Mid Term Elections 2014

2014-11-05T22:42:19-05:00

Well, the people have spoken. Rpelican have now taken over the Senate and House. We are the majority. If this doesn't scream dissatisfaction with the status quo...nothing will. Did your state turn red or blue or no change at all? Why is a Republican dominated house important for the miliatary? I have my own theories and ideas that I have contrived over the years, but do you see this being a good thing or bad thing for us? Share how you voted...and if you didnt, why not? Our state of Oregon legalized recreational marijuana, I wonder how legal marijuana use will impact our recrunit selection process...more waivers I predict.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 10:44 PM

2014-11-05T22:44:24-05:00

Sorry for the typos, I need to profread my posts before sending. I'm usually a meticulous speller...dang auto correct.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 10:48 PM

2014-11-05T22:48:15-05:00

I am so happy and glad now these same guys and gals need to do something and it can be done. Some of the malarkey that masqueraded as for the greater good was a ruse and a political shell game.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 11:33 PM

2014-11-05T23:33:32-05:00

This was a mandate to the Republican Party that the citizens do not agree with POTUS or his policies. They need to send all the legislation that was being held by Harry the horrible to the President and see what he does. Then we will know who really wants to get anything accomplished.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 10:49 PM

2014-11-06T22:49:57-05:00

First issue here is that the "people" did not speak. The recent voter suppression laws just ensured the Republicans got the right "voters" to vote. Secondly, the Republicans have been stifling this nation since President Obama was first elected. They have fought with the President and his administration on every piece of significant legislation the administration has tried to pass; Whether it be budgets, immigration, Obama Care, Tax Reform, you name it Republicans have been unwilling to compromise . They vowed back then to remove him from the White House without giving his administration, in which the American People voted for twice, a chance. So, now that the Republicans have finally weaseled their way to control both houses all of a sudden NOW, they are about compromise? Stop with this insanity, if they were truly about change they would've compromised while not trying to keep the government hostage (Which was a true act of political terrorism BTW) The Funny part about all this is we've been improving. The Economy is recovering, the deficit is going down, stock prices are going up, unemployment is below 6%, ISIS and Ebola haven't killed everyone despite the ridiculous fear campaign Republican tried to push prior to this election, and the best part is that people who need health care can now afford it. Military Cuts are needed especially since over 65% of the Military Budget is spent on pay and allowances which will soon spike to 85% in the next 5-10 years. Which is more important? A huge military that can't train its core competencies or maintain its equipment, or a smaller force, just as lethal, that can train and maintain its equipment in order to protect this country and it's interest. I'd take the latter.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 11:39 PM

2014-11-06T23:39:18-05:00

Work will continue to stagnate in Washington, D.C. as both sides will be fully entrenched in not compromising. Thus in 2 years this will work to the Democrats advantage, and so on and so forth with one group changing every 2 years as the "self-licking ice cream cone" conitnues in the debacle that national politics has become.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 5:10 AM

2014-11-07T05:10:16-05:00

Republicans won big, but 3 things they better keep in mind:

1) The map was set up massively in their favor. The seats they gained were mostly from beating democrats in red states, so no big surprise.

2) Even in the red states, they often weren't winning by large margins.

3) In 2016, the electoral map heavily favors democrats, so this current majority could be very short lived.

With that said, definitely some surprises in VA, MA, and MD.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 7 at 2014 12:57 PM

2014-11-07T12:57:17-05:00

I think the gridlock in the Congress will continue unabated and I see nothing productive coming out of Washington, DC, for the next two years. If we want to change things we need to stop reelecting the same people responsible for the current status quo.

Anyhow, I voted Green Party in the minor races and Democratic in the major races. I have absolutely no confidence in GOP.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 8:03 AM

2014-11-11T08:03:18-05:00

The Army Times says that "Experts [are] optimistic Republicans-led Congress will benefit Army." I'm optimistic too. Let's hope for the best.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2014/11/10/experts-optimistic-republicans-led-congress-will-benefit-army/18792517/

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 8:17 AM

2014-11-11T08:17:46-05:00

I love that we control it all, but the only way for this to get stuff done is for congress to stop deadlocking on all issues. They need to get a consensus and pass bills and laws, overturn the wrongs done in the past, and set things right. I also hope they stop cutting the damn military....

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 11 at 2014 9:27 AM

2014-11-11T09:27:50-05:00

Funny how a Congress with a 10% approval rating can achieve a 90% re-election rate. Absolutely abysmal. I don't consider this a victory for anyone but the incumbents who continue to drive this nation into the ground.

Response by PO2 Scott Wilcoxon made Nov 11 at 2014 11:19 AM

2014-11-11T11:19:45-05:00

I am a little curious as to what the voters in Illinois are aiming at. I was born and raised here and moved back after service. My state went from a Democratic governor to a Republican governor, which is definitely a cry for change in the direction our state is heading.

The culture in Springfield/Chicago has always been corruption and greed (see how many of our recent past governors have been imprisoned). The hope is that a new party in power will make major changes to attract business and hopefully clean up the corruption.

With all of that said, the other issues voted on are in direct opposition to the new governor's ideas for the state. Voters approved an increase in the state income tax and voted to raise the minimum wage. Yet they voted a governor who is opposed to tax increases (he actually wants to lower taxes) and is against raising the minimum wage (again, he would prefer it lower). I am not exactly sure how this will pan out.

Will the new governor listen to voters and enact policy that is against what he thinks is best? Will the voters be upset if the new governor paves his own path for Illinois after they voted to throw out the last guy who did? I am interested to find out.