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The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: OrangeAfroMan on June 20, 2024, 06:28:09 PM

Title: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 20, 2024, 06:28:09 PM
I've long been a promotor of states really experimenting and trying out all kinds of stuff in order to help identify what's best - in all areas.

But in pondering that today, I second guess myself.  I'm fearful each state, if given enough rope to do so, will possibly hang itself.  
And I can make examples from both extremes here as an argument against total state freedoms.
Do we really want Alabama to "Alabama" as much as it can?  I'd argue no.
It also wouldn't be good for California to be as 'California' as it can.
I'd argue Texas shouldn't Texas to the extreme, but I think it already is.

I think people forget that Federal reach acts as a sort of social and economic gravity, pulling each state back towards the middle.  
.

Another thought I had is to treat counties as we do states.  Maybe to avoid a future civil war between urban and rural, just have counties' rights be the ultimate law of the land.  That way, if you are unhappy with your county's politics, it's easier to move to a nearby county compared to moving entire states away.  Or you could drive over for services you want, but aren't available in your county.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 20, 2024, 07:38:47 PM
I've long been a promotor of states really experimenting and trying out all kinds of stuff in order to help identify what's best - in all areas.

But in pondering that today, I second guess myself.  I'm fearful each state, if given enough rope to do so, will possibly hang itself. 
And I can make examples from both extremes here as an argument against total state freedoms.
Do we really want Alabama to "Alabama" as much as it can?  I'd argue no.
It also wouldn't be good for California to be as 'California' as it can.
I'd argue Texas shouldn't Texas to the extreme, but I think it already is.

I think people forget that Federal reach acts as a sort of social and economic gravity, pulling each state back towards the middle. 
.

Another thought I had is to treat counties as we do states.  Maybe to avoid a future civil war between urban and rural, just have counties' rights be the ultimate law of the land.  That way, if you are unhappy with your county's politics, it's easier to move to a nearby county compared to moving entire states away.  Or you could drive over for services you want, but aren't available in your county.

please give some examples
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 20, 2024, 07:43:48 PM
please give some examples
Well, you can look at history. Jim Crow laws. Laws banning interracial marriage. The like. The whole reason behind the 14th Amendment incorporation doctrine was that the Constitution protects the rights of individuals, and that protection should also flow down to state and local government actions, not just Federal. 

Or you can look at current stuff. Saying "no more gas cars after 2035" (CA), or banning lab-grown meat for no discernible reason (FL/AL). 

I'm sure OAM can give some examples too. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 20, 2024, 07:48:44 PM
Here's my "radical" thought:




Simple.

Restrain the portion of government that can hurt you as much as possible so that CA or TX or AL can't get away with something just because the voters there say it's cool. Petty tyrants exist, from the HOA level to the city council level to the state legislature level to the House of Representatives. But the bigger the population gets, the harder it is for them to exert their petty grudges/beliefs. 

But the portion of government that DOES stuff should be as local as possible so that it actually responds to the unique local conditions of the people it serves based on their unique local needs. Need for government services might be very different in Cheyenne WY than in Seattle WA, so why should they be determined in DC?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 20, 2024, 07:49:26 PM
Well, you can look at history. Jim Crow laws. Laws banning interracial marriage. The like. The whole reason behind the 14th Amendment incorporation doctrine was that the Constitution protects the rights of individuals, and that protection should also flow down to state and local government actions, not just Federal.

Or you can look at current stuff. Saying "no more gas cars after 2035" (CA), or banning lab-grown meat for no discernible reason (FL/AL).

I'm sure OAM can give some examples too.
not sure how going to county level would do anything but creat thousands of governing juristictions making it nearly impossible to have any unity on a Federal level
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 20, 2024, 07:53:25 PM
Here's my "radical" thought:


  • Protection of individual rights should be done on the most wide possible basis, Federal if possible.
  • Government powers should be devolved to state and local governments as much as possible.


Simple.

Restrain the portion of government that can hurt you as much as possible so that CA or TX or AL can't get away with something just because the voters there say it's cool. Petty tyrants exist, from the HOA level to the city council level to the state legislature level to the House of Representatives. But the bigger the population gets, the harder it is for them to exert their petty grudges/beliefs.

But the portion of government that DOES stuff should be as local as possible so that it actually responds to the unique local conditions of the people it serves based on their unique local needs. Need for government services might be very different in Cheyenne WY than in Seattle WA, so why should they be determined in DC?

isnt that how its done now
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 20, 2024, 07:58:09 PM
isnt that how its done now
Probably with individual rights. 

Gov't powers on the other hand have been on a long march to being centralized for oh, just about 235 years now :57:
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 20, 2024, 08:02:10 PM
Probably with individual rights.

Gov't powers on the other hand have been on a long march to being centralized for oh, just about 235 years now :57:

The Constitution is pretty clear that unless specified otherwise power should go to the states.  If this isnt being followed SCOTUS is there to correct the situation.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 20, 2024, 09:32:59 PM
The Constitution is pretty clear that unless specified otherwise power should go to the states.  If this isnt being followed SCOTUS is there to correct the situation.
Sure. That's a nice idea. Here's a great book explaining how that idea was eroded (by SCOTUS) over the past two centuries: https://a.co/d/0h3mriAo
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 20, 2024, 09:47:48 PM
Sure. That's a nice idea. Here's a great book explaining how that idea was eroded (by SCOTUS) over the past two centuries: https://a.co/d/0h3mriAo

Thanks for your suggestion.  Im for following the Constitution and anytime Congress and or the President over steps it needs to be corrected.

One big area Im thinking of is the Green movement. It seems the citizen is just an observer and has little say in various restrictions imposed concerning it.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 20, 2024, 10:14:35 PM
Maybe it comes from living in a few different ones (and living in a couple places with borders of sorts), but the older I get, the more I find the fixation on states to be sort of silly. Most contain so much diversity that they’re only loosely a unified idea of a place. 

I suppose that makes me more of a federalist. That and seeing enough state party machines to get the sense they somehow manage to be more egregious crooks than the feds. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 20, 2024, 10:34:53 PM
Maybe it comes from living in a few different ones (and living in a couple places with borders of sorts), but the older I get, the more I find the fixation on states to be sort of silly. Most contain so much diversity that they’re only loosely a unified idea of a place.

I suppose that makes me more of a federalist. That and seeing enough state party machines to get the sense they somehow manage to be more egregious crooks than the feds.
At the founding of this country folks looked at a state like it was a country which is much different then today.  However the need for states is to put government to the citizen level which this country does a decent job of for the most part.

As Shelby Foote pointed out prior to the Civil War a person might refer to The United States in the plural like The United State are for this.... but after the Civil War it was singular like The United States is for this....

The beauty of the founding fathers is that they recognized and respected states rights and made a clear effort to instruct that the Federal Government should have limited direct authority and everything else passed to the states to govern

Sometimes Washington DC forgets this and has to be reminded
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 20, 2024, 11:23:10 PM
Biggest con job in the history of the world…media, politicians, celebrities, and other parties with an agenda…somehow convincing the average American that things are just so bad. 

I’ve been all over the country, and everywhere I go I can find common ground with most of the people I meet. And I usually end up liking most of them. Sure, we have differences, but at the end of the day we’re all Americans. 

Shit, I even like the people who live near Austin and wear a funny shade of Orange. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 20, 2024, 11:32:38 PM
And sometimes I see things in the media or TV that goes completely against my values and who I am that it enrages me. 

But then I think about all the really smart people over the years, and centuries, who had certain morals and beliefs. Educated people, smart people. Founders of the country, the best of the best and brightest of the bright. 

And then, sometimes, they were just wrong. So fucking wrong about some things…that it just seems incomprehensible. Things like slavery.  Different forms of abuse that were permitted. Racism. Sexism. 

I ponder this, and it occurs to me…that there may just be the tiniest possibility that maybe I’m wrong on certain things too. Thinking about this keeps me grounded, and much more open minded. Not to say I’m going to switch my thoughts anytime soon, but I can see where some of them come from. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 20, 2024, 11:33:59 PM
I just hope they feel the same way about me. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 20, 2024, 11:34:20 PM
tiniest possibility????
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 21, 2024, 02:59:44 AM
Maybe it comes from living in a few different ones (and living in a couple places with borders of sorts), but the older I get, the more I find the fixation on states to be sort of silly. Most contain so much diversity that they’re only loosely a unified idea of a place.
This is where my head is at. 
Maybe we should understand that like the musket vs the machine gun, fixating on states' rights made sense when a state had 40,000 people in it.  But if it has 10 million.....yeah, that's a big difference. 

Obviously, on the national level, when anything is passed, it pisses off 150 million people. 
Okay, so at the state level, it's pissing off millions of people.
If we simply rolled it back to fixating on counties' rights, it's pissing off fewer and fewer people.  No, avoiding pissing people off isn't the most important thing, but it's and improvement from the vague to the specific.  Just as state-by-state is from the vague to the specific compared to national policy.

I also see no reason for either side of the aisle to disagree with this.  If you're obsessed with the tradition of fixating on state-by-state rights, that's fine.  But in terms of making life easier for the minority of any population (both sides), it'd be a plus. 
For AZ, its 3rd-largest county has the same population as the entire state did 100 years ago.  While we all laud the constitution a good document, we also have to vary things as time passes. 

When our country was formed, the biggest state was Virginia.  There were no trains yet.  No state had more than half a million people.  

Maybe we should take a look at the 10th amendment and update it for the times of a massive country by land, by population, and by modernity.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 08:28:13 AM
I've long been a promotor of states really experimenting and trying out all kinds of stuff in order to help identify what's best - in all areas.

But in pondering that today, I second guess myself.  I'm fearful each state, if given enough rope to do so, will possibly hang itself. 
And I can make examples from both extremes here as an argument against total state freedoms.
Do we really want Alabama to "Alabama" as much as it can?  I'd argue no.
It also wouldn't be good for California to be as 'California' as it can.
I'd argue Texas shouldn't Texas to the extreme, but I think it already is.

I think people forget that Federal reach acts as a sort of social and economic gravity, pulling each state back towards the middle. 
.

Another thought I had is to treat counties as we do states.  Maybe to avoid a future civil war between urban and rural, just have counties' rights be the ultimate law of the land.  That way, if you are unhappy with your county's politics, it's easier to move to a nearby county compared to moving entire states away.  Or you could drive over for services you want, but aren't available in your county.

Too late.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 08:30:01 AM
Maybe it comes from living in a few different ones (and living in a couple places with borders of sorts), but the older I get, the more I find the fixation on states to be sort of silly. Most contain so much diversity that they’re only loosely a unified idea of a place.

I suppose that makes me more of a federalist. That and seeing enough state party machines to get the sense they somehow manage to be more egregious crooks than the feds.
Do you mean that? Federalism is all about power to the states.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 08:55:29 AM
This is where my head is at. 
Maybe we should understand that like the musket vs the machine gun, fixating on states' rights made sense when a state had 40,000 people in it.  But if it has 10 million.....yeah, that's a big difference. 

Obviously, on the national level, when anything is passed, it pisses off 150 million people. 
Okay, so at the state level, it's pissing off millions of people.
If we simply rolled it back to fixating on counties' rights, it's pissing off fewer and fewer people.  No, avoiding pissing people off isn't the most important thing, but it's and improvement from the vague to the specific.  Just as state-by-state is from the vague to the specific compared to national policy.

I also see no reason for either side of the aisle to disagree with this.  If you're obsessed with the tradition of fixating on state-by-state rights, that's fine.  But in terms of making life easier for the minority of any population (both sides), it'd be a plus. 
For AZ, its 3rd-largest county has the same population as the entire state did 100 years ago.  While we all laud the constitution a good document, we also have to vary things as time passes. 

When our country was formed, the biggest state was Virginia.  There were no trains yet.  No state had more than half a million people. 

Maybe we should take a look at the 10th amendment and update it for the times of a massive country by land, by population, and by modernity. 

This is just not doable:

It would mean each county would have its own governor senate and House of rep
multiply that times several hundred per state nothing would ever get done. Which county would be represented in Federal Gov.

It basically would make states disappear and the country would instead be made up of thousands of taxing districts with very little say in what happens on a federal level.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 09:22:17 AM
The idea of Federalism at the county or municipal level can and absolutely does exist.  Laws vary, and probably more importantly, enforcement varies.  I deliberately moved out of Austin and into my suburb city in part because I vastly prefer the way laws are written and enforced outside of the city.  Austin proper has become an absolute nut house, and stupid voters keep on voting in mayors and council members that only make things worse.

I voted with my feet, and you can too.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 09:24:14 AM
The idea of Federalism at the county or municipal level can and absolutely does exist.  Laws vary, and probably more importantly, enforcement varies.  I deliberately moved out of Austin and into my suburb city in part because I vastly prefer the way laws are written and enforced outside of the city.  Austin proper has become an absolute nut house, and stupid voters keep on voting in mayors and council members that only make things worse.

I voted with my feet, and you can too.
I know the feeling.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 09:27:25 AM
I know the feeling.
Yup, moving state to state is another way to do it, and is a more classic example of the topic.  But you can do the same just switching counties or municipalities.  

We don't need broad national laws governing our every day existence.  People aren't the same, don't think the same, and were never supposed to.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 09:30:11 AM
Yup, moving state to state is another way to do it, and is a more classic example of the topic.  But you can do the same just switching counties or municipalities. 

We don't need broad national laws governing our every day existence.  People aren't the same, don't think the same, and were never supposed to. 
We could have moved anywhere outside of Chicago metro and been in a red county, with few exceptions. We lived in a very conservative suburb, but we still felt the pain.

Chicago runs Illinois and that is never going to change.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 21, 2024, 09:32:34 AM
and fewer folks get upset over policies if they're living amongst their own

if ya want an abortion, just move to the right place
if ya want to smoke pot legally, just move
if ya want to carry a handgun around, move to Florida
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 21, 2024, 09:33:13 AM
We could have moved anywhere outside of Chicago metro and been in a red county, with few exceptions. We lived in a very conservative suburb, but we still felt the pain.

Chicago runs Illinois and that is never going to change.
as the Twin Cities run Minnesooota
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 09:33:52 AM
as the Twin Cities run Minnesooota
And as... corn, I guess... runs Iowa. :)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 21, 2024, 09:34:23 AM
Pot is illegal everywhere in the US, on paper anyway.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 21, 2024, 09:35:05 AM
enforcement
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 21, 2024, 09:37:06 AM
I doubt anybody today in the US gets arrested for possession of smallish amounts of MJ.

