Lets Stop George Bush before he Destroys the Whole Planet Earth. (2 Viewers)

[Bodisathva]

Senators serve for terms of six years each; the terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the Senate seats are up for election every two years. The staggering of the terms is arranged such that both seats from a given state are never contested in the same general election.

Assuming that if the elected body is really out to do the job people elected them to do, fresh ideas will allow for a more rounded approach and an overall evenness. Since there can only ever be a maximum of 1/3 change in membership, the mid terms will tweak the outlook slightly, but not usually create a great swing in bias...unless the current separation is extremely close. In reality it does become more of a "OK, you've had your shot, let's get someone else in there", so given current public opinion polls, you could very well see a replacement of those representatives who have supported the current administration and are now up for re-election...but that also depends upon public sentiment in the jurisdiction of the elected official.

EDIT:
FYI, the current separation is:

In the House, the Republicans have a 232-202 advantage (the House's one Independent votes with the Democrats, and there's one vacancy). The Republicans control the Senate because it's split 55-44-1, and the one Independent votes with the Democrats.

 

[ColinEssex]

So given that apparently most Americans disagree with Mr Bush's policies and that his popularity is at an all time low, one third of the senate who are republican could well be replaced by another party?

Trouble is I suppose, is that die hard republican voters will still vote republican no matter what.

I've noticed that in discussions here, the US populace attaches a high importance to whether a person is republican or democrat. In the UK we don't put anywhere near the importance on how people vote. In fact, it hardly ever crops up in conversation - I don't know how my wife votes even It would be considered insensitive and bad manners to ask how someone voted.

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

So given that apparently most Americans disagree with Mr Bush's policies and that his popularity is at an all time low, one third of the senate who are republican could well be replaced by another party?

Republican or Democrat is not nearly as important as public perception, but essentially yes...but it's also highly unlikely that they would all be replaced.

Trouble is I suppose, is that die hard republican voters will still vote republican no matter what.

My grandfather was like that. Just ticked the "Straight Republican" box and walked out of the booth Some codswallop about party loyalty.

I've noticed that in discussions here, the US populace attaches a high importance to whether a person is republican or democrat...It would be considered insensitive and bad manners to ask how someone voted.

We would also consider it rude to ask how someone voted, but not for the individual to offer said information. We pride ourselves on the anonimity of the voting process (or hide behind it ), but will openly declare our party affiliation.

 

[ShaneMan]

Hey Col,
Not trying to be tick tacky but just wanted to point out that you said this on this post:

I don't know how my wife votes even It would be considered insensitive and bad manners to ask how someone voted.
Col

but asked this a few post back:

The majority of Americans on this forum have voiced discontent at the current administrations antics - what are you going to do? continue to vote republican then tell us (outsiders) that you can do nothing?Col

I guess this could be counted as you didn't ask how someone voted. You just asked how someone was going to vote.

I am only meaning this to pull your pigtails. Not trying to get a rise out of ya.

 

[ColinEssex]

Gosh - 4 posts of sensible conversation

The snag with our lot is that it is essentially labour or conservative parties who are likely to get power.

If you vote for Blairs lot (labour) you effectively rubber stamp his policies and his love affair with Mr Bush but the economy is under control and I judge that by my mortgage payments going up or down.
If you vote for Cameron (conservative) you vote for an Eton educated prat who likes fox hunting, owns a big estate and is a millionaire and has no idea about "normal" peoples lives.

So we're on a loser either way. You can waste your vote by voting for a lesser party who has no hope of power, or just not vote at all.

Col

 

[Kraj]

The majority of Americans on this forum have voiced discontent at the current administrations antics - what are you going to do? continue to vote republican then tell us (outsiders) that you can do nothing?

I'm playing my 'get out of jail free' card. Both senators from Illinois are democrats as well as the congressman/representative from my district. Whether I vote for a Republican usually depends on my assessment of that person versus their Democrat opponent, but considering the current political climate of the country any Republican has to be obviously and significantly superior to the Dem to get my vote.

Trouble is I suppose, is that die hard republican voters will still vote republican no matter what.

