Wednesday Morning Rant

Pretty Soon, You're Talking About Fake Money

Although the origin is disputed, the great quote, "a billion here, a billion there, pretty soon, you're talking about real money" is usually attributed to Everett Dirksen. It has held on for so long because it does quite a good job of underscoring the cumulative effects of the government's cavalier dismissal of stupendous sums of money. Whatever cockamamie scheme they come up with, all is well. A couple of million bucks for lesbian cowboy sculpture in Idaho or whatever really is nothing in the grand scheme of things, right?

Well, inflation is a cruel mistress and now the reckless cavaliers in Washington throw around hundreds of billions - or even trillions - of dollars on pet projects. The projects are bigger, too, of course. They're nothing if not ambitious. The latest bit of insanity to come across my desk is from the great Janet Yellen, who sauntered from the Fed over to Treasury to continue sowing destruction when her term as Fed Chairman came to end. She wants to throw around trillions, too. Every year. For decades.

Harris-Biden Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen says their "transition to a lower carbon global economy" will "require no less than $3 trillion" each year pic.twitter.com/Ho5AoT3e9e
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 28, 2024

As a side note, it's pretty funny that the RNC is now referring to it as the "Harris-Biden" Administration. America has leapt through the looking glass.

To save Mother Gaia and defeat the Dread Carbon is a mere nothing. It will just "require no less than $3 trillion in new capital from many sources each year between now and 2050."

Well, that's doable. Let's get right on that. Super easy. Barely an inconvenience.

Where's the money going to come from, Janet? And don't say, "taxes" or "investment incentives" or "private/public partnerships." Those are played out. Remember, you said new capital. $3 trillion worth of it. Every year. For decades. Where are you going to get it? How much new capital do you think there is in this country? The government can't produce it. It can allocate it, but cannot create it. And it's a lousy allocator. It misallocates so much that it runs a $1.7 trillion deficit - about half what you claim this new madness requires - and has lost control of inflation as a result.

Where does she expect to find this unencumbered capital - that is, capital and money owned free-and-clear with no other obligations like existing debt? So much is in hock. The federal government's assets - land, structures, etc. - are in hock courtesy of that stupendous national debt. Most states and localities are in debt up to their eyeballs, too. Staggering numbers of businesses have dangerous balance sheets. Household debts are nothing to sneeze at, either. So where is this "new capital" going to magically come from?

The answer, of course, is that it won't. I doubt very much that this is a serious proposal but even if it is, all it can do is speed the day of reckoning. To get the kinds of money Yellen is talking about, there are only two methods that could even get close: haircuts (selective default on existing obligations to free up capital) and naked expropriation without compensation. Either crashes asset values across the board and, while they can unencumber capital and even transfer its ownership, they do so at a fraction of its prior value. The amount of stuff - and cash - required to achieve that $3 trillion equivalent rises no matter what.

Serious or not (and I suspect not), what we have here is a bureaucrat proposing that we take the equivalent of the cash spent on government's most fiscally disastrous programs - medical spending - double it, then add it in as net-new spending while cutting nothing. She's proposing an increase in spending of a whopping 60% over the government's current $5 trillion or so in outlays. No plan, just spending. For "climate." It's okay, though, because it will come from "many sources." Just don't ask what they are.

It's so outlandish that Dirksen's putative quote doesn't even apply at this point. At this point, we're talking about fake money.

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Penultimate

Posted by: Oglebay at July 31, 2024 11:00 AM (ogTiX)

2 It was the blurst of times...

Posted by: BourbonChicken at July 31, 2024 11:01 AM (cf/0E)

3 1st?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:01 AM (v6JzV)

4 Biden himself said he was a former president the other day

Posted by: steevy at July 31, 2024 11:01 AM (HJ9BW)

5 I really hope I can retire before everything explodes.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:02 AM (+4yJ5)

6
Antepenultimate

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 31, 2024 11:02 AM (1Nxff)

7 I watched Trump's speech before the bitcoin crowd the other day. The crowd roared when Trump said he was going to fire
SEC head Gary Gensler

Posted by: kallisto at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (dCxaZ)

8 I really hope I can retire before everything explodes.
Posted by: NR Pax

I did. It is still scary.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (6WCwE)

9 Howdy Mannix!

Posted by: Doof at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (RhGG0)

10 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (Q4IgG)

11 We are the carbon they want eliminated.

Posted by: Cosda at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (RS8TZ)

12 Howdy, Doof!

How goes the war with TJM? Still in detente?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (HnUIn)

13 you just print more. duh.

Posted by: brak at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (NGHTx)

14 8 I really hope I can retire before everything explodes.
Posted by: NR Pax

I did. It is still scary.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (6WCwE)

Yup.. It doesn't make it better

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (IyPmt)

15 8 I did. It is still scary.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (6WCwE)

So noted. Glad my folks found the retirement place they are living in now.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (+4yJ5)

16 Et tu, Samwise?

Video: Jeff Bridges, Sean Astin, Adam Schiff Join Star-Studded "White Dudes For Harris" Fundraiser

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I got 99 problems but Vance ain't one at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (L/fGl)

17 We are a nation of fools ruled by jackasses.

Posted by: mr tmz at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (rJ48h)

18 10 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (Q4IgG)
-----'
The people in charge need disposable income.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO, AI Expert at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (2xB3Z)

19
Video: Jeff Bridges, Sean Astin, Adam Schiff Join Star-Studded "White Dudes For Harris" Fundraiser
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I got 99 problems but Vance ain't one at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (L/fGl)

Star studded ? Bridges and Astin ?

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (IyPmt)

20 Yellen should be the weak fourth member of a retired ladies' Mahjong group, not the Secretary of the Treasury.

Posted by: Anti-Faucist at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (qUkBO)

21 You cannot change a system significantly by moving a value that is 3 to 4% of the total value.

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (gbOdA)

22 Video: Jeff Bridges, Sean Astin, Adam Schiff Join Star-Studded "White Dudes For Harris" Fundraiser
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I got 99 problems but Vance ain't one at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (L/fGl)
++++
I'm a white dude, too. These rich and powerful white dudes want Harris, so I do as well. This is suddenly an easy decision.

Posted by: This never happens at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (HnUIn)

23 @19 Sam is a dimwit.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO, AI Expert at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (2xB3Z)

24 Just keep those printing presses cranking out 10s and 10s

if we print enough so that everybody has some, then everybody can buy stuff

it should work

Posted by: Don Black, would-be physicist at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (/7KEl)

25 16 "White Dudes For Harris" Fundraiser
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I got 99 problems but Vance ain't one at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (L/fGl)

So segregation is cool again. Why did we bother fighting for civil rights?

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (+4yJ5)

26 Yellen should be the weak fourth member of a retired ladies' Mahjong group, not the Secretary of the Treasury.
Posted by: Anti-Faucist at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (qUkBO)
++++
Perfectly described.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (HnUIn)

27 So noted. Glad my folks found the retirement place they are living in now.
Posted by: NR Pax

One thing we did to help was to move to a locale with a much lower cost of living than our previous place. No reduction in lifestyle either. If moving is an option for you, research the hell out of places/areas to find the best fit.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (6WCwE)

28 Wasn't it 'a million here and a million there' originally?

I guess we have to keep up with Bidenflation.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (aD39U)

29 if they take everyone's 401k that'll cover them for a couple months or so

Posted by: brak at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (NGHTx)

30 ... inflation is a cruel mistress ...

-------------

Harsh.

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (vQ+cR)

31 I'd tell Yellen to confine her speeches to monetary policy but she obviously knows as much about monetary policy as she does green energy.

I can handle incompetence. This, however, is not just incompetence, this is crazy messianic incompetence, which is far more dangerous than merely being unfit for a job.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (tT6L1)

32 I tripped over an insider piece on voter concerns.

Democrat, Independent, Republican all had Inflation as their #1 concern.

Immigration was #2 for Republicans. #3 for Independent. Didn't make the list for Democrat.

Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (Gse2f)

33 27 If moving is an option for you, research the hell out of places/areas to find the best fit.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (6WCwE)

We found a state to move to from the GPROMD. Going to head there next February for a trip to see if we can handle winter over there.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:08 AM (+4yJ5)

34 "what we have here is a bureaucrat proposing that we take the equivalent of the cash spent on government's most fiscally disastrous programs - medical spending - double it, then add it in as net-new spending while cutting nothing" Mannix the undercover cop

What we have here is a bureaucrat who is trying to set up another money laundry so she can keep her snout in the trough.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at July 31, 2024 11:08 AM (4XwPj)

35 5 I really hope I can retire before everything explodes.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:02 AM (+4yJ5)
----
That's worse because then you are more or less on a fixed income which devalues as the dollar devalues and no relief as you might get if still working and salaries increased.

Posted by: Ciampino - Humpday #25 at July 31, 2024 11:08 AM (qfLjt)

36 I take a cold comfort in the knowledge that everything ends in tears anyway.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:08 AM (aD39U)

37 GPROMD?

What is that?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (v6JzV)

38 10 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (Q4IgG)

Good question; we’ve discussed this a bit previously. Taxes today have nothing to do with financing the government, and only exist for two purposes:
1) to push policy preferences that could not be passed legislatively, and
2) to punish political enemies and reward political allies.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (rGH6a)

39 30 ... inflation is a cruel mistress ...

-------------

Harsh.
Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (vQ+cR)
----
The Moon.

Posted by: Robert Heinlein at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (2xB3Z)

40 Harsh.
Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:07 AM (vQ+cR)
++++
A harsh mistress might still love you.

Inflation is cruel.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (HnUIn)

41 Just mint some of those trillion dollar coins.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (63Dwl)

42 One thing we did to help was to move to a locale with a much lower cost of living than our previous place. No reduction in lifestyle either. If moving is an option for you, research the hell out of places/areas to find the best fit.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (6WCwE)

ProTip: If an area has a "Cat-lady Mask and Box Wine Emporium" steer clear.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (PiwSw)

43 Inflation is cruel.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (HnUIn)

Weird.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (aD39U)

44 Yellen should be the weak fourth member of a retired ladies' Mahjong group, not the Secretary of the Treasury.
Posted by: Anti-Faucist at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (qUkBO)

She should be the old lady in the corner of the old-folks home being molested by the illegal alien staff.

Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (g8Ew8)

45 GPROMD

Gay People's Republic of Maryland?

Posted by: brak at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (NGHTx)

46 Harris-Biden Treasury Sec. Janet Yellen says their "transition to a lower carbon global economy" will "require no less than $3 trillion" each year

-------------

"Piker."

-- Kommie-la Emhoff and her $100 trillion Green New Steal fever-dream

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (vQ+cR)

47 One reason we can't get rid of bureaucrats is the Basic Benefit provided under FERS. The formula is modest enough: 1% times 3-year average pay times service; but it is indexed for inflation. By today's standards, this is an extremely generous plan where the typical formula is 0% times 0-year average pay times zero service.

Posted by: Oglebay at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (ogTiX)

48 37 GPROMD?

What is that?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (v6JzV)

Glorious People's Republic of Maryland.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (+4yJ5)

49 I've been reading a biography of Hamilton, (Forrest McDonald: Alexander Hamilton: A biography). Hamilton was almost single-handedly responsible for designing and implementing the American economy after the RW, and as such, may be the most important figure in American history after Washington and Lincoln. It's not too much to say that if not for his brilliance, integrity, and and hard work, the US as a single country wouldn't have survived.

Hamilton is to the current crop of economic pygmies as Einstein is to Bill Nye.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (xCA6C)

50 RCMP and other police forces arrest father and son, Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and Mostafa Eldidi, 26, for planning a terrorist attack in the Greater Toronto Area for ISIS.

See you later; a visitor is here.

Posted by: andycanuck (wse2C) at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (i0CiB)

51 Damn Putin lovers!

49 Percent of Americans Think U.S. Should Not Provide Aid to Ukraine

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I got 99 problems but Vance ain't one at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (L/fGl)

52 Janet Yellin looks like a guy in drag, like out of an old Monty Pyrhon skit.

Posted by: I assume her 23 & Me results confirm that she is a muppet-american at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (55kM1)

53 Astin was great as Samwise.
Politically he's always been a leftist idiot.
Bridges disappoints me. He always struck me as being towards the small l libertarian type , but maybe given his illness he's trying to get into heaven

Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (zXgrQ)

54 You just know this lady got her start as the president of an HOA.

Posted by: And a Karen at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (DobEs)

55 Greetings! I don't believe everything I read, but here are 2 things, which, if true, are tremendous political liabilities.

Thing one: Social Security payments weren't taxed until (then) Senator Biden changed the law to make them taxable.

