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Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: RMF who wrote (43273)	5/18/2010 11:25:15 AM
From: TimF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71588

China's growing faster than us, and has been for some time, but that hardly implies that their system is better, even when considering only the limited area of economic growth. They grow faster because they have liberated and moved away from government control, while we've been moving in the other direction (we are still freer than they are, but the change is important), and also because they have wealthier nations to buy their products. Its easier to grow faster when your catching up to, and can trade with a country like the US (and also Europe and rich countries elsewhere). As they become even wealthier pressure for political reform will probably increase (particularly if they become much wealthier, and then the high economic growth stops, going back down to the norm, or even in to a recession/economic shrinking for a time). The surveillance (and the "great firewall" and such) is a cost not a benefit to the Chinese economy, both in direct terms (it takes resources that could have been used elsewhere), and indirect (it reduces flexibility and innovation, although not nearly as much as it could since the Chinese generally are just focused on limiting political freedom, not economic freedom). Its a cost the Chinese government feels they can afford, and even need to spend, but its still an economic negative.

To: RMF who wrote (43273)	5/18/2010 2:40:55 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	1 Recommendation Respond to of 71588

Re: "Yeah, I just wrote a post about that Rand Paul guy and how he's already changed his stripes to get elected. But, in deference to him, you HAVE to do that in OUR system. Guys that tell the truth all the time AREN'T going to get elected." True enough. But, in deference to Rand Paul... he may not have to 'sing for the choir' for very much longer. I expect that he wins (wins BIG) in his primary today... and, come Fall, most likely wins in a walk-away over his Dem. opponent also.... Re: "That's why the Chinese have us BEAT everyway from Sunday." Oh, I donno about that. There are a number of distinct advantages that America has over China.... (I would not trade the hand that we have to play for their hand....) Re: "If the Chinese ever get FULL democracy they'll get get their lunch handed to them." I think pretty much the opposite of that... UNLESS they move to participatory Democracy their system will run aground. (One cannot keep an Authoritarian single party system afloat forever... eventually the stench of corruption pervades and corrupts the whole....)

To: RMF who wrote (43273)	5/18/2010 2:41:58 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71588

Mark Souder to resign after affair By Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake voices.washingtonpost.com Indiana congressman Mark Souder (R) will resign his seat after an affair with a staffer came to light, he said in a statement this morning. "It is with great regret I announce that I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives as well as resigning as the Republican nominee for Congress in this fall's election," said Souder. "I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part time member of my staff," added Souder. "I am so shamed to have hurt those I love." (Souder's full resignation statement is after the jump.) The news was first reported by Fox News Channel. The revelations regarding Souder come two weeks after he survived a serious primary challenge from car dealer Bob Thomas who spent considerable sums of his own money on the race. Souder won the primary with less than 50 percent of the vote. How Souder will be replaced on the ballot remains to be seen. State law allows Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) wide leeway in whether or not to call a special election and in the immediate aftermath of the resignation Republicans said it was unlikely there would be any vote before November. Within 30 days of the Souder vacancy -- and he has said he will resign officially on Friday -- the precinct chairmen and women of the counties in his district must gather to select a replacement. One named being bandied about is state Sen. Marlin Stutzman who ran unsuccessfully for Senate earlier this month. Souder joins a succession of Members of Congress embroiled in sex scandals in recent years, including Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.), Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.). Massa resigned, while Ensign and Vitter are still serving in the Senate. Souder was elected in the GOP wave election of 1994. He represents the Fort Wayne area in northeast Indiana. Democrats this month nominated Tom Hayhurst. Hayhurst, a repeat candidate, held Souder to 54 percent of the vote in their 2006 matchup. Souder resignation statement IT IS WITH GREAT REGRET I ANNOUNCE THAT I AM RESIGNING FROM THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS WELL AS RESIGNING AS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS IN THIS FALL'S ELECTION.I BELIEVE IT IS THE BEST DECISION FOR MY FAMILY, THE PEOPLE OF NORTHEAST INDIANA, AND OUR COUNTRY. I WILL SUBMIT MY RESIGNATION TO SPEAKER PELOSI EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY. I CAN NEVER FULLY THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD, GIVEN SO MUCH AND SUPPORTED ME THROUGH EIGHT CONTESTED PRIMARIES AND EIGHT GENERAL ELECTIONS.ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT CAN YOU REALLY FEEL THE HUMBLING POWER OF SUCH GENEROSITY. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF THE BATTLE FOR FREEDOM AND THE VALUES WE SHARE.IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HONOR TO FIGHT FOR THE NEEDS, THE JOBS, AND THE FUTURE OF THIS REGION WHERE MY FAMILY HAS LIVED FOR OVER 160 YEARS. IT HAS BEEN ALL CONSUMING FOR ME TO DO THIS JOB WELL, ESPECIALLY IN A DISTRICT WITH COSTLY, COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS EVERY TWO YEARS I DO NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF "NORMAL" LIFE - FOR FAMILY, FOR FRIENDS, FOR CHURCH, FOR COMMUNITY.TO SERVE HAS BEEN A BLESSING AND A RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN FROM GOD.I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER EXAMPLE. I SINNED AGAINST GOD, MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY BY HAVING A MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A PART-TIME MEMBER OF MY STAFF.IN THE POISONOUS ENVIRONMENT OF WASHINGTON DC, ANY PERSONAL FAILING IS SEIZED UPON, OFTEN TWISTED, FOR POLITICAL GAIN. I AM RESIGNING RATHER THAN TO PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH THAT PAINFUL, DRAWN-OUT PROCESS.DIANE AND MY FAMILY WERE MORE THAN WILLING TO STAND HERE WITH ME. WE ARE A COMMITTED FAMILY. BUT THE ERROR IS MINE AND I SHOULD BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY, NOT ONLY AM I THANKFUL FOR A LOVING FAMILY BUT FOR A LOVING GOD. MY COMFORT IS THAT GOD IS A GRACIOUS AND FORGIVING GOD TO THOSE WHO SINCERELY SEEK HIS FORGIVENESS AS I DO. BUT I AM SO ASHAMED TO HAVE HURT THOSE I LOVE.I AM SO SORRY TO HAVE LET SO MANY FRIENDS DOWN, PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD FOR ME. THE IDEAS WE ADVOCATE ARE STILL JUST AND RIGHT.AMERICA WILL SURVIVE AND THRIVE WHEN ANCHORED IN THOSE VALUES.HUMAN BEINGS, LIKE ME, WILL FAIL, BUT OUR CAUSE IS GREATER THAN INDIVIDUALS.IT IS BASED UPON ETERNAL TRUTHS.BY STEPPING ASIDE, MY MISTAKE CANNOT BE USED AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL IN A PARTISAN ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE THE CAUSE FOR WHICH I HAVE LABORED ALL MY ADULT LIFE.I LOVE THIS AREA.THIS IS MY HOME.IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU.FOR SIXTEEN YEARS, MY FAMILY AND I HAVE GIVEN OUR ALL FOR THIS AREA. THE TOLL HAS BEEN HIGH.AS I LEAVE PUBLIC OFFICE, MY PLANS ARE FOCUSED UPON REPAIRING MY MARRIAGE, EARNING BACK THE TRUST OF MY FAMILY AND MY COMMUNITY, AND RENEWING MY WALK WITH MY LORD. I HUMBLY ASK YOU, FOR THE SAKE OF MY FAMILY THAT YOU RESPECT OUR PRIVACY IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME. By Chris Cillizza \| May 18, 2010; 9:46 AM ET Categories: House

