The Race for the 2020 POTUS elections

[ballettmaus]

It may seem strange.
However, I have found it rather common, especially with those who are deeply religious.

That was kind of what I was getting at. I find that just as invasive as Biden kissing a woman's head unasked and yet, I don't think there'd be so much fuzz about it.

 

[topaz]

This is great example of the power of the big banks and the misrepresentation of left leaning politics.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/04/jamie-dimon-socialism-jp-morgan-banker-disaster

• Jamie Dimon: socialism leads to ‘corruption and favouritism’
• America’s top banker, paid $31m last year, defends capitalism who is estimated by Forbes to be worth $1.3bn
• The world’s most powerful banker has attacked socialism, saying it produces “stagnation, corruption and often worse”.
• In his letter, Dimon wrote: “When governments control companies, economic assets (companies, lenders and so on) over time are used to further political interests – leading to inefficient companies and markets, enormous favoritism and corruption.”

He wrote: “This is not to say that capitalism does not have flaws, that it isn’t leaving people behind and that it shouldn’t be improved. It’s essential to have a strong social safety net – and all countries should be striving for continuous improvement in regulations as well as social and welfare conditions.”

Who is proposing a government taken of companies or take over of assets from companies? NO ONE. This is more demagoguery and propaganda from the 1% and many main stream media sources(including supposedly democratic leaning news sources). Dimon pays less than 10% of his estimated worth in taxes, "acknowledges the income inequality in the US he does not want to pay more taxes or pay his share in taxes."

The refusal to acknowledge the US is an oligarchy is laughable to me. Jimmy Carter a few years ago acknowledged this. But apparently, an oligarchy government does not display favoritism nor corruption. Whatever.

 

[skatesindreams]

There was a time when this "touchy-feely" contact was considered normal, natural, and an expression of caring; particularly among the tradition to which Biden belonged.

It may seem strange.
However, I have found it rather common, especially with those who are deeply religious.

Think of "imparting a blessing" to someone.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

It may seem strange.
However, I have found it rather common, especially with those who are deeply religious.

Yes there could be a religious connection.

Is your church a hugging church?
http://womantowomanmentoring.com/2017/06/is-your-church-a-hugging-church/

Plus Catholic Marriage Encounter used to involve a lot of hugging, even after the weekend, with pretty much everybody. My brother and his wife were very into it.

Hugs are supposed to be calming and relieve stress, to the point that hugging machines are sold

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug_machine

 

[topaz]

Update to my previous post.
Jamie Dimon, spare us your crocodile tears about inequality

All true, but $350m over five years isn’t even a drop in the ocean of Americans who have been left behind. Nor is it a large sum for JP Morgan, America’s biggest bank, whose profits last year alone amounted to $35bn. The annual budget of the US Department of Education is $70bn.


Dimon’s own compensation package was $31m last year, and his reported net worth is $1.3bn.

Besides running JP Morgan, Dimon also chairs the Business Roundtable, composed of the CEOs of America’s largest corporations, whose 2018 profits broke all records.

Due to vast amounts they spend lobbying and donating to politicians, these CEOs also have more influence over what happens in Washington than any other group of people. If Dimon and the others were serious about helping most American workers – whose real wages have been going nowhere for decades and job security is dwindling – they could use their outsized political influence to push for laws requiring CEOs to consider all their stakeholders, not just shareholders.

Rather than reflexively seek tax cuts, they could push to raise taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans like themselves, so there’d be more school funding to prepare American kids for the jobs of the future.

They could seek a higher minimum wage, a larger Earned Income Tax Credit, universal healthcare, and other measures to make left-behind Americans more secure.

I enjoy Robert Reich's articles because he uses facts and numbers to prove his points, not "opinions".

 

[skatesindreams]

Some of you may understand why I have considerable experience with this issue (those who "touch and feel", as normal).
I suspect that we may have an entire generation who will know little about normal, healthy physical contact/interaction with others; due to fears of being accused of inappropriate behavior.

 

[topaz]

Some of you may understand why I have considerable experience with this issue (those who "touch and feel", as normal).
I suspect that we may have an entire generation who will know little about normal, healthy physical contact/interaction with others; due to fears of being accused of inappropriate behavior.

What about asking someone or getting their consent to display physical contact? I had a co worker at my previous job who was crying and I asked her if I could offer some physical comforting like a hug. She said no but stated I could hold her hand.

I wasn't offended.

I have had people physically touch my hair without my consent and when I ask them to please do not do that; they laugh.

 

[topaz]

Yes there could be a religious connection.

Is your church a hugging church?
http://womantowomanmentoring.com/2017/06/is-your-church-a-hugging-church/

Plus Catholic Marriage Encounter used to involve a lot of hugging, even after the weekend, with pretty much everybody. My brother and his wife were very into it.

