The media IS the Democraptic party!

Well, use your logic Todd.

Trump is a pathalogical psychopath with a very simple body-language.
Watch his eyes shutting tight when he is obviously lying.

Here on the other side of the ocean it is evident to all of us!

On other forums too, I hear this kind of crap from people who are not in the USA, and won't even be voting. Nice to see your media is also libtard too.
OH wait, you can still vote democratic if you're not legal to do so, millions of others are!
Hillary is a criminal, thought bought off the FBI director- and you're more worried about Trump squinting?
I used to like you

I'm concerned not only about how is it, that out of all the possibilities in the US, these are the two choices we now have. The problems include the presidency we are voting for. It also includes the congress, and the electorate that is uninformed or keeps voting them in, not voting at all or voting for

free stuff

that always has a price somewhere. Our national debt is out of control, our money has only to “good faith of the US” to back it. The future should be at least as interesting as the past. I hope we can learn from history and make better choices personally, locally and nationally. If not we are doomed to go down the same path and hope in vain for a different result. Europe, the Middle East, China is changing, the world is changing and we are repeating problems that are well documented in history. Hang on, the best and worst is still ahead.

I know you used to like me. Thank you.

I like you too and still do. But that's exactly the reason to speek out freely about my observations.
I know you are a hard-boiled Republican, like many other members on this board. And that's completely fine with me.

Never fight over politics and religion with people you like, is a wise adagium. But don't be silent!

My critics concerns the man and not the party which he stands for.
And yes, because America belongs to the powerfull states of the world, I have fears when you choose a lunatic as president.

Perhaps I misread your post (as is typical for me)?

Because someone doesn't drink the same kool-aide as you do, they are no longer your friend? Seems a little harsh....

I drink plenty of kool-aide myself, but I'd rather debate a particular idea rather than a person... Maybe I'm senile, but I find it hard to believe that someone who doesn't share my particular ideology will NEVER have a good idea, be able to contribute to society, or will forever be designated as sub-human...

Regardless of your particular position, I am glad that you are exercising your right to vote. In this election I believe every vote is needed. Not just for the top of the ticket. I think the down-ballot votes are possibly even more important.

I am supervising a polling location, and I see the layers of security to protect votes. At least in my state, it would appear that while voting irregularities may indeed occur, it would take a monumental effort to

rig

the vote. Our state does use paper ballots as a backup to the electronic vote(s) and require photo/signature ID. In addition, each political party will have designated monitors at each polling location who can contest voters/ballots. Having this sort of coordinated activity to disrupt an entire state's vote go undetected seems very unlikely.

I cannot speak for other states and how they operate their voting system. Most of this was the result of the train-wreck that was the Gore/Bush election.

That leads me to the question

are any nations/countries operating at a surplus?

I would suspect perhaps China, but those figures can be suspect.

Iceland?

Interesting publication on

public debt by country

Public Debt as % of GDP

Suprising that the countries with lowest ratio (debt to GDP) are places I don't really want to live:

Iran
Algeria
Botswana
Estonia

The worst debt ratios look like:

Italy
Belgium
Cyprus
Greece (no suprise here)
Grenada (dang, cause that's a cool place to visit)
Japan (oops)
Portugal

makes one wonder..... The 'developed' nations have the highest debt/GDP ratios... So our lifestyle has put us way in the hole... Let's go back to huts!

I want to thank Todd, Chumlee, the long lost Sparky, Carl, K-Lube, femalegenitalia-‘n’-Paste Schwartz and all the rest of you RINO/teabagger/alt-right denizens of the fever swamp you claim is conservative politics for your hard work that made it possible to elect the first woman president of the United States.

I do realize the election is a few days off but the media, that is totally controlled by the “democraps”, have taken control of every voting place in every church, basement and garage in America to insure a landslide that goes well beyond anything seen in modern history. Unless you count all of Putin’s elections of course. The only thing in doubt is how far the Senate will go Dem. We may see a new SCOTUS justice before the end of the year.

Your good works have metastasized into Trump, a person who has garnered descriptive words like racist, pathological liar, con artist, misogynist, birther, raging xenophobe and sexual predator. And let’s not forget his calls to incite political violence, the straight-up dictator move of threatening to arrest his opponents and blocking minorities from voting. Then there’s his debunked theories on international banks plotting the destruction of U.S. sovereignty, a veiled anti-Semitic attack and his claim Ted Cruz’s father conspired with Lee Harvey Oswald. There’s more but you certainly get the idea.