Thing two: Kamala, as AG of California, wrote Proposition 47, which decriminalized shoplifting.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (MeG8a)

56 Video: Jeff Bridges, Sean Astin, Adam Schiff Join Star-Studded "White Dudes For Harris" Fundraiser

corrected

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (gbOdA)

57 10 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (Q4IgG)

Good question; we’ve discussed this a bit previously. Taxes today have nothing to do with financing the government, and only exist for two purposes:
1) to push policy preferences that could not be passed legislatively, and
2) to punish political enemies and reward political allies.
Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (rGH6a)
---
This is something I've wondered about often as well. Local communities have to collect taxes because they cannot legally print their own currency.

The federal government is under no such restriction. They print whatever they need, but as we see, that comes with a host of problems...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (7fElN)

58 How do you know she's a witch?

Posted by: Monty Python at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (DobEs)

59 See you later; a visitor is here.
Posted by: andycanuck

Unless they have a warrant, don't open the door.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (6WCwE)

60 Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (xCA6C)

I think TJM would disagree with you.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (v6JzV)

61 Bridges disappoints me. He always struck me as being towards the small l libertarian type , but maybe given his illness he's trying to get into heaven
Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (zXgrQ)

Then he chose the wrong side

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (IyPmt)

62 Astin was great as Samwise.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (aD39U)

63 Combine this with the idiotic Supreme Court proposal, and these people seem to be shooting their wad, letting it all go.

I guess the next proposal will be gun confiscation or some other equally unrealistic nonsense.

Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (zzRkQ)

64 Good question; we’ve discussed this a bit previously. Taxes today have nothing to do with financing the government, and only exist for two purposes:
1) to push policy preferences that could not be passed legislatively, and
2) to punish political enemies and reward political allies.
Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 11:09 AM (rGH6a)
++++
Not entirely. This is a big part of it, but taxes are necessary for legitimacy.

We currently have massive overspending and inflation. If they did away with taxes and said, "nah, bro, that's over and we'll just print and launder it through the Fed in phony auctions" we'd immediately get hyperinflation.

Inflation is a monetary phenomenon, even if it's quite high. Hyperinflation is a crisis of legitimacy. Taxes help maintain legitimacy.

Not to mention, taxes are cheaper than debt. Pay-go is much better than deficit financing - but it means you have to say "no" sometimes and corruption has more trouble (and must be much smaller) in such an environment.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:12 AM (HnUIn)

65 At this point, we're talking about fake money.

Yes. And I've noticed that money, when treated like it's fake, doesn't behave very well.

Posted by: Emmie at July 31, 2024 11:12 AM (Sf2cq)

66 "How much new capital do you think there is in this country? The government can't produce it. It can allocate it, but cannot create it."

She's talking about a total takeover of the economy. It won't work. She knows it won't work. It's just the excuse to get the very useful and stupid American voters to vote for it.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:12 AM (B0mGw)

67 Yellen should be the weak fourth member of a retired ladies' Mahjong group, not the Secretary of the Treasury.
Posted by: Anti-Faucist at July 31, 2024 11:05 AM (qUkBO)

She should be the old lady in the corner of the old-folks home being molested by the illegal alien staff.
Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (g8Ew

---------------

Send that cringy corruptocrat cretin back to the Land of the Orcs.

Jeebus, what a ClownWorld embarrassment ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:12 AM (vQ+cR)

68 The employee funded share of Social Security should not be subject to income tax because FICA is not deductible.

Posted by: Oglebay at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (ogTiX)

69 Well I know where I can get 7.26 trillion dollars right now. We just confiscate everyone's 401k. You see it is necessary because we are saving the planet. Yes some suffering will occur but it's good for you. It proves your virtue. You will be rewarded according to your social credit score. Trust me.

Posted by: Janet Yellen, illuminati of the dimmest type at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (7h/qJ)

70 Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?
Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (zzRkQ)
-----------

The left always proposes stuff to see if they can get away with it. Call it a massive nationwide focus group.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (tT6L1)

71 My financial retirement plans have taken a hit recently. Won’t cause me to have to go back to work but now I have to think about money. I don’t want to have to worry about money . That was part of the plan damnit !

Posted by: polynikes at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (B1dzx)

72 10 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (Q4IgG)

Because the tax system is also used to punish/reward certain behaviors.

Posted by: Bacon Jeff at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (VGRuw)

73 Yes. And I've noticed that money, when treated like it's fake, doesn't behave very well.
Posted by: Emmie at July 31, 2024 11:12 AM (Sf2cq)
++++
Money has standards.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:14 AM (HnUIn)

74 Jeebus, what a ClownWorld embarrassment ...

-------------

Yellen's right out of Central Casting for a Fellini movie.

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:14 AM (niARo)

75 24 Just keep those printing presses cranking out 10s and 10s

if we print enough so that everybody has some, then everybody can buy stuff

it should work

Posted by: Don Black, would-be physicist at July 31, 2024 11:06 AM (/7KEl)
----
I must have money as I still have checks!

There's a great Sovereign Citizen video with this young guy and a delusional belief in some crazy fiscal ideas. The judge has to put him right. I'll post a link if I can find it because it's funny and sad at the same time.

Posted by: Ciampino - Humpday #26 at July 31, 2024 11:14 AM (qfLjt)

76 Damn Putin lovers!

49 Percent of Americans Think U.S. Should Not Provide Aid to Ukraine
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I got 99 problems but Vance ain't one at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (L/fGl)

It should be about 51 percent higher than that.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:14 AM (zzRkQ)

77 Worked pretty good for the “old guard” of Pelosi, McConnell and others. They were able to grift and loot and steal for decades without repercussions.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:15 AM (UOpCJ)

78 16
‘ Sean Astin, Adam Schiff ’

Samwise and Smeagol together again.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 11:15 AM (jbnUc)

79 Because the tax system is also used to punish/reward certain behaviors.
Posted by: Bacon Jeff at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (VGRuw)

That was Bhusseins idea!

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 31, 2024 11:15 AM (gbOdA)

80 "Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?"

They are letting us know what their next step is. After four years, the American people will be convinced that Democrats aren't as crazy as they remembered and will vote them in with full endorsement.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:15 AM (B0mGw)

81 Why didn’t she demand $30 trillion per annum? Or three hundred? That’s no less realistic. This looks like virtue signaling. Bureaucrats desperate to show their hearts are in the right place while things about them fall apart. Like when you have a vegetable as President and the actual functioning President is… no one. Just a melee of competing factions within the Executive Branch, which wears a public mask embodied by a cackling harridan.

Posted by: electronic means at July 31, 2024 11:15 AM (ZI8XJ)

82 Because the tax system is also used to punish/reward certain behaviors.
Posted by: Bacon Jeff at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (VGRuw)

That was Bhusseins idea!
Posted by: rhennigantx at July 31, 2024 11:15 AM (gbOdA)

Just a nudge.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (aD39U)

83 Thing two: Kamala, as AG of California, wrote Proposition 47, which decriminalized shoplifting.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (MeG8a)

She didn't take a position on it, but supposedly her office supported it.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (d9fT1)

84 I've been thinking about this for a while and-

I've come to the conclusion that Trump should advertise that-

Joe's out of control spending will not be honored esp those payments declared illegal by the Supreme Court and made without Congressional approval, and-

will be a 100% absolute federal clawback o0f that money esp that which was distributed as new spending by EO.

This seems to be the only way to keep Biden&Crew from driving up inflation and wrecking the economy further.

Do it, Trump!

Posted by: naturalfake at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (eDfFs)

85 83 Thing two: Kamala, as AG of California, wrote Proposition 47, which decriminalized shoplifting.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (MeG8a)

She didn't take a position on it, but supposedly her office supported it.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (d9fT1)

======

She voted present?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (GBKbO)

86 GDP growth is now less than incremental debt growth.

The argument for deficit spending was the "multiplier": borrow and spend $1 and get back $2.

Now its borrow and spend $1 and get back $0.50

Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (Gse2f)

87 Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?
Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (zzRkQ)
++++
For a few reasons. One, the Left *always* pushes the envelope. It's one of the reasons it's so successful. The dream is a command economy. Keep pushing. Nibble at the edges but never - ever- stop nibbling.

The other big reason is in-group signaling. Bureaucrats, Party men, various hangers-on, etc. all know what is expected of them and so they all continuously practice the elaborate steps of the Dance of State (and Party). This lets them project to others - and see in others - that they know the rules and are of the body.

I suspect this claptrap specifically is much more "Dance of State" than "pushing the envelope" but both purposes are in all things.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (HnUIn)

88 Willowed:

Something that occurred to me this morning: someone a few months back, possibly Mark Steyn, noted that the globalists appear to have a weird fetish for installing someone WEF-compliant of dot-Indian heritage as President/Prime Minister/whatever to cement their final humiliation of a country. It's happened already in England and Ireland. Nikki Haley was maybe slated to be that person here, and now they're going with Plan B from Cackletron.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (2ocoG)

89 Now its borrow and spend $1 and get back $0.50
Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (Gse2f)

They skim off the top.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:17 AM (aD39U)

90 What's worse? A cruel mistress or a harsh mistress? Fellas?

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:17 AM (MNJ3i)

91 Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?
Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (zzRkQ)
-----------

The left always proposes stuff to see if they can get away with it. Call it a massive nationwide focus group.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:13 AM (tT6L1)

Sure, but it's usually some lowly congresscritter who introduces legislation, or the State of the Union, where the Prez says these things in generalities.

Why the speeches? Something different is going on here.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:17 AM (zzRkQ)

92 Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?

The Democrats invented failure theater. This is to appease their Antifa and AWFL base that Things Are Being Attempted but Those Mean Republicans Won't Allow It.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (2ocoG)

93 Posted by: Ciampino - Humpday #26 at July 31, 2024 11:14 AM (qfLjt)

I suspect that many SovCits are legitimately crazy and unmedicated.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (s9EYN)

94 Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (xCA6C)

I think TJM would disagree with you.

I know he would. He's a Madisonian. I like Madison until the point he throws in his lot with the evil Thomas Jefferson. After that, he sold his soul for a mess of pottage.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (xCA6C)

95 "Cackletron." Love it. Stolen.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (v6JzV)

96 GDP growth is now less than incremental debt growth.

The argument for deficit spending was the "multiplier": borrow and spend $1 and get back $2.

Now its borrow and spend $1 and get back $0.50
Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (Gse2f)
++++
Has been for a while. And yeah, it's *bad* - really bad - when this happens.

Government deficits should be subtracted from GDP, not added to it. If GDP growth in current-dollar terms does not exceed the deficit over the same period in current-dollar terms, there was no growth. It was borrowed. It was contrived.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (HnUIn)

97 70 billion with a B as in

basketball

https://x.com/miguelifornia/status/
1818657805798457418

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (gbOdA)

98 I just reviewed several of the major equations in Physics and Thermodynamics and would you believe there is not a single term or variable for how much the govt spends?

That can’t be right.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (eDvWc)

99 The federal government is under no such restriction. They print whatever they need, but as we see, that comes with a host of problems...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (7fElN)

———-

Note Trump is smart enough to see those problems and is aligning with cryptocurrency.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (UOpCJ)

100 She didn't take a position on it

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (d9fT1)

Now that's something I can't believe. Positions are kind of her thing.

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:19 AM (MNJ3i)

101 I know he would. He's a Madisonian. I like Madison until the point he throws in his lot with the evil Thomas Jefferson. After that, he sold his soul for a mess of pottage.
Posted by: Archimedes

Wow. What makes Jefferson evil?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:19 AM (v6JzV)

102 94 I know he would. He's a Madisonian. I like Madison until the point he throws in his lot with the evil Thomas Jefferson. After that, he sold his soul for a mess of pottage.
Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (xCA6C)

======

Me?

A Madisonian?

Posh!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:19 AM (GBKbO)

103 That can’t be right.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (eDvWc)

It's probably unquantifiable. How high is Up?

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:19 AM (aD39U)

104 I really hope I can retire before everything explodes.
Posted by: NR Pax

Retiring before everything explodes is no good if you're still alive when everything explodes, because the next thing you know, you're taking a million dollars in a wheelbarrow to buy a loaf of bread.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at July 31, 2024 11:20 AM (Q0kLU)

105 GDP growth is now less than incremental debt growth.

The argument for deficit spending was the "multiplier": borrow and spend $1 and get back $2.

Now its borrow and spend $1 and get back $0.50
Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (Gse2f)

It is not even 1 to 1, number I see show it may have been 3 to 1 since Covid.

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 31, 2024 11:20 AM (gbOdA)

106 Retiring before everything explodes is no good if you're still alive when everything explodes, because the next thing you know, you're taking a million dollars in a wheelbarrow to buy a loaf of bread.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at July 31, 2024 11:20 AM (Q0kLU)

So, manufacture wheelbarrows.

