2kool4skool;1237235 wrote:No normal person would want to hold public office. It's about the desire for power and validation for 99% of them.

Probably an exaggeration. I think more would serve, out of genuine sincerity, if not for the anal probe from the media. But might be hard to imagine a POTUS not motivated by power & validation because I think you'd get more done as a life-long Senator or Representative. These two clowns barely made a token effort to get experience or build a track record.

gut;1237259 wrote:I think you'd get more done as a life-long Senator or Representative

You'd get even more done by building your wealth and starting charitable organizations on issues you're passionate about. When it's all said and done, Bill Gates will have brought about more positive change in the world than Obama and Romney could combine for in 100 Presidential terms.

2kool4skool;1237263 wrote:You'd get even more done by building your wealth and starting charitable organizations on issues you're passionate about. When it's all said and done, Bill Gates will have brought about more positive change in the world than Obama and Romney could combine for in 100 Presidential terms.

That's probably true but I don't really think your average tea partier who decides to run for congress gets in because he wants self-aggrandizement...I think for the most part they're sincere in wanting to help make the country a better place...even if it's a naive belief.

2kool4skool;1237263 wrote:You'd get even more done by building your wealth and starting charitable organizations on issues you're passionate about. When it's all said and done, Bill Gates will have brought about more positive change in the world than Obama and Romney could combine for in 100 Presidential terms.

Probably true. Depends on your expertise and passion, though. You can't be hugely successful without being hugely passionate, generally. And that's likely a big part of the problem in Washington - most are there for ego and power as opposed to being genuinely passionate about improving things.

BoatShoes;1237276 wrote:That's probably true but I don't really think your average tea partier who decides to run for congress gets in because he wants self-aggrandizement...I think for the most part they're sincere in wanting to help make the country a better place...even if it's a naive belief.

Your beloved professional pols, lifetime congresspeople, grand compromisers and RINO's have led us to:
A $16,000,000,000,000 national debt.
$1,250,000,000,000 annual deficits as far as anyone cares to predict.
Being the world's policeman free of charge.
A tax code that not one living person can understand.
Crony capitalism that rises to treasonous behavior IMO.
Millionaire congresspeople (how do they get to be multi-millionaires on their salary???).
Enough porkulus to fund hundreds if not thousands of unsustainable businesses.

You call the tea party naive, and yet your team of elitist leaders have brought this country to almost certain default. How in the hell could any tea party person do any WORSE???

Zombaypirate;1237246 wrote:False dichotomy. Many are already billionaires now they get power for all other billionaires to keep it. It is called a plutocracy.

I think you're not quite picking up what a false dichotomy is.

A false dichotomy states, "Either A or B," when the potential exists for C, D, E, etc.

I merely posed an if-then hypothetical, never once asserting it to actually be true. To pose a hypothetical choice without asserting it to be a factual choice not only isn't a false dichotomy; it cannot be.

Why would any sane person run for Congress, Governor or the Presidency? It must have something to do with a chance to hold office and then walk away with a small fortune.


Millions upon millions are spent trying to get elected to these offices, which don't exactly have huge salaries. However, when a career politician leaves office he/she is awash with money and never have to work hard the rest of their lives.

Corruption must be a powerful drug...

Back to the original post, I'd guess if Obama wins, the GOP probably would learn the same message that the Dems learned in 2004 -- when going against a president with sub-par approval ratings, but who is charismatic; don't bring out a wooden New Englander as opposition.

stlouiedipalma;1238329 wrote: However, when a career politician leaves office he/she is awash with money and never have to work hard the rest of their lives.

Romney was pretty much already at this point when he left, and he would have been even more so had he stuck with Bain instead.

Heretic;1238466 wrote:Back to the original post, I'd guess if Obama wins, the GOP probably would learn the same message that the Dems learned in 2004 -- when going against a president with sub-par approval ratings, but who is charismatic; don't bring out a wooden New Englander as opposition.

It's not like they didn't try to get other candidates to run. Somewhat interesting take in the WSJ today about how maybe Romney WAS a good choice - a fairly benign/indifferent appeal and just not make waves while Obama steps all over his own dick flailing to distract from his record.

stlouiedipalma;1238329 wrote:Why would any sane person run for Congress, Governor or the Presidency? It must have something to do with a chance to hold office and then walk away with a small fortune.


Millions upon millions are spent trying to get elected to these offices, which don't exactly have huge salaries. However, when a career politician leaves office he/she is awash with money and never have to work hard the rest of their lives.

Corruption must be a powerful drug...

Well it can't be Romney's reasoning then. He's already an eeeeevil rich white male so his motivations might be that he actually wants to be POTUS.

