Kalm's Election Re-Cap

[kalm]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

[Rob Iola]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

Wordy.

The election was about Obama.

[kalm]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

Wordy.

The election was about Obama.

I'll keep it shorter for you next time, sweetheart.

[CitadelGrad]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

That's some real fucking profundity. You should write for Yahoo.

[OL FU]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

1) Only if they want to lose. The country, as a whole, is not nearly as progressive or conservative as the political parties would like them to be.
2) What's new
3) Gridlock is good.
4) Still voting republican unfortunately.
5) Raising the minimum wage by minimal amounts is pretty low on most people's agenda. Don't think I would hold up a progressive victory flag. Also, good, the issue should be with the states.
6) Great news that libertarian values are beginning to grow.
7) See 2 above.

[kalm]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

That's some real fucking profundity. You should write for Yahoo.

Thanks!

[AZGrizFan]

Wordy.

The election was about Obama.

I'll keep it shorter for you next time, sweetheart.

You've been reading too much JSO.

[Rob Iola]

Wordy.

The election was about Obama.

I'll keep it shorter for you next time, sweetheart.

Policy referendums (minimum wage, weed, personhood) reflected the country's democratic lean.
Actual elections rejected Obama's policies/personality - look no further than a republican beating Mini-Me for Maryland governor.

[Pwns]

Money always wins…unless it's teacher's union money or money from the various unions and drug companies that oppose marijuana legalization.

[Ivytalk]

1) Democrats don't seem to have much success running as moderate republicans. Will these results bring a more progressive group of candidates to the table in 2016?

2) Attack ads are way more meaningful than policy discussions. Not that anyone really believes or cares in what's promised anyway.

3) Odds that this congress brings meaningful change to our lives? 0% and that might be a good thing.

4) Where is the Tea Party?

5) Red states Alaska, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Nebraska all voted minimum wage increases. I'm neutral on the minimum wage and it affects my business a ton. Just pointing this out that while voting for the center right and further right parties because they have no other choices, Americans continue to be progressive on the issues.

6) Despite the revolution, weed is legalized in Alaska, Oregon, and D.C. See point #5.

7) Once again, money wins. And dark money appears to be really popular.

8) Environmental and labor regulations will be lifted on the private golf industry, lifting profits to new highs.

[CAA Flagship]

There are tax adjustments that could be made for low income workers before raising the minimum wage. Raising the minimum wage alone just hurts certain businesses, and their customers. It does nothing for the person already making $11/hour but only working 25 hours a week.

And yes, the states should be able to adjust their minimum wage above the national minimum. The funny thing is that those 4 states are at the bottom of the list that need to be adjusted higher due to cost of living.

[Ibanez]

Money always wins…unless it's teacher's union money or money from the various unions and drug companies that oppose marijuana legalization.

Or Monsanto.

[kalm]

I'll keep it shorter for you next time, sweetheart.

Policy referendums (minimum wage, weed, personhood) reflected the country's democratic lean.
Actual elections rejected Obama's policies/personality - look no further than a republican beating Mini-Me for Maryland governor.

But consider that candidates like Grimes and Nunn ran away from Obama. Which Obama policies sunk those who ran on his record? Obamacare is gaining popularity, the economy and unemployment are doing better, there haven't been any catastrophic terrorist attacks. Perhaps the economy isn't lifting up the average voter enough, which should be core democratic strength.

I'm not discounting what you're saying, just curious, and I especially agree with the personality angle. It turns out the R base and keeps the D's at home.

[Rob Iola]

Policy referendums (minimum wage, weed, personhood) reflected the country's democratic lean.
Actual elections rejected Obama's policies/personality - look no further than a republican beating Mini-Me for Maryland governor.

But consider that candidates like Grimes and Nunn ran away from Obama. Which Obama policies sunk those who ran on his record? Obamacare is gaining popularity, the economy and unemployment are doing better, there haven't been any catastrophic terrorist attacks. Perhaps the economy isn't lifting up the average voter enough, which should be core democratic strength.

I'm not discounting what you're saying, just curious, and I especially agree with the personality angle. It turns out the R base and keeps the D's at home.

That's the really crazy part - the economy is doing better - and yet the Dems didn't just lose but got absolutely crushed because R's linked them to Obama (all McConnell ran on was linking Grimes to O - the whole bit about her refusing to say she voted for him, even when she was a delegate for him in '12).

[Skjellyfetti]

all McConnell ran on

Well, he's also been a Senator for Kentucky longer than I've been alive. He did have that going for him.

30 fucking years in the Senate come January.

[Bronco]

Forgot to mention the Hillary effect on the election
Did anyone she campaigned for actually win?

[ASUG8]

That's the really crazy part - the economy is doing better - and yet the Dems didn't just lose but got absolutely crushed because R's linked them to Obama (all McConnell ran on was linking Grimes to O - the whole bit about her refusing to say she voted for him, even when she was a delegate for him in '12).

That's how Tillis ousted Hagan in NC. She tried blasting him for his record on teacher/education funding and presenting herself as the "most moderate" senator in DC. All he had to do was present her voting record and its correlation to the prez in order to win.

[CAA Flagship]

That's the really crazy part - the economy is doing better - and yet the Dems didn't just lose but got absolutely crushed because R's linked them to Obama (all McConnell ran on was linking Grimes to O - the whole bit about her refusing to say she voted for him, even when she was a delegate for him in '12).

Statistics say that the economy is doing better, but history says that it's recovery is way too slow. That is the problem.

[CAA Flagship]

Forgot to mention the Hillary effect on the election
Did anyone she campaigned for actually win?

Yes. New Hampshire.