*touches nose*

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:20 AM (aD39U)

107 Get Boardwalk and Park Place and just roll in the (fake/real) dough!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at July 31, 2024 11:21 AM (W/lyH)

108 You know what this means, of course. If climate salvation demands $3 trillion per year, the demands for slavery reparations will have to be twice that.

Posted by: electronic means at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (ZI8XJ)

109 Something that occurred to me this morning: someone a few months back, possibly Mark Steyn, noted that the globalists appear to have a weird fetish for installing someone WEF-compliant of dot-Indian heritage as President/Prime Minister/whatever to cement their final humiliation of a country. It's happened already in England and Ireland. Nikki Haley was maybe slated to be that person here, and now they're going with Plan B from Cackletron.
Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (2ocoG)

———

Plot twist, it’s all higher spiritual warfare with the Hindu gods striking back at the Christian one.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (UOpCJ)

110 I really hope I can retire before everything explodes.
Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:02 AM (+4yJ5)

Funny. My greatest concern is that everything will explode in a manner I didn't foresee and for which I am unprepared shortly after I retire.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (IUd0M)

111 84 I've been thinking about this for a while and-

I've come to the conclusion that Trump should advertise that-

Joe's out of control spending will not be

..

Two problems with this.

1. Trumps spending was also out of control.

2. He's not proposing reduced spending or shrinking government.

Neither is the Gope.

It's Big Government uniparty.

Posted by: Not trying to be mean but... at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (4Nt1t)

112 *touches nose*
Posted by: G'rump928(c)

What does the "touch nose" thing mean?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (v6JzV)

113 It's sad that one has to think of buying things as trade goods for the future. A case or two of halfpints of cheap whiskey is a good investment.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (aD39U)

114 I suspect this claptrap specifically is much more "Dance of State" than "pushing the envelope" but both purposes are in all things.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:16 AM (HnUIn)

Both of these proposals though, one was mouthed by Joe, the other by Damnit Janet Yellen. Neither one of them are going to be part of any future administration.

They didn't send Cummala out there to do the Supreme Court speech, and they didn't have someone like Gavin or Mayor Pete or anyone else make this speech.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (zzRkQ)

115 Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?
Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:11 AM (zzRkQ)

Stray voltage plus.

The plus being that it frames or reframes reality. Always look at the assumptions that underlie what they do or say to obtain the answer to "why?".

In this case the assumption is the SC is something the country needs to be saved from.

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (MNJ3i)

116 At this point, we're talking about fake money.

-------------

At least our $100 trillion bills, unlike Zimbabwe's, will have Obama's visage on them ... so we've got that going for us.

Nobody tell these Nihilistic Death Cultists what a quadrillion or quintillion is ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (niARo)

117 You know what this means, of course. If climate salvation demands $3 trillion per year, the demands for slavery reparations will have to be twice that.
Posted by: electronic means at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (ZI8XJ)
++++
Probably a part of it. To truly placate Gaia, we need to implement everything as a part of the effort.

It's like the Manhattan Project redux! Except with no specific goal or standard for completion!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:23 AM (HnUIn)

118 "What does the "touch nose" thing mean?"

You have a booger.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:23 AM (B0mGw)

119 Posted by: Diogenes at July 31, 2024 11:21 AM (W/lyH)

Geezer-fleecing update, please.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:23 AM (v6JzV)

120 What does the "touch nose" thing mean?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (v6JzV)

Word to the wise, know what I'm saying, on point etc.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:23 AM (aD39U)

121 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍
Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 31, 2024 11:03 AM (Q4IgG)

Punishment for not being high priests of the Church of the Uniparty.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 31, 2024 11:23 AM (IUd0M)

122 90 What's worse? A cruel mistress or a harsh mistress? Fellas?
Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:17 AM (MNJ3i)

Harsh is simply difficult, but cruel takes pleasure in that difficulty.

Posted by: Bacon Jeff at July 31, 2024 11:23 AM (VGRuw)

123 I know he would. He's a Madisonian. I like Madison until the point he throws in his lot with the evil Thomas Jefferson. After that, he sold his soul for a mess of pottage.
Posted by: Archimedes

Wow. What makes Jefferson evil?

He resented Hamilton's obviously superior legal and political mind, and instead indulged in a fantasy of placid rural yeomen making a modern economy. He did everything he could to throw a wrench in the new economic works of the nation, because he apparently thought slavery was a suitable way to run a country, and industrialization was evil. He went behind the backs of Hamilton and Washington, and published anonymous attacks on them because he didn't get his way. If he'd been alive 80 years later, he'd have run the Confederacy.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:24 AM (xCA6C)

124 Martini Farmer @ 10: Why do they tax us if they can just turbocharge the printers? To impoverish and control us.

Posted by: BUTCH at July 31, 2024 11:24 AM (0APJ3)

125 What's worse? A cruel mistress or a harsh mistress? Fellas?

A harsh mistress would be like Harry Mudd's wife Stella.

A cruel mistress would be like Maleficent.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at July 31, 2024 11:24 AM (Q0kLU)

126 The point of Soviet America is to take as much from the taxpayers as possible for the benefit of those in the government and their clients.

Anything positive it might do is accidental.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:24 AM (oZhjI)

127 >>>Janet Yellin looks like a guy in drag,

Speaking of, I always found it uncanny how much Madeleine Albright looked like Walter Mondale in a dress.

Not sure if there are photos of the two in the same room at the same time.

Posted by: bed head at July 31, 2024 11:25 AM (Y1sOo)

128 The govt doesn’t print money, that would be unconstitutional (not kidding, it’s in there). They borrow from the Fed and the Fed prints it.

That’s it. That’s their genius bypass of the Constitution. And we let them do it.

The Fed Reserve $ is just govt debt. We use debt as currency. A constitutional $ is something totally different. It has to be minted in silver. Most Americans have never even seen one.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at July 31, 2024 11:25 AM (eDvWc)

129
53 Astin was great as Samwise.
Politically he's always been a leftist idiot.
Bridges disappoints me. He always struck me as being towards the small l libertarian type , but maybe given his illness he's trying to get into heaven
Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (zXgrQ)

Actors are obsessed with popularity. They would never have made it in that profession if they weren’t. A very few age out and get smart, but the vast majority are slaves to whatever they think is the most “popular” opinions throughout their lives.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 11:25 AM (rGH6a)

130 You CAN, in theory, please a harsh mistress, *cough*Mrs928*cough. But there is no pleasing a cruel one. Your pain is their pleasure.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:25 AM (aD39U)

131 One of the many great things about Israel is they go after the heads of state. If government were the principal target of violence in war we might not have so many.

Posted by: Oglebay at July 31, 2024 11:25 AM (ogTiX)

132 >>It's like the Manhattan Project redux! Except with no specific goal or standard for completion!

A debt implosion device that will change the course of history?

Posted by: electronic means at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (ZI8XJ)

133 Where's the money going to come from, Janet?

nasa will lasso the platinum asteroid and bring it home to save us.

Posted by: janet at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (oY6Yp)

134 It's Big Government uniparty.
Posted by: Not trying to be mean but... at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (4Nt1t)

Also, no one is talking about ending perpetual war.

What's currently happening in the Middle East might soon dwarf any/all concerns anyone has anywhere else in the world.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (zzRkQ)

135 It's probably unquantifiable. How high is Up?
=====

Must be quantum. *snort*

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (AYNL4)

136 G'rump gets it.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (HnUIn)

137 Fear not. The government borrows money, the value of which will be reduced by inflation by the time it has to pay the interest. Win-win! Leftist econ at work. Just ask Paul Krugman.

Posted by: Eeyore at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (1bNHn)

138 Why are they doing this? Don't know, but they have to know they're not going to get it. So why propose it?

Red meat for the base (which shows you they are worried about their base; their internal polling must be bad). Sure, they only plan on giving the base a reach-around while sodomizing it. But they can't lead with that. That's not good foreplay.

Same reason they keep on with the unconstitutional student loan forgiveness nonsense.

Posted by: It's The Equivalent of Heavy Petting at July 31, 2024 11:27 AM (55kM1)

139 Why not spend $300 trillion and just buy a new planet?

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at July 31, 2024 11:27 AM (eDvWc)

140 nasa will lasso the platinum asteroid and bring it home to save us.

NASA can't get out of bed in the morning without begging Elon Musk for help. That's something that has to really annoy the junta.

Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:27 AM (2ocoG)

141 What's worse? A cruel mistress or a harsh mistress? Fellas?

Um...that's a tough one....let me see...

fluggaenkoecchicebolsen! fluggaenkoecchicebolsen! fluggaenkoecchicebolsen!

Posted by: Cooper Harris at July 31, 2024 11:27 AM (oZhjI)

142 A debt implosion device that will change the course of history?
Posted by: electronic means at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (ZI8XJ)
++++
Heh.

I am become debt, the destroyer of worlds.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:27 AM (HnUIn)

143 They can’t lose quick enough

And then they should never be allowed to rise again

Posted by: Gonzotx at July 31, 2024 11:28 AM (YjECI)

144 Janet?

nasa will lasso the platinum asteroid and bring it home to save us.
Posted by: janet at July 31, 2024 11:26 AM (oY6Yp)

Tanned rested and ready!

Posted by: Tom Friedman's trillion dollar coins at July 31, 2024 11:28 AM (J3yZp)

145 "Actors are obsessed with popularity."

If you want to see a fascinating study in this, look up Kevin Bacon Ted conference. He was completely humiliated by the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, which made him pretty much the coolest actor on the planet for a while.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:28 AM (iFMeW)

146 Note that at this point the government doesn't even need to bother taxing us. The trillions they are printing shows little need for actual tax income.

Of course they do it because they enjoy the pain it causes.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:28 AM (oZhjI)

147 125 A harsh mistress would be like Harry Mudd's wife Stella.

A cruel mistress would be like Maleficent.

and then there's a crewel mistress, who keeps embroidering things onto your clothes with yarn.

Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 11:28 AM (oY6Yp)

148 My theory since diving into the Russian Revolution and the Marxists is taking down the economy will give them the ruling of the population to cover their poor lifestyle.
And the original Marxists against capitalism was their drive

Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (3Vkwq)

149 Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:24 AM (xCA6C)

Wow. I knew that Jefferson and Hamilton didn't get along, but I didn't know about his attacks on Washington.

We tend to look up to the Founders as secular saints, but once you look into their political maneuverings they prove to be just normal, unsavory politicians.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (v6JzV)

150 You can't make a socialist omelet without impoverishing hundreds of millions.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (aD39U)

151 49 Percent of Americans Think U.S. Should Not Provide Aid to Ukraine

the other 51% they polled are on the board of Raytheon

Posted by: brak at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (NGHTx)

152 She may be a harsh mistress, but I still love the Moon.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (rGH6a)

153 69 Well I know where I can get 7.26 trillion dollars right now. We just confiscate everyone's 401k.

The government has been salivating over that idea for quite a while. The only argument I've seen about it is that "it's not fair" that some people have saved money and others have not.

Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (+4yJ5)

154 Here we are with the sovereign citizen - apparently we all have a one billion dollar trust setup when we are born!
And I love how he thinks he's paying his rent.

https://youtu.be/4gn8CL4Sleo

Posted by: Ciampino - Humpday #27 at July 31, 2024 11:30 AM (qfLjt)

155 The number is designed to reinforce to the marginally aware that we COULD fix the climate, that there's a plan that could be implemented if we all pitched in, . . . . but Conservatives want all of us to die horribly.

If it was a bigger number, the con would be too obvious. Assume this was focus-group tested.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 31, 2024 11:30 AM (8AONa)

156 Wow. What makes Jefferson evil?

Oh, and he supported the French Revolution long after it became apparent that is was a bloodbath. He aided and abetted a French envoy, Genet, who came to the US and enlisted privateers at a time when the US was trying to stay out of the impending Napoleonic wars. Genet also enlisted an army, on American property, with the goal of attacking the Spanish in Florida, again contrary to US government policy.

He considered himself a great mind, but he really wasn't. He viewed himself as a connoisseur and collector of many things, but died a debtor.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:30 AM (xCA6C)

157 I am so lazy, sitting here with you Morons rather than mowing the lawn before the heat of the day.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:30 AM (aD39U)

158 If there was an opposition party they'd be looking to dramatically increase taxes on leftwinger.

Trump was the first Republican to venture into this area with his SALT caps but frankly if there was a real opposition party this is how they would spend a significant portion of their time. Make Bezos and co force their owned Dem congressscum to vote against tax increases their voters want on leftist oligarchs...

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:30 AM (oZhjI)

159 I know he would. He's a Madisonian. I like Madison until the point he throws in his lot with the evil Thomas Jefferson. After that, he sold his soul for a mess of pottage.
Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:18 AM (xCA6C)

Come now, Madison was pretty great until he-

threw in his lot with a play titled, "Prometheus: An Absurd Fantastical Adventure Among the Stars.