To: RMF who wrote (43273)	5/18/2010 3:04:55 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71588

In Paul candidacy, a referendum on Tea Party ideas The Post has reporters in three states covering Tuesday's elections. Read today's feeds on the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary, the 12th District special election, and the Arkansas Senate Democratic primary. See also Monday's feeds on: the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary, the Pennsylvania 12th District special election, the Kentucky Republican Senate primary, and the Arkansas Senate Democratic primary. By Perry Bacon Jr. voices.washingtonpost.com BOWLING GREEN, Ky -- Liberals have criticized the Tea Party movement as an amorphous, incoherent, possibly racist group of opponents of President Obama who are not offering an alternative agenda of their own. But Rand Paul, the U.S. Senate candidate favored to win the Republican primary here, is offering a series of conservative positions that is one of the most detailed articulations yet of how Tea Party principles would translate into governing. If Paul wins the primary, he would both defeat a Republican opponent who has cast these views as out of the mainstream and turn the election here this fall into a debate over the Tea Party's vision for the country. Paul is full of ideas that neither of the two major political parties fully embrace, although many of his positions are in the Tea Party activists' policy document, which they have dubbed the "Contract from America." If Rand Paul had his way, the federal government would no longer hand out subsidies to support farmers. The retirement age would be raised to make Social Security solvent. Senators could only serve 12 years in office. Congress would have to delay voting one day for every 20 pages of text in a bill so the public would have time to read and understand it. A section of every law passed would have to include an explanation of what part of the Constitution empowers Congress to act on the issue. Members of Congress could not pick out parks or roads in their districts to fund, according to Paul's platform. Congress would have to balance its budget every year, a move that could result in billions of dollars in cuts to politically popular programs. Lawmakers would simply send money to states for education, instead of imposing a variety of rules on schools through the U.S. Department of Education, which Paul wants to eliminate. Companies that receive federal contracts for more than $1 million would be barred from lobbying or giving money to political action committees. And on the campaign trail Monday, Paul hinted he might be the kind of senator who would block unemployment aid to people out of work if Congress didn't find other programs to cut to fund the benefits. He praised the man he is running to replace, retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), for taking up that cause earlier this year. "There is a Tea Party platform and some people say, 'when you win the primary, you'll have to run away from the Tea Party," Paul told a crowd here. "I think the Tea Party represents a very mainstream message. If you poll Republicans, 70 to 80 percent are for term limits, but if you poll Democrats, 70 to 80 percent are for term limits." Paul's opponent in the primary, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, said these positions would be a political problem in the general election if Paul were the GOP nominee. "Democrats are salivating to run against a guy who can be portrayed as anti-farmer, anti-teacher and anti-Kentucky," Grayson said Monday. If Paul came to Washington, he might have an even harder time with these ideas than on the campaign trail. Term limits and eliminating the Department of Education failed when Republicans pushed them after winning control of Congress in 1994, and party leaders have not put them back into the GOP platform since. Raising the retirement age is controversial among older voters, making most politicians in both parties wary of the issue. Even Republicans in Congress refused to back Bunning's effort to force Congress to fund extending unemployment benefits. But Paul dismisses the criticism that his ideas, or those of the broader movement of which he is part, are somehow impractical. Pressed by reporters here on Monday, he said that if Congress did not start the process for a constitutional amendment for term limits, he would call on the state legislature in Kentucky and other states to push the issue. (A constitutional amendment requires the backing of two-thirds of the members of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the country's state legislatures). Asked if he was "overpromising" to his supporters on the campaign trail, he said: "I am promising them exactly what I will do," "Nobody can guarantee victory," Paul said, arguing that his potential colleagues in Congress (if Paul is elected) could block his proposals. But, referring to his balanced budget proposal, he said, "I will introduce it and I will make it a national issue. I can't promise victory, but I promise I will make it part of the national discussion." By Perry Bacon Jr. \| May 18, 2010; 5:49 AM ET