Predictions, but first a rather long disclaimer.
My opinion is that the american voter is the dumbest in the world. Worse yet most of them are proud of their stupidity, muttering things like, "They are all alike" or "They are all crooks". Worse yet, we as a society encourage that kind of thinking.
The average American does not know what capitalism is, let alone socialism. They have been fed an endless stream of pap concerning capitalism from the day they were born. They have no idea of how their government works. They are ignorant of foreign countries and their governments. They simply refuse to recognize that their country has fallen behind so many other countries in so many ways.
It is not that they are stupid or that they haven't been taught. Those countries are just so far away and we are so wrapped up in ourselves that it is more comfortable just to ignore it all. . It is easier to believe you are number one than to do the hard things needed to stop being number thirty five. Of course the media does not help. The media we have left that is.
Many, perhaps enough to swing an election are simply reactionary. Voting for or against an immediate situation. They usually have no idea when or how this situation came about or who was actually responsible for it. Others are in lockstep with an ideology refusing to even hint that some of their favorite policies have been proven failures.
That's how the teabaggers started out. Disgruntled, anti incumbent, perhaps anti everything, voters. Lashing out indiscriminately because they simply have no idea of who, or what, has caused their problems. They no longer exist as a group because big money has taken over the movement.. They are now an extreme adjunct of the Republicans. A nasty little stepchild that seems to demand a lot of care and feeding. It is doubtful that it can grow up before committing suicide. The Republicans may come to find out that this promising child is really Rosemary's baby. (you young people look that up)
Now, after all that it, is a proven fact that most people simply vote for incumbents. They snarl, they snort, howl at the moon and then pull the lever for the man that has been there for the last thirty years. The theory is that all those OTHER GUYS are crooks but my guy isn't.
Go figure!
Now, on to the predictions.
This is not very complicated. I have done no surveys, I have not paid a lot of attention beyond my state, nor do I have a hell of a lot of interest anymore. I am simply relying on the theory that what has happened before will happen again.
It is a given that the democrats will lose seats. The only question is how many.
I will simply say that I think the democrats just may hold onto their majorities. It will probably be close.
The sad part is that it does not matter. Should the democrats hold onto the majority they will still face a unified obstructionist block that puts their party power above the good of the nation. Business as usual as it has been conducted for the past four years. Their majority will be reduced further eroding function.
Should they lose the majority they will be in the same situation as the republicans were. Were it me and I had just faced four years of that monolithic obstruction I fear I would revert to the Republican position, blocking everything out of spite. Filibuster after filibuster after filibuster.
Should the republicans regain the senate look for a real effort to repeal the filibuster rule.
Then of course there is Obama. Takes two thirds to override a veto. I just hope he shows more courage that has been the case.
So there you have it. It seems it doesn't really matter. In order for out government to function ther must be a modicum of cooperation and it doesn't exist. We don't have representatives we have two warring factions.
In a way I hope the filibuster rule is removed. At least then the party in power could govern. Let them stand or fall by their actions. The way it is now one party can blame the other for almost anything and get away with it.
Push comes to shove I would rather have a parliamentary system. It is more democratic and the majority party gets to govern.
Besides, should the republicans get their majority they will spend the next two years trying to impeach Obama.
On to Minnesota!
Dayton will be governor and the DFL will retain majorities in both houses.
My opinion is that the american voter is the dumbest in the world. Worse yet most of them are proud of their stupidity, muttering things like, "They are all alike" or "They are all crooks". Worse yet, we as a society encourage that kind of thinking.
The average American does not know what capitalism is, let alone socialism. They have been fed an endless stream of pap concerning capitalism from the day they were born. They have no idea of how their government works. They are ignorant of foreign countries and their governments. They simply refuse to recognize that their country has fallen behind so many other countries in so many ways.
It is not that they are stupid or that they haven't been taught. Those countries are just so far away and we are so wrapped up in ourselves that it is more comfortable just to ignore it all. . It is easier to believe you are number one than to do the hard things needed to stop being number thirty five. Of course the media does not help. The media we have left that is.
Many, perhaps enough to swing an election are simply reactionary. Voting for or against an immediate situation. They usually have no idea when or how this situation came about or who was actually responsible for it. Others are in lockstep with an ideology refusing to even hint that some of their favorite policies have been proven failures.
That's how the teabaggers started out. Disgruntled, anti incumbent, perhaps anti everything, voters. Lashing out indiscriminately because they simply have no idea of who, or what, has caused their problems. They no longer exist as a group because big money has taken over the movement.. They are now an extreme adjunct of the Republicans. A nasty little stepchild that seems to demand a lot of care and feeding. It is doubtful that it can grow up before committing suicide. The Republicans may come to find out that this promising child is really Rosemary's baby. (you young people look that up)
Now, after all that it, is a proven fact that most people simply vote for incumbents. They snarl, they snort, howl at the moon and then pull the lever for the man that has been there for the last thirty years. The theory is that all those OTHER GUYS are crooks but my guy isn't.
Go figure!
Now, on to the predictions.
This is not very complicated. I have done no surveys, I have not paid a lot of attention beyond my state, nor do I have a hell of a lot of interest anymore. I am simply relying on the theory that what has happened before will happen again.
It is a given that the democrats will lose seats. The only question is how many.
I will simply say that I think the democrats just may hold onto their majorities. It will probably be close.
The sad part is that it does not matter. Should the democrats hold onto the majority they will still face a unified obstructionist block that puts their party power above the good of the nation. Business as usual as it has been conducted for the past four years. Their majority will be reduced further eroding function.
Should they lose the majority they will be in the same situation as the republicans were. Were it me and I had just faced four years of that monolithic obstruction I fear I would revert to the Republican position, blocking everything out of spite. Filibuster after filibuster after filibuster.
Should the republicans regain the senate look for a real effort to repeal the filibuster rule.
Then of course there is Obama. Takes two thirds to override a veto. I just hope he shows more courage that has been the case.
So there you have it. It seems it doesn't really matter. In order for out government to function ther must be a modicum of cooperation and it doesn't exist. We don't have representatives we have two warring factions.
In a way I hope the filibuster rule is removed. At least then the party in power could govern. Let them stand or fall by their actions. The way it is now one party can blame the other for almost anything and get away with it.
Push comes to shove I would rather have a parliamentary system. It is more democratic and the majority party gets to govern.
Besides, should the republicans get their majority they will spend the next two years trying to impeach Obama.
On to Minnesota!
Dayton will be governor and the DFL will retain majorities in both houses.