"

Posted by: naturalfake at July 31, 2024 11:31 AM (eDfFs)

160 140 nasa will lasso the platinum asteroid and bring it home to save us.

NASA can't get out of bed in the morning without begging Elon Musk for help. That's something that has to really annoy the junta.

never fear. we still have boeing on our side.

Posted by: nasa at July 31, 2024 11:31 AM (oY6Yp)

161 What does the "touch nose" thing mean?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (v6JzV)

----------

I always think of that great con scene from the movie The Sting.

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:31 AM (B2cfh)

162 153 69 Well I know where I can get 7.26 trillion dollars right now. We just confiscate everyone's 401k.

The government has been salivating over that idea for quite a while. The only argument I've seen about it is that "it's not fair" that some people have saved money and others have not.
Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (+4yJ5)

========

The other is that it'd be pissing off a lot of people. The 401k is designed to be tax deductible and tax deferred.

Reneging on that arrangement would be theft within the terms of how 401ks were set up, not just normal taxation is theft terms.

That's a powderkeg on the scale of gun confiscation.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:31 AM (GBKbO)

163 We went from having special prisons for debtors to a debtors nation. Pretty remarkable when you think about it.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at July 31, 2024 11:32 AM (eDvWc)

164 49 Percent of Americans Think U.S. Should Not Provide Aid to Ukraine

Ask the remaining 51% what percentage of THEIR income should be given to the Ukraine. The answer will be well below 1%

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:32 AM (oZhjI)

165 NASA can't get out of bed in the morning without begging Elon Musk for help. That's something that has to really annoy the junta.
Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:27 AM (2ocoG)
++++
Yup. "SpaceX keeps winning fixed-cost contracts and the older space contractors can't even compete with SpaceX when they're allowed to do so on a cost-plus basis, because SpaceX's track record of successful completion is better than theirs - and this is a super duper bad thing" articles have started. Ars Technica's was astounding.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:32 AM (HnUIn)

166 In this case the assumption is the SC is something the country needs to be saved from.
Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (MNJ3i)

Which might make sense, if they know they aren't going to have a chance to stack the court anytime soon. So for the next several years/decades, the court is the enemy, when not that long ago it was the solution.

As for this proposal though... it's either removing any connection between debt and monetary policy, or they want to plant the idea of asset confiscation. Which won't get them much, but whatever. That's probably not the point.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:32 AM (cTK0d)

167 161 What does the "touch nose" thing mean?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (v6JzV)

----------

I always think of that great con scene from the movie The Sting.
Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet!

And Santa Claus

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 11:32 AM (IyPmt)

168 Wow. I knew that Jefferson and Hamilton didn't get along, but I didn't know about his attacks on Washington.

I believe Joseph Ellis' book Founding Brothers has a lot about Jefferson's machinations. Even Abigail Adams called him out for his duplicity.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at July 31, 2024 11:32 AM (Q0kLU)

169 The 401k is designed to be tax deductible and tax deferred.

Reneging on that arrangement would be theft within the terms of how 401ks were set up, not just normal taxation is theft terms.

That's a powderkeg on the scale of gun confiscation.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:31 AM (GBKbO)

I would have thought that but then I remember when Clinton retroactively raised taxes and there was barely a peep heard.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (aD39U)

170 Todays to do list:

Start tire fire
Idle the Tahoe all day.
Start the smoker for ribs, chicken

I’m doing my part for the earf!!

Posted by: Jak Sucio at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (Aoykm)

171 161 What does the "touch nose" thing mean?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (v6JzV)

It means "sobriety test". Just aim for the middle of the your forehead and slide your finger downward.

Posted by: Paul Pelosi at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (PiwSw)

172 One of the many great things about Israel is they go after the heads of state. If government were the principal target of violence in war we might not have so many.

Posted by: Oglebay at July 31, 2024 11:25 AM (ogTiX)

The message was for Iran. And it was clear: "We can get you while you are sleeping in your villa in Tehran."

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (d9fT1)

173 never fear. we still have boeing on our side.

Posted by: nasa at July 31, 2024 11:31 AM (oY6Yp)

---------------

And there's always Virgin Galactica..

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (B2cfh)

174 Our debt is manageable. But, our government would need to find some fiscal sanity.

The US is blessed with things which should be the envy of the world: Abundant energy, natural resources and farming. Allow those three things to thrive without continuing to add debt and things will work themselves out.

It won't ever happen because our politicians have no reason to do so. Instead, our political class play the siren song of buying off constituents while the ship of nation sinks beneath an ocean of debt.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (tT6L1)

175 White dudes for Harris, I saw that. Talk about low T groups.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (pohLc)

176 That's a powderkeg on the scale of gun confiscation.

people will make memes, complain online, and then comply -- and maybe vote harder next time

Posted by: brak at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (NGHTx)

177 The answer, of course, is that it won't. I doubt very much that this is a serious proposal but even if it is,

all it can do is speed the day of reckoning.

Burn baby, burn!

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (Mp4VO)

178 Which might make sense, if they know they aren't going to have a chance to stack the court anytime soon. So for the next several years/decades, the court is the enemy, when not that long ago it was the solution.

It is funny how quickly the court that stopped Reagan and occasionally the Bushes went from heroic justices not afraid to wield their power to save the country to...the evil "selected not elected" bunch in 2000

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (oZhjI)

179 GAB information about the alleged Crooks posts:

The majority of EpicMicrowave’s posts supported Joe Biden’s policies, particularly, his COVID lockdowns, border policies and executive orders. “To the best of Gab’s knowledge, as of 2021, Crooks was a pro-lockdown, pro-immigration, left-wing Joe Biden supporter,” Torba said.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (UOpCJ)

180 123. Interesting book you’re reading there. Written like a true DEI believer.

Posted by: Jen the original at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (ZD7we)

181 What can’t continue, won’t.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (fiUiH)

182 How about this?

Lobster dinner for King Charles cost France €450,000

..

We have to be close to the end.

Western leaders literally don't give a F.

Posted by: Not trying to be mean but... at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (4Nt1t)

183 165 Yup. "SpaceX keeps winning fixed-cost contracts and the older space contractors can't even compete with SpaceX when they're allowed to do so on a cost-plus basis, because SpaceX's track record of successful completion is better than theirs - and this is a super duper bad thing" articles have started. Ars Technica's was astounding.

we can't have elon beat us to the platinum asteroid. do you want him to set up an independent empire on mars?

Posted by: nasa at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (oY6Yp)

184 179 GAB information about the alleged Crooks posts:

The majority of EpicMicrowave’s posts supported Joe Biden’s policies, particularly, his COVID lockdowns, border policies and executive orders. “To the best of Gab’s knowledge, as of 2021, Crooks was a pro-lockdown, pro-immigration, left-wing Joe Biden supporter,” Torba said.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (UOpCJ)

========

"But his parents had Trump signs!"

"No we didn't."

"Shut up, racists."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (GBKbO)

185 I would have thought that but then I remember when Clinton retroactively raised taxes and there was barely a peep heard.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (aD39U)

---------------

Making Taxing The Dead Great Again!

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:35 AM (B2cfh)

186 123. Interesting book you’re reading there. Written like a true DEI believer.

?

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:35 AM (xCA6C)

187 "Our debt is manageable. But, our government would need to find some fiscal sanity."

I always like to ask people what they would like to cut. Not a lot of good responses.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:35 AM (B0mGw)

188 The number is designed to reinforce to the marginally aware that we COULD fix the climate, that there's a plan that could be implemented if we all pitched in, . . . . but Conservatives want all of us to die horribly.

If it was a bigger number, the con would be too obvious. Assume this was focus-group tested.
Posted by: 2009Refugee at July 31, 2024 11:30 AM (8AONa)

Could be, but that number is already outrageous, which most of us know, but then I guess this wasn't intended for us to be the audience for it.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (cTK0d)

189 What can’t continue, won’t.
Posted by: Farmer Bob at July 31, 2024 11:34 AM (fiUiH)

There is a lot of ruin in a great nation.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (aD39U)

190 173 And there's always Virgin Galactica..

battlestar galactica > virgin galactica

Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (oY6Yp)

191 Well I know where I can get 7.26 trillion dollars right now. We just confiscate everyone's 401k. ...
Posted by: NR Pax at July 31, 2024 11:29 AM (+4yJ5)
++++
No point. This is a high-risk/low-reward exercise that has tremendous downsides.

Even setting aside the social and legitimacy crisis - if there's anything that could cause a real uprising in the US at the moment, that might it be it - it would be fiscally pointless. Retirement funds are mostly invested, with fairly little cash. A bunch of that investment is *already* in government securities, so that gets subtracted immediately.

Then you have stocks and other bonds. Those aren't money. To be turned into money, they have to be sold. There is *some* cashflow - dividends, coupon payments, etc. - but it isn't much as compared to market value.

Selling it at scale will crash the value. The $7 trillion would become maybe $2-$3 trillion pretty quickly, and there'd be a real risk of revolution.

Much safer just to siphon off a chunk of it through egregious rejiggering of the tax code.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (HnUIn)

192 The only security experience I have, is I was a bodyguard for a couple of early 90's Porn stars, and I took a TX security guard course. HOWEVER HAD I BEEN AT THE BUTLER SITE I WOULD INSTANTLY HAVE SEEN THE POTENTIAL SNIPER VULNERABILITIES. You are trying to tell me that Secret Service Pros missed those obvious vulnerabilities? That is absolute Bull Shit.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (Da7Vv)

193 Yeah, but Elon, if that's his real name, is probably way less good at Muslim outreach than NASA.

Posted by: Blow Up The Moon! at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (55kM1)

194 Ok. I'm stupid, so use small words so I can understand.

How does carbon dioxide affect global temperatures?

Posted by: nurse ratched at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (UpLUT)

195 One of the many great things about Israel is they go after the heads of state. If government were the principal target of violence in war we might not have so many.

I remember during the Iraq War all the Dems and GOPers arguing assassinating Hussein was immoral but going to war with his country was not and frankly is disgusted me.

If you are willing to send a bunch of American soldiers to go fight and die you should also be willing to get your lilly white hands "dirty". Note, that doesn't mean assassination is always or even often the right choice to a problem - but the fact our congressscum found it morally objectionable compared to everything else they do is laughable.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (oZhjI)

196 175 White dudes for Harris, I saw that. Talk about low T groups.
Posted by: Xipe Totec

So low, it should be "low t".

Posted by: Moron Analyst at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (JCZqz)

197 I would have thought that but then I remember when Clinton retroactively raised taxes and there was barely a peep heard.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (aD39U)

--------------

Do the Clintons still take tax deductions for their used underwear?

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (B2cfh)

198 Yup. "SpaceX keeps winning fixed-cost contracts and the older space contractors can't even compete with SpaceX when they're allowed to do so on a cost-plus basis, because SpaceX's track record of successful completion is better than theirs - and this is a super duper bad thing" articles have started. Ars Technica's was astounding.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

I mean, from the "all eggs in one basket" perspective it's not strictly wrong. Thing is they fail to properly identify the source of the problem and the required corrective measures, as usual.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (OUMaO)

199 I am so lazy, sitting here with you Morons rather than mowing the lawn before the heat of the day.
Posted by: G'rump928(c)

It's not like you are wasting the day though.

My choices today are;

1) The Moron Horde,
2) Drinking at the condo
3) Go to the beach
4) Going out to drink
5) Drinking at the beach

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (6WCwE)

200 The $7 trillion would become maybe $2-$3 trillion pretty quickly, and there'd be a real risk of revolution.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (HnUIn)

Crushing the middle class is the goal, not raising revenue.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (aD39U)

201 Why would a left winger want to kill Trump? Doesn't make sense.

He's obviously a right wing Trump supporter who didn't think Trump was Trumpy enough anymore.

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:38 AM (MNJ3i)

202 192 You are trying to tell me that Secret Service Pros missed those obvious vulnerabilities? That is absolute Bull Shit.

but their pronouns are magnificent

Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 11:38 AM (oY6Yp)

203 Great observations Jose de Mannix.

Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at July 31, 2024 11:38 AM (P7Iz+)

204 The regime is preparing to send out info to people with federal student load on how to take advantage of the latest forgiveness scheme. Despite SC decision forbidding all of this, tens of millions have or will receive some form of relief (free money.)

Why do the Dems even want to bother reforming SC? They don't pay any attention to their decisions. Plus any Hawaiian judge can overrule anyway.

Posted by: Ripley at July 31, 2024 11:38 AM (GUOwU)

205 What does the "touch nose" thing mean?
=====

The nose knows.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 31, 2024 11:38 AM (AYNL4)

206 White dudes for Harris, I saw that. Talk about low T groups.

--------------

#WhiteGayPedosForHarris

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (B2cfh)

207 Jeff Bridges seems to have more dementia than Joe Biden. Mumble, Mumble, slur, slur. Drool.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (pohLc)

208 Note, that doesn't mean assassination is always or even often the right choice to a problem - but the fact our congressscum found it morally objectionable compared to everything else they do is laughable.