Certainly not Federal.  The Feds probably tack on charges if some dude has a lot of coke and MJ in his vehicle etc.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 09:41:30 AM
and fewer folks get upset over policies if they're living amongst their own

if ya want an abortion, just move to the right place
if ya want to smoke pot legally, just move
if ya want to carry a handgun around, move to Florida
I could do that in Illinois. They have concealed carry, but they made it very hard to do.

Florida now has Constitutional carry, which I don't care for. Everyone should have proper training to carry. The only thing good about my Florida conceal permit is that I don't have to wait 5 days to buy a gun here.

Florida does not permit open carry, by the way.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 10:17:35 AM
Pot is illegal everywhere in the US, on paper anyway.


except in Texas you get written a ticket instead of going to prison
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 21, 2024, 10:32:08 AM
The idea of Federalism at the county or municipal level can and absolutely does exist.  Laws vary, and probably more importantly, enforcement varies.  I deliberately moved out of Austin and into my suburb city in part because I vastly prefer the way laws are written and enforced outside of the city.  Austin proper has become an absolute nut house, and stupid voters keep on voting in mayors and council members that only make things worse.

I voted with my feet, and you can too.
I think the point OAM is making is that it becomes increasingly difficult to vote with your feet when tons of power decisions that affect you occur in state legislatures and an order of magnitude MORE happen in Congress. 

I could feasibly live in LA, Orange, San Diego, Riverside counties, or even a small sliver of San Bernardino, and still work in the same job I work today--especially with WFH several days a week. Traffic might suck, but I could swing it. But I can't work where I do and escape Sacramento. And even if I got my company to make me a fully remote worker where I could escape Sacramento, I still can't escape DC. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 10:41:38 AM
I think the point OAM is making is that it becomes increasingly difficult to vote with your feet when tons of power decisions that affect you occur in state legislatures and an order of magnitude MORE happen in Congress.

I could feasibly live in LA, Orange, San Diego, Riverside counties, or even a small sliver of San Bernardino, and still work in the same job I work today--especially with WFH several days a week. Traffic might suck, but I could swing it. But I can't work where I do and escape Sacramento. And even if I got my company to make me a fully remote worker where I could escape Sacramento, I still can't escape DC.
I'm agreeing with this, but I'm also saying there's a solution, the same solution you've suggested-- push the laws and decisions that most  affect our daily lives down to the lowest possible level of government, remove as much of that power from the national government or even state government as possible.

And I'm also responding to lh320's apparent concerns that county/municipal governance of important issues can't be managed.  I'm disagreeing with that and using my own life and choices as an example.  Despite national and state laws being identical between Austin and my suburb city, the day to day business of living is a very different experience.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 21, 2024, 10:49:10 AM
How do you rank the state capitals?

Not based on politics, but just as places.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 10:50:21 AM
I think the point OAM is making is that it becomes increasingly difficult to vote with your feet when tons of power decisions that affect you occur in state legislatures and an order of magnitude MORE happen in Congress.

I could feasibly live in LA, Orange, San Diego, Riverside counties, or even a small sliver of San Bernardino, and still work in the same job I work today--especially with WFH several days a week. Traffic might suck, but I could swing it. But I can't work where I do and escape Sacramento. And even if I got my company to make me a fully remote worker where I could escape Sacramento, I still can't escape DC.
Sure you can. You can move to another country.  I cant think of a state law in Texas that makes me want to escape.  Now California is another matter. So many weird laws exist in California that yes I would consider moving from there.

But rather then trying to hide from a state law why not change the state governing body.  Its called democracy
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 10:51:28 AM
How do you rank the state capitals?

Not based on politics, but just as places.
I love Austin great food great entertainment
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 10:57:16 AM
How do you rank the state capitals?

Not based on politics, but just as places.
The Wisconsin capitol is beautiful, as is Madison.

But I could not live there. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 10:57:47 AM
Sure you can. You can move to another country.  I cant think of a state law in Texas that makes me want to escape.  Now California is another matter. So many weird laws exist in California that yes I would consider moving from there.

But rather then trying to hide from a state law why not change the state governing body.  Its called democracy
Sure, this is fine.  But when it doesn't work because the majority of people in your community disagree with you and vote in a different manner, then you have the option to move locations and vote with your feet.

I'd love to be able to "fix" Austin but the idiotic voters in that city have proven they care more about virtue-signaling by building $11 million foot bridges and $100 million bike lanes and $1 billion dollar light rail trains that NOBODY ever uses, and they don't care at all for voting for lawmakers and policies that would take care of basic infrastructure and law enforcement.  After 30 years of living with that lunacy, I realized I was never going to change them but it was super-easy to move to a better community.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 11:00:24 AM
I love Austin great food great entertainment
But don't move here.

Thank You For Your Support.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 11:01:55 AM
Sure, this is fine.  But when it doesn't work because the majority of people in your community disagree with you and vote in a different manner, then you have the option to move locations and vote with your feet.

I'd love to be able to "fix" Austin but the idiotic voters in that city have proven they care more about virtue-signaling by building $11 million foot bridges and $100 million bike lanes and $1 billion dollar light rail trains that NOBODY ever uses, and they don't care at all for voting for lawmakers and policies that would take care of basic infrastructure and law enforcement.  After 30 years of living with that lunacy, I realized I was never going to change them but it was super-easy to move to a better community.
Not saying I would live there.  I like strong police forces. Sometimes voters will rise up when theve had enough crap hurled at them. It has happened.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 11:06:31 AM
The main reason why I moved to Northwest Houston was to escape the HISD school district

I moved into the Cy Fair school district which is very good.  So in a way I voted with my feet also.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 11:07:47 AM
I think the point OAM is making is that it becomes increasingly difficult to vote with your feet when tons of power decisions that affect you occur in state legislatures and an order of magnitude MORE happen in Congress.

I could feasibly live in LA, Orange, San Diego, Riverside counties, or even a small sliver of San Bernardino, and still work in the same job I work today--especially with WFH several days a week. Traffic might suck, but I could swing it. But I can't work where I do and escape Sacramento. And even if I got my company to make me a fully remote worker where I could escape Sacramento, I still can't escape DC.
Yep, nobody could escape DC and still live in the US.

You're in a different spot than we were too. You live in Orange County, a bastion of its own.

We lived in Crook County, so that hung over us in Palatine.

Palatine, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows and Barrington wanted to secede from Crook County to form Lincoln County. Almost every other municipality opposed, and it was shot down.

So, we could not escape Crook. And now, look at what's happened to the collar counties, which used to be strongly conservative.


(https://i.imgur.com/mH5XoOI.jpeg)

This was 2020. As you can see, we had no choice but leave Illinois. McHenry was on the verge of flipping too.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 11:09:29 AM
Yeah, Orange County is about as "Texas" as it gets in California.  Nice place to live, other than the weather. ;)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 21, 2024, 11:14:37 AM
I spent a week in Calaveras County in CA and it really did look like Texas.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 11:19:36 AM
We could have moved to Indiana, I guess. Lots of people are doing that, from Illinois.

But my wife wanted warm weather all the time, and we're not allowed to move to Austin, so here we are.

One of my buddies from the Marina up North bought a house ON Lake Travis. He didn't know he wasn't allowed to move there, so he did. And he's got serious $$$$$$.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 11:22:07 AM
We could have moved to Indiana, I guess. Lots of people are doing that, from Illinois.

But my wife wanted warm weather all the time, and we're not allowed to move to Austin, so here we are.

One of my buddies from the Marina up North bought a house ON Lake Travis. He didn't know he wasn't allowed to move there, so he did. And he's got serious $$$$$$.
Hope he's on Deep Water on Travis, lakes around here are getting close to their all-time lows.  We need a couple hurricanes to squat over CenTex for a week or two.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 11:24:01 AM
Yeah, he's deep. He's got a 34 Cobalt and some Yamahas on his lifts.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 21, 2024, 11:30:46 AM
Some folks want a "Convention of the States" to change things up.  It sounds a bit risky to me.

I can't think of a Constitutional Amendment that would pass today the way things are.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 11:31:30 AM
Yeah, he's deep. He's got a 34 Cobalt and some Yamahas on his lifts.
Cool, gimme his name and address and I'll go keep his boat dock company... err, I mean, meet a new friend. :)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 21, 2024, 11:32:21 AM
Some folks want a "Convention of the States" to change things up.  It sounds a bit risky to me.

I can't think of a Constitutional Amendment that would pass today the way things are.
not even giving women the right to vote?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 21, 2024, 11:34:21 AM
Sure you can. You can move to another country.  I cant think of a state law in Texas that makes me want to escape.  Now California is another matter. So many weird laws exist in California that yes I would consider moving from there.

But rather then trying to hide from a state law why not change the state governing body.  Its called democracy
Well moving to another country is VERY, very hard. And with the caveat of keeping my same job, I'm not sure they'd offer to make me a remote worker in some other country. And to be honest, as much as I complain about our government, it's not like there's some perfect alternative out there that I'd want to live. If I were to ever try to live in another country, it would be about the culture and beauty of the place, and I'd probably have to hold my nose for the government I'd live under (as I do currently in California lol). 

BTW I'd have about as much luck turning California more libertarian as a Californian transplant would have turning Texas more liberal. Using the 2020 election as a proxy, Biden carried it 63.5% to 34.3% With 40M people in this state, that ratio would mean that 25.4M people here are liberal. I'd have to change 5.4M minds to get them to flip. 

As opposed to things being more local as OAM/utee point out, I already live in Orange County, which is basically California conservative. If more of the powers were local, I could live here with less impact from Sacramento on my life. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 11:35:38 AM
Some folks want a "Convention of the States" to change things up.  It sounds a bit risky to me.

I can't think of a Constitutional Amendment that would pass today the way things are.
Maybe not but I also can't think of a Constitutional Amendment that would need to be passed.  The important stuff is already covered, and anything more should be decided at lower levels of government, as we've been discussing here.  

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 21, 2024, 11:39:03 AM
A LOT of folks want term limits on Congress, and quite a few want the Equal Rights Amendment, and to repeal the Second Amendment, or modify it considerably.  Some want to modify the income tax amendment one way or the other (16).  And of course folks dislike the electoral college a lot.

I'm not of course saying anyone here wants any of those, but they are fairly to quite popular ideas.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 21, 2024, 11:39:48 AM
Yep, nobody could escape DC and still live in the US.

You're in a different spot than we were too. You live in Orange County, a bastion of its own.

We lived in Crook County, so that hung over us in Palatine.

Palatine, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows and Barrington wanted to secede from Crook County to form Lincoln County. Almost every other municipality opposed, and it was shot down.

So, we could not escape Crook. And now, look at what's happened to the collar counties, which used to be strongly conservative.


(https://i.imgur.com/mH5XoOI.jpeg)

This was 2020. As you can see, we had no choice but leave Illinois. McHenry was on the verge of flipping too.

I grew up in DuPage, which at the time was about as WASPy and conservative as they come. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 21, 2024, 11:42:34 AM
A LOT of folks want term limits on Congress, and quite a few want the Equal Rights Amendment, and to repeal the Second Amendment, or modify it considerably.  Some want to modify the income tax amendment one way or the other (16).  And of course folks dislike the electoral college a lot.

I'm not of course saying anyone here wants any of those, but they are fairly to quite popular ideas.
But they're all controversial with plenty of opposition.  There's good reason why they wouldn't (and likely shouldn't) be passed.

You're not talking about inalienable rights here, you're talking about details.

The only one I could see needing to be passed at the National level, is of course term limits.  But there are just as many arguments for as there are against.  It's no slam dunk.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 21, 2024, 11:43:18 AM
Yep, not anymore. Same with Lake. We lived there for about 10 years, in Gurnee, before Palatine. Lake was red when we moved there, and blue when we left.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 21, 2024, 12:29:39 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/HDXveXm.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 21, 2024, 10:30:30 PM
Sure you can. You can move to another country.  I cant think of a state law in Texas that makes me want to escape.  Now California is another matter. So many weird laws exist in California that yes I would consider moving from there.

But rather then trying to hide from a state law why not change the state governing body.  Its called democracy
It's all democracy, at the national, state, and local level.  I'm jut advocating for the smaller bubble of it.  
I could make the case that stopping at the state level is lazy.  No state of any real size/population is even 60/40 on big issues.
But individual communities/towns/counties can easily be more homogenous in its ideals and values.  
Why should 80% of Austin have to be outraged every time the Texas legislature comes up with another bad idea?  

County level will represent a population better than state level, just as state level is better than national level.
It simply changes things from "can't do it" to "can do it one town over" for many things.  

I just don't see the downside.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 22, 2024, 12:07:36 AM
It's all democracy, at the national, state, and local level.  I'm jut advocating for the smaller bubble of it. 
I could make the case that stopping at the state level is lazy.  No state of any real size/population is even 60/40 on big issues.
But individual communities/towns/counties can easily be more homogenous in its ideals and values. 
Why should 80% of Austin have to be outraged every time the Texas legislature comes up with another bad idea? 

County level will represent a population better than state level, just as state level is better than national level.
It simply changes things from "can't do it" to "can do it one town over" for many things. 

I just don't see the downside.
If I understand your idea is what is done at the state level would be done at the county level instead.

There are oner 3,000 counties in the US which by just the size of this would make it very difficult to get anything done at the state level

Would each county have representatives in Congress? How would the National Guard be called out if needed at two different places at the same time.  How are voting districts boundries decided.

Counties already do a large part of law enforcement as well as processing various things such as property taxes.





Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 22, 2024, 12:37:51 AM
It's all democracy, at the national, state, and local level.  I'm jut advocating for the smaller bubble of it. 
I could make the case that stopping at the state level is lazy.  No state of any real size/population is even 60/40 on big issues.
But individual communities/towns/counties can easily be more homogenous in its ideals and values. 
Why should 80% of Austin have to be outraged every time the Texas legislature comes up with another bad idea? 

County level will represent a population better than state level, just as state level is better than national level.
It simply changes things from "can't do it" to "can do it one town over" for many things. 

I just don't see the downside.

