The Obama Administration Thread

[number8]

The old rules no longer apply, man. You can thank auto industry lobbyists for that.

[DavidSeven]

I've always assumed that one of the absolutely fundamental differences between the parties was the state v. federal issue. Am I wrong? Has that shifted?

But there's also the issue of regulating business practices, which I think is greater fundamental concern for both parties than State v. Federal rights right now. Considering that, the views of Obama (in favor of more stringent regulation) and Bush (opposed to more stringent regulation) are consistent along party lines.

[ledfloyd]

it seems like it could be an interesting way to up fuel economy across the boards too. if california bumps their standards up, car companies are going to want to be able to sell cars in california too, and i don't see them making special "california" models. so they may just make all cars adhere to the stricter standards.

[shaun]

It would really only be an advocation of states' rights if he allowed states to lower emission standards if they so choose, which he's clearly not going to do.

It is an anti-corporatist position though, which seems out of character for his DLC stocked cabinet.

[Barty]

It's a fascinating way Obama is doing it, by "giving" States more control (though not fully as Shaun points out), he is in effect going to allow a few states to dictate more strict emission standards for the entire country without any legislation because car companies aren't going to make special models for individual states as ledfloyd mentioned. It's a like the Hershey's kiss of political acts. It's wrapped with conservatism, but the chocolate is pure liberalism.

Of course, there shouldn't be Federal regulations of emissions anyway.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Of course, there shouldn't be Federal regulations of emissions anyway.

Should there be industry-mandated regulations or no regulations, do you think?

I'm trying to think of other options. In utopia, the auto industry should respond to the demands of the consumers, but if one takes the environmental crisis as seriously as Obama and his cabinet does, we might not be able to wait for pressure from consumers to manifest.

[Barty]

Should there be industry-mandated regulations or no regulations, do you think?

If the car was affordable, and got better mileage, than I would be more inclined to buy it. So yes, if the industry wants to set their own regulations, that is perfectly reasonable.

[Mara]

The President managed to annoy the locals today by doing what both Raiders and I have done this week-- i.e., complain that people in DC don't know how to handle snow. Specifically, his daughters' school was cancelled yesterday, for a little bit of ice.

D.C. Needs 'Toughness,' President Says

The whole article is pretty funny, but the response of Sidwell Friends (the private Quaker school where his daughters attend) was the best:

"No question, the president is right," Turner wrote. "The next time it snows, we would like to invite him to help us make the decision. His involvement will make it much easier to explain to our students why they won't be able to spend the day sleeping and sledding."

[Ezee E]

The President managed to annoy the locals today by doing what both Raiders and I have done this week-- i.e., complain that people in DC don't know how to handle snow. Specifically, his daughters' school was cancelled yesterday, for a little bit of ice.

D.C. Needs 'Toughness,' President Says

The whole article is pretty funny, but the response of Sidwell Friends (the private Quaker school where his daughters attend) was the best:

Awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Anybody following this Limbaugh nonsense?

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...stimulus-plan/

Basically, Rush said he hoped Obama fails in regard to his socio-economic plans, Democrats took it simply as "I hope Obama fails," and now Rush is saying, "Obama, take my advice, split the stimulus plan."

I think the stimulus plan is dangerous as hell (it's yet another enormous, unchecked sum of fake money with plenty of pork stuffed in the middle).

[ledfloyd]

Of course, there shouldn't be Federal regulations of emissions anyway.

i think there has to be. the market is going to keep doing what's cheapest. the current mode is destructive. make it untenable and force the markets to find the best alternative.

[Barty]

i think there has to be. the market is going to keep doing what's cheapest. the current mode is destructive. make it untenable and force the markets to find the best alternative.

That's an opinion your entitled too, but under the Constitution it has no legal authority to have these regulations.

[Raiders]

That's an opinion your entitled too, but under the Constitution it has no legal authority to have these regulations.

So does the federal government not have the right to regulate the quality and effects of products sold both internationally and interstate?

[DavidSeven]

Article I, Section 8 (Commerce Clause):

“ The Congress shall have power . . . To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes."

Article One of the United States Constitution, section 8, clause 18 (Necessary and Proper Clause):

“ The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers" (everything listed in Section 8 including the Commerce Clause).

[Raiders]

Article I, Section 8 (Commerce Clause):

“ The Congress shall have power . . . To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes."

Article One of the United States Constitution, section 8, clause 18 (Necessary and Proper Clause):

“ The Congress shall have Power - To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers" (everything listed in Section 8 including the Commerce Clause).

Yes, this is what I was referring to, but I didn't want to start a quoting match with Barty.

[Watashi]

Heh, we actually talked about the Commerce Clause in my American Government class yesterday.

Now I can finally fight back at Barty.

[DavidSeven]

Yes, this is what I was referring to.

Yeah, I realized that -- just figured I'd back up your argument with some irrefutable evidence.

[Wryan]

It may be in the Constitution, but Congress needs to stay the fuck away from trying to regulate commerce with Indian tribes. I have a feeling that would not end well for them.

[Spun Lepton]

Borrowing MORE money from China = BAD IDEA. :|

[Dead & Messed Up]

Borrowing MORE money from China = BAD IDEA. :|

Come on. What could possibly go wrong?

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[DavidSeven]

Obama signs first piece of legislation --

President Obama this morning signed a law that expands the time frame in which workers can sue for discrimination they have experienced based on gender, race, national origin or religion.

The legislation -- the first Obama has signed since becoming president nine days ago -- makes clear that workers may bring a lawsuit for up to six months after they receive any paycheck that they allege is discriminatory.

Old law had a strict statute of limitations on these kind of discrimination cases. The case that inspired this legislation:

Now 70, Ms. Ledbetter discovered when she was nearing retirement that her male colleagues were earning much more than she was. A jury found her employer, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company plant in Gadsden, Ala., guilty of pay discrimination. But in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court threw out the case, ruling that she should have filed her suit within 180 days of the date that Goodyear first paid her less than her peers.

[Wryan]

Yeah cause I ask my coworkers all the time how much they make so I can more immediately gauge the amount of discrimination I'm receiving.

[MadMan]

It may be in the Constitution, but Congress needs to stay the fuck away from trying to regulate commerce with Indian tribes. I have a feeling that would not end well for them.

Nah, more casinos and casino money would be thrown their way to bribe them. Just the way its always been. I'm still waiting for that one day when all of the Indian tribes band together for that massive class action lawsuit. I imagine I will be waiting a long time.

[Duncan]

So do you guys think Daschle goes through? I'm thinking he does since it seems you have to beat a child to death not to be confirmed.

[shaun]

I think he'll probably bow out. It doesn't seem like anyone from the right or left supports him, either because of the tax issues or his close relationships with the healthcare lobby.

Not a wise appointment on Obama's part.