2022 Midterms

[The Stormbringer]

Republican candidates are so disappointing. They're denial of reality and lack of competence makes it impossible to consider voting for anyone that isn't a democrat. It sure would be nice to have actual choices in an election.

Obama becoming president broke something in them that doesn't seem fixable. Their irrational fear might end up wrecking the country if people don't vote in high enough numbers to keep them from power.

They can't get over a Person of Color being in charge, even though it happened years ago. Their fragile, white nationalist egos keep falling apart no matter how much glue and scotch tape they use. That Combo Breaker was super effective.

[Edge-]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/17/polit...woman-abortion

"Mr. Walker, did you sign this check?"

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s my signature or not,”

*looks at check*

“Yes, that’s my check.”

In which Herschel Walker admits to paying the woman $700 now, but still denies it was to cover the costs of the abortion the two agreed she should pursue.

- - - Updated - - -

https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgy7...z-pee-drinking

Now as a doctor, I'm sure Oz has done plenty of urine tests. Fine, that's part of the job. No shame there, urine tests are great diagnostic tools.

Except that apparently he samples the urine. Diabetic urine tastes like cherry wine. Now it's possible he's joking, this is his pre-MAGA days when he pretended to be a decent person with a sense of humor. But honestly it doesn't quite seem like it.

Fine, anything else? As a young lad, Oz was fastinated by needles that his father has (his father was a doctor too). He was amazed you could get orange juice out of an orange with a needle, and decided to try the same thing on his sisters head. Because she had pores too, so makes sense right?

These interviews are a bit old on Jimmy Kimmel's late night show, but it's telling that of all the people he brought on Oz was possibly one of the craziest people during the early days.

But really..."Dr." Oz apparently drinks urine. That's all.

- - - Updated - - -

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...-mexico-border

Saying he wants to make the US-Mexico border as safe as possible for his state, Texas’s governor Greg Abbott last month signed an order designating Mexican drug cartels as “terrorist organizations” and urged the Joe Biden White House to do the same.

But the same border that Abbott insists he wants to make safer is actually being destabilized by Texas’s lax gun laws, which the governor defends and which the Mexican cartels exploit to arm themselves – legally – to the teeth, according to officials left to grapple with the situation.

Despite Mexico’s well-documented high levels of violence, legally purchasing guns there is actually quite difficult. The nation of nearly 130 million people has a single store that can legally sell guns.

On a military base in Mexico City, that store was selling fewer than 40 guns a day in recent years, and it’s prohibited from even advertising its wares.

But the infamously violent cartels that Abbott and other Republicans blame violence along the border on have found another route to stockpile weapons: the United States.

Mexican foreign affairs ministry legal adviser Alejandro Celorio Alcántara estimates that a half-million guns annually are purchased legally in the US and then brought into Mexico illegally. About 70% of guns seized in Mexico from 2014 to 2018 and submitted for tracing had originally come from the US, according to officials with the American bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (ATF).

In which US gun laws, and more specifically TX gun laws, make incredibly easy for cartels to heavily arm themselves despite gun laws in Mexico being more strict than they are in America.

Which is also a great example of how gun laws in Chicago can be strict, but the city can still have high rates of gun violence because it's easier to get a gun outside city limits or across state lines.

Just a reminder that Republican policies don't actually help people, they make us poorer and less safe.

[jonnysensible]

ut oh is a midterm caravan on the way.

My conspiracy theory is there are no such thing as cartels, they are just apparatus within the south american states economically controlled by the financial and political elite.

[Edge-]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-po...x-trump-biden/

Republicans plan to push to extend key parts of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts if they take control of Congress in this fall’s elections, aiming to force President Biden to codify trillions of dollars worth of lower taxes touted by his predecessor.

With Democrats likely to lose control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate, Republicans are preparing to advance legislation that would make permanent the GOP’s 2017 changes to the tax rates paid by individuals. Republican officials will also push for scrapping some of the law’s specific tax increases on corporations that were designed to offset the cost of their enormous overall cut to the corporate tax rate.

