So, what can we expect from Four More Years?

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Originally posted by Ramo
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Ashcroft.

Dear God.

[Drachasor]

Originally posted by Spiffor
Drachasor:
You and your girlfriend are welcome here

(considering both of you are highly skilled, that you have a satisfying income and won't leech off of the welfare system, that you speak the local language of the country you want in, that you are able to put with our bureaucracy, and that you can show shame about the US whenever requested)

Thanks. I'd probably push for more pragmatism in social policies over there (I agree with the ends, but I don't think the means have been very well thought out much of the time). Everything can be improved.

I am going to finish up my physics major at least before I go out of the country* though, and probably my Ph.D. too. I hear Michigan doesn't have a bad program.

-Drachasor

*Assuming I go out of the country.

[Stefu]

I don't get what's so specifically bad about the 'death penalty for abortionists' thing. I mean, I oppose death penalty and think that abortions before 4th-5th months should be allowed, but if someone believes that abortion is murder and death penalty is a good penalty for murder, then what should keep them from combining these two beliefs?

[Ramo]

A position being logically consistent doesn't mean it is an acceptable position for a US Senator to hold.

[Ben Kenobi]

That's not even funny.

Really?

I find that comforting.

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't get what's so specifically bad about the 'death penalty for abortionists' thing. I mean, I oppose death penalty and think that abortions before 4th-5th months should be allowed, but if someone believes that abortion is murder and death penalty is a good penalty for murder, then what should keep them from combining these two beliefs?

That's a good question.

I'd oppose such a bill, because I'm opposed to the death penalty, but there are many prolifers who would support such a bill.

There's no good reason not to combine both together, because the death penalty is a separate issue from abortion.

[Starchild]

I'm gonna dig out my copy of Bruce Sterling's "Distraction" and have a new read through his tale of 2030's post-economic collapse America.

[Alexander's Horse]

An optimistic view would be Bush will learn from the first term, improve his international policy and address the budget deficit. That means revamping his cabinet and listening more to advice.

The pessimistic view would be more of the same, which should give the Democrats a good shot in 2008 if they can find a competitive candidate.

On Iraq, the message seems to be you got us into this, you get us out of it. How that is handled will have a big bearing on Bush's place in history, as will his management of the economy, where there is some risk of a global recession.

[Agathon]

Inevitable, but the attitudes of the rest of the world toward the US are becoming crystallised right now, and I think people in the US are going to regret what they've done. Not easing into their retirement gracefully. Causing a lot of resentment. Going to make things very hard for them in the future.

Yep. Americans don't realize that everything that foreigners love about America originates from liberal America.

We hate crackers as much as the next guy.

[Theben]

Originally posted by Chemical Ollie

Then it could be Arnold vs Mad Albright in 2008. The Krauts are taking over!

Hitler has won!!1!

except that Arhnie can't be president w/o a constitutional re-write...

[Drachasor]

Originally posted by Theben
Hitler has won!!1!

except that Arhnie can't be president w/o a constitutional re-write...

According to Left-Leaning sources, that will happen by 2012.

-Drachasor

[Theben]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara

If they try and stay after such an event, they lose legtimacy even with their handful of allies, and Iraq explodes in a paraoxysm of anti-American violence that makes this summer look tame.

Nah. Iraq has served it's political purpose. We'll set up a 'democratic' goverment, declare that the war is won, and get the hell outta dodge, no matter what the country looks like at the time.

Sound familiar?

[Sandman]

Four years ago, did anyone expect things to have gotten as bad as they have done? Granted, the September 11 attacks were the catalyst, but now Bush has arguably as much kudos from his electoral triumph as from the terrorist attacks.

I expect:

More economically unsound tax cuts and spending increases.

Same with the draft, although the whispers will become serious arguments. The right-wing media will begin to quietly advance the case for the draft. At least one senior figure in the Republican Party will come out and support it.

At least two more wars. The Bush government is addicted to them, and they've already 'blooded' the American people with the Iraq campaign. At least one of the wars will be in the Western hemisphere.

The ultra-conservative tendency will achieve 'critical mass' and establish itself for two or more generations, regardless of the 2008 election.

Trans-Atlantic relations will continue to sour, with more trade disputes than ever. The American Right will continue to spew lies about the Oil-for-Food 'scandal', despite the lack of evidence.

A senior Republican will suggest that "we should take Armageddon seriously".

More anti-gay stuff, especially in the schools.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


No leaders any more. No hyperpowers. In about 25 years or so that is.

Inevitable, but the attitudes of the rest of the world toward the US are becoming crystallised right now, and I think people in the US are going to regret what they've done. Not easing into their retirement gracefully. Causing a lot of resentment. Going to make things very hard for them in the future.

I remember the exact same things when Reagan was elected. And reelected.

OTOH I also recall europeans mystified at the impeachment of Richard Nixon.

This too shall pass.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Sandman
Four years ago, did anyone expect things to have gotten as bad as they have done? Granted, the September 11 attacks were the catalyst, but now Bush has arguably as much kudos from his electoral triumph as from the terrorist attacks.

I expect:

More economically unsound tax cuts and spending increases. Whispers about defaulting on America's debt start,

here.