[Thaeris]

I'd like to start a general political thread for the US 2012 elections rather than a thread for any specific issue. Feel free to discuss ANY issue, who you're going to vote for and why, or even why you shouldn't. I'm becoming increasingly disturbed about matters, but I don't think that entails being charged with "threadrailing."

Thus, DISCUSS.

[Nuke]

the biggest issue in america today is that there are too many people in it. we need to start lobbing nukes before it gets out of hand.

[Thaeris]

Oh you...

...Actually, according to some conspiracy theories, that's [in abstract] not too far-fetched. But it would not involve nukes, it would involve martial law and mass executions. You'd probably also be on the kill list yourself, so I doubt you'd enjoy it. 

Aside from questionable asides, I'd like to pitch in for Gary Johnson - this is before he became the Libertarian candidate. His policies have not changed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRPrZxHUqsA&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLA4UdO-OPcfjIR1G_lEPbwA

[Pred the Penguin]

I'd doubt they'd expend the effort to after him deep in Alaska. Besides, how many nukes will he have stockpiled by then...

Not enough bipartisanship...

Gary Johnson makes some interesting points btw.

[FreeSpaceFreak]

Issues of 2012? THE WORLD IS GONNA END!!!

Oh, you mean US Election issues...

[Nuke]

Oh you...

...Actually, according to some conspiracy theories, that's [in abstract] not too far-fetched. But it would not involve nukes, it would involve martial law and mass executions. You'd probably also be on the kill list yourself, so I doubt you'd enjoy it. 

Aside from questionable asides, I'd like to pitch in for Gary Johnson - this is before he became the Libertarian candidate. His policies have not changed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRPrZxHUqsA&feature=my_liked_videos&list=LLA4UdO-OPcfjIR1G_lEPbwA

i have a quota to keep you know. if i miss one of them nuke the world statements people start questioning my insanity, and we cant have that now can we? also in the scenatio you mention id probibly be one of the guys in jackboots stompin' skullz.

[Dragon]

I think I found at least a partial solution to what's perhaps America's (and many others, for that matter) biggest problem namely the lack of money. The US Government should start making video games.

No, seriously. America's Army was good. Not quite on the level of ArmA, but still quite good. It's a bit more casual than ArmA, but maintains just the same realistic atmosphere, which should appeal to a wider user base. I also recently played Moonbase Alpha, another free game, this time made by NASA (with cooperation with AA guys), and it was great. Check it out, since it's also free and really fun even in singleplayer (though it's definitely intended to be played in coop).

If it wasn't for the fact they don't really advertise those games and that they're free, they could've made millions selling them. I'd say, US Government shown that if there's one thing it's really good at, it's making games. Looks like they're missing a huge opportunity here.

[Thaeris]

If my government wants to save money, they need to not go to war with Iran, cut spending drastically on the military, and remove the abhorent secret-police-esque agencies that they've created at home (the TSA and Homeland Security). Here's a nice report:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTNUueBMOS0

Adding to this, I've heard from some sources that protesting can be interpreted as a form of "terrorism." Current policies which the Democratic administration refuses to repeal, namely the Patriot Acts and the AUMF, allows the administration to target, guess what... "terrorists" on US soil. Yeah, there's a problem with that.

[Aardwolf]

Is it worth calling it PATRIOT Act, to underscore the fact that it's a backronym and entirely unpatriotic? Or is it that patriotism is really the greatest threat to liberty? There's some quote like that but I can't remember how it goes / who said it.

i have a quota to keep you know. if i miss one of them nuke the world statements people start questioning my insanity, and we cant have that now can we?

Yeah, if it weren't for that you would have joined the army and shipped off to the "51st state"

[Nuke]

i tried to joint the marines something like 9 years ago. i think their response was: we dont take psychos.

[Dragon]

They don't? Then how do they find recruits? Most likely through alcohol, deception, dares and bets then.
They were smart not to put you near any nukes though.
EDIT: Maybe it's just good advertising.

[Alex Heartnet]

They don't? Then how do they find recruits? Most likely through alcohol, deception, dares and bets then.
They were smart not to put you near any nukes though.

Well, they tend to offer stuff like free scholarships and the like, knowing that wages and benefits will bring in more recruits regardless of popular opinion.  There's always someone desperate or stupid enough to take the offer if it is good enough.  The constant barrage of pro-military messages on TV and the little 'Support our Troops!' thing they got going also makes a big difference.

I think I found at least a partial solution to what's perhaps America's (and many others, for that matter) biggest problem namely the lack of money. The US Government should start making video games.

Main problem I see with that is that they will probably find a way to make the games they produce into propaganda.  Granted, if the crooks that run the US government spent time being distracted by video game development, that would mean less time for them to be doing more traditional corrupt politician stuff that would no doubt be more harmful.  A certain amount of bureaucracy and gridlock within government is actually desirable - efficient governments tend to be ruthless and scary.

