Wednesday Morning Rant

Boo!

No, not Halloween. With the election right around the corner and Election Math everywhere - EV projections, polling changes, early vote tallies, registration and turnout deltas, ad nauseam - another routine event has fallen more or less by the wayside as it always does, election year or not. And since Election Math makes my brain (and stomach) hurt, there's another kind that is always appropriate at this time of year: fiscal.

Yes, the United States' Federal Fiscal Year 2024 is now done and dusted and the US Treasury has published its final Monthly Treasury Statement (MTS) of the fiscal year. It's pretty harrowing stuff. At the top of it is the simple imbalance. Money in last year: $4.919 trillion. Money out last year: $6.752 trillion. The deficit was $1.83 trillion, and receipts covered a scant 72.8% of spending.

But top-line figures are only skin deep. Where's the money going? Four places, in essence: medical services, Social Security, interest and the military. Medical services ("Health" plus Medicare plus VA) took $2.11 trillion net, Social Security took $1.461 trillion, which isn't as bad as it looks because it is directly funded by its own tax that is nearly big enough to cover it. It was funded at about 85%. Social Security is in deficit, but doing better than the government as a whole. Unpopular as it would be, it could be fixed.

The medical services deficit is another story. Like Social Security, Medicare also has a dedicated revenue stream. A revenue stream that covers a laughably small amount of the total. Revenues off the Medicare tax amounted to $0.387 trillion. CMS spent a total of $2.222 trillion (there's some moving of money from one pocket to another so it nets out lower, but that's the gross spending). CMS is funded at just 17.4%. Its deficit of $1.835 trillion looks pretty familiar - it's the federal deficit. The entire federal deficit. And that insurmountable problem explains much in the rest of the budget.

It puts a lot of corruption into perspective. That "green" cash cannon that Ace wrote about on Monday is a nothingburger in comparison. $27 billion is real money. It is, in fact, staggering. It's about 25% of the entire US Department of Transportation budget and about 37% of the entire HUD budget. It's about 7.6x more than the amount spent on the National Park Service and double what Trump wanted for a border wall and better enforcement (which was, of course, the one thing the Dems argued that we can't afford). It's real money, and it appears that the lion's share was skimmed off for cronies - but that huge multi-year sum amounts to just 1.5% of CMS' single-year deficit. It's a drop in the bucket.

All of that "chump change" adds up fast, but if you were to zero all of it, you will find that it is still a rounding error on the total problem. Why do they feel like they can get away with stealing nearly $30 billion on one program? Because they can. Nobody will even notice unless they bother to look. Curtailing that is right, proper and necessary - but it can't "move the needle" on spending. Not in comparison.

And there's also no downside to engaging in such brazen corruption, not personally and not otherwise. They get rich, the Party takes care of its own and the real problems remain so stupendous that their cronyism is easily lost as noise. It's big money to your or me, but not to a federal government running nearly a 30% deficit. And by the time that becomes the deciding factor, none of it matters anyway because that means the state is bouncing checks and it's every Party Man for himself.

Terrifying as it is, "keep partying until the money's all gone" has clearly become the rule of the day..

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 st

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (CIS44)

2 First?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (J2vNu)

3 hey yo!

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (CIS44)

4 Almost!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (J2vNu)

5 th!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (kgE5c)

6 Not 1st

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:01 AM (v6JzV)

7 Joe, I know you are not a cop, but can you still book the miscreants?

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 30, 2024 11:01 AM (u82oZ)

8 Boo?
One B away from boob!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at October 30, 2024 11:01 AM (aBawG)

9 Let us know, Joe, how LEOs are preparing for next week. 😊

Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:01 AM (p4NUW)

10 DOOM!

I kinda think something awful *must* happen for us to get back to a more sane fiscal policy.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:02 AM (FnneF)

11 Gold is up 10% in the last 75 days. Or another way of looking at it, the dollar is down 10% in the last 75 days.

Posted by: Maricopa County Election officials at October 30, 2024 11:03 AM (+H2BX)

12 We are heading to a wedding soon. Mrs. BD has been consulting with me on what she should wear. The mixing and matching and starting all over again has been going on for an hour.

I'm dying here!!!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:04 AM (QJ2FR)

13 Joe, I know you are not a cop, but can you still book the miscreants?
Posted by: NaCly Dog

No. Only Danno can do the booking.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:04 AM (v6JzV)

14 Hello Everyone!

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at October 30, 2024 11:04 AM (QGaXH)

15
1. biden never said it
2. biden misspoke
3. even if biden said so what?
4. shut up, nazi

Posted by: Soothsayer at October 30, 2024 11:05 AM (VKkvC)

16 Earlier thread is claiming that Aldrin has endorsed the God Emperor

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:05 AM (gKWVE)

17 Any troop movements near or around major cities yet?

Posted by: pawn at October 30, 2024 11:05 AM (QB+5g)

18 Coffee time

Posted by: Ciampino - Si Ispettore, ho bisogno di sonno adesso at October 30, 2024 11:06 AM (i0xsb)

19 Any troop movements near or around major cities yet?
Posted by: pawn at October 30, 2024 11:05 AM (QB+5g)

HAH! They will be allowed to roam free and ravages cities for days just as they were in 2016.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:06 AM (CIS44)

20 We are heading to a wedding soon. Mrs. BD has been consulting with me on what she should wear. The mixing and matching and starting all over again has been going on for an hour.

I'm dying here!!!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey

This is one reason I'm so glad I'm a guy. Dark blue suit and a tie. Done and done.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:06 AM (v6JzV)

21 >>> 17 Any troop movements near or around major cities yet?
Posted by: pawn at October 30, 2024 11:05 AM (QB+5g)

Not that *I* have heard, but I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House.

"Nothing says 'consent of the governed' like thousands of troops in DC!"

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:07 AM (FnneF)

22 CBS to Walz, You've called Trump supporters nazis and Biden called them garbage. Does that undermine your message calling for unity?

Walz: certainly not!

Posted by: It's happening at October 30, 2024 11:07 AM (bqGJu)

23 Gee, I dunno what to think about the deficit... Has a Hollywood celebrity tweeted something about it yet?

Posted by: G. I. Antdipshit, Agawam, MA at October 30, 2024 11:07 AM (qUkBO)

24 Earlier thread is claiming that Aldrin has endorsed the God Emperor

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:05 AM (gKWVE)

Obama?...he's running?

Posted by: BignJames at October 30, 2024 11:07 AM (Yj6Os)

25 Why do they feel like they can get away with stealing nearly $30 billion on one program? Because they can. Nobody will even notice unless they bother to look.
-

Obligatory:

https://tinyurl.com/49ym5as5

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:07 AM (QJ2FR)

26 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Could be the big statue of Biden giving the finger to the White House. Odd that he's starting construction now.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:08 AM (gKWVE)

27 We are heading to a wedding soon. Mrs. BD has been consulting with me on what she should wear. The mixing and matching and starting all over again has been going on for an hour.

I'm dying here!!!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:04 AM (QJ2FR)

Tell her to wear a gold lamé bikini and an ostrich feather. When she objects, tell her "then I'm all out of ideas".

