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What Will Change If/When Republicans Take The Senate?

Tyler Durden's picture




 

The short answer, of course, is "nothing" - Congress, or the presidency, have been irrelevant ever since the Fed fully took over the US some time in late 2008. Since then, it has been the role of the central printer of the US, working on behalf of the US banking syndicate, to "get to work", and cover up the fact that Congress, its make up, or its decisions, are now inconsequential. Still, there are those whose job is to overanalyze everything, and those, whose ideological persuasion, is to believe that what there is a difference between the "left" and the "right."

One such place is The Hill, which writes that "the midterm-election horserace is into its final furlong — and that means most of the attention of the political world is focused, understandably, on who’s up and who’s down; who will win and who will lose. But if Republicans succeed in their quest to secure a Senate majority on Tuesday, what will really change on Capitol Hill? The answer is “plenty” – both in terms of policy and politics."

We'll agree to disagree, but since someone has to pay attention to the proceedings in the most farcical and polarized, if only for public consumption purposes, Congress in history may as well present what The Hill thinks will happen.

Here are the five areas to watch according to The Hill.

1. Will President Obama’s big achievements be hollowed out?

Republicans say that if they gain control of Congress they will start chipping away at two of the Obama administration’s biggest victories: financial reform and healthcare.

The GOP could well decide against attempting another full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. But its members would probably try to eliminate the much-discussed medical device tax. They might also look at nixing the employer mandate.

The Dodd-Frank financial law is high on the hitlist of GOP lawmakers. They want to ease capital requirements for large insurance companies, create both a board of directors and a new inspector-general position for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and streamline a process for banks deemed too big to fail.

More generally, Republicans have made it clear that Obama’s regulatory agenda is a prime target.

With control over the budget and appropriations process, Republicans could cut off funding that is needed to implement or enforce regulations — including the EPA’s carbon-pollution standards for power plants, which form a big piece of the president's climate agenda.

The GOP will also probably ramp up efforts to push through the Keystone XL pipeline and expand natural-gas exports.

2. Senate confirmations: The battlefield tilts

A GOP-controlled Senate will make it even tougher for Obama to confirm nominees, a process that hasn’t exactly been plain sailing even with Democrats in charge.

Although Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has said she is staying put, it remains plausible that Obama could be faced with a third chance to put his stamp on the court. Republicans would find it much easier to block his choice if they held the majority in the Senate.

Obama will also nominate a replacement for retiring Attorney General Eric Holder, and the confirmation process will likely be fraught whomever he chooses.

Obama also isn’t like to face any shortage of executive branch, ambassador and federal judicial nominations in his final two years in office. They will all need Senate confirmation.

3. Obama to stock up on veto pens

Obama has had to pick up his veto pen on just two occasions since he took office in 2009, largely because Democrats have controlled at least one chamber of Congress throughout that time.

He will need to check he has a plentiful supply of ink if Republicans take the Senate majority. He can expect to spend his final two years using his veto to protect earlier legislative victories, rather than seriously attempting to rack up new ones.

There is some chance of bipartisan progress on issue such as immigration reform and global trade deals. But it also seems likely that Obama will need to rely on executive action if he wants to pursue many of his priorities.

4. More Benghazi, more anti-ISIS action

If Republicans take over the Senate, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will take the gavel at the Armed Services Committee. He is almost certain to turn the spotlight back onto the Obama administration’s missteps in Benghazi — especially the ones that Republicans say were committed by Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of State at the time.

Congressional Republican make little secret of the fact that they believe the controversy could hurt Clinton’s chances of winning the White House in 2016. Senate control would ensure they could keep it high up on the news agenda.

Republicans also are likely to push for a more aggressive U.S. response to the militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. They have long argued that the Obama administration isn’t being aggressive enough in that fight.

While their push probably won’t come in the form of asking for more U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, Republicans insist that the United States ought to do more to quell terrorist threats in the region.

Republicans are faced also with a slew of expiring bills but none more important to national security than an NSA surveillance reauthorization.

It will be up to the GOP to push a bill across the finish line, just as 2016 presidential contenders ramp up their campaigns. Many national security experts have argued that letting the current law expire would be disastrous.

5. 2016: The future starts now

Whoever wins and loses on Tuesday night, much of the political world will turn its focus to 2016 as soon as dawn breaks on Wednesday.

If the GOP controls both chambers in the new Congress, its leaders will take every step over the following two years with an acute appreciation of how their moves might affect the 2016 race for the White House.

They will have to walk a fine line: They will want to make Democrats take tough votes while also helping those within their own ranks who might seek the Oval Office. GOP Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Rob Portman (Ohio) have all had their names bandied about as 2016 hopefuls.

There will also be the concerns of those senators seeking reelection in 2016 to consider. Some centrist Republicans may seek to forge new relationships with Democrats in order to advance legislation they deem important to their reelection hopes.

* * *

And while we appreciate The Hill's enthusiasm, we are far more interested in the take of the one company that in most people's opinions, comes closest to actually running not only the Fed, but the US itself: Goldman Sachs. Here is what 4 of Goldman's strategists and analysts think will happen after Tuesday's takeover of the Senate by the GOP.

