Metal Underground.com

Agreed. The two party system in the US is crap. In Oklahoma, the primary elections are closed meaning that only registered republicans can vote for the R nominees and likewise for the Dems. Oddly enough, my wife is registered as a Democrat and I'm registered as a Republican. I threw my vote away on Kasich, while my wife felt the Berne. She would have refused to vote for "Billary". I'm not sure what she's going to do in November assuming Hillary gets the Nomination as predicted. Oklahoma ballots do not have a provision for write-in candidates.

I may end up voting for her as much as I never would have thought that possible. I'm not impressed with her character or who how she defended herself from some scandals by obstruction. However, she acts like the lawyer she is - just like all the others are lawyers except Trump. Her and Berne have similar stances on many issues, but honestly, she probably has a better grasp on how to get her goals realized. Regarding Trump, I can't vote for Trump. He is a bully and having him as the leader of the US would do lasting harm to our international relationships.

Agreed, BG. Whether I end up voting for Hillary or not this November, it will be wasted as Oklahoma is such a red state that it will vote "R" regardless of their nominee. Electoral college is where it's at no doubt - Just look at 2000.

There's also Gary Johnson. It would be interesting to see the coverage the Libertarians can get if the Kock brothers put their money behind him. It's hardly likely, but stranger things have happened this election cycle. I remember telling my brother back in September that Trump would flame out in a few months and low and behold he surprised a sh!tload of people by tapping into "MAHANGTA" demo (Mad As Hell And Not Gonna Take Anymore).

Who knows how things will turn out with the dissatisfaction level at record highs for both Billary and Dump. People statistically tend to vote within their party, but the Berns and the Nevertrumps may not stick to the party.

5 months is an eternity in politics/media coverage and there is time for anything to happen including Hillary going negative with Trump and torpedo both of them with Johnson reaping the spoils. Again, not likely, but not outside the realm of possibility in this crazy election cycle.

GC, you very well may be invalidating your entire ballot with a write-in candidate. Write-ins are only allowed in Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Also, the taxing middle class quote from Hillary may have been a case of poor diction:
http://www.snopes.com/2016/08/04/hillary-clinton-raise-taxes/

Personally, I'm holding out some hope that Trump craters enough to boost Gary Johnson as a valid choice. (I do realize that GJ's probability falls somewhere between a fat chance and a slim chance.)

I thought this was funny, if not a bit scary in it's similarities.

The following list is from a website on child development.
Obviously, you’ll see I’ve taken liberties to make it both more applicable and humorous.
But still, it’s scary how tightly aligned the parallels are.

Social and Emotional Development: Ages 8–10 (70 years old in President-Elect years)
During this period, The President-Elect is still inching toward adolescence, and peer friendships start to become very important in his cabinet selections and business developments. He has a growing sense of influence, and with it, a growing confidence (ego) to solve problems and perhaps take risks (often by offering overly simplified solutions to complex problems). He may also begin to show a capacity for self-evaluation and can laugh at himself (although others cannot).
At this stage, the President-Elect will exhibit many of these characteristics:
• Learn to cooperate in diplomatic settings and political games; dislike playing alone
• Spend a lot of time talking with peers on FoxNews (sorry Megyn)
• Develop lasting partnerships and begin to handle peer pressure via online social media
• Enjoy group activities (rallies) and boardroom deals that focus on a common self-interest
• Demonstrate growing independence, leading to concern with constitutional rules that can lead to bossiness or authoritarianism (or impeachment?)
• Use problem-solving, negotiating and compromising skills with Putin
• Develop interest in long-range profits.
• Begin to develop partisanship and learn about winning and losing gracefully (but only if he wins)
• Develop competence in voting games and electoral college sports
• Become sensitive to what others say about him and to RNC approval
• Begin to consider gun clubs and fringe groups important
• Become critical of their own performance and begin to evaluate themselves
• Become enthusiastic to de-regulate anything and will work hard to develop a luxury property
• Develop competitiveness—want to be first and best, and Make America Great Again
• Can express subtle emotions and experience moments of anger or frustration
• May be quite sensitive and overly dramatic at 3am on twitter
• Can change emotions (and positions) quickly
• Can become discouraged, which may lead to being shy in releasing tax returns
• Show interest in being more presidential and able to begin shifting more responsibilities and routines to VP-Elect
• Begin to develop their own point of view, which is sometimes different from commonly accepted facts
What Congress Can Do
These activities and suggestions can help the President-Elect at this stage in his political and emotional development:
• Encourage your P-E to join a legitimate university and community groups, such as the UN, or to take advantage of volunteer opportunities (and not to take advantage of volunteers)
• Talk to your P-E about diplomacy, and discuss any concerns about Putin and his behavior.
• Help your P-E set their own achievable goals, which will help him develop pride and become more independent in completing diplomatic talks and intelligence briefings.
• Talk with your P-E about respecting others and helping others, thereby developing a sense of empathy and understanding.
• Encourage your P-E to think about possible consequences before acting.
• Always praise your P-E for good behavior, and always recognize his accomplishments.
• Talk to your P-E about what to do when other nations are disrespectful or unkind.
• Be affectionate and honest with your P-E, and do activities as a government.
• Support your P-E’s interest in the world by providing opportunities for activities such as building things on the southern border, visiting Aleppo or planting a Russian flag in the Rose Garden.
• Help your P-E develop their sense of right or wrong. Caution them about risky things “druz'ya” might try to coax them to do.
• Meet the families affected by your P-E’s appointments.
• Talk with your P-E about the normal physical and emotional effects of narcissism and sexual abuse
• Notice how your P-E is responding to changes he or his business holdings are experiencing.
Keep This in Mind
It becomes obvious at this stage that the P-E is growing more influential and has an oversized interest in Russia. Healthy partnerships are very important to your P-E’s personal wealth, so lobbyists can start to become an even greater concern. P-E’s who feel good about their ego can fend off negative SNL skits and make crazier choices. As his number of financial ties increases, constitutional conflicts will arise. Congress should talk to their P-E about his twitter feed so they can be aware of any trouble the child might be having.

Here’s the link to the original list for comparison. ..
https://www.kidcentraltn.com/article/social-and-emotional-development-ages-8-10

(This post was last edited on December 17, 2016 at 5:55 PM ET.)