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I thought I'd get the feel for what the board thought about the GOP choices. I'm only putting those on here that have either announced or are likely to announce.
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Colin Powell, had he not switched.
At this point Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, or Jimmie Johnson could run and the country wouldn't care.
I'm not sure the GOP has a candidate that can get elected past Obama.
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Pawlenty probably wouldn't carry his own state. That's problematic.
Daniels is interesting.
Christie of New Jersey is probably my favorite guy. I would LOVE to see him debate Obama.
Michele Bachmann has too many negatives.
I can't see Palin winning a general election at this point.
I don't know a lot about some of the other guys.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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I like Gary Johnson.. he's Ron Paul only without some of the kookier aspects of Ron Paul.
The big problem for Gary Johnson is that he's not going to excite the republican base at all, primarily because he is more libertarian and he is very outspoken in his desire to legalize marijuana. If.. and it's a big IF... he were to get the nomination and republicans could focus on his fiscal ideas I think he could take some votes away from Obama.. problem is that he's going to be running from the center-out instead of from the outside in which is usually what wins elections..
yebat' Putin
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Christie is the guy I want.. but he is saying he won't run... Ron Paul is always interesting, but he doesn't stand a chance. Gingrich shot himself in the foot the other day (although, I actually like what he said about the extremes of both parties) But it won't go over enough for him to get full support of the party...
Romney is still trying to distance himself from his health care program. He'll never get far enough away to win the support of the party.
With Palin and Bachman talking up the tea party agenda, there probably isn't a mainstream Republican that stands a chance.... except Christie......He'd tell both of those women to pound salt.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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ytown, I suppose the caveat in all of this is that of all the names mentioned.. I would vote for pretty much every one of them over what we have now.. some I would just have to shower after. 
yebat' Putin
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Yeah, I agree.
I suspect that the party will go after a young "pretty boy" type to compete for the youth vote against Obama. If the Republican candidate splits the young vote, Obama is toast.
Unfortunately that means that some of the more qualified candidates may not have a chance.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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I'll ask and anybody that wants to answer can jump in but of all of the R candidates and Obama (and any other national politicians if we want to open it up)... which one does everybody feel is MOST LIKE the founding fathers?
yebat' Putin
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Probably Herman Cain.
He's a businessman and not a professional politician ...... and he's pro personal rights/freedoms.
However, he also stuck his foot in his mouth when he said that he would never appoint any Muslim to any position ... so his electability is sketchy at best.
The problem is that we want these candidates who are from out of the beltway, and not part of the Washington establishment .... who are not lifelong politicians ..... yet that is a weakness as well, because they speak like normal people, and not in measured tones and words like the politicians do.
These people aren't dumber than other candidates ... it's just that they are working their flaws out on more of a national level than the guy who starts out as a local candidate in a party controlled area .... then moves up from office to office, and is seasoned and practiced in sound bytes and short answers that answer nothing by the time he/she hits the national stage.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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I'm looking for a Pat Buchanon/America First type candidate minus the "cultural purity" issues. Ron Paul comes closest out of those listed.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
#GMSTRONG
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I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Quote:
ME
That would only work if all the levers people pull in the voting booth were shaped like fingers!
#GMSTRONG
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Quote:
Quote:
ME
That would only work if all the levers people pull in the voting booth were shaped like fingers!
Middle fingers?
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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I like both your and Ytowns idea's 
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Before I answer, which one will take on fixing the deficit and economy as their #1 priority? And not just say it, but actually make some hard cuts to save our asses.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Punchsmack/punch.gif) “...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
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Quote:
I'll ask and anybody that wants to answer can jump in but of all of the R candidates and Obama (and any other national politicians if we want to open it up)... which one does everybody feel is MOST LIKE the founding fathers?
That's a good question.. my best guess is, nobody comes close.
My interpretation of the founding fathers is that thier entire goal was to devise a goverment FOR the people.
That's not how it is anymore.. it's now a goverment FOR the Special Interests.
We the people are an afterthought.
At least that's the way it feels to me.
That's not to say that there aren't good people out there. But I don't see them running for office. Why the hell would they. Why put your family and your life under that kinda microscope.
I sure as hell wouldn't do it.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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The Founders wanted freedom from excessive taxation.
They would not be happy today.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Quote:
The Founders wanted freedom from excessive taxation.
They would not be happy today.
That's just one issue... there are others.. Bottom line, yeah, I agree, they would not be happy today.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
Quote:
The Founders wanted freedom from excessive taxation.
They would not be happy today.
That's just one issue... there are others.. Bottom line, yeah, I agree, they would not be happy today.
That was the main one though. They were being taxed on anything and everything possible by a government that was an ocean away, and in which they had no representation. If not for excessive taxation, we might still be an English colony to this day.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Quote:
I'll ask and anybody that wants to answer can jump in but of all of the R candidates and Obama (and any other national politicians if we want to open it up)... which one does everybody feel is MOST LIKE the founding fathers?