Lulz.  Terrible example.  Austin voters are the absolute worst.  Complete morons.  The only outrage they ever experience is when somebody tries to block them from emulating the absolute idiocy embodied by the dunce voters of San Francisco or Portland or Seattle.  And even then it's just faux outrage because hipster doofuses are incapable of feeling real emotion.

Beyond that though, I agree with you.  Important matters that affect the day to day lives of citizens should be pushed down to the lowest possible level of governance.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 22, 2024, 12:40:11 AM
If I understand your idea is what is done at the state level would be done at the county level instead.

There are oner 3,000 counties in the US which by just the size of this would make it very difficult to get anything done at the state level  Why do you need to do anything at the state level anymore?

Would each county have representatives in Congress?  No
How would the National Guard be called out if needed at two different places at the same time. Divide it up how you would now.
How are voting districts boundries decided.  The same way they are now, but without the gerrymandering

Counties already do a large part of law enforcement as well as processing various things such as property taxes.
The states would retain some responsibilities, but they'd mostly be an umbrella in name.  No more need to be an umbrella of policy for the 45% who disagree.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 22, 2024, 12:40:57 AM
Lulz.  Terrible example.  Austin voters are the absolute worst.  Complete morons.  The only outrage they ever experience is when somebody tries to block them from emulating the absolute idiocy embodied by the dunce voters of San Francisco or Portland or Seattle.  And even then it's just faux outrage because hipster doofuses are incapable of feeling real emotion.

Beyond that though, I agree with you.  Important matters that affect the day to day lives of citizens should be pushed down to the lowest possible level of governance.


Was just picking a blue dot from a sea of red.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 22, 2024, 12:43:49 AM
Over time, whether it's good or bad, people may self-segregate, based on ideology. We've sorta already done that with the blue dots of cities and the red swaths of nearly-empty land, where at the state level, they bludgeon each other over every single thing.

Well, at least they'd get to easily shape their county the way they see fit.  No more Rs in D-heavy Austin deciding what to do for Ds in El Paso or Rs in Abilene.  

Sticking to this home base of states' rights because the Constitution is all about it is just an antiquated idea.  It wasn't a bad idea, but there's 350 million people now and 50 states. 

A state is too much (not you, Rhode Island peninsula).
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 22, 2024, 12:44:29 AM
Was just picking a blue dot from a sea of red.

I hear ya.  Like I said, I agree with you in principle.  And what you're advocating actually exists, to a certain extent.  I was able to leave Austin and go one town over and experience a much higher quality of life.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 22, 2024, 12:53:57 AM
Okay, good.
I'm the idea man, so I did my part.  I got the ball rolling.  Now ya'll go out and  make it happen.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 06:58:37 AM
Done.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 07:41:06 AM
https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-were-then-truly-a-nation-3efc732b?st=mmfqb0c8zmam7ft&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

This is must-read.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 07:42:57 AM
I used to ponder impracticable ideas and concepts a lot in my youth, waste of time basically, I decided later on.

Might be OK to pass the time, over a camp fire or somesuch.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2024, 08:00:56 AM
Do you mean that? Federalism is all about power to the states.
Try original Federalists believed in a strong national government. At least that was my impression from social studies many decades ago. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2024, 08:05:11 AM
and fewer folks get upset over policies if they're living amongst their own
I live amongst my own: Americans. 

And I suppose arguing about policy, to a degree, is very American. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2024, 08:06:16 AM
The Wisconsin capitol is beautiful, as is Madison.

But I could not live there.
Couldn’t for the town, or just the politics?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 08:11:01 AM
I don't mind throwing ideas around. It's a message board and there is no football or basketball to discuss.

Let's look at the "old" football conferences as countries. 1998, let's say.

Big Ten
Big 12
SEC
Pac 10
ACC
Big East

OK, there is some overlap. No biggie.

Big East keeps PA. ACC and Big East merge. 

SEC keeps Florida, SC and GA. 

Big Ten keeps Iowa. 

AZ schools go to the Big 12.

Look at that alignment on a map. Makes some sense.

(https://i.imgur.com/22Se4z0.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 08:11:42 AM
Try original Federalists believed in a strong national government. At least that was my impression from social studies many decades ago.
No. Just the opposite.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 08:14:00 AM
Couldn’t for the town, or just the politics?
It's just way too liberal for me/us.

Thankfully all of my classes were on the "engineering side".
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 08:17:20 AM
Federalist Party, early U.S. national political party (https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-party) that advocated a strong central government and held power from 1789 to 1801, during the rise of the country’s political party system. The term federalist was first used in 1787 to describe the supporters of the newly written Constitution, who emphasized (https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/emphasized) the federal character of the proposed union. Between October 1787 and August 1788, Alexander Hamilton (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Hamilton-United-States-statesman), John Jay (https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Jay), and James Madison (https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Madison) wrote a series of 85 essays that appeared in various New York (https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state) newspapers attributed to the pseudonym “Publius.” The Federalist papers (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federalist-papers) (formally The Federalist), as the combined essays are called, were written to combat Anti-Federalism (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anti-Federalists) and to persuade the public of the necessity of the Constitution.The Federalist papers stressed the need for an adequate central government and argued that the republican form of government easily could be adapted to the large expanse of territory and widely divergent interests found in the United States (https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States). The essays were immediately recognized as the most powerful defense of the new Constitution.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 08:19:29 AM
American politics became increasingly democratic during the 1820s and ’30s. Local and state offices that had earlier been appointive became elective. Suffrage (https://www.britannica.com/topic/suffrage) was expanded as property and other restrictions on voting were reduced or abandoned in most states. The freehold requirement that had denied voting to all but holders of real estate was almost everywhere discarded before 1820, while the taxpaying qualification was also removed, if more slowly and gradually. In many states a printed ballot replaced the earlier system of voice voting, while the secret ballot (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Australian-ballot) also grew in favour. Whereas in 1800 only two states provided for the popular choice of presidential electors, by 1832 only South Carolina (https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Carolina) still left the decision to the legislature (https://www.britannica.com/topic/legislature). Conventions of elected delegates increasingly replaced legislative or congressional caucuses as the agencies for making party nominations. By the latter change, a system for nominating candidates by self-appointed cliques meeting in secret was replaced by a system of open selection of candidates by democratically elected bodies.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 08:24:26 AM
Obviously, I chose to live in a "Blue City" (nearly all large cities are "blue").  It really has no impact on my life, at least nothing surprising.  I'm not sure a "conservative" Mayor et al. would change much of anything I can discern.  They'd probably make noise about cutting taxes, but that would be reflected in cutting spending (which no doubt is wasteful, but probably would be under conservatives as well).

The "red-blue" schism, to me, seems to be mostly irrelevant on a local level.   I voted for a very liberal mayor in Cincinnati because we were friends and she was competent.  I couldn't think of anything she'd do that would be "liberal" in a small village anyway.  (She lost.)

Could I live and thrive in Madison?  Except for the winters, I suspect I'd be fine.

I once had a notion of moving to Florida, buying a cheap condo, living a year and converting all my retirement to Roth IRA stuff, and then moving to California.  The math didn't work very well for me.  The Feds would tag me pretty hard.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 08:32:49 AM
Federalist Party, early U.S. national political party (https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-party) that advocated a strong central government and held power from 1789 to 1801, during the rise of the country’s political party system. The term federalist was first used in 1787 to describe the supporters of the newly written Constitution, who emphasized (https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/emphasized) the federal character of the proposed union. Between October 1787 and August 1788, Alexander Hamilton (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Hamilton-United-States-statesman), John Jay (https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Jay), and James Madison (https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Madison) wrote a series of 85 essays that appeared in various New York (https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state) newspapers attributed to the pseudonym “Publius.” The Federalist papers (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federalist-papers) (formally The Federalist), as the combined essays are called, were written to combat Anti-Federalism (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anti-Federalists) and to persuade the public of the necessity of the Constitution.The Federalist papers stressed the need for an adequate central government and argued that the republican form of government easily could be adapted to the large expanse of territory and widely divergent interests found in the United States (https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States). The essays were immediately recognized as the most powerful defense of the new Constitution.
There are different views here. This was all about getting the Constitution ratified. A Constitution that gave power to the states. Some states wanted even more power, but at some point, we needed a unified country - not a collection of small states.

Were we ever truly united? Some would say no.

Are we united now? Most would say no.

Read my WSJ article. It's good.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 08:42:03 AM
The previous Confederation system of government was too decentralized.  Federalists wanted a stronger central government, and finally got it.

There has always been conflict in the US politically (and once quite militarily).  And the core of said conflict is quite often a fight between local rights and central government.

If you design a very centralized government like say they have in France, you end up with civilian protests which can be quite impactful, if the head does something they don't like.  France is much more centralized than the US, and Macron has rather amazing powers should he choose to use them, and is quite unpopular as a result of using them.  Their education is entirely controlled by the Federal government for example (aside from some private schools).
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 09:07:33 AM
What would we be if we were to have five countries, split up into ones like I proposed with the football conferences?

The American Union, similar to the EU? 

A collection of countries using the same currency and military alliance?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 22, 2024, 09:19:33 AM
What would we be if we were to have five countries, split up into ones like I proposed with the football conferences?

The American Union, similar to the EU?

A collection of countries using the same currency and military alliance?
Strange idea.  But then again, I'm sure the idea of a democratic republic seemed quite strange to the monarchies back in the day.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 09:24:49 AM
I know it's a strange idea, but it's a message board and we are out of season (unless you like college baseball).

It's something to ponder.

The West Coast is nothing like the Southeast, which is nothing like the Northeast.

The Great Lakes are complicated. Illinois and Minnesota are blue bastions (because of their large cities). Indiana, Iowa* and Ohio are red. Michigan and Wisconsin are purple.

* Iowa is not a Great Lakes state.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: MaximumSam on June 22, 2024, 09:29:37 AM
If Santa Anna slipped and fell on a rock we could have been building the wall on the Oklahoma border.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 22, 2024, 10:09:49 AM
Okay, good.
I'm the idea man, so I did my part.  I got the ball rolling.  Now ya'll go out and  make it happen. 

Thanks for suggesting the impossible
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 10:17:08 AM
The schism is not so much sectional as it is urban-rural, with suburban being somewhere in between.  I think this is inherent.  Urban dwellers, like me, are much more dependent on government services than rural people.  My grandparents had almost no contact with government, they had electricity, the probably had very low property taxes if any, they voted of course, neither grandfather served in the military, their ages were "in between".  They used the Post Office and had mail delivery.  They burned their trash, or fed leftover food to their hogs.  There was a Co-Op they used for farming stuff.

I doubt the sheriff ever visited, or had need to.  

If their local government disappeared entirely, they would have been OK in most respects.

I on the other hand and highly depending on government services.  And I pay for that.  I think urban dwellers will always be more liberal.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 22, 2024, 10:28:02 AM
What would we be if we were to have five countries, split up into ones like I proposed with the football conferences?

The American Union, similar to the EU?

A collection of countries using the same currency and military alliance?
I think it misses some of the points that CD made... The rural/urban divide exists in these places too. 

There has been a small contingent of people in the north of California and the south of Oregon who want a "State of Jefferson". These are rural areas where they believe their needs are neither served by Sacramento nor Salem. So they want to secede from both states and have their own. 

Your proposal would do little to solve their needs. OAM's would be better, because devolving power as much as possible to the county level would make them less beholden to people in Sacramento or Salem making policy that serves the large population centers of their states and forgetting about the needs / trampling on the rights of the less populous rural counties. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 10:31:49 AM
What could "work" in theory is redrawing state boundaries to reflect the schism I note.  Atlanta would become a state (metro area), north Georgia would be a state, south Georgia would be a state.  Oregon would split along with the other Pacific states, and perhaps be merged in with Idaho.  Southern Illinois would split off.

This would help, some, probably, but of course the barriers to any state splitting off are too high to be viewed as realistic possibilities.

Some folks in Buckhead here want to split off from Atlanta.  I can understand that, Buckhead is largely white and largely affluent, south Atlanta isn't.  But it's unlikely to happen, it's more possible than a state splitting off.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 22, 2024, 10:34:15 AM
There are different views here. This was all about getting the Constitution ratified. A Constitution that gave power to the states. Some states wanted even more power, but at some point, we needed a unified country - not a collection of small states.
Generally the Federalists were for a stronger central government and the anti-federalists were leery of the Constitution because they predicted it would eventually create a government that tramples on the states. 

But it does go farther than just getting the Constitution ratified. Alexander Hamilton was the "man behind the man" for both Washington and Adams. He was a TREMENDOUSLY powerful force in both administrations and was instrumental in expanding central government powers during both. Many consider Madison to be the architect of the Constitution, but Hamilton was the structural engineer. He built the foundation for the modern American state. 

While we now use the term "federalism" to refer to our hybrid state/centralized system justifying the idea of states being given great leeway in what they do, I fall on the same side as @bayareabadger (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1571) -- the term "Federalist" accurately describes people who were advocating for a strong central government. And that advocacy to continually strengthen the central government persisted far beyond ratification. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 10:35:47 AM
I think it misses some of the points that CD made... The rural/urban divide exists in these places too.

There has been a small contingent of people in the north of California and the south of Oregon who want a "State of Jefferson". These are rural areas where they believe their needs are neither served by Sacramento nor Salem. So they want to secede from both states and have their own.

Your proposal would do little to solve their needs. OAM's would be better, because devolving power as much as possible to the county level would make them less beholden to people in Sacramento or Salem making policy that serves the large population centers of their states and forgetting about the needs / trampling on the rights of the less populous rural counties.

I thought the buzz lately was to join Idaho.

The SE tried to become its own country but was squashed.

Could it happen again?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 10:36:04 AM
Speaking of counties, my county is about as weird as it gets.  The northern half is mostly white and mostly affluent, the southern half, well, isn't.  The northern half is "suburban" in how it votes, the southern half is much more urban, except for the extreme southern half.  As an independent county, it would be a mess, just as it sort of is anyway.

This map shows poverty in Fulton and Dekalb, which unfortunately correlates with "blackness" of the residents.  Fulton is on the left, the long strung out county that never made any sense.

(https://i.imgur.com/75Cedcc.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 10:37:16 AM
I thought the buzz lately was to join Idaho.

The SE tried to become its own country but was squashed.

Could it happen again?
Some want to join Idaho, and some want their own state, neither of which is at all practicable or likely.

