The 2002 Mid-Term Elections

JavaFox

I am not registered to vote in this state yet; as such, I will be unable to participate in the upcoming mid-term elections. This saddens me. I can only hope that you, the reader of this post, are a registered voter in the United States of America.

Like I said, the mid-term elections are upon us -- and what an exciting election it will be! Last minute canidate replacements (Torcelli, Wellstone, etc), a precarious balance in the Legislature, and a slew of problems that need to be tackled -- these things make this an extremely important election. I hope that turnout is high and that the right choices are made.

Now, some people in the media have been critisizing Bush for hitting the campaign trail and supporting Republican canidates. After all, if dealing with Iraq is so important, why is our president wasting time politicking? This is a legitimate question, but the answer is simple. The Republican Party is the party that will adequately defend America, its people, and its interests. The Legislature, as it stands, is divided. The House of Representatives belongs to the Republican Party. But by a precarious and weak majority, the Senate is ruled by the Democrats. This is a problem. President Bush needs legislators that will work with him. We needs legislators that will work for the good of this country.

Perhaps I am politicking myself, but take an honest look at modern history. The Democratic Party --at least within the last few decades-- has taken a strong stance against defense and honest programs that promote stability. Remember that the Killing Fields in Cambodia occured only after liberals demanded that the US stop aiding that country. Furthermore, anytime that liberals are in office, intelligence and defense are castrated. Senator Torcelli, for example (who recently dropped out of the race in New Jersey), is credited for inventing "The Torcelli Principle," which takes trust OUT of the hand of CIA field agents and places it in the hands of bureaucrats and uninvolved leaders. Examine the many blunders of Clinton regarding al-Qaeda. Under Clinton, we saw American embassies bombed, American ships sunk, and American troops killed in Mogadishu. Either Clinton lacked the intelligence to see these as terrorist acts and take appropriate action, or he didn't care. Remember that the World Trade Center had been bombed before under Clinton's watch. He failed to see it as a terrorist attack, but rather only a criminal one. Instead of looking to see if a GROUP had perpetrated that attack, he arrested the one individual responsible and left it at that. Do we really want leaders like this? Do we want presidents that can't recognize terrorism? Do we want Senators that tie the hands of our intelligence gatherers? Vote FOR defense and stability by voting Republican!

Polls show that the two big issues that Americans are concerned with are Iraq and the economy. Well, I am proud to announce that the recession created by liberal spending has officially come to an end! Examine history, and you will see that any time responsible tax cuts are made, there is no drop in tax revenue. That is, lower taxes promote economic growth. In all honesty, who here wants to pay MORE in taxes? If you don't, you need to vote Republican. One of President Bush's first big moves was to create a tax rebate and tax cut that is wholly responsible for the economic rebound we are experiencing. Lowered taxes mean more money for you, but as history shows, it also means more money for the government to do the things it needs to. Like defend this nation! Remember, the tax cuts that Bush helped get passed are not permanent. Liberal Democrats ensured that the tax reductions had a sunshine clause. Don't let them get away with it! Fill the Legislature with Republicans so they can make the tax cut PERMANENT. We don't need to pay more in taxes. Vote FOR lowered taxes by voting Republican!

Government spending is fraught with failed Democratic programs. Consider Social Security. Do you realize that 23% of government spending goes to Social Security? And do you realize that Social Security only gives you a 1-2% annual return? Holy COW! You'd be better off to save your money and put it into a savings account! It's time to privatize Social Security. Let our elderly reap the benefits of a robust captialist system! Privatization involves investment of monies in things like the stock market, in order to get a better return. Did you know that, despite the fact that we just got out of the "longest and possibly deepest bear market in 60 years," money invested 5 years ago would STILL match the return of Social Security in its current form? In other words, investing your money in Social Security (and, if you're a tax-paying American, one EIGHTH of your salary IS invested in Social Security), is the worst possible investment imaginable! Let's spend LESS money on Social Security, privatize it, and reap the benefits of the stock market. Even in its worst state EVER, the stock market still gives returns comparable to Social Security. We have nothing to lose. Vote FOR more efficient and less costly governments program by voting Republican!

Do you want a nation with ample defense? Do you want to pay less in taxes? Do you want to overhaul and improve failed and bankrupt government programs? Do you want to help prevent another 9-11 by putting pressure on terrorist regimes like Iran, Iraq, and North Korea? You need to vote Republican, because Democrats will let you down.