Posted by: 18-1

Well, unless it's potentially against domestic rivals outside the Uniparty, that is.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (OUMaO)

209 197 Do the Clintons still take tax deductions for their used underwear?

hmmmm.... *takes note* used underwear vending machine franchise

Posted by: hillary! at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (oY6Yp)

210 How does carbon dioxide affect global temperatures?
Posted by: nurse ratched at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (UpLUT)

Synesthesia

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (MNJ3i)

211
I always like to ask people what they would like to cut. Not a lot of good responses.

The problem is that we've accepted year after year the notion that government should be funding everything that anyone could want. I remember Shrub's proposal to move SS to private accounts. It was pretty simple and rational and wow did he get demagogued for it.

I suspect if we do somehow avoid default a part of the solution will be confiscation - either by the left of the wealth held by normies, or by the right of the wealth held by the oligarchs and bureaucracy.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (oZhjI)

212 1) The Moron Horde,
2) Drinking at the condo
3) Go to the beach
4) Going out to drink
5) Drinking at the beach
Posted by: Tonypete at July

Pack a cooler with drinks and sammiches.
Grab a bag of chips
Grab your tablet
Go to the beach, hang out, eat drink and post from your tablet.

Duh.

Posted by: nurse ratched at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (UpLUT)

213 You know who else was a white dude?

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (MNJ3i)

214
What does the "touch nose" thing mean?

You have a booger.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (eDfFs)

215 Ok. I'm stupid, so use small words so I can understand.

How does carbon dioxide affect global temperatures?

The theory is that solar radiation passes through the atmosphere because it's at less absorbed wavelengths. However, after it hits the surface of the earth, it becomes heat, which can't pass through the CO2 layer, so it is trapped.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (xCA6C)

216 Inflation is a great way for governments to skim to fund their excessive spending. It's like having a home equity loan. It's easy money until what you owe starts to become as large as the value of your home.

Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (Gse2f)

217 Our debt is manageable. But, our government would need to find some fiscal sanity. ...
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:33 AM (tT6L1)
++++
We're at - or perhaps already beyond, but it's hard to know in real time - the last moment where that is true.

"Fiscal sanity" is, at this point, "cuts so deep and immediate that we return to fiscal surplus despite the depression it would immediately cause. Deficits end. Now. And stay gone until the debt is retired down to less than 50% of GNP."

That level of austerity is not going to happen. Social spending evaporates and the government needs to shrink by about 25% or more outside of the social spending arena - to start. As the phony GDP support topples, it has to ratchet down even faster to remain in surplus because the inflated base is now shrinking, too.

We're in it until it blows. When it blows, the US will fracture. That's not entirely a bad thing.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (HnUIn)

218 I always like to ask people what they would like to cut. Not a lot of good responses.
Posted by: Ribbed

BS.

Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury

Not kidding.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (6WCwE)

219 193 Yeah, but Elon, if that's his real name, is probably way less good at Muslim outreach than NASA.

pointing at mecca from mars is hard

Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (oY6Yp)

220 I mean, from the "all eggs in one basket" perspective it's not strictly wrong. Thing is they fail to properly identify the source of the problem and the required corrective measures, as usual.
Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (OUMaO)
++++
Ars, at least, barely even tries for that distinction.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (HnUIn)

221 My first cut would be the entire budget of DOJ, FBI, CIA, USSS.

Posted by: Xipe Totec at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (pohLc)

222 Well I know where I can get 7.26 trillion dollars right now. We just confiscate everyone's 401k. ...
Posted by: NR Pax

-

They already have.

By 2030 that dollar you had saved in 2020 will be worth 25 cents, and the government was the one that did it.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (py5ez)

223 214 What does the "touch nose" thing mean?

You have a booger.

or a tape recorder up it

Posted by: raymond luxury yacht at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (oY6Yp)

224 Yup. "SpaceX keeps winning fixed-cost contracts and the older space contractors can't even compete with SpaceX when they're allowed to do so on a cost-plus basis, because SpaceX's track record of successful completion is better than theirs - and this is a super duper bad thing" articles have started. Ars Technica's was astounding.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

I mean, from the "all eggs in one basket" perspective it's not strictly wrong. Thing is they fail to properly identify the source of the problem and the required corrective measures, as usual.
Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:37 AM (OUMaO)

Just wait until those other space companies get their DEI ducks in a row and then they'll show Elon what for.

Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (g8Ew8)

225 "I suspect if we do somehow avoid default a part of the solution will be confiscation - either by the left of the wealth held by normies, or by the right of the wealth held by the oligarchs and bureaucracy."

Why fix the problem when you can make it worse?

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (B0mGw)

226 211 The problem is that we've accepted year after year the notion that government should be funding everything that anyone could want. I remember Shrub's proposal to move SS to private accounts. It was pretty simple and rational and wow did he get demagogued for it.

I suspect if we do somehow avoid default a part of the solution will be confiscation - either by the left of the wealth held by normies, or by the right of the wealth held by the oligarchs and bureaucracy.
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (oZhjI)
=======

Cut everything. From the military to my own Medicare "benefits".

Just let me stop paying.

I can better spend that money.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (GBKbO)

227 Doom. We are beyond preventing a fiscal collapse. Which probably won't entail a societal collapse or conquest, *crosses fingers*, but it will be bad.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (aD39U)

228 Why would a left winger want to kill Trump? Doesn't make sense.

Things the FNM tells me:

Trump supporters want to assassinate Trump
Trump was injured by an invisible exploding teleprompter
Its normal for the SS to immediately delete its coms after an assassination attempt
The correct response to an assassination attempt is to tell the victim to calm his tits.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (oZhjI)

229 This poolside bikini brunette hates both climatism and failure theater, so Yellen earns double contempt from her:
http://tiny.cc/pa7czz

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:41 AM (HnUIn)

230 "10 Why do we need to pay taxes if the feds are just gonna' print money 24X7? 🤷‍"

Why don't they just give every person $10 million dollars, it would solve everyone's problems.

Posted by: Honky's for the Ho at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (FjlUt)

231 The question for me has always been 'Will the New Dollar have Reagan on it, or Obama?'

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (aD39U)

232 What can’t continue, won’t.
Posted by: Farmer Bob

It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues. There is iron in your words of death for all Comanche to see, and so there is iron in your words of life. No signed paper can hold the iron. It must come from men. The words of Ten Bears carries the same iron of life and death. It is good that warriors such as we meet in the struggle of life... or death.

It shall be death.

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (Mp4VO)

233 I'd give the DoD a pretty drastic haircut. It's shit the bed in many ways, and can realistically be asked to do more with less.

Posted by: But I'm Also Not Interested In Being Worldcop at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (55kM1)

234 194 Ok. I'm stupid, so use small words so I can understand.

How does carbon dioxide affect global temperatures?
Posted by: nurse ratched

Sunlight hits the earth. Earth reflects some visible light, but also warms slightly from the sunlight. That heat is released as infrared light. CO2, water vapor, and some other gasses can absorb infrared light, instead of letting it dissipate and leave the planet. As the gasses absorb the infrared light, they warm up, warming the atmosphere (and everything else)

For a planet with more solar energy coming in, and a thicker atmosphere, it can act like a blanket and go out of control with heating.

Posted by: Venus at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (JCZqz)

235 I always like to ask people what they would like to cut. Not a lot of good responses.

--

Have we met?

Day one: Any employee that isn't required to come to work on snow days is now part time without benefits.

Day two: 10% off of everything.

Day three: Zero based budgeting. Explain to me why you need the money.

I can do more but that gets us moving in the right direction.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (py5ez)

236 This poolside bikini brunette hates both climatism and failure theater, so Yellen earns double contempt from her:

Very pretty.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (xCA6C)

237 BS.
Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury
Not kidding.
-------
I agree with all of those. Go do a survey of which of those departments are unnecessary and should be eliminated.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (B0mGw)

238 Much safer just to siphon off a chunk of it through egregious rejiggering of the tax code.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (HnUIn)

Yeah, I know people worry about them confiscating retirement accounts, but asset confiscation might be more in the realm of property and businesses, things that actually have, you know, real value.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (cTK0d)

239 Ars, at least, barely even tries for that distinction.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Yeah. It was kind of a garbage article. They did all the research, laid out the facts, but totally refused to connect the dots, because MUSK BAD and all that or something.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (OUMaO)

240 Why would a left winger want to kill Trump? Doesn't make sense.

*cough Literally Hitler cough*

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (Mp4VO)

241
Why don't they just give every person $10 million dollars, it would solve everyone's problems.

I've seen leftists suggest this seriously. With $10M everyone could pay off their debt and buy a home!

Of course if the government were to do this the median homeprice would suddenly jump well ABOVE $10M.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (oZhjI)

242 Day one: Any employee that isn't required to come to work on snow days is now part time without benefits.

Day two: 10% off of everything.

Day three: Zero based budgeting. Explain to me why you need the money.

I can do more but that gets us moving in the right direction.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (py5ez)

No money to foreigners.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (aD39U)

243 Remember when the debt was under a trillion?

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (l/hRk)

244 It can be lunch time

Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (3Vkwq)

245 We're in it until it blows. When it blows, the US will fracture. That's not entirely a bad thing.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (HnUIn)
---------------

Oddly enough, I didn't realize just how bad Congress was until PDT was elected. PDT would have signed a bill designed to curb budget excess, had Paul Ryan done what he claimed he was for. Ryan chose otherwise and here we are.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (tT6L1)

246 149
‘ they prove to be just normal, unsavory politicians.’

I see Jefferson as America’s first Democrat.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (jbnUc)

247 BS.
Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury
Not kidding.
-------
I agree with all of those. Go do a survey of which of those departments are unnecessary and should be eliminated.
Posted by: Ribbed

Any department that is duplicated at the state level.

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (Mp4VO)

248 No money to foreigners.
Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses

--

$1000 reward for the ear of an illegal.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (py5ez)

249 We tend to look up to the Founders as secular saints, but once you look into their political maneuverings they prove to be just normal, unsavory politicians.

I’m watching Allen C. Guelzo’s America’s Founding Fathers from The Great Courses; about halfway in and it has been fascinating.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (EXyHK)

250 Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury

Not kidding.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (6WCwE)
++++
Cut them entirely. Cut them to zero.

We don't even get close. The government as such - its operations, its departments, its facilities, its payrolls - as terrible as it is, is not the problem.

The problem is HHS and specifically CMS. The problem cannot be solved without touching those. Social Security is not a major problem. It can be solved. Medicare and Medicaid are a different story.

Which is why it is not going to be fixed until a fiscal crisis knocks the entire thing over.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (HnUIn)

251 Jeff Bridges will always be that giant naked asshole in "Village Of The Giants" to me.

Posted by: fd at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (vFG9F)

252 I can do more but that gets us moving in the right direction.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:42 AM (py5ez)

No money to foreigners.
Posted by: G'rump928(c)

Fuck foreigners. They can hate us for free.

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (Mp4VO)

253 If you are willing to send a bunch of American soldiers to go fight and die you should also be willing to get your lilly white hands "dirty". Note, that doesn't mean assassination is always or even often the right choice to a problem - but the fact our congressscum found it morally objectionable compared to everything else they do is laughable.
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM (oZhjI)

———-

My opinion is that a significant part of today’s issues all stem from the first Gulf War which of itself was due to the foreign policy and military existential crisis after the Berlin Wall fell.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (UOpCJ)

254 Lesbian Space Witches >> Lesbian Cowboys

Posted by: Elric Blade at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (iFTx/)

255 I agree with all of those. Go do a survey of which of those departments are unnecessary and should be eliminated.
Posted by: Ribbed

You are miss-understanding me. I am claiming those depts. are unnecessary or counter-productive. They need to be razed and (perhaps) re-initiated - maybe.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (6WCwE)

256 Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury

-
I agree with all of those. Go do a survey of which of those departments are unnecessary and should be eliminated.
Posted by: Ribbed

--

Already been done:

Tenth Amendment - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (py5ez)

257 Doesn’t it make you wonder how these people live their daily lives? As soon as I see them living strictly by their rules to save the earth, I will take them seriously. No ac. No heat. Compost everything. No meat. No fun.

Posted by: Piper at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (ClBAL)

258 254 Lesbian Space Witches >> Lesbian Cowboys
Posted by: Elric Blade at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (iFTx/)
======

I dunno.

Hot chicks on cowboy hats...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, riding the anarchy train with John Landis at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (GBKbO)

259 UN United Nations/Oxfam International

>Oxfam Reaction to the UN State of Food Security and Nutrition Report 2024, July 24, 2024 By Oxfam

In part, "We support Brazil’s efforts, as part of its G20 presidency, to form the new Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.”

