2012 Election

[Ugly Bastard]

Donald Trump scares the fucking shit out of me. People aren't seriously going to elect this guy are they?!

[Mr. Blonde]

Does it really even matter? I think Obama's doing a pretty decent job but he's still let me down a fair bit.

I understand Checks and Balances and everything, but the position of a President in America at this point just seems pointless. It seems like everybodys' bankrolled; propped up to be the face of all the other bullshit we really have no control over.

[Orgazmo]

The Trump issue is simply that he's an egomaniac. Regardless of whether you think Bush was a moron or Obama is making shit decisions, we can probably all agree that it doesn't appear that they were/are out only to further the value of their own name. Trump, on the other hand, has cared more about making "Trump" a brand than anything else throughout his career. It's been a great business strategy, but perhaps not what the President should be doing.

That doesn't mean he'd make a shit president. It just means that he has ulterior motives.

...plus this has to be a publicity stunt anyway. Srsly.

[Repugnant Abomination]

Trump is a joke and Felix is an idiot.

[DDTempest]

Wasn't Trump's name in the hat 4 fucking years ago? How did that work out for him?

[SinisterKid]

Originally Posted by DDTempest

Wasn't Trump's name in the hat 4 fucking years ago? How did that work out for him?

Trump's name has been "in the hat" since the late 80's I believe, but there hasn't been enough tumult in our government and society to make his viability as a candidate seem, well, viable.

[Ugly Bastard]

Blonde, Obama is doing a shit job. He is an errand boy for the same corporate capitalism he campaigned about wanting to put in line. Obama is a joke and has done next to nothing impressive or to impact the "change" voters were hungry for in '08. Watch Inside Job and see if you still think Obama is doing a decent job. He's a puppet.

Gaz, nice insight. I too keep thinking "this is a joke/pub. stunt, right?" re: Trump but you never know. See: people like f3lix (whom there are plenty of) that are dumb enough to vote for him.

Repug, I must spread reputation around.

[vaga1220 *]

He bankrupt his own casino. A CASINO!

[f3lix]

I just want a guy who isn't the status quo politician (Ron Paulables).

I also like political stalemates. Bad things don't happen during stalemates.

[Ironic Mustache]

Originally Posted by f3lix

Bad things don't happen during stalemates.

Nothing happens during stalemates.

[Mr. Blonde]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blonde

Does it really even matter? ... but the position of a President in America at this point just seems pointless. It seems like everybodys' bankrolled; propped up to be the face of all the other bullshit we really have no control over.

Originally Posted by Ugly Bastard

Blonde, Obama is doing a shit job. He is an errand boy for the same corporate capitalism he campaigned about wanting to put in line. Obama is a joke and has done next to nothing impressive or to impact the "change" voters were hungry for in '08. Watch Inside Job and see if you still think Obama is doing a decent job. He's a puppet.

I think you may have a selective reading problem with my posts. In any case, I said "decent" job, mostly because of stuff like this: http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/

I do want to watch that movie though. You've been talking about it a lot.

[Ugly Bastard]

You would love Inside Job.

Re: that link, this one failure of his is enough for me to not like him:

[Saint DH]

I'm sorry, but thank god he didn't come through on that promise.

[Ugly Bastard]

Why? No company facing bankruptcy (especially one that is going to be bailed out by taxpayers) should ever be giving out executive bonuses. It drives the country further into debt (read: robs opportunities from future generations) to give even more money to a guy who got paid fabulously for steering his company into insolvency.

[Mr. Blonde]

Because, UB, the CEOs and top tier employees of any given bankrupt company are clearly the best at everything and 100% irreplaceable. They have godlike business powers that nobody else could hope or dream to possess, and because of this it would spell utter catastrophe if we punish them by taking away their bonuses. They would leave the bankrupt company, dooming it to failure, and nobody successful would ever want to work for a company that punishes it's executives. (10)

[Repugnant Abomination]

The (10) was really unnecessary (0).

[Mr. Blonde]

Your life is really unnecessary.

[Saint DH]

What is unnecessary is the fucking government putting their nose in firms' business. What a terrible precedent it would set if the government were allowed to regulate executives' compensation in any way. Also, I'd like to go ahead and never see another company get bailed out by the government ever again.

[Mr. Blonde]

UB, response?

[Ugly Bastard]

DH, I'm sure you would agree that there needs to be some type of rules for companies to follow and penalties when they do not follow them? You would agree that, like people, they should not be allowed to have complete free reign to do whatever they want in a zero-consequences environment, right? Assuming you agree with that basic point, then I think we can reach an understanding here. I am not calling for the government being a big oversight agency that can stick its nose in companies' business as they please and make an executive order from on high. I'm simply calling for a law that makes it illegal for companies to award bonuses to executives when they are in bankruptcy. There's really no reason why a company should ever do that anyway. It makes zero economic sense to give a bonus to an executive in a company facing insolvency. But, since apparently common sense isn't enough to prevent it from happening, I think a law should be in place to prevent it from happening and to make executives give back bonuses when their company reaches insolvency at some point in the not-too-distant-future after they received that bonus. This is something shareholders should demand. Also, I agree that the government never, ever bailing out a company ever again is a very good idea.

[angry pancake]

Don't really need that law UB. I'm skeptical that the creditors would allow a big ass bonus while they're reorganizing under chapter 11. But it's possible they could agree to it, just unlikely.

Not happening at all in a chapter 7. Trustee wouldn't allow it.

This also presumes these aren't contractual bonuses.

[SinisterKid]

Originally Posted by Mr. Blonde

Because, UB, the CEOs and top tier employees of any given bankrupt company are clearly the best at everything and 100% irreplaceable. They have godlike business powers that nobody else could hope or dream to possess, and because of this it would spell utter catastrophe if we punish them by taking away their bonuses. They would leave the bankrupt company, dooming it to failure, and nobody successful would ever want to work for a company that punishes it's executives. (10)

Pretty sure this article hasn't been posted before on nubblies:

Why Jeter deserves $45 million but most CEOs don't - Fortune Finance

[f3lix]

Originally Posted by Ironic Mustache

Nothing happens during stalemates.

That's the point. When was the last time more than 1% of legislation passed was in the positive direction of moving back to our constitution.

A stalemate stops that 99%+ from taking away our rights and liberties, while nearly every part of it makes more red tape on businesses to have to then place on the customers.

[SinisterKid]

There seems to be a decent amount of young people excited about Mitch Daniels potentially running for POTUS.

Students For Daniels

Every day something positive about Mitch is in national publications.

GOP hopefuls' state credit scores: Pawlenty trails the field - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

[DDTempest]

The idea of Mitch Daniel's running is fun to think about, but an absolute pipe dream from all perspectives. Obama is a Rockstar. Regardless of your opinion of his policies, ability, nationality, etc ... you have to admit that he is plain and simple a Rockstar and Mitch Daniel's is literally as boring as it gets.

Would I vote for Mitch despite leaning heavily away from voting for Republicans in general? Certainly. His comments on financial and energy policy trumping abortion policy is hands down enough to get my vote ... but the guy needs the backing of Christ to have any chance of even winning the primary.