Could it happen again?  I think it's all very unlikely.  West Virginia managed it, under considerable duress.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 10:37:33 AM
Generally the Federalists were for a stronger central government and the anti-federalists were leery of the Constitution because they predicted it would eventually create a government that tramples on the states.

But it does go farther than just getting the Constitution ratified. Alexander Hamilton was the "man behind the man" for both Washington and Adams. He was a TREMENDOUSLY powerful force in both administrations and was instrumental in expanding central government powers during both. Many consider Madison to be the architect of the Constitution, but Hamilton was the structural engineer. He built the foundation for the modern American state.

While we now use the term "federalism" to refer to our hybrid state/centralized system justifying the idea of states being given great leeway in what they do, I fall on the same side as @bayareabadger (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1571) -- the term "Federalist" accurately describes people who were advocating for a strong central government. And that advocacy to continually strengthen the central government persisted far beyond ratification.

It's all about interpretation, isn't it?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2024, 10:39:22 AM
What would we be if we were to have five countries, split up into ones like I proposed with the football conferences?

The American Union, similar to the EU?

A collection of countries using the same currency and military alliance?
We'd be a National that let our loudest snowflakes get the best of us. 

Even if we disagree, we're all in this together and we're all capable of working together. Deciding to give up on that would be a disgrace. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 10:41:12 AM
The Federal Government has more power now than ever intended. 

Federalists truly believed in State Powers. Those who wanted even less were obviously correct, in hindsight. DC is a hot mess.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 22, 2024, 10:43:41 AM
It's all about interpretation, isn't it?
It's all about terms. If we want to have a productive conversation, we have to have some level of agreement on what those terms mean. It's like whether a hot dog or a taco is a "sandwich". Ultimately the technical definition of sandwich or non-sandwich could include them (or not), but you'd look at someone funny if they offered you a sandwich and then served you a taco. 

I understood bayareabadger's use of the term Federalist to mean one thing. You understood it to mean a different thing. Seems CD chimed in more on the side that BAB and I are on. 

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what we call it. It's a label. I posted to perhaps make sure that we either agreed on what that label means, or at the very least that if we don't agree, we at least know what each other means with the use of a label to facilitate communication. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 10:44:01 AM
We'd be a National that let our loudest snowflakes get the best of us.

Even if we disagree, we're all in this together and we're all capable of working together. Deciding to give up on that would be a disgrace.
It was a "what if" post. I certainly don't believe in giving up on our country, but many do. Too many, IMO.

I definitely did give up on my State, and simply moved to another one.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2024, 10:44:21 AM
My grandparents had almost no contact with government, they had electricity, the probably had very low property taxes if any, they voted of course, neither grandfather served in the military, their ages were "in between".  They used the Post Office and had mail delivery.  They burned their trash, or fed leftover food to their hogs.  There was a Co-Op they used for farming stuff.
I think in the modern context, this might be a little flipped. Because ultimately government often subsidizes some of the connections folks in rural areas get to the rest of the world. Roads, mail, modern shipping, electricity. The market often wouldn't bother with such things for folks out there. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 10:45:36 AM
Sure, any Federalist of 1800 would think the central government now is completely absurd.  I have read that prior to 1910, a man could live his entire life with almost no interaction with the Federal government.

He had the Post Office, he would vote, he would be subject to a draft for military service 1861-1865.  Canals, railroads, highways, nearly all private or state "owned".

DC was a small swampy backwater.  

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 10:47:08 AM
It's all about terms. If we want to have a productive conversation, we have to have some level of agreement on what those terms mean. It's like whether a hot dog or a taco is a "sandwich". Ultimately the technical definition of sandwich or non-sandwich could include them (or not), but you'd look at someone funny if they offered you a sandwich and then served you a taco.

I understood bayareabadger's use of the term Federalist to mean one thing. You understood it to mean a different thing. Seems CD chimed in more on the side that BAB and I are on.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what we call it. It's a label. I posted to perhaps make sure that we either agreed on what that label means, or at the very least that if we don't agree, we at least know what each other means with the use of a label to facilitate communication.

And that's fair.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2024, 10:49:50 AM
It's just way too liberal for me/us.

Thankfully all of my classes were on the "engineering side".
Hmmm. I suppose I've never cared too much about that. Wasn't too long ago I was prepared to live out my days in a very red county in one of the redder states around. Different strokes and priorities, I suppose. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 10:53:44 AM
My Dad told me a story about going with his uncle in a wagon to sell produce in Gainesville (they lived near Blairsville in the mountains).  The road over the mountains was the Logan Turnpike, privately owned.  Once they got over of course the roads would have likely been state or county owned and operated.  It took several days then, circa 1925.  He said his uncle had a revolver as there were highwaymen about at times.  

The Logan Turnpike ran near a highway today built as a scenic highway (and it is), state operated of course.

The main road to Blairsville built by the state opened in 1925, the "Neel Gap Road".  It is still in use as US 19/129.  It has of course been improved some, it's a nice drive if you're not in a hurry.  This was written by my great aunt.

Finally a Paved Road Across Neel Gap (rootsweb.com) (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gaunion/mm051905.htm)

From a five-day trip to Gainesville by wagon over the Logan Turnpike to the one-day trip by automobile or truck, farmers took their eggs, chickens and mountain cured hams to markets below the hills.  Better economy and ease of travel were assets of this first paved road over the mountain. 

It's funny in a way, I can drive to Blairsville and back easily in a day.  Nice scenery.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2024, 10:58:40 AM
Hmmm. I suppose I've never cared too much about that. Wasn't too long ago I was prepared to live out my days in a very red county in one of the redder states around. Different strokes and priorities, I suppose.
I was an older student - I didn't get to Madison until I was 25, carrying a good job, paying taxes, and pretty set in my conservative views. You could have called me a misfit. I would be even more so now.

I could not live in a place where policies so greatly differed from my own stances.

The only thing that kept me in Illinois was my business - One I started while the state was led by Republican Governors (and was so from 1976 through 2003). It was different.

Even here, there are things I don't like, but not nearly as much as Illinois, where there is nothing to like anymore.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2024, 02:10:49 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Wwxv8WY.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2024, 03:29:36 AM
Best bologna sandwich....tallest midget situation.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 23, 2024, 08:01:52 AM
I was pondering whether I'd move out of this state if Democrats solidly took over government.  I might if the financial situation became untenable, either personally, or more likely, state finances.  And of course this general area might start to run down back to where it was circa 1975.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2024, 08:15:42 AM
You could get out while the getting is good, but then what? Where to go?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2024, 08:20:08 AM
And of course this general area might start to run down back to where it was circa 1975.
__________________________________________

they could defund the police and it might not be safe to walk the streets
your favorite eateries and shops would close because of theft
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 23, 2024, 08:36:53 AM
I don't sense any trend in that direction, yet, I was referring to the state level.  Obviously the local government is mostly Democrat at the top though city council is about split.  A white lady almost won the mayoral position a few years back.  She would be "liberal" as well of course.  The racial makeup of the city is reversing as white folks move back in.  That would change radically if Buckhead succeeded in secession.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 23, 2024, 10:12:38 AM
I could not live in a place where policies so greatly differed from my own stances.
Eh. Try being a libertarian. Pretty much everywhere in this country greatly differs from my stances, in differing ways.

At least the weather is nice here. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 23, 2024, 10:17:16 AM
Local politics don't really bother me, in large part because I ignore it nearly all the time.  My wife will have the local news on at night mostly to get the weather (which is weird, to me, I just click on line and done, it's going to be hot).  Sometimes they yammer on about something local and political.  It's generally not good.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2024, 10:21:07 AM
Our local news stays out of politics, other than reporting actual news. No opinions or garbage.

It's a solid newscast. The weather team is great. And their talent... Nice.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2024, 01:34:47 PM
Moving one county over allows you to maintain seeing your friends, keeping the same job, etc.
Moving out of state is a whole big thing.

COUNTY RIGHTS > STATES' RIGHTS
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 23, 2024, 02:12:35 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Wwxv8WY.png)


Aw yes. Pride of Waldo, Ohio. 

Basically, a hot dog in disc form. 



(https://614now.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/1455964_1427758584120311_1455061502_n-1-768x432.jpg)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 02:20:41 PM
Moving one county over allows you to maintain seeing your friends, keeping the same job, etc.
Moving out of state is a whole big thing.

COUNTY RIGHTS > STATES' RIGHTS
Just what additional duties under your plan would a county take over thats currently being done at the state level
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 23, 2024, 02:36:19 PM

Every county that Fro moves to could simply mandate by law that he is to be promptly escorted to the county line, with a "don't come back now, ya hear" as a parting gift. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 02:50:08 PM
Or they could decree that OAM is King ALL HAIL OAM
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 23, 2024, 02:54:31 PM
Yeah, but that's not nearly as likely. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2024, 03:18:45 PM
Just what additional duties under your plan would a county take over thats currently being done at the state level
Lawmaking
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 23, 2024, 05:16:42 PM
If someone gave me a clean sheet and said "Rewrite the Constitution", I'm not sure I'd do much better.  Some of our issues are inherent in having overly large entities.  Some are due to that urban-rural schism I mentioned.  Some are due to conniving slick slimey people seeing politics as a way to make a lot of money etc.

My model might improve a few things and make others worse.  And some ideas I like would probably turn out not to work as intended.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2024, 08:06:34 PM
It's not a flaw for a document to fail to be timeless.

If we could dig up the same people that created the constitution and put them in the present day, I'm sure they'd do a better job, once they got their bearings.  But if you could take someone from then and drop them into today, they'd be overwhelmed and couldn't wrap their head around it.

If they redid the constitution today, I think the 2nd amendment would be worded MUCH differently.  Forming a militia and being wary of your government made sense when it was musket vs musket.  When a trained soldier could be matched up against an 8 year old who could shoot a squirrel between the eyes from 50 yards.  

But the founding fathers would look at our country's arsenal of space lasers, floating airport cities, and hell, 1 apache helicopter and they'd focus on bearing arms for home defense REAL quick.  

Imagine New Mexico being the most populace state.  Imagine Manhattan, KS being the largest city.  They just couldn't have forecasted the radical growth and differences of today.

Why did we stop amending the constitution in the first place?  Wasn't it Jefferson who said we should take a long look at things and make changes every 20 years?  We haven't had an amendment in over 240 years!  What has happened is that in not making any changes to it makes people consider it a perfect document.  It isn't.  No document is.  
When you don't make changes, it becomes stagnant and does not evolve with the times.  And that's how you get people claiming their semi-automatic guns that aren't for hunting nor home defense having the constitution on their side.  It's silly.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 08:38:10 PM
It's not a flaw for a document to fail to be timeless.

If we could dig up the same people that created the constitution and put them in the present day, I'm sure they'd do a better job, once they got their bearings.  But if you could take someone from then and drop them into today, they'd be overwhelmed and couldn't wrap their head around it.

If they redid the constitution today, I think the 2nd amendment would be worded MUCH differently.  Forming a militia and being wary of your government made sense when it was musket vs musket.  When a trained soldier could be matched up against an 8 year old who could shoot a squirrel between the eyes from 50 yards. 

But the founding fathers would look at our country's arsenal of space lasers, floating airport cities, and hell, 1 apache helicopter and they'd focus on bearing arms for home defense REAL quick. 

Imagine New Mexico being the most populace state.  Imagine Manhattan, KS being the largest city.  They just couldn't have forecasted the radical growth and differences of today.

Why did we stop amending the constitution in the first place?  Wasn't it Jefferson who said we should take a long look at things and make changes every 20 years?  We haven't had an amendment in over 240 years!  What has happened is that in not making any changes to it makes people consider it a perfect document.  It isn't.  No document is. 
When you don't make changes, it becomes stagnant and does not evolve with the times.  And that's how you get people claiming their semi-automatic guns that aren't for hunting nor home defense having the constitution on their side.  It's silly. 

Not correct
Of the 27 amendments only 12 were passed at the start of this country with the others occuring during the 19th and 20th centuries
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 08:40:27 PM
I would never have a gun for home defense that wasnt semi automatic
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2024, 09:15:23 PM
Not correct
Of the 27 amendments only 12 were passed at the start of this country with the others occuring during the 19th and 20th centuries
Thank you, I don't know why I wrote that.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2024, 09:22:14 PM
I would never have a gun for home defense that wasnt semi automatic
Yes, this makes sense.  Despite most intruders having no gun, the ease of a semi automatic gun would be helpful. 

I just meant gun vs gun and a somewhat-level plane. 
Not an AR-15 vs a tomahawk missile. 

I'm personally prepared for an intruder sans gun.  My home defense system is a hammer in my right hand and a knife in my left.  And if I came home and caught someone in the act, I'm coming in and locking the door behind me.
I know I'm not any kind of badass, but I'd be highly motivated for violence and thieves are cowards.  And I'd probably outweigh him by 100+ lbs.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 09:47:09 PM
Yes, this makes sense.  Despite most intruders having no gun, the ease of a semi automatic gun would be helpful. 

I just meant gun vs gun and a somewhat-level plane. 
Not an AR-15 vs a tomahawk missile. 

I'm personally prepared for an intruder sans gun.  My home defense system is a hammer in my right hand and a knife in my left.  And if I came home and caught someone in the act, I'm coming in and locking the door behind me.
I know I'm not any kind of badass, but I'd be highly motivated for violence and thieves are cowards.  And I'd probably outweigh him by 100+ lbs.
Ive never had to face an intruder but if I did I would want them to know very quickly that I dont fight fair and I will be packing enough fire power to make them wish they had picked another house.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 23, 2024, 09:51:03 PM
Who would be the first county to bring back tarring and feathering? 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 10:09:24 PM
Who would be the first county to bring back tarring and feathering?
I always favored public hangings for all the people to see.  This country has gone down hill after they stopped that
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 23, 2024, 11:08:35 PM

Aw yes. Pride of Waldo, Ohio.

Basically, a hot dog in disc form.



(https://614now.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/1455964_1427758584120311_1455061502_n-1-768x432.jpg)

Hot disc
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 23, 2024, 11:15:53 PM
I always favored public hangings for all the people to see.  This country has gone down hill after they stopped that
It appears the last one was in 1936. So it does not appear that particular form of bloodlust had a whole heck of a lot to do with our nation‘s prosperity and general success.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 23, 2024, 11:33:36 PM
It appears the last one was in 1936. So it does not appear that particular form of bloodlust had a whole heck of a lot to do with our nation‘s prosperity and general success.
Que the Whisky for my Men Beer for the Horses song
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 24, 2024, 12:33:01 AM
Seriously, what the heck is just so wrong with the country and system we’ve already got?  Objectively, we have a very good, and still very young, country. 

