***Official Political Discussion Thread***

[RustyShackleford]

bunch of new laws and whatnot for us in VA this week

some highlights

Abortion
Legislation rolling back abortion regulations, including the mandatory 24-hour waiting period, the required ultrasound and the requirement that the woman be given certain printed materials before she could undergo the procedure, will become law.

Education
Courts in Virginia will no longer find students guilty of disorderly conduct for actions in school. The state is also eliminating the requirement that principals report misdemeanors committed at school to police.

Energy
Democrats advanced landmark legislation to make Virginia dependent solely on renewable energy by 2045, setting annual energy production and efficiency targets for the state's utilities. They also backed proposals to widen the door for solar projects, both private and utility-owned, and to urge regulators to approve a massive offshore wind development that Dominion Energy plans off the coast of Virginia Beach.

Health insurance
Insurers are limited to charging a maximum of $50 per month for insulin.
The state is also creating a state health insurance exchange instead of relying on the federal marketplace for people to buy health insurance with federal subsidies for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The health exchange, created more than a decade after adoption of the Affordable Care Act, will operate at the State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance.

LGBTQ
Just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects lesbian, gay and transgender people from discrimination in employment, Virginia is set to enact its own protections. Virginia is also set to become the first Southern state with comprehensive laws outlawing LGBTQ discrimination, with a law that prohibits discrimination in public and private employment and housing, among other things.
The practice of conversion therapy on minors will also be banned.

Marijuana
Possession of small amounts of marijuana in Virginia will no longer carry jail time or a criminal conviction. People found with less than an ounce of marijuana will face a $25 civil fine. Criminal records related to simple possession of marijuana will be sealed, with some exceptions. Most employers and educational institutions will be banned from asking applicants about any past simple possession convictions.

Voting
Virginians will no longer need to state an excuse in order to vote absentee and will no longer need to show a photo ID at the polls. The legislature also voted to scrap Lee-Jackson Day as a holiday on the state calendar in favor of Election Day.
On Election Day Polls will now close at 8 p.m. rather than 7 p.m.


New firearm laws:

These 10 new Virginia gun laws go into effect next week

Reachin Rico is now living in a bastion of liberalism

You love to see it

 

[DLF]

Libs coming after your newborn. What’s to stop them from taking afresh healthy term baby out of the c section room and killing it?

 

[gry60]

Some in here have stated they would prefer no legislation under the Dems that watered-down legislation under this administration.

An existing, watered-down piece of legislation that is not practically enforceable (or easily circumvented) can still be used as a talking point because the general public usually doesn't dig deeper than the talking point "Law X is in the books, and our party passed it."

It's a deceptive tactic to maintain the status quo.

 

[gry60]

Reachin Rico is now living in a bastion of liberalism

You love to see it

Black conservatives only thrive in liberal ecosystems. They're shielded from the worst aspects of conservatism and some can turn the "one of the good ones" act into a lucrative career.

 

[dwalk31]

An existing, watered-down piece of legislation that is not practically enforceable (or easily circumvented) can still be used as a talking point because the general public usually doesn't dig deeper than the talking point "Law X is in the books, and our party passed it."

It's a deceptive tactic to maintain the status quo.

While this general principal is true, the First Step Act is enforceable and has resulted in thousands of inmates being released from prison.

The idea that no legislation, at all, is better is nonsense.

But don't take my word for it:

The status of the First Step Act one year later

The status of the First Step Act one year later

The ABA Journal is read by half of the nation's 1 million lawyers every month. It covers the trends, people and finances of the legal profession from Wall Street to Main Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.

www.abajournal.com

 

[RIP sleazyy]

Just had a small crash course on some stuff

hilarious anyone could think he would have supported First Step without his party + family being behind it for optics

took dude less time to create a harsh law punishing protesters for vandalism of statues. meanwhile his DOJ trying to detain people indefinitely without trial, boost surveillance, and prop up race soldiers

 

[wavycrocket]

Just had a small crash course on some stuff

hilarious anyone could think he would have supported First Step without his party + family being behind it for optics

took dude less time to create a harsh law punishing protesters for vandalism of statues. meanwhile his DOJ trying to detain people indefinitely without trial, boost surveillance, and prop up race soldiers

Everything he does regarding black people is for optics. Only suckers fall for it

 

[dwalk31]

Just had a small crash course on some stuff

hilarious anyone could think he would have supported First Step without his party + family being behind it for optics

took dude less time to create a harsh law punishing protesters for vandalism of statues. meanwhile his DOJ trying to detain people indefinitely without trial, boost surveillance, and prop up race soldiers

No matter his motivations, it was passed. And has had a positive impact.

I prefer that over no legislation being passed because of hold up in the Senate. He has shown the ability to strong-arm Republicans in the Senate in a way that is unlikely under a Biden administration.

The fact that you think it was done for optics bolsters my point. The Democrats don't have to do things for black people for optics because they can rely on the black vote without offering much, if anything, in return. We saw this play out in the discussion of Biden picking a black running mate. A poster said there is really no point because it wouldn't add any black voters. Probably true that he would get the majority of the black vote even if he picked another old white man.

By contrast, Trump does poorly among black voters so he needs to pass legislation to get black votes. It really isn't a difficult concept.

 

[dwalk31]

Everything he does regarding black people is for optics. Only suckers fall for it

This optics argument seems silly.

If Trump forgave all of the student loans for just black people or offered free housing/education just for black people (and he ONLY did it for optics) is that a bad thing?

 

[dacomeup]

More like continue to vote for people who have the ability to get the meaningful legislation passed, no matter what they actually believe.

Have the ability, yet they pass extremely watered down versions of anything that Democrats push forward just so their token negros like you can go out and parrot their talking points.

