2016 U.S. Presidential Election

[Mermaid]

Clinton.

[Excited Penguin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLfO5UtNhzg

[Whateverist]

Without a doubt the first priority must be to keep the irresponsible party out of the presidency.  But in my dreams Bernie wins and somehow shames the congress into passing worthwhile legislation.  But I personally have no issue with Hillary and will happily vote for her if she is on the ballet.

That explains why I didn't vote in the poll.  I'm not wed to either Hillary or Bernie.  But I will definitely vote for the one of them that wins the Dem primary.

Yeah, but you'll vote for one of them in the primaries, won't you?

Yep, Bernie unless it becomes clearer than it is right now that him becoming the nominee will give the election to the republican nominee.

[Whateverist]

Hilary all the way.

My biggest gripe with Sanders (apart from his age) is that he's unrealistic. You can only move so far, so fast. Having unrealistic goals is the same thing as having no plan.

Well, as we all know, the country hit the shitter a while back, and we can either do something new or do more of the same.  With Hilary, you'll just get more of the same and a plan that goes to the highest bidder.  Bernie may have goals that will see strong opposition, but at least you'll get someone that isn't for sale.

My fear is that it's all moot anyway.  The Republican party has become the party of whiners that threaten gridlock every time they don't get their way, and it's hard to get any legislating done when one party of a two-party system is too immature to sit at the adult table.  I think it won't really matter who the Democratic nominee is, because if whoever it is wins, we'll just see more stagnation and petty bickering from the right.  It's like our choices are to be overrun by conservative bullshit or have a government that barely functions.

I wouldn't downplay that consequence.  Look at what the last republican president was able to do: spend the government toward bankrupsy - ON PURPOSE - in order to 'starve the beast'; eagerly go to war to get some use out of our military (regardless of its readiness because "sometimes you've got to go to war with the military you have"); go on appointing still more radically politicized judges to the highest courts in the land; (which will, among other things) further the interests of large corporations over mere human citizens, further widen income inequality, support the incarceration of the population (especially minorities), destroy social security and any other vestige of a social safety blanket if they possibly can, scuttle any serious effort to come to grips with climate change and further erode government regulatory oversight of financial institutions which puts us all at risk.

I have no patience for grand statements of personal preference when all of that is at stake if the stupid/evil party is elected. In case I haven't been clear, I will happily vote for Hillary if she is the nominee and I may yet vote for her in the primary if I feel it is necessary.

[Excited Penguin]

You can still read in the history books what an inspiration and model the U.S. were upon their inception. Where did things go so wrong? How did you come to find yourselves in such an absurd situation politically(not to mention the whole religion fiasco)?

[Whateverist]

You can still read in the history books what an inspiration and model the U.S. were upon their inception. Where did things go so wrong? How did you come to find yourselves in such an absurd situation politically(not to mention the whole religion fiasco)?

You'll have to ask Min why we are in such bad straights politically, he's the historian here.  The eagerness of the republican party to become the government in order to destroy/'renew' the government, to side with the 1% and to arm every imbecile and nut job .. not to mention their unwillingness to abide by any sustainable principle when not in power isn't rational.  It is pure self destruction .. maybe you have to be creatard with a hunch about the end days to support them.

We're the most backward religiously because we were an escape valve for all the most extreme groups that no one wanted in Europe.  (Thanks .. though I know you personally weren't there.)

[c172]

I started college in Vermont, and our (most) local news had Sanders on a lot for this or that. I like him, and how he speaks his mind, and I like where he stands in general. However, as POTUS, you need to compromise, and I just wanted Bernie to be Bernie, and not lose his Berniosity by being elected POTUS. How during this early phase, I was behind Clinton, because I do like that family.

That said, I would now prefer Bernie, but Hilary is fine, imho, as well.

[Excited Penguin]

You can still read in the history books what an inspiration and model the U.S. were upon their inception. Where did things go so wrong? How did you come to find yourselves in such an absurd situation politically(not to mention the whole religion fiasco)?

We're the most backward religiously because we were an escape valve for all the most extreme groups that no one wanted in Europe.  (Thanks .. though I know you personally weren't there.)

Well, to be fair, you guys are pretty much (-ex)Europeans yourselves. Can't really blame the mother continent if you chose to leave home and the black sheep followed across the sea.

[Whateverist]

Agreed. Don't have to like it either of course.

[J.S.C.]

I support Hillary Clinton for President.

She supports raising the minimum wage, expanding access to America's universities, civil rights, and more aid to lower income families. Like Sen. Bernie Sanders (whom I have an immense amount of respect for), she wants to overturn Citizens United and would only appoint Supreme Court justices with progressive persuasions. But unlike Sen. Sanders, she has shown an consistent support for gun safety legislation and has proven to be more realistic than him on other key issues.

While I would enthusiastically support Sanders in the election, my support lies with Hillary Clinton for now.