Just because all the laws you want passed hasn’t happened doesn’t make it a bad thing. This is how the country worked for the last 200+ years, and we’ve done ok. 

Have you ever considered that some of your opinions, however implausible, may just be wrong?  

The only problem I have and will continue to have is that our congress and leaders seem content to spend us into oblivion. Other than that, we’re doing ok. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 04:05:22 AM
Seriously, what the heck is just so wrong with the country and system we’ve already got?  Objectively, we have a very good, and still very young, country.

Just because all the laws you want passed hasn’t happened doesn’t make it a bad thing. This is how the country worked for the last 200+ years, and we’ve done ok.

Have you ever considered that some of your opinions, however implausible, may just be wrong? 

The only problem I have and will continue to have is that our congress and leaders seem content to spend us into oblivion. Other than that, we’re doing ok.
Well, I guess you could say we've done okay.  But we did have a massive civil war.  It took 100 years after laws were passed for minorities to even begin to get equal treatment.  It took 150 years to allow women to vote.  

Honestly, my idea for counties' rights to replace states' rights is to better avoid the polarized continuing situation we're in.  I'll lump in 24-hour news networks with social media as setting us down this course of the radical voices becoming the loudest.
Like every conservative I know says they don't watch Fox News, but a whole helluva lot of people are, so where are they??  
Imagine if we had a big war tomorrow and 20 year olds had to be drafted...imagine that cross-section of humanity doing anything resembling actual combat.

I just think that keeping politics local better serves everyone, and would turn the volume down from an 8 to a 4.  
And I could be wrong.  Duh.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 07:03:06 AM
What's the problem with an AR-15? It's just a rifle.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 07:48:33 AM
What's the problem with an AR-15? It's just a rifle.
Ignorant "Ghost Gun" Senator makes a fool of himself on camera. (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPMw9fqi96U)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 07:49:44 AM
  It took 150 years to allow women to vote. 
Do you have any idea when France enfranchised women?  Or other European countries?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 07:50:48 AM
Ignorant "Ghost Gun" Senator makes a fool of himself on camera. (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPMw9fqi96U)
Ignorance is bliss.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 07:54:26 AM
Most of my wine drinking friends in Cincy were quite liberal.  One lady came to me earnestly asking me to talk to her about "assault rifles", she was writing a letter to our congressman.  I explained the facts to her, and she nodded, and later showed me her letter, I sighed.  Nothing I had said sunk in, at all.  I just nodded.

People are SO invested in their beliefs that facts rarely have any impact.  She COULD have written a letter that was factual and asking for "common sense gun control", but she didn't, not that a perfect letter would have mattered.  She's not a dumb person,  but either didn't believe what I told her, or thought I was making it up.  Everything I said was completely factual.  It just doesn't matter.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2024, 08:40:50 AM
It appears the last one was in 1936. So it does not appear that particular form of bloodlust had a whole heck of a lot to do with our nation‘s prosperity and general success.
The Associated Press college football poll started in 1936, the brainchild of former sports editor Alan J. Gould.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 24, 2024, 09:22:47 AM
Well, I guess you could say we've done okay.  But we did have a massive civil war.  It took 100 years after laws were passed for minorities to even begin to get equal treatment.  It took 150 years to allow women to vote. 

Honestly, my idea for counties' rights to replace states' rights is to better avoid the polarized continuing situation we're in.  I'll lump in 24-hour news networks with social media as setting us down this course of the radical voices becoming the loudest.
Like every conservative I know says they don't watch Fox News, but a whole helluva lot of people are, so where are they?? 
Imagine if we had a big war tomorrow and 20 year olds had to be drafted...imagine that cross-section of humanity doing anything resembling actual combat.

I just think that keeping politics local better serves everyone, and would turn the volume down from an 8 to a 4. 
And I could be wrong.  Duh.
FFS....we evolve.  The whole world evolves.  

Civil war...caused by slavery that was imported here by the Europeans.  And half the country rejected it from the get go.  Actually, more than half rejected it because only a few of the original 13 had slavery.  America whipped slavery....160 years ago !  Racism...taking a little longer but we're getting there...much slower.  

Women have had the right to vote for over 100 years.  Some states were earlier.  I'm not even sure most even cared about it at the time.  Can you imagine how much trouble it had to be to vote for the average rural American?  

Sure, Europe has a lot of the policies and things that you'd like to do here....only after a massive war that killed tens of millions of people and reduced some areas to rubble.  We must have had some really fabulous leaders at the end of WWII because instead of putting in some bullshit reparation's like WWI we helped them rebuild.  Massively successful.  And we even wrote a lot of the new formed countries constitutions.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 09:25:47 AM
Actually, a lot of nothern states allowed slavery until much later than the "get go".  New York banned slavery in 1827.  And of course Delaware was much later (December 1865).  New Jersey started a gradual process in 1804.  Maryland and Kentucky of course after the Civil War as well.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 09:29:20 AM
Our governmental type was an experiment.  I'd guess a lot of the FFs had serious doubts it could last, they wrote as much, some of them.

The FFs feared pure democracy about as much as monarchy, and maybe more.  Nothing like this had ever been attempted, not even in Greece back when.  And it was unique in the world at the time.  The European monarchies no doubt sneered at it, and were thankful it was "over here".  They reacted rather strongly when France started a kind of republic of course.  The French attempt obviously failed quickly, and badly.

They are on the Fifth Republic now (and not doing all that great either).  

I think we're still in the experiment phase, and it's interesting we've lasted this long, but at some point, voters know they can elect politicians who will pay them off, and that happened a while ago, hence our burgeoning national debt.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 09:38:12 AM
Our governmental type was an experiment.  I'd guess a lot of the FFs had serious doubts it could last, they wrote as much, some of them.

The FFs feared pure democracy about as much as monarchy, and maybe more.  Nothing like this had ever been attempted, not even in Greece back when.  And it was unique in the world at the time.  The European monarchies no doubt sneered at it, and were thankful it was "over here".  They reacted rather strongly when France started a kind of republic of course.  The French attempt obviously failed quickly, and badly.

They are on the Fifth Republic now (and not doing all that great either). 

I think we're still in the experiment phase, and it's interesting we've lasted this long, but at some point, voters know they can elect politicians who will pay them off, and that happened a while ago, hence our burgeoning national debt.
You know I don't read books, in general. I made an exception. It's worth it.


(https://i.imgur.com/2iLJ3NT.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2024, 12:31:36 PM

Aw yes. Pride of Waldo, Ohio.

Basically, a hot dog in disc form.

Caramelized,teriyaki glazed spam, scallion scrambled Evetta Farms eggs, asadero cheese, cilantro, hoisin, sriracha and hashbrowns rolled up crunchwrap style. $2 cheladas today

(https://i.imgur.com/G0H6GrY.jpeg)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 12:34:10 PM
Looks great.

$2 is cheap for that.

Where?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 12:34:42 PM
So, we have:

Spam
Sausage of varying kinds
Hotdogs

All basically mystery meat, no?  We could probably add ground beef, which you can get as 85-15, or 93-7, or 80-20, or even 70-30.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2024, 12:42:11 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/YzOUDzN.png)

$2

In Omaha, NE
Outstanding food

https://block16omaha.com/ (https://block16omaha.com/)

Block16 • Farm To Table Street Food - Omaha


https://block16omaha.com
Try Alton Brown's favorite hamburger in the country or one of our daily specials. Serving street-style food for lunch and dinner in downtown Omaha.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 03:32:47 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Wwxv8WY.png)
Love that place. 

A couple of years ago, we took some friends there on our way to Columbus. They weren't sure about eating fried bologna, but once they had it, they now want to go back. We will drive down on occasion on a Fri or Sat evening just for the hell of it. 

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 03:38:50 PM
What's the problem with an AR-15? It's just a rifle.
Nothing, but it's easily altered to behave like a machine gun.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 24, 2024, 03:43:10 PM
Nothing, but it's easily altered to behave like a machine gun.

which would be breaking the law
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 03:44:06 PM
Nothing, but it's easily altered to behave like a machine gun.

Not any more so than any other semi-auto rifle. I don't know who you are getting your information from, but you should probably ignore them going forward. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 03:45:03 PM
FFS....we evolve.  The whole world evolves. 

Civil war...caused by slavery that was imported here by the Europeans.  uhhh, WE were Europeans back then, lol And half the country rejected it from the get go.  Actually, more than half rejected it because only a few of the original 13 had slavery.  slavery was legal in all 13 colonies - the south had far more because of their reliance on agriculture America whipped slavery....160 years ago !  Racism...taking a little longer but we're getting there...much slower. 

Women have had the right to vote for over 100 years.  Some states were earlier.  I'm not even sure most even cared about it at the time.  Can you imagine how much trouble it had to be to vote for the average rural American? you're argument was that it was too much trouble to vote.....ffs

Sure, Europe has a lot of the policies and things that you'd like to do here....only after a massive war that killed tens of millions of people and reduced some areas to rubble.  We must have had some really fabulous leaders at the end of WWII because instead of putting in some bullshit reparation's like WWI we helped them rebuild. kind of...but we still have a massive military base in Germany and over 50,000 troops stationed in Japan, so there's that Massively successful.  And we even wrote a lot of the new formed countries constitutions. 
Yes, my idea is simply an evolution.  And yes, I'm nitpicking some of your points.  You seem awfully combative over this.
Aim small, miss small.  No matter how badly a county is governed in my idea, it only adversely affects that county and not an entire state.  So there's another plus. :)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 03:47:29 PM
Not any more so than any other semi-auto rifle. I don't know who you are getting your information from, but you should probably ignore them going forward.
I know, but you don't find it odd that that one model of gun is so prevalent in mass shootings?

Hell, for all we know, these murderers aren't big gun guys and simply seek out the AR-15 because they've heard of it.  It would be stupid to demonize a gun based on name recognition alone, but if it left a potential mass shooter grasping at straws, maybe give it a try?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 03:47:38 PM
Love that place.

A couple of years ago, we took some friends there on our way to Columbus. They weren't sure about eating fried bologna, but once they had it, they now want to go back. We will drive down on occasion on a Fri or Sat evening just for the hell of it.


I looked them up out of curiosity. Cheap eats!
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 03:49:32 PM
I looked them up out of curiosity. Cheap eats!
Meat play-doh is cheap.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 03:53:42 PM
I enjoy a good bologna sammitch. 

And hot dogs.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 03:55:49 PM
Hotdogs taste 32% better at a ballpark and 78% better on Opening Day.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 03:56:27 PM
I know, but you don't find it odd that that one model of gun is so prevalent in mass shootings?

Hell, for all we know, these murderers aren't big gun guys and simply seek out the AR-15 because they've heard of it.  It would be stupid to demonize a gun based on name recognition alone, but if it left a potential mass shooter grasping at straws, maybe give it a try?

The most common gun used in mass shootings are semi-auto pistols. The number of people killed annually by rifles (of which the AR-15 is included) is usually less than those killed by hammers and fists (around 400). 

The problem with the AR-15 is that it is generally black and looks scary. Other than that, it has the exact same function, action and effectiveness of other semi-auto rifles. I would know, I own a few (hunting rifles, AR-15's, AR-10's and A2-12's).
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 03:57:00 PM
Hot dogs taste great in Chicago.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 03:59:34 PM
The most common gun used in mass shootings are semi-auto pistols. The number of people killed annually by rifles (of which the AR-15 is included) is usually less than those killed by hammers and fists (around 400).

The problem with the AR-15 is that it is generally black and looks scary. Other than that, it has the exact same function, action and effectiveness of other semi-auto rifles. I would know, I own a few (hunting rifles, AR-15's, AR-10's and A2-12's).
i understand that, I'm not saying the gun is ACTUALLY any worse than other guns.  It makes me throw up in my mouth to use this phrase, but I'm suggesting the perception has become the reality that they are bad/worse.  

And did you just sign off on my hammer+knife home defense plan?  :)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 04:00:43 PM
The most common gun used in mass shootings are semi-auto pistols. The number of people killed annually by rifles (of which the AR-15 is included) is usually less than those killed by hammers and fists (around 400).

The problem with the AR-15 is that it is generally black and looks scary. Other than that, it has the exact same function, action and effectiveness of other semi-auto rifles. I would know, I own a few (hunting rifles, AR-15's, AR-10's and A2-12's).
I just have the one. Got it from Palmetto State Armory as a kit. Was $399 when I got it three years ago.


(https://i.imgur.com/aW9sqI8.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 04:01:13 PM
Meat play-doh is cheap.
You've not tasted the spiced bologna of the G&R Tavern. They have is specially made with their own recipe.

There is a local butcher (south of Waldo) that makes if for them. It used available to the public from that butcher. However, someone was coming down from Northern Ohio and buying it to sell at their shop (I know the guy that was doing it, no it was not me) and the owner of the G&R Tavern now will not let you buy it from that butcher as he owns the recipe. You can only get it from the Tavern now. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 04:01:47 PM
i understand that, I'm not saying the gun is ACTUALLY any worse than other guns.  It makes me throw up in my mouth to use this phrase, but I'm suggesting the perception has become the reality that they are bad/worse. 

And did you just sign off on my hammer+knife home defense plan?  :)
You may want to update that plan.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 04:03:21 PM
I just have the one. Got it from Palmetto State Armory as a kit. Was $399 when I got it three years ago.


(https://i.imgur.com/aW9sqI8.png)
The PSA is a very good entry level AR. Some people try to give them a bad name, but they hold up very well compared to the more expensive brands. 

I saw some deals on some complete uppers and lowers the other day. I'm thinking of picking some up and doing a couple more builds. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 04:05:28 PM
The most common gun used in mass shootings is a 9 mm pistol. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 04:05:58 PM
I was going to buy an AR-10 from PSA a couple of years ago and almost pulled the trigger (no pun intended). However, I ended up going with Aero Precision on that build. Very nice rifle chambered in .308 cal. Good out to 1000 yds, or so I hear. I've not had the opportunity to shoot at that distance yet. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2024, 04:06:50 PM
You may want to update that plan.
don't bring a knife to a gunfight
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 04:09:06 PM
The PSA is a very good entry level AR. Some people try to give them a bad name, but they hold up very well compared to the more expensive brands.