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:08 AM (ExV1e)

28 This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
This ain't no Mudd Club or C.B.G.B.
I ain't got time for that now

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 30, 2024 11:09 AM (AdHga)

29
Good morning fellow garbage!

Posted by: Frank Barone at October 30, 2024 11:09 AM (+oR7L)

30 Good news, Supreme Court backed Virginia over non citizen voting.

Bad news, the ruling was on ideological lines.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at October 30, 2024 11:09 AM (SWg7F)

31 Early voting returns in NV, AZ, NC, GA, WI, and PA are horrendous for the JOY candidate.

North Carolina Republicans expanded their early voting lead again.

PA Update Last day

New mail-in ballot returns:
REP: +33,669
DEM: +31,930

Republicans up 40,500 in Nevada.

She's going to lose the entire sunbelt.

Posted by: Jay in PA at October 30, 2024 11:09 AM (i7Q7S)

32 Except for the government efficiency talk from Musk, there was nothing in any of the debates/interviews about fiscal responsibility.

Amazing !!

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 11:10 AM (RHGPo)

33 FYI, when a Democrat calls for "unity," they mean unity "on the left."

Posted by: Anti-Faucist at October 30, 2024 11:10 AM (qUkBO)

34 This is one reason I'm so glad I'm a guy. Dark blue suit and a tie. Done and done.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:06 AM (v6JzV)
-

Yep. I teased her choosing my one pair of black dress shoes and selecting from my multiple white dress shirts. Then I put on the suit pants and said I hope I can find a matching jacket.

I got no laughs.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:10 AM (QJ2FR)

35 11 Gold is up 10% in the last 75 days. Or another way of looking at it, the dollar is down 10% in the last 75 days.
Posted by: Maricopa County Election
==========
More concerned about the price of oil and gas. The price on energy is the price of civilization.

Gold, by comparison, is essentially a store of value and a traditional flight to safety. So for most people, the price of energy matters more in your daily lives than gold and that is why energy price inflation affects the economy a lot more than the price of gold.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:10 AM (ctrM5)

36 I write often, we are in the looting of the Republic in the history of Falling of Empires.

Posted by: Skip at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (fwDg9)

37 Yes. I don't like taxes but comparing the medicare amount to what insurance and medical care costs, its obvious that even if that money was going into a personal HSA it in no way would cover the costs that the gub'mint picks up for folks.

I used to think that was why the uniparty was so hot to get to single payer, so they could rewrite the rules to be more like Britain and simply refuse to cover expensive treatments. But now I think they care less about that and just want a another way to control people.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (CKOCg)

38 Willowed:

Wait, what? You're going to be at TX MoMee X???
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (FnneF)

I'm told it's going to be the tenth one, so I should. I just need to lose some weight and get myself back into an acceptable sight for others first.

I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU)

39 "$27 billion is real money"

[Snickers]

-- Jerry Powell

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (iFTx/)

40 "Supreme Court Allows Virginia To Remove Noncitizens From Voter Rolls"

Trump is making a stop there...

Posted by: Jay in PA at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (i7Q7S)

41 Is this with or with out the unfunded liabilities?

Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (t8vHj)

42 If Monty were writing this I wouldn't feel as if something along the lines of a few girl photos are missing.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (tY6Sj)

43 Cut there's not mine!
-99.9% of people

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (CIS44)

44 How much money is held by Americans in retirement accounts for potential confiscation by the feral government?

Beware the CBDC ...

/only half-joking

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024: Make The Glass Ceiling Great Again! at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (PiA2X)

45 Lots of shenanigans going on in PA.. At least it's before election day and the RNC is actually suing for disenfranchising voters....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (IyPmt)

46 It's pronounced "gar-bah-hey". It's French for really awesome people who I disagree with politically but otherwise love.

I have a terrible stutter when i try the French accent.

Haters. Get off my lawn!

Posted by: Preznit Asswipe Jones at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (CFblW)

47 I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing

Paging Ms. Piper P. Piper...

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (v6JzV)

48 Gold, by comparison, is essentially a store of value and a traditional flight to safety. So for most people, the price of energy matters more in your daily lives than gold and that is why energy price inflation affects the economy a lot more than the price of gold.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:10 AM (ctrM5)
-----------

Back when I read Denniger, he made this point repeatedly: Everything is based off of energy inputs. Cheap energy means a higher standard of living is attainable for more people.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (tT6L1)

49 I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU)
====================
Bestsellerdom awaits! Podcast too!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (tY6Sj)

50 MP 4, we will embrace you in any way, shape or form.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (t8vHj)

51 Is this with or with out the unfunded liabilities?

Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (t8vHj)

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

Unfunded liabilities a couple of decades ago was over $200 trillion; I imagine it's now over $300 trillion.

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024: Make The Glass Ceiling Great Again! at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (PiA2X)

52 MP 4, we will embrace you in any way, shape or form.
Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (t8vHj)

this is true, they even embrace my man bun and tattoos.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (CIS44)

53 Where in the world is ~~Carmen Sandiego~~ Victoria Nuland?

https://tinyurl.com/2s378r7t

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (QJ2FR)

54 Good morning, fellow garbage people! Everyone have their pouncing gear on?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (2UnvF)

55 this is true, they even embrace my man bun and tattoos.
Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (CIS44)
-----------

*Note: need to work on sideways stink eye

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (tT6L1)

56 52 this is true, they even embrace my man bun and tattoos.
Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (CIS44)

=======

Would they accept my muscles, my abs, and my beauty?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (GBKbO)

57 Good morning, fellow garbage people! Everyone have their pouncing gear on?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (2UnvF)

Crap I only put on my seizing gloves.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (CIS44)

58 Happy 85th Birthday to Grace Slick.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (Da7Vv)

59 I agree with the post. But the ironic reality is that when it comes to budgeting and deficit issues, Congress is almost uniquely doing what its constituents want. Imagine that!

Neither party gives a goat's flying flaming asshole about deficit spending or borrowing, because none of their voters do. Even conservatives have proven over and over again that in choosing between fiscal sanity and keeping the cocaine THOT party going, they will choose the latter. Every. Single. Time.

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (iFTx/)

60 Would they accept my muscles, my abs, and my beauty?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (GBKbO)
------------

You're going to bring Dollie?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (tT6L1)

61 22 CBS to Walz, You've called Trump supporters nazis and Biden called them garbage. Does that undermine your message calling for unity?

Walz: certainly not!
____

All the globalists around the world and their ignorant sheep followers are united against those garbage nazis! Billions!

Posted by: Chuck Martel at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (fs1hN)

62 Back when I read Denniger, he made this point repeatedly: Everything is based off of energy inputs. Cheap energy means a higher standard of living is attainable for more people.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (tT6L1)

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

Trump obviously understands this, as well as the dictum:

Economic Security == National Security.

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024: Make The Glass Ceiling Great Again! at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (PiA2X)

63 Would they accept my muscles, my abs, and my beauty?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (GBKbO)

Maybe if you weren't an illiterate asshole.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (CIS44)

64 37 Yes. I don't like taxes but comparing the medicare amount to what insurance and medical care costs, its obvious that even if that money was going into a personal HSA it in no way would cover the costs that the gub'mint picks up for folks.

I used to think that was why the uniparty was so hot to get to single payer, so they could rewrite the rules to be more like Britain and simply refuse to cover expensive treatments. But now I think they care less about that and just want a another way to control people.
Posted by: PaleRider
======
Medicaid and Medicare should be viewed as subsidies for the medical industry and has resulted in a massive expansion of that similar to the way that federal higher education aid has bloated spending on higher education.

