Congress August Recess

[Louis Lipps Service]

I don't really give a fuck what accusations you level at me. Big dif between bitching and moaning, crying like a fuckin' baby, of which you're famous....and letting bullshit stand with no response. You accuse; I'll respond. Get the fuck used to it.

You're bitching and moaning about Antonio Brown in a thread that's not even about football and made absolutely no mention of Antonio Brown.

Think about that, then think who is the whiny bitch.

[SteelPro]

Not really. There are a litany of reasons that state legislatures have swung decidedly one way or the other. Gerrymandering is way down the list of reasons. Yes it happens and Yes its a problem, but eliminating it wouldn't swing those numbers much, if at all.

Except in places like Wisconsin and North Carolina where the party that got the least votes overall controls the State Legislature. Those two are the most egregious but other state do similar things with are well off of their vote totals ( including Maryland, Louisiana and Kentucky). Gerrymandering is not a silver bullet but it is an issue.

I'm not saying Gerrymandering doesn't occur or isn't a problem. It just isn't THE HUGE problem that some make it out to be. You can't look at raw vote vote numbers and extrapolate them and say the end result was because of Gerrymandering. Demographics being what they are is more of a culprit than outright rigging of districts... even with the worst offenders like Wisconsin.


https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/blo ... 219092002/

In short, in a year when Democrats swept the statewide elections, they had no prayer of winning the state Assembly.

So how many Assembly seats would Democrats have won in 2018 with a “fair” map?

As critics of the map have pointed out, Democrats won 53% of all the Assembly votes cast statewide while coming away with only 36% of the seats. But it would be wrong to suggest Democrats should have won 53% of the Assembly seats under a fair map. The GOP didn’t bother to field candidates against 30 Democrats in ultra-blue Assembly districts, so using the statewide Assembly vote as a measure of how many seats Democrats “should have” won is misleading.

It would also be a stretch to suggest Democrats should have won an Assembly majority at all this year, even though their candidate for governor, Tony Evers, won just over 50% of the two-party vote.

That’s because under even an unbiased map, the concentration of Democratic voters in urban areas is going to limit Democrats’ voting power across 99 Assembly districts. This has become an even bigger problem for Democrats because the party has lost ground in rural areas in recent years. Democrats are destined under these circumstances to underperform their statewide vote when it comes to how many Assembly seats they win.

But if a growing urban-rural divide has made it a challenge for Democrats to compete for Assembly control, any fair reading of the numbers shows that the gerrymandered GOP map has tilted the playing field a great deal more. That map has given Republicans a grip on the Legislature that is entirely disproportionate to the party’s level of popular support in the state and no doubt emboldened the party when it moved this week to diminish the powers of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.

[COR-TEN]

Skocpol describes the 2020 stakes in stark terms: With gerrymandering, politicians have the ability to pick their voters rather than the other way around. Democrats in Maryland are also guilty of gerrymandering, but by and large, Republicans have been the biggest practitioners of the practice — demonstrating they aren’t much interested in majority rule.

“It’s kind of late in the game, it’s the fourth quarter. The Democrats are behind by two touchdowns, and they have biased referees on the sidelines,” Skocpol said. “They have to win the game anyway. 2020 and 2022 are the most important elections in American history in my opinion, probably right up there with 1860.”

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/7/5/20680124/state-legislatures-gerrymandering-redistricting

Either way, the whole gerrymandering thing is ignoring the repub strategist who died, leaving the blueprint for gerrymandering on his digital legacy. Posted this in another (locked) thread :

The latest bombshell from the formerly secret files of the GOP’s top gerrymandering guru emerged on Thursday, and it’s astounding: Voting rights advocates claim to have evidence that North Carolina Republican lawmakers repeatedly lied to a federal court, and to the public, in a successful effort to delay a special election that threatened their legislative supermajority.

According to a new legal filing, these materials reveal Hofeller had completed more than 97 percent of the new Senate plan and 90 percent of the new House plan by June 2017. In other words, Republicans allegedly lied to the federal district court. In July 2017, GOP lawmakers claimed that they had prepared no maps and therefore could not draw new districts in time for a special election—when, in reality, those maps were nearly finished.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/06/hofeller-republican-gerrymandering-north-carolina.html

Also, this : https://indivisible.org/resource/fighti ... ing-states

So not only is gerrymandering part of the problem, it's a GOP strategy.

[jebrick]

It is a Democrat strategy as well. It is just done much better recently due to analytics.

Social media is driven by extremes on both sides. Good ideas are ignored by both sides in favor of temporal political power. I think it is bad that both parties practice this. Both are nearly the same at this point. Trump has pulled the GOP closer to a cult a personality and away from and Conservative values that they once espoused. Bill Clinton moved the Democrats away from representing the works to working folk to more of an hand out to Wall Street.

[COR-TEN]

It is a Democrat strategy as well. It is just done much better recently due to analytics.

Social media is driven by extremes on both sides. Good ideas are ignored by both sides in favor of temporal political power. I think it is bad that both parties practice this. Both are nearly the same at this point. Trump has pulled the GOP closer to a cult a personality and away from and Conservative values that they once espoused. Bill Clinton moved the Democrats away from representing the works to working folk to more of an hand out to Wall Street.

