Game Thread: The 2016 US American Election

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I guess I'm not denying these people exist. I have a few of them on my Facebook as well.

I just don't think there are enough people who think like this to sway the election. Even if 20% of Trump voters think like this (and I think that's a generous number), the problem for Democrats is why the other 80% aren't voting for Hillary.

I think more than 20% feel that way. A lot more.

The mind is actually designed to categorize, even stereotype to be maximally effective. When people shut down and watch Walking Dead and play GTA without taking real perspectives of the world, they're relying on this automatic categorization. It's even worse for those of average and less than average capabilities

[Kavvy]

538 as clinton 51% chance

[burn_this_city]

Surprised they haven't called Florida.

[Pizza]

Originally Posted by Wood

What about The Rock?

nay, we need Stone Cold

[CroFlames]

On the positive side, think of all the South Park gold that will come of a Trump presidency.

[Strange Brew]

538 has it 51/49 Clinton.

Michigan decides the election.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Can we build a wall?

[Senator Clay Davis]

I can't be the only one who feels punch-drunk. I have no idea what is going on. It's insane to actually watch happen.

[Fuzz]

538

55% Trump

[Kavvy]

Colorado blue according to Fox news

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Violator

Telling the truth

That's the only thing Trump hasn't done in this election.

[VladtheImpaler]

10 months ago, I think the Senator and I called this possibility based on the Reagan democrat votes in the Rust Belt. All those union voters have swung Red, and there is still enough of them to make a difference. I don't think this is so much racism as it is the "losers" of globalization rebelling against the "Elite", just like they did in Britain, just like they are going to do in France. Racism is the same as it ever was (or was not). What's different is this new dynamic sweeping through the Western democracies...

[Acey]

I'm finding it hard to see a way for her to save Michigan. We might be looking at an Alaska or Arizona hail mary to save a tie.

[the_only_turek_fan]

NYT is projecting Trump with a 81% chance of getting 283.

[calgarybornnraised]

What is going on?

Are we really going to wake up to "Him" as the President. Holy Crap.

[GirlySports]

I got an email from a friend in ohio. About healthcare.

I worked on employer-sponsored health plans from 1998-2005; I work in the healthcare field currently (software). The ACA alone has nothing to do with the increase in rates. The ACA did achieve it's primary goal of getting people coverage. My contention is that rates would be out of control regardless. It's easy to blame because the people that needed coverage are most likely sick people that will in turn inflate the cost.

I can tell you that the market started to change in the 1980's...people started getting used to HMO's, $10 copays, etc. and got spoiled. Starting in the 90's, rates started going up...anywhere from 5-20% per year. Most didn't notice because 1) their employers absorbed the larger percentage of the increase and 2) since the payment is deducted from paychecks it's easy for people not to pay close attention. All the ACA has done is give someone to blame (Obama, et al) for something that was going to happen anyway.

You are correct that the Republicans did dramatically alter Obama's original plan...what was passed was basically a Republican proposal with the approval of the insurance companies. Where the ACA has failed is the area that most required change: cost. One of the provisions of the ACA is that insurance companies can't charge old/sick people more than three times what they charge a young/healthy person. I believe the industry "standard" ratio is 5:1 (not 100% sure if that is still accurate). This is another reason why rates increased dramatically.

Obama "lied" about keeping your doctor because the insurance companies pulled out of markets...if my doctor doesn't accept the insurance that I can get then I do "lose" my doctor. Obama's intent was for no plans to change, but he did not put protections in place to keep the insurance companies in markets and offering the same plans they offered before. It was a mistake to make such a statement.

One prediction I will make, though: record profits for insurance companies (similar to the banks after 2008) over the next 12-18 months. It's things like this that make people think government is only in the tank for big business.

[devo22]

[burn_this_city]

I bought a Trump hat as a gag today, not so funny now..

[photon]

Originally Posted by FunkMasterFlame

I hope you aren't serious. Russia has had about as much influence on this election as I have.

David Frum has different political views than me, but I've listened to him and I think he really knows his stuff.

How much effect did the Wikileaks emails have? Hard to say but exit polls seems to suggest it had some impact (since people in polls can't tell the difference between the private email server, the DNC email hacks, and the Podesta hacked emails).

[Kavvy]

55% trump wins on 538