How do you feel about the way politics is discussed today?.. I don't think we're going to be able to find solutions to our problems if all we do is "sling mud" and point fingers at each other. (And "trash" the other "side.")

IMO, if ya' don't shine the light on the lies, they will just keep on a'lyin'.

I uh, uh, learned my discussion, well, uh, just to be clear, uh, now don't interrupt me, uh, uh technique from uh, Hussein.

I'll play.

I trash all sides with bad policies, poor representation, a lack of ethics or morals, actions against freedom or our republic, blatant disregard for the human element in an equation.

Over 40% are now claiming "independent" or non-affiliated, Dems and Reps are deserting ship due to the totalitarian policies being adopted within the 2 parties, the exclusions, conscience or whatever.

I believe this will be the last election under the 2 party dominance. People are mad, disappointed, disenfranchised, lost their faith or just know that nothing will ever change in this scenario.

Problem is, we will probably suffer so badly the next 4 years because they will hold their noses and vote yet again for a failed system and one of the choices chosen for us to pick from, toeing the party line to our economic destruction.

Wut he said!

I think the labels , however well intentioned, are divisive in the end. I think the discussion ends up focusing around the 'party' instead of around the solutions (Which shouldnt be labeled by party at all)

there is no real motivation for a government of 100s to work together and get things DONE

it is just a constant battle of us vs them in the congress and it harms our progress as a nation

I also think the advertising element of politics ruins us and prohibits progress,, I tire of hearing the talking points and 'slants' on ideas that are proposed

I want adults who will sit down TOGETHER as one government as opposed to 2, 3, 4 or however many parties. I Want them to be able to put ideas on the table in sincerity and then respectfually and logically figure out the options for implementing them

a successful idea should be an AMERICAN victory, not a democratic or republican one or a presidential one

an unsuccesful idea should be an AMERICAN failure, not a presidential or republican or democratic one

imagine if a mother and father constantly pointed out what the other did wrong to their children when things didnt work out,, how well would that home work?

about as well as our current political circus does,,,,

A system that works doesn't sell airtime on MSM.

Look at the onslaught of commercials monoplizing all forms of entertainment. If you want to enjoy anything you are subjected to a constant bombardment of easy credit, this bank or that bank, refinance, insurance, this drug or that drug, feel better, the benefits of 5 hour energy, this political hopeful or that one.

If not that, it's propaganda telling us who did what and how we are supposed to support our gov't (of course they use the guise of supporting our troops, while at the same time the DHS puts returning vets on the terrorist watch list!), pay our taxes so we can build a strong military to defend ourselves from the BS they create!

Then of course there is reality TV...stupid people doing stupid things to make you feel better about yourself!

It's insanity! Madness!

There is no peace any more! No enjoyment! No freedom! No hope!

How's that working for us so far?

Great posts. Thanks...I only have a few minutes to post now but I'll come back and add more later...I think the politicians and the "powers that be" are thrilled beyond description when the public slips into apathy and despair and hopelessness and negativity etc..They love it when we're two "sides" split right down the middle throwing "stones" at each other too!..They can keep doing whatever they want as long as we stay "divided." (And hopeless and doubtful etc.)..I'm a big believer in the "Hundreth Monkey Syndrome" and we're not there yet...Sometimes we have to go through hard and painful experiences (and lessons) in order to "wake-up" and look at the world differently. I've sure had my share of hardships and "wake-up calls" over the past few years. ..Some people won't step-out of their "comfort zone" unless the ground caves-in beneath their feet...Once we have more "awake people" in our country the politicians won't be able to get away with "baloney" and rhetoric and worn-out "lines" anymore.

IM MSHARMONY AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.........

I almost thought you was gonna' call Barry the hundreth monkey.

Man, that would have been disastrous.

Long as, people keep supporting what MSM sells them, things will remain the same.

Example.
Labor stats show a sharp, steadily falling, employment rate since 2009.

Barry's people claim unemployment's lower.

There are far less people working since 2009 and a lower rate of people being employed?

Don't take no genius to see the unemployment numbers are being fudged.