I saw some deals on some complete uppers and lowers the other day. I'm thinking of picking some up and doing a couple more builds.
It cracked me up that they sent me the entire kit, except the actual firearm, which was this little metal thing. You know what I mean. It was a $40 firearm, and I had to pay my FFL $50 to pick it up.


(https://i.imgur.com/dwurVVC.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 04:11:08 PM
Yeah, that is the stripped lower. We have a few gun shops here were you can pick up an Anderson stripped lower for less than the transfer fee of something ordered on line. I've seen them as low as $19, but you can generally find them in the $30-40 range. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 04:15:49 PM
Yeah, that is the stripped lower. We have a few gun shops here were you can pick up an Anderson stripped lower for less than the transfer fee of something ordered on line. I've seen them as low as $19, but you can generally find them in the $30-40 range.
I asked the gunsmith about it, and he didn't have anything that would work with the PSA kit I bought.

He did give me a credit when I paid him to actually do the build. I think he charged me $75 to do it.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 24, 2024, 04:18:51 PM
I asked the gunsmith about it, and he didn't have anything that would work with the PSA kit I bought.

He did give me a credit when I paid him to actually do the build. I think he charged me $75 to do it.
That's odd. Generally, AR-15 lowers are universally compadable. AR-10's on the other hand, have 2 different standards and you have to watch what you are getting into. But generally speaking, almost any AR-15 lower should mount up to any upper. But I have sure there are exceptions. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2024, 04:29:35 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/4bfaavB.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 04:37:17 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/xHLzzmt.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 04:41:06 PM
don't bring a knife to a gunfight
To be fair, if someone entered my dwelling to rob me, they'd look around for 5 seconds and leave.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 24, 2024, 05:17:07 PM
What does AZ law say about protecting your home? Are you allowed to shoot an intruder?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 24, 2024, 05:49:26 PM

You may want to update that plan.
IMHO the big problem for a LOT of people when it comes to a firearm as a home defense weapon is that they don't put in the time and effort to be proficient. I can barely find the time to go to the golf range; am I going to spend hours at the shooting range to become really good with one? 

I have spent years of my life training to be efficient with my hands/feet/body and manual weapons. I'm certainly not in regular practice the way I was when I was 18, but there's a level of "it's like riding a bike" in there that I think would kick in if it came down to it. 

I don't think anyone really wants to try to break into my house. If they do, they'd better have a gun, because a knife / hammer / baseball bat / crowbar won't save them. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 05:50:52 PM
Arizona has both Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground Laws. Castle doctrine (coined from the phrase, “a man's home is his castle”) gives residents the right to use force – even deadly force if appropriate – to protect themselves and their family from an intrusive and imminent threat in their home, property or vehicle.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 05:52:46 PM
Castle Doctrine can provide legal immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for individuals who defend their home, shielding them from criminal charges and lawsuits from the intruder or their family. That said, Castle Doctrine doesn’t provide blanket authorization for using deadly force in every conceivable scenario involving a perceived risk. If the threat is outside your home and doesn’t pose a reasonable threat, your actions won’t be protected by the law.
 
Defendants also can’t use the Castle Doctrine to justify excessive force – their method of self-defense and the level of force utilized must be considered appropriate in the given situation. While the threat doesn’t have to be holding a deadly weapon to pose a threat, residents should be careful to defend themselves with force proportionate to the perceived threat or else risk a homicide charge.
 
You won’t be eligible for the protections afforded by Castle Doctrine law if the force you used was not considered reasonable, such as using excessive or lethal means to defend yourself when it wasn’t necessary. However, latitude may be given based on the context of the situation and the inability of a homeowner to know exactly what level of risk they face from an intruder.
 
Moreover, if you employed a weapon that’s outlawed in Arizona, not only will you not be covered by Castle Doctrine law, you may face legal penalties and jail times for gun misconduct (https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03102.htm).
 
Under Castle Doctrine, killing an intruder can be classified as a justifiable homicide (https://www.alariddefense.com/criminal-defense-phoenix/violent-crimes/murder-manslaughter) (which is not prosecutable) as long someone else in your situation would also genuinely and reasonably believe they were at risk of death, suffering devastating injuries or if a more serious felony would occur if no action was taken.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 24, 2024, 06:01:33 PM
Anyone here shoot someone at any point? 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 24, 2024, 06:12:49 PM
Anyone here shoot someone at any point?
Depends... are you a cop?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 24, 2024, 06:14:14 PM
Day ain't over yet.

day ain't over yet (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsa62d5Ri4)

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 24, 2024, 06:23:05 PM
Depends... are you a cop?
No. But I meant in the justified acceptable way.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: longhorn320 on June 24, 2024, 06:36:39 PM
No. But I meant in the justified acceptable way.
I have never fired a gun in a situation where I was being threatened and hope never to do so

but as you know if you live in or near a big city stuff can go south in a hurry and all citizens should be able to protect themselves when necessary
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 24, 2024, 08:31:35 PM
Castle Doctrine can provide legal immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for individuals who defend their home, shielding them from criminal charges and lawsuits from the intruder or their family. That said, Castle Doctrine doesn’t provide blanket authorization for using deadly force in every conceivable scenario involving a perceived risk. If the threat is outside your home and doesn’t pose a reasonable threat, your actions won’t be protected by the law.
Defendants also can’t use the Castle Doctrine to justify excessive force – their method of self-defense and the level of force utilized must be considered appropriate in the given situation. While the threat doesn’t have to be holding a deadly weapon to pose a threat, residents should be careful to defend themselves with force proportionate to the perceived threat or else risk a homicide charge.
You won’t be eligible for the protections afforded by Castle Doctrine law if the force you used was not considered reasonable, such as using excessive or lethal means to defend yourself when it wasn’t necessary. However, latitude may be given based on the context of the situation and the inability of a homeowner to know exactly what level of risk they face from an intruder.
Moreover, if you employed a weapon that’s outlawed in Arizona, not only will you not be covered by Castle Doctrine law, you may face legal penalties and jail times for gun misconduct (https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03102.htm).
Under Castle Doctrine, killing an intruder can be classified as a justifiable homicide (https://www.alariddefense.com/criminal-defense-phoenix/violent-crimes/murder-manslaughter) (which is not prosecutable) as long someone else in your situation would also genuinely and reasonably believe they were at risk of death, suffering devastating injuries or if a more serious felony would occur if no action was taken.


Yeah, uh, I just grabbed whatever was nearby (hammer).

If I don't collapse his head in, and if he has experience enough to be wary of my right hand attacking, that hammer will draw his attention while down below, my left hand plays stabby-stabby-stab-stab with the knife.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 24, 2024, 10:06:25 PM
Yes, my idea is simply an evolution.  And yes, I'm nitpicking some of your points.  You seem awfully combative over this.
Aim small, miss small.  No matter how badly a county is governed in my idea, it only adversely affects that county and not an entire state.  So there's another plus. :)
Did not know slavery was allowed in places like NY etc. Even better, the people voluntarily gave it up. They got rid of it on their own, no war needed. 

Slavery was most definitely brought here by the Europeans. We may have been Europeans at some point, but at what point did we become Americans ?  I think most if not all the founding fathers were born in the colonies. Debatable.  Regardless, we spilled some blood, and it was decided not for us. I’m not ashamed that I have ancestors who fought for the confederacy.  But I can admit they were wrong. 

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 06:16:53 AM
Why are you trying to differentiate between European and American slave owners?  What a bizarre point to attempt. 
 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 06:59:07 AM
Anyone here shoot someone at any point?
Yes.

One time, and not deadly.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on June 25, 2024, 07:26:54 AM
Anyone here shoot someone at any point?
No and I hope never to have to. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 07:33:23 AM
Why are you trying to differentiate between European and American slave owners?  What a bizarre point to attempt.
 
He's merely noting where we "inherited" the tradition of slavery.  When Georgia was founded, slavery was forbidden.  That didn't last very long.  The original settlers had pretty lofty ideals that were submerged to economics.  Slavery of course had been common throughout history around the world.

A strange thing is that IF somehow South Carolina had not seceded and Lincoln had remained President of the entire country, it probably would have taken 20-30 more years to get rid of slavery.  Maybe longer than that.  

Hoisted by its own petards, as it were.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 07:33:58 AM
I felt I had no choice. I hope to never have to do it again. It's been 39 years.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 07:41:07 AM
Slavery is a confusing topic.

Slaves were offered up to Europeans by their own people.

Should the Europeans have bought? Of course, we now say no. At the time the slaves were looked upon as not quite human, but capable of manual labor that wealthier Europeans didn't want to do. So, they bought.

I always come back to the fact that slaves were offered and sold by their own, and it became a business from which a few privileged Africans became very wealthy.

Not too many people think about this stuff. I do think about it because today "I'm" being blamed. 

I point my finger to Africa and say "Look over there for reparations. They are the ones who sold your distant ancestors."
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 07:58:20 AM
It's a complex topic, I agree, discussed at length in the Bible, which was a guide for many back when (more than today).  I know today Lincoln (who I admire generally) is viewed as the "Great Emancipator", but he also was clearly a racist, using terms then we'd not condone at all today.  His solution was basically Liberia.

The first Nazi solution for the Jews was to ship them all to Madagascar.  When that proved impracticable, they went another direction.

It's also notable what prompted the "second secession" of North Carolina and Virginia.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 25, 2024, 11:28:54 AM
Why are you trying to differentiate between European and American slave owners?  What a bizarre point to attempt.
 
As somebody pointed out, we (USA) did not invent slavery.  We inherited it.  And some chose to get rid of it willingly.  You used slavery and women's voting rights as a reason to go with some alternate government structure.  

If you bring up things that happened over a century ago, why is it bizarre that I also make a point about things that happened well in the past?  

I try, but fail at making my point clear.  So I'll try to cut to the chase.  

The current government system we have killed slavery over 150 years ago.  We did not start it, we inherited it. 

So, did it not work?  And how would your system work better? 

There would still be areas/counties that had slavery perhaps 20-30 years after 1865.  Sources are scarce, but as far as I can tell the slavery system of the 1800's existed well up into the 20th century in some places.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: MaximumSam on June 25, 2024, 11:34:47 AM
Slavery a big part of why Texas is part of the United States and not Mexico
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on June 25, 2024, 11:47:07 AM
You seem awfully combative over this.

Not really.  I am just always curious as to why some people think the system we have is so bad.  I mean, really, is it really that bad here?  Turn off the TV, ignore the CNN/Fox News bullshit, think about all the good things in your life.  I think we have it really good.  

I was riding with a friend of mine from Nicaragua, we drove past the voting/polling place.  He turned to me and said, in broken English, "In Nicaragua, we no vote".  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2024, 11:58:32 AM
Not really.  I am just always curious as to why some people think the system we have is so bad.  I mean, really, is it really that bad here?  Turn off the TV, ignore the CNN/Fox News bullshit, think about all the good things in your life.  I think we have it really good. 
Our system is the worst. You know, except for all the others :57:

I get where OAM is coming from. We have gotten to a point where some of our politics is so acrimonious because the majority of political power is in Congress. If you try to make a one size fits all policy that has to work for people in Southie in Boston, in Macon, GA, in Cheyenne, WY, in San Francisco, CA, and in Juneau, AK, you're going to end up pissing someone [or everyone] off. Even with state decisions, I live in a state where the needs of LA / SF / San Diego / Sacramento are VERY different than the needs of Tulare / Redding / Blythe / Merced, but the policy doesn't reflect that very well. And most of the voters are in the population centers, so which do you think dominate the decisions? Most of the geographical area of CA isn't powerful in our decision-making, because it's not populous in comparison. 

If each of those places could mostly make their own decisions, they wouldn't have to be mad that someone, somewhere else, made different decisions. Because it wouldn't affect them. And even more importantly, the decisions would be tailored to local needs, so governance could probably be made better and more responsive to their needs. 

It's great in theory, until they go the wrong direction and start infringing on peoples' rights with said decision-making. Which tends to be a lot easier to do on a small scale than a national scale. And is incredibly common on all sides. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 12:39:41 PM
I'm fine with such proposals so long as they go nowhere, which all of them do of course.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 01:00:15 PM
Our system is the worst. You know, except for all the others :57:

Our system is generally controlled by the big cities on the coasts, which have the population. And such cities like Chicago.

Duh.

Of course, some people don't like it. Most of those don't live in the big cities, but those who do, REALLY don't like it.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 01:05:44 PM
I'm glad I live in a Big City so I can exert all that control at will.

If my wife lets me.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 01:36:09 PM
I'm happy to live in a town of 300 on a deadend street

I have no political influence, but then maybe that's why I don't bother myself with politics much
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:30:34 PM
As somebody pointed out, we (USA) did not invent slavery.  We inherited it.  And some chose to get rid of it willingly.  You used slavery and women's voting rights as a reason to go with some alternate government structure. NO I didn't, I used those as non-examples of your suggestion that our system has worked out well.

If you bring up things that happened over a century ago, why is it bizarre that I also make a point about things that happened well in the past? 

I try, but fail at making my point clear.  So I'll try to cut to the chase. 

The current government system we have killed slavery over 150 years ago.  We did not start it, we inherited it. 

So, did it not work? And how would your system work better? 

There would still be areas/counties that had slavery perhaps 20-30 years after 1865.  Sources are scarce, but as far as I can tell the slavery system of the 1800's existed well up into the 20th century in some places. 
1/4 to 1/3 of households had slaves in the north, leading up to the Civil War.  Does inheriting slavery and continuing to do it a feather in someone's cap?  I'm still mystified by this.

Now you're saying our gov't system killed slavery 150 years ago?  So the plan was to break in half and have a Civil War for 4 years?  That's a helluva plan!

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:31:20 PM
Slavery is a confusing topic.

Slaves were offered up to Europeans by their own people.

Should the Europeans have bought? Of course, we now say no. At the time the slaves were looked upon as not quite human, but capable of manual labor that wealthier Europeans didn't want to do. So, they bought.

I always come back to the fact that slaves were offered and sold by their own, and it became a business from which a few privileged Africans became very wealthy.

Not too many people think about this stuff. I do think about it because today "I'm" being blamed.

