USA early voting: done. If not, get on it folks!

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To bring this back on topic of people actually running "this" year, I thought Romney's joke that he prepared for his debate by abstaining from alcohol for 68 years was amusing.

Obama likes home brew beer, and playing basketball, so I'd rather hang out with him. I just can't vote for him.

JR

 
> If we can have a self defined "socialist" ...in the senate

You are probably getting a card-carrying Independent: Angus King from Maine. The Dems and Reps huffed and puffed, and then basically stopped spending money to fight "Angus".... he's that popular here. He's also a good guy to continue the struggle that Olympia Snow finally tired of: perpetual constipation in the US Senate.

So while the federal senate race is quiet here, the state senate fight in my district is HARD fought. Brian is a career politico. David is a car mechanic with a brain. Hundreds of lawn-signs. David came to my house and talked. Brian sent some kid to talk.

In the middle of this, some gal from the local Good News church came to the door with "a survey". I wanted to point to our "no solicitation" sign with a small dog biting an ankle, but I knew my small dog was napping. I wanted to tell her that Election Week was a bad time to be pushing non-election solicitation door-2-door. I settled for "no thanks".

Back to the state senate fight: Every day the mailbox has a couple large glossy cards touting one or dissing the other, or both. I really don't want to open my mailbox Monday... I should probably backup the minivan, dump, and take it all down to the recycle center. --Hey! As I was typing, David got an ad on TV!-- Anyway, I already voted, so it's all a waste.
 
I won't miss olympia, but she's  history now. She seemed to garner the spotlight in close votes by being undecided when it got her more attention. While I did not pay very close attention other than when she crossed the aisle in a close vote. The only independent I liked was Lieberman CT, but I think even he is retiring. 

I wouldn't mind if US senators went back to being appointed by the state legislature...

A car mechanic with a brain sounds like a useful combination, and someone good to know.

I worry that this election is looking close. There has been so much divisive politics the last few years, an electoral win without the popular win could incite some of our home grown anarchists.

I don't live in a remotely competitive state so no blanket bombing of campaign ads or literature.

Good luck to us all... one way or the other let it be decisive.

JR

PS; The last of the IEEE journals went to the dump a couple weeks ago...
 
JohnRoberts said:
For a long time there was actually a nuisance cost to active voters as it made you more likely to be called for jury duty. I believe most states have stopped that negative incentive.

Not in Kings County NY. I registered to vote after moving and not voting for a couple of years. My voter registration came the same day as my jury duty questionnaire. Luckily last time I got called I was able to piss off the assistant DA and get the defense attorney reprimanded by the judge. I was outta there.
 
Gold said:
JohnRoberts said:
For a long time there was actually a nuisance cost to active voters as it made you more likely to be called for jury duty. I believe most states have stopped that negative incentive.

Not in Kings County NY. I registered to vote after moving and not voting for a couple of years. My voter registration came the same day as my jury duty questionnaire. Luckily last time I got called I was able to piss off the assistant DA and get the defense attorney reprimanded by the judge. I was outta there.

That is what economists call a disincentive...

We do not need disincentives against citizens doing the right thing.

....and we wonder why voter turnout is low.

JR
 
I wanted to post before our election, to indicate my thoughts regardless of the winners. I personally feel the US, and the western world in general, is looking at very dark times ahead. I think no matter who wins the US presidency or congressional seats, we've reached a point where there's not much chance of anything getter better for some time. IMO, we (the cumulative western world) are repeating the major mistakes of documented history.

I've saved and prepared, and have it made to an extent, so don't get me wrong -- I'm not some sad-sack. I'm giddy in my day-to-day life with my family and friends, but outside that "zone", everything I see happening in the "free" world is going in the wrong direction.

-gl
 
I am just as concerned with the final verdict as what will follow it. Regardless of who takes it, there are enough fanatics on either side of the coin willing to cause all kinds of hellfire and brimstone if their candidate does not get elected. 
 
We had planned to go downtown and vote early, but Superstorm Sandy got in the way of that idea.  So we went at 10AM today.  Although the booths were about full, there were no waiting lines.
 