Basically, you have two ways to ration scarce goods--one is by price/market value and the other is via politics. Medicare and Medicaid are rationing by politics in that Fedgov determines what will be covered and what is not plus how much Fedgov will pay which is amplified by private insurers piggybacking on what the Fedgov does in rationing. So you get a ratcheting inflation drive in medicine.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (ctrM5)

65 * gives BruceWayne a grandmotherly kiss on the cheek*

Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (t8vHj)

66 26 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Could be the big statue of Biden giving the finger to the White House. Odd that he's starting construction now.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:08 AM (gKWVE)
----
That statue will be in papier mâché using old WaPo copies and FJB drool. It'll be gone with the first rain.

Posted by: Ciampino - Si Ispettore, ho bisogno con la saliva at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (i0xsb)

67 I’m hoping for massive cuts in spending. Targeting as much as possible democrat voters
Balancing the budget on the backs of the left so to speak.
After all they put us here. Surely they will want to pay their ‘fair share’.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (jbnUc)

68 63 Would they accept my muscles, my abs, and my beauty?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (GBKbO)

Maybe if you weren't an illiterate asshole.
Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:16 AM (CIS44)

=======

There are some things one cannot change!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (GBKbO)

69 53 Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego Victoria Nuland?

https://tinyurl.com/2s378r7t
_____

Check her bags for thermite.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (fs1hN)

70 58 Happy Birthday, Grace. Feed your head.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (gm9Sb)

71 Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego Victoria Nuland?

https://tinyurl.com/2s378r7t
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (QJ2FR)
====================
This evil witch and her lapdog husband are the modern version of Dick Cheney and Bush2.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (tY6Sj)

72 Would they accept my muscles, my abs, and my beauty?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (GBKbO)

Like a bunch o' Philistines!

Posted by: BignJames at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (Yj6Os)

73 Would they accept my muscles, my abs, and my beauty?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (GBKbO)

Just bring Dolley with you. No one will notice.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (ExV1e)

74 67 I’m hoping for massive cuts in spending. Targeting as much as possible democrat voters
Balancing the budget on the backs of the left so to speak.
After all they put us here. Surely they will want to pay their ‘fair share’.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (jbnUc)

======

Put Musk in charge of finding all waste and fraud in government. Could be fun.

A Waste and Fraud Czar.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (GBKbO)

75 54 Good morning, fellow garbage people! Everyone have their pouncing gear on?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (2UnvF)

Rats. I brought my seizing gear. Be right back.

Posted by: NR Pax at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (OPGS/)

76 Check her bags for thermite.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (fs1hN)
-

The underlings do that. She doesn't touch the stuff.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (QJ2FR)

77 I'm told it's going to be the tenth one, so I should. I just need to lose some weight and get myself back into an acceptable sight for others first.

I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)

Well shit, that matters? Holy fuck, I gotta do some work if I'm ever going to get to Corsicana...

Seriously, just get there, man. It ain't Mr. Universe pageant.

Posted by: Brother Tim, Keeper of the Tim Continuum at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (OUMaO)

78 I embraced being one of Hillary's deplorables. I just can't do that with garbage people. I try to keep myself and the place above the white trash line although I embrace redneck.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 30, 2024 11:19 AM (CKOCg)

79 Put Musk in charge of finding all waste and fraud in government. Could be fun.

A Waste and Fraud Czar.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (GBKbO)
-

DOGE of the DOGE.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at October 30, 2024 11:19 AM (QJ2FR)

80 Seriously, just get there, man. It ain't Mr. Universe pageant.
Posted by: Brother Tim, Keeper of the Tim Continuum at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (OUMaO)

Well shit

*puts leopard banana hammock away*

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:19 AM (CIS44)

81
Seriously, just get there, man. It ain't Mr. Universe pageant.
Posted by: Brother Tim, Keeper of the Tim Continuum at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (OUMaO)
--------------

*Looks in mirror*

Yeah, ain't that the truth.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:20 AM (tT6L1)

82 Put Musk in charge of finding all waste and fraud in government. Could be fun.

A Waste and Fraud Czar.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:18 AM (GBKbO)

Step 1: Give me the names of everyone involved with regulating SpaceX.
Step 2: Enjoy the increased tempo of SpaceX launches.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:20 AM (ExV1e)

83 Why do actors and actresses now have to inject their political position into everything?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 10:55 AM (J2vNu)

Because many of them are cia operatives.

Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:20 AM (hmOfI)

84 I try to keep myself and the place above the white trash line although I embrace redneck.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 30, 2024 11:19 AM (CKOCg)

Where's Blanco Basura when you need him?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at October 30, 2024 11:20 AM (d9fT1)

85
Paging Ms. Piper P. Piper...
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:13 AM (v6JzV)

Ha! It’s a short story. Don’t pick a day in the future to start, because you won’t. Day 1 is today. Start small - go for a walk, 5 mins. Increase that tomorrow, even another minute is a win. Start to feel better, begin small food swaps. Before you know it, your entire way of eating is different, and if you miss your workout, you feel like something was really missing.

Every last one of you is worth carving out 50-60 minutes a day just for you. Get your minds to this point, the rest follows.

The end.

Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:20 AM (pZEOD)

86
People say "abs" as in plural. Is it wrong to only have one ab?

Posted by: Frank Barone at October 30, 2024 11:20 AM (+oR7L)

87 67 I’m hoping for massive cuts in spending. Targeting as much as possible democrat voters
Balancing the budget on the backs of the left so to speak.
After all they put us here. Surely they will want to pay their ‘fair share’.
Posted by: Dr. Claw
========
Before doing that, easier to build consensus by kicking out the 30-50 million illegals which are inflating the welfare budget (Medicaid, housing, food stamps, etc.) and that help drive inflationary pressures on scarce goods like housing. That allows a humane way to tell welfare recipients-there are now jobs out there and you shall work by the sweat of your brow for your keep.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:21 AM (ctrM5)

88 79 I hope Elon shows up on his first day of work eliminating waste wearing a green visor and carrying a Victor adding machine.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 30, 2024 11:21 AM (gm9Sb)

89 "deplorables" made for a great shirt:
tinyurl.com/afm3rhjf
(Disclosure - I did not make up this shirt and am taking no bribes for linking it here)

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:21 AM (gKWVE)

90 24
‘ Obama?...he's running?’

Our God Emperor. Not yours.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:21 AM (jbnUc)

91 The best part of old Joe calling MAGA voters garbage is it takes the Puerto Rico joke off the headlines....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:21 AM (IyPmt)

92 That foul ball in last night's game is analogous to the dem nomination. Betts is Biden and the two fans are Obama and Harris.

Posted by: Andy Dalton at October 30, 2024 11:22 AM (Dm8we)

93 That statue will be in papier mâché using old WaPo copies and FJB drool. It'll be gone with the first rain.
Posted by: Ciampino - Si Ispettore, ho bisogno con la saliva at October 30, 2024 11:17 AM (i0xsb)
---
And will cost taxpayers a few billion $$$

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 30, 2024 11:22 AM (7fElN)

94 Why do actors and actresses now have to inject their political position into everything?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
=======
Because somewhere about when the mass media began, celebrities and their insipid lives became important to cover for readership. As the State grew, it found entertainment to be convenient as a tool for control and propaganda.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (ctrM5)

95 So the dems spend two days harping on a joke about garbage and then preznit ruprect the monkey boy steps on his dick with his garbage people line and we are supposed to ignore it cause it makes them look bad.

