U of Colorado Electoral Model Wrong

[Pragmier]

Time out!

I learned a new word today: inculcate 

Time in!

[PhantasticSanShiSan]

Where is this "enlightened" free market located? I do believe that capitalism has provided benefits to others.
Like it or not societal morality is not something we will be rid of. I don't think the average guy in the west (I think you mean the US, but not sure) is anti-capitalism. I also don't think most in US are anti-socialism. Free markets have brought us cheaper and more than likely more sophisticated products than other models. At the same time those markets have exploited those where the resources are found, be they manpower or raw materials. I don't expect a system to have any regards, the people implementing the system should, first and foremost.

If I had to choose between exxon and the government I would choose our government every time.

[PB the Deplorable]

... If I had to choose between exxon and the government I would choose our government every time.

Tough one if that's the choice.

Usually though we can choose to do business or not do business with whichever companies.  There is no choice with the govt - they just tell us how it's going to be, while taking our money.  And they sure don't ever restructure when they get off-track, or even seem to be subject to regulation or oversite.

[Sardondi]

...If I had to choose between exxon and the government I would choose our government every time.

Thank goodness it's never the choice, because each of yours has an agenda which is not necessarily, and is only coincidentally, my best interests. 

[Pragmier]

Other things would be done privately and those costs passed on to customers - I'm thinking things like food inspections. .

I expressed skepticism at this idea but the other day I was listening to NPR's Talk of the Nation and they were discussing food safety. A caller, Tom, said he works for a food distributor that has a thorough inspection system in place:

"I work for the largest food distributor in America with sales of 40 billion in food last year. And one thing that we require from anybody who wants to have us distribute a product, is whole harmless insurance. It's a $5 million policy that covers all of our customers in case anybody does get sick from a product. As a company, we also hire and have on staff one of the largest inspection groups there is out in Salinas, California, where we procure most of our produce. We have almost 200 inspectors that inspect the product on a daily basis before it's sent to any of our warehouse locations ... every single plant that produces a product that we distribute is inspected at least two or three times a year by our staff of inspectors. And we're talking seafood, produce, meat, any type of product that there is, is inspected by us."

This he explained is part of their insurance requirements. I have not been able to verify which company it is, but if true, they should be commended for doing things right. Tom's comments are about 3/4 of the way down on transcript.

[Sardondi]

I think that's a "hold harmless" policy.

[Juan]

I worked in warehouses before OSHA and within the last year.  Before OSHA, the insurance companies sent inspectors to audit the safety procedures, and refused to issue insurance if proper safety procedures were not followed.  Safety was more lax than it is under OSHA, but the insurance companies still showed up and forced manufacturers to meet standards.

At the company I worked for recently, the company self-insured.  Thus there was no inspection, and no enforcement of safety standards other than one old guy who had retired from the Navy who would wander though the warehouse occasionally. 

As a result of my experiences, I think audits by outside insurance companies would enforce appropriate standards.  But allowing a company to self-insure - and thus gamble on something bad happening - doesn't seem to work.

[Sardondi]

Interesting results form latest polling: polls with large samples break for Romney; small samples, for Obama. Makes you wonder what the small samplers are doing.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html

[PB the Deplorable]

Interesting results form latest polling: polls with large samples break for Romney; small samples, for Obama. Makes you wonder what the small samplers are doing.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html

Very shortly watch for the polls to start to break for Romney. 

Most of these pollsters are just another branch of the Phony Media and are in the tank for Obama - they don't mind trying to show Obama ahead or in a virtual tie in an effort to try to lead the easily lead toward their guy, but they don't want to be wrong at the end or they won't have credibility next time around.

[Sardondi]

Very shortly watch for the polls to start to break for Romney....

....as the "preference cascade" begins.

[Pragmier]

InTrade still shows Obama stock up 61% to 39%, but down significantly from a couple weeks ago. Over 2 millions shares have been traded per side.