I point my finger to Africa and say "Look over there for reparations. They are the ones who sold your distant ancestors."
Do you ever wonder WHY Africans sold their brethren?  Or is that too deep?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:34:16 PM
Not really.  I am just always curious as to why some people think the system we have is so bad.  I mean, really, is it really that bad here?  Turn off the TV, ignore the CNN/Fox News bullshit, think about all the good things in your life.  I think we have it really good. 

I was riding with a friend of mine from Nicaragua, we drove past the voting/polling place.  He turned to me and said, in broken English, "In Nicaragua, we no vote". 
I don't think our system is "so bad."  I'm just sharing an idea that would ostracize and/or anger fewer people.  Just because something can be improved doesn't mean it's BAD.  

And on the other side of the coin you're flipping, yes, we do have it really good....say it with me now, it doesn't mean we can't have it better.

We would still have states, but crooked-ass lawmakers in a faraway capital wouldn't have such influence on your day-to-day life.  Your crooked-ass neighbor 2 streets over, would. :)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 02:35:09 PM
Do you ever wonder WHY Africans sold their brethren?  Or is that too deep?
Well, to start with, they usually were not their "brethern".  And of course it was a traditional practice among nearly all human cultures for thousands of years.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 02:38:08 PM
1/4 to 1/3 of households had slaves in the north, leading up to the Civil War. 
From where did you get this statistic?

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:39:06 PM
Well, to start with, they usually were not their "brethern".  And of course it was a traditional practice among nearly all human cultures for thousands of years.

I was thinking it had to do with people with guns vs people without guns.  
But I'm probably wrong.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 02:42:50 PM
CNN - Evidence of Africans' part in slavery - Oct. 20, 1995 (http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9510/ghana_slavery/)

The Europeans provided an expanded market, but slavery was common in Africa before that (and everywhere else in the world, pretty much).  Being SOLD is different from being TAKEN, which is what would have happened if the side with GUNS simply TOOK, instead of "paid" for the slaves.

This is pretty commonly understood history.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 02:45:29 PM
A Journey in Chains | African | Immigration and Relocation in U.S. History | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/african/journey-in-chains/)


This is a pretty good reliable summary.

While Europeans owned and operated the slave ships, the work of kidnapping new victims was generally left to West Africans. Bands of slavers would roam the African countryside, preying on villagers who let their guard down.
Olaudah Equiano was abducted when he was 8 years old.
Quote
One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls and in a moment seized us both, and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood. Here they tied our hands, and continued to carry us as far as they could, till night came on, when we reached a small house where the robbers halted for refreshment, and spent the night. We were then unbound, but were unable to take any food; and, being quite overpowered by fatigue and grief, our only relief was some sleep.
It sometimes took several months to transport captives to the coast, and they often were sold and resold to several new owners along the way. Once they reached the coast, some captives were taken to slave forts or compounds, where they waited for a slave vessel to arrive. Many of these fortresses still stand on the coasts of Africa, at places like Ilmina and Goree Island, as ruined monuments to the cruel economy of years past.
Once a ship was ready, the Africans were handed over to their new captors, Europeans and Americans, who would take them on their journey to the Americas.


Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:48:36 PM
If you buy humans instead of stealing/slaughtering them all, you sleep better at night.
If you buy humans instead of stealing/slaughtering them all, you sleep better at night?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:49:18 PM
Anyway, the topic of this thread has nothing to do with slavery.  I brought it up in discussing a tangent by someone else.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 02:51:28 PM
If you buy humans instead of stealing/slaughtering them all, you sleep better at night.
If you buy humans instead of stealing/slaughtering them all, you sleep better at night?
The entire practice was horrible, end to end.  I just thought you might appreciate having your misapprehensions corrected, I see that apparently is incorrect, you prefer ignorance.  I'm not surprised.


NPS Ethnography: African American Heritage & Ethnography
 (https://www.nps.gov/ethnography/aah/aaheritage/histcontextsc.htm)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 02:56:32 PM
So if the Africans who sold slaves to Europeans/Amercians told "us" no and kept them all, we would have left with empty ships?

Mkay. 

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 02:58:34 PM
If you care to read the links I posted, you MIGHT come to understand the dynamics involved.  Or not.  It might get too complicated.  Or boring.

And I sleep pretty well at night, in the main.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:07:13 PM
If you care to read the links I posted, you MIGHT come to understand the dynamics involved.  Or not.  It might get too complicated.  Or boring.

And I sleep pretty well at night, in the main. 
Direct quote from your link:

 It is also fair to say that had there been no European demand for African slave labor in the New World, there would not have been any market for an African labor supply.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:08:00 PM
I guess the Africans should have been mad at the Native Americans for being such crummy slaves?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 03:09:06 PM
native Americans kept slaves sometimes instead of murdering other tribes

this wasn't just some story of evil white men from Europe that had guns
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:12:47 PM
native Americans kept slaves sometimes instead of murdering other tribes

this wasn't just some story of evil white men from Europe that had guns
Hell, you could leave race out of it.  The trans-Atlantic slave trade to the new world/colonies was so sinful because of the sheer volume of it.

You're comparing bands of tribes having squabbles and taking like 12 guys as slaves compared to hundreds of thousands to a million+ taken from across an ocean.
C'mon, man.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 03:14:28 PM
taking 12 slaves is OK???

WTF?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:15:21 PM
taking 12 slaves is OK???

WTF?
You should work at Fox News.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 03:17:29 PM
volume is sinful?

or just bigger number, bigger sin?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 03:17:34 PM
Direct quote from your link:

It is also fair to say that had there been no European demand for African slave labor in the New World, there would not have been any market for an African labor supply.
This is pretty obvious.  But Africans still had slavery, just on a much smaller scale.

The practice of slavery in the New World was wide spread, and horrible, from start to finish, probably worse than the practice in most other situations.

And the Spainish did enslave native Americans, often, generally in South America, and generally to obtain precious metals.   Spain became a world power on that basis.

Some native Americans in North American had their own slaves at times, and of course many fought for the South.  History is messy, and often does not rhyme at all.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:18:56 PM
volume is sinful?

or just bigger number, bigger sin?
In lieu of race, volume can dictate the level of badnessocity.  

You should REALLY work for Fox News.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 03:20:28 PM
There is a reason slave TRADE was outlawed in Europe and the US well before the US Civil War (1808 in the US).  It became widely viewed as barbaric.

So, in the US, slavery was often viewed as "OK", but the Atlantic slave trade was not.

And had there  been no Civil War, slavery would have persisted in the US for decades, I think, perhaps even to 1900.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:21:22 PM
So if the Africans who sold slaves to Europeans/Amercians told "us" no and kept them all, we would have left with empty ships?

Mkay. 


This is the crux vs the "Africans are to blame for new world slavery" crowd.

Everything you just posted is true, but has nothing to do with our conversation.  This is the key.  Hey Africans, either you sell us all those humans or we'll just take them and take you as well.


Easy choice.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 03:21:30 PM
moral of the story..... history

is slavery can't be blamed on any particular group, or race, or nation
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:22:50 PM
There is a reason slave TRADE was outlawed in Europe and the US well before the US Civil War (1808 in the US).  It became widely viewed as barbaric.

So, in the US, slavery was often viewed as "OK", but the Atlantic slave trade was not.

And had there  been no Civil War, slavery would have persisted in the US for decades, I think, perhaps even to 1900.


Yes, the outcome of the Civil War was a good thing.  Duh.
No, citing it as a positive feature of our gov't system is not prudent (not a point made by you, someone else).  Duh.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:23:13 PM
moral of the story..... history

is slavery can't be blamed on any particular group, or race, or nation
I'm sending Fox News your resume.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 03:32:54 PM
European history has quite a bit of dark periods, and events.  I find it useful to try and understand as much as possible, as "we" are mostly Europeans originally.

I didn't learn much of it in school, that's for sure, some of my HS teachers were, well, at times incoherent, which I see around here at times.  I have enjoyed reading about it on my own later in life.  Much of it gets messy, humans like stories where one side is all bad and the other is all good, and history isn't really like that, though at times one side does look pretty awful.

Europe today MIGHT be in better shape had Napoleon ended up victorious.  It can be debated ad nauseum.  Much of what we read and learn about him was written by ..... who?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 03:35:00 PM
I'm sending Fox News your resume. 
I have my retirement job, but if they wave enuff money......
I do have a face for radio
thanks in advance
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:36:56 PM
As has been said previously, numerous times, a college football show by any 3 posters here would be pure entertainment, as it would devolve into the muck rather quickly.  But I think we'd all be friendly by the end of each episode.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 03:39:01 PM
As has been said previously, numerous times, a college football show by any 3 posters here would be pure entertainment, as it would devolve into the muck rather quickly.  But I think we'd all be friendly by the end of each episode.


I feel like we're friends even here.

I think you're weird, but you wouldn't be my first weird friend.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:45:33 PM
I really value you guys and would break bread with any of you.  We agree on most things, but it's more stimulating to discuss the other bits.

And if we messed up and stayed on-topic about football, we'd all have a blast.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 03:47:31 PM
I choose my friends rather more carefully when it comes to spending any time with them.

Five seconds?  No problem.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2024, 03:48:58 PM
Do you ever wonder WHY Africans sold their brethren?  Or is that too deep?
Probably because they were not their "brethren". They were captured prisoners from other tribes, as I understand it. 

Imagine that each African tribe was its own "county", acting mostly independently, with no over-arching national sense of unity. Then it'll make sense :57:
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 03:49:53 PM
Probably because they were not their "brethren". They were captured prisoners from other tribes, as I understand it.

Imagine that each African tribe was its own "county", acting mostly independently, with no over-arching national sense of unity. Then it'll make sense :57:
Already addressed this.  Poeple with guns vs people without guns.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2024, 03:52:45 PM
I have my retirement job, but if they wave enuff money......
I do have a face for radio
thanks in advance
Like momma always told me, "Boy, you got a face for radio and a voice for print."

No wonder I became a writer ;-) 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2024, 03:55:21 PM
Already addressed this.  Poeple with guns vs people without guns.
You think the Africans who were the ones capturing prisoners and then selling them as slaves didn't have guns? 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 03:57:00 PM
You think the Africans who were the ones capturing prisoners and then selling them as slaves didn't have guns?
He's hung up on this, badly, as is shown on previous pages.  I've seen ignorance, it's fine, but this level of arrogant stupidity and intransigence is remarkable, to me.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 03:57:37 PM
Probably because they were not their "brethren". They were captured prisoners from other tribes, as I understand it.

Imagine that each African tribe was its own "county", acting mostly independently, with no over-arching national sense of unity. Then it'll make sense :57:
My county would do well in the gun department. Probably even better if any of us could actually see well.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 04:02:56 PM
heck, I'd sit down for a meal with all y'all

I've bought Wingnut and the Vine Street Bomber a few beverages in the past and would do it again.
They're both much more left leaning than I.
Vine Street Bomber is even a retired school teacher
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 04:07:03 PM
heck, I'd sit down for a meal with all y'all

I've bought Wingnut and the Vine Street Bomber a few beverages in the past and would do it again.
They're both much more left leaning than I.
Vine Street Bomber is even a retired school teacher
Been a while. 2015??
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2024, 04:09:47 PM
On that note, things don't look great for me for Nashville this fall. Lots of travel this year and I'm not sure it'll make sense. 

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 04:11:47 PM
Been a while. 2015??
you would remember better than I
but, much too long
wish the trip to Nashville was a go for more of us
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2024, 04:14:43 PM
I remember 2015 because we were on the Mississippi River Bridge when we got a call that my 50 YO BIL died from surgical malpractice. 

We didn't even know he was having surgery. It was routine, outpatient.

Definitely outpatient, but now how he planned it.

He did an Ironman about a month before.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 25, 2024, 05:46:44 PM
You think the Africans who were the ones capturing prisoners and then selling them as slaves didn't have guns?
Wow, you guys are literalists, aren't ya?

Let's see, these 400 guys on a ship all have guns and they're docking at a port with just say 400 people ashore, with the 20 guys with guns herding the 380 that are chained up.

You're right.  Technically both sides had guns.  You got me there.  

FFS, people.  I'm done.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2024, 05:57:49 PM
Wow, you guys are literalists, aren't ya?

Let's see, these 400 guys on a ship all have guns and they're docking at a port with just say 400 people ashore, with the 20 guys with guns herding the 380 that are chained up.

You're right.  Technically both sides had guns.  You got me there. 

FFS, people.  I'm done.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Passage

According to wiki, slave trade ships typically had about 30 crew. What are they going to do, leave 10 to protect the boat (their livelihood) and send the other 20 to just start raiding the African coast and rounding up hundreds of slaves themselves? No matter how many guns they have, that's not going to be a thing. Maybe at the nation-state level they could invade Africa and start capturing slaves, but the actual traders didn't have the manpower or firepower to do anything like that. They HAD to rely on the native Africans to supply the product. 

(Again none of this is excusing any of it, nor is it "blaming" Africans for slavery--just pointing out that there were multiple parties involved. And also highlighting, per YOUR question, the fact that Africans sold other Africans into slavery because they weren't "brethren"--they had no allegiance or commonality of purpose to those they captured.)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: EastAthens on June 25, 2024, 06:02:11 PM
Getting rid of gerrymandering is the quickest way to end all the horseshit partisanship we witness in DC every day but even that very doable step is a step too far to any number of entrenched interests on both sides.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2024, 06:02:48 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Passage

According to wiki, slave trade ships typically had about 30 crew. What are they going to do, leave 10 to protect the boat (their livelihood) and send the other 20 to just start raiding the African coast and rounding up hundreds of slaves themselves? No matter how many guns they have, that's not going to be a thing. Maybe at the nation-state level they could invade Africa and start capturing slaves, but the actual traders didn't have the manpower or firepower to do anything like that. They HAD to rely on the native Africans to supply the product.

(Again none of this is excusing any of it, nor is it "blaming" Africans for slavery--just pointing out that there were multiple parties involved. And also highlighting, per YOUR question, the fact that Africans sold other Africans into slavery because they weren't "brethren"--they had no allegiance or commonality of purpose to those they captured.)

