29 Mar 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainAFAIK Congress must pass every budget, so any budget plans the Obama administration has can be overridden by Congress.
Overridden????
Now you are just making stuff up. You are the one spouting nonsense, not me.
By all means, explain to me how Obama can be overridden.
Have you ever considered the possibility that things work this way to fool idiots like you into thinking your hero Obama is helpless and must keep things just the way they are? Do you think it is ju ...[text shortened]... date got elected.
Please, explain to me how he can be overridden. Show me how stupid I am.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by KazetNagorraLOL!!!
If you don't like pork barrel politics, vote for people who don't practise it.
Of course, that would require amending the Constitution to change to a parliamentary system with proportional representation.
That is ridiculous! The approval rate of congress is pathetic but those congressmen keep getting re-elected. The fact that you think voting out people they don't like is how it works in reality just shows how much reality eludes you.
The simplicity of your mind is amusing. You think about how things should work, but you don't even look at how things work in reality. This is largely an incumbent nation, no matter how unhappy Americans are with their representatives.
29 Mar 13
1 edit
Originally posted by Metal BrainIf electoral reform would be a major issue for most Americans, things would change. It isn't, so they won't.
LOL!!!
That is ridiculous! The approval rate of congress is pathetic but those congressmen keep getting re-elected. The fact that you think voting out people they don't like is how it works in reality just shows how much reality eludes you.
The simplicity of your mind is amusing. You think about how things should work, but you don't even look at ho ...[text shortened]... s largely an incumbent nation, no matter how unhappy Americans are with their representatives.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by KazetNagorraThat is not overridden. You misuse the word.
AFAIK Congress must pass every budget, so any budget plans the Obama administration has can be overridden by Congress.
Congress must draft the bills. That is true, but the president is the one with the veto power, not congress.
Obama has the bully pulpit. He can call on the American people to pressure congress to draft bills that are not cluttered with too many unrelated issues. Obama can make this a talking point every time the press asks him questions and gives him an opportunity to make comments.
How do you think GW Bush sold the Iraq war to the American people? He repeated WMDs over and over to the point of a broken record. Obama can do the same thing by saying "no poison pill legislation" over and over again. He just chooses not to.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI never said anything about electoral reform. You are just interjecting nonsense issues in an attempt to digress away from the true issue here. Electoral reform is not necessary. Stop trying to distract us from the real issue.
If electoral reform would be a major issue for most Americans, things would change. It isn't, so they won't.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainPork barrel politics is a direct consequence of the electoral system. If you have a problem with pork barrel politics, you have a problem with the electoral system.
I never said anything about electoral reform. You are just interjecting nonsense issues in an attempt to digress away from the true issue here. Electoral reform is not necessary. Stop trying to distract us from the real issue.
29 Mar 13
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Originally posted by KazetNagorraNo, we have a problem with corruption. If you want to insist that it is an electoral system problem explain yourself. I'm not letting you digress without explanation that easily.
Pork barrel politics is a direct consequence of the electoral system. If you have a problem with pork barrel politics, you have a problem with the electoral system.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainA Congressman representing a district in Nebraska is going to push policies that will help him/her get re-elected in the district in Nebraska. A Congressman representing Americans will push policies that will help him/her get re-elected in America.
No, we have a problem with corruption. If you want to insist that it is an electoral system problem explain yourself. I'm not letting you digress without explanation that easily.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by KazetNagorraThere you go stating the obvious. What is your point?
A Congressman representing a district in Nebraska is going to push policies that will help him/her get re-elected in the district in Nebraska. A Congressman representing Americans will push policies that will help him/her get re-elected in America.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainThe Congressman from Nebraska has an incentive to push for measures that benefit the Nebraska district, but is detrimental to America as a whole. The hypothetical American Congressman does not have the same incentive. Hence, pork barrel politics does not exist in systems with proportional representation. This is a manifestation of a common problem in economics known as the Prisoner's Dilemma. You would do well to read a bit about it.
There you go stating the obvious. What is your point?
29 Mar 13
1 edit
Originally posted by Metal BrainHe used a poor choice of a word to make a true and valid point. Also, the President's veto powers CAN be overridden with enough votes in support of a bill.
That is not overridden. You misuse the word.
Congress must draft the bills. That is true, but the president is the one with the veto power, not congress.
Obama has the bully pulpit. He can call on the American people to pressure congress to draft bills that are not cluttered with too many unrelated issues. Obama can make this a talking point every ...[text shortened]... same thing by saying "no poison pill legislation" over and over again. He just chooses not to.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperTwo thirds can override a veto, but that is unlikely with the way congress is divided right now.
He used a poor choice of a word to make a true and valid point. Also, the President's veto powers CAN be overridden with enough votes in support of a bill.
29 Mar 13
Originally posted by KazetNagorraYou brought up pork barrel spending. That is yet another digression of your choice. It has little to do with what we were talking about. Stick to the subject.
The Congressman from Nebraska has an incentive to push for measures that benefit the Nebraska district, but is detrimental to America as a whole. The hypothetical American Congressman does not have the same incentive. Hence, pork barrel politics does not exist in systems with proportional representation. This is a manifestation of a common problem in economics known as the Prisoner's Dilemma. You would do well to read a bit about it.
