wrote in message
...
On Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:39:25 -0800, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

I think the GOP is well placed to take the Senate back in 2010 and
make a dent in the house majority.


How so? Which states/seats do you think are borderline? The Dems would
have
to lose quite a few, and the Senate is typically pretty stable.

I just think there will be some buyer's remorse, as there usually is
the first mid term after a presidential election.

That's true, but these are unusual times. We'll see I suppose.



There's no "free health care" in the current or expected bill, so that's
just your musing or right-wing fear-induced.

This is what most fans think it is supposed to be and the models they
have been spinning (Canada, Japan, Scandinavia) reinforce that.
Actually the expansion of Medicaid from 133% to 150% of the poverty
level (house and senate versions) will make it free for a lot of
people.

Fans? No one I've heard of is spinning those systems. If you're talking
France (rated #1) or Germany or perhaps the UK, even then, no one is
spinning those, and they are much closer to ours, including what the bill
appears to do.

The people who pay will be paying a lot more and a lot of people who
choose not to buy insurance will have to buy it. That will be a
sticker shock for them

Which people? Those who don't have it, mostly want it. Sure, there are
always a few who choose or can afford not to have it.


The deficit isn't a bread and butter issue with most people. You're
talking
about the budget deficit and not the trade deficit right? Just checking.

It will become a bread and butter issue when bread and butter become
more expensive (the carbon tax). Actually in the late 80s and early
90s, the deficit was an election issue (Ross Perot). It brought us
about 3 years of sound fiscal policy with the help of the 104th
congress.

I don't think you can credit Perot with "sound fiscal policy." He was
another wacko, smart business man that he was.


There's no way in my view that they can "soften" the wacko view. Wacko is
wacko. Most people don't listen to their lies, although a big number do,
unfortunately. Not sure what cliff you're referring to..

Unfortunately the Arbitron of talk radio and the Neilsons of news TV
dispute that "most people" claim
, at least for people who watch news and listen to talk.The cliff is
the GOP believing 20% is enough.

20% doesn't win elections. They're being shunted to the side of the
mainstream, as they should be for their racism and fear-based propaganda.


Jobs will be an issue. If they continue to turn around, then the Dems
don't
have much to worry about.

I am just not sure what these people are going to do. We have exported
most manufacturing and we have several years worth of built and unsold
houses, condos and commercial buildings.

Yes, but the jobs situation is starting to turn around. If that continues...

Totally agree with the huckster comment. I don't see anyone out there who
truly represents a thinking Republican party voter.

The GOP lost me around 1989-90 but the Democrats never appealed that
much to me either.

I self-identify as a Democrat, but that's mainly because there's no other
rational alternative.

--
Nom=de=Plume