Are you an undecided voter?

[Sedatedfork]

really? maybe they'll see the handwriting. Maybe someone was voting for Ron Pau1 or Roc Paul? Or another Ron Paul!

How about Ru Paul?

 

[Sedatedfork]

And yes I am undecided. I could see myself voting for either candidate or 3rd party. I think Obama is all talk. I can't stand Palin. McCain is meh. In the end it don't matter, cause Oregon will go Obama I am almost certain. I am probably leaning toward third party. If they get 5% they could get matching funds.

 

[maxiep]

Nah. Humans are inherently equal, the world over.

You may like the US system more. That's reasonable.

Wrong again. The Swedes procreate from a limited gene pool. We're a nation of polyglots. Over time, evolution will make us superior. Right now, it's only the fact we strive. In Sweden, they're cared for cradle to grave by the comfortable socialist state that's been created for them.

 

[barfo]

Wrong again. The Swedes procreate from a limited gene pool. We're a nation of polyglots. Over time, evolution will make us superior.

Only if things stay the same long enough for evolution to do it's dirty work. In another 100 years, Sweden could well be the most diverse nation on earth. The timescale of evolution is much longer than the current timescale of human migration.

barfo

 

[Minstrel]

Wrong again. The Swedes procreate from a limited gene pool. We're a nation of polyglots. Over time, evolution will make us superior.

Awful grasp of science. Not only, as barfo noted, does evolution work on time scales far greater than the history of any nation on Earth (making the "in time" prediction ludicrous), there's also the small, almost trivial fact that humans are no longer evolving. Evolution works from natural selection, where the fittest specimens procreate the most. In our modern society, pretty much everyone procreates and those that don't, fail to do so for pretty random reasons, generally unconnected with physical or mental fitness.

Right now, it's only the fact we strive. In Sweden, they're cared for cradle to grave by the comfortable socialist state that's been created for them.

The same is true for the US and pretty much every Western nation. Or do you think that the poor in the US fail to procreate, thereby eliminating the "weak stock" (those who are poor strivers!)?

 

[maxiep]

Awful grasp of science. Not only, as barfo noted, does evolution work on time scales far greater than the history of any nation on Earth (making the "in time" prediction ludicrous), there's also the small, almost trivial fact that humans are no longer evolving. Evolution works from natural selection, where the fittest specimens procreate the most. In our modern society, pretty much everyone procreates and those that don't, fail to do so for pretty random reasons, generally unconnected with physical or mental fitness.



The same is true for the US and pretty much every Western nation. Or do you think that the poor in the US fail to procreate, thereby eliminating the "weak stock" (those who are poor strivers!)?

Evolution isn't only physical. Evolution is also emotional. The Swedes are being bred to be servants of their government.

 

[Minstrel]

Evolution isn't only physical. Evolution is also emotional.

I'm afraid not. Sometimes people say that societies/cultures/philosophies "evolve," but they mean that they progress. Evolution involves a system of natural selection.

The Swedes are being bred to be servants of their government.

Yes, it's easy to spit vitriolic propaganda. The European version of you would claim that the Americans are being bred to be brainwashed Jesus freaks. Which is about equally as accurate as your comment about Swedes. Resolve that as you will.

 

[Entity]

If enough people vote third party, hopefully it will reshift the focus of the Republican party on the ideals it is hypothetically founded on.

I really wish we could implement Instant Runoff Voting so we can break this two-party logjam and alleged "vote-wasting" nonsense.

Anyone know when OR ballots are being mailed out? Seems like it should be soon.

I was kind of worried about that, since I'm having my family mail them out to me and I haven't seen them yet. Not really supposed to do that apparently, but it's just so much easier.

 

[MARIS61]

If 60M people vote for Paul, they're going to have to put him in office.

And if pigs fly, the FAA will have to rethink how they regulate air traffic.

 

[STOMP]

I'll likely vote third party. If enough people vote third party, hopefully it will reshift the focus of the Republican party on the ideals it is hypothetically founded on.

a commitment to fiscal responsibility would be a good start though some of that is just the messed up system that is American politics where politicians have to whore their votes out to secure the money necessary to run for office. What would you primarily like to see them reshift their focus to? What would you like to see left behind?

STOMP

 

[MARIS61]

We're better than the Swedes.