I’m sure many of you were hoping for a different candidate but you got what you deserved because there wasn't one capable or inspiring person in the infamous

Clown Car

lineup. All 16 of the non-Trump entrants were dunces, religious zealots, wimps or tyrants, all equally out of touch with voters. Scott Walker was a lipless sadist who in centuries past would have worn a leather jerkin and thrown dogs off the castle walls for recreation. Marco Rubio was the young rake with debts. Jeb Bush was the last offering in a fast-diminishing hereditary line. Ted Cruz was the Zodiac Killer. And so on.

By the time the other 16 candidates finished their mass-suicide-squad routine, a tail-chasing, sewer-mouthed septuagenarian New Yorker was accepting the nomination of the Family Values Party.

So, great work guys. You’ve made the USA the laughingstock of the rest of the free world. Keep chanting the new GOP mantra,

Grab them by the pussy.

It’s gotten you where you are today.

Are you worried about voter fraud Todd? Every right thinking member of the RINO/teabagger/alt-right fringe is. What will you do Todd? What will you do?

It's not to late to take action. According to the Little Trump, Pennsylvania is Ground Zero for voter fraud. Jump into your rollin' coal humungo pick-em-up truck and head east to get those lawbreakers under control. But, before you leave you need credentials so you're all legal-like.

Go to VoteProtectors.org to get your own personalized badge. It'll make you look like a big deal and scare off the dead people still trying to vote. I took the liberty to get yours printed in advance.

You're welcome.

Do you think that Donald Trump respects any other opinions, other than his own?

(You may get to keep your guns, but only if you are willing to defend HIS opinions.)

What are you afraid of today Todd?

Did you know there are the 117 suicides in the U.S. each day (in comparison with 43 murders), 129 deaths from accidental drug overdoses, 96 people dying a day in automobile accidents (27 of whom aren't wearing seat belts, not to mention the unspecified amount driving distracted)? Add the 1,315 deaths each day due to smoking, the 890 related to obesity, and all the other preventable deaths from strokes, heart attacks and liver disease, and the message is clear: The biggest thing you have to fear is not a terrorist or a shooter or a deadly home invasion. You are the biggest threat to your own safety.

One more example of how we control the media Todd.

In its 144-year history, The Yale Record has never endorsed a Democratic candidate for president. In fact, we have never endorsed any candidate for president. This is, in part, due to our strong commitment to being a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, which mandates that we are “absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.”

This year’s presidential election is highly unusual, but ultimately no different: The Yale Record believes both candidates to be equally un-endorsable, due to our faithful compliance with the tax code.

In particular, we do not endorse Hillary Clinton’s exemplary leadership during her 30 years in the public eye. We do not support her impressive commitment to serving and improving this country—a commitment to which she has dedicated her entire professional career. Because of unambiguous tax law, we do not encourage you to support the most qualified presidential candidate in modern American history, nor do we encourage all citizens to shatter the glass ceiling once and for all by electing Secretary Clinton on November 8.

Do you let your wife vote Todd? If so you'd better have

the talk

with her before she goes wild in the voting booth.

[size]Red-state women may be defying their Trump-loving husba[/size]nds[/b]

I'm trying to understand you Todd. This may help. Or not.

The American Psychological Association says that 52 percent of American adults are coping with high levels of stress brought on by the election, according to national Harris Poll survey data released last week. Therapists around the country said in interviews that patients are coming to appointments citing their fears, anger and anxiety about the election. (Have you made your appointment Todd?)

To help alleviate this stress, Harvard University Business School professor Deepak Malhotra has outlined how we can move forward as a country. In an article entitled “How to Build an Exit Ramp for Trump Supporters,” Malhotra puts forth a series of suggestions for how to bring Trump’s supporters back into the political mainstream. These suggestions include:

Don’t force them to defend their beliefs.
Provide information, and then give them time.
Don’t fight bias with bias.
Don’t force them to choose between their idea and yours.
Help them save face.
Give them the cover they need.
Let them in.

Malhotra concludes with some levelheaded, patient admonitions:

“Some of the above advice requires that we temper our natural inclinations for how to behave when someone is yelling and screaming or pushing and shoving. It is well worth building this discipline. Of course, not everyone is ready to change their mind. Equally, not all minds can (or need) to be changed. But you will have a much greater likelihood of navigating the path to change if you invest in building an exit ramp. The election of 2016 is as important a time as any to do it.”

