In defense of Hillary...

[oportet.livejournal.com]

Honestly - I've never been a big HRC fan. While I'm not a complete opposite from her on the political spectrum (as far as this election goes, I guess I'm closer to giving my vote to Crazy Gary again), I can't say I'm anywhere near her - and up until today - there was about a 100% chance I wouldn't be voting for her - but you can probably drop that to at least 90% (maybe more) now.

It seems, Hillary has some sort of a health issue.

Not only does she have some sort of a health issue - she covered it up, and when pressed - covered it up some more.

What kind of a person would downplay health problems? What kind of a person would lie about their current condition - just to avoid questions, just to continue on with the job in front of them? Well - most of us, I assume... but as for me - definitely.

I'll load up on dayquil so I don't have to hear you ask if I'm coming down with something. I'll load up on hot totties to keep you from commenting on how it seems I need some rest. I'll suffer in silence, I'll be an idiot - I'll keep going out of stubbornness (or selfishness - I don't want to spend my sick days being sick).

It may seem weird - after all the shit the Democratic party did (after, before, but especially during their convention) to 'humanize' her, and make her more relatable - that another lie would move me or anyone else closer to considering her - but this did it.

While it's pretty safe to assume this will, overall, count against her much more than it'll ever count for her - personally, it's one of the most positive things I've seen out of either of the big 2 yet.

Comments

[cypukambl.livejournal.com]

Hillary was obviously hacked by Russians.
Why don`t CIA or FBI do anything about it?! There`s so many proof that Russians influence American politics in the most harmful way, but nobody even tries to counteract that. Inactivity and incompetence of American law enforcers and spies is discouraging.

[oportet.livejournal.com]

The FBI seems pretty ineffective at this point. CIA? If they did something about it, we'd never know.

Four years ago it was the Republicans worried about Russia and the Dems mocking them for it. While the Dems are upset about the hacks right now - they don't want to overreact - if Russia and/or wikileaks put out some information that embarrasses the GOP - it'll be an easy jump back to 'embracing the truth!' and being outraged at the other party.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Remember JFK. He had a health issue and he won. But then again, he was a different sort of politician.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

I remember. His major health issue, Addison's Disease, was very carefully hidden from the public and assiduously downplayed by his supporters in the media.

I, for one, think that the voters have a right to know if the candidate has an adrenal deficiency that could plunge him into renal failure at times of extreme stress. Cause, whatever else it is, the presidency is a stressful job. JFK spent a large part of his time in office hopped up on various drug cocktails meant to keep him vertical, a mixture of painkillers, steroids, stimulants, barbiturates and anit-biotics.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, FDR arguably did a fine job while being sick.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

FDR wasn't sick until the very end of his term, and that had nothing to do with the paralysis. He developed congestive heart failure and clogged arteries from smoking like a chimney and working 24/7 to win WWII. He didn't run for office in 1933 hiding or downplaying his general health, just the fact that he was paralyzed. His health was otherwise quite robust. Also, it might be good to remember that FDR ran for office when he was just 50, twenty years younger than either Hillary or Trump.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Should there be an upper limit to serving in public office, btw?

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

As a general principle, I am opposed to time limiting as much as I am term limiting. I wouldn't want to cut off any pool of talent because of some arbitrary date.

That doesn't mean I think a 70 year old is the best choice for the presidency.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

I've seen what Dear Leaders could do when they become entrenched for too long a period in power. They start to believe they're kings for life or something.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

As long as the US system continues to be robust, with fair and open elections according to a regular schedule, I'm not overly concerned. We established a system that has a lot of diffusion of power and a lot of fractured lines of authority. That is why our system of government is often labeled as "inefficient," "cumbersome," "gridlocked", "broken," etc., etc. Those labels describe how the Constitution was designed to limit power and thwart tyranny. It is a feature, not a bug. I think the mania for term limits robs our politics more than it enriches it.

So, I would be happy to let presidents run for office as many times as they can be elected. I can't say I like much of what FDR did in his first two terms, but I am glad he was around for the third and part of the fourth.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

What's so robust in a system where you have to choose the lesser among two evils in a presidential election: be it the crazy incompetent evil or the competent calculating evil?

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

Yep.

Its always the lesser of two evils. Always.

This year its just particularly challenging.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Unless there are more than just two options. You know, like in most robust systems.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

In the US we form our coalitions before the election. Neither party is as ideologically pure as a lot of parties in other multi-party systems. Strict ideological parties, like the Libertarians, for example, tend to marginalize themselves because their less committed members find enough in either the GOP or the Democratic Party platforms on which to hang their hats.

I actually like that a lot about our system. Within both parties there is a good deal of intellectual and policy diversity. Donald Trump, as much as it irks me to say it, is a good example of this. Bernie Sanders is another, although long outside the Democratic Party, he easily found a place at the table and a fervent constituency.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

> In the US we form our coalitions before the election

More like cartels.

[policraticus.livejournal.com]

Tomato/Tomahto.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

If you say so.

Actually, correction: cartel (singular). There's just one cartel, that of the ruling elite.

[oportet.livejournal.com]

I think mental health is fair game - but physically - when it comes to candidates/presidents - we're generally talking about older people, a lifetime full of wine and steak and lobster dinners behind them, countless hours sitting in meeting rooms and airplane seats, most common chores and common physically demanding activities being done for them by others - there should be some health issues. I'd be more suspicious if there were none.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

Cue the "low energy" meme on Trump's part, now.

[msmichelle.livejournal.com]

Hilary was given every opportunity in the world to actually earn the women's standard-bearer title that was foisted on the American women. She failed at SOS, Senate and everywhere else but yet she is the nominee for president? Democratic party, I blame you!

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

But, but, Trump is much worse! This proves everything!