Thread: Newt Gingrich

Originally Posted by Jimbo7

Thanks! I like this!

clever ....

Originally Posted by Jimbo7

Yes. Remember that Obama garnered a lot of support by making vows of "transparency" and "changing the way Washington works" with respect to lobbyists and such. Snore.

I'm not knocking Obama personally for this failure (though I have my issues with him), I'm just saying that even the best intentions seem to hit the Washington machine like water off a boulder. There's an awful lot of inertia in the way things are done now, and despite the fact that the American people think it sucks, once these guys get "in" they seem to develop a strange case of amnesia in the face of dollar signs.

I think Obama was so occupied with getting elected that once he got there, he had no clue what to do.
This is human, and one of the reason many people drop out of martial arts after getting their black belt they focused so hard on it that they feel lost, once they get there. In our organization it is called 'shodan syndrome'.

I am wondering about the dollar signs though.
IIRC, a president does not really earn that much, and I don't see too much room for blatantly enriching themselves.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I am wondering about the dollar signs though.
IIRC, a president does not really earn that much, and I don't see too much room for blatantly enriching themselves.

They do ok, at least by my standards. But then there's life after the presidency to think about. Making people happy along the way helps you out in your retirement. Sort of like an extra presidential pension.

I'll admit that it's not the dollar signs, specifically...or at least solely. Especially with respect to our senators. The money's nice, but its the power they crave. More and more of it.

Most of them, since Eisenhower anyhow, are rich when they get in there. The guy who is governor of Florida spent millions of his own money to get the job ..... as did Bloomberg in NYC. Perhaps it is a thirst for power, fame, immortality via the history books ? Bill Clinton certainly got rich as a result of being president. The Lincoln bedroom was like a suite at the Holiday Inn IIRC. His speaking engagements since his time in office have certainly added to the coffers.

Years ago a friend of mine became business agent for the ironworkers union we belonged to. He and I had often complained of policies of previous biz agents. He told me that once in office he couldn't believe the perks.... outright bribes the contractors offered for special favors and consideration. I joke that whoever runs for president should be disqualified because they have to be insane. There may be an element of truth to it. If not insane, egomaniacs.

Too bad it isn't constitutionally possible, but I bet that if Ahnold ran, he'd win . At least, he would have before his illegitimate child came to light. I can about picture him with his fingers on the big red button. Or perhaps color commenting one of those surgical strikes. Hasta la vista, baby!

The govenator would never win. He left office less popular than his predecessor, who was recalled.

Originally Posted by markdfhr

The govenator would never win. He left office less popular than his predecessor, who was recalled.

Maybe, however a few movies and he'll once again be loved by all and people will forget.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Maybe, however a few movies and he'll once again be loved by all and people will forget.

That's what attack ads are for.

American Politics =

40% that always vote Left wing because of the issues
40% that always vote Right wing because of the issues
20% In the Middle that vote for whichever party promises to give them the most...

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always followed by dictatorship."

Alexander Fraser Tyler, "The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic"

The only thing that stops this from happening in the USA, is what we love to bitch about, ie: "Deadlock"

I almost never discuss politics or religion, but I offer this for your consideration:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_a...symptoms_.html

The only hope this country has going forward is someone who can bring all the foaming-at-the-mouth partisans together to get real work done in the middle. Our government/congress/economy have been just about wrecked by know-nothing obstructionists who consider the honorable compromise that is a cornerstone of democracy to be heresy; Chris Christie, for instance, would have made a very compelling candidate.

I look at the current choices in '12, and just shake my head...