Where in the United States Constitution does it state the government is responsible for protecting its citizens from itself??? Oh wait, your from California and a liberal to boot (what a surprise), maybe the copy of the U.S Constitution didn't make it to you in the same format I received my copy!?!?! Pretty likely, considering California is a damn long way from Washington DC, even further in 1850...explains quite a lot actually.

The real question is, how many of you have read the Federalist Papers, or any original documents from the men who founded this country?? They devised the electoral congress specifically to avoid the type of election we are about to have!!! Dumbass Americans who take their cues directly from the media and reality TV should not be allowed to vote!!! Specifically, our delegates are supposed to be smart enough to avoid electing bad presidents...problem is they're paid off too, just like the FBI deputies assigned to Clintons case..

And before you ask, I actually agree with the statements regarding the panel of 16 the GOP found and led to the down selection of Donald Trump as republican nominee. At the same time I cannot vote for a

woman

that is probably, more than likely, the most corrupt person in American politics. Nor can I vote for someone that cheats on her husband and leaves the mister behind to die in the shithole known as Libya. Lets not even talk about leaking classified documents to non-cleared civilians. Your butt would be sitting 5 stories underground sipping water through a cotton bag every 30 seconds if you did the same. So yes, I will be taking my vote third party, in the hopes that they can gain some funding for the next cycle and we can have a slightly less monetarily influenced system of government.

what I find strangely ironic (if the democratic party secures victory) is that the republican party drew the congressional districts in 2010 to heavily favor their party. I think it still favors republicans almost 2:1 as they are drawn now.

Take a look at your district map(s) and see how crazy the lines are. Not sure how that is meant to ensure the

one man one vote

mantra.

Not that I'm angry at any political party (they're both doing themselves in), but it would seem the real focus should be on the process itself. Rigged? Perhaps... but in this case by the last people who drew the district lines... which in this case was the party in power at the last census (Republican)...

Odd, ain't it?

Its really no surprise if you follow human history....thou who is in power shall stay in power...most people don't remember that America was founded on getting away from tyrannical dictators and monarchs, and the reality is that is exactly what we have! First the Bush dynasty and then the Clinton dynasty. Its pathetic and frankly disgusting, but the best thing you can do is vote for congressmen and women, as well as further down the ballot that actually believe in the constitution and don't take money from lobbyists.

We need term limits!

Do you mean themselves?

Yes. West Maui is just south of North Hollywood.

So I guess we're wasting all this air arguing stuff (candidates, issues, etc) when it's highly unlikely that anything will change...

maybe being fatalistic will allow more time for hobbies rather than all this discussion?

Maybe, but won't that exacerbate the elder/seasoned politians from totally routing the new folk? They do that now, but I can imagine how well the power-brokers will manipulate representatives if none are in office long enough to learn the old/new tricks?

As opposed to those entrenched in office so long they are already in the power-broker pocket...?

Hmmmm....

Most issues that require public policy are very complicated and require hard choices to be made.

Term limits removes experienced experts with actual knowledge and wisdom from the process and replaces them with newbies.... Simply a bad idea. The lobby will have the experience and skills to run circles around you...

What you really want are politicians.. Yup... individuals who know how to negotiate and move the ball. Politicians who have the backbone to make hard choices within this negotiation on public policy issues are priceless.

It is a trivial thing for a politician to

make hard choices

and have NOBODY join him.... See Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz..... One old timer and one newbie... It is indisputable that these are two lightweight politicians are noted for making

hard choices

and getting NOTHING Accomplished.

Hard choices... are actually easy to make... when you don't have to get anything done ... After all... it is a democracy... autocrats are not the answer!

Yes, from themselves. It is the responsibility of the government to do the following (from here: http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/03/23/against-all-enemies/)

Thus, there was an obvious need for government – legitimate, just government to carry out two main functions:

(1) protecting free people from foreign enemies and invaders;

(2) protecting honest, self-responsible, hard-working citizens within the nation from domestic lawbreakers who would use coercion, fraud, or force to deprive others of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

If you harm yourself, by failing to wear a seatbelt (or properly straddle your horse, or what have you), that isn't the governments problem, nor should it be. Welcome to the nanny state... Can the government protect you from an avalanche if you cross into a known avalanche area? Can they protect you several hundred miles offshore, beyond reach of the most sophisticated miltary helicopters? Should they?? After all, was it their decision for you to be out there in the first place?