JohnRoberts said:
The only independent I liked was Lieberman CT, but I think even he is retiring.
i used to like lieberman as well, but in the last decade or so it seemed like he and mccain were both following the same farcical script of "what can i do to keep myself relevant today?"
being in iowa, i've had a steady flow of junk mail for almost a month.  i have no landline, but they somehow got ahold of my cell number and harassed me at least 4 times a week with calls to volunteer.  that was enough for me. i decided they had probably badgered enough other people into voting and elected to abstain.
 
Spiritworks said:
" Meet the new boss , same as the old boss " I thought we won't get fooled again?  ::)
haha it could have went the other way, and that sentiment would have been just as valid.  it's all gridlock and can-kicking anyways, let's not pretend that anything meaningful would be accomplished regardless of outcome.  at the end of the day, there isn't a soul on either side of the legislative aisle wants to be on the hook for doing their due diligence.
 
Man, I'm pretty bummed about the results.

I wrote in Tom Waits for every field on the ballot, and he didn't even win one seat. Even with our supposed 90+% turnout here in VA. I call shenanigans.
 
Spiritworks said:
" Meet the new boss , same as the old boss " I thought we won't get fooled again?  ::)

The new boss is the old boss...

House still republican

Senate still Dem...

With some major issues to settle quickly.

Good luck to us all...

JR
 
gltech said:
I wanted to post before our election, to indicate my thoughts regardless of the winners. I personally feel the US, and the western world in general, is looking at very dark times ahead. I think no matter who wins the US presidency or congressional seats, we've reached a point where there's not much chance of anything getter better for some time. IMO, we (the cumulative western world) are repeating the major mistakes of documented history.

As a relatively disinterested outsider I have to say I agree. My 30 something kids, who don't really remember any of the earlier recessions, tend to believe the government hype that the worst is over and we are on the road to recovery. I keep telling them it ain't over yet by a long chalk. My son in law has just had his salary cut by by 20% and one of the UK's largest electrical retailers just went bust. I don't think we have reached the bottom yet.

Cheers?

Ian
 
grantlack said:
it's all gridlock and can-kicking anyways, let's not pretend that anything meaningful would be accomplished regardless of outcome.  at the end of the day, there isn't a soul on either side of the legislative aisle wants to be on the hook for doing their due diligence.

and THAT is exactly what the issue is. If they would compromise just a little, so much more would be accomplished.
 
grantlack said:
JohnRoberts said:
The only independent I liked was Lieberman CT, but I think even he is retiring.
i used to like lieberman as well, but in the last decade or so it seemed like he and mccain were both following the same farcical script of "what can i do to keep myself relevant today?"
being in iowa, i've had a steady flow of junk mail for almost a month.  i have no landline, but they somehow got ahold of my cell number and harassed me at least 4 times a week with calls to volunteer.  that was enough for me. i decided they had probably badgered enough other people into voting and elected to abstain.

Lieberman, is a man of the left, even though his own party rejected him, He would cross the aisle and vote his conscience on important issues. He co-sponsored numerous pieces of legislation with Mccain addressing hot button topics that many in congress were unwilling to touch. I don't agree with every position they both took, but I appreciate them actually addressing the difficult issues, it is obscene how some important issues have been kicked down the road and mishandled or ignored.

We now get to experience the result of this unwillingness to address difficult issues as we approach a fiscal "perfect" storm as temporary tax cuts expire and sequestration legislation kicks in. Sequestration which is mandated spending cuts and tax increases was considered so odious to both sides that they would surely work together to resolve the budget imbalance, but so far they haven't and the complexion of the congress has not changed.  I expect more "temporary" remedies, while these legislators don't seem to understand that business needs certainty and a future they plan on, not more temporary postponements, that could reverse and bite them later.

As these feckless legislators argue with each other the weak economy approaches another leg down (jan 13) because of this mismanagement.

I try to remain optimistic but am not feeling very positive this morning. The only good news I can take from this election is that it wasn't so tight that people became angry and rejected the electoral college. The EC was designed to make close races appear less close and it looks like it is working (a good thing). If the race was undecided last night, the economic trajectory would be even worse. 

