KKOB Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 There is a lot going on in the political world today, it's an election year in America, and it will be so here soon. So i thought it apt to create a thread to collecting the various discussions and debate about the topic which most greatly effects everyone, whether or not they're interested. Today Darlings budget was announced for the next year and it has seriously fucked me off. Increased taxes everywhere pretty much and nothing to support consumer spending during the 'credit crunch'. Oh, and an increase in the national debt to the sound of £43bn. What are your opinions? And how will the budget affect you? Also, Barak Obama is looking like he'll win the democratic nomination this summer to run against the evil devil spawn known as John McCain, views on this and opinion on Hillary Clinton?
gaggle64 Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Nothing is certain at this point, but when it goes all the way to the Democratic convention and Hillary wins it without the greater number of elected delegates, that's going to greatly undermine both her and her party. She needs to score the popular vote before then, or submit to Obama. All this legal wrangling over the previously ignored Florida vote isn't helping things either. As for the budget, I'm glad to see the increases in winter fuel and child benefits. The alcahol tax increases, freeze in fuel duty and reduced growth outlook suggest an awareness and realism about the thinking behind it. Wish he had taxed plastic bags though.
ReZourceman Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I find politics a bit too political for my liking and dont find it interesting, or even understand what anyone is talking about most of the time. This black female president should be good fun though. Oprah was it?
KKOB Posted March 12, 2008 Author Posted March 12, 2008 Nothing is certain at this point, but when it goes all the way to the Democratic convention and Hillary wins it without the greater number of elected delegates, that's going to greatly undermine both her and her party. She needs to score the popular vote before then, or submit to Obama. All this legal wrangling over the previously ignored Florida vote isn't helping things either. As for the budget, I'm glad to see the increases in winter fuel and child benefits. The alcahol tax increases, freeze in fuel duty and reduced growth outlook suggest an awareness and realism about the thinking behind it. Wish he had taxed plastic bags though. What David Cameron said was right, we should've paid off the debt the government is in when we had years of growth and surplus money. But hey ho, we're here now. Has anyone else noticed how anti-Hillary the internet is. Seriously, on digg, there is never an anti-Obama story and always 3 anti-Clinton ones. If it does go down down to conference, which it is likely to, the republicans will be at an advantage as McCain's people will have a more unified party and a presidential election campaign plan. I couldn't stand it if McCain became president, he's almost as dumb as Bush, and seems to be just as gun totting, and a puppet for party members hiding behind the scenes. The US needs a democratic leader, and i hope they get one.
Noodleman Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I couldn't stand it if McCain became president, he's almost as dumb as Bush, and seems to be just as gun totting, and a puppet for party members hiding behind the scenes. The US needs a democratic leader, and i hope they get one. While I havent really been following it that much thats just simply not true. He really isnt gun totting in the slightest, hes probably the most liberal republican American candiate ever. heck the NRA dont even like him. "The National Rifle Association gave McCain a 'C' grade (fair) as of 2004,[177] and the Gun Owners of America gives a lifetime 'D-' (very near failing) grade for 2000 through 2006" Thats not to say I want him to win, tbh I dont really care as long as its not Hilldawg. Everytime I have heard her speak I have cringed and felt embaressed for her. Offering Obama the vice presidency when he is ahead iof her in the poles just reaks of desperation to me.
Monopolyman Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 A politics thread, eh? I would have though that each political story would warrant it's own thread, but I'll bite. I like talking about this stuff anyway. The budget, IMO, seems quite fair, but I have to agree with Cameron on this one. Britain's economy is quite quickly falling. House prices keep dropping, mortgages are rising, banks are not getting enough customers and ultimately, people are spending less and less; and adding on taxes like Darling did certainly isn't helping. It's not exactly an easy problem to get around. I just think the government should really get there areses into gear and have a big think about it. As for the Democratic primaries, it's not going to get resolved until the Pennsylvania primary. If Obama wins there, he has the nomination locked, but if Clinton wins, it'll go down to the super-delegates, which I think Clinton might just edge. Obama is ahead in Pennsylvania, though.
yoyo Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 OK ATTENTION! I know most of you probably don't care, but i'm in deep shit. I have an As-level english debate tomorrow, the school screwed up and we only have had since monday to do it. I should be able to blag it, but can some people please give me some points to work with? I have to argue that: "The reason there is so much focus on American Politics in the British media is due to UK politics being boring." I know nothing of politics! I should be able to blag it a bit, but can someone give me some points that I might be able to stretch out? Thanks a million, YoYo
Slaggis Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I really hope Obama goes into power. I would hate another Clinton in the white house. Give someone else a chance to better America, Jeez.
The fish Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Obama for president! David Cameron should be shot, and Gordan Brown is just too dull to listen too (at the mo, Lib Dems are where it's at, as Gaggle will agree).
