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[bodyofanamerican]

I always hear that the Republicans used to be like modern Democrats if you go back far enough. That things started on this current path about 30 years ago.

Yep! Thanks, Civil Rights Act!

Nixon would be a liberal today. Even Saint Reagan raised taxes and gave amnesty to Mexicans.

He'd be a goddamn communist today. He wanted to do single payer! You could make a serious argument that Nixon was our last liberal President.

 

[Byakuya769]

Nixon the person would be as radical as the rest. He was a product of liberal triumphs.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

Even Saint Reagan raised taxes and gave amnesty to Mexicans.

He also pushed for stricter gun control in california.

 

[bodyofanamerican]

Nixon the person would be as radical as the rest. He was a product of liberal triumphs.

I didn't consider that, and you've totally got a point. In Nixonland, it was really eye opening to see how he did so much to legitimize the whole "politics of resentment" thing.

edit: Did the John Birch Party run the GOP in the 60's as much as the Tea Party does now?

 

[kess]

I often wonder this, things seem to have gotten crazier. Republicans were never this nuts right?

Or is it just more apparent now?

No they were never this crazy, the Republican party used to be quite diverse at one time. They always had their share of nuts and dead-enders though. I have an article from the 1940s where some Republican congressman actually complains about women making too much money as plant workers during World War II (Reader's Digest, September 1943)...!

Until fairly recently, there were moderates in the Senate like Jeffords and Hagel. I even think that the publicly-run State Game Land system in Pennsylvania was designed under a Republican governor. When a former Republican representative like Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) comes out and says we should sell off our national parks, he is destroying his own party's legacy.

 

[theprodigy]

No they were never this crazy, the Republican party used to be quite diverse at one time. They always had their share of nuts and dead-enders though. I have an article from the 1940s where some Republican congressman actually complains about women making too much money as plant workers during World War II (Reader's Digest, September 1943)...!

Until fairly recently, there were moderates in the Senate like Jeffords and Hagel. I even think that the publicly-run State Game Land system in Pennsylvania was designed under a Republican governor. When a former Republican representative like Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) comes out and says we should sell off our national parks, he is destroying his own party's legacy.

Jim Jeffords-became an independent in 2001 and caucused with the Democrats until he left the Senate
Chuck Hagel-rather infamously got filibustered by the Republicans themselves for the Secretary of Defense position
so yeah, you can see what happened

 

[bodyofanamerican]

Don't forget Arlen Specter!

 

[Wowfunhappy]

I will never for the life of me understand why flip-floping, with an articulate reason as to why the change, is a bad thing to many people.

I kind of understand it– it makes them seem unreliable– but I agree that it's stupid. It just means we end up electing closed-minded people

Spoiler

You know, like the ones who are keeping the government shut down because they won't listen to reason

 

[Kimosabae]

I think we're heading toward a fracturing of the old republicans (GOP) from the main party and tea party taking over Republican Party at large. They've shown to have a lot of support during the Obama years and the old republican ideology doesn't resonate with their base anymore. It's less about legal process and more about social issues with the tea party. Class warfare, feeding off of racial fears and against women's rights and praising religion as their justification for it all.


It's really sick. I'd take a bush-era republican over these assholes any day.

Neocon^2?

 

[Hawkian]

He also pushed for stricter gun control in california.

Anti-nuclear proliferation was like his trademark pet cause.

We seek the total elimination one day of nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth.

Weaksauce pansy-ass shit like that would get you kicked out of the big tent these days. We need more bombs than anybody else, and they should be bigger. Then double it.

 

[Cyan]

He also pushed for stricter gun control in california.

To be fair, that was because black people had them. I think the Tea Party would be on board.

 

[Piecake]

To be fair, that was because black people had them. I think the Tea Party would be on board.

So, what you're saying is, is that if we want stricter gun control we should hand out free guns to black and latino people?

 

[Jonm1010]

So, what you're saying is, is that if we want stricter gun control we should hand out free guns to black and latino people?

Then move them out to a bunch of rural areas.