Sure Jan.

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (CFblW)

96 Nearly 6m votes in FL and Gop ballots are 45% so far.

Bloodbath.

Hopefully their muhbortion amendment fails. It needs 60%.

Posted by: It's happening at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (bqGJu)

97 It seems to me the best way to look at our fiscal problem is not to look so much at the forest, the entire issue, but instead to focus on what is easier to accomplish, and attack spending at some of the lower levels of the budget. Howard Lutnick talks about this whenever he is asked what he and Musk will be doing, when he starts ticking off his list of stupid spending. The list they have so far adds up to $750 billion of last year's deficit.

Let's do that part, ie, eliminate as much of the 400 rule-making agency activity as is possible, reduce inflation and taxes, grow the economy, and then take stock of where we are.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (uliM6)

98 - repudiate the national debt
- means test SS and Medicare
- cut 90% of the Pentagon budget
- shutdown every overseas base, send remaining troops to southern border
- eliminate nearly every other Federal program
- deport immigrants, even the H1bs and green cards, unless they can demonstrate net contribution to society
- cut Puerto Rico loose
- imprison every Federal judge who has trampled the Consitution
- nuke the hippies

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (FC8SQ)

99 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Could be the big statue of Biden giving the finger to the White House. Odd that he's starting construction now.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:08 AM (gKWVE)
----
That statue will be in papier mâché using old WaPo copies and FJB drool. It'll be gone with the first rain.
Posted by: Ciampino

Probably re-using Obola's greek columns.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (aNhid)

100 66 26 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Could be the big statue of Biden giving the finger to the White House. Odd that he's starting construction now.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:08 AM (gKWVE)
----
That statue will be in papier mâché using old WaPo copies and FJB drool. It'll be gone with the first rain.
Posted by: Ciampino
=========
Biden is building the WickerMan for Trump.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (ctrM5)

101 ruprect the monkey boy

whoa. there's a reference i should have caught from a movie-stealing performance.
"Can I go to the bathroom?"

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (gKWVE)

102 50%+ Americans aren't garbage just around 50,000.

https://tinyurl.com/yxsxptj2

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (17s+e)

103 43 Cut there's not mine!
-99.9% of people

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (CIS44)
----
Their's

Posted by: Ciampino - Si Ispettore, e differente at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (i0xsb)

104 MamaWayne just showed up on first day of voting, line out and around the entire building few hundred at least, I haven't had to wait a second to early vote this year.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (CIS44)

105 I hope Elon shows up on his first day of work eliminating waste wearing a green visor and carrying a Victor adding machine.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 30, 2024 11:21 AM (gm9Sb)

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

Pulling behind him a mobile, albeit symbolic, guillotine and trebuchet.

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024: Make The Glass Ceiling Great Again! at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (cDPfK)

106 >>> 50 MP 4, we will embrace you in any way, shape or form.
Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:14 AM (t8vHj)

You listen to Ben Had!!!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (FnneF)

107
FYI, when a Democrat calls for "unity," they mean unity "on the left."
Posted by: Anti-Faucist

And "dialogue" means SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (63Dwl)

108 43 Cut there's not mine!
-99.9% of people

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (CIS44)

=======

That's a great phrase.

Come up with it yourself?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (GBKbO)

109 Can we haz garbage pail kidds for Trump tee shirts?

Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (CFblW)

110 Cut there's not mine!
-99.9% of people

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (CIS44)
----
Their's
Posted by: Ciampino

There's no apostrophe in "theirs."

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (v6JzV)

111 49 I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU)
====================
Bestsellerdom awaits! Podcast too!

hmm. i can see it now:

chapter 1: don't

Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (sGtp+)

112 My plan for PR is to annex Miami to it, and then give it statehood as "Antillia".

Posted by: it's probably a bad plan at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (gKWVE)

113 We are at the looting the treasury phase of the collapse of the Republic.

Take note and punish them accordingly.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon, Guilty as a Jaywalker, Free as a Bird at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (i24o9)

114 $1.83 trillion deficit and Elon Musk says he could chop $2 trillion from the feds. We go into the black real quick. Just have to have the will to do it.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (17s+e)

115 That's a great phrase.

Come up with it yourself?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (GBKbO)

Some asshole says it a lot.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (CIS44)

116 111 chapter 1: don't
Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (sGtp+)

=======

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czR4qJbkSuc

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (GBKbO)

117 I love Blanco Busura and his nic. But we are talking *29* years of thinking of white trash as the people that just pile literal trash up in their yard and live off welfare.

Deplorable had never been in my vocabulary. It was easy to embrace being deplorable in the mind of Shrillary and her supporters.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (CKOCg)

118 115 That's a great phrase.

Come up with it yourself?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (GBKbO)

Some asshole says it a lot.
Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (CIS44)

======

Does he spell it right when he says it?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (GBKbO)

119 I love how they are desperately trying to say Joe didn't mean Trump's voters are garbage.... Even though he clearly said it...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (IyPmt)

120 Supreme Court now do Pennsylvania

Posted by: Skip at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (fwDg9)

121 means test SS and Medicare

1. You'd need to cut the taxes significantly before voters wouldn't punish you, severely, for that.
2. Doing so would cause people to transfer money to their kids, etc., so they didn't have assets.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (ExV1e)

122
And "dialogue" means SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 30, 2024 11:25 AM (63Dwl)

Husbands everywhere can imagine how a "national conversation" will go.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (EsZUh)

123 Can we haz garbage pail kidds for Trump tee shirts?
Posted by: Cuthbert the Witless at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (CFblW)

Not a t-shirt, but it could be!

https://tinyurl.com/jschmfvj

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (CIS44)

124 38 I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU)

Everyone else is going to be in Warfighting shape, so you need to be, too, Soldier.

Posted by: XTC at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (UnA8+)

125 Are we garbage people still bitter clingers? I get so confused...

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (v6JzV)

126 I always joked I was uppity white trash

Posted by: doug at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (Hy+R4)

127 Does he spell it right when he says it?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (GBKbO)

probably

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (CIS44)

128 A trillion here a trillion there and eventually it adds up to some real money.

Posted by: Settled Science - Deplorable Garbage at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (dWKBd)

129 Cut there's not mine!
-99.9% of people

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (CIS44)
----
Their's
Posted by: Ciampino

There's no apostrophe in "theirs."
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (v6JzV)
----
First item we should cut in the budget is funding for Grammar Nazis...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (7fElN)

130 Let's do that part, ie, eliminate as much of the 400 rule-making agency activity as is possible, reduce inflation and taxes, grow the economy, and then take stock of where we are.
Posted by: Huck Follywood
======
That was Trump's original 2016-2024 plan. Move people on welfare to private employment via jobs (which means aliens not allowed in), removed regulatory obstacles to job creation, etc. It worked but reduced bureaucratic power.

A nation can never live off of services even if those services are global which is what is killing Britain. You must have industrial production inside a nation or it will cease to exist other than provide raw materials to some other empire.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (ctrM5)

131 105 I hope Elon shows up on his first day of work eliminating waste wearing a green visor and carrying a Victor adding machine.

