he had a suburban Karen threaten his Senate district with Bloomberg money. He is the Senate Majority Leader and has done an amazing job driving the GOP agenda in Iowa. He would likely win the GOP nom and walk through a state race.

Chuck is old but seems to be in great shape still. But like all people at that age, his shape could go down quickly. He should steamroll the 2022 race as Iowans do like him and he has done a great job representing Iowans. Iowans like politicians accessible and he has always understood that.

 

[RDU Irish]

False. Jack Whitver will take that spot. Chuck's grandson Pat Grassley would be the other contender.

Pat Grassley is the Speaker of the House for Iowa House of Representatives. He's not as talented or likable as grandpappy, but he got that role because of his ties to Chuck's donors which have helped the Iowa GOP secure a large majority in the IA legislature.

Jack Whitver is a former footballer for ISU, a WR, and well-connected. He's likable and nice. I actually supported his campaign from afar in 2018 as he had a suburban Karen threaten his Senate district with Bloomberg money. He is the Senate Majority Leader and has done an amazing job driving the GOP agenda in Iowa. He would likely win the GOP nom and walk through a state race.

Chuck is old but seems to be in great shape still. But like all people at that age, his shape could go down quickly. He should steamroll the 2022 race as Iowans do like him and he has done a great job representing Iowans. Iowans like politicians accessible and he has always understood that.

He has been there too long and needs to go. Iowans do like their pork - great example of people loving their rep but hating Congress. Placing his grandson in line for promotion epitomizes political nepotism - not promoting someone like Whitver who sounds like a much better talent. Better yet, cultivate a pile of Whitvers instead of making a place at the trough for your grandson. Grassley is a swamp creature, yes a more likeable one but a swamp creature nonetheless.

 

[drayer54]

He has been there too long and needs to go. Iowans do like their pork - great example of people loving their rep but hating Congress. Placing his grandson in line for promotion epitomizes political nepotism - not promoting someone like Whitver who sounds like a much better talent. Better yet, cultivate a pile of Whitvers instead of making a place at the trough for your grandson. Grassley is a swamp creature, yes a more likable one but a swamp creature nonetheless.

So what's the cutoff? Pelosi could be there until she is 90 the way things are going.

 

[Irish#1]

So what's the cutoff? Pelosi could be there until she is 90 the way things are going.

70 or 75, but if we had term limits an age restriction wouldn’t be necessary.

 

[RDU Irish]

So what's the cutoff? Pelosi could be there until she is 90 the way things are going.

Like #1 says - term limits make age almost irrelevant. 3 terms = 18 years for Senate, 5 terms = 10 years for House, 2 terms as president = 8 years for a maximum DC swamp exposure of 36 years. More than enough time to grift, probably still too long. Maybe this creates a sense of urgency to actually do something other than a perpetual grift.

Appointments would become much more valuable, that is for sure. 3rd term Senators vying for ambassadorships and Cabinet positions would be comically aggressive in their pandering. Maybe they treat their actual constituents better if they think they need to come home and run for Governor some day.

 

[Irishize]

70 or 75, but if we had term limits an age restriction wouldn’t be necessary.

I would counter 65 but your point stands. Install term limits and it’s a non-issue.

I’ve heard challengers use term limits in their campaign but have any of them continued to push for term limits once in office.

Shouldn’t term limits be one of the very few subjects that both Dems & Reps can agree on and embrace? Congress has devolved into the Waking Dead or High Risk COVID Target…whichever one prefers.

 

[TorontoGold]

I would counter 65 but your point stands. Install term limits and it’s a non-issue.

I’ve heard challengers use term limits in their campaign but have any of them continued to push for term limits once in office.

Shouldn’t term limits be one of the very few subjects that both Dems & Reps can agree on and embrace? Congress has devolved into the Waking Dead or High Risk COVID Target…whichever one prefers.

What about moving the term to 4 years for reps? I never understood the 2 year thing, probably missing something obvious but that seems like a clear reason why people are always focused on campaigning.