Many economists say the GOP’s plans to expand the tax cuts flies against their promises to fight inflation and reduce the federal deficit, which have emerged as central themes of their 2022 midterm campaign rhetoric. Tax cuts boost inflation just like new spending, because they increase economic demand and throw it out of balance with supply. But Republicans say they believe these efforts would put Biden in a political bind, requiring him to choose between vetoing the tax cuts — giving the GOP an attack line in the 2024 presidential election — or allowing Republicans to win on one of their central legislative agenda items.

Ah yes, the historically unpopular tax cut of 2017 being extended. And enhanced, because tax cuts surely reduce inflation, right?!

Republicans are absolute fucking anarchists who have no understanding or economics or reality and just want to create chaos and hurt your average person. Period.

[cubby]

Republican candidates are so disappointing. They're denial of reality and lack of competence makes it impossible to consider voting for anyone that isn't a democrat. It sure would be nice to have actual choices in an election.

Obama becoming president broke something in them that doesn't seem fixable. Their irrational fear might end up wrecking the country if people don't vote in high enough numbers to keep them from power.

Agreed. The GQP is just getting worse, pulling the "center" of US politics further and further right. GQP "far right" candidates are basically pushing almost insane positions to get attention and votes, and I can't see it getting better.

Moreover, it still looks like the GQP will take the House almost certainly and there is room for argument that they will get the Senate. That will tie up and meaningful legislation for 2 years. And if the GQP runs DeSantis/Haley in 2024, they would have a solid chance of winning - especially with the new codified and SCOTUS backed voter discrimination laws (e.g. in GA you can't give water to people waiting in 8 hour lines to vote).

If/when the GQP takes control of the country in 2025 (when the 2024 class is sat), well, that's the ball game. They will be far more organized with DeSantis running the show, and will be able to pass legislation (including killing the Senate Filibuster).

[Fugus]

If/when the GQP takes control of the country in 2025 (when the 2024 class is sat), well, that's the ball game. They will be far more organized with DeSantis running the show, and will be able to pass legislation (including killing the Senate Filibuster).

Florida has only survived DeSantis because the rest of the nation was bailing them out. He turned Florida into a MASSIVE welfare queen and a mooch to the tune of over $3,200 per year per Floridian in federal funding from other states more than it paid in.

The nation will not be able to survive that level of fiscal irresponsibility for too long without financial collapse as that will push the rest of the world to dump the USD as the reserve currency at which point we are truly screwed. DeSantis has survived by effectively relying on a sugar daddy to pay his mess, that won't be possible at a national level.

[Shadowferal]

Biden vows codifying Roe decision would be first bill in an expanded Democratic majority

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that codifying Roe v. Wade would be the first bill he sends to the next Congress if Democrats expand their majority in the Senate and maintain control of the House in next month's midterm elections.

"Right now, we're short a hand full of votes," Biden said. "To care about the right to choose then you got to vote. That's why these midterm elections are so critical."

It'd be nice to see Manchin relegated to irrelevance.

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Consider the source; Democrats take narrow LEAD over GOP in new poll as midterms loom

Democrats are narrowly leading Republicans in a generic Congressional ballot as of Tuesday, exactly three weeks before voters head to the polls for the November midterm elections.

The new update from Morning Consult suggests Democrats are gaining ground on the economy, an issue that's been top of mind for voters and, until now, one of the left's biggest weaknesses.

For months Republicans have seized on sky-high inflation and bleak economic forecasts as an argument against re-electing Democrats to Congress, where they hold slim majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

But while they're still favored on such issues, the GOP's lead there has shrunk from 16 points in June to just single digits.

A plurality of 46 percent said they trust Republicans to handle the economy in Tuesday's survey, compared to 39 percent who back Democrats.

On a generic Congressional ballot, Democrats are backed by 48 percent of respondents. Republicans have a 45-percent share of support.

[Edge-]

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/10/...ut-watch-list/

A man has been arrested for making death threats against the superintendent of a California school district after that district was put on the watchlist of an anti-LGBTQ organization.

Forty-five-year-old Randall Graham was arrested for threatening Conejo Valley Unified school district superintendent Mark McLaughlin, leaving voicemails saying there is a “hit” on him and that “we’re going to put a bullet through your skull.”

