American Politics Discussion Thread

[darrelljs]

There are factions in the Democratic Party that would splinter if proportional representation was a thing, and they'd fit right in with left of center parties in Europe.

Darrell

[Tarkeel]

Don't forget that the Democratic party would fit nicely in with the various right-wing parties in Europe

This is absolutely not true on social issues - the Democrats' track record of being inclusive of trans people would compare favorably to, say, Labour.

For health care, the US is so backwards that, yes, the Affordable Care Act looks ridiculous when compared to Europe - but not when compared to the pre-2010 US system. Saying "the Dems' health care plans are to the right of Europe" is like saying "Margaret Thatcher is a socialist because the UK had nationalized industries on her watch" - local context matters.

I completely agree that the inclusiveness of the Democratic party is rather good, but the left vs right divide is historically based on economic policy. We're so used to right-wing economic policies that even "left" Scandinavian economies are more of a hybrid model, where just about every state owned property has been privatized in some form. Here in Norway, the state still has ownership in most of the former state companies, but it's not a monopoly anymore. The former state owned oil company Statoil (now known as Equinor) is "only" 2/3rd state owned and in practice run as a private company.

And yes, Thatcher did have some leftist policies, but the whole I think we can agree was different.

[darrelljs]

but the left vs right divide is historically based on economic policy

Is "economic policy" code for "private vs. public ownership"? Democrats want to tax the rich more and redistribute that to education and a more robust social safety net. They'd like to expand Medicare coverage to the whole country. They'd spend less on military and more on environmental initiatives. They would like to ensure agencies are properly budgeted to achieve their mission. Republicans just want to cut taxes and shrink the government. They are VASTLY different on economic policy, but they generally agree it's better to let the private sector handle banking, utilities, etc.

Edit: Where they are indistinguishable to me (I think it was Jowy that pointed this out) is use of the military.

Darrell

[Jowy]

Another day, another school shooting. Well technically pre-school, so maybe it doesn't count? In any case, the cure is thoughts and prayers obviously.

[DaveV]

Haven't you been paying attention? The answer is *always* more guns!

[superdeath]

Haven't you been paying attention? The answer is *always* more guns!

See, if me and my 12 gauge were there..

[darrelljs]

Fox leads with the fact the shooter identified as transgender and CNN omits that fact entirely .  And sad that I’m so numb to these that this is what catches my attention.

Darrell

[DaveV]

Haven't you been paying attention? The answer is *always* more guns!

See, if me and my 12 gauge were there..

Then what, exactly? The first person you see gets their brains splattered against a wall? Or you check for a gun first and kill another vigilante, an armed teacher, or a cop? Or you demand identification and get shot yourself? In the chaos, the only person who can operate freely is the one who doesn't care who they shoot. I hope that's not you.

[Boro]

I'm more surprised that the shooters haven't incorporated incendiary and chemical weaponry to the mix, alongside IEDs. A couple mined entrances or toxic dispensers into office rooms can balloon the body count. Coupled with a dead man's switch for maximum effect.

[Mjmd]

Requires a non zero amount of expertise and time and shockingly you can't go buy those things already completed. Its like we already have regulations in place for weaponry deemed to be very dangerous......