Alec Phillips, GS US political economist

"A Republican Senate majority would likely lead to an incremental uptick in legislative activity and increased risk around fiscal deadlines.”

Aleksandar Timcenko, GS strategist

"Since 1950, S&P 500 performance following midterm elections has averaged 17% – substantially better than average returns of 9% per year.”

Matthew Borsch, GS US healthcare analyst

"Gridlock or compromise on healthcare policy is possible should Republicans win the Senate, with the former better for hospitals and provider firms and the latter for managed care and medical devices.”

Noah Poponak, GS US defense analyst

"Neither outcome for the Senate makes a particular defense spending trajectory more likely, but sequestration puts a floor under downside risk for the sector.”"

* * *

Oddly enough, virtually nobody, when asked what would change if party X takes over party Y in the [House|Senate|Presidency], has replied "nothing." Which is precisely why it is the right answer.

 

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Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:23 | 5405471 kowalli
kowalli's picture

good!

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:27 | 5405483 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

Obola comes back into the headlines, high unemployment, poverty, the war on women, racism, you name it.  Maybe even a market crash.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:31 | 5405507 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

The words will change, not much else.

*Sigh*

McConnell and Reid both look particularly scummy in that picture...

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:37 | 5405529 J S Bach
J S Bach's picture

"What Will Change If/When Republicans Take The Senate?"

 

Nothing.  Absofuckinglutely nothing.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:43 | 5405554 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

LOL!  The exact thing I was going to type.

The banks/insurers/corporations will be protected at all costs.

Red/Blue doesn't matter one whit, "kill the middle class" and bleed the sheeple will continue to be the result.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:40 | 5405675 NoDecaf
NoDecaf's picture

Eight balls for all, compliments of Mitch and papa-in-law!

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:50 | 5405703 0b1knob
0b1knob's picture

Boots on the groung, bodies in bags in Iraq.

!st Division headquarters already there.   Grunts to follow.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:02 | 5405719 Publicus
Publicus's picture

Nothing will change. The two parties are the same party.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:26 | 5405758 ACP
ACP's picture

Red or blue D or R, it just don't matter.

Banker die for your life when my shotgun scatters.

The gangs of DC will never die...just multiply...

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 04:07 | 5406001 JamesBond
JamesBond's picture

The day of Obama's election, my best bud sold all his defense stocks and invested in 'social' and  'green' funds.  He lost his shirt!

 

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 04:40 | 5406013 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

would love to read a translation of some of the second thoughts of the nobel peace prize committee.  perhaps not all had voted "ja".

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:25 | 5406172 casey13
casey13's picture

Obama should be impeached but how do the Republicans do that for illegal policies that they mostly support too.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:42 | 5406534 LibertyBear
LibertyBear's picture

I think an Audit the Fed vote would be good. It could maybe happen with Rand whispering in McConnell's ear and it passed overwhelmingly in the House.

 

I don't think the Republican's will take the Senate though, due to electronic voting (counting) fraud.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:35 | 5406190 Escrava Isaura
Escrava Isaura's picture

 

 

History has shown that the biggest threat to democracy, social destabilization, civilization, and the markets is the power of a nation in the hands of uncountable private sector, tied to state power.

The government might be too big, and mostly illegitimate, but at least, is under some influence of the public.

When you hear words such as “transferring power to states” (disguising corporate mercantilism), Watch Out?

Anyway, these can only happen under very delusional and misinformed general public…. Which should not come as a surprised, to any us, at Zero Hedge.  

 

Ideally!

 

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 14:58 | 5407547 DFCtomm
DFCtomm's picture

The biggest threat to democracy...is democracy. It ALWAYS eats itself.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:36 | 5405702 TruthInSunshine
TruthInSunshine's picture

LEND ME YOUR EARS!

NOTHING will change regardless as to what happens in the upcoming mid-term elections, or any other ones subsequent, for that matter.

No matter how much political rhetoric is spewed on highly divisive social wedge issues, such as abortion, gay marriage, the right of civilians to own & carry firearms, giving drivers' licenses to non-citizens, etc., most of these issues have been settled to a large extent by the judicial branch.

What most Americans must come to reality with is the FACT that both "different" political parties are owned/funded by the very same groups & individuals, and their joint mission is to keep separating Americans into a more clearly delineated camp of "haves" and "have-littles"/"have-nots," aka few Wealthy & many, many increasingly dispossessed/marginalized, aka fewer but more powerful Chiefs and way more Indians.

This is a plain fact, an open secret, visible to the naked eye. Look at Wall Street and Crony Contributions to both "different" parties.

Those Americans who actually are manipulated in a way to be able to actually get enthralled and excited by"politics" are useful idiots in helping to perpetuate the training of more useful idiots to swing back and forth electing than un-electing the same "different" parties, election cycle after election cycle, ensuring continuity of the very process of projecting a mirage image of "change" that actually isn't obtainable under the current paradigm.