I fear America has become exactly what our founders set out NOT to create, and its the complacency of our citizens that has lead to this. Not that the people in power make it easy-and their are term limits in place which do just fine, but do you think Bill, or George, or any of the Presidents, Congressmen, Senators etc. really get out of politics just because they leave Washington? Its not like JuanK stopped designing boats because he had a couple of rather embarrassing and public failures, that's his career.

Surprisingly I agree with Mark on this, you need a skilled politician to navigate the system, but at the same time, its not term limits that are the problem. Its the money in politics. Big business, the NRA, U.S Chamber of Commerce etc. are the ones in control, NOT the citizens.

Tell that to Bernie and Donald Trump.... they have raised much/most of their money from citizens in small amounts.

Fact of life... that constitution that you choose to construe as doing just two things..... Makes it clear that citizens can petition their government... Petition = money = speech.

Big money in politics controls everything... sure... Tell it to Eric Cantor.... X member of the republican house leadership.

My view is that money comes from people and so cash over a certain amount comes with full disclosure and a SS number. Big money matches up to names... No more anonymous donors to pacs and super pacs..... Disclosure will allow the political process and a free press to vet private or public interest concerns. This system can work and has long been proposed by conservative pundit George Will.

I don't have a problem with the Koch brothers funding pro coal anti global warming efforts.. I get that this furthers their private interests... How it impacts my opinions is a function of their argument and the data they present.

Likewise, I don't have a problem with the big environmental donor funding the opposite point of view... He may have a financial interest in solar panel production.. again...knowledge about one's motives, interests and history is critical. The key point ... a name and SS number is attached...

Sunlight is the key.... not rants about big money.

There is a legit role for ANONYMOUS SPEECH. See Thomas Payne.... I think the courts should distinguish Speech as some form of Ideas being expressed. NOT CASH delivered in the dark of night.

I haven't thought about about what to do with stolen private communications now being made public... This seems different then stolen private documents and communications made within the government ostensibly for the public good/interest. So... yes... this is speech.... not so sure it should have no limits placed on it.

What we actually have to worry about is the debasement of two pillars of our democracy... independent judiciary and transfer of power.

Think about it.... it is just STUNNING for the FBI Director to go about discussing and releasing information in PRESS conferences on cases that DO NOT LEAD to judicial action months and now days before election. Yeah... he has the right of free speech... but ....See the latest dog and pony show s...t storm he created.... It threatens the basis of the constitution. This is just wrong and I can't remember any situation like this. Hell.... Ford pardoned Nixon to eliminate any chance of creating a slippery slope for judicial action against a high profile citizen getting railroaded (even if he was guilty as hell) and did this well before an election .... Comey...the republican... does not have the stones that Gerald Ford demonstrated. He seems happy to weigh in on elections rather then STFU. In this case... his free speech is undermining the basics of and independent judiciary ... one of three independent branches of government. Couple this with Trump hedging on the acceptance of the election results.... two out of the three constitutional branches of our government are BEING debased by two politicians in it for power for themselves. Wow!

Oh... and Congress... well it is supposed to do one of the few enumerated things in the constitution... advise and consent on appointments to one of the branches... WELL.... No!.... now the position seems to be... ONLY when we have a republican president will we do this job.. (see John McCain and of course the always wrong Ted Cruz)

This is about POWER.. not about Big Money... The big story is about the abuse of power... the old adage... follow the money.... well... the point is to follow the money because it leads you to and enables the abuse of power.

it ain't about the big money now....

You appear to be a libertarian. While it's good that you've found your own way, your ideas will never be tested. 

Awe, mikey is so good with those absolutes.

What does the rest of the world think about Hillary Clinton?

fyi, I'm not wasting a vote on either one of those fools.

I fond it ironic that the Clinton campaign used sex scandals to derail Trump, and now they may be brought down from an investigation of sex scandal...

The more I read about Anthony Weiner.. this guy was a real degenerate... and both Bill and Hillary stated that Anthony is the son they never had, and Humma is their second daughter...

Like many, I am not wasting a vote on either of these two scumbags.... sad that California does not allow for a write in vote...

Absoutely Carl.

The rest of the world is (selfishly) primairily interested in the foreign affairs policy of both candidates.

I think for that reason that most sympathy goes for Hilary.

Despite the fact that she sure may be a she-devil.