[CAA Flagship]

Policy referendums (minimum wage, weed, personhood) reflected the country's democratic lean.
Actual elections rejected Obama's policies/personality - look no further than a republican beating Mini-Me for Maryland governor.

But consider that candidates like Grimes and Nunn ran away from Obama. Which Obama policies sunk those who ran on his record? Obamacare is gaining popularity, the economy and unemployment are doing better, there haven't been any catastrophic terrorist attacks. Perhaps the economy isn't lifting up the average voter enough, which should be core democratic strength.

I'm not discounting what you're saying, just curious, and I especially agree with the personality angle. It turns out the R base and keeps the D's at home.

http://www.cnn.com/election/2014/result ... exit-polls" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Take a look at the link and you will get an idea of how people voted.

[kalm]

There are tax adjustments that could be made for low income workers before raising the minimum wage. Raising the minimum wage alone just hurts certain businesses, and their customers. It does nothing for the person already making $11/hour but only working 25 hours a week.

And yes, the states should be able to adjust their minimum wage above the national minimum. The funny thing is that those 4 states are at the bottom of the list that need to be adjusted higher due to cost of living.

Like I said, I'm neutral on the min. wage. My point is that an increase was extremely popular in red states, so much so that the republican senatorial candidates in Alaska and Arkansas both came out in favor of it .

[GannonFan]

There are tax adjustments that could be made for low income workers before raising the minimum wage. Raising the minimum wage alone just hurts certain businesses, and their customers. It does nothing for the person already making $11/hour but only working 25 hours a week.

And yes, the states should be able to adjust their minimum wage above the national minimum. The funny thing is that those 4 states are at the bottom of the list that need to be adjusted higher due to cost of living.

Like I said, I'm neutral on the min. wage. My point is that an increase was extremely popular in red states, so much so that the republican senatorial candidates in Alaska and Arkansas both came out in favor of it .

Minimum wage is just a feel good issue. In the longterm, any increases in minimum wage are erased by inflationary pressures. There may be some short term impacts, megative and positive, but really, raising the minimum wage does absolutely nothing long term when it comes to improving the standard of living of those for whom raising the minimum wage was intended. More people should be for it because it looks like you're doing something without really having to solve an issue. It's perfect for politics.

[Cap'n Cat]

But consider that candidates like Grimes and Nunn ran away from Obama. Which Obama policies sunk those who ran on his record? Obamacare is gaining popularity, the economy and unemployment are doing better, there haven't been any catastrophic terrorist attacks. Perhaps the economy isn't lifting up the average voter enough, which should be core democratic strength.

I'm not discounting what you're saying, just curious, and I especially agree with the personality angle. It turns out the R base and keeps the D's at home.

That's the really crazy part - the economy is doing better - and yet the Dems didn't just lose but got absolutely crushed because R's linked them to Obama (all McConnell ran on was linking Grimes to O - the whole bit about her refusing to say she voted for him, even when she was a delegate for him in '12).

Agreed, except for the fact that the Dems didn't get "crushed". Balance simply shifted, as it has done countless times. Seems like "crushed" because of how our sensationalist media characterizes things these days.

My disappointment? Neither Obama nor Dems touted the great things they did. The administration has been scandal-free (especially when held to the light of something like Reagan's), the economy improved immensely and their are no major world conflagrations in which we are entangled. Why the Dems abandoned Obama and let the Conks link them to any semblance of "malaise" or trouble is nothing more than extreme cowardice. The nation IS much better off than it was 6 hers ago.
They have no sense of party and, instead, after years of heinous, unabashed obstruction, allowed the Conks to lead them around by their noses. Shame. My party is the party of pussies.



Edit: re: dark money, the Dems out raised and outspent the Conks in Minnesota and put their people back in office with the exception of one guy who probably had to go, anyway. None of them abandoned Obama or party principle.

[kalm]

Like I said, I'm neutral on the min. wage. My point is that an increase was extremely popular in red states, so much so that the republican senatorial candidates in Alaska and Arkansas both came out in favor of it .

Minimum wage is just a feel good issue. In the longterm, any increases in minimum wage are erased by inflationary pressures. There may be some short term impacts, megative and positive, but really, raising the minimum wage does absolutely nothing long term when it comes to improving the standard of living of those for whom raising the minimum wage was intended. More people should be for it because it looks like you're doing something without really having to solve an issue. It's perfect for politics.

Like I said, I'm neutral on the min. wage. My point is that an increase was extremely popular in red states, so much so that the republican senatorial candidates in Alaska and Arkansas both came out in favor of it .

[kalm]

That's the really crazy part - the economy is doing better - and yet the Dems didn't just lose but got absolutely crushed because R's linked them to Obama (all McConnell ran on was linking Grimes to O - the whole bit about her refusing to say she voted for him, even when she was a delegate for him in '12).

Agreed, except for the fact that the Dems didn't get "crushed". Balance simply shifted, as it has done countless times. Seems like "crushed" because of how our sensationalist media characterizes things these days.

My disappointment? Neither Obama nor Dems touted the great things they did. The administration has been scandal-free (especially when held to the light of something like Reagan's), the economy improved immensely and their are no major world conflagrations in which we are entangled. Why the Dems abandoned Obama and let the Conks link them to any semblance of "malaise" or trouble is nothing more than extreme cowardice. The nation IS much better off than it was 6 hers ago.
They have no sense of party and, instead, after years of heinous, unabashed obstruction, allowed the Conks to lead them around by their noses. Shame. My party is the party of pussies.



Edit: re: dark money, the Dems out raised and outspent the Conks in Minnesota and put their people back in office with the exception of one guy who probably had to go, anyway. None of them abandoned Obama or party principle.

Yep. When they run as liberals, they do better. When they run as moderate conks, they lose.