I probably need to sell some stocks since expected increases in capital gains, means lots of people will be selling in the next few months to lock in profit at the lower rates (looks like other people have the same idea today). But sitting on cash will just lose buying power due to inflation. If I was younger I would buy a bigger house since housing is an out of favor asset class these days, but I have no use for a bigger house. I guess it could be worse. I could be one of the millions looking for a job in this sputtering economy.

Good luck to us all, and congrats to all those who voted for this outcome, you got your wish.

As usual I hope my pessimism is unwarranted. 

JR

PS: For a bit of optimism I believe housing has bottomed or is very close, and there is much pent up capital in business that is being held back over fear over the future for regulatory burden and employee cost. This election suggests 4 more years in this same direction so business needs to adjust for this new overhead structure and move "forward". Slow growth is better than no growth.
 
ruffrecords said:
gltech said:
I wanted to post before our election, to indicate my thoughts regardless of the winners. I personally feel the US, and the western world in general, is looking at very dark times ahead. I think no matter who wins the US presidency or congressional seats, we've reached a point where there's not much chance of anything getter better for some time. IMO, we (the cumulative western world) are repeating the major mistakes of documented history.

As a relatively disinterested outsider I have to say I agree. My 30 something kids, who don't really remember any of the earlier recessions, tend to believe the government hype that the worst is over and we are on the road to recovery. I keep telling them it ain't over yet by a long chalk. My son in law has just had his salary cut by by 20% and one of the UK's largest electrical retailers just went bust. I don't think we have reached the bottom yet.

Cheers?

Ian


I tend to agree, I fear.  I think Americans generally still feel that great cowboy spirit, and think there's still some untapped resource to commoditize and push us forward economically.  I think the easy resources are all used up or long since claimed, and a constantly increasing population is of no help at all, other than as a mandatory bullet point in capitalist theory.


Anyway, thanks to all who got out and voted.  I heard news discussion last night on the topic of de-insentivisation of voters who are told they are not in swing states.  Interesting point, I wonder if statistically that makes the popular vote closer to 50/50, or not?
 
emrr said:
I tend to agree, I fear.  I think Americans generally still feel that great cowboy spirit, and think there's still some untapped resource to commoditize and push us forward economically.  I think the easy resources are all used up or long since claimed, and a constantly increasing population is of no help at all, other than as a mandatory bullet point in capitalist theory.


Anyway, thanks to all who got out and voted.  I heard news discussion last night on the topic of de-insentivisation of voters who are told they are not in swing states.  Interesting point, I wonder if statistically that makes the popular vote closer to 50/50, or not?

If you inspect the history of American success, indeed the early part was driven by bountiful resources (cheap fertile land) and the natural protection of two oceans, and free trade with the old world. Later this shifted into a different growth phase fueled by capitalism and entrepreneurial spirit. We also benefit from being a magnet for smart, creative, and driven people from all around the world who want a better life and believe they can "build" it here with hard work and opportunity, as compared to some who come here illegally to have babies and get free stuff.

We are shifting toward an old world model of more/larger government and less private sector growth. Since we are still attractive to immigrants we do not suffer the classic population stagnation of many other western countries. 

I believe too many people blame capitalism for the credit bubble and economic collapse, while there was bad judgement and bad behavior by both private and public sector actors. The system isn't broken or flawed. We are just paying back all the funny money spending done by the public using wealth drawn from distorted home values that created so much artificial wealth, and artificial prosperity. While the music was playing many in the public and private sectors did not want to upset the apple cart that was making them wealthy and making politicians look good. Then the music stopped.

But as always the piper must be paid. We are just now seeing the light at the end of this distorted home value correction, lets not kill the golden goose that got us so far, while we need to be ever vigilant for the next bubble, which is the nature of free markets and human behavior. If government was smart enough to spot and regulate bubbles, they would have never poured gasoline on the housing bubble. One dirty secret is how much taxpayers are still on the hook for Fannie and Freddie profligate lending. I guess Dodd-Frank forgot to deal with that when they were "fixing" the banking system? 

I recall warning a young friend at the time who was flipping houses (in Az) and he said 'trust me, I know what I'm doing". Now he is renting after losing all his artificial housing wealth to a short sale, and ignoring me (again) when a tell him now is when he should be buying a house.

Of course opinions vary and maybe I am wrong...

JR
 
 
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