I contest this.

First of all, mcconnell and repubs have openly stated that in free elections, they would lose. It's why they gerrymander, and do all kinds of other things to restrict the vote. Further, reagan introduced wall street as the driving force behind the economy. Dems, including clinton, responded in kind. Blaming the clintons for courting wall street is misplaced. They were playing by the rules defined by reagan era policies. Then it was used against them when globalization was introduced during his admin. In response to corporations wanting to sidestep not only labor laws, but taxes as well, by exporting labor, and creating offshore entities to hide the money. When dems did the same thing, as usual, the conservative right lambasted them for what they introduced and pushed for. People don't seem to remember reagan and how repubs wanted to export labor, inflating a corporations revenue stream, because "trickle down." Which eventually was debunked as being a fraud.

[jebrick]

It is a Democrat strategy as well. It is just done much better recently due to analytics.

Social media is driven by extremes on both sides. Good ideas are ignored by both sides in favor of temporal political power. I think it is bad that both parties practice this. Both are nearly the same at this point. Trump has pulled the GOP closer to a cult a personality and away from and Conservative values that they once espoused. Bill Clinton moved the Democrats away from representing the works to working folk to more of an hand out to Wall Street.

I contest this.

First of all, mcconnell and repubs have openly stated that in free elections, they would lose. It's why they gerrymander, and do all kinds of other things to restrict the vote. Further, reagan introduced wall street as the driving force behind the economy. Dems, including clinton, responded in kind. Blaming the clintons for courting wall street is misplaced. They were playing by the rules defined by reagan era policies. Then it was used against them when globalization was introduced during his admin. In response to corporations wanting to sidestep not only labor laws, but taxes as well, by exporting labor, and creating offshore entities to hide the money. When dems did the same thing, as usual, the conservative right lambasted them for what they introduced and pushed for. People don't seem to remember reagan and how repubs wanted to export labor, inflating a corporations revenue stream, because "trickle down." Which eventually was debunked as being a fraud.

So Regan forced the Clintons to abandon the working class that Dems had spoken for since the 30's? Just so they could get more money. Then both parties were aligned with Wall Street. Clinton talked a good talk to the working man but the hand out to Wall Street lessens their words. They are not as bad as the Republicans at this point for bold hypocrisy. Both parties are for big government. The GOP more than the Dems but in a different area.

The Republicans would not lose in free elections. State-wide and national elections are as free as you can get. Gerrymandering only effects state and representative elections. Now voter suppression is another matter.

[zeke5123]

Few ideas/comments

1. Make Congress vote more regularly and limit the size of the bills. No more omnibuses.

2. Make Congressional pay much higher (e.g., $1m). Have a $250K pension.

3. Require Congressional critters to return their last 6 years of pay and forfeit the pension if they take a job with a salary in excess of $200K within 10 years of leaving Congress.

4. Impose strict self-dealing rules / insider trading rules.

5. Implement a random system of voting wherein 1% of the voting electorate decides the election. The goal here is to (i) encourage people to vote but also (ii) to take voting seriously. Everyone knows that voting doesn't really matter and thus can vote team over practicality. But if their vote may actually be meaningful, then they will be motivated to actually deeply think about issues and vote better.

6. Move the bureaucracy out of DC. Why does, e.g., the SEC need to be in DC? Why can't it be in Dallas, Pittsburgh, or Ogden Utah?

7. Ban Congressional hearings. When is the last time they proved anything but a spectacle?

8. Start a pledge to only have 2 hour long debates where the Candidates ask each other questions and are allowed a real period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) to answer.

9. Ban Twitter. I kid...pretty much a free speech absolutist. But damn does Twitter suck.

[swissvale72]

I don't really give a fuck what accusations you level at me. Big dif between bitching and moaning, crying like a fuckin' baby, of which you're famous....and letting bullshit stand with no response. You accuse; I'll respond. Get the fuck used to it.

You're bitching and moaning about Antonio Brown in a thread that's not even about football and made absolutely no mention of Antonio Brown.

Think about that, then think who is the whiny bitch.

Oh....keep posting on a Steelers message board about who want to sue. THAT's real smart!!

[Louis Lipps Service]

I don't really give a fuck what accusations you level at me. Big dif between bitching and moaning, crying like a fuckin' baby, of which you're famous....and letting bullshit stand with no response. You accuse; I'll respond. Get the fuck used to it.

You're bitching and moaning about Antonio Brown in a thread that's not even about football and made absolutely no mention of Antonio Brown.

Think about that, then think who is the whiny bitch.

Oh....keep posting on a Steelers message board about who want to sue. THAT's real smart!!

That literally has nothing to do with this conversation. Nice try on diverting away from you being a whiny bitch, though!

[swissvale72]

Boo Hoo Hoo...Who can I sue??

Lipps is prob one of those pathetic fucks that posts every personal ailment or perceived slight all over Facebook.

[Legacy User]

Boo Hoo Hoo...Who can I sue??

Lipps is prob one of those pathetic fucks that posts every personal ailment or perceived slight all over Facebook.