How so?

 

[MARIS61]

Awful grasp of science. Not only, as barfo noted, does evolution work on time scales far greater than the history of any nation on Earth (making the "in time" prediction ludicrous), there's also the small, almost trivial fact that humans are no longer evolving. Evolution works from natural selection, where the fittest specimens procreate the most. In our modern society, pretty much everyone procreates and those that don't, fail to do so for pretty random reasons, generally unconnected with physical or mental fitness.



The same is true for the US and pretty much every Western nation. Or do you think that the poor in the US fail to procreate, thereby eliminating the "weak stock" (those who are poor strivers!)?

Procreation is merely a part of evolution.

I question you labeling "the poor" as "weak stock", some might have the opposite take on it.

"Those who are poor strivers" will not survive as usual, or will still not survive long enough to procreate, so the process of evolution is still going strong!

 

[Minstrel]

Procreation is merely a part of evolution.

It's the mechanism of genetic evolution.

I question you labeling "the poor" as "weak stock", some might have the opposite take on it.

Like me. That's why I put "weak stock" in quotation marks. To indicate that I didn't think they were but to point out that the people maxiep's model would suggest are the weak stock not only procreate but often procreate more.

"Those who are poor strivers" will not survive as usual, or will still not survive long enough to procreate, so the process of evolution is still going strong!

Pretty much everyone procreates in this society. Those who don't survive to procreation are cut out pretty randomly, like by car accident.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

Evolution isn't only physical. Evolution is also emotional. The Swedes are being bred to be servants of their government.

I'm having a hard time figuring out if you're joking or not. Usually, you're much more intelligent than this.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

The Swedes are on a whole other level.

 

[MARIS61]

True story:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/index.jhtml

 

[MARIS61]

Pretty much everyone procreates in this society. Those who don't survive to procreation are cut out pretty randomly, like by car accident.

The AMA, and most law ennforcement agencies would disagree with you on that.

Rich kids live to procreate more often than poor kids.

 

[Minstrel]

The AMA, and most law ennforcement agencies would disagree with you on that.

Rich kids live to procreate more often than poor kids.

Yes, that's a good point, but there are far, far, far more poor kids than rich kids and poor families tend to have more children on average. If this were really "evolution," the poor are out-reproducing the rich, even with their higher early mortality rate, and would therefore "out-compete" the rich into oblivion. Except this isn't evolution.

 

[barfo]

Anyone know when OR ballots are being mailed out? Seems like it should be soon.

barfo

To answer my own question, I got mine today. I've voted. Done.

barfo

 

[gambitnut]

Our family got our ballots today. We'll probably all vote tomorrow. Unless I see a good reason to vote for one of the third party candidates, I'm voting for Obama.

 

[maxiep]

I'm afraid not. Sometimes people say that societies/cultures/philosophies "evolve," but they mean that they progress. Evolution involves a system of natural selection.

Semantic debates are a waste of time. You knew perfectly well what I meant.

Yes, it's easy to spit vitriolic propaganda. The European version of you would claim that the Americans are being bred to be brainwashed Jesus freaks. Which is about equally as accurate as your comment about Swedes. Resolve that as you will.

It's neither vitriol nor propaganda. It's my opinion. You may feel free to disagree.

 

[maxiep]

I'm having a hard time figuring out if you're joking or not. Usually, you're much more intelligent than this.

I'm not joking. I used to live in Sweden. Since you believe me not to be intelligent on this subject, I would ask you tell me why I'm wrong.

 

[maxiep]

How so?

First, we're not nearly as racist as the Swedes. It's easy to pretend you're not racist when you're as homogenous as the Swedes. I remember a week-long expose in Dagens Nyheter talking about the "Death of Sweden" because Stockholm had passed 10% non-Swedes. Mind you, 70% of that figure was comprised of Norse, Danes, Ikes and Finns.

Second, we believe in making the world freer. The Swedes believe in making their lives better. How did the Nazis invade Norway? They took the train across Sweden. Who sold the Nazis war materiel? The real Aryans.

Third, we act. Swedes observe and complain.

I could go on and on and on and on, but that's just a taste as to why I hold the opinion I do.

 

[Minstrel]

Semantic debates are a waste of time. You knew perfectly well what I meant.