Slaggis Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Obama for president! David Cameron should be shot, and Gordan Brown is just too dull to listen too (at the mo, Lib Dems are where it's at, as Gaggle will agree). The political system in this country blows. They should just get rid of all the parties and start again, because they all blatently suck. And I agree with you on the whole David Cameron/Gordan Brown thing, they're both terrible.
MoogleViper Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I think it's time people woke up and stopped voting for labour and conservatives.
Platty Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I don't really get too involved in politics except for voting. I'm also not allowed to due to my job. But all I know is he has put 4p on my beer god dammit! We got London Mayor vote coming up and I hate Ken so much im gonna vote for that bungling idiot Boris instead. However there is a candidate running from the "get rid of the congestion charge party" who may get my vote. Wasted vote but funny.
ipaul Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 The one thing that concerns me with the current US election is the media turning it into a stupid battle of characters rather than what the representatives actually stand for. I'm sure people may just vote for Obama because he is black and not have looked at any policies he has given, or that anyone else has. If McCain wins in November it will clearly be thought or made out to be that it is not because america thought he would make the better president, but because they are racist/sexist. I have not looked at any of their policies or whatever and consequently I have no preference for any candidate at the moment, but I think alot of people seem to be missing the point due to the prospect of a black president. Which is seems kind of ironic to be honest /rant over
KKOB Posted March 12, 2008 Author Posted March 12, 2008 Obama's record of bills passed and bills that have been passed that he has created is very good, and a much longer list than Clintons i believe.
LazyBoy Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I hate to sound like the Donkey from Animal Farm, but nothing will change in America. Whoever wins, health care will stay privatised, military spending will still take precedence over everything else and the second amendment will remain.
The fish Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 I hate to sound like the Donkey from Animal Farm, but nothing will change in America. Whoever wins, health care will stay privatised, military spending will still take precedence over everything else and the second amendment will remain. Actually, Obama is very, very pro-gun control. The NRA have given him an F rating, "an enemy of all gun owners and their rights".
LazyBoy Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 Actually, Obama is very, very pro-gun control. The NRA have given him an F rating, "an enemy of all gun owners and their rights". He could publicly denounce anyone who had ever owned a gun and i'd still be sure nothing would change. There may be a few tighter restrictions, but you'll still be able to go out and buy one with a hamburger.
The fish Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 He could publicly denounce anyone who had ever owned a gun and i'd still be sure nothing would change. There may be a few tighter restrictions, but you'll still be able to go out and buy one with a hamburger. You need a license to buy a hamburger in Vermont? You do to buy a firearm.
LazyBoy Posted March 12, 2008 Posted March 12, 2008 You need a license to buy a hamburger in Vermont? You do to buy a firearm. That should be true. May help their obesity rate. Then again if was anything as easy to get as a gun license then maybe not.
ipaul Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 While this thread is here, which 'wing' are people on politically? I really am not sure where I fit in =S
Pete Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 I don't really get too involved in politics except for voting. I'm also not allowed to due to my job. But all I know is he has put 4p on my beer god dammit! We should thank our lucky stars its only 4p! Before the budget when over my parents I picked the paper my parents get a couple of times (the daily mirror-usless rag but i digress ) and they were running stories about cheap drink and of course the problems that 'go with' it, IE chav scummers booze d up and City Centre yobs (the latter always there, always omni present if the papers are beleved ) (To parapharse the Mirror 'Crates of Carlsberg from tescos that equate to 6p a can discusting!', £1 for a G&T at Weatherspoon evil!'-(Ah yes Mirror, G&T the choice drink of middle aged woman everywhere, the scouge of our land ). Now what this boiled down to is the paper wanted a higher tax/or higher pricing on booze (and I dont think they just meant tennents super stength here) to help combat its ills, of course completely glossing over the fact this idea also punishs the majority of all drinkers over 18 that just enjoy a drink or (god forbid) a few and dont cause any bother at all. Taxes effect the rich less of course, I wonder what the average salary of a fleet street Reporter is? hmm God forbid we get a drink without paying though the nose for it! Of course the paper suggesting harsher punishments for those who cause trouble on drink or greater powers for the police must have been too fair an idea for them. This may not seem to be the most important thing to put so much thought into but never under estimate how much power media has in/over politics that can effect us all. Jesus right now im glad I dont drive
MoogleViper Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 'Crates of Carlsberg from tescos that equate to 6p a can 6p a can? Since when?
Pete Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 6p a can? Since when? I read this a couple of weeks ago but as it was in the paper it's proberbly shite anyway .
MoogleViper Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 I read this a couple of weeks ago but as it was in the paper it's proberbly shite anyway . What the beer or the story?
Pete Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 I'm glad to see the increases in winter fuel and child benefits. Same, My friend. What the beer or the story? Haha the story. Carlsberg rules of course mate.
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