Social media is the devil!

[Louis Lipps Service]

Boo Hoo Hoo...Who can I sue??

Lipps is prob one of those pathetic fucks that posts every personal ailment or perceived slight all over Facebook.

I think I have about 4 social media posts in the last 30 days. But again, nice try!

Now let's go back to you being the whiny bitch over Antonio Brown. Who are you going to blame for provoking you this time? This is important, I have a poll going.

[Legacy User]

Why can Swiss call me a dolt and a village idiot while mocking me for what I do for a living but us still be friendly but you two can’t make up? You both bleed black and gold and Swiss can never let anything go. Bury the fuckin’ hatchet already!

[swissvale72]

Boo Hoo Hoo...Who can I sue??

Lipps is prob one of those pathetic fucks that posts every personal ailment or perceived slight all over Facebook.

I think I have about 4 social media posts in the last 30 days. But again, nice try!

Now let's go back to you being the whiny bitch over Antonio Brown. Who are you going to blame for provoking you this time? This is important, I have a poll going.

Please make that poll public, Fuckface....would love to see it.

[Donnie Brasco]

Boo Hoo Hoo...Who can I sue??

Lipps is prob one of those pathetic fucks that posts every personal ailment or perceived slight all over Facebook.

Social media is the devil!

Not according to pop culture

https://tenor.com/view/foosball-is-the- ... f-11096231

[Louis Lipps Service]

Boo Hoo Hoo...Who can I sue??

Lipps is prob one of those pathetic fucks that posts every personal ailment or perceived slight all over Facebook.

I think I have about 4 social media posts in the last 30 days. But again, nice try!

Now let's go back to you being the whiny bitch over Antonio Brown. Who are you going to blame for provoking you this time? This is important, I have a poll going.

Please make that poll public, Fuckface....would love to see it.

Uh-oh, he's getting pissy! Get those tissues out!

By the way, some people were talking smack on AB in the Michael Thomas thread. Better jump in there and remind everyone how the Steelers will "no way, no how" be better without him! Hate for anyone to forget!

[Louis Lipps Service]

Why can Swiss call me a dolt and a village idiot while mocking me for what I do for a living but us still be friendly but you two can’t make up? You both bleed black and gold and Swiss can never let anything go. Bury the fuckin’ hatchet already!

Arguing with people who are completely unreasonable is fun for me. It's like a personal challenge.

If a reasonable person disagrees with me, then that's no fun. They have a reasonable opinion, I can respect that, and there's no fun (or point) in arguing it.

But when someone has a completely unreasonable stance on something, and then forces that stance down everyone's throat, then the game begins!

[alancac98]

I just wish the asshats would do what’s right for their constituents. I would love to see a system in which every Senator and Congressman/woman had to show evidence of their constituents desires as it relates to a decision before they vote. In my town, I have never heard or seen our rep talking to the people about the issues up for a vote. Maybe they do, but I have never heard of it! They do what’s in their best interest and puts money in their bank account. Seems they could care less about what we want, except when election time comes, but then it’s business as usual.

Question: What would it take to get the issue of term limits on a national voter card? We know members will never vote on that issue!!!

[swissvale72]

Why can Swiss call me a dolt and a village idiot while mocking me for what I do for a living but us still be friendly but you two can’t make up? You both bleed black and gold and Swiss can never let anything go. Bury the fuckin’ hatchet already!

Arguing with people who are completely unreasonable is fun for me. It's like a personal challenge.

If a reasonable person disagrees with me, then that's no fun. They have a reasonable opinion, I can respect that, and there's no fun (or point) in arguing it.

But when someone has a completely unreasonable stance on something, and then forces that stance down everyone's throat, then the game begins!

The only one crying on this website is YOU about some lawsuit you wanna file

[Louis Lipps Service]

Why can Swiss call me a dolt and a village idiot while mocking me for what I do for a living but us still be friendly but you two can’t make up? You both bleed black and gold and Swiss can never let anything go. Bury the fuckin’ hatchet already!

Arguing with people who are completely unreasonable is fun for me. It's like a personal challenge.

If a reasonable person disagrees with me, then that's no fun. They have a reasonable opinion, I can respect that, and there's no fun (or point) in arguing it.

But when someone has a completely unreasonable stance on something, and then forces that stance down everyone's throat, then the game begins!

The only one crying on this website is YOU about some lawsuit you wanna file

Haha. That's funny.

If you're trying to make me feel bad for attempting to get some help for my dad who can barely walk....I'm afraid I have some bad news for ya.

I'd say that paints you in a much more negative light that you're willing to stoop to the level of using that against me than it does me. It takes a special kind of lowlife to criticize someone for trying to help his family.

So, please, keep doing it and keep proving to everyone how low you're willing to go just to win an internet argument. I certainly won't be breaking a sweat over it.

[swissvale72]

Boo hoo hoo, Lipps!! Boo hoo hoo!

[Louis Lipps Service]

Boo hoo hoo, Lipps!! Boo hoo hoo!

Hey, I’m telling you to keep doing what you’re doing. I’m loving it. Not real sure how that translates to crying.