I will make 3 predictions that will come true post mid-term elections (easy as pie based on history not necessarily related to each other):

1) Economy & financial volatility will absolutely spike post mid-term elections (for every crack-up boom cycle there has to be a culling for the herders to realize their gains),

2) Energy & food prices will spike upward at the fastest pace since 2009 (low gasoline prices are a well-worn tactic used at election time),

3) Bailouts, subsidies and benefits to the banking/financial, military/defence and other Neo-Kapitalist Krony industries will again spike (to even higher levels than at present) regardless as to which "different" party wins what.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:58 | 5406232 Took Red Pill
Took Red Pill's picture

it's nice to come to a place like ZH and find so many "awake" people!

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:52 | 5405961 SAT 800
SAT 800's picture

Not even going to waste time reading it.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 11:42 | 5406784 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

Well, I was going to say we will probably bomb more people than usual but technically that is not change but more of the same.

I don't think many are ready for or can even conceptualize what Change really means. Change today is turning the channel thinking you are now watching a different show yet not realizing it is no different than the previous.

Miffed

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:38 | 5405532 SafelyGraze
SafelyGraze's picture

what will change?

well, for one thing: we can finally project our military strategic operational strength across a global theater

 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:59 | 5405713 whirling tword ...
whirling tword freedom's picture

As long as we have leadership that openly defies laws, it doesn't matter much what congress does.

Wait until after Tuesday if you really want to see the administration trying to stir up the masses....   bottom up, top down and inside out.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:39 | 5405533 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

The war protesters may finally come back, it's been a long time.  Where did they all go?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:43 | 5405544 LetThemEatRand
LetThemEatRand's picture

Did you know that Cindy Sheehan ran for President 2 years ago against Obama?  Or did they not cover that on Fox, MSNBC, or any other MSM?  The controlled media makes sure that the war protesters don't exist with the Blue Team peace prize winner in office, as far as you know.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:46 | 5405563 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

How did I know you would respond to me, Lola.  What do you care who I vote For?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:56 | 5405589 LetThemEatRand
LetThemEatRand's picture

I only care that you vote at all.  

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:00 | 5405601 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

OK, LTER, brace for incoming...  Smile,,,

 

Q: A Republican, a Democrat and an Independent walk into a bar in Florida, what does everyone say?

.

.

.

.

A: Hi, Charlie!

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:00 | 5405610 LetThemEatRand
LetThemEatRand's picture

Good one.

And you wonder why I'm jaded being in Florida?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:27 | 5405659 Dinero D. Profit
Dinero D. Profit's picture

A Republican, a Democrat and an Independent walk into a bar in Florida, what does everyone say?

 

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:43 | 5405682 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

Pelosi, Kerry and Lola walk into a bar.   Bartender says Hi lola, tie up that horse and wipe his ass with that old rag.  And shave them legs or wear some stockings, bitch.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:02 | 5405615 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

:) I know you Lola.  You and caring don't get along.  You only care when it benefits you.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:40 | 5405540 pods
pods's picture

I know one thing wil change for the better:

I will stop being bombarded by these inane campaign ads.  They are literally everywhere, anywhere I turn.  (4 of them on the sides of ZH right as I type)

Thom Tillis hates women, Kay Hagan votes with Obama, pods develops twitch.

pods

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:56 | 5405594 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

You're lucky to have Kay Hagan ads.

I get Michelle Obama...

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:32 | 5406115 StychoKiller
Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:01 | 5406239 Took Red Pill
Took Red Pill's picture

not for long. They'll be gearing up for the 2016 elections soon!

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 05:17 | 5406043 Motorhead
Motorhead's picture

McConnel is a king douche.  Reid is even a bigger douche (if that's possible).  McCain is utter slime and a whack job.  And there's Babsy Boxer, and there's Feinstein, and, and, and...the list of "luminaries" goes on.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:25 | 5406173 boogerbently
boogerbently's picture

Ebola never left the headlines.

Real unemployment, which is high, will be revealed to further discredit Dems for 2016.

Poverty will decrease because taxes will decrease.

Women STARTED this war over 40 years ago.

Racism is the tool of liberals, so it will fade into the background.

Long MIC.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:25 | 5405473 Freddie
Freddie's picture

McCain?  LOL!   Both he and Obola work for Lester AIPAC Crown aka General Dynamics.  Crown was Obala's earlieest and biggest supporter.  Also very connected to LBJ before and after JFK was killed.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:43 | 5405557 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

I can't think of a single reason why anyone would vote for McCain.  If he wins it must have been fixed.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:03 | 5405614 LetThemEatRand
LetThemEatRand's picture

Hold on... I thought they fixed the election machines in favor of the Blue Team.  Are you saying that R and D don't matter for the fixing?  

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:29 | 5405663 Harbanger
Harbanger's picture

That's not even worth a -1

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 12:36 | 5406993 boogerbently
boogerbently's picture

Can we vote for Sherriff Joe ?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:25 | 5405481 nostromo17
nostromo17's picture

WIn the Mids Lose the Presidentail!

