Since this Forum largely 'mirrors' the sentiments of the populace, I'd love to see us pick an issue, debate it and then reach consensus on a recommended policy. Then, with that experience behind us "Rinse and Repeat". BTW, I realize that virtually all issues are deeply felt, so this is no 'Tiptoe through the Tulips', or 'Kumbaya' exercise...
A couple of "Givens"...
>We are a very politically diverse nation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_ideologies_in_the_United_States)...always have been; always will be...and, it's "normal".
>The goal is not a competitive win, but each one feeling that they've been fairly heard by those with whom they don't agree, and reasoned answers have been put forth.
Hey, at least it's a break from the "same old...same old"...might actually become 'habit forming'.
The link from 'PEW Research' could be a starting point for choosing an issue. While I have my "hot button" issue (Energy Policy), I'll yield the the group.
Link: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2020/08/13/important-issues-in-the-2020-election/
As a threshold matter, bipartisan progress assumes that progress is a noble objective. McConnell has demonstrated that he prefers obstruction at all costs, so as to deny a Democrat President any achievements. We saw this during the Obama years, especially with the Affordable Care Act. It may be different with Biden, who is not black.
But, infrastructure seems to be a good starting point, as it creates drives and improves quality of life. Energy, Transportation, Communications all tie in. We need to be more Jetsons like, streamlining air/train/auto/bicycle/boat travel to flow seamlessly with work/leisure/medical/shopping/dining/education/recreation needs. We are too disjointed, both in time and space. We need to be more fluid.
The easier the burden on the citizen, the greater the productivity, the better the person’s health.
Yes, bang for the buck is King, especially over the long game.
Had a conversation last week with a newly elected City Councilman who represents our city neighborhood. Discussed the challenge of getting corporations to partner with the City to fund/install underground phone, electrical and fiber cable, to make above ground power lines obsolete, and so the City is not susceptible to bad weather power outages.
Think out of the box. Huge frontier re infrastructure across the nation.
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in a discussion of how the country should be mobilized to determine what changes we should make, and how to carry them out...including the use of Union Labor in CA and NY.
therefore, it is the quintessential case for a commitment to "bi-partisanship". I would go so far as to say that no one seeking high office, from any party, should be nominated without a demonstrated history of bi-partisan collaboration on multiple bills/projects.
ubiquitous charging stations that can get cars moving again in less time than it currently takes to fill a tank...reliable sources of power that don't emit CO2 (while still using Oil & Gas for unique, critical needs)...smart roads/vehicles that allow for 'driverless' transportation, etc...
We need to start NOW planning with a clear goal in mind. The end product(s) will benefit everyone, regardless of political affiliation...it's exciting, with scads of entrepreneurial opportunities, jobs and profits.
And this is just one facet of "Infrastructure"...good lord, let's get moving!
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so some 'standardization' and 'oversight' will be required.
As a Tesla owner for a year now, I wouldn’t go to a charging station. 99% is done via slow charging while I sleep or while I’m at work. Speed is not an issue
Fast chargers are only needed for out of town trips. Tesla’s supercharger network is fine for the half dozen trips I’ve taken. By the time I’ve gone to the bathroom or grabbed a bite to eat, I was charged sufficiently to continue on. It would be pretty simple to add fast chargers along highways every 50 miles.
I do wish more hotels would add chargers, but slower “level 2” chargers would be fine while I sleep.
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No one had a clue what Obama might do based on the platitudes and Hallmark cliches he spouted.. but he was a clean cut articulate African American according to Joe Biden. Trump was a life long Dem supporter from NYC but somehow connected with deplorable blue collar workers. Biden obviously suffers from onset dementia but is not an offensive personality to suburban women and African Americans. If we are lucky enough to avoid a Dem sweep in the Georgia Senate runoff, our important legislative policy decisions will be negotiated and compromised in the Senate. Thank god for the wisdom of our founding fathers.
and why? It's hard to take some of you seriously when Biden hands down sounds more intelligent and has a better command of the English language. A tell-tale sign someone has lost a step is when they use words like 'powerful' 'strong' to describe almost everything.
Anyway, ya'll highjacked this post that should've been substantive. I fear that elections will never be about substance and what's good for the masses just one side. It started 2016 was better off than it was in 2008 but 40% of the country said nothing changed because of who was in office. Yet except for the stock market we are still no better than we were in 2016 and now "records have been set"!
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believe many others see their standard bearer as an "Avatar" (credit to Conor for the term) for all that they hold dear...so "Policy" is very much upper most in their vote, and the votes of most on this board.
more quickly attained when we pull together. Turning our backs and refusing to understand what others say, feel and truly mean is no recipe for "Progress". There will always be 'conservatives' and 'liberals'...and multiple shades of each...it's who we are. Yet serious issues, like Health Care, Immigration, Violent Crime, etc. are stuck on "GO". How about we experiment with a topic or two...again with the goal of finding a 'workable solution' that we'd feel good enough about to send in an email to our representatives.
high jacked by nutties, left and right. There are reasonable solutions for many of our problem areas, but no one wants to be reasonable. They want their way or the highway, MAGA and progressive. I hope Joe does reach out and there can be some partnership to solve some of this such as health care and immigration. I‘ll believe it when I see it.
I agree with what you say( will never admit it) lol
become "wedges" due to the absence of an open forum where facts are the 'coin of the realm'. The more we pursue - and demand - progress through common ground, the less influence those corrosive those "power seeking only" elements will have...now if Sancho can find my horse, I'll feel a lot better.
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when things like extorting a foreign government to invent malfeasance of your political opponent isn’t a criminal act for some.