>Brazil president unveils global alliance against hunger and poverty at Rio meeting of G20 leaders, 1 day ago, YouTube

>G20 Brazil 2024 - g20 dot org/ en/ Yellin is there for the US

>By Oxfam statistics/standards, probably every US citizen is well to do. At this time, Oxfam America is riding the richest, for example: Top 1 percent bags over $40 trillion in new wealth during past decade as taxes on the rich reach historic lows, Published: 25th July 2024

So how's it work out for the middle class? Maybe true that only Trump is standing in the way? (Just thoughts, no responses expected.)
------
23 I don't get it. People who would vote for Kamala, just what the hell would they be voting *for*?
Posted by: Divide by Zero (The Morning Report)

Total power to take, control, distribute and redistribute. On in until/unless it sinks to their particular level.

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (NFX2v)

260 Reagan ran against out of control deficit spending, when it was $80B a year. Of course it got worse while he was President and ever since but, it is amazing how our view of debt has changed in 40 years.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (aD39U)

261 "What can’t continue, won’t.
Posted by: Farmer Bob "

I've been hearing that for around 40 years. And yet it continues, somehow.

Posted by: Ripley at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (GUOwU)

262 They keep shooting the environment with the big money gun. But in the past 40 years of this crap, they have reported no gains from the previous money that has been spent on the environment.

Our solution to the fake global warming crisis is to spend lots of money on hookers and blow at the environmental convention.

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at July 31, 2024 11:47 AM (8OBKf)

263 No money to foreigners.
Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses

--

$1000 reward for the ear of an illegal.
Posted by: Moron Robbie

$5 an ear. And I'll still make a grand a week part time.

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:47 AM (Mp4VO)

264 Just wait until those other space companies get their DEI ducks in a row and then they'll show Elon what for.

Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons

Yeah. I can see it now. All-DEI engineered spacecraft to launch with all-DEI crew. Blows up on launch pad killing everyone within a half-mile. Old white guys who were barred from having anything to do with it blamed.

Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:47 AM (OUMaO)

265 I've seen leftists suggest this seriously. With $10M everyone could pay off their debt and buy a home!

Of course if the government were to do this the median homeprice would suddenly jump well ABOVE $10M.
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:43 AM (oZhjI)

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm taking my $10 million and starting a fentanyl manufacturing operation.

Why let the Chinese and mexicans get all those bucks?

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:48 AM (cTK0d)

266 Doesn’t it make you wonder how these people live their daily lives? As soon as I see them living strictly by their rules to save the earth, I will take them seriously. No ac. No heat. Compost everything. No meat. No fun.
Posted by: Piper

No private jets. No stretch limos.

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:48 AM (Mp4VO)

267 Its a good thing the Constitution isn't a Suicide Pact. Oh, wait....

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 11:48 AM (FmapG)

268 End anchor baby citizenship.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:49 AM (py5ez)

269 We would save tax money if we just paid Federal Bureaucrats to stay home and not work promulgating regulations.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses at July 31, 2024 11:49 AM (aD39U)

270 "How does carbon dioxide affect global temperatures?"

Water holds less of gases as its heated. 02. CO2.

It's why you see bubbles when you boil water. If your fish tank gets too warm, your fish die. They don't boil, they suffocate from not enough O2.

There's a correlation between increasing tempartures and more CO, but eco-scientists mix up cause and effect. Higher temperatures mean more CO2 in the atmospehere. More CO2 by itself has a negligible effect.

Accurate graphing shows which comes first.

Where's my Nobel Prize?

Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:49 AM (Gse2f)

271 And then there were prominent Republicans like Darth Cheney "Debt doesn't matter".

Posted by: gourmand du jour at July 31, 2024 11:49 AM (MeG8a)

272 Hard to believe someone has never seen good responses.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:49 AM (py5ez)

273 Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury

Not kidding.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (6WCwE)

If you saw how little that money would save as a percentage, you would keel over.

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (MNJ3i)

274 I see Jefferson as America’s first Democrat.

Posted by: Dr. Claw

I agree.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (xCA6C)

275 And then there were prominent Republicans like Darth Cheney "Debt doesn't matter".
Posted by: gourmand du jour at July 31, 2024 11:49 AM (MeG8a)
++++
He left off the last three words.

"for a while."

Deficits don't matter for a while.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (HnUIn)

276 Accurate graphing shows which comes first.

Where's my Nobel Prize?
----------------
Hey, Reagan, Thatcher and Pope Paul ended the Cold War without firing a shot. Did you see them awarded a Nobel Peace Prize?

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (FmapG)

277 233 I'd give the DoD a pretty drastic haircut. It's shit the bed in many ways, and can realistically be asked to do more with less.
Posted by: But I'm Also Not Interested In Being Worldcop

I told you, it was the dog! Stop being obsessed with me!!!

Posted by: Amber Heard at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (JCZqz)

278 If Trump would have been murdered what 2 d rate Republican would have leaped into the race?

Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (3Vkwq)

279 Jeff Bridges seems to have more dementia than Joe Biden. Mumble, Mumble, slur, slur. Drool.
Posted by: Xipe Totec at July 31, 2024 11:39 AM (pohLc)

Just like in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot!

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (JRP2U)

280 Yeah. I can see it now. All-DEI engineered spacecraft to launch with all-DEI crew. Blows up on launch pad killing everyone within a half-mile. Old white guys who were barred from having anything to do with it blamed.
Posted by: Brother Tim sez fuck cancer at July 31, 2024 11:47 AM (OUMaO)
---------------

Why do you think Boeing used an Atlas 5 to get Starliner to the ISS? Boeing couldn't afford to kill their astronauts on the way up, but figured they could get by if their people died on the way back.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (tT6L1)

281 278 If Trump would have been murdered what 2 d rate Republican would have leaped into the race?
Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (3Vkwq)

Nikki Haley

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (IyPmt)

282 Oddly enough, I didn't realize just how bad Congress was until PDT was elected. PDT would have signed a bill designed to curb budget excess, had Paul Ryan done what he claimed he was for. Ryan chose otherwise and here we are.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (tT6L1)

———

I fell for the “we’ll git er dun” BS too.

They had that stuff lined up like jets on a tarmac, just give them the House, Senate and Presidency..

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (UOpCJ)

283 278 If Trump would have been murdered what 2 d rate Republican would have leaped into the race?

Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 11:50 AM (3Vkwq)

Haley vs. Kamala.

The only election where everyone is a loser.

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (KbCG3)

284 My first cut would be the entire budget of DOJ, FBI, CIA, USSS.
=====

As I recall, there are 17 (seventeen) alphabet spy agencies.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (AYNL4)

285 If Trump would have been murdered what 2 d rate Republican would have leaped into the race?

-

I suspect the plan was Haley.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (py5ez)

286 Probably within our lifetimes the majority of the budget will be to service the debt. It's already a big item.
No money for anything else.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (MeG8a)

287 Did Nikki endorse Trump before he was shot in the head or after?

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (py5ez)

288 The system is going to collapse. We are past the point of no return. The only question is who will do the rebuilding?

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (d9LQi)

289 Weird right wingers hate the planet.

Posted by: MAGA is So Weird at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (NSFZ4)

290 271 And then there were prominent Republicans like Darth Cheney "Debt doesn't matter".

---

Debt doesn't matter.....to the government

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (8OBKf)

291 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.

Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (4zk5T)

292 The Lesbian of Love >> The Lesbian Cowboy

Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (2ocoG)

293 The only election where everyone is a loser.

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (KbCG3)

What was McCain Obama and Romney Obama

Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (MNJ3i)

294 246 149
‘ they prove to be just normal, unsavory politicians.’
-----
I see Jefferson as America’s first Democrat.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 11:44 AM (jbnUc)

While I think it is likely he never banged any of his slaves, he did live his life as a contradiction to his supposed principles.

He also took quite the blind eye to the evil that was the french revolution. And in the end, he was a fantasist, believing in things that were maybe nice ideas, but ultimately unrealistic.

So yeah, classic Democrat.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (aOLxn)

295 Nikkki Haley has more delegates earned than Kamala.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (d9LQi)

296 Debt doesn't matter.....to the government
Posted by: Lemmiwinks at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (8OBKf)
++++
If this were true, there would be no opposition to reducing it.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (HnUIn)

297 Our tax money gets sent to the Governments grifters

Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (3Vkwq)

298 Remember, the Global Warming solutions don't help anyone.

$3T/year and not a single person will be helped.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (py5ez)

299 Second look at the Articles of Confederation?

/Maybe 50 Disunited States?

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024, Now #1 With a Bullet! at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (B2cfh)

300 "For a planet with more solar energy coming in, and a thicker atmosphere, it can act like a blanket and go out of control with heating." Venus

All the climate models for Earth are based on Steve Hansen's models for Venus built for NASA decades ago. Venus is 98% CO2. Go figure

Posted by: Ignoramus at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (Gse2f)

301 291 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.
--------------
Half inch or three quarter?

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (FmapG)

302 "What can’t continue, won’t.
Posted by: Farmer Bob "

I've been hearing that for around 40 years. And yet it continues, somehow.
Posted by: Ripley at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (GUOwU)

Well, we've been saved by being the only healthyish economy and safestish place for other countries to dump their money.

Now, thanks to Biden and the Dims and their love affair with inflation and piss-poor foreign policy and lousy energy policy,

other economies are starting to look good kinda sorta.

When they stop paying into our pot, the ax falls.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (eDfFs)

303 I'd give the DoD a pretty drastic haircut. It's shit the bed in many ways, and can realistically be asked to do more with less.

One thing to note is how many fancy expensive weapons systems the US uses in its conflict when 2K lb bombs or artillery shells would do the job just as well.

Its nominally in the name of avoiding enemy civilian causalities but really just another part of the graft engine. Why sign off on a $1M contract for boring old artillery shells when you can sign off on a $1B contract for cool, exciting drone/AI tech!

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (oZhjI)

304 293 The only election where everyone is a loser.

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at July 31, 2024 11:51 AM (KbCG3)

What was McCain Obama and Romney Obama
Posted by: ... at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (MNJ3i)

Did we know McCain and Romney were such losers prior to those elections? I freaking knocked on doors for that c*cksucker Mitt.

Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (KbCG3)

305 Kamala just endorsed no taxes on social security, while Donald Trump promised to take it away from seniors and disburse the remaining trust fund to billionaires.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (d9LQi)

306 There's a correlation between increasing tempartures and more CO, but eco-scientists mix up cause and effect. Higher temperatures mean more CO2 in the atmospehere. More CO2 by itself has a negligible effect.

I prefer the term "climate Scientologists".

Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (2ocoG)

307 Instead of being mean to the undocumented non-citizens, we could just give each $1 million to go home. It will free us from having to physically remove them, saving money, and they will have money to go home and make their own countries better.

Posted by: Kracka's for Kumala at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (FjlUt)

308 Project 2025 will mandate weirdness for hipsters.

Posted by: Ripley at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (GUOwU)

309 I don't like the name, Dirk any longer.

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (J8LnB)

310 Did Nikki endorse Trump before he was shot in the head or after?
Posted by: Moron Robbie - Will someone explain the gunshot 10 seconds after all the shooting? at July 31, 2024 11:52 AM (py5ez)

Before. What if that was the signal, that it was time to put the plan in motion.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (aOLxn)

311
Dept. of Education
Dept. of Labor
Dept. of Homeland Security
Dept. of Energy
Dept. of Interior
Dept. of State (by 85%)
Dept. of Treasury

Not kidding.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:40 AM (6WCwE)

I'd add
Dept of Commerce
National Science Foundation
NPR

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (N39Ws)

312 We don’t need NASA anymore. Abolish it, let Elon take care of that part from now on.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (rGH6a)

313 $3T/year and not a single person will be helped.

Going to disagree. All the politicians talking positively of it will get fabulously wealthy from it.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (oZhjI)

314 Want to get things under control? Welfare for illegals is what, 500 billion a year? How about monthly drug tests for welfare recipients? How about setting the max benefit at 2 or 3 kids? You want 4 or 5 kids? Not on our dime.

Oh, and I briefly dated a former welfare worker. According to her, it was easy to close welfare cases. All it required was some diligence on the part of welfare office workers.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (tT6L1)

315 Howdy, Doof!

How goes the war with TJM? Still in detente?
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:04 AM (HnUIn)

Detente is the current status. Or at least I want him to believe that!

Posted by: Doof at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (RhGG0)

316 "Money" has been "fake" since ? Dec 23rd, 1913? "Come on guys, just ram this thing through, and we can all go home for the holidays."

Then there was gold confiscation in the ? 30's, then Nixon took us off what was left of the gold standard. USD has been fiat ever since, as all other central banks also went pure paper/digital.