...

This summer, the school was also added to a watchlist of Turning Point USA, an organization whose founder Charlie Kirk has attacked transgender people and described opposition to religious exemptions as “fascism.” Kirk also once claimed that trans people are trying to turn human beings into machines.

Ah yes, getting arrested for sending death threats to own the libs!

[Shadowferal]

Hmm...Rep. Jim Banks, with draconian plan to impoverish older Americans, plots course to GOP leadership

While the House GOP's loudest lowest common denominators like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene steal the spotlight, extremists like Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana are flying under the radar as they plot their course to slashing the country's social safety net.

As Banks eyes a position as majority whip if Republicans retake the lower chamber, a new super PAC has sprung up to bolster his bid, according to Axios. The "American Leadership PAC," formed last month, has already raised $2 million to lavish on the final weeks of the midterms.

Money from the PAC gives Banks, chair of the Republican Study Committee, the opportunity showcase the fundraising of his allies while greasing his own path to a leadership role.

The party of “working-class conservatives” eh? Under Banks’ leadership last year, the Republican Study Committee outlined its plans for slashing the social safety net in a budget plan titled, Reclaiming Our Fiscal Future. No one will feel those cuts worse than older working-class Americans, many of whom consider themselves conservatives.

The study committee, which boasts the bulk of the conference at more than 150 members, proposed slashing the federal budget by $14 trillion over the next decade—an ode to former Speaker Paul Ryan, the supposed “ideas” guy who had some math challenges.

[Edge-]

The party of “working-class conservatives” eh? Under Banks’ leadership last year, the Republican Study Committee outlined its plans for slashing the social safety net in a budget plan titled, Reclaiming Our Fiscal Future. No one will feel those cuts worse than older working-class Americans, many of whom consider themselves conservatives.

The study committee, which boasts the bulk of the conference at more than 150 members, proposed slashing the federal budget by $14 trillion over the next decade—an ode to former Speaker Paul Ryan, the supposed “ideas” guy who had some math challenges.[/i]

McCarthy is straight up threatening to let the country default on loans so that they can let grandma and grandpa starve to death in their Buick.

Republicans want death panels, apparently.

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https://nypost.com/2022/10/18/tulsi-...-adolf-hitler/

Hey, didn't Republicans used to complain that "comparing everything/everyone to Nazi's and Hitler devalues what those things mean!"?

Well, they're doing it now. Lifelong Republican who briefly served as a Democrat, Tulsi Gabbard, is the latest to trot out the "BIDEN IS BASICALLY HITLER" nonsense.

Why does she think Biden is apparently basically Hitler?

“And this is something that is, you know, throughout history, we look at authoritarian leaders and dictators in other countries,” she said while campaigning alongside New Hampshire GOP Senate hopeful Don Bolduc in Manchester on Sunday.

“I’m pretty sure they all believe they’re doing what’s best,” she said. “Even Hitler thought he was doing what was best for Germany, right? For the German race. In his own mind, he found a way to justify the means to meet his end.”

She continued, “So when we have people with that mindset, well, you know we’ve got to do whatever it takes because, as President Biden said in that speech in Philadelphia, that those who supported Trump, those who didn’t vote for him are extremists and a threat to our democracy.”

So...uh...nothing, actually, just vague innuendo and projection of the objectively authoritarian actions and rhetoric of the Republican party.

But hey, at least she managed to talk about how Hitler "did what he thought was best for Germany" without overtly defending him as Candace Owens did that one time. Progress!

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https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/18/polit...nch/index.html

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that she does not regret threatening to punch then-President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021, if he came to the Capitol, but “he wouldn’t have had the courage to come to the Hill. He is all talk.”

“That’s right,” Pelosi told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell when asked to address her comments about Trump on January 6. “I would have punched him out. I said I would have punched him out. I would have gone to jail. And I would have been happy to do so.”

