The Hartford Club | Off-topic posting

[damus]

Why shouldn't politics be part of the discussion? If you want to know what went wrong with Hartford is the Democrats.

There's something we can agree on. It seems that the "bluer" the state the worse the business climate is nowadays. Speaking of that ... isn't it kinda silly they switched the colors around so as to not have our "big government" democrats associated with Commies? Having said that... the Republicans in power right now are just as bad.

[MadVlad]

Why? Because like religion and sports, politics is a no win battle. If you guys are going to start talking politics, I'll take my posts elsewhere, it's a big waste of time and energy....

[SOCOM]

I think it's a fair point to bring up that under Democratic leadership, Hartford has had the worst of its times. In no way do I think Hartford should be lead by conservatives, but it would be nice to see more of a balance of conservative and liberal ideas.

As someone who is a right of center Republican -- up in Connecticut, that is... here in Florida, I'm to the left of most of the Republicans!!

LOL I fit into that catergory as well. In Connecticut I'm lambasted for being too conservative, while in the south some might consider me a socialist.

[drc72]

I think it's a fair point to bring up that under Democratic leadership, Hartford has had the worst of its times. In no way do I think Hartford should be lead by conservatives, but it would be nice to see more of a balance of conservative and liberal ideas.

LOL I fit into that catergory as well. In Connecticut I'm lambasted for being too conservative, while in the south some might consider me a socialist.

I agree, a more moderate approach would probably be better.

[drc72]

Why? Because like religion and sports, politics is a no win battle. If you guys are going to start talking politics, I'll take my posts elsewhere, it's a big waste of time and energy....

Relax! It's a civil discussion. The laws these guys always pass have an effect on us and people need to speak up and let their voices be heard. Otherwise the status quo will remain.

Edited April 25, 2006 by drc72

[HartfordTycoon]

There's something we can agree on. It seems that the "bluer" the state the worse the business climate is nowadays. Speaking of that ... isn't it kinda silly they switched the colors around so as to not have our "big government" democrats associated with Commies? Having said that... the Republicans in power right now are just as bad.

It also seems the bluer the state, the more you donate to Washington without getting the funding you request. It also seems the bluer the state the Higher the income and education levels. Let's keep things in perspective. The republicans who run this country care more about social issues (gay marriage, abortion, evolution, religion) than economic ones espessially regarding the middle and lower classes. That's the real problem. IMHO. That's all I have to say.

[SOCOM]

One more thing about this whole Blue State/Red State thing. Let's not forget that 30 years ago blue states were red states and red states were blue states. These things are cyclical. The deep south used to be a democratic stronghold - and I wouldn't be surprised to see Connecticut turn red in the next 20 years, while Colorado will probably go blue.

[damus]

It also seems the bluer the state, the more you donate to Washington without getting the funding you request. It also seems the bluer the state the Higher the income and education levels. Let's keep things in perspective. The republicans who run this country care more about social issues (gay marriage, abortion, evolution, religion) than economic ones espessially regarding the middle and lower classes. That's the real problem. IMHO. That's all I have to say.

I agree with you about the Republicans in power... but the religious right are the people that go to the polls. I'm on the libertarian side of the party and hate the people in power right now. Certain states, mainly in the sunbelt, have better business climates and are growing while most of the better educated states are either stagnant or in decline...

[beerbeer]

As long as the city leadership is elected, then politics will play a role. I agree most of what passes for political discussion is foolishness. But in the limited context of development, hopefully we can be somewhat more restrained.

[HartfordTycoon]

I agree with you about the Republicans in power... but the religious right are the people that go to the polls. I'm on the libertarian side of the party and hate the people in power right now. Certain states, mainly in the sunbelt, have better business climates and are growing while most of the better educated states are either stagnant or in decline...

Well since you say you're one of the "good" Republicans, I'll take your word for it. Just as long as you take my word that I'm one of the "good" Democrats.

Let's just pray for some kind of miracle in November.

Edited April 25, 2006 by HartfordTycoon

[damus]

Let's just pray for some kind of miracle in November.

That ain't happening... congress will continue to be the home of extremists who won't let the other side get an inch. If the Dems do win both houses, we'll have a huge impeachment mess on our hands on top of everything else.

[HartfordTycoon]

That ain't happening... congress will continue to be the home of extremists who won't let the other side get an inch. If the Dems do win both houses, we'll have a huge impeachment mess on our hands on top of everything else.

The Impeachment is the miracle I'm hoping for. W has really done good for the country hasn't he? If you vote for an idiot, you get an idiot in the White House. I'm sorry but I do blame many of my fellow Americans (the extremists) for this mess we are in.

Edited April 25, 2006 by HartfordTycoon

[drc72]

That ain't happening... congress will continue to be the home of extremists who won't let the other side get an inch. If the Dems do win both houses, we'll have a huge impeachment mess on our hands on top of everything else.

That would be a mess. Lets hope it doesn't come to that.

[drc72]

I doubt there will be an impeachment. Your sure are bitter towards him.

[SOCOM]

The Impeachment is the miracle I'm hoping for. W has really done good for the country hasn't he? If you vote for an idiot, you get an idiot in the White House. I'm sorry but I do blame many of my fellow Americans (the extremists) for this mess we are in.

I voted for Bush, but am hardly an extremist. Remember, 53% of the country voted for Bush. Maybe 15-20% of those are "extremists." It came down to the fact that the alternative (Kerry) was just as bad as Bush IMO.

