Dick Lugar Out Of The Senate

[Xiahou]

That's a crying shame. He did a lot of good work on nuclear proliferation and our (messed up) relationship with Pakistan. Another moderate bites the dust.

He's also been in office longer than I've been alive and no longer bothered to live in the state that he nominally represented. I think it might have been time for a fresh face. Also, I doubt you'd lament his ouster if he was unseated by a Democrat.

The Senate was never intended to represent the people, it's supposed to represent the states. The 17th has been key in centralizing power in the federal government.

Get the petition started- I'll sign.

[rvg]

He's also been in office longer than I've been alive and no longer bothered to live in the state that he nominally represented. I think it might have been time for a fresh face. Also, I doubt you'd lament his ouster if he was unseated by a Democrat.

The fewer moderates we have in the Senate, the more dysfunctional it'll get. I can totally see the day when the Senate will be unable to function unless one of the parties holds a supermajority.

[Xiahou]

The fewer moderates we have in the Senate, the more dysfunctional it'll get. I can totally see the day when the Senate will be unable to function unless one of the parties holds a supermajority.

Sounds good. The less functional it is, the less damage it can do. Too bad it didn't happen before Obamacare was passed.

Don't get me wrong, there are problems (long-term entitlement spending) that the federal government needs to address- I just don't have any confidence that it will do so. Any attempts at "reform" so far have only made things worse instead of better.

[Ironside]

Sounds good. The less functional it is, the less damage it can do. Too bad it didn't happen before Obamacare was passed.

Don't get me wrong, there are problems (long-term entitlement spending) that the federal government needs to address- I just don't have any confidence that it will do so. Any attempts at "reform" so far have only made things worse instead of better.

So, the US should follow California?

Creating a stale into a slow death is usually not a good solution.

[Xiahou]

So, the US should follow California?

Creating a stale into a slow death is usually not a good solution.

Between the two, I prefer coasting slowly towards a cliff rather than with a foot jammed on the gas pedal.

[Whacker]

Between the two, I prefer coasting slowly towards a cliff rather than with a foot jammed on the gas pedal.

Seeing how we probably won't be able to afford gas in the next few years, I don't really see a difference.

[Whacker]

If the only two choices are "Long and slow stagnation" and "Quick and painful destruction" then shouldn't we be looking for a third alternative, rather than picking from one of two horrible options?

The entire system needs revamping, and the entire political spectrum needs to be made sense of. Tear it all down and start again.

That would require actually electing people who have the fortitude and ability to make those necessary changes. In case you hadn't noticed, all of our politicians are corrupt as all get out. Good luck with that and all.

[rvg]

That would require actually electing people who have the fortitude and ability to make those necessary changes. In case you hadn't noticed, all of our politicians are corrupt as all get out. Good luck with that and all.

Well, not all of them. McCain seems like a very decent guy.

[Whacker]

Well, not all of them. McCain seems like a very decent guy.

I give him respect and credit for what he endured while serving in the armed forces. Politically it's a different story. Embarrassing fact of the day: I once thought Cheney was a half decent bloke.

I would vote for Colin Powell.

[rvg]

A decent guy and a proud veteran, but a bad Politician.

In this day and age that's practically a compliment.

I once thought Cheney was a half decent bloke.

If Biden were half the man that Cheney is...

[rvg]

I would agree if it weren't for his specific kind of bad. He's easily influenced, and he thinks the neo-cons and tea-partiers are his friends. He's not a "reform the system for the better" kind of guy. The moment he picked Sara Palin as his running mate, it was obvious where his loyalties were.

He took a risk and it backfired. As for Palin, a veep can only do what the pres allows him to do. I suspect that had McCain won in 2008, Palin would be stuck breaking an occasional tie in the Senate and posing for photo ops (she'd be perfect for that).