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:27 | 5405490 Hohum
Hohum's picture

Helped WJ Clinton in 1994.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:35 | 5405519 booboo
booboo's picture

Obama gets some much needed golfing time in with the Republican leadership and his approval ratings will go up because he can blame them.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:44 | 5405560 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

GOP Presidential contenders missed a couple

- Rand Paul (Ky.)
- Ted Cruz (Texas),
- Marco Rubio (Fla.)
- Rob Portman (Ohio)
- Mit Romney
- Jeb Bush
- Chris Christie
- John McCain
- Paul Ryan
- Liz Chaney
- Dick Chaney
- Sara Palin

And Dems

- John Kerry
- Hillery Clinton
- Elizabeth Warren
- Rom Emmanuel
- Eric Holder
- Bernie Sanders
- Joe Lieberman
- Dennis Kucinich
- Janet Napolitiano
- Diane Feinstine
- Democratic Governors not listed?
- Bill Richardson
- Bobby Jindal

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:57 | 5405591 joego1
joego1's picture

I thought holloween was over?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:00 | 5405607 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Did you see that scary picture of Rom Emmanuel the other day. Guy looks like Satan, Swear.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:33 | 5406118 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

I like yer costume though!

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:07 | 5405735 Clowns on Acid
Clowns on Acid's picture

Bobby Jindal is a REP not DEM.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:27 | 5405487 Hohum
Hohum's picture

That natural gas exports thing is great, especially since the USA is still a net natural gas importer.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:28 | 5405489 deeply indebted
deeply indebted's picture

Nothing will change.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:47 | 5405565 Janice
Janice's picture

My underwear will change. New day, new drawers. If anything political changes, like the politicians actually carry out the will of the majority of their constituents, them my underwear may change twice in one day.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 03:21 | 5405981 John_Coltrane
John_Coltrane's picture

The senate will finally vote and pass the Audit the Fed bill (auditing in real time) which recently passed the house by a huge majority but has been tabled by Reid for the last two months.  That, and no more attempts at FED gun grabbing alone make a change worthwhile.

By the way, no change means time doesn't exist (think about it)!

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:28 | 5405492 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

What will change?!

Their treason, criminality, and brutality agianst the world, and the American people, will accererate.

An American, not US subject.

 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:29 | 5405494 himaroid
himaroid's picture

The wheels may come off the whole damn shit wagon before they take office in January.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:28 | 5405496 TeamDepends
TeamDepends's picture

The Alinskyites will be crying like pussies, which will be reward in itself.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:31 | 5405500 kchrisc
kchrisc's picture

What will change?!

Their treason, criminality, and brutality agianst the world, and the American people, will accererate.

An American, not US subject.

 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:59 | 5405600 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

More Hookers, Blow, homeless, wild parties, more bankruptcy, 1-2% higher rate of Foreclosure on single family homes??

- Probably it is the kids, their values, that are harmed, more tattoos, more piercing, suicide culture, strip clubs, porn, desensitizing to war, physical abuse by peers, sugar daddy relationships...
- Value shifts to money instead of toward being good human
- Contractor Mentality, if the money is great will do anything

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:30 | 5405502 barroter
barroter's picture

Or will they go on another neocon Holy War, forcing every issue through a right wing screen, no matter what?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:56 | 5405587 gwar5
gwar5's picture

The neocons Holy Warriiors are the progressives - count how many illegal CIA wars they've started without votes or congressional approval. And they started both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:08 | 5405623 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

NYPD arrests, ‘brutalizes’ CIA analyst McGovern ahead of Petraeus speech
McGovern detained before entering venue

http://www.infowars.com/nypd-arrests-brutalizes-for-cia-analyst-mcgovern...

I never saw this one. 31 October 2014

The New York Police Department has detained prominent peace activist and former CIA agent Ray McGovern, with witnesses saying he was “yelling in pain” during arrest. McGovern was detained ahead of a David Petraeus speech that he planned to attend.

McGovern was detained before the start of a talk between former CIA director David Petraeus, retired US Army Lt. Col. John Nagl, and author Max Boot on American Foreign Policy at the 92nd St Y., an Upper East Side cultural community center.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:06 | 5405730 Clowns on Acid
Clowns on Acid's picture

92 nd St YMCA is a neo Con, tribal hang out. They suck millions of NYC taxpayers dollars, and produce nothing. Real time bitches, bitchez. 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:40 | 5405801 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Dude even had a ticket to the event and was only going to stand up and ask a question and wait for the response.

Sounds like Bloomberg Thugs? Does Bill Clinton meet with them there in public too?

NYC is like the home to the Gun Control Movement, they even sided with the Red Coats. Some weird connection to British Empire there. Rothschilds. There it is. Euro Bankers. Euro Trash.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:30 | 5405503 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Alec Phillips, GS US political economist

"A Republican Senate majority would likely lead to an incremental uptick in legislative activity and increased risk around fiscal deadlines.”