But the whole Modern Monetary Theory thing requires some real discipline, which was the point of a gold standard. MMT just gives politicians an excuse to "do what the people need", which is actually redistributing wealth ... to the richest oligarchs.

Joe and Hunter are making millions, while those oligarchs around the world buy our politicians and game our system for billions.

Posted by: illiniwek at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (Cus5s)

317 The Lesbian of Love >> The Lesbian Cowboy
Posted by: Ian S. at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM

Pompatus of Love >> The Lesbian of Love >> The Lesbian Cowboy

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 31, 2024 11:55 AM (ZANHd)

318 Project 2025 will mandate weirdness for hipsters.
Posted by: Ripley at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (GUOwU)

If it doesn't outlaw beard wax, then what's the point.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 11:56 AM (aOLxn)

319 At one time we could inflate $3T of national debt to a reasonable number. We can't do that at $35T and growing rapidly.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at July 31, 2024 11:56 AM (d9LQi)

320 Some people call me Maurice...

Posted by: But you can call me Ray at July 31, 2024 11:56 AM (DobEs)

321 I see Jefferson as America’s first Democrat.

Posted by: Dr. Claw

I agree.

Which is ironic in that he founded the Democratic Republican Party, which eventually split, and part of it first became the Whigs and then ultimately became the Republican Party. Hamilton founded the Federalist Party.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 11:56 AM (xCA6C)

322 265. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm taking my $10 million and starting a fentanyl manufacturing operation.

Why let the Chinese and mexicans get all those bucks?
Posted by: BurtTC

7/31/24: The President (FJB) receives a briefing on the Administration’s new actions and ongoing work to crack down on drug traffickers smuggling deadly drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States, and efforts to beat the global opioid epidemic

So, a little action now.
--------
National Opioids Settlement.
Where is the opioid settlement money going?
Under both the 2021 and 2022 National Settlements, at least 85% of the funds going directly to participating states and subdivisions must be used for abatement of the opioid epidemic, with the overwhelming bulk of the proceeds restricted to funding future abatement efforts by state and local governments. Jun 5, 2024

Anyone see anything in action?

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (NFX2v)

323 At one time we could inflate $3T of national debt to a reasonable number. We can't do that at $35T and growing rapidly.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at July 31, 2024 11:56 AM (d9LQi)
++++
Not in one year, we couldn't.

And not each year for twenty years.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (HnUIn)

324 Years ago when welfare was much harder to get I remember the static was that ~90% of recipients were off it in a year. But the other 10%? Lifers and usually across generations.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (oZhjI)

325 303 I'd give the DoD a pretty drastic haircut. It's shit the bed in many ways, and can realistically be asked to do more with less.

One thing to note is how many fancy expensive weapons systems the US uses in its conflict when 2K lb bombs or artillery shells would do the job just as well.

Its nominally in the name of avoiding enemy civilian causalities but really just another part of the graft engine. Why sign off on a $1M contract for boring old artillery shells when you can sign off on a $1B contract for cool, exciting drone/AI tech!
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (oZhjI)

Bring back the MOAB and let God sort them out.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (N39Ws)

326 I've been thinking about this for a while and-

I've come to the conclusion that Trump should advertise that-

Joe's out of control spending will not be

..

Two problems with this.

1. Trumps spending was also out of control.

2. He's not proposing reduced spending or shrinking government.

Neither is the Gope.

It's Big Government uniparty.
Posted by: Not trying to be mean but... at July 31, 2024 11:22 AM (4Nt1t)

Nah, I don't agree with 1) since most of that was during the Magical Time of Covid. Not happening again.

And as for 2), as significant claw-back isn't at all obviated by what Trump spends or doesn't spend.

Try again.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (eDfFs)

327 Half. Making drawers

Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM (Nnk6l)

328 Years ago when welfare was much harder to get I remember the static was that ~90% of recipients were off it in a year. But the other 10%? Lifers and usually across generations.
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (oZhjI)
++++
Which should be forbidden. If state-funded welfare is to be a thing at all, it should have strict maximums of time or cash value.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM (HnUIn)

329 307 Instead of being mean to the undocumented non-citizens, we could just give each $1 million to go home. It will free us from having to physically remove them, saving money, and they will have money to go home and make their own countries better.
---------------
Better still is to offer a Bounty of $1M per Illegals to Americans. It would solve the problem fast and make Americans both wealthy and moar polite.

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM (FmapG)

330 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.
Posted by: Jamaica

You must be bored.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM (6WCwE)

331 Dwahhs.

Posted by: Massholes at July 31, 2024 11:59 AM (DobEs)

332 251
‘ Village Of The Giants’
That was Beau.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 11:59 AM (jbnUc)

333 @319

>>At one time we could inflate $3T of national debt to a reasonable number. We can't do that at $35T and growing rapidly.

Functionally, our debt can never be "paid" back at this point, it's needs to be abracadabraed away by magical animal spirits.

Which is what I had thought one of the elements of The Plandemic were going to be, a Reset, across the board of the Global Ledgers, but apparently the only purpose of the Plandemic was to evict Orange Hitler from the White House.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 31, 2024 11:59 AM (XV/Pl)

334 314 Want to get things under control? Welfare for illegals is what, 500 billion a year? How about monthly drug tests for welfare recipients? How about setting the max benefit at 2 or 3 kids? You want 4 or 5 kids? Not on our dime.

Ye$, plea$e

Posted by: Medical testing lab$ at July 31, 2024 11:59 AM (JRP2U)

335 326 Nah, I don't agree with 1) since most of that was during the Magical Time of Covid. Not happening again.

ah. an optimist.

Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 11:59 AM (oY6Yp)

336 Severely

Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (W8s7v)

337 Where will it come from you ask? Joe, the freaking gov.-Fed- Treasury - banks PRINT it !!! It's all fake. The so-called gov. owns the printing press and there is no limit on how much they can print. Actually, it will be "printed" from a keyboard. Push a few buttons and wallah!! Another trillion is created. We're DOOMED and we'll eventually know it.

Posted by: Guillermo at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (558mO)

338 Fighting climate change is avishing $3 trillion on people and industries that will kick back a substantial chunk of the money back to politicians I'm absolutely sure will prevent the earth from boiling.

I wonder if I can get paid for my enormous efforts in keeping crocodiles from swimming in the Great Lakes.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (9IMJI)

339 Where will it come from you ask? Joe, the freaking gov.-Fed- Treasury - banks PRINT it !!! It's all fake. The so-called gov. owns the printing press and there is no limit on how much they can print. Actually, it will be "printed" from a keyboard. Push a few buttons and wallah!! Another trillion is created. We're DOOMED and we'll eventually know it.
Posted by: Guillermo at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (558mO)
++++
Sure.

Except that it can't. It just speeds the day.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (HnUIn)

340 Half. Making drawers
Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM

We spend half our time trying to get into them.

Posted by: Single 'Rons at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (a3Q+t)

341 333 Functionally, our debt can never be "paid" back at this point, it's needs to be abracadabraed away by ~~magical animal spirits~~ inflating it into irrelevence.

fixt

Posted by: modern monetary theory at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (oY6Yp)

342 The plywood is the hardest part.

Posted by: Ancient Somali proverb at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (DobEs)

343 I am taking the time to listen Boston sports radio.

Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (W8s7v)

344 I wonder if I can get paid for my enormous efforts in keeping crocodiles from swimming in the Great Lakes.

You've done a superb job so far.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (xCA6C)

345 Climate Change is how you tax the air.

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (FmapG)

346
How does carbon dioxide affect global temperatures?

Posted by: nurse ratched at July 31, 2024 11:36 AM

It does not. But higher concentrations of carbon dioxide does make plants, food crops, yield better. Banner crop of vegetables (and weeds) this year at my acreage.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (RKVpM)

347 Can't wait for us to be taking trunkfuls of 500-million-dollar bills to go buy a loaf of bread at the supermarket.

Posted by: A Weimar republic if you can keep it at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (q1Zxb)

348 I wonder if I can get paid for my enormous efforts in keeping crocodiles from swimming in the Great Lakes.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (9IMJI)
-------------

Find the right person to write the proposal and you'll get the money.

/no, I am not kidding.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (tT6L1)

349 Bring back the MOAB and let God sort them out.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (N39Ws)

Or you know, we could stop altogether, dropping bombs on people who aren't invading our country.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (aOLxn)

350 Years ago when welfare was much harder to get I remember the static was that ~90% of recipients were off it in a year. But the other 10%? Lifers and usually across generations.
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:57 AM (oZhjI)
++++
Which should be forbidden. If state-funded welfare is to be a thing at all, it should have strict maximums of time or cash value.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM

I was thinking about that on my morning drive. Here in the PDRM, it's called the Department of Transitional Assistance. Yet, it seems to be a way of life for most people on it. Any steps proposed to encourage self-sufficiency are vehemently opposed by Almost all of Beacon Hill.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (ZANHd)

351 340 Half. Making drawers
Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM

We spend half our time trying to get into them.
---------------
How are you on making shelves? Imma asking for a friend.

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (FmapG)

352 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.
Posted by: Jamaica

You must be bored.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM

Once they're ripped, he'll be board.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 31, 2024 12:02 PM (a3Q+t)

353 Can't wait for us to be taking trunkfuls of 500-million-dollar bills to go buy a loaf of bread at the supermarket.
Posted by: A Weimar republic if you can keep it at July 31, 2024 12:01 PM (q1Zxb)

I'm gonna use my trunk full of money to buy cake.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 12:02 PM (aOLxn)

354
Once they're ripped, he'll be board

And ingrained.

Posted by: Groan at July 31, 2024 12:03 PM (DobEs)

355 We’ll cut spending when the dollar crashes and we have no other choices left.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 31, 2024 12:03 PM (rGH6a)

356 Ha.
Shelves are easy if you glue the cleats to the s/r and skip the stud finding

Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 12:03 PM (W8s7v)

357 291 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.

hang on a sec. you're waiting for morning wood?

Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 12:03 PM (oY6Yp)

358 Want to get things under control? Welfare for illegals is what, 500 billion a year? How about monthly drug tests for welfare recipients?

How about kicking them the fuck out? Or completely shutting off the spigot to illegals?

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (Mp4VO)

359 I would have thought that but then I remember when Clinton retroactively raised taxes and there was barely a peep heard.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) muses
***********
Paying that retro tax took the money I was planning to use to buy a new pick up. I called the White House and got through. I asked if Buuba could explain why his tax was better for the economy than my buying a truck. I was told I should be calling my congressman. I said my representative voted against the tax hike so I didn't need to talk to him.

Posted by: Cosda at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (RS8TZ)

360 It does not. But higher concentrations of carbon dioxide does make plants, food crops, yield better. Banner crop of vegetables (and weeds) this year at my acreage.
_____

Having enough food to eat really reduces our ability to control the masses. Fighting climate change actually means reducing the food supply.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (9IMJI)

361 Don't be knotty.

Posted by: Mama will spank you at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (DobEs)

362 You don't *listen* to cattle. You put him in a pasture and keep him there to produce meat and milk. You don't ask them what they want. What they want is more or less irrelevant, and they couldn't articulate it in human speech anyway.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 08:23 AM (HnUIn)
==
This is why I am enjoying the battle of the billionaires so much. We have competing views coming for the people who can make it happen. I'm rooting for Elon's side at the moment.

Posted by: Black JEM at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (GZYu7)

363 Doesn’t it make you wonder how these people live their daily lives? As soon as I see them living strictly by their rules to save the earth, I will take them seriously. No ac. No heat. Compost everything. No meat. No fun.
Posted by: Piper

No private jets. No stretch limos.
Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 11:48 AM (Mp4VO)

No lights! No phones! No motor car! Not a single luxury!

Posted by: GILLIGAN at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (kJH1Z)

364 So Joe said today he's giving more student loan "forgiveness."

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 12:04 PM (IyPmt)

365 hang on a sec. you're waiting for morning wood?
Posted by: anachronda at July 31, 2024 12:03 PM

The Bob Dole can help with that. Call me.

Posted by: Bob Dole at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (a3Q+t)

366 261 "What can’t continue, won’t.
Posted by: Farmer Bob "

I've been hearing that for around 40 years. And yet it continues, somehow.
Posted by: Ripley at July 31, 2024 11:46 AM (GUOwU)

Ray Kurzweil's "The Singularity is Near" had an interesting perspective on debt, noting that productivity was growing at an exponential rate. I think his conclusion was, "Eh, the future will take care of itself..."

Posted by: Bacon Jeff at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (VGRuw)

367 @341

>>fixt

You can't really inflate it away anymore, the only way out is the FED puts our current debt in one hand, puts it behind it's back, says some magic words, and the other hand comes out with a substantially reduced debt.