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

Pulling behind him a mobile, albeit symbolic, guillotine and trebuchet.

elon being the one man that can fire things out of a cannon into the sun

Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (sGtp+)

132 > Terrifying as it is, "keep partying until the money's all gone" ~~has clearly become the rule of the day~~ and we'll just turn the printing presses to brrrrrrr and print more money.

Easy peasy.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (Q4IgG)

133 Deplorable Nazi Garbage Person. Really has a ring to it, doesn't it?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (tT6L1)

134 Trump's support: garbage
Kamala's support: in the shitter

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (gKWVE)

135 I see Elon set up an election interference hotline....

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (IyPmt)

136 Money out last year: $6.752 trillion. The deficit was $1.83 trillion, and receipts covered a scant 72.8% of spending

Numbers like this is why all the highly paid and lauded economists are warning of "deflation" because of FED policy right now.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (D7oie)

137 Because somewhere about when the mass media began, celebrities and their insipid lives became important to cover for readership. As the State grew, it found entertainment to be convenient as a tool for control and propaganda.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (ctrM5)

I don't think I can make a fully-informed political decision until I find out what Rob Reiner or Patton Oswalt think about the issue.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (PiwSw)

138 130 That was Trump's original 2016-2024 plan. Move people on welfare to private employment via jobs (which means aliens not allowed in)

skinwalkers hardest hit

Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (sGtp+)

139 117 There's a couple named Joe and Doc living in a beach mansion that are more white trash than Billy Bob and Tiffany living in a single wide with five kids.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (gm9Sb)

140 I always joked I was uppity white trash
Posted by: doug at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (Hy+R4)

My cousin jokes that we're upper white trash. The type that put on our diamond rings to go shop at Dollar Tree.

Posted by: hobbitopoly at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (k9OZB)

141 Supreme Court now do Pennsylvania
Posted by: Skip at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (fwDg9)

Bah. We ignored them four years ago. We can ignore them now. -- Gov. Shapiro

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (ExV1e)

142 135 I see Elon set up an election interference hotline....

for or against?

Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (sGtp+)

143 I always joked I was uppity white trash

Posted by: doug at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (Hy+R4)

Pinkies out, fellow garbage people.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon, Guilty as a Jaywalker, Free as a Bird at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (i24o9)

144 First item we should cut in the budget is funding for Grammar Nazis...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (7fElN)

They provide there/their/they’re services for free.

Posted by: DoublySymmetric at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (FGFJD)

145 124 38 I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU)

Put your beer or booze into really heavy cups. We used to have 1.17 liter 7.1% beer in huge brown glass bottles.

Posted by: Stateless at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (jvJvP)

146 >>> 94 Why do actors and actresses now have to inject their political position into everything?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
=======
Because somewhere about when the mass media began, celebrities and their insipid lives became important to cover for readership. As the State grew, it found entertainment to be convenient as a tool for control and propaganda.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (ctrM5)

whig Johnson is right!

Remember, in the before times, normal people viewed actors as basically prostitutes.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (FnneF)

147 26 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Burning (Fart) Man Festival

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (w9Wax)

148 First item we should cut in the budget is funding for Grammar Nazis...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

I was being a spelling Nazi there, not a grammar Nazi. That department is down the hall.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (v6JzV)

149 133 Deplorable Nazi Garbage Person. Really has a ring to it, doesn't it?

"maga" more pronounceable than "dngp"

Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (sGtp+)

150 Rasmussen says that only 2% of polled likely voters are undecided? So that means almost ALL (98%) of the independents have already made up their mind. (i.e. 98% of each group added means 2% of the total are undecided). Should we be worried?

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (FmapG)

151 114 $1.83 trillion deficit and Elon Musk says he could chop $2 trillion from the feds. We go into the black real quick. Just have to have the will to do it.
Posted by: Jukin
=====
Anyone can play at 'cutting' the budget. A Balancing Act is a simulator that allows everyone of you to try your hand at cutting the federal budget. It explains the contents of the line items of each group of spending. abalancingact dot com.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (ctrM5)

152 142 135 I see Elon set up an election interference hotline....

for or against?
Posted by: anachronda at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (sGtp+)

LOL... To report problems with voting...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (IyPmt)

153
Cast my ballot this morning at the County Annex in Angleton, TX. Very convenient, as it was right across the road from the vet's office where I'd just dropped Dan off.

It was about 7:45 and there was no line. In and out in five minutes. I asked where the juice and cookies were and they told me they were out.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (EsZUh)

154 141 Supreme Court now do Pennsylvania
Posted by: Skip at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (fwDg9)

Bah. We ignored them four years ago. We can ignore them now. -- Gov. Shapiro
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:29 AM (ExV1e)

======

That gets forgotten.

Alito ordered PA to keep unmarked ballots separated from marked ones. PA mixed them in violation of a SCOTUS order.

SCOTUS did nothing. It didn't even take up the TX v PA case.

2020 was stolen because the courts let it. There are signs that some won't allow it this time, but we'll see.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (GBKbO)

155 38 Willowed:

Wait, what? You're going to be at TX MoMee X???
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (FnneF)

I'm told it's going to be the tenth one, so I should. I just need to lose some weight and get myself back into an acceptable sight for others first.

I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."
Posted by: Mary Poppins' P

MPPP - Mind sharing that publication with me?

It's many months away, but I'd love to go to a TXMOME. Perhaps a carpool/caravan from New England?

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (N39Ws)

156 Deplorable Nazi Garbage Person. Really has a ring to it, doesn't it?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker

Garbage Nazis must die.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at October 30, 2024 11:32 AM (Dm8we)

157 146 whig Johnson is right!

Remember, in the before times, normal people viewed actors as basically prostitutes.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (FnneF)

=======

Celebrity culture has been around for a long time in different forms.

The whole thing around Jesse James was a pre-mass media form of it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:32 AM (GBKbO)

158 I'd love to do the TX Momee. I even had someone to stay with! But that was the Covid year, and they've moved and the life sitch has changed.

Colorado Momee would be possible, or the pacific NW.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:32 AM (QAK8m)

159 Remember, in the before times, normal people viewed actors as basically prostitutes.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (FnneF)

Remember #metoo, when a bunch of actresses came out and verified that they were basically prostitutes?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:32 AM (ExV1e)

160
Wait, what? You're going to be at TX MoMee X???
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (FnneF)

Even I will be. You're all warned.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 30, 2024 11:32 AM (EsZUh)

161 No. Only Danno can do the booking.
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:04 AM (v6JzV)

But Peggy keeps the books. And looks good doing it.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (HTHrm)

162 With a new fiscal year, that means FEMA's coffers are overflowing and they can rush aid to North Carolina now!! Right?

I'm hilarious sometimes.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (QAK8m)

163 >>>First item we should cut in the budget is funding for Grammar Nazis

Stay in your lane.

Posted by: Punctuation Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (Y1sOo)

164 Colorado Secretary of State Posts Spreadsheet With Voting System Passwords

-
I guess she was Rocky Mountain high.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (L/fGl)

165 First item we should cut in the budget is funding for Grammar Nazis...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

I was being a spelling Nazi there, not a grammar Nazi. That department is down the hall.

Next to the Syntactical Enforcement Office.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (xCA6C)

166 I hate Pennsylvania garbage NAZIs.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (17s+e)

167 I asked where the juice and cookies were and they told me they were out.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (EsZUh)

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

You gave blood and voted?