Given that the USA is not a direct democracy, but it gives the supreme power to elected representatives, its a form of democracy.....The point being that is in the best interest of elected officials to enact policied that please the majority of their consituants in order to ensure their own re-election - this is the problem, its just not about what the people need or want anymore. I am not a smart guy or do I have the evident level of linguistic abilities as many of you on this site but I can tell you this, I don't feel like either one of these guys gives two stones about my problems. And I would have not problem if we all HURT EQUALLY to help this great country of ours. As far as throwing your hat in the political arena, I think most people get in politics for the right reasons, to make a change or make things better. Lets say you run for mayor, the dollars you need to run come from an owner of a car dealership, you win!!! Then he wants to make some additions to the building but the permits are being difficult??? You see my point, these days its the money that currupts everything! If ANYONE could really run or have a shot it would be different but to get to sit in the room and be considered for office you will have to compromise yourself at some point. At least that is the way it seems to look to a simple guy like me. I am not totally negative, I do believe that for every scoundrel there is a hero...That for every crooked politician there is a great and dedicated leader and for every enemy there is a friend. Unfortunately men and or women with those traits are probably not going to have the ability to run for office! LOL! This country is great and could be great again but we seem to squander away our chances to change because we are too interested in LCD TV's, smart phones and cruize control to REALLY pay attention. To me it is crazy that in this great country it can make more sense to stay on unemployment and govt money then to go out and work! It is INSANE to me that qualified individuals can't find a job! In the same breath its nuts to consider some of these large companies "accounting" their way out of paying their fair share! I know that I am not that smart but I really think I am smarter than most of the people I see at the mall or at Wal Mart (I base this on the conversations I hear) and this scares the hell out of me! One thing I have learned in business is that EVERY market has a maturing point and perhaps we have met ours? I do enjoy reading all the points of view and in a short amount of time some of you have moved me to look into some "other" points of view, so Thanks, my god this post is long, thank god I can type fast!!! LOL!

Moot point; obama will be waxed in a landslide.

Next.....

QuakerOats;1241191 wrote:Moot point; obama will be waxed in a landslide.

Next.....

I'm betting the Kerry/Lieberman camp thought the same thing in '04. Don't underestimate the young vote and the anti-war independents.

sanitizer;1241137 wrote:Given that the USA is not a direct democracy, but it gives the supreme power to elected representatives, its a form of democracy.....The point being that is in the best interest of elected officials to enact policied that please the majority of their consituants in order to ensure their own re-election - this is the problem, its just not about what the people need or want anymore. I am not a smart guy or do I have the evident level of linguistic abilities as many of you on this site but I can tell you this, I don't feel like either one of these guys gives two stones about my problems. And I would have not problem if we all HURT EQUALLY to help this great country of ours. As far as throwing your hat in the political arena, I think most people get in politics for the right reasons, to make a change or make things better. Lets say you run for mayor, the dollars you need to run come from an owner of a car dealership, you win!!! Then he wants to make some additions to the building but the permits are being difficult??? You see my point, these days its the money that currupts everything! If ANYONE could really run or have a shot it would be different but to get to sit in the room and be considered for office you will have to compromise yourself at some point. At least that is the way it seems to look to a simple guy like me. I am not totally negative, I do believe that for every scoundrel there is a hero...That for every crooked politician there is a great and dedicated leader and for every enemy there is a friend. Unfortunately men and or women with those traits are probably not going to have the ability to run for office! LOL! This country is great and could be great again but we seem to squander away our chances to change because we are too interested in LCD TV's, smart phones and cruize control to REALLY pay attention. To me it is crazy that in this great country it can make more sense to stay on unemployment and govt money then to go out and work! It is INSANE to me that qualified individuals can't find a job! In the same breath its nuts to consider some of these large companies "accounting" their way out of paying their fair share! I know that I am not that smart but I really think I am smarter than most of the people I see at the mall or at Wal Mart (I base this on the conversations I hear) and this scares the hell out of me! One thing I have learned in business is that EVERY market has a maturing point and perhaps we have met ours? I do enjoy reading all the points of view and in a short amount of time some of you have moved me to look into some "other" points of view, so Thanks, my god this post is long, thank god I can type fast!!! LOL!

Reps dude...spoken from the heart!

QuakerOats;1241191 wrote:Moot point; obama will be waxed in a landslide.

Next.....

I have yet to see anything that leads me to believe either side wins in a landslide.

ptown_trojans_1;1241252 wrote:I have yet to see anything that leads me to believe either side wins in a landslide.

This. At this point I'm still thinking neither side breaks 285.

O-Trap;1241198 wrote:the anti-war independents.

Will they vote for or against Obama?

FatHobbit;1241601 wrote:Will they vote for or against Obama?

Not that they should, given his track record, but they'll vote for Obama because the Democrat Party isn't perceived as the "war party."

The anti war independents?

We're still in Afghanistan, we aided in the war in Libya and depending on how things look in the next few months well be in Syria, Iran, Israel??

bases_loaded;1241610 wrote:The anti war independents?

We're still in Afghanistan, we aided in the war in Libya and depending on how things look in the next few months well be in Syria, Iran, Israel??

I didn't say it made sense. Partisanship rarely does.

I believe if he's behind in the polls well be at War in October.

If he's ahead he helps eliminate Israel in his next 4 years. Sleeper cell president

bases_loaded;1241612 wrote:I believe if he's behind in the polls well be at War in October.

If he's ahead he helps eliminate Israel in his next 4 years. Sleeper cell president

Eliminate Israel? No. They have one of the most badass militaries, so unless we're actively attacking them (ours is better), they'll be fine.

Assault weapons ban in the 1st year of Obama's second term, everyone saying that just because he hasn't gone after the guns yet doesn't mean a thing. Especially with these 2 tragic shootings to use as ammunition.

O-Trap;1241613 wrote:Eliminate Israel? No. They have one of the most badass militaries, so unless we're actively attacking them (ours is better), they'll be fine.

They won't hold off Iran and Russia as we sit idly by