That or Global Thermonuclear War will do the trick.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (XV/Pl)

368 I'm betting that Ace's new post will be on the new release from James O'Keefe. It's a beaut.

Posted by: Archimedes at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (xCA6C)

369 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.
Posted by: Jamaica

You must be bored.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 31, 2024 11:58 AM

Once they're ripped, he'll be board.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 31, 2024 12:02 PM

But if he can't get the plywood he's screwed.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (ZANHd)

370 Norwegian wood.

Posted by: Isn't it good at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (DobEs)

371 314
‘ How about setting the max benefit at 2 or 3 kids? ’
How about sterilizing them as a requirement to get Welfare at all?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (jbnUc)

372 307 Instead of being mean to the undocumented non-citizens, we could just give each $1 million to go home. It will free us from having to physically remove them, saving money, and they will have money to go home and make their own countries better.
Posted by: Kracka's for Kumala at July 31, 2024

I am voting no on this. I am not interested in rewarding law breakers when I am busting my tail every day. I suggest we take a different approach. You have 72 hours to return from where you came. Should you decide you prefer not, understand you will be rounded up, you will be dropped at the border. We will wish you luck.

Simultaneously, we deploy the border protection standards of North and South Korea.

Posted by: Piper at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (2N3ca)

373 You don’t listen to cattle.

“The dominant subject of our age has become neither reader nor writer but user, a figure conceived as a bundle of needs and impairments—cognitive, physical, emotional. Like a patient or child, the user is a figure to be protected and cared for but also scrutinized and controlled, submitted to research and testing.”—Ellen Lupton, thinking with type

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (EXyHK)

374 Janet Yenta

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (JvZF+)

375 @357

>>hang on a sec. you're waiting for morning wood?

Ersatz John Lennon: Norwegian Morning Wood to be exact.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (XV/Pl)

376 "You are miss-understanding me. I am claiming those depts. are unnecessary or counter-productive. They need to be razed and (perhaps) re-initiated - maybe."

You're misunderstanding me. I believe you and I agree. The problem is most people think every last peon in government is vital to their safety and lifestyle. They don't want to let go. Everyone has their pet government handout. That's the beauty of the scam.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (B0mGw)

377 Billionaires and trillionaires.

Posted by: The Bern at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (DobEs)

378 Ever wonder how Powell must feel about Yellen. I've read they are, were, friends. But she has fucked up Treasury so badly I wonder. One of the DEI hires of the left that continually break things and make life worse.

Posted by: Black JEM at July 31, 2024 12:07 PM (GZYu7)

379 375 @357

>>hang on a sec. you're waiting for morning wood?

Ersatz John Lennon: Norwegian Morning Wood to be exact.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (XV/Pl)

Looks like afternoon wood now

Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 12:07 PM (IyPmt)

380 I wonder if I can get paid for my enormous efforts in keeping crocodiles from swimming in the Great Lakes.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at July 31, 2024 12:00 PM (9IMJI)

There goes my idea, to teach crocs to swim, and get Canadian visas.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (aOLxn)

381 OT:

"White Women for Kamala" meets Robin DiAngelo, Gentle Parenting style, via "Mrs. Frazzle":

https://tinyurl.com/jmpj6rnz

Mary Katharine Ham clears up some questions, which Robin DiAngelo would never allow, of course:

https://tinyurl.com/4c6cax9v

Posted by: KT at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (xekrU)

382 From the sidebar: Three very young girls stabbed to death in Southport, UK, by Youth of Unknown Extraction
One girl's dying word were, "Diversity... is... our strength..."

"Please, no.....immigrant backlash....."

Posted by: Another Little Girl's dying words at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (JCZqz)

383 First they tried to shove Cankles down our throat in 2016, now it's Cackles in 2024.

They never learn

Posted by: mpfs, Jooish Spy Dolphin reporting for duty at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (c4NPH)

384 371 314
‘ How about setting the max benefit at 2 or 3 kids? ’
How about sterilizing them as a requirement to get Welfare at all?
Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31

Y’all. This is very ugly. We can’t be pro life and pro this. I don’t want to set number of kids, but a max benefit amount is reasonable.

Think about this a minute. Ben Carson. JD Vance. Clarence Thomas.

Posted by: Piper at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (2N3ca)

385 Looks like afternoon wood now
Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 12:07 PM

Always a delight.

Posted by: Starlight Vocal Band at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (a3Q+t)

386 Yellen's "goals" exceed her life expectancy.

She wants her "goals" to be immortal.

Yet another idiot with a god complex.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at July 31, 2024 12:09 PM (rP48S)

387 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.
Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (4zk5T)

Pining for the delivery?

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at July 31, 2024 12:09 PM (JRP2U)

388 "Please, no.....immigrant backlash....."
Posted by: Another Little Girl's dying words at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (JCZqz)
--------------

Some AWFL complained about the images being shared for that reason. It was beyond grotesque.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 12:09 PM (tT6L1)

389 The government should be free to do whatever it needs to fight climate change. Take whatever money it needs no matter the source. Confiscation from anyone with means.

Posted by: Sid at July 31, 2024 12:09 PM (6l41q)

390 Ah, Sid. My favorite fake-troll.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (HnUIn)

391 Could we get the IDF to take out Yellin for some moar ammo?

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (FmapG)

392 Its nominally in the name of avoiding enemy civilian causalities but really just another part of the graft engine. Why sign off on a $1M contract for boring old artillery shells when you can sign off on a $1B contract for cool, exciting drone/AI tech!
Posted by: 18-1 at July 31, 2024 11:54 AM (oZhjI)

———

Agree here and I’ll add that if you believe in free markets, the lowest cost most efficient military will win.

The USA has priced itself out of winning any sustained conflict.

You can chalk it up to lack of political will, but ultimately the USA is unable to protect the Red Sea trade routes because the expense it too damn high. Regardless of the side point of whether we should be protecting this routes to begin with.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (UOpCJ)

393 379 375 @357

>>hang on a sec. you're waiting for morning wood?

Ersatz John Lennon: Norwegian Morning Wood to be exact.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 31, 2024 12:06 PM (XV/Pl)

Looks like afternoon wood now
Posted by: It's me donna at July 31, 2024 12:07 PM (IyPmt)

Doesn't wood float?
--Natalie

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (N39Ws)

394 NOOD HAMAS

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (HnUIn)

395 "Some AWFL complained about the images being shared for that reason. It was beyond grotesque."

Might be time to adopt the age old, time tested next of kin revenge. Justice has fallen in the streets.

Posted by: Ribbed at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (IHRQq)

396 THE BOSS HAS A NOOD

Posted by: Skip at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (3Vkwq)

397 Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.
Posted by: Jamaica at July 31, 2024 11:53 AM (4zk5T)

Pining for the delivery?
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at July 31, 2024 12:09 PM (JRP2U)

You must be board

Posted by: Hatari somewhere on Ventura Highway at July 31, 2024 12:10 PM (NtVYv)

398 Also, illegal aliens should not be eligible for any benefits except a ride home. Legal immigrants should still have to prove the ability to sustain themselves economically prior to entry.

Posted by: Piper at July 31, 2024 12:11 PM (2N3ca)

399 389 The government should be free to do whatever it needs to fight climate change. Take whatever money it needs no matter the source. Confiscation from anyone with means.
-------------
Flip side, just kill the useless breathers. Climate Restored.

Posted by: Pudinhead at July 31, 2024 12:11 PM (FmapG)

400 How about setting the max benefit at 2 or 3 kids? ’
How about sterilizing them as a requirement to get Welfare at all?
Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 12:05 PM (jbnUc)

How about a capped payment regardless of how many kids there are. Cut the incentive to crank out kids to get more welfare. Ideally we'd have no welfare system at all, at least not the bloated perverse one we have now.

Posted by: And vouchers only at July 31, 2024 12:11 PM (q1Zxb)

401 Sid obviously supports genocide and mass murder to create some lebensraum for the Tribe of Sids. Way to go, sport.

Posted by: Erik In Texas at July 31, 2024 12:12 PM (iJVoP)

402
Waiting for a plywood delivery since 9am.

Samuel Beckett's worst play.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 31, 2024 12:12 PM (eDfFs)

403 Nice to see I got beaten to that.

Posted by: Erik In Texas at July 31, 2024 12:13 PM (iJVoP)

404 >>> 254 Lesbian Space Witches >> Lesbian Cowboys
Posted by: Elric Blade at July 31, 2024 11:45 AM (iFTx/)

*We* have motherfcking MAGIC PUSH.

Posted by: lesbian space witches at July 31, 2024 12:13 PM (FnneF)

405 I don’t want to set number of kids, but a max benefit amount is reasonable.
____

People not on welfare have a max benefit, which is whatever they can earn. It doesn't go up with each kid they have. Setting a max benefit would be fair, and dare I say, equitable.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at July 31, 2024 12:13 PM (9IMJI)

406 The government should be free to do whatever it needs to fight climate change. Take whatever money it needs no matter the source. Confiscation from anyone with means.
-------------
Flip side, just kill the useless ~~breathers~~ government. Climate Restored.
Posted by: Pudinhead

Fixed.

Posted by: rickb223 Buy Ammo & Shelf Stable Foods at July 31, 2024 12:13 PM (Mp4VO)

407 Noodus airstrike

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 31, 2024 12:14 PM (J2vNu)

408 For most people our USD is all they got ... like Tom Cruise in Officer and Gentleman ... "I got nowhere else to go".

Bitcoin has made a stab at an alternative, but most of those transactions now happen through the big institutions. It is possible to do it without Fidelity or Blackrock I guess, but even the more secure route seems vulnerable to state control.

Posted by: illiniwek at July 31, 2024 12:15 PM (Cus5s)

409 Bitcoin has made a stab at an alternative, but most of those transactions now happen through the big institutions. It is possible to do it without Fidelity or Blackrock I guess, but even the more secure route seems vulnerable to state control.
Posted by: illiniwek
------
Anything relying on other people's computers to clear is obtainable by the Feds. The Silk Road takedowns should illustrate that as the Feds back tracked the blockchain ledgers until it led to real names in the real world.

As Ben Franklin said, two people can keep a secret only if one of them is dead.

Posted by: whig at July 31, 2024 12:18 PM (qdbNv)

410 Y’all. This is very ugly. We can’t be pro life and pro this. I don’t want to set number of kids, but a max benefit amount is reasonable.

Think about this a minute. Ben Carson. JD Vance. Clarence Thomas.
Posted by: Piper at July 31, 2024 12:08 PM (2N3ca)
------------

Fair point. Max benefit it is, independent of number of children.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at July 31, 2024 12:20 PM (tT6L1)

411 409
‘ Silk Road takedowns should illustrate that as the Feds back tracked the blockchain ledgers until it led to real names in the real world.’

Maybe the next frontier towards a free currency is encryption.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at July 31, 2024 12:21 PM (jbnUc)

412 If you're talking about problems with Janet Yellen, haircuts definitely need to be part of the conversation.

Posted by: Impudent Warwick at July 31, 2024 12:21 PM (f/6Wb)

413 Janet Yellin and Screamin is out of her depth in a parking lot puddle. A DIE hire before that was a big thing.

Posted by: Bonecrusher at July 31, 2024 12:32 PM (JNTt1)

414 And all in the service of a DAMNED LIE.

Carbon dioxide feeds plants. Remember the "Carbon Cycle," folks? the perpetual interplay between C02 and O2?

We have the lowest C02 levels in eons: now around 400 ppm, has been as high as 1200 ppm in the lush, dinosaur era.

Finally: Carbon dioxide is a LAGGING indicator, not a LEADING indicator--increased atmospheric carbon dioxide rises on average 400 years AFTER any warming. It is an effect, not a cause.

(There's so much more, but that last point should set fire to this evil woman's claims. Yes, evil. All of them.)

Posted by: Beverly at July 31, 2024 12:38 PM (Epeb0)

415 Well blow my flute.

Posted by: Humphreyrobot at July 31, 2024 12:45 PM (J8LnB)

416 So much of the commentary is about the excessive amounts the Yellen creature wants to spend but relatively little about the fact that there is no global warming or that reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is bad for the environment (pace, those who have said it). Are we all just agreed that her announced problem doesn’t exist or do some of us still believe the global warming/climate change/runaway greenhouse hoax?

Posted by: BrickShy at July 31, 2024 01:09 PM (WK0PT)

417 router hash change

Posted by: andycanuck (wse2C) at July 31, 2024 11:10 AM (i0CiB)

Posted by: andycanuck (i0CiB) at July 31, 2024 03:41 PM (i0CiB)

418 deleting old one from dropdown list!

Posted by: andycanuck (i0CiB) at July 31, 2024 03:41 PM (i0CiB)

Processing 0.06, elapsed 0.0785 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0219 seconds, 426 records returned.
Page size 224 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.