2012 Presidential Debate Master Thread

[Dugout DickStone]

This is just effing stupid, don't see how anyone can disagree.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/06/military-spending

Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed etc. disagree.

the united states dept of defense is the largest employer in the world, so there's also that. it's all about jobs and the republicans appear to want nothing more than to tax it's citizens so that they can then employ them.

Doesn't the DOD also buy tons of incredibly expensive technology from private contractors who in turn make huge donations to the politicians who are awarding those contracts?

[Dr Rick Daris]

This is just effing stupid, don't see how anyone can disagree.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/06/military-spending

Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed etc. disagree.

the united states dept of defense is the largest employer in the world, so there's also that. it's all about jobs and the republicans appear to want nothing more than to tax it's citizens so that they can then employ them.

Doesn't the DOD also buy tons of incredibly expensive technology from private contractors who in turn make huge donations to the politicians who are awarding those contracts?

oh well yeah. obviously. was just also adding that the dept of defense is basically a welfare system at this point in that it is taxing americans to provide 3-4 million "jobs" as well.

[JohnCurrie is Weird/Gross]

This is just effing stupid, don't see how anyone can disagree.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/06/military-spending

Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed etc. disagree.

Obviously meant everyone except companies/people that directly financially benefit from a bigger DOD. Of coure they want it as big as possible. Just hate when the "we will be less safe if we cut defense" argument is made as it was last night by Ryan. Yeah I'm sure other countries would attack us if our defense spending was only as big as the next 15 countries combined as opposed to 17 countries combined. You can't be serious about being deficit neutral unless you put defense cuts on the table IMO.

[Dugout DickStone]

This is just effing stupid, don't see how anyone can disagree.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/06/military-spending

Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed etc. disagree.

Obviously meant everyone except companies/people that directly financially benefit from a bigger DOD. Of coure they want it as big as possible. Just hate when the "we will be less safe if we cut defense" argument is made as it was last night by Ryan. Yeah I'm sure other countries would attack us if our defense spending was only as big as the next 15 countries combined as opposed to 17 countries combined. You can't be serious about being deficit neutral unless you put defense cuts on the table IMO.

Agreed with everything.  We could do a lot of cutting and still be able to defend if Canada attacked.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

[Rage Against the McKee]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

So those 2.1 million people should just stay on the government teat?

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

So those 2.1 million people should just stay on the government teat?

They are producers, not leaches.

[steve dave]

lol

[Dr Rick Daris]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

So those 2.1 million people should just stay on the government teat?

that's the republican mindset. i'm just hopeful that obama can win again and continue to cut taxpayer money that is being funneled to this at sickening pace.

agree with john dougie that they are "good, high paying jobs". once someone gets one i guarantee they'll never want to leave it. cushy, overpaid, underworked, etc. it's a scheme and the american taxpayer is getting screwed. so glad obama is trying to shut it down.

[Mr Bread]

I rough ridin' knew I should have majored in missile design, but my parents were all "You'll never get a good job with that degree."  Thanks alot mom and dad.

[felix rex]

This is just effing stupid, don't see how anyone can disagree.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/06/military-spending

Raytheon, General Dynamics, Lockheed etc. disagree.

the united states dept of defense is the largest employer in the world, so there's also that. it's all about jobs and the republicans appear to want nothing more than to tax it's citizens so that they can then employ them.

Doesn't the DOD also buy tons of incredibly expensive technology from private contractors who in turn make huge donations to the politicians who are awarding those contracts?

Contractors make max donations to both parties.

[felix rex]

Also, you could cut a crap ton of defense spending without cutting a lot of jobs.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

Also, you could cut a crap ton of defense spending without cutting a lot of jobs.

Yes. The US government is the most wasteful and inefficient entity on earth.

[michigancat]

Also, you could cut a crap ton of defense spending without cutting a lot of jobs.

Yes. The US government is the most wasteful and inefficient entity on earth.

*except for DoD employees

[Dugout DickStone]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

I thought the Gov sucked at everything?

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

I thought the Gov sucked at everything?

Pretty much. We effed it up big time.

[sys]

can you imagine how efficient and jobs-generating a private dod would be?   

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

can you imagine how efficient and jobs-generating a private dod would be?   

I think we should try it with education first. The results can't be any worse. 

[TheHamburglar]

The DOD is much more efficient at producing good, high paying, jobs than any government stimulus could ever dream. $110 billion reduction over 2 years would cost 2.1 million jobs, according to University of Maryland. We spent nearly $1 trillion over 4 years for 4.5 million full and part time jobs that barely cover the population increase. I agree there is waste in the DOD, but the cuts to be targeted to find the inefficiencies, just like with all government departments.

So those 2.1 million people should just stay on the government teat?

that's the republican mindset. i'm just hopeful that obama can win again and continue to cut taxpayer money that is being funneled to this at sickening pace.

agree with john dougie that they are "good, high paying jobs". once someone gets one i guarantee they'll never want to leave it. cushy, overpaid, underworked, etc. it's a scheme and the american taxpayer is getting screwed. so glad obama is trying to shut it down.

This extends to all federal government jobs.

[Rage Against the McKee]

can you imagine how efficient and jobs-generating a private dod would be?   

I think we should try it with education first. The results can't be any worse. 

Why would you want to send your kid to a private school that has a ton of poor kids whose parents are on meth?

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

can you imagine how efficient and jobs-generating a private dod would be?   

I think we should try it with education first. The results can't be any worse. 

Why would you want to send your kid to a private school that has a ton of poor kids whose parents are on meth?

Because the teachers will be able to teach what the school's owner wants them to teach, and not what some government wonk wants.

[theKSU]

It's too bad these guys don't have to do it K-State National Championship Beth Mendenhall fast-talky style.  They could cover a lot more ground and there would be less time for giggling.

[sys]

watched about half of it now.  i like how biden mixes in personal statements of affection with insults.  iirc, he did the same thing vs. palin re. mccain.

"my friend here, who i love, btw, may have just said the stupidest thing i've ever heard".
"virtually everything this guy, who is one of my best friends, says is a complete lie, and he knows it".  -big smile.

[john "teach me how to" dougie]

watched about half of it now.  i like how biden mixes in personal statements of affection with insults.  iirc, he did the same thing vs. palin re. mccain.

"my friend here, who i love, btw, may have just said the stupidest thing i've ever heard".
"virtually everything this guy, who is one of my best friends, says is a complete lie, and he knows it".  -big smile.

I'm sure he's been on the other end of it enough to have that tactic perfected. 

[wetwillie]

Joe biden is a huge dumbass and he ran circles around ryan. i think palin put up a better attempt.