This is more important than the election

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Monday September 22, 2008 · 8:28 PM PDT

2008/09/22 · 20:28

There, I said it. The proposed bailout of 700 freakin billion dollars would effectively cripple the government budget for a generation. We are already running about a $500 billion deficit this year. Adding another trillion dollars to that would be difficult for even the federal government to absorb. Investors would lose confidence in the U.S. government's ability to pay its debts, which would have far more dire consequences than the failure of a handful of major banks.

The dollar would plunge, interest rates will soar...the economy would be in a deep recession for years, and that's if we PASS this damn bailout.

byoungbl

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Tuesday September 09, 2008 · 12:41 PM PDT

2008/09/09 · 12:41

As anyone can tell from my infrequent diaries, I tend to be pessimistic and cynical even at the best of times. So I have delayed writing this diary, as it will probably be dismissed out of hand as being "Chicken Little" or even concern trolling. But then I saw the video in this diary

That really hits home the importance of this election, doesn't it? And yet this site, the largest and arguably the most influential political website in the country, continues to focus on small unimportant issues. In short, everyone is still obsessed with Palin.

byoungbl

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Monday September 01, 2008 · 12:08 AM PDT

2008/09/01 · 00:08

I don't write many diaries. I'm more of a lurker. But my god, enough already....stop talking about Palin 24/7. The more time spent on Palin, the less time spent bashing McCain or praising Obama. That was the whole point of the pick, to distract the media and get them to talk about something either than Obama's amazing acceptance speech or McCain's houses.

And yet the same thing is happening on this site...every other damn diary is about Palin, with even the front pagers on it. Focusing on Palin is a huge strategic mistake. The focus needs to be on McCain and Obama.

k done ranting.

Why I'm worried about Obama's election chances

byoungbl

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Saturday March 22, 2008 · 6:38 PM PDT

2008/03/22 · 18:38

Ok, someone cheer me up. My natural pessimism and cynicism has been kicking in heavily the last few weeks. I was originally an Edwards supporter, reluctantly switched to Obama, but have become more and more enthusiastic about his campaign as it has progressed.

The thing is, I am no longer very optimistic about Obama's chances in the general. Now, I tend to be pessimistic anyways, so I hope I'm wrong, but here's what I'm thinking:

Poll

451 votes Show Results

Am I being too pessimistic?

451 votes Vote Now!

Am I being too pessimistic?

Yes, Obama is going to wrap up the nomination and go on to beat McCain easily. Relax already.

113 votes

No, Obama has been damaged, and it's going to be a dogfight in the fall.

98 votes

We always knew the attacks would come. Obama will recover and be stronger for it.

203 votes

Of course you're being pessimistic. It's what liberals do remember?

37 votes

History repeats itself

byoungbl

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Monday October 16, 2006 · 11:44 AM PDT

2006/10/16 · 11:44

In the spring months preceding the election, Republicans get hammered in the polls due to corruption scandals and a faltering economy. There is every indication that Democrats are poised to make significant gains in the election. Yet as the fall campaign season begins in earnest, Bush's approval ratings rebound from historic lows, due in part to a relentless focus on terrorism and 9/11. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Democrats are painted as terrorist sympathizers and soft on national security. By the time the elections roll around, Republicans wind up picking up seats, instead of massive losses as was previously predicted by most pollsters.

Sound familiar? It should, because it's happened in the last two election cycles. And I see no reason why it will not occur again in 2006. This time, Iran being used as a bogeyman instead of Iraq. But this time is different...the weak on terrorism charge has lost its punch, and a brand new scandal has caused the latest polls to look even better for Democrats. Bush's ratings are still mired in the 30s. This time, we'll win, right? Read More

Cities leading the way

byoungbl

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Friday July 08, 2005 · 3:29 AM PDT

2005/07/08 · 03:29

NOTE: This diary is also posted at Greenstate, a community blog made up of Kossacks who wish to discuss environmental issues and policy goals. Check us out!

Under the Bush Administration, the U.S. has completely abandoned its leadership role on environmental issues, ranging from international treaties like Kyoto to developing renewable energy sources here at home. That's the bad news. But the good news is that we no longer have to look to the federal government for action on environmental problems, as city governments are increasingly leading the way in advancing a sustainable way of life. Read More

Mall of the Future?

byoungbl

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Tuesday June 07, 2005 · 1:11 AM PDT

2005/06/07 · 01:11

NOTE: This diary is also posted at Greenstate, a community blog made up of Kossacks who wish to discuss environmental issues and policy goals. Check us out! Also, we are looking for more contributors, so if you might be interested in writing a post at least 1-2 times a week, let me know in the comments.