Nancy Pelosi, who I believe could absolutely knock Trump on his ass (he's top heavy), giving zero fucks about the bad faith "BUT SHE'S PROMOTING POLITICAL VIOLENCE!" criticisms from the party that fomented an attempted insurrection where rioters successfully broke into the Capitol building, assaulted law enforcement officers resulting in death and injuries, and caused big strong men like Josh Hawley to go running down the hall like a terrified little bitch. Away from the crowd that was explicitly saying they were coming to hang people until they were dead, and a crowd that he riled up and helped get out there.

[Blur4stuff]

Dems certainly have the chance to keep control of congress. Even though the polls have it close, the amazing part is that it shouldn't be. Times are tough and historically Americans flip the house. On top of that republicans have rigged elections in their favor with all sorts of ratfucking. They're also benefiting from built in advantages like how the number of representatives are unequally distributed across states.

Republicans should have a 10 point lead in the polls at least. It shouldn't be close.

[tehdang]

Biden vows codifying Roe decision would be first bill in an expanded Democratic majority

President Joe Biden said Tuesday that codifying Roe v. Wade would be the first bill he sends to the next Congress

The obvious response should be, "Why the next Congress. Why not this Congress? 220-212 in the House, 50+1--50 in the Senate, and the Presidency. He will likely lose the House, and might lose the Senate, so the question remains: why say this is the job for a future Congress?

[postman1782]

[/I]The obvious response should be, "Why the next Congress. Why not this Congress? 220-212 in the House, 50+1--50 in the Senate, and the Presidency. He will likely lose the House, and might lose the Senate, so the question remains: why say this is the job for a future Congress?

It won't pass the senate, not with only 51 votes. You keep forgetting that Republicans pull the bullshit filibuster card.

[cubby]

[/I]The obvious response should be, "Why the next Congress. Why not this Congress? 220-212 in the House, 50+1--50 in the Senate, and the Presidency. He will likely lose the House, and might lose the Senate, so the question remains: why say this is the job for a future Congress?

Because of the filibuster.

[Edge-]

The obvious response should be, "Why the next Congress. Why not this Congress? 220-212 in the House, 50+1--50 in the Senate, and the Presidency. He will likely lose the House, and might lose the Senate, so the question remains: why say this is the job for a future Congress?

https://whyy.org/articles/abortion-l...e-senate-vote/

The obvious answer being the same reason efforts failed earlier this year: Because the filibuster exists and Democrats need 60 votes.

[postman1782]

https://whyy.org/articles/abortion-leg

The obvious answer being the same reason efforts failed earlier this year: Because the filibuster exists and Democrats need 60 votes.

FYI, it says page not found.

[Edge-]

FYI, it says page not found.

huh, got weirdly cut off. thanks, fixed with a working link

[beanman12345]

[/I]The obvious response should be, "Why the next Congress. Why not this Congress? 220-212 in the House, 50+1--50 in the Senate, and the Presidency. He will likely lose the House, and might lose the Senate, so the question remains: why say this is the job for a future Congress?

Why do you dunk on yourself like this?

[Endus]

[/I]The obvious response should be, "Why the next Congress. Why not this Congress? 220-212 in the House, 50+1--50 in the Senate, and the Presidency. He will likely lose the House, and might lose the Senate, so the question remains: why say this is the job for a future Congress?

Because election day is November 8. And it's pretty obvious that this isn't going to get resolved in the next three weeks, presuming they even have a bill ready to be proposed right now, because if they still have additional work to do on the draft to be submitted, that shrinks that timeline even further.

You realize time is finite and there is no "pause" button on reality, right?

[Rasulis]

Record breaking early voter turnout in Georgia.

From Georgia Secretary of State website.

Turnout Numbers Through 10/17/2022

Total Turnout: 143,077
Early In-Person: 131,318
Absentee: 11,759

New Turnout Since Previous Day: N/A
Early In-Person Since Previous Day: 131,318
Absentee Since Previous Day: 11,759

Turnout Numbers Through Same Day in 2020:

Early In-Person: 136,739

Turnout Numbers Through Same Day in 2018:

Early In-Person: 70,849

Almost double 2018 and barely behind 2020 (presidential election).

I better drop off my mail in ballot tomorrow.