Start of 2009 the number was near 13%. Near the end of 2009 it was about 17%. Now, it is near 15%

The U6 unemployment rate counts not only people without work seeking full-time employment (the more familiar U-3 rate), but also counts "marginally attached workers and those working part-time for economic reasons." Note that some of these part-time workers counted as employed by U-3 could be working as little as an hour a week. And the "marginally attached workers" include those who have gotten discouraged and stopped looking, but still want to work. The age considered for this calculation is 16 years and over


Now, take into account the ones no longer looking or who have been dropped from unemployment checks and the real rate IMO, is nearer 25%+.

If, you do like a candidate would do, just show the U3 rate.

Lie, cheat and steal.
That's all they good for.

we dont compare apples and oranges

no doubt the 'U6' figures when compared would show the same type of change

but using 'U6' suddenly when in the past the U3 rate has been the gauge is fuzzy math,,,,unless we go back and also find out the past 'U6' digits and compare those

in any case, I dont know what source your information is from or if you are just assuming as far as the number of employed,,,etc,,,

so thats not a truly debatable topic until those figures and sources are presented,,,,

Do like I did.
Look 'em up.
I ain't runnin' fer no office so, I don't need to lie.

according to bls.gov the number of employed in jan 2009 was 142 million (roughly)

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_02062009.pdf



the number employed in September 2012 is roughly 143 million

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_02062009.pdf



a good forty percent of americans are under 18 or over 65 (that you will have to look up yourself)

leaving 60 percent employable , or 180 million

IF we assumed all of those individuals were able bodied enough for or interested in civilian employment (which is obviously not true)

even that strict standard would mean there was 78 percent employment in 2009 142/180

and 79 percent employment in 2012


or conversely

22 percent unemployed in 2009
and 21 percent unemployed in 2012


...there is no lie involved in arithmetic, its easy enough to check

And how many underemployed? Holding 2 or 3 of those positions to make ends meet? The numbers are always fudged....they are politicians and gov't bean counters!

there is no 'fudging' that is significant as long as the standard used is consistent

we dont have a measure of jobs per person, just number of persons with jobs,,,,

I know probably a dozen people who are working 2 or more jobs now and still not making what they were at one job before (after taxes), and there are 300 million others like me in the US.

So what does that do for those numbers they brag about when the jobs are not near the quality or quantity of the previous jobs available?

Trashing the other side?

Such as implying that the Republican Party is a racist party? (which it isn't)

Such as implying that the Democratic Party is a godless party? (which it isn't)

Exactly...The constant "tit for tat" and name-calling and finger-pointing reminds me of kids "going at" each other in the schoolyard...YUK!!

Thanks!...Some people want to "do battle!" And play "tit for tat!" Or: "I'm smart and you're stupid!" It's sad! Don't you think?...I'll write more tomorrow. Thanks again.

the republican party isnt racist, but racists are probably more likely to be attracted to the republican platform

and democrats are not godless (being democrat myself) , but Godless people are more likely to be attraced to the democratic platform

I'm sure a lot of people just follow in their parent's footsteps when it comes to their politics and party affliation. (This is often the case with religion too.)...But some "switch-over" later in life for various reasons...When I was growing-up the Republican party wasn't affliated with Evangelicals. Religion didn't play a role in the party platform...I've seen some aspects of the old "battle of the sexes" play out in party affliation...Democrats have represented "nurturing" and caring about the welfare of the "whole." (Feminine and "mothering" qualities.)...Where Republicans often take a "go it alone" or "you're on your own" type of stance...Of course they have to cater to the "Religious Right" (today) and show how much they supposedly care about "traditional family values." This is where things can get a bit muddled and "murky."..The platform works when it comes to certain issues like banning abortion and same-sex marriage and ensuring "religious freedoms" etc. (Prayers in school etc.)...But families have other needs too. (Like earning a decent salary to provide for their children. Or having the "means" to be able to send their kids to college etc.)...People who simply focus on keeping their taxes low don't always stop and consider other factors. What will the quality of life be like for their children in the future if we have wide gaps between the "haves" and the "have nots" in society?...The crime rate has gone-up in my area over the past couple of years due to lack of jobs...Gated communities don't protect residents when they leave their premises and step-out into the "public at large."...Basically we're all "tied together" in some ways whether we like it or not!