[Scotty]

Uh, since I just enlisted, I can tell you that the vast majority of recruits are volunteers.  Out of 33 people in our pre-ship training platoon, only one is there by court order in lieu of prison time.  I expect that even she is an outlier, and her presence isn't indicative of a general trend.

The way enlistment works means that you can't enlist if you have alcohol problems, and you have to make sworn statements that you weren't coerced into joining in any way shape or form.  That includes both from recruiters, friends, and even family.

That said, the enlistment bonuses are pretty sweet.  G.I. Bill, student loan repayment, cash bonuses for enlisting.  It certainly wasn't a bad thing.

[Nuke]

honestly i just wanted to kill things.

[Alex Heartnet]

The way enlistment works means that you can't enlist if you have alcohol problems, and you have to make sworn statements that you weren't coerced into joining in any way shape or form.  That includes both from recruiters, friends, and even family.

Can someone say that they were coerced into joining by the constant barrage of pro-military TV shows and movies?   

Seriously, I bet those two things account for a significant amount of recruits.  People tend to start believing a certain idea or concept if it is force-fed to them through a box that emits flashing lights and sound.

Out of 33 people in our pre-ship training platoon, only one is there by court order in lieu of prison time.  I expect that even she is an outlier, and her presence isn't indicative of a general trend.

Wait, wait, wha?  Now we're essentially using prisoners as conscripts?  If she's not getting full benefits then this could most likely be defined as a form of conscription.  Even if she is getting full benefits, it's still a questionable practice.

honestly i just wanted to kill things.

I find your methods too crude and not subtle enough.  Corporations can be very good at this sort of thing.

[Dragon]

The way enlistment works means that you can't enlist if you have alcohol problems, and you have to make sworn statements that you weren't coerced into joining in any way shape or form.  That includes both from recruiters, friends, and even family.

So this means that this old joke and most variations have lost it's basis in reality. Makes you wonder why people volunteer, and then complain about everything (even being stationed on Hawaii). Also, a required reading for every USMC boot. And for everyone else too, it's hilarious.

honestly i just wanted to kill things.

Listing that as a motivation isn't going to help you get enlisted, that's for sure.

I think I found at least a partial solution to what's perhaps America's (and many others, for that matter) biggest problem namely the lack of money. The US Government should start making video games.

Main problem I see with that is that they will probably find a way to make the games they produce into propaganda.  Granted, if the crooks that run the US government spent time being distracted by video game development, that would mean less time for them to be doing more traditional corrupt politician stuff that would no doubt be more harmful.  A certain amount of bureaucracy and gridlock within government is actually desirable - efficient governments tend to be ruthless and scary.

What's wrong with a little propaganda? America's Army is a very moto (ED: marinespeak for motivational, in the ironic sense) piece of propaganda, but that doesn't stop it from being fun. I don't care what kind of message they're trying to smuggle inside a game, as long as the game is fun. The US government shown it can make very good games, so why not put it to use? I don't think that some subtle propaganda ever hurt anyone who can think for himself (and I don't care for those who can't). Just don't be too heavy handed with it, or the game won't sell. Or it will, but will send a wrong message (since people will ridicule the over the top propaganda and buy the game to laugh at it).

[Scotty]

Out of 33 people in our pre-ship training platoon, only one is there by court order in lieu of prison time.  I expect that even she is an outlier, and her presence isn't indicative of a general trend.

Wait, wait, wha?  Now we're essentially using prisoners as conscripts?  If she's not getting full benefits then this could most likely be defined as a form of conscription.  Even if she is getting full benefits, it's still a questionable practice.

You misunderstand.  She volunteered for army service to avoid prison time.  It was this or go to prison.  She was not "ordered" to join the army.

EDIT: And in case you missed it, the draft is still real.  It's inactive, but it still exists.

[Unknown Target]

What's wrong with a little propaganda? America's Army is a very moto (ED: marinespeak for motivational, in the ironic sense) piece of propaganda, but that doesn't stop it from being fun. I don't care what kind of message they're trying to smuggle inside a game, as long as the game is fun. The US government shown it can make very good games, so why not put it to use? I don't think that some subtle propaganda ever hurt anyone who can think for himself (and I don't care for those who can't). Just don't be too heavy handed with it, or the game won't sell. Or it will, but will send a wrong message (since people will ridicule the over the top propaganda and buy the game to laugh at it).

...and really, when you have Hollywood and the games industry doing all the propoganda for you, the one or two games the US government puts out is probably the least of our worries.

Anyway, my big issue is this upcoming threat of war with Iran. Big no no there, World War 3 no thanks.

[Thaeris]

...They should impeach the next president that declares war without Congress' consent...

[Aardwolf]

And what about the Congress that delegates that authority to the President?