New Hampshire Primaries 2016

[Argus]

You suggested gay rights/immigrants weren't a political issue back then.......Reagan never supported gay marriage, unlike Bloomberg today, yet that doesn't mean Republicans then, like now, are "anti-gay" or "anti-migrant", and their positions are far more nuanced then you suggest.

Is their 'nuanced' position "I hate faggots and furiners!"?

All Democrat "hot button issues" are social issues.......issues, like Republican issues, that are important to differing voters.

I disagree. Clearly they're pro-choice, but that doesn't rouse the rabble the way being pro-life does for the Republicans. It's not red meat. Nor is gun control. I think economic issues trump the rest for most democrats.

[Derek 2.0]

Is their 'nuanced' position "I hate faggots and furiners!"?

I wouldn't know, but then, I don't paint large swaths of people with a wide brush.

I disagree. Clearly they're pro-choice, but that doesn't rouse the rabble the way being pro-life does for the Republicans. It's not red meat. Nor is gun control. I think economic issues trump the rest for most democrats.

You don't think the Democrats have their own rabble, from the neo-socialists, Occupy types, rabid feminists, "social justice warriors" and "Black Lives Maters" and other race baiters?

[Bonam]

You don't think the Democrats have their own rabble, from the neo-socialists, Occupy types, rabid feminists, "social justice warriors" and "Black Lives Maters" and other race baiters?

Yeah, unfortunately, the social justice types form a big chunk of the Democrat base, as much as the tea party types are a big part of the Republican base. Both parties seem to be getting hijacked by the extremist elements, and there is a growing chasm in the center. It wasn't long ago that both parties fought over the center ground, today it's a no man's land.

[Derek 2.0]

Yeah, unfortunately, the social justice types form a big chunk of the Democrat base, as much as the tea party types are a big part of the Republican base. Both parties seem to be getting hijacked by the extremist elements, and there is a growing chasm in the center. It wasn't long ago that both parties fought over the center ground, today it's a no man's land.

Without a doubt.......As far as I can remember, the differing sides always had extreme elements, the difference today, in my opinion, is that they have become more pronounced with the Internet, in turn gaining more attention (by the media) and feed on the cyclic pattern that is politics.

[bush_cheney2004]

Nothing has changed in that regard, with special interest and extremist groups just doing what they always have done, going back to at least the Civil War. Example: there was a "police riot" at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago....no internet required.

[August1991]

You mean a world with only one government to keep an eye on instead of 200?

Sounds pretty good to me.

Eyeball, like Sanders, are you a "democratic" socialist? Do you favour deciding collective questions by majority vote?

Note: There are about 300 million Americans and some 6 billion people on this planet. Democracy? Majority? One person, one vote? Sorry, I disagree.

Majority vote is not civilized. And I favour a civilized society.

Edited February 15, 2016 by August1991

[August1991]

Cruz is reported to have raised about $50 million through December 2015, enough to last if spent prudently.

I have a suspicion that, this time, ability to raise money will not decide the winner. Edited February 15, 2016 by August1991

[eyeball]

Eyeball, like Sanders, are you a "democratic" socialist? Do you favour deciding collective questions by majority vote?

Certainly for somethings, like sending troops abroad - of course then I'd want to see a super-majority. I'd also like to see a more technocratic approach to many things politicians are completely unsuited for. I definitely wouldn't want to see collective decisions by majority vote that restrict or prevent minority rights.

Note: There are about 300 million Americans and some 6 billion people on this planet. Democracy? Majority? One person, one vote? Sorry, I disagree.

Majority vote is not civilized. And I favour a civilized society.

It certainly isn't in some cases and it's complete absence in others is just as dangerously uncivilized.

In any case it was your mention of no borders and one world in your OP that prompted my comment. We live in a one world economy so a one world government seems like a natural progression but imagining that means reducing everything to coke or that we'll all start wearing grey suits or paint everything grey and drink nothing but coke seems a little bleak.

Edited February 15, 2016 by eyeball

[Topaz]

Jeb Bush is bring his bro. GW to South Carolina tonight and if Trump does show up this could be very entertaining to watch! http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/jeb-bush-will-campaign-with-his-brother-in-south-carolina/

[Big Guy]

I do not know how those Democrats in New Hampshire could vote for Bernie.

Here in Canada, through experience with the effects of aging, force Senators to retire at the age of 75. These Democrats feel that Bernie could begin his role as President at the same age that we force politicians to retire.

Bernie better indicate his running mate ASAP.

[bush_cheney2004]

I do not know how those Democrats in New Hampshire could vote for Bernie.

Here in Canada, through experience with the effects of aging, force Senators to retire at the age of 75.

Good thing the Americans don't pay any attention to what they do in Canada, while some Canadians pay lots of attention to American candidates, young or old.

I wonder if Canada has AARP....

[Argus]

Good thing the Americans don't pay any attention to what they do in Canada, while some Canadians pay lots of attention to American candidates, young or old.

Americans wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a politician who is suffering dementia due to age, or membership in the Tea Party.

[bush_cheney2004]

Americans wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a politician who is suffering dementia due to age, or membership in the Tea Party.

That's OK...it give the Canadians something to do while watching so much American television.

They even want to vote in American elections.

Edited February 15, 2016 by bush_cheney2004

[GostHacked]

Good thing the Americans don't pay any attention to what they do in Canada, while some Canadians pay lots of attention to American candidates, young or old.

I wonder if Canada has AARP....

We know one American who seems downright obsessed with anything Canada even if it is off topic.