Indeed, in some cases they were mortal enemies and were happy to rid the land of those that would otherwise hunt and kill their own. Not sure why OAM is attempting to rewrite some well-established and understood history, here.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 06:10:47 PM
The Europeans TRADED for the slaves held by Africans.  They didn't need guns to trade.  It's abundantly clear.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2024, 06:22:29 PM
Getting rid of gerrymandering is the quickest way to end all the horseshit partisanship we witness in DC every day but even that very doable step is a step too far to any number of entrenched interests on both sides.
I don't think it's really doable, or even clearly definable.  You have to rely on some court to define it and some commission to lay out the districts in the first place, at best.

And it would have zero impact on the Senate or Presidency.

I once saw someone claim Trump only won because of gerrymandering in 2016.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2024, 11:02:59 PM
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss


____________________

4 young men from London\

1971
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 25, 2024, 11:12:20 PM
Getting rid of gerrymandering is the quickest way to end all the horseshit partisanship we witness in DC every day but even that very doable step is a step too far to any number of entrenched interests on both sides.
I mean, I’m not totally sure how one would do that. Other than some kind of random generator. Any map in theory advantages someone, unless you make it more general, which turns power over to parties, which people somewhat often don’t like (but not always, I suppose). 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 26, 2024, 04:51:10 AM
I don't think it's really doable, or even clearly definable.  You have to rely on some court to define it and some commission to lay out the districts in the first place, at best.

And it would have zero impact on the Senate or Presidency.

I once saw someone claim Trump only won because of gerrymandering in 2016.
I guess we should just give up on honesty and objectivity then.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: EastAthens on June 26, 2024, 05:49:03 AM
I mean, I’m not totally sure how one would do that. Other than some kind of random generator. Any map in theory advantages someone, unless you make it more general, which turns power over to parties, which people somewhat often don’t like (but not always, I suppose).
I agree that some advantage for someone would be inevitable but that is a completely different animal than the current system of politicians choosing their own constituencies. The current system gives is AOC and Marjorie Taylor Greene, batshit crazy writ large.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 26, 2024, 07:50:38 AM
There are plenty of things to dislike out about current system.  I personally would be chary about making large changes that could have unintended consequences, and obviously one can propose all sorts of things here as hypotheticals, fine with me.

I know poll after poll for example shows the voters would prefer a direct popular vote for Presidents.  That doesn't necessarily mean it would be a good idea (or not).  And there is a Compact of the States in progress, sort of, that would make that happen without an Amendment.  

I suspect if Democrats benefitted more often from the EC, they'd be for retaining it, and vice versa.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 26, 2024, 08:03:47 AM
I agree that some advantage for someone would be inevitable but that is a completely different animal than the current system of politicians choosing their own constituencies. The current system gives is AOC and Marjorie Taylor Greene, batshit crazy writ large.
I don’t think either of those people is helped that much by gerrymandering? They’re just candidates from really red or blue areas. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: GopherRock on June 26, 2024, 09:24:34 AM
I don’t think either of those people is helped that much by gerrymandering? They’re just candidates from really red or blue areas.
It is unlikely that MTG's district is anywhere near that red without gerrymandering.

The problem with suggestions of AI or computer-generated districts is that the programming contains all the biases of the programmer. Garbage in, garbage out.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 26, 2024, 09:32:50 AM
The question is how you do it...

Let's say a state is reliably 53% R, 45% D, 2% "other". 

Do you?



Everyone talks about how easy it would be to end gerrymandering, but it's actually a quite complicated problem. 

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 26, 2024, 09:42:29 AM
The question is how you do it...

What's the problem?


(https://i.imgur.com/dJ2pki4.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 26, 2024, 09:44:44 AM
It is unlikely that MTG's district is anywhere near that red without gerrymandering.
(https://i.imgur.com/5zYPnBf.png)

She represents the 14th.  I think it pretty obvious it isn't gerrymandered.  One could argue about 8 and 4 and 13.  One aspect of gerrymandering in the south is it usually creates a district likely to have a black representative.  District 5, which is my district, has a black representative, but it isn't obviously "fixed" for that.

I know some folks have attempted to draw maps using computers and an algorithm, and that COULD work, but would produce some wonky results on occasion.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 26, 2024, 09:58:07 AM
Florida isn't bad at all. Pretty square boxes in general. 20 is f'd up though. Not sure what's up with the one.

I'm in the 19th (barely) and we have a black congressman. I really like him too.

He stretches from us all the way down to Naples.

(https://i.imgur.com/HBrr1cr.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 26, 2024, 10:54:48 AM
Florida isn't bad at all. Pretty square boxes in general. 20 is f'd up though. Not sure what's up with the one.

I'm in the 19th (barely) and we have a black congressman. I really like him too.

He stretches from us all the way down to Naples.

(https://i.imgur.com/HBrr1cr.png)
You mean the little extra tentacles off 20?
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 26, 2024, 11:00:59 AM
Of all our problems, I view gerrymandering as well down the list.  My preference would be to have boundaries set by some commission and be done with it.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 26, 2024, 11:51:16 AM
You mean the little extra tentacles off 20?
Yeah. That's a weird one to me.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 26, 2024, 05:33:53 PM
20 is basically empty w/o the tentacles.  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 26, 2024, 10:21:10 PM
that makes it OK to have tentacles?

sweet
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 26, 2024, 11:21:42 PM
It is unlikely that MTG's district is anywhere near that red without gerrymandering.

In the south end of the Appalacian Mountains, south of Tennessee? 

(https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Subregions_2009_Map-1200x1218.png)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2024, 07:49:15 AM
It's kinda funny to see several metro Atlanta counties classified as Appalachia.  They did exclude Fulton, Cobb, and Dekalb, but then included Gwinett, which will soon be the largest population county in the state with over a million residents.  I'd guess this map is old and never was updated, if it means anything.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2024, 01:25:07 PM
from my buddy wingnut on FB

(https://i.imgur.com/MmQpLx3.jpeg)

supposedly, Billboard near ATL airport en route to debate site.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2024, 01:30:39 PM
Atlanta Trump billboards mock New York felony (fox5atlanta.com) (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/1476682)

There are five of them, paid for by the DNC for some reason.  

The billboards will be installed along parts of I-85 near Plasters Avenue, along I-85 near Buford Highway and along I-75 near Lakewood Freeway —where Trump is likely to see them on his way from the airport to the city.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: jgvol on June 27, 2024, 01:33:08 PM
Atlanta Trump billboards mock New York felony (fox5atlanta.com) (https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/1476682)

There are five of them, paid for by the DNC for some reason. 

The billboards will be installed along parts of I-85 near Plasters Avenue, along I-85 near Buford Highway and along I-75 near Lakewood Freeway —where Trump is likely to see them on his way from the airport to the city.

One can only hope that the Left's fears of retribution come true.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2024, 01:38:06 PM
seems a silly waste to me
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2024, 01:42:59 PM
To me as well, I doubt it alters a single vote.  Most drivers are too busy with traffic anyway, and the "message" doesn't make all that much sense in terms of having impact on opinions.  It's weird, to me, to have one on I-85 at Buford Highway as well.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2024, 02:12:03 PM
hopefully, the billboard sign company gets paid
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 27, 2024, 02:23:54 PM
hopefully, the billboard sign company gets paid
Sure, I guess they're just doing their part to stimulate the economy.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2024, 03:00:20 PM
while working for the phone company......... local and state and sometimes federal politicians would hold campaign events in local places.

Hillary Clinton for example at a small high school gymnasium 

we would set up communication services for them

not sure if we ever got stiffed completely but, it would take many months to get paid
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2024, 04:32:36 PM
Caramelized,teriyaki glazed spam, scallion scrambled Evetta Farms eggs, asadero cheese, cilantro, hoisin, sriracha and hashbrowns rolled up crunchwrap style. $2 cheladas today

[img width=500 height=311.992]https://i.imgur.com/G0H6GrY.jpeg[/img]
another one from Block 16........
Two specials tonight!!! Here's the first. House patty, pepperjack, avocado, pickled onion, caramelized pineapple mayo, teriyaki fried span, hashbrown, EF egg and chili crisp on a sesame bun
Two specials tonight!!! Here's the first. House patty, pepperjack, avocado, pickled onion, caramelized pineapple mayo, teriyaki fried span, hashbrown, Evetta Farms egg and chili crisp on a sesame bun

(https://i.imgur.com/NJg9IIM.jpeg)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 27, 2024, 04:50:39 PM
I'm not saying I wouldn't give that a shot, but I worry it's a little too busy. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2024, 04:58:23 PM
I'm guessin Guy Fieri could give it a thorough review after using the hunch
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 27, 2024, 11:05:18 PM
I'm guessin Guy Fieri could give it a thorough review after using the hunch
That caramelized pineapple mayo is on point!

I can't even envision what that would taste like.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on June 28, 2024, 10:07:22 AM
That caramelized pineapple mayo is on point!

I can't even envision what that would taste like.
I'm sure it tastes good.  Like candy and fat.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 28, 2024, 11:46:01 AM
In the south end of the Appalacian Mountains, south of Tennessee?

(https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Subregions_2009_Map-1200x1218.png)
It's NW Georgia. Surrounded by other red districts. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia does some hijinks, but I don't think it's there. SC does have some interesting stuff with it's one blue district. They flipped Charleston into it after that coastal district flipped for one cycle. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: bayareabadger on June 28, 2024, 11:49:04 AM
Yeah. That's a weird one to me.
I wonder if that's to make a more concentrated blue district? Grab some blue enclaves and clump them with a minority-heavy area SE of Lake Okeechobee.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 28, 2024, 11:50:56 AM
Probably.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 28, 2024, 01:08:53 PM
I wonder if that's to make a more concentrated blue district? Grab some blue enclaves and clump them with a minority-heavy area SE of Lake Okeechobee.
This is usually the incentive to draw weird districts, put all of one party in one+ district making the rest for the other party.  Georgia's districts LOOK pretty normal, to me.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 28, 2024, 09:37:13 PM
This is usually the incentive to draw weird districts, put all of one party in one+ district making the rest for the other party.  Georgia's districts LOOK pretty normal, to me.
I believe it's an earnest effort at fairness.

An area can be 60/40 for one party and depending how the districts are drawn, it's about 60/40 in each one.  So as a collective, the 60 wins 100% of the districts and the 40 aren't represented.

If there's like 5 districts in the area, it's more "fair" to draw them in a way that the 40% wins 2 of them, so that they're represented by 40% of those 5 districts in the area.

Idk if it's ethical in a vacuum, but I understand it.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 28, 2024, 09:59:47 PM
It's kinda funny to see several metro Atlanta counties classified as Appalachia.  They did exclude Fulton, Cobb, and Dekalb, but then included Gwinett, which will soon be the largest population county in the state with over a million residents.  I'd guess this map is old and never was updated, if it means anything.




I'm not sure what the population has to do with whether or not it is hilly.

Unless of course they flattened it all when they installed the subdivisions. 


Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on June 28, 2024, 10:01:15 PM
Fulton is hillier than Gwinnett. By far. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 28, 2024, 11:11:17 PM
It's based on number of teeth per mouth.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: MrNubbz on June 29, 2024, 07:46:44 AM
It's NW Georgia. Surrounded by other red districts.

I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia does some hijinks, but I don't think it's there. SC does have some interesting stuff with it's one blue district. They flipped Charleston into it after that coastal district flipped for one cycle.
The hills in SE Ohio we use to hunt back in the day (well,actually excersizing,observing wildlife and enjoying the great outdoors). We knew them as Appalachia they were part of the Allegheny Mountain Plateau,that were a shoot off or subdivision of Appalachians. All the same mountain range just called different things depending where you are. Kind of like a bowl of Chili
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: MrNubbz on June 29, 2024, 07:50:28 AM
It's based on number of teeth per mouth.
Go tell them that - then run,oh that's right you're over weight. Sooo go tell them that
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 01, 2024, 03:07:27 AM
(https://media3.giphy.com/media/l0ErA8YXBm87LYJWg/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b9525obzcazu27qkd8twnhk2cb4zypnio0015viik9rd&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2024, 07:37:15 AM
I'd guess the Appalachian county map is old and based on some combination of general geographic features and lack of urban populations.  Today, Gwinett county is the second largest county in the state by population and will be first in a few years.  It's suburban ATL.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2024, 09:57:41 AM
Are the Smokey's considered Appalachian? 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2024, 10:57:36 AM
Are the Smokey's considered Appalachian?
If you refer to he Great Smoky Mountain National Park, then yes.

There are referred to at times as the "Smokies".

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 01, 2024, 11:14:17 AM
Yes. I was in Gatlinburg when we had a board meeting in Knoxville. Pretty area. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: utee94 on July 01, 2024, 11:20:23 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra1AEFbCQn0
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2024, 11:33:11 AM
My mom was born and raised outide Sevierville.  I spent several weeks in summer at the farm there on Chapman Highway.

I loathe Pigeon Forge.

Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2024, 11:37:05 AM
"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on July 01, 2024, 01:15:43 PM

I loathe Pigeon Forge.
I've never been there. Why do you hate it?  Because of Dollywood?  
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: FearlessF on July 01, 2024, 01:27:42 PM
that would be enuff reason for me
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on July 01, 2024, 02:27:41 PM
I've never been there. Why do you hate it?  Because of Dollywood? 
Nothing but a tourist trap. If you like riding go carts, it is the place to be. 

However, the Gallinburg Country Club golf course (which is actually in Pigeon Forge) is a pretty fun layout, if you can stand the heat. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Cincydawg on July 01, 2024, 05:02:29 PM
I've never been there. Why do you hate it?  Because of Dollywood? 
Never been to Dollywood.  Pigeon Forge is a traffic mess of tourist traps and cheap attractions.  I remember it as it was ca. 1960 when we would pass through there, it was beautiful then, a total mess now, think Myrtle Beach but worse.

My wife said she'd divorce me if we ever drove through it again.
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: Gigem on July 01, 2024, 06:29:19 PM
Nothing but a tourist trap. If you like riding go carts, it is the place to be.

However, the Gallinburg Country Club golf course (which is actually in Pigeon Forge) is a pretty fun layout, if you can stand the heat.
I assure you, coming from SE Texas, the heat ain’t shit. lol. 
Title: Re: The 'United' States of America
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on July 01, 2024, 08:23:18 PM
I assure you, coming from SE Texas, the heat ain’t shit. lol.
I spent a summer in San Antonio putting hot tar roofs on aircraft hangers at Randolf AFB in 1982. I know what heat is. ;)