Or just the simple abuse of power is a wrong in this country.
But you keep your talking points parrot and support the Trump mob and blame the “Libs”.
I'm not one to say if you made a great living for yourself you are mandated to share the wealth. However as good as the US is there is still too much of an income gap. People bitch and moan about the $15 minimum wage but adults primary work minimum wage jobs.
The best way to get people a chance to have successful futures is invest in education. That starts with more access to college/universities and trade schools. But the selfish on the right say "I'm not paying for that in my taxes. When we realize that the more educated, the more successful we all are the better this country can be.
most things, money is the "life blood" that enables health and growth. Wealthy districts have schools with outstanding test scores, while the less affluent don't, so one could be tempted to simply "throw" money at the problem. Certainly, some increase would be warranted, but how about seed money for states to expand on what ND already does...i.e. having college students (and perhaps retirees) tutor the kids in poorer districts as a starter. There would be added benefits of 'connectedness' and respect within the community as well.
At a scale that would be meaningful, and measurable some would argue for government involvement...others would leave it to charitable organizations. What say you...and others?
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dye running down his face.
couldn't fill a grade school classroom. His Thanksgiving message drew a massive 1K. But carry on.
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his appearances were attended by about a dozen people, at best. The media treated him like the senile old fool that he is and never asked him hard questions to protect him. His constant flip flopping on issues of importance. And that is just to name a few.
For some reason, you libs seem to care what others think of the US. I could care less. I would rather have them laugh and be energy independent and have low unemployment rates across all people. But I'm sure we will go back to being afraid of everyone and Joe will rush to expand our troops overseas. Remember, we need to get rid of the America First mentality. We should be ashamed of thinking of our own citizens first.
But it seems you fall into the TDS category. I hope Joe gives you everything he promised and it hurts like hell.
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People have had enough of the last 4 years of BS, while the rest of the world laughed at what is supposed to be the greatest country in the world.
Did you ever wonder why so many high ranking officials under this administration were fired or quit?
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It’s not hard to figure out.
Why would anyone vote for a guy that has no plan/agenda other than bashing his opponent?
All I hear from Trumpers in PA is “he’s awesome, he speaks his mind, etc.”. Wow, that says a lot about the morons that voted for this sack of crap.
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combo of the two, that’s who they voted for.
Let's keep the "dialogue" moving ahead...pick an issue and let's find some 'common ground'.
I, myself, have been called racist, stupid, hillbilly and a few other choice names by some board "experts". Now these same people want peace and unity. It doesn't work like that. I'm an "eye for an eye" type of person. You seem like a decent guy but we are well past peace and unity.
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have on them...just like the rest of us. With an eye toward making a positive difference in everyone's well-being, how about we expend some energy reaching a consensus that we'd be willing to pass along to our representatives in Congress.
I've seen this process work...in our parish, my wife and I have been part of a lay organization comprised of conservatives and liberals, but we came together on a common need (Community Center)...together, we led a charge that achieved broad acceptance and ultimately realization...much to the pleasure of all. It's remarkable what can be done when you find "common ground".
any desire to hear what the unwashed masses have to say, you are sadly mistaken. The elitists on both sides want their power, and the rest are just along for the ride. BLM has divided this country beyond repair
recalls the one game that Coley O'Brien started...51-0 over USC!! (tears welling up ;-)).
As to your reply...I get it...as the saying goes "was born at night...but it wasn't last night". Yes, strong forces pull and push Pols, but ultimately "Votes" are what count, so if enough voters rally around a common desire for change...they'll get it. Reasoned debate/dialogue is what we want from our representatives, I trust...so why not practice it here. By no means can we expect every issue to reach consensus, but there are a lot that need to be dealt with, so let's find a few.
Again, 4 years of garbage doesn't just go away because Biden may have won. As Conor said " there may be blood in the streets". Does that sound like common ground? It's the typical do what we say or else mentality the Left has taken up.
for a "Town Hall" meeting regarding your most important topic(s)? What do you want 'progress' on...Now.
Dealings with his son and Burisma. You know all the stuff the media should have asked him over this year instead of the softball questions he was given. Again, thinking the people would be able to ask him tough questions is a pipe dream. Everything he did in the build eye was scripted to protect him. I would expect his press conferences to be soft and no one will push him. If they do, they will not be allowed to ask anymore questions.
how he'll work with the GOP leadership...by the same token, it is incumbent upon McConnell, Pelosi, et al, to be as transparent as possible in letting the public know what the legislative proposals include...what the 'sticking points' are, and what the options are that they would accept.
One of the key topics is immigration...like most things, the answer is not "Zero", so how do we arrive at legislation that addresses 'How Many?'...'What Kind?'...'From Where?'...and what about those 'Already Here'?...plus several other ancillary issues (e.g. how much of our budget?)...we need a good checklist to work from.
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he is under the Liberal protection program on the board.
in the nation stuffed the ballot box at 4 AM...70% of Republicans, 30% of the DEMS; dont believe this election..Anyone who believes that 80 mil nonsense, I have some Jersey swampland they may be interested in...The guy can barely stay awake, and EXCITES NO ONE...
And to think how many other states had millions of votes cast illegally for HRC that weren't ever talked about.
You and Tampa deserve each other.
PS: love the Trumpian talking points. Not a Cult!
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votes than Osama the God. Legal votes that is.
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and you calling people on the Forum idjit's because you're not all that bright? Would that unify us?
Tell me how that works in your mind.
it back to you. I would call you others but I can't. But just know I wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire.
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living in the street again?