TH3

Huh? GB/DC Middle East - OK Iraq/Afghan policy was the worst foreign policy approach and actions in the history of our country - on so many levels - a catastrophe - this is not in dispute. Saudi policy - Continued the "Sell us oil and we will look the other way - and buy some airplanes from us" This policy has been in place for a century - almost. Iran: Well - we effed that up in the 50's when we deposed their democratically controlled government and installed the Shah. Can't believe they hate us. GWB did jack here. Egypt: Well - let's continue the defacto parrot government of the Egyptian military by funding it and letting it run the country - another "winner" idea that surely will work in the long term....wait....what? Syria-Lybia - Leave the despots in charge. Actually the Neocon ME strategy was to overthrow Iraq and Afghanistan and and install democratic governments and let freedom ring - American style - around the ME -W000T! They were completely wrong. Stick with bashing Obama - carry on!. Carry on with your BO bashing.

GB and DC were at the helm of the worst 8 years of foriegn policy administration our country has ever had. We, and the middle east, will pay for those 8 years for decades. And i voted for him.

Where do you have this information?

Couldn't be more wrong bro - abortion rates - while higher among minority women - they are pretty much the same against all other demographics: "According to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, "Almost three-quarters of women obtaining abortions in 2008 reported a religious affiliation. The largest proportion were Protestant (37 percent), and most of the rest said that they were Catholic (28 percent) or that they had no religious affiliation (27 percent). One in five abortion patients identified themselves as born-again, evangelical, charismatic or fundamentalist; 75 percent of these were Protestant.” That's from a CHRISTIAN website http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/40519-why-do-so-many-churchgoers-have-abortions So - all you men can spout your "ideals" - when it comes down to it - and a young girl gets pregnant - they seem to have a different decision making algorithm.

I do read Gawker once in a while - only because its linked with my favorite site - Jalopnik. I don't need/use websites to affirm my positions. If you are so "up" on me you should know - I don't want HRC in office - voted DEM once in 30 years and would prefer a GOP candidate to win. Sorry of I am old enough at this point to not buy anything anybody says - including GOP promises of "lower taxes" and MR's low level foreign policy statements. AFA me being conservative - I would say I have conservative fiscal ideas - not dreamy political fiscal concepts - there is nothing worse than fooling yourself. I would say my social views are "conservative" too - in that people should do whatever they want as long as it doesn't bother anyone - and religion should be out of all politics.

You must be a high income person - good for you - as that is who a flat tax will benefit in terms of paying less - the middle class will pay more in a flat tax system. Remove all deductions, loop holes, credits - all for it - the tax code is the biggest source of corruption we have.

Easy slick...I have listened to Rubio and I mentioned why I find him questionable and backed up my position by comparing to what i consider an exemplary politician. You have not responded to either of these posts directly - but simply threw some labels and names around. Your age is showing.

For whatever reason labels are important to you guys. So be it. Not sure how old you are but do yourself a favor and do a little research on James Baker - a true "conservative". Look at the breadth of his accomplishments in tax reform, middle eastern and russian diplomacy. Look at the depth and width of how he did things and compare that to the puny thoughts of these GOP candidates - Rubio, Cruz, Huckabee.....these are small small men. We need better.

Rubio: Was for immigration - now is against it. Against immigrants getting preferential treatment - unless its his parents Doesn't want to level with Cuba because it is communist and will go back on BO naturalizing relations - OK do the same with China (Nixon) and Russia (Reagan/Bush) if you are so principled. Plus - just plain stupid. Will shut down communication with ME countries - sounds like a winning strategy - of course no clear strategy other than 'Merica! OK - blow the liberal whistle on me - this guy has nothing - all of the above show his inch deep comprehension of complicated issues - and the typical GOTP simplistic answers. Where have the James Bakers of the GOP gone?

Bill Clinton was adopted and dirt poor Prolly not - maybe because he has sliced his platform down so narrowly he will never win a general election....

I don't usually run for president but when I do..... I pander to the most jingoistic narrow minded easily lead demographic in the hopes of leading the most diverse nation in human history

Joining war on marriage, war on Christmas, war on religion....

