What will happen in the second term?

OK its over now, time to look ahead.

What do people predict will happen in term 2? My guesses...

1. No more tax cuts.
2. Partial privatisation of social security.
3. Iraq gets worse but manages elections next year anyway.
4. Unemployment falls, the economy does well, stock markets have a good year (all of which would have happened under Kerry too)
5. No constitutional amendments on gay marriage
6. No change to abortion laws
7. A deal is cut with North Korea which looks exactly like the one Clinton cut but Republicans will proclaim victory anyway
8. Relations with Russia deteriorate
9. Showdown with Iran but this time with European support
10. No progress on free trade.
11. Bin Laden's luck runs out
12. Terrorism remains bad abroad, no attacks of the 9/11 scope here.
13. There is no "Patriot Act II"
14. Truly massive deficits
15. Colin Powell quits

 

I hop that there is no patriot act II, but with a republican majority it could happen. Bush doesn't have to worry about the favor of the american people as much this term.

I think that "more of the same" is the best prediction. But hey, if that's what the people voted for, they must want it.

 

**

As I said in a similar post in the politic forum I think the first indications of what the 2 term is going to be like will come with the appointments.

As to the list Point

Just hope there is no showdown with Iran because I don’t think the US will get European support, I don’t think even the labour party would back Tony another time. Without much support the US could only do an aerial campaign and I think that would be counter productive and might make the Iranians to actually act and invade Iraq. Then the shit would really hit the fan.



**

 

1. There will be tax cuts. Just don't expect them for the middle class or lower classes.



2. Partial privatization of Social Security? Quite likely.



3. Iraq gets worse. Elections take place, but they are a joke. Don't be surprised to see yet another war in that region, possibly in Iran.



4. Unemployment does not improve. Economy gets worse for most Americans, somewhat better for Bush's base.



5. No constitutional amendments on gay marriage, but don't expect any progress on gay rights issues for at least four years. In fact, don't be surprised to see a return to sodomy laws.



6. Bush appoints at least one Supreme Court justice. In fact, two is a distinct possibility, and don't rule out a third. At least one of these justices is a hard core neoconservative who will help with some frighteningly extreme decisions. At least one justice won't be as much of an extremist as many of us fear.



7. Abortion laws don't change much, but it's not going to be for a lack of trying. Things will get worse in a state or two where things are already quite bad.





8. Relations with everybody deteriorate. Our "foreign policy" alienates the whole world. More and more Americans sew little maple leaf patches on their backpacks when they travel abroad.

9. Free trade? More and more American jobs are sent overseas thanks to tax breaks for the corporations who increase American unemployment.

10. Bin Laden is most likely found. He may even be found dead, having died of natural causes. The end of Bin Laden is a disappointment, because it turns out not to be the end to terrorism.

11. No strikes against the US of a 9/11 magnitude, but fear and paranoia remain fashionable in some circles. However, color coded alerts become a thing of the past.

12. Patriot Act II is a distinct possibility, particularly if too few Americans pay sufficient attention to civil rights.

13. Deficits continue to pile up, so much so that genuine conservatives are deeply alarmed.

14. Colin Powell quits. Expect his replacement to be more of a neoconservative true believer.

15. Dick Cheney announces plans to run for president in 2008. The Democratic candidate is someone who is currently not so well known.

16. Expect at least one significant ecological disaster, either at home or abroad. Do not expect any serious attempt to increase protection for the environment.

17. Evangelical Protestants who see Bush's election as a sign of the rightness of their cause will be emboldened. Expect a rise of "in-your-face" religion.

18. Sooner or later, not necessarily in term 2, expect a sense of desperation from liberals and progressives. There will be an almost underground type of activism growing, and this will eventually lead to more of a progressive tone.

19. Bush will perceive this year's election as a mandate to stay the course. There will be an increased sense of Us-vs.-Them. In other words, if you think the past four years have been uncivil and nasty, you ain't seen nothing yet!

 

i cant see unemployment problem reversing, it seems ot be too late now, too much bad has happened


we need a president who will take steps to repair this problem

of course i just need to find a way out of here where the no jobs problem exists

im fed up with not having a job to go to these days after the big layoffs.,

 

Unemployment, historically speaking, is not especially high, and it remains much lower than levels in Canada or Europe.


I don't think outsourcing has anything to do with it. Outsourcing was not invented during GWB's first term. We had a boom economy which eventually, and rather mildly, deflated. As a result unemployment rose, and recovery in this area is lagging the generally strong economic growth. But I would still expect it to recover.

One more prediction: NO DRAFT.

 

We have people in the National Guard and the Reserves who are serving in Iraq right now. They finish their term, and when it expires they are told that the term has been extended. The word "draft" is not being used, but it is really a very fine distinction. In a sense, we've got every part of a draft except the word.

 

I would bet Dick Cheney is not going to run in 08 for President. His age and health are too poor, not to mention if he does other people probably winning the nomination over him, like McCain or Guliani? (Both of whom I hope are on the ticket togethar in 2008).

