Smurthwaite

Hey guys, I think this is where I need to post. I need a mask change. SRA has merged into PPO. Ruler Name: Smurthwaite Nation Name: Smurthwaite Link to Nation: http://www.cybernations.net/nation_drill_display.asp?Nation_ID=170471 Does your Alliance need an Embassy?: I think so, as I didn't see it listed as an AA with an embassy here. Alliance you Represent: Pirates of the Parrot Order Role within alliance: Commander of Information Alliance's IRC Channel & Server: #PPO on coldfront Thanks much

Define Hispanic.

I not willing to discount what Deathmerchant is saying, but I am certainly not willing to lend it credibility without several sources (and given the nature of this discussion, they would have more credibility if they came from across the political perspective).

Wow, there is some vitriol in this thread, with both sides towing the party line. So, let's see if we can break down some of the ideas that are flowing, but often not connected to the idea for which they are used as rebuttal: Keep in mind that I consider myself in the middle. I have voted for both Reps and Dems in both local, state, and national elections. I try to look at the overall message after the primaries (lord knows that nothing said before the primaries is worth a grain of salt, with the Reps going to the far right and the Dems going to the far left). Here is what I take from this, and in no particular order, as I am simply thinking back over 5 pages: 1) General dislike of President Obama by those of you on the right: Facts - - Obama care will not go away. It is in fact a moral obligation of citizenry to help citizens who need it most. Nobody (myself included) seemed willing to do enough to make sure the poorest were taken care of (I realize this is simply a small dent in a much larger conversation, but this is what was mentioned so I thought I would address it. - The Obama administration has spent more money than they have taken in. (Actually, I am pretty sure Clinton was the only one in my lifetime to not do so, and I remember the Carter administration). - A Republican led congress hasn't stopped the trend, which makes me think a good bit of the vitriol is that of scapegoatism - Bengazi was a mess. Can we get past blame, at this point, and try to secure places like it? What measures have been taken since to ensure nothing like it happens again? (That's a genuine question, as I honestly don't know and am only taking a few minutes to post some thoughts; therefore am not going to research). - Obama is not a socialist. It is fallacious to call him so simply because one doesn't like his policies. That would be the equivalent of calling Reagan a fascist. Neither is true nor fair. The liberals, while not taking as many pot shots, have implied their dislike for Bush: Facts - - The economy tanked under the Bush administration's policies. There can be no doubt that deregulation lead to the shoddy practices. Revisionist history won't change that. - Things were pretty good in the Smurthwaite house while Bush was in office. - Bush's No Child Left Behind Act was the start of the mess that American Education currently finds itself in (it would take me an hour to elaborate on this, but if requested I will do so) - While we may be in the middle east to protect our assets, i.e. oil, Bush did lead the charge in getting us into 2 wars we could not win (I base this on conversations I have had with many current and veteran military personnel who were involved in either, or both, of the conflicts). Back to the OP: As somebody who has not come close to deciding who will be the most appropriate candidate in the next election (especially since I guarantee the field will increase), I'll simply post some musing (they are just that, musings): H. Clinton - - A popular notion that Hilary will be a puppet of Bill is sophomoric. She is both smarter and more politically savvy. Her list of scandals are really not terrible. Bengazi happened. It was bungled. From what I have seen, it was bungled on the ground well-before top US officials were making decisions. Note that "the buck stops here," is an important political and ethical motive. She will need to address Bengazi objectively to have make it right with the American people. As for the other, Whitewater, and the email thing, I would guess that most Americans don't really care. It'll be those on the far right that whose cries of anger will be the loudest. - She is not Obama 2.0. It's pretty evident that neither Clinton is especially fond of Obama. In fact, Obama, as much as Bush, is responsible for undermining some of the more positive fiscal policies of the B. Clinton presidency. -The fact that Hilary was able to swallow the pride of Obama's upset, set an ambition FA policy (which admittedly did not come to fruition), and continue to serve to the best capacity (read that as the best office to which she was allowed to serve) will work in her favor, I think. - Her biggest obstacle will probably overcoming the fact that she is a woman. There are many places in America that will look at that as a weakness. I don't know how that will play out. - She is battle tested. She has endeared the political gauntlet of running for major office. She is stronger for it. I guess that goes back to the comment about smarts and political savvy. - She hasn't really unveiled much of her platform. Politically, it is probably smarter to wait for that; however, I can't make up my mind about her until I know more about what her plans will be. - Even though she hasn't unveiled her platform, there are no viable candidates from the Dems. Biden was mentioned, but as VP, he was too cartoonized, even though he is rather moderate, is fairly intelligent, and has shown himself willing to work with both sides. Other musings from this thread that I found either funny/ludicrous or interesting: - To claim that a man who had Alzheimer's was one of the greatest presidents is nuts. See my comment about revisionist history. There is some pretty good writing about the merits and demerits of the "trickle down effect." Most of them see more demerits than merits (again, except for the farthest right). - The idea of income tax is moronic. Anybody who lives in American should be able to objectively step back and see that it is flawed from all sides. Any system in which those with more are supposed to pay more because they earn more may seem like a good idea, until those with more find ways to actually pay less. - A flat tax is almost as moronic. It creates an undue burden on those with less. They will pay a much greater percentage of their income taxes, which is not fair. - I have no real solution, though a graduated sales tax would be interesting to explore, where the more luxurious the item, the higher the percentage of sales tax. I see flaws in this as well, as I am sure many from both sides will tell us about soon. As I look over it, it seems like it is the least of all evils. - Liberalism doesn't equal socialism. Just because the pundits are full of shit, doesn't mean civilized people should sling it as well. Also, this was supposed to take 5 minutes, and instead took closer to 20. I hope you enjoy the wall of text. Have at it.

G6

Ruler Name: Smurthwaite Nation Name: Smurthwaite Link to Nation: http://www.cybernations.net/nation_drill_display.asp?Nation_ID=170471 Does your Alliance need an Embassy?: Probably, since it wasn't in the list of embassies Alliance you Represent: Screaming Red Asses Role within alliance: Top Kick Alliance's IRC Channel & Server: #RED_ASS on coldfront I just need my current mask changed please.

Ruler Name: Smurthwaite Nation Name: Smurthwaite Link to Nation: http://www.cybernations.net/nation_drill_display.asp?Nation_ID=170471 Does your Alliance need an Embassy?: Pretty sure we have one already. Alliance you Represent: Nuclear Proliferation League Alliance's IRC Channel & Server: #NPL on Coldfront