I did not grow up in a “religious” household – but I have read the New Testament. I am not sure anyone seems qualified to speak for Jesus to be honest with you. Look at the last two Popes – completely different approach and view of what the Catholic Church should be. I cannot fathom – though – how the teachings of Jesus have been leveraged/construed for the advantages of the few – or utilized for the advancement of organized religions. To me – there seems to be a complete disconnect. If Jesus – the son of God – was on this earth – I can’t believe that he would discriminate. I think people views on SSM written into the Bible are 2000 years old – or 1500 – are like many things written in both the old and new testament are not “the word of god” but man’s view of things at the time. If you think the bible is the word of god – then you can’t pick and choose – it’s all or nothing. Look around the world today. The Middle East/Indiana/Africa/9/11 most of the worlds troubles seem to be religiously based – or at least highly leveraged by religion. Did you see 60 minutes last night – Ireland divided by Catholics and Protestants – both Christians – ready to kill each other for in the name of religion? I don’t get it. I do think the Indiana legislation is simply a bone thrown to the religious right to saw off same sex marriage. I think if you want to operate in our society which has decided not to discriminate – play by those rules – start adding religion to government and it’s a mess.

Jesus. - no doubt - would have done the same....

I would say that the above has either no effect (kxl) or unmeasureable effect on middle income wages compared to global compettion, global sourcing and technolgical labor replacement.

I dont want Hillary. You just confirmed my thoughts that the GOP really doesn't have any good ideas. I even read the GOP platform today and it had no ideas. I think you are fooling yourself if you think POTUS has a big effect on middle class income. The effects of global competition, internet, computers, worker effeciency gains all far outweigh what either the GOP or BO could do to change these dynamics. Todays economic structure does not b ode well for the middle class.

The level of macro and micro economics in this thread is enlightening Since BO is not going to make things better what are the GOP' plans to restore middle class income growth? Seriously. Lets forecast that Jeb or Scott wins and the GOP wins 60 seats in the Senate.....what could we expect that would help middle class income growth and deeper employment?

What exactly are these laws supposed to do?

Meanwhile the GOP worries about legislation to help pizza huts and cake shops....

What did i say that differs from the law? Again - you are so weak - or I guess adept - at not really debating. You only reply on your terms and in vague ways. If you are adept at this law - What in particular is this law supposed to do and why? If it is not different that the federal RFRA - why did they pass it? Of course its different - waiting for your non answer.

Because I dont agreevwith you? Tell me DC. What people will this law help and how?

I did.....A$$....Again - Tell me where someone has been harmed that this law helps....sorry - the "market" has read right through this law and is reacting accordingly.... Keep playing that winning hand though! It got you 8 years of BHO and by doubling down on it you might just get 8 years of HRC So it just might target gays for discrimination though huh?

What problem? When where is it burdensome for expression of religon? What this law does is unburdens the ability to be discriminatory. Keep at it GOTP.....please the few and alienate the many....is this really worth it? The Market Speaks.....Arkansas backs off

Talk about the market deciding out of ignorance - I would say the supporters of this kind of legislation are the start of ignorant mob rule - Where is the problem that this legislation is addressing? And as usual - when the market starts deciding and the TP/Libertarians don't like that outcome - all of a sudden is something different than market rule. This law is nothing but a pander to the religious right and it is structurally different than others - It is crap and as long as the GOP focuses on this crap - they don't have a shot at the WH. Hey - keep it on the books - let it ride out - and see how the market decides. I am of the thought that we should just give the keys to the whole GOP/TP platform - let them write, pass and enact ALL the things they want and see what kind of country we have. Get it out of our system.

I don't agree with Sandy Beach too much - but I agree with him this morning. This is just another example of the GOP/Con latching on to a no win issue. This issue does nothing to get them closer to the white house - all it does in alienate MOST of the voters in the USA. This may delight the base but independent voters, women, etc that make the difference in the general election - people like me - this is simply ugliness. How do these laws make any difference in anyone's lives? These also highlight the hypocrisy of the TP/Libertarians: You say - let entities act as they wish and let the market decide. Well Indiana and now Arkansas are acting as they wish - and the MARKET is deciding that maybe they don;t want to deal in this environment by walking, Market forces at work.