How is the P.O. inefficient? Seems to me they deliver mail fairly well. I pay them half a dollar and they deliver my mail anywhere in the country... if it's in my home state, it's usually within a day, maybe two. So, I'm not sure what you're thinking of as being inefficient. They've been losing business, but that's not because of ineptitude by the agency... it's because the internet made snail mail obsolete in many cases. And theoretically, yes... it would be possible for a government bureau to make an iPhone (or maybe, gPhone?) widely available. Of course, the logistics of something like that would be insane and there is no precedent for the government creating consumer goods of that kind or at that level. Whether it would be any more efficient than Apple is ahrd to say... would they be allowed to use cheap foreign labor? Or would they be pressured to use American labor to create jobs? The amount of checks, balances, pros, cons, efficiency vs quality and so forth is just too voluminous for any of us to know the answer to something like that. As for examples of the opposite, it misses the point. Meliai is right, it's not about efficiency, it's about effectiveness. When it comes to education, for example, quality is more important than quantity. Meanwhile in healthcare, the government didn't take over the supply... it's main purpose is oversight and regulation, such as requiring insurance companies to do the job they're supposed to do. And in the prison system, wherever it's privatized, it's corrupt and prone to stuffing cages and pockets instead of following the letter and intent of the law.
I really, really won't be surprised if (when) Bernie gets the nomination. (Unless Wasserman-Schultz does something to shoehorn Hillary in there, like it seems she's already trying to do.)
I used to have more respect for Bernie. Now he's saying most if not all criticism for Hillary is based on sexism. He says he'll go after all the Wall St. fat cats, unless her name is Hillary Clinton... The man is a fucking joke.
I can't see him getting it because of machine politics in both parties. The repubs have pulled/driven the dems rightward, it seems. The concerns that Sanders and Warren address SHOULD BE what the dems ought to be adopting for their platform. No balls. I don't like the way Clinton is so much a part of THE MACHINE. I suppose I'd vote for her if she gets the nomination---but I wouldn't like it. Money and lots of it is the main concerns of the Clintons. The financial situation in this country is so bad for the shrinking middle class that it REALLY is time for Sanders/Warren. Money out of elections Term limits Single payer "Free" education for ALL that can hack it. No country is going to attack us, so cut back on the shiny war toys the pentagon continually obtains. And gather the most extensive coalition of countries ever assembled --AND KILL THE SHIT OUT OF ISIS and any other homicidal maniacs that threaten societies, historical artifacts and human lives. The fuck is the world waiting for??
Hmm... I can't say I've heard him comment that most/all criticism is sexism. He has said that there are times when she's treated differently and believes that it's sexism in some cases, but not all. And he's right... both Hillary and Carly Fiorina are dealing with some amount of sexism. I could understand if Bernie was being overly PC, but I can't see how being aware of reality is a bad thing.
Yeah... turns out I'm actually a couple hundred years old vampire. And let me tell you... until modern conveniences, it was pretty tough to make it. I mean... no indoor plumbing means I couldn't go to the outhouse during the day! Imagine not being able to go pe in the middle of the night (Day)!! yeesh Or... that could all just be a fun story and I just like that word. :hug: (Huh... weird... there's no hug emoticon?)
Hate to be the one to say it, but americans really going to vote in a jewish president? I dont really see it happening whilst still heavily involved in the middle east, which you will be for a long while to come
I have to disagree, I don't think we've been pulled to the right at all. And with Bernie's numbers going up like they are only seems to prove it. Yeah... that seems to be the sentiment of a lot of people, myself included. Obviously, I want Bernie to get the nom (and the win in general), but I'd easily prefer Hillary to any Republican that gets nominated. Man, I would love to see a Sanders/Warren ticket... although I doubt that'll happen. Not sure who Sanders would pick for Vice, but I'm looking forward to finding out! And you're right on about those neds and Sanders being the one to attack it all head on. We certainly don't need to feed the military in the gluttonous fashion the Repubs want, so as you say... that could save a good chunk of money right there. As for ISIS though, just killing them isn't the answer. Or rather, not the only answer. Along with military might, the way to really defeat them is to prevent people from wanting to join. They need to be shown as anti-Islamic, as monsters and as a threat to the people who think they're protectors and stewards of a better tomorrow. (Which, Bernie Sanders would be perfect for, in theory.)
I think most Democrats wouldn't care. Which should be obvious, given the rising popularity of Sanders. Republicans would possibly balk at the idea. Then again, with their love affair with Israel and Bibi, it might make more sense that they would be cool with it than not. Overall though, I don't see it being a deciding factor. Die hard Republicans aren't going to vote for a Dem, no matter who it is, anyway. And die hard Dems aren't going to vote based on religious affiliation.
I also think with both russian and chinese instability at the moment you arent going to see anyone but someone fully backed by either major party become pres. And the reps dont seem to have any kind of candidate. Hillary is the only one with any kind of name recognition, most of america wont vote. So the decision of the leader of the free world will be left to mostly old farts concerned with healthcare, and overweight suburbanites who both with fast food and politics, will stick to what they know
Yeah, but trouble with elections, every one says blah blah blah before the elections, but as they get closer to the actual polling booths primal instincts kick in....and well
Hell, most of America probably isn't informed enough to make a well reasoned vote in the first place! Although, I do think that's changing with social media and just the existence of the internet in general. I could be wrong, but it seems there are WAY more youth involved in politics, or just aware of it, than there used to be. When I was just reaching voting age, I was more informed about Animaniacs and Bloom County than I was about C-SPAN and Doonesbury. Now it's different, we see a lot of younger people being active in one way or another... anything from posting political rants/pictures on Facebook to civil disobedience protests to running for president as Deez Nuts. A good example is Madison Kimrey. She's the one that gave a moving and eloquent speech at 12 years old. The one who Governor McCrory said was a "liberal prop". And speaking of that, here's an article she wrote about a week ago on that very topic: You Called Me A ‘Liberal Prop’ 2 Years Ago – Let’s Review Your Shameful Failure To Lead Since Then
All that means, if you're talking about voters, is that they'll vote for whoever gets the nomination in their chosen party. Although, if the candidate for both parties were say, of Islamic beliefs, I have no doubt more Republicans would walk away from their candidate than Dems would from theirs.
Why do you assume that? Becuase reps would be more vocal about islamophobia Its the implicit stuff you have to watch out for just as much, liberals can be just as conservative as conservatives , especially when push comes to shove
Just a small percentage cut in their budget would be enough money to cancel out the infamous Sequester budget cuts, which most people have forgotten about. They're still in effect. They've resulting in a disturbing number of National Park Service facilities in my state being abandoned for the last few years. Very sad to drive past them in that condition.
( to post 120) And if true--that's been our problem for a while now. As far as ISIS----who is going to attempt to talk to them in a reasonable and civilized manner? They will not stop until eliminated.