It's sad but true. A lot of the switch from supporting social services and safety net programs to hating them was because non-whites got them.

 

[commedieu]

A lot of the switch from supporting social services and safety net programs to hating them was because non-whites got them.

thats my take. Its still weird how Medicare is ok, but the rest isn't. For above reasons.

Reminds me of all the people that voted to kill frivolous lawsuits only to be crippled at work with a laugh of a payout from responsible employers, because they wanted to stop the free-loading-what have you not's - from suing and not working blah blah. Think it was the McDonald's lawsuit documentary, with the woman who had 3rd degree burns all over. The money and influence convinced the poor stupid that we should have caps on businesses responsibility.

 

[Piecake]

thats my take. Its still weird how Medicare is ok, but the rest isn't. For above reasons.

Well, all white people still use medicare and social security. So thats the reason why. Welfare and Snap? Only urban welfare queens use those (totally untrue)

As for your lawsuit payout cap, I totally agree. Its bullshit. I do favor that Republican 'safe harbor' idea for medical malpractice. That seems like common sense to me.

 

[davepoobond]

Neocon^2?

Idk what you mean.

 

[Gattsu25]

So, what you're saying is, is that if we want stricter gun control we should hand out free guns to black and latino people?

Armed minorities are what got Ronald Reagan to sign a bill that strengthened gun control laws (source).

 

[Kimosabae]

Idk what you mean.

New Neoconservatives. Neo Neo Cons.

 

[davepoobond]

New Neoconservatives. Neo Neo Cons.

Is that like the redesigned neogaf

 

[Baraka in the White House]

Armed minorities are what got Ronald Reagan to sign a bill that strengthened gun control laws (source).

It's like bizarro world. A bunch of minorities hard-up for guns and old white people scrambling for gun control.

 

[Kimosabae]

Is that like the redesigned neogaf

Has this term really receded this much in modern political discourse? I figured their legacy was at least somewhat still relevant?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoconservatism

 

[TheBear]

is this guys name actually pronounced "boner"?
if so that's awesome

 

[Bodacious]

Nixon would be a liberal today. Even Saint Reagan raised taxes and gave amnesty to Mexicans.

Reagan also quasi bailed out a major motor vehicle manufacturer (Harley), by imposing tariffs on all the foreign bikes. Trade warfare. Kept Harley alive long enough to get the Evo engine out and turn the company completely around.

 

[NullPointer]

is this guys name actually pronounced "boner"?
if so that's awesome

The bad news: It's pronounced Bay-ner.

The good news: If you say Boner everybody will still know who you mean.

 

[Piecake]

is this guys name actually pronounced "boner"?
if so that's awesome

bay-ner

woops

 

[MGrant]

is this guys name actually pronounced "boner"?
if so that's awesome

It's "Bayner." But the original pronunciation was probably closer to "Booner" or "Burner."

 

[teh_pwn]

is this guys name actually pronounced "boner"?
if so that's awesome

I pronounce it Boner. That's how it's spelled. If he wants to call himself Bayner, then he can fix his name.

Actually Booner sounds more hilarious.

 

[blackMamba1187]

The good news: If you say Boner everybody will still know who you mean.

lol

 

[teh_pwn]

The bad news: It's pronounced Bay-ner.

The good news: If you say Boner everybody will still know who you mean.

This is true. Try googling John Boner. Google will give you John Boener results without even asking if you meant that.

 

[DrEvil]

Does Obama not have some form of executive power to bring an item to vote on the floor, effectively bypassing Boehner? He challenged him to put it to a vote today, but is there anything Obama can do to force it to happen?

Not saying force the shut down to go away, but to force the speaker to table a vote to the house?

Forgive the ignorance, I'm Canadian

 

[Aaron Strife]

Does Obama not have some form of executive power to bring an item to vote on the floor, effectively bypassing Boehner? He challenged him to put it to a vote today, but is there anything Obama can do to force it to happen?

Not saying force the shut down to go away, but to force the speaker to table a vote to the house?

