(cross-posted at Wealth Weekly and Swords Crossed)

Promoted by Brendan

What Happens If We Tie? The Presidential Apocalypse?

It's not out of the question. Obama holds the Kerry states and picks off IA, NM, and NV. McCain holds the remaining states. This would set up a historic battle for the Presidency in ways that many Americans probably do not anticipate. Here's a possible run-down of what to expect:

So recently I've done some research on the controversial Born Alive Act of Illinois (BAI) that was presented in the Illinois legislature and on the federal level. I was curious, because, as an Obama supporter, I wanted to know what was up with his "Present" vote on the issue. Quick Disclaimers: I support the general Three Exceptions approach to abortions (rape incest, physical health). However, abortion is not one of those hot-seat issues with me, because I do know that should Roe fall, it would just go to the state level anyway, effectively ending Republican grandstanding on the issue.

Here are some topics I've been throwing around from the Swordsmen's Debate Idea.

- Dollar-for-dollar tax credit and federal budget reduction for Charity?Would you support a program that lets taxpayers reduce their tax burden by a dollar for every dollar they contribute to mainstream government-approved charities? (This would be chained to a government reduction in local projects this charity would serve).

Promoted by Brendan

They say people speak (or write) when they cease to be at peace with their thoughts. So let me get this out

I've been throwing around this idea on how to further increase the uniqueness of our niche here at Swords Crossed. In keeping with the name of the site, I propose that we have a internal (fencing-themed) debate among ourselves in a "co-diary" format. We'd have two of our fellow "Swordsman" do and 3 point back-and forth (opening point, rebuttals, and closing point) Here's (roughly) how it would work:

(promoted by Ender) OK, take a breath Swords Crossed. Back in August of last year, we put up a set of ten questions that we'd revisit after the first major primaries ended. With Florida pending for the Republicans and the Democrats poised for a Super Tuesday Blitz, the results look to be fairly surprising. So how'd we do? Let's see how far we've come...

Here are the questions, with some of the selected answers that were dead on, way off, and even the absurd :-) I've only selected a few; you guys can click through to the original if you want...

Promoted by Brendan

Seriously.

It's like every time that investors and the markets stomp their feet and cry, the fed cuts rates. Except this time, they cut them in anticipation of a sharp market decline. As I write this [1/22], the market is still falling, but maybe not as much as anticipated.

This weekend I was at six flags and the topic of HBCUs came up while we were in line. One of the reasons why one of the patrons in our group for not allowing her child to go to an HBCU was that they "won't prepare [him/her] for the Real World." In fact, this premise has been laid as the reason for a myriad of college programs--why we have speech codes, Affirmative Action, etc. I want to challenge that premise today and spark a discussion on a key question. Does college prepare you for the challenges of the real world? I figure I'd take some of the tidbits from each side of the debate.

Happy Short Week.

Some of the candidates have made poverty a central issue to their campaign. I was reading this article on the train which talked about the non-cash contributions that are excluded from last weeks poverty numbers. First, I've included a few key points about the numbers and where they come from:

The federal poverty measurement was first developed in 1964. Except for minor adjustments, the definition has stayed the same and has always focused solely on income as its basic barometer.

Great idea, promoted by Brendan

With the election "just around the corner" according to our Beloved Media, there has been no restraint on the media to declare next year's Election outcomes for 2008 President. This is the earliest start of the Presidential Race. (In contrast, Clinton entered the race for President in October 1991, not February of that year. Bush started his journey in June 1999.) Granted, there are still a few people who are waiting for the right time to jump into this election--yet, the media has done a terrific job this year crowning the candidates down to the one's they like. It's an old practice. Take for instance, the Media Oracles' predictions before the 2004 Iowa Caucus:

Promoted by Brendan

Coming to a state near you...

My prediction is that sometime after the next presidential election, there will be some major initiatives put forth about the implementation of a social safety net of some type that will most likely go above and beyond the current one we have now. Americans are getting older, and younger Americans are eventually going to grow tired of having to shoulder their own costs in addition to those who didn't save quite enough to cover themselves, whether it we health care or welfare. The comprehensive immigration plan (if and when it goes through) will most likely lead to an influx of new members who will most likely tax the already creaking system we already have.

At some point, I think we should set a firm base and then people will have to fend for themselves:

Good question -- promoted by Brendan

Let's say you go into Ruby Tuesday with three of your favorite political ideologues to discuss politics. One of you orders the red-meat Colossal Burger, one orders the Fresh Chicken-and-Broccoli Pasta, and another, the chicken salad. (I leave you to decide who eats what). I'll get to my point in a moment.

At first I was wholeheartedly against the Nanny-State initiatives that I see happening here in New York. First came the trans-fat ban, then the calorie-listings, and most recently, the law to ban the use of of cell phones, iPods, and other electonic devices while focusing on driving walking across the street. I really don't like the fact that there's nothing else for folks to do inside a state domed building than to play with things like this...