Ron Paul votes strictly based on the Constitution, so I'd go with him.
No one else even comes close.
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Rick Perry, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan - any would be preferable to that list, imo.
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Quote:
Quote:
I'll ask and anybody that wants to answer can jump in but of all of the R candidates and Obama (and any other national politicians if we want to open it up)... which one does everybody feel is MOST LIKE the founding fathers?
Ron Paul votes strictly based on the Constitution, so I'd go with him.
No one else even comes close.
That was my thought..
yebat' Putin
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Quote:
Quote:
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The Founders wanted freedom from excessive taxation.
They would not be happy today.
That's just one issue... there are others.. Bottom line, yeah, I agree, they would not be happy today.
That was the main one though. They were being taxed on anything and everything possible by a government that was an ocean away, and in which they had no representation. If not for excessive taxation, we might still be an English colony to this day.
Yes and the same thing is happening today. It's not a D thing or an R thing, it's a P thing... P meaning politician.
It's just my opinion, but special interests/lobby groups etc... are killing this country. The day we stop special interests from lobbying our politicians under the radar, the better off we'll be. Bring everything into the light of day.
The Pharms want legislation that helps thier industry,, I get that, but if it doesn't help/serve the american people, then tell me again where the benefit is? I use the Pharms as an example, but you really could put any special interest or industry group in the mix if you wanted to.
Right now, if you put enough loot in a politicians pocket, he'll/she'll support your interests. Stop that and maybe we'll get some governance FOR THE PEOPLE... ALL THE PEOPLE.
We really don' t have that at this point. Politicians seem to govern for those that can pay thier bills. Doesn't matter what party affiliation.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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I don't have any problem with special interests lobbying politicians ..... but it should be a transparent process.
Politicians should have to list, online, everyone they meet with, and their lobbying affiliation, and what each lobby (and affiliated organizations) contribute to each politician. . Lobbyists do a job for those they represent .... but it cannot be allowed to be a job done behind closed doors, in dark and shady conditions.
Senator A:
Date meeting(s) took place:
Lobby Name:
Lobby's political contributions:
Lobby's affiliated organizations and their contributions:
This would give everyone a much better look into whose interests are being served.
The problem is that politics could be simple .... but it's hard to get around simple rules. Pllitics follows the old axiom of "If you can't blind them with brilliance, baffle them with bullstuff."
Simple rules which have real consequences if violated are the solution.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Hall of Famer
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Quote:
I don't have any problem with special interests lobbying politicians ..... but it should be a transparent process.
Here's an idea: make every congressman and senator wear a jacket or vest with the logos of all the organizations that contribute to their coffers. The American people might as well know WHO these clowns represent, because they certainly don't represent us.
[color:"white"]"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
-- Mark Twain [/color]
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Technically, a group of senior citizens lobbying a Congressman for better nursing home care is a lobbying group ..... so you have to be careful how you characterize lobbyists. Trade groups have lobbyists. Ethnic organizations have lobbyists.
They may have very different goals for their lobbying as well.
I don't have any problem with a person or group letting one of their representatives know their position on issues. That's the way the process should work. The thing that makes the process corupt is when hidden bribery, even the legal kind, enters into the picture. A lot of that can be eliminated if the process is openly reported. Make it a requirement that the office of the representative keep the required records, and post them online within 1 week ...... and make it a crime for them not to do so. There has to be a solution that does not take the voice away from the people, yet still keeps some of the corruption out.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Legend
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Quote:
I don't have any problem with special interests lobbying politicians ..... but it should be a transparent process.
Politicians should have to list, online, everyone they meet with, and their lobbying affiliation, and what each lobby (and affiliated organizations) contribute to each politician. . Lobbyists do a job for those they represent .... but it cannot be allowed to be a job done behind closed doors, in dark and shady conditions.
Senator A:
Date meeting(s) took place:
Lobby Name:
Lobby's political contributions:
Lobby's affiliated organizations and their contributions:
This would give everyone a much better look into whose interests are being served.
The problem is that politics could be simple .... but it's hard to get around simple rules. Pllitics follows the old axiom of "If you can't blind them with brilliance, baffle them with bullstuff."
Simple rules which have real consequences if violated are the solution.
that's what I said too..
Quote:
The day we stop special interests from lobbying our politicians under the radar, the better off we'll be. Bring everything into the light of day.
Make it transparent.
I like the simple rule concept.. think of it this way, if you have a conversation that you don't want to see the light of day,, perhaps you shouldn't havethe conversation..
not if you are a public servant.
Of course, when it's a matter of national security,, those are better off not being broadcasted....
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
Quote:
I don't have any problem with special interests lobbying politicians ..... but it should be a transparent process.
Here's an idea: make every congressman and senator wear a jacket or vest with the logos of all the organizations that contribute to their coffers. The American people might as well know WHO these clowns represent, because they certainly don't represent us.