Hugs are supposed to be calming and relieve stress, to the point that hugging machines are sold

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug_machine

My church is a hugging church but for new members I ask if I can hug them.

 

[skatesindreams]

Should one need to do that, topaz; at a political "meet and greet" where the purpose of the event would be thought to be to shake hands; or, make brief contact with someone in a receiving line.
If so, I can envision a time when there will be very few such events, if one needs to ask for specific "permission" to interact!

 

[topaz]

Should one need to do that, topaz; at a political "meet and greet" where the purpose of the event would be thought to be to shake hands; or, make brief contact with someone in a receiving line.
If so, I can envision a time when there will be very few such events, if one needs to ask for specific "permission" to interact!

Interaction can occur without touching someone or invading their personal space within reason(as it pertains to that person).

Also, I was not referring to "shaking hands". I am referring to hugging someone, kissing them(lips, cheeks, hands), kissing their hair, touching/caressing their hair, placing your hands on their shoulders, holding their hands. Touching that can be misconstrued or interpreted as something that it should not be.

 

[once_upon]

I'm overwhelmed with email requests to donate to xx, or xx, or xx or the Democrat Party's campaigns. At least 10 - 12 a day, maybe more.

I clicked on hide Amy K ads on Facebook - now I'm seeing 3x the amount as before the hide. Despite FB "assurance" I wouldn't be seeing them any more.

Wanna make me apathic? Keep it up.

 

[Peaches LaTour]

Correction: it was his first wife, Ivana

I thought she later denied or withdrew charges he raped her. During his campaign, she said he was never violent toward her.

 

[Vash01]

I'm overwhelmed with email requests to donate to xx, or xx, or xx or the Democrat Party's campaigns. At least 10 - 12 a day, maybe more.

I clicked on hide Amy K ads on Facebook - now I'm seeing 3x the amount as before the hide. Despite FB "assurance" I wouldn't be seeing them any more.

Wanna make me apathic? Keep it up.

It happened to me (excessive emails asking for donations) during the 2016 elections. It was sickening. I stopped opening emails from democrats even though I was supporting the democratic candidates.

 

[Sparks]

I thought she later denied or withdrew charges he raped her. During his campaign, she said he was never violent toward her.

Because of their divorce agreement.

 

[skatesindreams]

I thought she later denied or withdrew charges he raped her. During his campaign, she said he was never violent toward her.

In her book; she said he had been; and made other interesting statements about his behavior.
To settle, she retracted them.

 

[topaz]

Speaking of young people's political awakening.

Ariana Grande will have voter registration at her concerts via the organization HeadCount.
https://www.headcount.org/home/

You can donate to HeadCount too
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/xtqs86/

 

[Vash01]

Howard Schultz seems determined to run. He will help elect Trump. He sounds as deluded as Trump. Do we really want another businessman with zero experience in the WH?

 

[Vash01]

General question- what happens if no democratic candidate reaches the required threshold by the democratic convention? In the past I have seen some of them withdraw and give their votes to one of the leading candidates.

 

[skatesindreams]

Interaction can occur without touching someone or invading their personal space within reason(as it pertains to that person).

Also, I was not referring to "shaking hands". I am referring to hugging someone, kissing them(lips, cheeks, hands), kissing their hair, touching/caressing their hair, placing your hands on their shoulders, holding their hands. Touching that can be misconstrued or interpreted as something that it should not be.

Of course.

 

[skatesindreams]

With Biden (and others of his political generation for whom personal contact; and being remembered positively for it, was a "given"); it is likely difficult to realize that an approach which was "instinctive" for him could be regarded as invasive or offensive.

 

[MacMadame]

With Biden (and others of his political generation for whom personal contact; and being remembered positively for it, was a "given"); it is likely difficult to realize that an approach which was "instinctive" for him could be regarded as invasive or offensive.

But was it ever a given that this was positive or was it more that he able to get away with it because he was in a position of power?

I knew "touchy-feely" guys who did that sort of thing in a work situation way back when in the 80s (so 30-40 years ago) and people gossipped about it behind their back and their targets often didn't like it but didn't feel as if, as a women in a work situation, they could say or do anything about it. People have been gossiping about Biden for a while too and saying he was too handsy so it's not like his behavior was deemed okay until just now.

This idea that "it used to be okay and now it's not and I'm so confused" is BS most of the time. These behaviors were never okay to the person whose space was being invaded or who felt they were not being treated professionally.

 

[DORISPULASKI]

https://www.vogue.com/article/2020-women-candidates-quirky-hobbies-intellect-too

Vogue publishes an article about the hobbies of the women candidates. In the process they shine a light on media sexism in coverage. We are not told the quirky, likeable things about women politicians.