It's not semantic at all. You referred to genetic evolution (by mentioning gene pool). There's no such thing as "emotional evolution" in genetic evolution. Talking about philosophical evolution is something entirely different and nothing to do with science, which you attempted to use to justify Swedes being inherently inferior.

 

[Minstrel]

First, we're not nearly as racist as the Swedes. It's easy to pretend you're not racist when you're as homogenous as the Swedes. I remember a week-long expose in Dagens Nyheter talking about the "Death of Sweden" because Stockholm had passed 10% non-Swedes.

I'm quite certain this is a complete lie. If you have a link, I'd be happy to apologize. But Swedish papers are uniformly pro-immigration and heavily so. Sweden, as a nation, is heavily pro-immigration. Sweden ranks number 3 in the world in allowing new citizenships to immigrants, per capita. The US is #8.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/imm_new_cit_percap-immigration-new-citizenships-per-capita

The idea that Sweden is racist is a pure lie.

Second, we believe in making the world freer. The Swedes believe in making their lives better. How did the Nazis invade Norway? They took the train across Sweden.

Norway was invaded by sea.

 

[BalancedMan]

We're better than the Swedes.

I don't know. They have beautiful women, so in some ways their females may be genetically superior than ours.

Back in the day of the vikings, they would go and pillage villages all over the coasts, and kidnap and "marry" the most beautiful young women from where ever they went. As a result, in their decedents you have a lot of good looking people all living in a small part of the world.

Actually, if the US goes completely to shit, I'm moving to Scandanavia. I spent five months studying abroad in Copenhagen last year, and Norway/Sweden/Denmark are pretty good places although the tax rate is ridiculous. Minimum wage is more than $20 an hour (seriously, I did some consulting).

And as for being racist, I can't speak for Sweden directly, but I lived in Norrebro "The Bronx" section of Copenhagen which almost entirely consists of immigrants (The Hells Angels HQ was across the street). As long as you speak English or a Scandinavian (except the Finns, those fuckers can go to Russia) language, they're okay with you.

I kinda lost focus. If you read this then I love you

 

[BalancedMan]

As for the election, HOW can you be undecided. The candidates are so different. For my family's situation (we have land to develop) I should be a fiscal conservative, but I am more importantly a social liberal...you know, woman's rights, etc.

To be honest though, if Ron Paul were running, I would have to seriously consider him for his intelligence. I like to hear the guy talk and he knows what he's saying. If all you had was the Internet during the primaries, you would have though Paul was going to win the election. He was the Internet darling, with stories on the front page of Digg at all times.


As for McCain, he clearly doesn't understand how the economy works. Most people will see a tax increase with his plan as well. Trickle down economics doesn't work. It's fair that people who make more money pay a higher percentage in tax. It helps to distribute the burden. And if you make more than $250,000 and aren't willing to pay a few more grand in taxes then you're simply greedy.

And just think if Palin somehow ended up as President. That's a pretty scary thought. Her lack of experience is appalling and a slap in the face.

 

[barfo]

I kinda lost focus. If you read this then I love you

Awww...

I know nothing about Sweden. Except the women.

barfo

 

[BalancedMan]

Awww...

I know nothing about Sweden. Except the women.

barfo

Don't be fooled. Swedish girls are the best. I was confused living in Denmark because there was a generation of women missing. They are very cute, but party hard at a young age. You can't believe how many young hot mothers there are pushing strollers around.

But then there is no women that look 30. I swear they go from 25 to 50. It was really bizarre. In Sweden, however, it is different, as they are a bit more reserved. Same as in Norway. Girls in Prague are pretty hot too. After exploring most of Europe to find the most attractive women, it is undeniably Sweden.

Someone told me Russia. No! Although they do dance like American girls and are easy to make out with. Spain? Only if you like dirty hookers. No, Scandinavia is great. That includes Iceland, the girl I dated from there was cool.

 

[maxiep]

It's not semantic at all. You referred to genetic evolution (by mentioning gene pool). There's no such thing as "emotional evolution" in genetic evolution. Talking about philosophical evolution is something entirely different and nothing to do with science, which you attempted to use to justify Swedes being inherently inferior.

I used "evolution" where I should have used "progression". Super duper; you're the big winner.