Congressional sessions would look like pit row at Talladega. 
yebat' Putin
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One of the big reasons we have never been able to enact campaign finance reform that does any good is because the democrats insist that unions be treated differently and NOT like a lobbying group.... when that is basically what they are and a very powerful one at that.
Lobbying groups are not a bad thing... I don't have the time or the desire to stay on top of every single issue in Washington and write letters and make phone calls, etc... so I follow and contribute to some activist groups like the NRA and I trust that they are going to keep me informed and, in most cases, lobby congress on issues that are important to me in a way that I want them lobbied... I do agree though that with the amount of money involved, it's far from a perfect system.
yebat' Putin
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Quote:
One of the big reasons we have never been able to enact campaign finance reform that does any good is because the democrats insist that unions be treated differently and NOT like a lobbying group.... when that is basically what they are and a very powerful one at that.
Lobbying groups are not a bad thing... I don't have the time or the desire to stay on top of every single issue in Washington and write letters and make phone calls, etc... so I follow and contribute to some activist groups like the NRA and I trust that they are going to keep me informed and, in most cases, lobby congress on issues that are important to me in a way that I want them lobbied... I do agree though that with the amount of money involved, it's far from a perfect system.
I agree with you DC.. Unions are a lobbying group just like the Pharms and Oil etc etc. I'd be all for them not being allowed to lobby our politicians also
On lobby groups being not a bad thing, I don't totally agree.. I think anytime a politician can be bought, then we lose. Lobby groups like the NRA for instance shouldn't be allowed to give money to a political campaign any more than a group that opposes all that the NRA stands for.
I know it's a crazy idea today, but we pay the politicians we elect.. they should be working for us, and for the most part, I don't get the feeling they are.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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Quote:
On lobby groups being not a bad thing, I don't totally agree.. I think anytime a politician can be bought, then we lose. Lobby groups like the NRA for instance shouldn't be allowed to give money to a political campaign any more than a group that opposes all that the NRA stands for.
I know it's a crazy idea today, but we pay the politicians we elect.. they should be working for us, and for the most part, I don't get the feeling they are.
I agree with 90% of it.. the problem is that if a politician is allowing him/herself to be bought by a lobbying group then the problem is with the politician, not the lobbying group. There will always be those with big money who are willing to spend it to give their cause a competitive advantage.. whether it's a big pharmaceutical company trying to win legislation or a car dealership in Columbus trying to help build a better football team... money will always be a factor and it's the fault of those who TAKE the money more than it is of those who have it and offer it.
But here is the thing.. how many politicians actually change the way they would vote because the NRA or a union gave them a big contribution? I believe a person who runs on a pro-gun platform is going to get a ton of money from the NRA and they are going to vote the way they are going to vote... the NRA just helps get them elected, it doesn't change their vote. Just like the green movement and the unions and a lot of the others.. I'm sure there are some who have voted against their conscience because of the possibility of a big campaign contribution but I bet it's not as common as you think.
yebat' Putin
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Quote:
I agree with 90% of it.. the problem is that if a politician is allowing him/herself to be bought by a lobbying group then the problem is with the politician, not the lobbying group.
Ah Ha.,., you may have hit upon something here.,
When I did business with various defense contractors, I wasn't allowed to spend more than $5 on any gift I wanted to give and even then, it had to be a promotional item for my company.. Say, a coffee mug or Ink Pens with the company name on it..
The reason for that was so that there were rules in place that would protect the integrity of any particular program.
Did it stop the payola.. hell no. But it set ground rules for punishment should that rule be broken.
For instance, if I were caught buying one of my customers a new car,, I would have been bounced out of that customers facility and never allowed back in. Back in the day, that would have meant millions to my employer...
So yeah, thier would be a price to pay.,.
We pay our politicians to do a job, if they take money, ANY AMOUNT of money for thier vote... Boom, they should be ousted immediately and never allowed to hold public office again. (EDIT: Of course, only after due process, I don't want people merely accused of wrong doing being bounced until it's proven)
It's a simple as that... No public office, no clout, no payola...
Problem solved.
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any politicians actually change the way they would vote because the NRA or a union gave them a big contribution?
Can't prove a negative,, don't know how to know for sure what would happen.
I know that money corrupts and if enough is thrown around, votes can be swayed. Votes swayed because of a PAC or Lobby or Industry group, aren't neccesarily votes against public interests. but I'd have to believe that more often than not, they are.
Last edited by Damanshot; 06/07/11 12:37 PM.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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I would vote for Palin in a minute. It would be worth it just to hear the media howl. She is a true Conservative. I'm sorry she is pretty and Democratic women are not.
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I would vote for Palin in a minute... She is a true Conservative.
"All I know is, as long as I led the Southeastern Conference in scoring, my grades would be fine." - Charles Barkley
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