Forgive the ignorance, I'm Canadian

The president can submit legislation but he can't force a vote on it.

 

[Nightstick11]

When this is over, I hope Boehner gets indicted for treason.

The Republic is decaying; we need an Augustus.

 

[Mgoblue201]

He'd be a goddamn communist today. He wanted to do single payer! You could make a serious argument that Nixon was our last liberal President.

The pillar of Nixon's universal health care plan was more like an employer mandate, I believe, and liberal is a word I'd never apply to him. But it's true that Nixon was a different breed of Republican from the current group now calling itself the GOP. Some of Nixon's views on domestic policy would never be tolerated today. Uniformity is now enforced and upheld by party discipline (and lately, Tea Party radicalism).

 

[Anticitizen One]

If Obama compromises what's next? Holding the debt ceiling hostage until social security is repelled? Medicaid? The Civil Rights Act? Where is the line drawn?

 

[Slayer-33]

If Obama compromises what's next? Holding the debt ceiling hostage until social security is repelled? Medicaid? The Civil Rights Act? Where is the line drawn?

The republicans obstructing this should be fucking jailed, wheres the outrage? This shit is bullshit.

 

[davepoobond]

Does Obama not have some form of executive power to bring an item to vote on the floor, effectively bypassing Boehner? He challenged him to put it to a vote today, but is there anything Obama can do to force it to happen?

Not saying force the shut down to go away, but to force the speaker to table a vote to the house?

Forgive the ignorance, I'm Canadian

the balance of power within Congress was supposed to be the Senate v. the House.

When the balance was obstructed like it is now, it is up to the people to replace the people that do not do their job.



obviously, the tea parties are breaking the game and the way it is designed isn't really meant to take into account people being absolute assholes trying to destroy the nation.

 

[Jintor]

thats my take. Its still weird how Medicare is ok, but the rest isn't. For above reasons.

Reminds me of all the people that voted to kill frivolous lawsuits only to be crippled at work with a laugh of a payout from responsible employers, because they wanted to stop the free-loading-what have you not's - from suing and not working blah blah. Think it was the McDonald's lawsuit documentary, with the woman who had 3rd degree burns all over. The money and influence convinced the poor stupid that we should have caps on businesses responsibility.

That case was a fucking clear-cut case of corporate negligence and anyone who thinks otherwise has probably only heard the late-night talk show "Oh they sue for ANYTHING in America" version

 

[Unknown Soldier]

I'm going to guess that Boner's words are political theater and bluster, and the House will get a budget passed before the debt ceiling.

Then again, I'm assuming that the GOP is run by rational people.

The GOP is run by rational people who are currently terrified of the Tea Party nutjobs who have infiltrated their party and are trying to drive it into the side of a mountain.

It remains to be seen if Boehner has enough sense to fall on his sword and not let the country default, even though it will cost him his position as Speaker of the House. It's not exactly a great job at the moment anyways, at some level I feel a bit sorry for Boehner who now faces a situation where he has to let the country fall into economic catastrophe or lose his thankless job as the nominal leader of a caucus which has truly insane people in it.

 

[YoungHav]

Bin Laden been dead for over a decade. I think Obama was still in diapers back in 2002.

I might kick a potted plant barefoot if Obama caves in on this one.

 

[subversus]

Is there a real chance of default now? I don't know much about american politics but I know that 2008 will be remembered as a year of prosperity if default happens.

 

[Anticitizen One]

Is there a real chance of default now? I don't know much about american politics but I know that 2008 will be remembered as a year of prosperity if default happens.

I doubt it but you never know with some of these crazy fucks in congress. They will probably work out a half assed 11th hour deal or an extension for a few weeks while they work on a compromise. The leaders of both parties won't do something dumb like let America default. However the pattern is that these republicans are getting more and more out of control and leaving cracks in the government and at some point in the future it's going to cause a big problem

 

[NathanMcMahon]

The GOP is run by rational people who are currently terrified of the Tea Party nutjobs who have infiltrated their party and are trying to drive it into the side of a mountain.