I saw this interesting story in Grist, about a new mall being planned in upstate New York. And not just any mall; at a planned size of 800 acres, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and the occasional golf course, the new project, grandiosely titled DestinyUSA, is appropriately being called a retail city.

So why should anyone care about what Grist refers to as a "a massive temple to American-style hyper-consumerism"? Well, here's the twist: the mall will be powered entirely by renewable energy. That's right, not a drop of fossil fuels will be used in either building or maintaining Destiny USA. Given the sheer size of the new mall, this will require an incredible amount of renewable energy. As the article points out:
Read More

Greenstate is recruiting!

byoungbl

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Wednesday June 01, 2005 · 10:57 PM PDT

2005/06/01 · 22:57

Some of you may have heard about a community blog, Greenstate, made up of Kossacks who like to discuss environmental policies and news. At any rate, we're looking for more contributors! Right now we only have maybe three regular contributors, including myself, and would like to get that up to five or more. Ideally, each contributor would post 1-2 times a week, so we could guarantee regular posts for our readers. We also tend to cross-post new posts at dailykos, to increase traffic to our blog. So if you're interested in environmental politics, and think you may have the time and knowledge necessary, just let me know in the comments. Thanks!

Cool new developments in renewable energy

byoungbl

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Tuesday May 24, 2005 · 9:56 PM PDT

2005/05/24 · 21:56

As much as I believe in the future of renewable energy, currently alternative sources of energy only account for maybe 3% of the nation's energy use, with the bulk still coming from fossil fuels. Critics will often say that the technology simply isn't there, but that's what I love about technology: it doesn't stay the same. In the case of renewable energy, not only has improving technology led to lower price and increased effectiveness, it has also led to the development of new ways of tapping renewable energy. Read More

A Tax Code for the 21st Century

byoungbl

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Saturday April 23, 2005 · 1:21 PM PDT

2005/04/23 · 13:21

NOTE: This diary is also posted at Greenstate, a community blog made up of Kossacks who wish to discuss environmental issues and policy goals. Check us out!

Well, I just paid my taxes last week, so now seems like a good time to talk about the federal tax code. As I'm stuck in a Denver hotel right now, going into a detailed analysis of the tax code actually sounds like fun to me. I can practically see people's eyes glazing over already, and I haven't even thrown out any numbers yet. But that's the problem on the left; we see taxes as a means to an end, i.e. as a way to fund worthy government programs. Republicans, on the other hand, see the tax code as a way of achieving their view of the optimal society, which leads to a lot more energy and debate on the right about taxes. Read More

Why no one gives a damn

byoungbl

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Sunday March 20, 2005 · 5:02 PM PST

2005/03/20 · 17:02

NOTE: This diary is also posted at Greenstate, a community blog made up of Kossacks who wish to discuss environmental issues and policy goals. We're also looking for more contributors, so if you're interested, get in touch!

The world is fast approaching a turning point in human history. The rainforests, the lungs of the world, are being cut down at the rate of 20 to 50 million acres a year, leading to greater desertification and increasing the threat of global warming. The world is also running out of fresh water, with 17% of the population lacking access to clean water. Global oil production could peak as early as 5-10 years from now, with drastic consequences for both our industrial economy and our ability to grow enough food to support us. Exacerbating all of these issues is the ongoing problem of global warming, with mounting costs in lives and money. Read More

Power of REACH

byoungbl

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Thursday February 24, 2005 · 4:02 PM PST

2005/02/24 · 16:02

NOTE: This diary is also posted at Greenstate, a community blog made up of Kossacks who wish to discuss environmental issues and policy goals. Check us out!

Decisions by the EU are generally ignored in this country, except when they can be portrayed as another sign of European "weakness". Yet a little known regulatory decision by the EU could have a profound global impact on corporate behavior and the use of toxic chemicals, not only in Europe but also in the United States. The new regulation is REACH, or Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals. Basically, REACH would require companies to test their chemicals for safety before release to the public, and to register chemical products with the appropriate EU regulatory body. Read More

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This is more important than the election

There's still time

Please for the love of god stop

Why I'm worried about Obama's election chances

History repeats itself

Cities leading the way

Mall of the Future?

Greenstate is recruiting!

Cool new developments in renewable energy

A Tax Code for the 21st Century

Why no one gives a damn

Power of REACH