An interesting moment in history

And soon they'll be stationing US Troops on active duty inside the nation for the first time since the civil war...

That's not to mention, you're young enough to witness the Rise of Emperor Shai Gar from Box Seats

 

I'm in Canada and things are going downhill here too, although what's happening in the States just seems bizzare, the elections making it all seem quite theatrical and surreal. I live in the oil, gas and ranching part of the nation and guess what two things most of us here can't afford anymore? Beef and gas. And none of us understand why that is.
It's no longer an American crisis, it's a global crisis by the looks of things. We have royally screwed things up.
Still I'm amazed at the number of people who aren't taking it very seriously.

 

I've got to agree with Wyote on this. I'd describe my feelings in recent weeks and those I expect to have over the next few more along the lines of "disbelief" "dread" "disgust" and "fear".

Though I'm certainly cognizant of the incredible evolutionary leap in having the majority of our nation elect a black president (and I'll feel a LOT better about my nation if we can make that leap) though I'll just feel like jumping off a bridge if we elect this first female VP. I just wish that milestone weren't so overlaid with uncertainty and the threat of violence.

 

Good or bad, it is still spectacular in that it is a significant spectacle. And what is more interesting than terrible news?

I see the Democrats gaining total control, with a possibly invincible majority in the Senate and a liberal president. They shouldn't have any trouble with passing whatever bills they want to pass. Therefore, if the Democrats are really competent to fix things, they should be able to make the changes they want to make faster than the Republicans ever could have in the past eight years.

Don't get me wrong; I don't think the new administration will be a good one. It is quite likely that Obama and co. will be disastrous. But we've been steeped in the appearance of Republican dominance for long enough now, and it's about time to see what the other side of the aisle has to offer. If the Dems come through, we all win. If they fail, I still win, because then perhaps people will see what not to do, and they might do better the next time.

But what am I talking about? They're never going to listen to Ron Paul; they'll just vote for more Republicans, who will continue down their mirthful path to being entombed in their own pork barrels. It's feast or famine, and only 5% or so of the population has found the happy medium.

 

I think Ron Paul would have been the best choice. The trouble with running for President is that you have to millions and millions of dollars of your own or millions and millions of dollars backing you. Money is such a big part of it. They say America is the only place where anyone can become President but I don't think that's true. You need a lot of $$$ to get in. The deal making behind the scenes must be incredible by now.

 

I doubt that. The balance is always swinging one way or the other, but there will never be unanimity in the population, and people will always seek one extreme or the other to identify with. Both parties have changed their policies with the times, and they will continue to do so.

 

But now you are talking about long-term history, whereas earlier you said "this election." In the next century, I agree that the GOP will collapse. (Actually I think the party called the GOP will remain indefinitely, but the religious right will probably form its own spinoff that will rival the original in influence.) The Democratic Party's days are numbered as well, however. The GOP's current position is bad, but that is only temporary politics, and by 2016 we might have the same situation in reverse. Neither of these is on the brink of collapse within the next decade, provided there are no unforeseen outside influences (a devastating nuclear war, for example).

 

GOP?

 

HEY!
The republicans made changes... They crashed the economy.

 

The problems with the economy go much deeper than the political parties. Both parties have been screwing up the economy more or less continually.

 

Not really. When the Democrats are in office the USD rises. When the Republicans are in office the USD falls.