 

Tax cuts will become permanent unless tax-and-spend liberals somehow screw THAT up, too.

New tax cuts? Distinct possibility.

Roe v. Wade WILL be overturned, hopefully with retroactive punishment for abortion doctors. I would love to see them stripped of their licences. MARK MY WORDS. Abortion will be illegal in a year or so, thank God - we suffered this legalized atrocity long enough.

Patriot Act II will be passed, especially given the Republican Senate majority.

Colin Powell isn't sticking around, Condie Rice probably is.

Conservative constructionist judges WILL be appointed, and it makes me almost sexually aroused to think about that.

Draft WILL be reinstated in a year or so. Start working out, you're going.

Partial privatization of Social Security? Definite yes.

Stricter controls of the Internet content. The great free ride has come to an end, once again, MARK MY WORDS. No more terrorist manuals, Columbine receipes or porn freely accessible to minors. Yes, that'll mean that sites like this will have to invest in some sort of age verification system and control content a little better, but it's truly a small price to pay.

 

I think you mean the 'spend and leave the bill for someone else' so-called-conservatives.

Proabably. Seems like the kind of logic Bush uses. FAcing a deficit? Well lets give the rich back more money! That will sure help...

Probably true. Lets just stick them all on trains to concentration camps. ALl the rape victims, mothers whose life may be lost, and doctors... yeah thats a good health care plan.

You better watch what you say. Big brother is already here.

Colin Powell is probably the wisest guy on the administration. Maybe Condoliza will get another oil tanker named after her.

That figures. It probably gives you a woody thinking about all the gays and minorities we could bash.

Again, very insitefull of you. Yes, Bush will wage his private war with our lives.

Uh huh. We should just stick all these old people on the trains too. That would clean things up.

Say goodbye to freedom of speach. It's only a 'small price to pay.' WHy don't you just go live ina communist country where all there internet content is filtered. It's what your asking for.

 

Freedom of "speach" (sic) does not apply to materials that are abjectly harmful. You cannot stand in the middle of a crowded store and yell "FIRE!!". I fail to see how giving step-by-step instructions on building an explosive device, or showering minors with filth is less harmful.

I've got nothing to fear from Big Brother (haha), do you? Hell, being a cop I AM a part of "Big Brother".

 

Yep, as long as this asshole's right's aren't infringed upon, don't expect him to give a damn about you. Just the attitude you want from a public servant.

And people wonder why the police get such little respect

 

Maybe I do. I do hold a number of beliefs that the administration might disagree with. It is my constitutional right to hold such beleifs without recourse on the part of my government. If you are not defending the constitution then you are not a very good cop in my opinion.
If you are just a tool of the administration, then you are indeed Big Brother. If you are unable to think for yourself and just do the bidding of an administration who wants to inact surveillance on all it's citizens for 'security' then I guess you may be a person to fear in a land of the free.

No body showers filth on minors. FIlth starts to filter in after you begin visiting sites of ill repute. If you are not actively visiting pornographic sites then you do not get pornographic links. The internet is a free world wide place and you can't legislate that. Go burn some books or something where you can really make a difference.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this site has at least two threads (Official boob club and official butt club or something like that) which have pictures of nude adults posted in them. That in my not so humble opinion qualifies as filth.

There is no parental control device in place.

Minors can freely visit the site and view the content freely. In fact, I've seen postings from people here who at least CLAIM to be 14-15 years old.

I cannot in good faith oppose a law that would stop something like that from happening.

 

The human body is not filth save to those small minds filled with prejudice and evident self loathing like your own. Children would gain far more self worth from seeing healthy appreciation for the beauty of the human body and human sexuality than the rampant bloodletting which crowds US television schedules.

What qualifies far more as filth is the sort of bigotry and vitiol with which your posts are filled.

 

Why are you here? I just do not understand. Do you just enjoy arguing? Do you enjoy creating a bigger gap between liberal and conservatives? The more I hear you the more and more liberal I want to be.

 

LickHERIsh: this may come as a surprize to you, but I also oppose children being exposed to rampant violence. But don't expect me to concede to the statement that exposing minors to nudity is harmless. "Healthy appreciation for human body" is a cop-out coined by liberals for liberals; it breeds nothing but lost innocence and sexual deviation.


duckandmiss: Yes, I like to argue. You got a problem with that? Debates make you uncomfortable? Poor little you.

 

When you sign your contract to the military, you give them the right to do that.

After I serve my 6 years, if my term is up, im still on a 2 year
"reserve period."

Fine print of the contract states that, just to the left of persons signature.

 

You arent really debating, its just your opinion with nothing to back it up because it is just your opinion. The problem I have with you is that now that we have heard it why not give it a rest? No one will change their mind with the way you are arguing your points, and I don't even want to dignify you with trying to change your mind, so go get a doughnut and watch some FOX. You must be right, debates must make me uncomfortable, especially since I spend most of my time on this site debating with people. Your such a smart guy, what a witty observation.

 

Duckandmiss: I can't help you, I'm awefully... HAPPY that my views disturb you, but I can't and won't do jack about it.