OMG! A nation only spending what it takes in!

Matthew Borsch, GS US healthcare analyst

"Gridlock or compromise on healthcare policy is possible should Republicans win the Senate, with the former better for hospitals and provider firms and the latter for managed care and medical devices.”

Now let that helpful bit of information sink into your brains my little unicorn riding Obamatron's. The "free market" reacting to state pressure AND profiting from it.

Who couldaevahnoed?

Idiots.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:31 | 5405511 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

Only chance for any change would be the Republicans winning the Senate but McConnell losing.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:41 | 5405548 John Wilmot
John Wilmot's picture

McConnell isn't a dictator.

He's only the leader because a majority of Republican Senators support him as the leader.

A majority of Republican Senators are establishment conservatives like McConnell, which means we should not expect anything very radical from them. The list I provided is about as good as it's going to get until we get some more Rand Pauls in there (or get the genuine article into the White House in 2016).

Hold fast

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:54 | 5406135 gatorengineer
gatorengineer's picture

Using Conservative and McConnell in the same sentence shouldnt be allowed.  Rand Pauls implosion and Idealogy flip flops are right in the Team Photo with Charlie Christ.....  that apple fell in a different galaxy from the tree, a real shame.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:25 | 5406480 my_nym
my_nym's picture

Rand Paul

 

Ron Paul

 

Any questions?

 

 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:37 | 5405528 John Wilmot
John Wilmot's picture

These are all very real possibilities

--financial deregulation (Dodd-Frank)

--energy deregulation (carbon bullshit, Keystone, natural gas exports)

--a budget that slows the growth of federal spending

--tax reform to encourage repatriation of US corporate profits held overseas

--drug sentencing reform (shorter terms)

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:32 | 5405664 pods
pods's picture

I'd be happy with a budget.

pods

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:12 | 5405927 cheech_wizard
cheech_wizard's picture

Here is an extremely remote possibility but it does exist.

-- defunding of Obamacare through budget reconciliation.

(Brief explanation is in order... Justice Roberts declared Obamacare to be a tax, otherwise it was unconstitutional. All tax legislation is subject to budget reconciliation. But here is the real kicker. It only requires a simple majority vote. Google the second of the Bush tax cuts to see what I mean.)

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:56 | 5406139 gatorengineer
gatorengineer's picture

you left off the biggest two and the only two that really matter.

 

-- Stopping Obamas amnesty for illegals

-- Slowing down the liberal slide of the judiciary and supreme court....

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:55 | 5406363 Bitchin Bear
Bitchin Bear's picture

Really hate to up vote you after the Gators kicked our Bulldog ass but you are so spot on.  as the saying goes. ..politics makes strange bedfellows.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:45 | 5405539 booboo
booboo's picture

Mconnell said two years ago if they won the senate they would repeal obamacare tax  since it was a tax issue and would only take 51 votes in the senate.

Yesterday he said they would only repeal the tax on medical devices because repealing obama care would take 60 votes and Obama would veto it anyways.

He is a fucking liar and a pussy. Remember this kids, the republicans wanted Obamacare as much as the dems because all along it was about raising taxes and limiting benifits (more profits for their contributors)

Two wings of the same bird of prey

 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:48 | 5405573 Hohum
Hohum's picture

Repealing would actually take 67 votes (if all 100 voted).

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:13 | 5405928 cheech_wizard
cheech_wizard's picture

But defunding would only take 51.

 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:50 | 5405577 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

ACA is Financialization of Health Care.

You are right. Republicans want Obama Care and... their big money backers are the same as for the Democrats.

Obama Care was a COUP for corporations. They can stack the Debt on all Americans through Health Care... even if we somehow were to keep premiums from going up... The wealth is transferred from Consumers to Corporations.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:59 | 5405599 Tall Tom
Tall Tom's picture

The Republican House of Representatives had the authority to defund Obamacare a little over a year ago during the "Government Shit-down-our-necks" a Year and two weeks ago.

 

Of coure Mitch McConnell is a liar. Most likely he is also a pedarest as well.

 

Press the pedal to the medal.

 

Whatsoever you vote for, and you need to vote...make sure it is the most destructive policy that you can vote for.

 

Anything which restricts Liberty...vote for.

Anything which demolishes Freedom...vote for.

Anything that will impede Economic Growth...vote for.

Anything that will create a Police State...vote for.

 

Let's make this whole place so intolerable that Americans have no choice but to violently revolt and tear this Beast Corrupted System down limb by limb.

 

Jeff Berwick's "The Dollar Vigilante" called us all lazy good for nothings because we do not vote???

 

Don't believe it? Read it here...

 

https://www.dollarvigilante.com/blog/2014/11/2/why-im-voting-tdv-week-in-review-november-2-2014.html#6614

 

And supposedly he is out for freedom?

 

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:39 | 5405951 August
August's picture

FWIW, that TDV article is written by a Berwick minion, not Berwick himself.