This is why I wish we had a (legitimate) 3rd or 4th party in America. We need real people (I'm know I'm dreaming) to run for President not these dolts both parties keep parading around.

[HartfordTycoon]

We do need more than 2 parties. I don't think only 2 can effectively speak for a society as diverse as ours. There are just too many different sets of ideals and values in America based on vastly different historical experience and perspective.

Edited April 25, 2006 by HartfordTycoon

[damus]

The sad thing is they call Bush far-right.... but so many of his policies are far-left. He's only to the right when it comes to "family values". I'm not saying he's a Democratic President with a knack for values, he's done a lot of stupid things on his own, but then he supported lefty policies like expanding Medicare and supporting the extension of the assault weapons ban. I think he still hasn't vetoed a single bill, either. Has there ever been a President not to veto a bill?

My breaking point with him was Katrina. Every level of Government from the feds and Bush not having a clue ("good job, Brownie", "no one could have anticipated the levees failing"), to the Governor of Louisiana crying and doing nothing else, to Ray Nagin being a useless moron, failed. They should all suffer some sort of consequences. Everyone in power or with some sort of education knew that New Orleans was one of those cities where "the worst" could happen and it seems like no one prepared for it when they saw it coming for days. I wasn't surprised (honestly) when 9/11 happened... as soon as the 2nd tower was hit I told my room mate it was bin Laden... he'd been trying to get us for years. Katrina was much more obvious.... we knew the levees weren't built for a catergory 5 storm and no one did anything! The school buses sat idly by and wound up under water. The national guard wasn't brought in right away. Bush didn't even know what the hell was going on. Whose idea was it to turn charities away when they tried to come down right away? Just thinking of the series of events leading up to and following the storm are infuriating me.

We've really gone off topic on this one. Shouldn't this discussion get its own thread?

[HartfordTycoon]

Well I for one am a liberal and very proud of it. I wish we had universal health care and education provided by the government. If we had health care from the government, the corporations that really run the country would not have to ship our jobs overseas or hire illegals. And the crime rate would go waaaay down because more of the lower class would see a college degree as attainable instead of unaffordable. That's just a sample of some of my thoughts though. You all may be exposed to them one daywhen I foray into politics. I hope you guys will still like me!

[drc72]

Well I for one am a liberal and very proud of it. I wish we had universal health care and education provided by the government. If we had health care from the government, the corporations that really run the country would not have to ship our jobs overseas or hire illegals. And the crime rate would go waaaay down because more of the lower class would see a college degree as attainable instead of unaffordable. That's just a sample of some of my thoughts though. You all may be exposed to them one daywhen I foray into politics. I hope you guys will still like me!

Of course we still like you HartfordTycoon and you got my vote if you run.

[SOCOM]

Well I for one am a liberal and very proud of it. I wish we had universal health care and education provided by the government. If we had health care from the government, the corporations that really run the country would not have to ship our jobs overseas or hire illegals. And the crime rate would go waaaay down because more of the lower class would see a college degree as attainable instead of unaffordable. That's just a sample of some of my thoughts though. You all may be exposed to them one daywhen I foray into politics. I hope you guys will still like me!

As long as you use your political power to get some new towers built in Hartford we'll kiss the ground you walk on!

[SOCOM]

My breaking point with him was Katrina. Every level of Government from the feds and Bush not having a clue ("good job, Brownie", "no one could have anticipated the levees failing"), to the Governor of Louisiana crying and doing nothing else, to Ray Nagin being a useless moron, failed. They should all suffer some sort of consequences. Everyone in power or with some sort of education knew that New Orleans was one of those cities where "the worst" could happen and it seems like no one prepared for it when they saw it coming for days.

Completely agree. Watching those people suffer in the wake of Katrina made me angry with GWB and his administration. NEVER should people in such need go without water or food or proper medical help for DAYS. Ugh, that really bothered me.

Edited April 26, 2006 by SOCOM

[damus]

Completely agree. Watching those people suffer in the wake of Katrina made me angry with GWB and his administration. NEVER should people in such need go without water or food or proper medical help for DAYS. Ugh, that really bothered me.

Yeah I'll never forgive them for that.

I wish a moderator (is Cotuit the only one that goes here?) would move this discussion to a different thread we really went off topic here...

[Hartfordfan]

Although i am not a bush fan, it's pretty hard to be president and face 9/11, rising gas prices and Hurricane katrina. He's going to be here until 2008 so we all have to deal with it. Wait to Obama or Mcain. we'll see what they do. (what does this have to do with hartford?)

[damus]

Although i am not a bush fan, it's pretty hard to be president and face 9/11, rising gas prices and Hurricane katrina. He's going to be here until 2008 so we all have to deal with it. Wait to Obama or Mcain. we'll see what they do. (what does this have to do with hartford?)

Nothing... though I was engaged in the conversation I realize this belongs in its own thread (if not deleted). Especially after Katrina, I wish more and more Bush wasn't President. He has made enemies on every side of the political spectrum. I supported him as "better than what the other side would do" up until Katrina. Total inexcusable failure to lead.

[beerbeer]

Katriina would hhave overwhelmed any Presidest, sheesh. No expected the levees to fail. They thought they may be breeched but the ccomplete collapse was a big surprise.

In my opinion, Katrina wasn't the real disaster. Katrina revealed the disaster that was New Orleans. The Democrats ran that city and state for 50 years and look what they turned it into. Poverty run wild. Substandard housing. A permanant under class. And folks have the gall to blame Bush? Amazing.