If you aren't old enough to vote, please convince your parents to vote Republican.

fornicatarachnid

That was a party political broadcast on behalf of the Republicans by Javafox

JavaFox

It isn't just politics to me. I truly, truly believe that the Republican Party will do good things for this country. Likewise, I am genuinely afraid of having Liberal leaders. I am sincerely fearful.

skastel

Well I guess your statement is self explanitory. Besides the government has an obligation to protect it's most valueble asset, the people, how can you do that by giving away money? The rebate was basically a cheap move on his part that was some sort of BS cheap appeal to the american people to make us like him. Reganomics failed, I mean fell flat on it's face. Look at how much of a defecit we built up, only to have a democrat clean up the mess. What's Bush go and do? Put us back in debt, instead of spending the surplus on the military or on social programs, he gives it away. As far as I know the taxes are still the same, we just got a little bit extra back. Now he wants to go to war?
And how is being an aggressor towards the middleast in anyway protecting the US? Was it not our support of israel and the intervention in the gulf war that brought the terrorist attacks upon us in the first place? We have no right to de-pose Sadam. Whether or not he is a despot is not the question, and he most certainly is. The last thing this country needs to boost the economy is hundreds of millions of dollars spent attacking a soveirgn nation. Do we really want to create another nation dependant on our economic AND military support!? What good are we really doing the Iraqi people by forcing democracy upon them? If the republicans are so opposed to domestic welfare, why are they so eager to promote international welfare? How much have we truly improved life for the Afghans? While we deposed a tyranical gov't, we also instated a false democracy that relies heavily on our support and protection. Please show me where American intervention in other countries domestic affairs has brought great economic prosperity? I can think of only one, Japan, and they succeeded on their own!
I don't neccesarily think that the Democratic party is the answer, obviously the same goes for the republicans. Politics are the second oldest profession, and IMO are basically the same as the the oldest one. If perhaps we had untainted politicians(oxymoron anyone?) then I could bring myself to support them. I'm sure that I am jaded because of the awful choices for Governer here in Massachusetts, but as far as I can tell the only difference in the two parties is the underhanded insults they for one another. The sickening amount of lies that have been swallowed by the american public in the last year or so is numbing.
I f*cking quit.
Oh yeah, check this article out:
Part 1
Part 2

Malus

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Malus

Honestly, I fear for my children and my grandchildren. I think that one day, they could live in a world that no one could wish for. I'm just hoping that pease will be made in the Middle East, then maybe the Revelation will finally occur.

digitalwanderer

Replace "Republican" with "Democratic" and "Liberal" with "Conservative" and I could agree whole heartidly.

One other difference between me and you on it; I'm registered and I vote.


I really, honestly, sincerely, and TRULY fear at the direction this country has been going over the last year. From suddenly seeming to declare ourselves masters of the world to the rapid re-distribution of the wealth back into the hands of the few. Our government is totally corrupt on both sides, but the party in office right now is abusing & consolidating so much power right now that it frankly shakes me to the very depths of my soul.

This is not the country I want my children to grow up in, I want them to grow up in the greatest country in the world like I did. I love my country, but I hate and fear my current government. Everyone with an opinion who lives here really should vote...it might not be much, but it's all we got.

Shaith

Want to see the country pull out of a recession...into a full-blown depression?

Vote Republican!

Want to see the deficit grow to levels even Bill Gates can't afford to repay?

Vote Republican!

Want to see your right to get a blow-job in the privacy of your own home taken away?

Vote Republican!

Want to see a tax cut that results in the entire governmental budget surplus being eradicated in less than one year?

Vote Republican!

Want to see unemployment, alcoholism (favored more heavily by the current First Family than even the Kennedy's), drug abuse (another recreational favorite), crime, and suicide rates stop dropping and begin rising dramatically?

Vote Republican!

Spare me the grotesque Republican rhetoric.
I couldn't agree more - it IS indeed wholly responsible for the rebound we are NOT experiencing.

I not only want my children to grow up proud of the country they live in, I want them to grow up. And with the current administration working very actively to piss the whole world off, one can only wonder whether it'll survive the Zero factor.

Let's see...

War, unemployment, recession, stock markets plunging, businesses closing left and right, bankruptcy on the rise...

Bring back blow jobs and stained dresses, man. At least then I could afford to go to the movies for a change of scenery.