Berwick is a Canuckistani, currently livin' large somewhere south of the Rio Bravo.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:41 | 5405545 WTFRLY
WTFRLY's picture

North Carolina: Patient monitored at Duke hospital for Ebola after developing fever

http://wtfrly.com/2014/11/02/possible-ebola-north-carolina-duke-hospital/

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:47 | 5405567 gwar5
gwar5's picture

Obama could spread American Ebola faster if he set up West African ports of entry for the USA in all 50 states and made them rotate for diversity. 

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:48 | 5405572 booboo
booboo's picture

Unconfirmed report has it that Orlando has two Ebola cases but there is a news blackout. One is near a disney hospital. Can't disrupt the major industry in mousetown. Take for what it's worth, it's the internet afterall.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:53 | 5405583 DoChenRollingBearing
DoChenRollingBearing's picture

Yow!  We'll be watching...

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:46 | 5405694 robnume
robnume's picture

And ZH is owned by Mickey Mouse, too.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:06 | 5405620 pods
pods's picture

I don't doubt that Duke would see the first one in NC, parts of Durham are pretty much the third world.

pods

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:42 | 5405551 gwar5
gwar5's picture

Well, for one thing, they won't be talking about taking away our guns anymore for a long time, that was a total loser agenda. And there will be a slow down in the socialist freight train due to changeover in leadership on the committees, etc.  Those are at least a little something. I'll take what I can get.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 06:35 | 5406090 Gadfly
Gadfly's picture

You'll get more war and military spending.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:51 | 5405579 ekm1
ekm1's picture

Nothing

We are slowly shifting to Pentagon Junta like in the 60s and 70s

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:55 | 5405581 Bangalore Equit...
Bangalore Equity Trader's picture

Listen Select Zero's.

Just count the Red/Blue team jockey's. Interesting.

Like watching a pack of dogs do synchronized tail chasing.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 22:53 | 5405582 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

Impeachment

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:21 | 5405649 TeethVillage88s
TeethVillage88s's picture

Video has emerged from Illinois of a "calibration error" that causes voting machines to switch votes from Republican to Democrat. The video, posted on YouTube, purportedly shows voting machines in the public library in Moline, IL registering votes as Democrat when the Republican is clearly the intended choice.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/10/29/Video-Machine-Switche...

Only computers don't ever get calibration Errors.

The Cook County Clerk's office told non-profit monitor Illinois Watchdog that the voting machine experienced a "calibration error" that "improperly assigned" Moynihan's vote. A similar calibration error seems to be at issue in Rock Island County. Schilling claimed last week to have received "17 calls of people saying the exact same thing."

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:38 | 5405950 talisman
talisman's picture

I didn't realize that Cook County voting machines registered Republican votes.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:33 | 5406188 booboo
booboo's picture

Next to Chicago, Rock Island County is as close as you can get to the Machine. A shit hole run by union thugs.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:17 | 5406165 nickt1y
nickt1y's picture

If you mean Commandante Cero ... that would make him a martyr for the left. It is best that he be left to wallow in the remainder of his term and then slink off to Hawaii to be forgotten.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:00 | 5405602 NuckingFuts
NuckingFuts's picture

I will still be looking for greener pastures, and the time did change, so there's that.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:02 | 5405611 homiegot
homiegot's picture

I hate McConnell as much as Reid, but McConnell has got a line on some good blow, so I'll go with Mtich.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:02 | 5405612 Bangalore Equit...
Bangalore Equity Trader's picture

Listen American Zero's.

Do yourself a favor and vote "ARAB" 2014! The quicker you get it over with, the better for you.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:03 | 5405724 Clowns on Acid
Clowns on Acid's picture

Are you caste_ing aspersions red dot ?

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:42 | 5405681 Surging Chaos
Surging Chaos's picture

Just want to say FUCK YOU Greg Walden. This neocon in my district has been in Congress too long and has supported shit like the Patriot Act, Sarbox, TARP, the list goes on. And yet everyone keeps re-electing him because southern and eastern Oregon only care what color team you're on.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 02:46 | 5405959 August
August's picture

>>>everyone keeps re-electing him because southern and eastern Oregon only care what color team you're on.

If it's any consolation, the same is true in eastern Washington.  True Believers call the shots on both sides of the Cascades.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:44 | 5405686 robnume
robnume's picture

"Nothing" is not the short answer; it's the correct answer.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:46 | 5405691 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Vote for open source software to replace Washington D.C. politicians.

Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:57 | 5405710 fireant
fireant's picture

They say "elect me" for hope

They believe we all are dopes

They are all full of crap

as they open their yap

they need to wash out their mouth with soap

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:06 | 5405711 fireant
fireant's picture

dems and pubs are both dicks

we have caught on to their schtick

they lie through their ass

while hoarding their stash

the 2 parties are terminally sick

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 00:34 | 5405787 Dragon HAwk
Dragon HAwk's picture

There should always be a line on every ballot that reads.  NONE OF THE ABOVE.. and any time None wins. they have to pick new candidates  no matter how many times it happens.. that will free up American Politics

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 01:01 | 5405828 I-am-not-one-of-them
I-am-not-one-of-them's picture

what has changed since Eisenhower? 

get with the program (ing)

it's all a good cop, bad cop, blame the other side democracy hoax; the same oligarchs run the show and make the peasants look like the idiots they are, beleiving they matter, while they advance their vision of imperial dominance

so idiots still ask what will change when heads or tails of the same coin gets in? banking on short memories: hope and change (Picard double facepalm)

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 04:50 | 5406018 are we there yet
are we there yet's picture

I like Ike. The last real US president, and the last audit of Fort Knox gold.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 11:11 | 5406666 Boubou
Boubou's picture

That's it in a nutshell. 

 It reminded me of an important point. If you or I were demented or our thought patterns had been modified or circumscribed by forces unspecified , the one affected would not know, would vehemently deny it and could by no means be persuaded. Very likely our opinions have already been taken over to a greater or lesser extent. Our views are not 'views' but self evident truths which in some cases must be defended to the death. and require no proof.  Unless you can hang on to this idea, then you are at risk of becoming a zombie. Could be worse. Zombies Are very popular just now - in fact, if one were to run, he could probably become the president of the United States.  - hey, wait a minute...........
Mon, 11/03/2014 - 01:16 | 5405863 talisman
talisman's picture

Obama needs to issue an immediate Executive Order refusing to recognize the vote in any State that votes Republican.

If refusing to recognize the results of an election works in Ukraine, it should work here as well.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 01:46 | 5405866 talisman
talisman's picture

PLUS impose more sanctions !!

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 01:19 | 5405867 talisman
talisman's picture

PLUS impose sanctions !!

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 01:45 | 5405899 fibonacci's claus
fibonacci's claus's picture

boner and mcdonalds will admit to the people of the united states of america that obama's reign of terror is really a secret deal that was made behind closed doors implememting reparations for america's slavery of the black race, and will admit that they cannot impeach him because the deal was made on that piece of paper hank paulson used to blackmail the govt when the markets crashed and we would have "martial law" in the streets.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha  :)

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 04:00 | 5405997 Perimetr
Perimetr's picture

The hawks will bring The Russian Aggression Prevention Act up for a vote.  It will pass. Obama will sign it. Ukraine will become a major ally of the US.

Meanwhile, after Ukraine finishes rearming with US help, it will renew its attack against Eastern Ukraine.  If the attack succeeds in taking the large cities of the Donbass, Russia will intervene.

US forces will come to the aid of Ukraine, and come into direct millitary conflict with Russian forces.

Nuclear war will result.

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 05:26 | 5406050 tumblemore
tumblemore's picture

Obviously it would be better if there was some sane way out of this mess but if you accept that the banking mafia have corrupted the political process so totally there's no chance of that happening then the faster the US balkanizes the sooner we can get the Fall of Rome 2.0 over with and try and rebuild while the banking mafia swarm to Bombay and Hong Kong to feed on South and East Asia for a century or two.

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:26 | 5406110 drdolittle
drdolittle's picture

The sheeple will blame the republicons

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:03 | 5406245 yrbmegr
yrbmegr's picture

This is probably the biggest change.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:59 | 5406144 nmewn
nmewn's picture

You know its bad when the NYT's runs an op-ed saying cancel the mid-terms...

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/03/opinion/cancel-the-midterms.html?_r=0

...what was that about voter suppression again? ;-)

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:05 | 5406150 tumblemore
tumblemore's picture

wow, they're floating that idea sooner than i thought they would

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:46 | 5406337 Bitchin Bear
Bitchin Bear's picture

Thanks for the link.  of course the source isn't surprising.  What is surprising is how many people would agree.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:13 | 5406156 Eyeroller
Eyeroller's picture

If Republicans win the Senate they should push to audit the Fed, and take a page from Obozo's playbook by stressing how QE has done nothing for the little guy and everything for banksters and the .1%.

Hopefully they will rein in this unelected, unaccountable bunch of money printers.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-06/republicans-plan-to-rein...

 

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:16 | 5406160 FreeNewEnergy
FreeNewEnergy's picture

What will change? Stawks will go up.

Wait... What?

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:19 | 5406166 Pumpkin
Pumpkin's picture

What will change? 

 

The names of the people in charge of raping you.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:23 | 5406171 Jameson18
Jameson18's picture

 Those names never change. They all come from same tribe.

 

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:25 | 5406174 22winmag
22winmag's picture

A few less abortitions and a few less anti-gun laws.

 

Better than nothing.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:31 | 5406185 GoldIsMoney
GoldIsMoney's picture

Well I guess Guantanamo will be extended, so maybe we can then write worst than nothing. The civil rights have gone down the drain and I guess that will stick till this most anticapitalistic US ever will go down.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:40 | 5406198 rejected
rejected's picture

Republicrats had control of CONgress (Newt Grinch)  from 1994 through Billy BJ Clintons term.

What changed other than the Demo's bitching rather than the Repub's. Deficits did appear to go down due to accounting gimmicks... and the Dot Bomb boom.  (sound familiar.)