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024: Make The Glass Ceiling Great Again! at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (BFuJF)

168 >>> We are heading to a wedding soon. Mrs. BD has been consulting with me on what she should wear. The mixing and matching and starting all over again has been going on for an hour.

Always wear white to a wedding. The bride will thank you for coordinating with her!

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (QAK8m)

169 Our Country is Screwed, l'll bet you can get some takers on that.

Posted by: Ben Had at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (t8vHj)

170 163 >>>First item we should cut in the budget is funding for Grammar Nazis

Stay in your lane.
Posted by: Punctuation Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (Y1sOo)

Hey you!

Posted by: Metaphor Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (PiwSw)

171 2020 was stolen because the courts let it. There are signs that some won't allow it this time, but we'll see.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (GBKbO)
-------------

Yeah. It appears the RNC is out in front of it this year. That plus PDT going full court press and hitting Kamala constantly.

Sort of the Nathan Bedford Forest strategy: getting there firstest with the mostest.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (tT6L1)

172 >>> 121 means test SS and Medicare
==
1. You'd need to cut the taxes significantly before voters wouldn't punish you, severely, for that.
2. Doing so would cause people to transfer money to their kids, etc., so they didn't have assets.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (ExV1e)

Hmm, maybe 'no income tax at all'?

(I know, not %#)(^*) likely, but still...)

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (FnneF)

173 Why do actors and actresses now have to inject their political position into everything?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
=======
Because somewhere about when the mass media began, celebrities and their insipid lives became important to cover for readership. As the State grew, it found entertainment to be convenient as a tool for control and propaganda.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (ctrM5)

whig Johnson is right!

Remember, in the before times, normal people viewed actors as basically prostitutes.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:30 AM (FnneF)
________

I would add that it's no coincidence that many of the Kumswala dicksmoker "actors" and "actresses" are washed-up hags and douches. Virtue-signaling for leftwing causes is a cheap way to get cheap publicity and angle for attention and possibly jobs.

When someone you haven't heard of in 20 years starts ranting about Trump, it's basically a yell for "hey, look at me! I'm still here!" They are all ready for their close-up.

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (iFTx/)

174 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Could be the big statue of Biden giving the finger to the White House. Odd that he's starting construction now.

Posted by: gKWVE at October 30, 2024

***
Where is the inauguration usually held? There, or in front of the Capitol, or what?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 11:35 AM (J2vNu)

175 155 MPPP - Mind sharing that publication with me?

It's many months away, but I'd love to go to a TXMOME. Perhaps a carpool/caravan from New England?
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at October 30, 2024 11:31 AM (N39Ws)

Is this place less "Smart Military" than I was led to believe?

Posted by: XTC at October 30, 2024 11:35 AM (UnA8+)

176 With a new fiscal year, that means FEMA's coffers are overflowing and they can rush aid to North Carolina now!! Right?

I'm hilarious sometimes.
Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (QAK8m)

BWAHAHAHAHA1111

Posted by: Diogenes at October 30, 2024 11:35 AM (W/lyH)

177 Yahoo Headline: The Economy is doing Just Fine

Hear that rubes? Don’t believe your bank account. Believe us, your betters. Everything’s great.

Posted by: Settled Science - Deplorable Garbage at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (dWKBd)

178 74
‘ Put Musk in charge of finding all waste and fraud in government. Could be fun. ’

They should start by rolling back spending to 2008 levels adjusted for inflation and population increase.

I. E. Erase whatever Obama put into effect.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (jbnUc)

179 Yeah. It appears the RNC is out in front of it this year. That plus PDT going full court press and hitting Kamala constantly.

Sort of the Nathan Bedford Forest strategy: getting there firstest with the mostest.

And for all you moaners who've been asserting that "nothing has changed", don't think we've forgotten. We have our eyes on you.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (xCA6C)

180 Social Security is in deficit, but doing better than the government as a whole. Unpopular as it would be, it could be fixed.

...

No one wants to touch the third rail, but maybe our politicians could be convinced to just keep SS balanced from a budget standpoint, and keep scaling the benefit downward as required to do that. Eventually it becomes like the nickel on the ground that you don't bother to pick up.

Posted by: TexasDan at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (rAsBA)

181 1. You'd need to cut the taxes significantly before voters wouldn't punish you, severely, for that.
2. Doing so would cause people to transfer money to their kids, etc., so they didn't have assets.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:27 AM (ExV1e)

1. Federal taxes would be eliminated. Federal budget would be $100 billion, funded entirely by selling fat SJWs to Chinese organ thieves.
1b. This is my fantasy, so voters would have no say. Voters are why we are in this mess.
2. Large transfer of assets are already tracked by the IRS to comply with estate taxes. I will eliminate estate taxes but prevent people from transferring assets so they can collect welfare. Ultimately, the goal would be to shutdown SS and Medicare. We need a transition period, though, for the people who absolutely need those programs and who have no alternative.

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (FC8SQ)

182 98
- imprison every Federal judge who has trampled the Consitution

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:24 AM (FC8SQ)
----
You need to start with that. It will remove 'legal' impediments and tell remaining judges to keep their heads down.

Posted by: Ciampino - Judges shouldn't make law. Jail them. at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (i0xsb)

183 "Put Musk in charge of finding all waste and fraud in government"

I thought that was part of the media's job, Fourth Estate and all.

I crack myself up!

Posted by: Rex B at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (Qs9lt)

184 179 And for all you moaners who've been asserting that "nothing has changed", don't think we've forgotten. We have our eyes on you.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (xCA6C)

======

That's not creepy, obsessive, and really weird at all.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (GBKbO)

185 This is why Trump spent his term expanding the economy.

The only way you can politically deal with the health spending avalanche is to try to find more money to bring in from everything else. So, the more you grow the economy, the more taxes you bring in naturally. People's health spending isn't gonna grow b/c you aren't adding/growing people - you're growing an economy.

Posted by: Nova Local at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (exHjb)

186
Stay in your lane.
Posted by: Punctuation Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (Y1sOo)

Hey you!
Posted by: Metaphor Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (PiwSw)

I'm in charge here

Posted by: Diacritical Mark Police at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (EsZUh)

187 150 Rasmussen says that only 2% of polled likely voters are undecided? So that means almost ALL (98%) of the independents have already made up their mind. (i.e. 98% of each group added means 2% of the total are undecided). Should we be worried?
Posted by: actually inside the beltway
------
When you separate leaners, true independents are about 5-8 percent of the electorate. But, their turnout propensity is less than that of partisans. For an independent, the choices are vote GOP, vote Dem, stay home, vote third party.

The usual rule is in a referendum election judging the incumbent administration, independent voters break 2:1 or more to the non incumbent party. Adding strength to this are the leaners which are lower than true party partisans but are less likely to vote. They self activate or are mobilized and vote at a higher rate for the party they prefer. On the opposing party, their leaners become more likely to defect to the winning side or simply stay at home.

That is what composes a preference cascade in a first past the post party system. True partisans that are very likely to vote seldom switch party voting patterns.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (ctrM5)

188 >>> Yeah. It appears the RNC is out in front of it this year. That plus PDT going full court press and hitting Kamala constantly.

I think it's undeniable there is PA shenanigans. Lawsuits already being filed over arresting the person that correctly stated that they have a legal right to stay in line until their vote is counted. Lawfare works both ways!