 

[marikomorose]

I think he's talking about a different Trump...

And I repeat. Let. Him. Drown.

1. Black people catch federal charges too. Surely you don't think it is all--or even mostly--white collar crime.

But if we are talking presidential elections, then the laws being passed will impact federal offenses. If you want to shift the convo to state elections, we can, but that wasn't the initial discussion and neither administration (Biden or Trump) will pass sweeping state reform laws.

2. The fair chance act bans the box as it relates to federal contracts as well.

3. The fact that you concede "something had to get passed" under this administration somewhat bolsters my argument.

3. If a Democrat is elected nothing "has to be passed." The Democrats can, rightfully, point to Republican obstruction in the Senate and say "see, this is why it wasn't passed." End result being no legislation. But Trump can strong-arm Republicans and get the measures passed

Some in here have stated they would prefer no legislation under the Dems that watered-down legislation under this administration. I simply disagree that the former is better.

1. Had look them up:
Common federal crimes include: kidnapping across state lines, internet child pornography, tax fraud, white collar crimes, mail fraud, drug trafficking and more.

Outside of drug trafficking those other crimes are usually associated w/ white ppl & who just so happen to make up the majority of federal prison. Drug trafficking is number one federal offense. This bill ain't ment for Big Meech, It's meant for Jordan Belfort.

2. The fair chance act is just an extension of the 1st step act & my views on it is fairly identical. Only meant to help the minorities & exceptions.

3. I not sure how either bills we're discussing started, but the way it ended is fairly melancholy to say the least.

Also, Republican's are notoriously regressive, if more Democrats were seated in the house dumb **** like strike abortions laws that wholeheartedly police women's bodies would be lifted.

**** like this is inexcusable:


Yet conservations feel entitled to impose this will on others people and compare women's wombs to their guns. I can't support that.

 

[dwalk31]

Have the ability, yet they pass extremely watered down versions of anything that Democrats push forward just so their token negros like you can go out and parrot their talking points.

 

[Mark Antony]

Black conservatives only thrive in liberal ecosystems. They're shielded from the worst aspects of conservatism and some can turn the "one of the good ones" act into a lucrative career.

This, these guys like Rico and ninja only feel safe doing these things from the safety of their liberal bubble. Let them move to a county that votes like they do and see how they fit in.

 

[Wargames]

I legit hate this man and I never met him

 

[wavycrocket]

This optics argument seems silly.

If Trump forgave all of the student loans for just black people or offered free housing/education just for black people (and he ONLY did it for optics) is that a bad thing?

He would never do that

The finesse is....on one hand....he passes legislation that helps a few...in the micro. While with the other hand...passing laws, installing judges that and stacking the courts to ensure a generation of hell for black people. He’s doing **** like this....while passing the watered down, first step act for optics.



Barr, Sessions as AG...and you talking about, “First step act” . Fall for the finesse like always.

 

[dwalk31]

Outside of drug trafficking those other crimes are usually associated w/ white ppl & who just so happen to make up the majority of federal prison. Drug trafficking is number one federal offense. This bill ain't ment for Big Meech, It's meant for Jordan Belfort.

You are just really wrong on this re: drug trafficking is limited to the Big Meech's of the world.

You should start by taking some time to look into racial disparities in federal sentencing to get a good look at the impact of the First Step Act.

It will probably give you more of a big picture view.

 

[Wargames]

wanting cops to not kill people is an “agenda of the radical left”

This is why you ain’t **** for supporting Trump, dwalk

 

[gry60]

This, these guys like Rico and ninja only feel safe doing these things from the safety of their liberal bubble. Let them move to a county that votes like they do and see how they fit in.

I know at least one of them never had the opportunity to step in a business and suck all the air out of it and draw the gaze of all the patrons inside.

 

[moonman818]

Pretty disgusting how little Delk and conservatives care about the bounty scandal.

You would think the party of "Respect errr Troops!" would be incensed over the MURDER of active service members and the lack of a response from the president.... I'm just trying to imagine if this happen under Obama

 

[gry60]

I legit hate this man and I never met him

Wearing ignorance on his chest like a medal with pride (no homo) and BASS!!!

 

[junglejim]

Another day with the same old conversation about watered down bills passed under this administration while hand waving the racist **** that happens daily

 

[Mark Antony]

I know at least one of them never had the opportunity to step in a business and suck all the air out of it and draw the gaze of all the patrons inside.

Bruh this is an eery ****ing feeling.

 

[junglejim]

 

[RIP sleazyy]

No matter his motivations, it was passed. And has had a positive impact.

I prefer that over no legislation being passed because of hold up in the Senate. He has shown the ability to strong-arm Republicans in the Senate in a way that is unlikely under a Biden administration.

The fact that you think it was done for optics bolsters my point. The Democrats don't have to do things for black people for optics because they can rely on the black vote without offering much, if anything, in return. We saw this play out in the discussion of Biden picking a black running mate. A poster said there is really no point because it wouldn't add any black voters. Probably true that he would get the majority of the black vote even if he picked another old white man.

By contrast, Trump does poorly among black voters so he needs to pass legislation to get black votes. It really isn't a difficult concept.

If he can strong arm his party he should produce and push more meaningful legislation yet here we are talking about some **** that was already in the works as he actively continues to **** on the country.

All optics, for votes from people who think they know better. Taking off the wrist shackles and moving them to the ankles. Prison populations been dropping for a decade plus while jail head counts rising and rising and more laws and abilities are granted to the people that can see that this keeps happening.

And you falling for it.

You don’t have to quote or respond to this with semantics arguments and disingenuous statements so Ima say have a good day and be safe out here.

 

[gry60]