Both Party's acting in unision have waged legislative war on We the People via the disgusting misnamed patriot act and the NDAA along with the loss of liberty due to NSA, CIA and the other darlings.

Both Party's have destroyed the name and credibility of the nation with their incessant interference and bullying of other nations.

Both Party's have reignited the Cold War by participating in a coup of the government of Ukraine, installing and funding Neo Nazi's with the butchering and destruction they always bring with them.

Both Party's with Federal Reserve complicity have destroyed the economy, the currency and the banking system... still on going.

Both Party's purchased by the various corporations have destroyed any future of the younger generations off shoring, paid in part by the u.s taxpayer,,, on shoring of cheap labor paid in full by unemployed americans and even the scraps are being taken by illegal immigrants who in turn illegally vote to keep their benefactors in office who are about to give them what amounts to citizenship making u.s citizenship, about the last things Americans really have,  an all around joke.

So, by all means,  go cast your vote. Then return home and watch the slow destruction of this country continue.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:48 | 5406211 Fix It Again Timmy
Fix It Again Timmy's picture

Republicans, Democrats - "What Difference Does It Make?".....

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 08:51 | 5406219 SickDollar
SickDollar's picture

come on ZHers, you know better

fuck the blue or Red team

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:00 | 5406237 Notsobadwlad
Notsobadwlad's picture

I am personally convinced that Harry Reid lost his last election and is only in office because of fraud.

We have claims of machines tampering for this current all over the country.

The US government is corrupt.

How frail is man that he cannot accept himself and his world honestly?

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:03 | 5406243 yrbmegr
yrbmegr's picture

It's the best campaign message Republicans have - "We're not worse than Democrats."

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:41 | 5406318 Billy Sol Estes
Billy Sol Estes's picture

This shit is scripted

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:43 | 5406325 Bogdog
Bogdog's picture

Things to look forward to regardless of who wins:

1. The value of the dollar continues to evaporate.

2. .gov bureaucracy continues to expand, with follow-on effects of less freedom for you and less $$ in your pocket.

3. The borders remain porous.

4. We continue dropping bombs on brown people.

Same shit, different day.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 09:43 | 5406331 SillyWabbits
SillyWabbits's picture

The direction of inflection, but not the direction will change.

The contention and deflection will change, but not the intention.

The traitors will change, but not the sedition and treason.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:00 | 5406381 Raoul_Luke
Raoul_Luke's picture

Yeah well, at least they aren't commies (at least for the most part).  But they are pretty stupid.  I can't for the life of me figure out why they just sit there with a stupid grin on their face when a Democrat beats up on them over outsourcing or refusing to raise the minimum wage.  I mean, is it so hard to figure out the best answer to those kinds of populist attacks is "outsourcing is a symptom, it isn't the problem - the problem is too many regulations and too much taxation forcing companies to move production overseas" or "the low minimum wage isn't the problem - the problem is declining real wages due to too much regulation and taxation keeping entrepreneurs from creating sufficient numbers of new jobs."

This isn't rocket science but the Republicans aren't the brightest bulbs in the box...

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:48 | 5406549 SillyWabbits
SillyWabbits's picture

The statuary tax rate is paid by none of the Fortune 500 companies which made a profit.  In fact BILLIONS in rebate checks have been paid to those companies.  Minimum wage is problematic because it must be paid in cash.  If it were paid is stock – these companies wouldn’t care how much employees made.

Outsourcing is about cheap labor so profit margins are greater and stock multiples are larger.  Leverage is leverage.

Don’t be fooled that any of this has to do with economics or democracy.  It has to do with concentration and confiscation.

For proof, look to how pension funds are utilized.  Those are dollars from paychecks.

Then consider how stocks are utilized, as cash but not dollars.

The shadow banking system is a Ponzi scheme that consumes dollars and trades stocks.  The dollars are lost and the stock profits are retained.

Regulation is neither too much nor adhered to.

It is a mantra, not a fact.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:07 | 5406392 Dajd45
Dajd45's picture

I cannot believe the defeatist, pessimistic and depressing sense within this article. Does this mean that if things did changed, there would be nothing to write about, and maybe the article writers might have to get up, stand up and do something about what they supposedly believe in?

Or maybe the writer is beng realistic, and acknowledging that whilst others have the skills, merit, courage of their convictions, and moral principles to see through change, via maybe the Tea party, they are/have not?

We are still plummetting to the bottom, in Europe as well as in US, or at least the majority of us are, and still people only want to wring ther hands and moan!! Well if that is so, we are lost. And the Republicans must change to suit the popular demands of the American people. Otherwise they should change their name.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 10:43 | 5406538 BouncyTheWonderbunni
BouncyTheWonderbunni's picture

The caption on the photo of Dirty Harry and Bitchconnell should be "Were fucking them in the ass and they like it"

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 11:55 | 5406841 roadhazard
roadhazard's picture

Repubicans will let all the illegal aliens become citizens.

 

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