Who ended up being responsible for the exploding ballot collection boxes? Even the left was like, dang that's a bridge too far.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (QAK8m)

189 Heh, I could embrace a "garbage person? I prefer the term deplorable" meme.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (CKOCg)

190 184 179 And for all you moaners who've been asserting that "nothing has changed", don't think we've forgotten. We have our eyes on you.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:36 AM (xCA6C)

======

That's not creepy, obsessive, and really weird at all.

Self-identifying moaner says what?

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (xCA6C)

191 Colorado Secretary of State Posts Spreadsheet With Voting System Passwords

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

Don't give Soros Butt-Bitchez Katie Hobbs and Adrian Fontes any ideas!

Posted by: ShainS -- Trump 2024: Make The Glass Ceiling Great Again! at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (BFuJF)

192 OK, folks, work seems to be over and I am going to take a nap. Thanks for the encouragement and I hope you all have a lovely week.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (Q0kLU)

193 190 That's not creepy, obsessive, and really weird at all.

Self-identifying moaner says what?
Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (xCA6C)

========

*handles ban hammer*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (GBKbO)

194 By the way, it is a crime to edit the official transcript of the White House, as the Democrats did in an attempt to clean up Joe Biden's "Garbage" remark.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (Da7Vv)

195 Beware of the spiraling medicare/medicaid costs. A once - not all that long ago - vibrant area is losing hospital & pharmacy services, not to mention family care practitioners for other than children & underserved persons.
---
Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Prescription for trouble: Pennsylvania pharmacists say PBMs are driving pharmacy closures, By: Ian Karbal - Sunday June 2, 2024

The article begins, "In 1977, Bob Schreiber became the owner of Burns Pharmacy in Morrisville. For most of his 42 years in the business, he turned a reliable profit.

But around 2016, Schreiber’s pharmacy reached an inflection point. While his business practices hadn’t changed, he was selling drugs at a loss. It was something he’d seen coming for years, and what ultimately drove him to sell the pharmacy in 2019."
----
WHYY, CHA Partners deal to acquire Crozer Health collapses
CHA Partners had signed a letter of intent to purchase the embattled four-hospital system from Prospect Medical Holdings, by Kenny Cooper Updated Oct. 28, 2024
-----
Biden-Harris accomplishments.

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (NFX2v)

196 Don't tax you, don't tax me. Tax that fellow behind the tree.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at October 30, 2024 11:39 AM (63Dwl)

197 Politico is saying that if Trump wins the popular vote, but loses the Electoral College then there will be bipartisan support for abolishing the EC.

They really are some stupid f’kers, aren’t they?

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at October 30, 2024 11:39 AM (AZ7Fz)

198 JD Vance Sounds Alarm As Hospitals Close Down Due to Cost of Caring for Illegals

-
Maybe you haven't heard, JD, but Barack Obama fixed healthcare.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (L/fGl)

199
Who ended up being responsible for the exploding ballot collection boxes? Even the left was like, dang that's a bridge too far.

Apparently someone found a note from a Pali Nazi, but who knows if it's authentic. My money is still on the Dems, so they can claim that the election is invalid because mail-ins in their areas were targeted.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (xCA6C)

200 >>> 194 By the way, it is a crime to edit the official transcript of the White House, as the Democrats did in an attempt to clean up Joe Biden's "Garbage" remark.
Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (Da7Vv)

Somehow I doubt this is the first time those idiots have done that.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (FnneF)

201 Good morning, fellow garbage people! Everyone have their pouncing gear on?
Posted by: Duke Lowell at October 30, 2024 11:15 AM (2UnvF)

I have pinned an orange peel, half a banana, and some celery sticks to my shirt. I'm headed to Denny's!

Posted by: Diogenes at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (W/lyH)

202 Who ended up being responsible for the exploding ballot collection boxes? Even the left was like, dang that's a bridge too far.
Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (QAK8m)

It is Portland. Forget it.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (D7oie)

203 87 67
‘ Before doing that, easier to build consensus by kicking out the 30-50 million illegals’

That’s sensible. Do that first.
My recommendation to take the cuts out of democrat hides wasn’t simple revenge. It was to maintain consensus among non-democrats.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (jbnUc)

204 A nation can never live off of services even if those services are global which is what is killing Britain. You must have industrial production inside a nation or it will cease to exist other than provide raw materials to some other empire.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:28 AM (ctrM5)
====================
Vance points out (on the Tim Dillon podcast) points out China is 30% of world manufacturing GDP and America is 18%. Trump intends to attack that gap, because it is obvious real national wealth comes from Agriculture, Energy Production and Manufacturing. Services (as important as that may be for present-day national income), is wiped out in an instant during war or economic crises. Look at what happened to bank and financial services jobs during the financial crisis of 2009-12, many of those jobs were suddenly and nearly instantly gone. Trump, smartly, realizes hard money rules: grow stuff, mine, manufacture, generate energy, and make things.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (lP7p1)

205
I would add that it's no coincidence that many of the Kumswala dicksmoker "actors" and "actresses" are washed-up hags and douches.

"I am endorsing Kamala Harris for President. Please contact my agent for further clarification and for possible roles in your next film."

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (EsZUh)

206
*handles ban hammer*
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (GBKbO)

Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Bän

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (CIS44)

207 194 By the way, it is a crime to edit the official transcript of the White House, as the Democrats did in an attempt to clean up Joe Biden's "Garbage" remark.
Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (Da7Vv)

Thing with transcripts... Dumbo said it outloud and his actual stupid insult is everywhere...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (IyPmt)

208
Don Rickels esque insult comic cracks joke about island of garbage. = 4 days of headlines making media chum.

President of United States calls half his countrymen garbage = "president has a stutter..... he misspoke".

Posted by: Frank Barone at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (+oR7L)

209 197 Politico is saying that if Trump wins the popular vote, but loses the Electoral College then there will be bipartisan support for abolishing the EC.

They really are some stupid f’kers, aren’t they?
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at October 30, 2024 11:39 AM (AZ7Fz)

=======

In order for that to happen, CA and NY would need to be super close, not D blowouts, and Trump would have to lose, very narrowly, most battleground states.

Yeah, it's not happening.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:41 AM (GBKbO)

210 110 Cut there's not mine!
-99.9% of people

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 11:12 AM (CIS44)
----
Their's
Posted by: Ciampino

There's no apostrophe in "theirs."

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at October 30, 2024 11:26 AM (v6JzV)
----
I stand corrected on my correction LOL
Thank you sir.

Posted by: Ciampino - Judges shouldn't at October 30, 2024 11:41 AM (i0xsb)

211 186 Stay in your lane.
Posted by: Punctuation Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (Y1sOo)

Hey you!
Posted by: Metaphor Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (PiwSw)

I'm in charge here
Posted by: Diacritical Mark Police

watch it, bub

Posted by: al haig at October 30, 2024 11:41 AM (sGtp+)

212 test

Posted by: guzano at October 30, 2024 11:41 AM (v1eJ7)

213 The only way you can politically deal with the health spending avalanche is to try to find more money to bring in from everything else. So, the more you grow the economy, the more taxes you bring in naturally. People's health spending isn't gonna grow b/c you aren't adding/growing people - you're growing an economy.
Posted by: Nova Local

Medicare taxes have to go up is one thing or you have to cut Medicare as the program is well past insolvency. Medicaid is just as bad and is a primary driver in a lot of states and fedgov spending. Traditional medicaid is a 50/50 state/federal spending mix but Obamacare promised 100 percent 'bridge' funding from the feds to states to offer it to people beyond the poverty line (and in some cases illegals, etc.). Thus, spending has gotten out of control on Medicaid as well. There is also the dumping Grandma on the state for nursing care by taking that person's assets by heirs to avoid Grandma's assets from being used for her care that drives some of that.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (ctrM5)

214 “Vote for Kamala you dicks!”