Wherein lies the dilemma. Most Republicans I know don't care much for Bush but still voted for him because of the policies of the Republican platform, which he represents. Even if they disagree with certain things, they still disagree more with the Dems.

Thus, it continues to support my idea that social change only ever occurs at the rate people die.

I've noticed that in discussions here, the US populace attaches a high importance to whether a person is republican or democrat.

It's just another example of our need to label people and put everything into tidy categories and such. Yadda yadda... we've been over that all before.

 

[ColinEssex]

I am only meaning this to pull your pigtails. Not trying to get a rise out of ya.

I think you know what I mean

I suppose I could have asked a simple question really - does anyone (American) here think the mid-term elections will have any effect on Bush's policies going through senate? but its interesting how the voting works over the pond.

For example, there seems to be alot of emphasis on how Florida votes for the Prez - more emphasis than say on a "lesser" state?? why is that?

In the UK, we vote for an MP (member of parliament) of whatever party. The party with the most MP's gets to form a government and the leader of that party is Prime Minister. So there's no difference if you vote in Liverpool or in Plymouth

Col

 

[ColinEssex]

Yadda yadda... we've been over that all before.

yadda yadda? your thread started well, but deteriorated at the end in an (almost) Flintstone-esque way

Here endeth the sensible discussion we were having

Col

 

[dan-cat]

Here endeth the sensible discussion we were having

Col

I hope not, I was actually quite enjoying reading about British politics.

 

[ColinEssex]

I hope not, I was actually quite enjoying reading about British politics.

Well you'll have to have a sensible discussion with Rich because I'm off now till next wednesday

Col

 

[Kraj]

yadda yadda? your thread started well, but deteriorated at the end in an (almost) Flintstone-esque way

Here endeth the sensible discussion we were having

Col

I just didn't see the point in rehashing a topic we've been over again and again which didn't even pertain to the main point of the discussion. And if it bugged you, why not just ignore it? If you liked the rest of my post, why not focus on that instead?

 

[Brianwarnock]

Pity Col has gone I wanted to point out to him that Blair went to Fettes the Eton of Scotland and did not vote against fox hunting. I guess he still lives in the past when the "workers" voted labour as they are like us , tosh! the last conservative prime minister went to the local state grammar school, most Labour ministers send their kids to fee paying schools.

Brian

 

[ShaneMan]

I think you know what I mean

I suppose I could have asked a simple question really - does anyone (American) here think the mid-term elections will have any effect on Bush's policies going through senate? but its interesting how the voting works over the pond.

For example, there seems to be alot of emphasis on how Florida votes for the Prez - more emphasis than say on a "lesser" state?? why is that?

In the UK, we vote for an MP (member of parliament) of whatever party. The party with the most MP's gets to form a government and the leader of that party is Prime Minister. So there's no difference if you vote in Liverpool or in Plymouth

Col

I did know what you meant. That's why I said "I was just pulling your pigtails" (teasing you) ahead of time.

 

[FoFa]

So given that apparently most Americans disagree with Mr Bush's policies and that his popularity is at an all time low, one third of the senate who are republican could well be replaced by another party?

it is not that simple, because each senator or rep. are for a state. If they are doing a good job for their state and the people of their state, they can get relected just on that basis. Sen. and Rep. are state level elected. So those of us in Texas, can't vote for a California senator or representative. If we could there would be even less Democraps in

 

[Kraj]

So those of us in Texas, can't vote for a California senator or representative. If we could there would be even less Democraps in

Democraps, eh? Hmmm... guess I'll start calling you a Repubican.

 

[Rich]

no argument there
For once, we are in complete agreement I'll mark it on the calendar

So you admit there are serious problems in your country?

 

[Rich]

Evidence for the prosecution Your Honor!

Objection your HONOUR! Sustained!

 

[MrsGorilla]

So you admit there are serious problems in your country?

I don't think anyone here has ever claimed that there weren't. We just wish YOU would find another topic to talk about.

 

[Rich]

I don't think anyone here has ever claimed that there weren't. We just wish YOU would find another topic to talk about.

But we can't move on until these problems are sorted out. We do have your welfare at heart and our own of course

 

[MrsGorilla]

But we can't move on until these problems are sorted out. We do have your welfare at heart and our own of course

Of course.