Shaith

And come 2004, I don't care WHO is running against Bush, that's who gets my vote.

Even if it's Anna Nicole Smith.

And she weighs 500 lbs.

And she's wearing nothing but a thong in her commercials.

And she's sober.

And I'm sober.

Shaith

If you DON'T VOTE, you DON'T GET THE RIGHT TO BITCH.

I voted already - so I can BITCH all I want.

JavaFox

We were in a depression. The only way anybody can deny is would be if they were unaware of the definition of the world. Two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth -- that IS a depression. We had that, and now it is gone. Why? It couldn't possible have anything to do with intelligence fiscal and monetary policy, could it? History shows that every time taxes are dropped there is economic growth. Do you dispute this?

This critique of Reagan is as tired as it is irrelevant. The fact is, under Reagan's administration, we saw a drop in taxes, a decrease in inflation, an increase in consumer wealth, and a decrease in unemployment. A bad time indeed.


Fact is, we didn't declare war on Iraq, they declared war on us. Why do liberals have such a hard time understanding this? Iraq surrendered to us after the first Gulf War. They have failed to abide by the terms of that treaty. Therefore, the treaty is worthless. Therefore, we are still at war with Iraq. Fact is, the recession is OVER. The GDP was up. Fact is, the stock market has rallied for four straight weeks -- one of the longest rallies in many decades. And that fact is, Clinton failed to recognize terrorist acts as terrorist acts.

Why is it liberals are so fact-hating?

JavaFox

You mean 2008. There is no way that all of America could be so stupid as to not re-elect Bush. If we can re-elect a criminal that was responsible for 9-11, I think we can re-elect a competent leader with his priorities straight.

JavaFox

No, I disagree. You can be political without voting. I can't vote in tomorrow's election, but I can sure support right-minded canidates.

And come on guys, you know I mistyped when I said "wholly responsible for the economic rebound we are not experiencing." Give me a break.

JavaFox

If a government takes more money from The People than it needs, it has every obligation to return that money to The People. If you ordered a $50 CPU from a company online and they charged you $100 for it, you would demand your $50 back, wouldn't you? Makes sense for business, and it should make sense for government.

Reganomics failed? You mean when unemployment dropped? You mean when personal wealth rose? You mean when inflation dropped? You mean when taxes were reduced? If these are bad things -- then, yeah, I suppose Reganomics did fail. But if you think those are good things, well then maybe Reagan wasn't so bad. And most Americans would agree with that point.


That's great that you think that, but you're wrong. Bush did indeed conduct a tax REBATE, but he also spearheaded a tax CUT. "Replacing the current tax rates of 15, 28, 31, 36, and 39.6 percent with a simplified rate structure of 10, 15, 25, and 33 percent." History clearly shows that the economy thrives when taxes are reduced. You may disagree with reducing taxes, but only because you chose to ignore facts and blindly stick to your ideology.


And how is IGNORING problems good policy?! Consider Clinton. When American troops conducting a humanitarian mission were KILLED in Mogadishu by al-Qaeda, what did he do? He pulled out. When the World Trade Center was bombed, what did he do? He treated it as a criminal act. When US embassies were bombed in Africa and when American ships were bombed, what did he do? He launched a few cruise missiles. SO WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 11th AS A RESULT?! Where is the outrage?! Staying out of world affairs and ignoring early warning signs and weakening intelligence is WHAT LED TO 3,000 DEATHS! Am I the only one that gets ANGRY about THIS? Iraq is a threat to us, WHY can't we act in our interests? When Bush says he doesn't want "'the smoking gun' to appear in the form of a mushroom cloud," it isn't rhetoric. That's what liberals and peaceniks don't and can't understand. That pre-emptive action against rogue states CAN prevent tragedies.

I can barely contain the contempt I have for the "Party of Blame America."

America saved all of Europe in WWI and WWII. Practically every economically prosperous nation in Europe owes their prosperity to the US. Remember that the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Japan also rebuilt Germany. Consider South Korea. All those Korean cars you see drivin' around sure as hell didn't come from North Korea.

fornicatarachnid

[SIZE=xx-small]Thank you [/size]

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[SIZE=xx-large]THANK YOU[/size]

Please remind me to lick your boots if I'm ever unfortunate enough to meet you. You arrogant pr**k

digitalwanderer

Just like the rest of your party is doing. I don't want to bother addressing each one 'cause I know you won't agree and you'll say I'm wrong so I thought I'd spare us both the bother. We don't see eye-to-eye on this one at all, and we ain't never gonna.

