LTS

Better than nothing, but just abolishing it is the right move. All of that said.. popular vote would still have put Trump in office this election. But, it would have had impacts on prior elections and it's still the right thing to do.

It's not really a mentality of if you don't like it. It's more the question of, can the United States change its culture to the point where it can support cultural ideals that are present in other countries. It's not about the past 40 years, it's dates back to the founding of this country and what people's belief of "America" is. Sort of like expecting the tiger to change its stripes. At some point you have to realize it's a tiger and if you wanted it to be a lion, you need to go get a lion. As I read it, the rule is rolling back a ruling that had not even taken effect. It was only put in place in December and set to take effect later this year. The financial industry was already preparing a lawsuit over it. All of that aside, perhaps I am in the minority who thinks it must just be advisable to not overdraft your accounts or expect to have access to money you do not have.

Do you trust that the United States society and political culture to properly handle the money required for universal health care and free education? I have a rather bleak outlook on that front. I think the very thing that made us "America" is the thing that drives the problems we face today. We wanted freedom from a great many things. This is the phrase that permeates most people's minds still today. We grew up as a society that welcomed those who worked hard to make a way for themselves and to do so without having to be concerned for others. We fostered a culture of take your slice of the pie, or take the whole thing if you can. That culture is what your ideals are going to go up against. I don't believe in the United States to succeed unless the minds of its citizens change drastically. Granted there are a great many people in this country who do not subscribe to "me above all else" but it's not enough and they are not in the positions that matter. They fail to make it into those power positions largely because they lack the mentality to wade through that steaming mess. There are those that try, they find themselves worn down and ultimately subjugated to the culture of business and politics of the US. Compromise, bribe, what's in it for me? How do I remain elected? All so I can represent the business interests of large corporations who will give me a nice post-election job, etc. I don't see either the Democrats or Republicans changing enough. I don't see the majority of the population changing enough. Hell, if the country cut the military spending it could probably fund universal health care and free education without even having to raise taxes. At the end of the day I think the culture of a country's citizens is what allows certain ideals to float to the top. It's why I often think that I would be happier in another country because my ideals do not align with those of the US. It's a question I would ask of you, rather than fight to institute those changes here, why not move to a country that aligns with what you believe?

Thank you for highlighting what I consider to be one of the biggest flaws with our system of government. The Electoral College is a concept that has far surpassed its purpose and needs to be eliminated. As far as respect, there's nothing that man respects, perhaps not even himself.

If all it takes is me not paying attention for them to win, then I will gladly make that sacrifice. if it takes me being out of town away from my family? not so much, sorry. 🙂

I'm really beginning to wonder if the military would act if ordered. I'd rather not get to that point to find out, that's for sure.

My commentary on dictators is not in relation to the United States Constitution but simply on the concept of dictators. No one agrees on the Constitution or the rule of law, that's why we have so many damn lawyers. The US is bloated with people challenging those concepts continually. Making a disagreement manageable is done by engaging in a debate with an open mind and not resorting to name calling, expletive, childish ranting. it's something that our society is not very good at because it's continually encouraged to be that way. At the end of the day, regardless of all your talking points, the truth is that Trump won the election. It says a lot about the state of this nation that so many people could find value in his statements. I have no words for those who still continue to support him. As for those who have regret, they are representative of where our society has been heading. Sheeple who never take a moment to think for themselves. Should we modify the swear filter? Respect that its put in place by the mods please. The US has been a laughing stock to many people outside of the US. I'm just glad that it's so obvious now that a caveman can see it. (not inferring you are a caveman, but rather the general population).

Like every other bully...

So your answer to the extreme right is that we should have extreme left? Extremism is the wrong answer, every time. What amazing far left policies are you proposing?

Good on those who still have the energy to rehash the same comments about this team. I don't know how you do it. I've been away for a week and I didn't feel like I missed a thing with regards to the Sabres. Logged in here and the same discussions are happening in thread after thread. That's not a knock at the posters, that's a knock at the franchise basically giving the fans that are left nothing to talk about.

Damn, he's Hawkeye?

My comment was about how you were directly attacking another poster. The personal insults were what I didn't want. Presidents have been pushing the boundaries of their office since it was formed. There's no doubt about that. A dictator isn't a bad thing be definition. It can be a good thing. But, generally speaking it's been a bad thing in the history of the world. I'm not sure we're 1930's Germany, but we are seeing actions taken that do question where the train is heading and 1930's Germany could be one of those stops. Contribute as much as you want, but let's not attack poster's themselves. (Also, as I said, it wasn't just you. I just used your post as an example.) I don't know about that. There are plenty of people who have ideas about what matters in America and they clearly lots of them don't agree. I think people have been largely influenced into modes of thinking that are becoming more and more binary. We're less open to discussions and mixed bags of ideology and more prone to us vs them mentality. It's dangerous, but then I think that's just what the two major parties want.

Completing 3 months at my new job today. What a great job. There's all kinds of frustrations with the legacy crap they need to shed but they are committed to doing it. Very few days do I end the day not excited about what I am doing. I'm somewhat angry at myself for hanging onto the old job with a hope that I would survive and end up promoted. It's turned out great that they booted me (over the other leader) and that I ended up where I am. So.. yeah. Now, off to Vegas again, Sun-Thu. The same days I went in October when my last company chose to dump me while I was still there for a conference. Different conference this time... I'm not worried. 🙂

I am using this post as an example. Let's keep the information to the topics at hand. Let's not get into passive aggressive or overtly aggressive stances towards posters. I would have pulled in a counter example but in the middle of reading this thread I had to get back to work so I lost where I was. I did not want to wade back through it. The topic has moved but generally is are there similarities to the action of the Trump administration to those of early Nazi era within Germany.

I don't read this as the Sabres not doing much in the off-season (not that Adams provides any reason to believe otherwise). Bryson at $900k is harmless. He's not the worst defender on the team so it's good to have him around. I believe there will be changes in the off-season. I mean, there's no harm in believing it. It's not like it makes me any more likely to spend energy or money on this team until something changes. I'd rather believe they will do something than not. If I get to that point I won't be here even.