It remains to be seen if Boehner has enough sense to fall on his sword and not let the country default, even though it will cost him his position as Speaker of the House. It's not exactly a great job at the moment anyways, at some level I feel a bit sorry for Boehner who now faces a situation where he has to let the country fall into economic catastrophe or lose his thankless job as the nominal leader of a caucus which has truly insane people in it.

I don't think that's true really.

 

[BigDug13]

I doubt it but you never know with some of these crazy fucks in congress. They will probably work out a half assed 11th hour deal or an extension for a few weeks while they work on a compromise. The leaders of both parties won't do something dumb like let America default. However the pattern is that these republicans are getting more and more out of control and leaving cracks in the government and at some point in the future it's going to cause a big problem

Didn't we get downgraded anyway after the last fiasco because we made it a fiasco to approve payment of our debt? Won't that simply happen again even if something gets done last minute?

 

[Mango Positive]

If anyone is truly curious about what's going on in the heads of ultra-conservatives, I recommend a visit to godlikeproductions. It's both comical and frightening. It used to be a conspiracy forum, with interesting topics such as aliens or John Titor. Now, it's Tea Party headquarters jam packed with the most intellectually challenged bunch of gun-toting, freedom loving, anti-communist, god-fearing simpletons who vote.

Just pick a thread and try to make it through without futile engagement.

 

[alstein]

I should say he's unwilling to discuss any kind of compromise. Say "you want this delay, OK but you gotta give this up in exchange". Hell he can make his demands just as unreasonable if necessary. I honestly don't care who caves first I just want this stupid game of chicken to end so we can get on with our lives.

Because it's compromise after compromise, and the Republicans keep pulling the same hostage act.

At this point, I'd almost rather have the Republicans shoot the hostage over playing his hostage game every time.
It would be less damaging in the long-term.

 

[TacticalFox88]

If anyone is truly curious about what's going on in the heads of ultra-conservatives, I recommend a visit to godlikeproductions. It's both comical and frightening. It used to be a conspiracy forum, with interesting topics such as aliens or John Titor. Now, it's Tea Party headquarters jam packed with the most intellectually challenged bunch of gun-toting, freedom loving, anti-communist, god-fearing simpletons who vote.

Just pick a thread and try to make it through without futile engagement.

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2378092/pg1

What is this...

I don't even...

I...

I...

What...?

Da fuq?

 

[Baraka in the White House]

If anyone is truly curious about what's going on in the heads of ultra-conservatives, I recommend a visit to godlikeproductions. It's both comical and frightening. It used to be a conspiracy forum, with interesting topics such as aliens or John Titor. Now, it's Tea Party headquarters jam packed with the most intellectually challenged bunch of gun-toting, freedom loving, anti-communist, god-fearing simpletons who vote.

Just pick a thread and try to make it through without futile engagement.

Wow, banned as soon as I clicked on the link. Apparently they just ban everyone for a start and you have to fill out a "Why should we unban you?" questionnaire to participate. Lol. Goofy-assed teatards.

 

[sonicmj1]

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2378092/pg1

What is this...

I don't even...

I...

I...

What...?

Da fuq?

It's like Bizarro-OT GAF, where Obama's clearly in the wrong, the nation is doomed if the Republicans cave, and everyone makes fun of the Northeast instead of the South.

 

[maquiladora]

Is there a real chance of default now? I don't know much about american politics but I know that 2008 will be remembered as a year of prosperity if default happens.

No realistic chance. Just a lot of bluff talk and only a minority of fringe GOP members who would actually be ok with it happening.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

The fucks not given continue. Jesus.

Congress's private health club spared from shutdown by Boehner: "essential"

Congress's private gym -- whose budget is a closely held secret for "security" reasons -- has remained open during the shutdown. It was deemed an essential service. By John Boehner himself. (Possibly because so many Tea Party Congressmen live in their lavish tax-funded/tax-free offices and use the fancy club as their personal showers, rather than renting DC lodgings)

The staffers' gym was closed, however.

Christ. I can't even. So many cunts under one umbrella.