Did you know that Beto O'Rourke was in a punk band named Foss in the 90s and that Pete Buttigieg taught himself to speak Norwegian, basically for fun? Chances are, you might, because male candidates are routinely covered as both serious contenders and as multi-faceted human beings. Groundbreaking!

But what if—stay with me—I told you that the women candidates vying for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination also had fun hobbies and vast intellectual curiosity? And that these charismatic qualities are lurking just beyond all of the narratives about their nebulous "likability" and totally offensive efforts to remove Al Franken from Congress for groping a woman

 

[Vash01]

But was it ever a given that this was positive or was it more that he able to get away with it because he was in a position of power?

I knew "touchy-feely" guys who did that sort of thing in a work situation way back when in the 80s (so 30-40 years ago) and people gossipped about it behind their back and their targets often didn't like it but didn't feel as if, as a women in a work situation, they could say or do anything about it. People have been gossiping about Biden for a while too and saying he was too handsy so it's not like his behavior was deemed okay until just now.

This idea that "it used to be okay and now it's not and I'm so confused" is BS most of the time. These behaviors were never okay to the person whose space was being invaded or who felt they were not being treated professionally.

I dont see it as a power or a generational issue. Some people are just more touchy and overly affectionate, and Biden is known to be that kind of person. Unless this is sexual harassment, I would not beat them up for being what they are. I have met those types in all age groups and places (except at work, which was filled with engineers, who are typically not that type).

I don’t like to be touched, by men or women but I have been touched by both. That’s what those individuals are. I am not going to try to change them. The world has many types of people. The democrats (or is it just certain candidates? Or our media? ) are making a huge mistake tearing down each other. This plays right into the hands of the republicans.

There are reasons to either elect or not elect Biden, but his touching some women does not need to be the reason. Democrats need to focus on issues that are important to the country, not on some claims of feeling uncomfortable.

 

[ballettmaus]

Buttigieg talked about his struggle to accept his homosexuality https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/kind-war-buttigieg-describes-struggle-sexual-orientation-emotional-speech-n991871

Maybe it's utopia but I hope that one day we can live in a world where no one has to feel that way!

 

[Peaches LaTour]

Swalwell is in it. I like him, alot.

 

[Vash01]

Swalwell is in it. I like him, alot.

Me too. I was thinking that he would enter the race after four or eight years. He entered an already crowded field. Now I have to choose between him and others that I like.

 

[Peaches LaTour]

Me too. I was thinking that he would enter the race after four or eight years. He entered an already crowded field. Now I have to choose between him and others that I like.

Me, too! I like quite a few of them but Swalwell has, IMO, a "presidential bearing" that none of the others posses.

 

[clairecloutier]

I wasn’t really aware of Smalwell before. A brief read of his Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Swalwell) suggests that he has probably accomplished more in Congress so far than Beto O’Rourke. He is 38 years old (just a year older than Buttigieg). he sounds all right and I’ll wait to hear more about him, especially where he stands on some specific issues.

But, LOL on his perceived “presidential bearing.” I suppose that has nothing to do with his chiseled good looks.

 

[MacMadame]

He's my Congressman and he does a good job. I am onboard with this Presidential run because he's been serving in Congress for several terms and I think he'll make a good President.

This is verses Harris who *just* got into the Senate and immediately turned around and started running for President. As I worried, it seems to be impacting her ability to be a good Senator as everything she does now is designed to make her campaign for President look good vs. actually get anything done in the Senate. There has been a distinct shift in her Facebook feed (way more bluster, way less 'I am sponsoring this bill') and also the emails she (constantly) sends me (give me money, give me money vs. this is what I accomplished today). I am not happy about it at all.

 

[Vash01]

I wasn’t really aware of Smalwell before. A brief read of his Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Swalwell) suggests that he has probably accomplished more in Congress so far than Beto O’Rourke. He is 38 years old (just a year older than Buttigieg). he sounds all right and I’ll wait to hear more about him, especially where he stands on some specific issues.

But, LOL on his perceived “presidential bearing.” I suppose that has nothing to do with his chiseled good looks.

It is more than just good looks. It is the way he carries himself in interviews, particularly as member of some committees in the House. He is frequently interviewed on Msnbc and I have always liked what he said and how he said it. He has the experience of working in a very hostile environment to get things done. He is intelligent, sincere, passionate. I think he and Harris could make a strong team in the GE, for President and VP. The only drawback
to that is they are both from California. So it won't happen.

Beto and Peter are young and good looking too, but they don't have the kind of experience and exposure Swallwell has. Even before he announced his candidacy, I used to think - he should run for President some day; he will make a good POTUS.

With so many good democratic candidates, my concern is that the best candidate may not win. They are all going to take votes away from each other and the wrong one may come out on top. We saw it happen in 2016, on the republican side.

ETA- I don’t mean that the republicans actually had Good candidates, but I would have accepted most of them over Trump. OTOH the democrats have some very good candidates this time.