 

[NorthDakota]

What about moving the term to 4 years for reps? I never understood the 2 year thing, probably missing something obvious but that seems like a clear reason why people are always focused on campaigning.

I think it's easier to justify 2 than 4.

Two year terms give the voters significantly more power. "Oh the current government has priorities we don't vibe with? OK."

Red/Blue Midterm Wave Machine Go Brrrr.. boom. People effectively shut down a runway government.

 

[TorontoGold]

I think it's easier to justify 2 than 4.

Two year terms give the voters significantly more power. "Oh the current government has priorities we don't vibe with? OK."

Red/Blue Midterm Wave Machine Go Brrrr.. boom. People effectively shut down a runway government.

Isn't the feeling that "all politicians suck, and are swamp creatures" so by having elections every two years you're sort of just feeding their narcissism of being self serving. Of course, in theory the voter being able to make the switch is great but does that matter if the top priority just staying in power?

 

[NorthDakota]

Isn't the feeling that "all politicians suck, and are swamp creatures" so by having elections every two years you're sort of just feeding their narcissism of being self serving. Of course, in theory the voter being able to make the switch is great but does that matter if the top priority just staying in power?

I dont think they are all bad. Just a lot of them are.

If their whole goal is to stay in power though, a lot of them are horrible at it. We've had two congressional wipeouts since 2010 and we are on course for another one.

I dont know if the intent of the House terms was to serve as an emergency brake for the "the people" but it seems to work.

They fundraise and campaign too much... but I don't think that stops if we change their terms to four years.

 

[Irish#1]

I would counter 65 but your point stands. Install term limits and it’s a non-issue.

I’ve heard challengers use term limits in their campaign but have any of them continued to push for term limits once in office.

Shouldn’t term limits be one of the very few subjects that both Dems & Reps can agree on and embrace? Congress has devolved into the Waking Dead or High Risk COVID Target…whichever one prefers.

I'd be fine with 65 as well.

Term limits is one thing that both parties agree upon. They agree that it's best not to have them.

As far as campaigning, you don't hear many calling for it, but given no one wants them, what a great campaign tool. Keep calling for limits and win votes. All the while you know it will never go anywhere.

 

[Irish#1]

What about moving the term to 4 years for reps? I never understood the 2 year thing, probably missing something obvious but that seems like a clear reason why people are always focused on campaigning.

It was to keep congress from a large turnover at the same time which would effectively slow the government process. On second thought, that might not be a bad idea.

 

[bobbyok1]

It was to keep congress from a large turnover at the same time which would effectively slow the government process. On second thought, that might not be a bad idea.

This, and it was one of MANY thoughtful and intentional steps to spread out power/authority (i.e. the Separation of Powers). This is the beauty of the Constitution and why Globalism, which is all about the centralization of power, sucks and leads to human suffering.

 

[Rogue219]

Maybe voters should stop electing these people?

Term limits would make this an even bigger grift than it already is. You basically give these clowns a time limit on how much they can steal and fuck up. Then they go out and the next one comes in, does the same.

 

[Irish#1]

Maybe voters should stop electing these people?

Term limits would make this an even bigger grift than it already is. You basically give these clowns a time limit on how much they can steal and fuck up. Then they go out and the next one comes in, does the same.

That's the idea. With no term limit, it gives them more time and the longer they're in, the more ways they find to hide what they're doing and buddy up with more influencers from the outside. With term limits, it will take a while for the newbies to figure out what they can get away with, so you've effectively reduced the window of opportunity even more than the actual term.

 

[ulukinatme]

The only way I see term limits getting done is if you managed to start a movement. You would almost need something like a rallying cry like Trump's MAGA, but for term limits. Basically one of the parties would have to adopt the slogan and either get pro-term limit representatives to replace the career politicians or at least outnumber them in some way. It would be next to impossible, because you have to figure lobbyists and donations are still going to go toward the established faces. I don't see it ever getting done for that reason, but I don't see how else it could be achieved. The Pelosis and McConnells have the power and aren't going to give it up willingly.