Some people are blind to the simple truths, others just prefer not to see them.

-Reaganomics did NOT work, it damn near destroyed our economy! Yes, 'personal wealth' grew, but in the same way it's growing right now. The rich are getting richer than hell and the poor are getting poorer, but the rich are getting SO much richer that it's skewing the hell out of the averages. Quit using fake statistics to justify freaking greed!

-Unemployment is DOWN?!? Uhm, says who? Since when?

-We're not in a recession? Our economy isn't spiralling downward? What the hell fairy-tale indicators are you using?!? Damn near anyone with a lick of common sense can see where the economy currently is. I know you won't agree, but we'll find out Tuesday.

-Did we even mention the fact that Emperor Bush is trying to become the bloody American Pope? Remember that seperation of Church & State thing? It's still kind of important to a number of us.

-He's turning the country I love into a police state, and I can't stand it!

-You don't think the country is dumb enough to elect Gore like they did in 2000 when Bush was APPOINTED?!? I hope all the republicans think like you.

You're wrong on this one JavaFox, BIG TIME. My only consolation is my abiding faith that my fellow countrymen will wake up and smell the coffee someday soon. At the rate your party is going I don't think that's gonna be much of a problem.

digitalwanderer

...we helped out in a world wide war that we avoided entering into for WAY too long of a bloody-assed time while our allied-companions-to-be were getting their countries demolished while begging us to help and we ignored them until it became politically correct for us to enter the fray. Don't go trying to lord it over them, they KNOW better!

DISCLAIMER:No disrespect to anyone who served in the armed forces, I got nothing but respect for you folks. I'm talking about the actions of the politicians at the time.

JavaFox

If you truly truly truly are guided by facts rather than ideology, DW, then I'd be able to reach you. Let me calmly address the facts. You can decide whether or not you're a pragmatist or an ideologue.

--

A recession is a period of negative economic growth. Even the most elementary economics textbook can tell you this. And a depression is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. We were in a recession. And, DW, sorry to tell you, but the polls are in, the numbers are certified -- THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WAS UP 3.1% IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2002. (link) (link). We are no longer, by definition, in a recession or a depression. We are on a recovery. The GDP is how we define economic growth. It clearly shows recovery.


Okay, you may not like Reaganomics, but here are the facts. You decide. When Carter left office, the GDP was down 0.5%. When Reagan left office, it was up almost 4%. Median family income (that is, the average) rose from $34,200 post-Carter to $37,000 post-Reagan. Unemployment dropped from 7% post-Carter to 5.4% after Reagan. So step telling me I'm using fake statistics. I'm the ONLY one using real facts here. The only thing I'm hearing from you liberals is ideologically-tainted rhetoric.

The US Department of Labor says so. The unemployment rate is DOWN from April, although it is admittedly 0.1% higher than September. The Department of Labor also says that average hourly earnings are up and that productivity is up.


These two points are the ones I cannot argue with you on. Everything else I can counter with facts. But these two points are pure ideology. I can't prove that your viewpoint is wrong. Perhaps if you were more specific?




Firstly, you will note that this country does not chose its president on the basis of the popular vote. You may have a problem with this, but that is how it is. Secondly, you argue for Gore like someone painfully ignorant of the facts. The fact is, Bush won Florida. He won the first recount. He won the second recount. I have no problem with those two recounts. But Gore then went to the Supreme Court of Florida for yet another chance. According to Florida State Law, you must certify the results on the 7th day following the election. This is not a murky legal issue. The law clearly, cleary states that this must be done on at 5PM of the seventh day following the election. Yet, Gore was allowed to conduct illegal ballot counts EVEN AFTER the 7th DAY. This is clearly illegal. It is as clearly illegal as the replacement of Torcelli in New Jersey. The law says that the Democrats cannot replace candidates this late in the game. Yet the court allowed this illegality as well.

I do not see how you can contest a single thing I've said, DW, inasmuch as they are firmly rooted in fact, not interpretation or party dogma.

kinetic

Your case of myopia is so severe that I don't think even this will help http://hubble.nasa.gov/

JavaFox

If you can seriously deny that the role of America during the World Wars was of little consequence, then likewise I don't know if even this will help you: http://www.jnj.com/news/jnj_news/20020307_1157.htm

kinetic