The Grand New Party

If there are 700 "international scientists" who think there is no human connection to global warming, then, yes, you could.

Good to see another open minded person on the board.

I think it is time we start limiting the Congress's term limits. What is happening now is that we have elected officials who are more concerned with getting re-elected than doing what is best for the people in their states. Many years ago in Virginia senators were appointed by the governor, maybe it is time to look at that again. Doubt it will ever happen, government is getting bigger and more powerful and they aren't going to give that up anytime soon.

What conservatives need to get to is a more pragmatic approach and I would say the GOP does too. I am conservative before I am a Republican. Obama will more than likely be a two term president unless he really screws up, but even then he has enough allies in the media that they will not let him fail, at least not yet.

There are always going to be cycles in politics. The Democratic party has start stepping up to the plate and they too are dealing with the divide between the far left faction of their party and their more moderate members.

" A people who fear its government is a tyranny. A government who fears its people is liberty." Thomas Jefferson
For the first bolded point, that is how the Constitution originally established the Senate, but a Constitutional Amendment in the early 1900's changed the Election of the Senate to pure voting. At the time it probably made sense, however in hindsight, I think it has simply diluted the Senate, and created a second House of Representatives. There was a clear and purposeful split in the roles of the two bodies, that now is more or less simply window dressing.

As to the 2nd. Politics is NOT cyclical, this is either a myth, or a misconception. If it was cyclical, we would be looking at slavery coming back into fashion, or other outdated, and illogical ideas. Politics is moreso a creeping ivy. It may curve to the left, or to the right, but it never stops expanding its reach, unless the gardener prunes it.

I would use seatbelts as an example. In the 80's in Md, when seatbelt laws were first introduced, there was a lot of outrage, but it was accepted, just not as a primary cause for a ticket. The ivy was planted. Later the State law was changed, now it could be a primary cause, but still the nobility of the purpose was to prevent harm to yourself, and reduce insurance rates (I am so glad that happened). Now this year's National Click It or Ticket commercial actually de-emphasizes the risk of injury and says, basically, do it or else get a ticket. The specific commercial I am referring to talks of a guy's friend who got a seatbelt ticket, and was an idiot because now he has to pay the fine instead of going to a concert. The point is that it was not a cycle, but an ever increasing, and overreaching intrusion into states' rights and individual liberties.

^^ Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.

Has anyone here read "Grand New Party"?

For the first bolded point, that is how the Constitution originally established the Senate, but a Constitutional Amendment in the early 1900's changed the Election of the Senate to pure voting. At the time it probably made sense, however in hindsight, I think it has simply diluted the Senate, and created a second House of Representatives. There was a clear and purposeful split in the roles of the two bodies, that now is more or less simply window dressing.

As to the 2nd. Politics is NOT cyclical, this is either a myth, or a misconception. If it was cyclical, we would be looking at slavery coming back into fashion, or other outdated, and illogical ideas. Politics is moreso a creeping ivy. It may curve to the left, or to the right, but it never stops expanding its reach, unless the gardener prunes it.

I would use seatbelts as an example. In the 80's in Md, when seatbelt laws were first introduced, there was a lot of outrage, but it was accepted, just not as a primary cause for a ticket. The ivy was planted. Later the State law was changed, now it could be a primary cause, but still the nobility of the purpose was to prevent harm to yourself, and reduce insurance rates (I am so glad that happened). Now this year's National Click It or Ticket commercial actually de-emphasizes the risk of injury and says, basically, do it or else get a ticket. The specific commercial I am referring to talks of a guy's friend who got a seatbelt ticket, and was an idiot because now he has to pay the fine instead of going to a concert. The point is that it was not a cycle, but an ever increasing, and overreaching intrusion into states' rights and individual liberties.
Seatbelt laws are by state and VA just passed that law just a few years back.

Seatbelt laws are by state and VA just passed that law just a few years back.

Yes they are, but why do you think VA passed it, if you check i believe you will find Federal Funding attached.

My point on the seatbelt law was more that government does not cycle, it grows and weaves, altering course but rarely repealing intrusive laws (an exception being if they make an overt and overreaching prohibition such as Prohibition).

Yes they are, but why do you think VA passed it, if you check i believe you will find Federal Funding attached.

My point on the seatbelt law was more that government does not cycle, it grows and weaves, altering course but rarely repealing intrusive laws (an exception being if they make an overt and overreaching prohibition such as Prohibition).
Not sure if its attached to federal funding but we do have HOV lanes in our area that I do know that we have to keep open due to federal funding. Its crazy we have these lanes as they get little use and they would be better used as just another lane to help with trafic.

Well now this new party will have to take into account that the Pro-Life now has more supporters then Pro-Choice for the first time sensen they have been tracking this galup poll.More Americans “Pro-Life” Than “Pro-Choice” for First Time (http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx)
I did not want to start an abortion thread but I found this pool really interesting.

But what does it mean to be "pro-life" ??

That same poll says that even though 51% of people define themselves that way, 22% say that abortion should be legal in all cases, and 53% say that it should be legal in some cases -- meaning that 75% still say that abortion should not be completely outlawed.

If any Republican attempts to run on a national platform of making abortion illegal, then that candidate will lose and the party is going absolutely nowhere.

But what does it mean to be "pro-life" ??

That same poll says that even though 51% of people define themselves that way, 22% say that abortion should be legal in all cases, and 53% say that it should be legal in some cases -- meaning that 75% still say that abortion should not be completely outlawed.

If any Republican attempts to run on a national platform of making abortion illegal, then that candidate will lose and the party is going absolutely nowhere.
Well some cases could be rape or the health of the mother so that number is hard to grasp. I just really posted this because I have seen several people here say that on abortion the Rep. party does not have a clue but this poll may suggest something different. I don't think anyone would have any traction with either oarty if they took the far left or far right stance on the abortion issue. It seem now that both parties are some where in the middle.

Not sure if its attached to federal funding but we do have HOV lanes in our area that I do know that we have to keep open due to federal funding. Its crazy we have these lanes as they get little use and they would be better used as just another lane to help with trafic.

Or people could get off their ass and actually carpool. That'd help traffic too.