 

[NorthDakota]

Term limits hurt small states. I dont want them

 

[drayer54]

Term limits hurt small states. I dont want them

Term limits would have to be imposed by those who would be impacted, so it's really not worth the debate. Won't happen.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Term limits would have to be imposed by those who would be impacted, so it's really not worth the debate. Won't happen.

There is zero chance that the House and Senate would do it.

Only viable option is through a Convention of States. 15 states have already passed the Convention of States Application. 19 more states would have to do likewise to proceed towards ratification which would require 3/4's of the States to approve.

 

[Irishize]

Maybe voters should stop electing these people?

Term limits would make this an even bigger grift than it already is. You basically give these clowns a time limit on how much they can steal and fuck up. Then they go out and the next one comes in, does the same.

Not if it prevented them from getting a lifetime pension & healthcare. I think the only way to pull it off is to reset their salaries to make it less attractive and that will never happen.

They get crazy lifetime benefits that us regular folk couldn’t fathom. And remember, this was never meant to be a full-time job yet despite the wonders of transportation and digital connection, they get rewarded so handsomely that there’s no reason to continue their previous employment.

 

[Irishize]

Term limits hurt small states. I dont want them

I used to be of the same belief. I have since changed. To all of them: Eff em and feed ‘em fish heads

 

[Irish#1]

It's a pipe dream. I remember limits being discussed back in the 70's and I'm sure they were discussed even earlier. Yet here we are. Still in the same boat.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Not if it prevented them from getting a lifetime pension & healthcare. I think the only way to pull it off is to reset their salaries to make it less attractive and that will never happen.

They get crazy lifetime benefits that us regular folk couldn’t fathom. And remember, this was never meant to be a full-time job yet despite the wonders of transportation and digital connection, they get rewarded so handsomely that there’s no reason to continue their previous employment.

Let's cap the salary at 50k and implement term limits. No more millionaires made in Congress.

 

[NorthDakota]

Let's cap the salary at 50k and implement term limits. No more millionaires made in Congress.

That would make it exclusively wealthy people lol.

They maintain two residences...can't give them 50k and think you did something.

They don't get rich off the salary.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Term limits.

Only land owners get to vote, as they have a stake in the country and skin in the game.

And please, abolish women drivers or next thing you know, THEY will want to vote.

 

[ulukinatme]

Term limits.

Only land owners get to vote, as they have a stake in the country and skin in the game.

And please, abolish women drivers or next thing you know, THEY will want to vote.

Don't be silly, we've already established term limits will never happen!

I can get behind the other two though...

 

[ulukinatme]

Let's cap the salary at 50k and implement term limits. No more millionaires made in Congress.

NorthDakota hit the nail on the head. You can limit the salary, but these people aren't getting rich off their paychecks. They're in the pockets of lobbyists and getting other deals under the table, that's where the big cheese is.

 

[Irishize]

NorthDakota hit the nail on the head. You can limit the salary, but these people aren't getting rich off their paychecks. They're in the pockets of lobbyists and getting other deals under the table, that's where the big cheese is.

That’s why term limits are the key. It’ll never happen but that’s the only way to keep them from getting entrenched w/ the lobbyists, The Founding Fathers put together a brilliant plan considering how long it lasted. They didn’t foresee all the special interest lobbies or the career politicians.

 

[ulukinatme]

That’s why term limits are the key. It’ll never happen but that’s the only way to keep them from getting entrenched w/ the lobbyists, The Founding Fathers put together a brilliant plan considering how long it lasted. They didn’t foresee all the special interest lobbies or the career politicians.

I mentioned it last page. I think there's a small chance that term limits could become a thing, but it would need a strong movement to get it done from the ground up. A MAGA-like revolution where one or both parties start fielding candidates that are pro-term limits and they manage to oust a bunch of the career politicians or at the very least secure enough seats that they outnumber those that remain. You basically would have to vote out as many of the swamp people as you can. It would be incredibly difficult, especially since they've got most of the campaign donations on their side. I don't see any other way it gets done, and for that reason it's unlikely to happen.