The Politics Thread

[JaneAusten]

I don't believe the tax plan is polling effectively at all. If you recall, they ended up pulling the ads in the PA race that Connor Lamb won because it ended up working against them. Ryan's tweet bragging about a secretary getting an extra $1.50 a week is a prime example as to how out of touch these people are.

[Juliajms]

I agree. I keep seeing articles like this, which I find a little scary.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/09/the-gop-tax-plan-means-short-term-gains-for-the-economy-but-federal-debt-is-primed-to-explode-cbo-analysis-says.html

[Khan]

 

Bye.

 

(Not to you, Roman, but to Paul.)

[Roman]

LMAO! I sent him the song. 

[Vee]

[Juliajms]

I think he's right, but I pray he isn't.

 

[Vee]

Seth Abramson is a blowhard.

[JaneAusten]

So it seems as if the Oklahoma Teachers are not happy that their union ended the walkout and accepted what they see as a subpar solution. We will see what happens.  Maybe @Khan as you live there you can share some insight.

 

https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/9kggj8/oklahoma-teachers-arent-happy-their-union-ended-the-walkout-after-nine-days

[Vee]

Oh, and more on the pee tape:

 

 

[Vee]

LMAO:

 

 

More from the incredibly important WP article above:

 

[Vee]

[Khan]

 

Well, I'm saddened by the news, but I can't say I'm surprised.  

 

Let me just say upfront that there was not a moment when my support for our state's teachers flagged.  I was with them every day of the walkout, and I remain with them always.  However, the sad fact is that our teachers could have remained out of their classrooms until this time next year, and it probably wouldn't have made any difference.  Because, as the union head intimates in that article, there comes a point when you have to realize you're just banging your head against the wall.  In this case, the wall was our state legislature and governor.  You got your raise, they seemed to say, now go away.

 

Here's another sad fact: although I do like the call for everyone to make their displeasure known at the next local elections, the truth is that Oklahoma is in no danger of "turning blue" anytime soon.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the devil himself could run for office here on the Republican ticket, and win...

 

Sigh.

 

So, yeah, the educators end up being the losers here.  The package they get is a pittance compared to other states; it isn't sustainable fiscally (they'll be in the red from jump street); and if the anti-tax nuts have their say, part or most of it will be undone by the time you finished reading this post.  Which probably means, our vicious cycle continues: deficiencies in education funding means more students falling behind academically; more teachers and support staff will either keep bailing to other states that actually pay their teachers a fair and decent wage, or they'll just drop out of the profession entirely; and as classroom sizes continue expanding, administrators will be forced to emergency certify as teachers people who 1) are ill-qualified for the gigs and 2) not as committed to the noble task of preparing future generations for a tomorrow that, no doubt, is gonna leave them behind.

 

Honestly, I think most Oklahomans would just as soon home-school their kids at this point.

Edited April 13, 2018 by Khan

[Vee]

[DRW50]

@Vee I read the Paul Ryan piece that is from, I think (at Politico). It read like a very long press statement from Ryan supporters, although it was well-written, at least, as most Politico pieces are (I say most because they recently had an embarrassing "Republicans will win because a Planned Parenthood chapter tweeted that a Disney princess should have an abortion!!!" article from ex-CNN shill Jeff Greenfield).

[Khan]

Melania was upset about the pee tape?  REALLY?

 

Yeah, I doubt Melania was all that taken aback by the tape, or the dossier, or anything else pertaining to her husband's extramarital activities.  As the polarizing Wendy Williams says, all she wanted (out of the marriage) was a green card and a baby.  She knew what kind of husband she was getting when she said "I do" -- and frankly, if I were Melania, I'd be getting my things together for the first open chance to drop his ass and collect what I'd hope would be a nice paycheck.

 

Meanwhile, I'm convinced Comey's gonna end up getting his own courtroom show.  ("Justice has a new name: JUDGE COMEY.  Weekdays.  Check your local listings.")

Edited April 13, 2018 by Khan