This message brought to you by the Kamala for President Campaign.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (AZ7Fz)

215 Trump intends to attack that gap, because it is obvious real national wealth comes from Agriculture, Energy Production and Manufacturing. ...Trump, smartly, realizes hard money rules: grow stuff, mine, manufacture, generate energy, and make things.

Well, duh.

Posted by: A. Hamilton at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (xCA6C)

216 Remember #metoo, when a bunch of actresses came out and verified that they were basically prostitutes?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 30, 2024 11:32 AM (ExV1e)

****

No, no, they were victims! They’re strong, empowered women, which means they have no choice but to Kamala every sausage that advances their careers!

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (FC8SQ)

217 Got a text at least claims from Vance about the Garbage comment. If so he isn't happy and neither am I about it.

As far as I know in Pa at least on election day, your in line it counts even if it takes until after closing.

I hope with all the early voters it will be a in and out in a couple minutes tops.

Posted by: Skip at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (fwDg9)

218 ‘ Put Musk in charge of finding all waste and fraud in government. Could be fun. ’

They should start by rolling back spending to 2008 levels adjusted for inflation and population increase.

I. E. Erase whatever Obama put into effect.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024

***
How about rolling it all back to 1958 levels?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (J2vNu)

219
I'm told it's going to be the tenth one, so I should. I just need to lose some weight and get myself back into an acceptable sight for others first

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU

I missed this part of the post. Absolutely not. You are acceptable as you are because you are you. Losing weight to feel better and be healthier ? I am your cheerleader all day, everyday. But never do this for anyone but you (and maybe spouses or children because they want you around longer). You are an amazing human right as you sit / stand there.

Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (pZEOD)

220 Somebody added a bunch of photos in Tribute to Vic at his memorial page.

RIP, Vic.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon, Guilty as a Jaywalker, Free as a Bird at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (i24o9)

221 You know, pookysgirl had the right idea earlier. Let's embrace it, and wear Oscar the Grouch T-Shirts, showing his garbage can!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (VNX3d)

222 Politico is saying that if Trump wins the popular vote, but loses the Electoral College then there will be bipartisan support for abolishing the EC.

They really are some stupid f’kers, aren’t they?
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at October 30, 2024 11:39 AM (AZ7Fz)
________

The odds of that happening are less than the odds of David French getting laid tonight

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (iFTx/)

223 Is a party that calls half of potential voters garbage losing like crazy or cheating their ass off?

Embrace the power of and.

Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (hmOfI)

224 Because somewhere about when the mass media began, celebrities and their insipid lives became important to cover for readership. As the State grew, it found entertainment to be convenient as a tool for control and propaganda.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:23 AM (ctrM5)

The "circuses" part of "bread and circuses".

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (HTHrm)

225 I'm told it's going to be the tenth one, so I should. I just need to lose some weight and get myself back into an acceptable sight for others first.

F* that; just be there.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (/y8xj)

226 The problem for Musk is congress.

They won't cut a single cent.

In fact, spending will increase.

Posted by: Not trying to be mean but... at October 30, 2024 11:44 AM (bqGJu)

227 You are an amazing human right as you sit / stand there.
Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (pZEOD)

You amaze me with your insight and kindness...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:44 AM (IyPmt)

228 I would add that it's no coincidence that many of the Kumswala dicksmoker "actors" and "actresses" are washed-up hags and douches.

"I am endorsing Kamala Harris for President. Please contact my agent for further clarification and for possible roles in your next film."
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (EsZUh)

[Nodding sagely]

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 11:44 AM (iFTx/)

229 Yeah, it's not happening.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:41 AM (GBKbO)

Even if it did I doubt many people who vote for Trump would want to abolish it. They know its purpose and agree with it.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at October 30, 2024 11:44 AM (AZ7Fz)

230 I'm shocked, SHOCKED!

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, MOVE ALONG: Nearly all looters nabbed in Pinellas County, FL, after recent hurricanes were in US illegally.

https://tinyurl.com/2s427pdt

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:45 AM (xCA6C)

231 189 Heh, I could embrace a "garbage person? I prefer the term deplorable" meme.

Posted by: PaleRider at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (CKOCg

Being in Canada and actually not being allowed in restaurants, bars, or anywhere because of my lack of jab, I just went by 'n*g***.'

And I always get to use that word now. If they didn't want me to use 'n*****', then they shouldn't have treated me like a n*****?

Posted by: Stateless at October 30, 2024 11:45 AM (jvJvP)

232 Well, duh.
Posted by: A. Hamilton at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (xCA6C)

Probably could be done be removing barriers and regulations we have in place, instead of imposing further ones as Alex: Hamilton and Henry Clay proposed.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:45 AM (D7oie)

233 there is no political constituency approaching a majority even in the Republican Party, let alone the nation, to cut spending.

No one wants to be the first one to "not get what they paid for."

But, cut hard, fast and ruthless in March of 2025 and the Rice Bowl voters will have forgotten by 2026--especially if there is massive growth.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at October 30, 2024 11:45 AM (sI+fq)

234 173 Why do actors and actresses now have to inject their political position into everything?

I think performers realize, maybe not consciously, that they are in a silly profession that is not important at all. They are paid to play "dress up" and read words someone else wrote.

So, they want to prove they are smart and worthwhile, and they do this by spouting leftwing ideas. Because they know the New York Times will praise them for it.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (WPL6O)

235 You know, pookysgirl had the right idea earlier. Let's embrace it, and wear Oscar the Grouch T-Shirts, showing his garbage can!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (VNX3d)

Nah I think I'm tired of letting them dictate anything. It was somewhat fun a decade ago but this is less so.

I'm not garbage, I was created in the Lord's image.

Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (hmOfI)

236 --BREAKING--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--NEW POLLING DATA--

Just released polling data reflects the, without a doubt, certainty that our lord and savior, slay-brat kween kamala (pbuh) will trounce,, TROUNCE!1!! bad orange hitler man in the november selection1!!!!11

Poll question:

Is it without doubt a certainty that our lord and savior, slay-brat kween kamala (pbuh) will trounce,, TROUNCE!1!! bad orange hitler man in the november selection1!!!!11??

Yes: $20,541,679,800,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000%

No: 0.000%

Posted by: SEriOus poLlinG grOuP InC! at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (5hfjS)

237 The problem for Musk is congress.

They won't cut a single cent.

In fact, spending will increase.
Posted by: Not trying to be mean but... at October 30, 2024 11:44 AM (bqGJu)

One of Trump's first EOs is to eliminate all Executive Branch rules filling in laws, and requiring Congress to do it's job by completing legislation, removing every deferral of lawmaking to the Executive Branch. That should keep them out of trouble for some time - that's a LOT of holes to fill.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (VNX3d)

238 I almost missed this on the last thread...Buzz Aldrin endorsed Trump! He knows who actually will fund the modern space race.

https://x.com/TheRealBuzz/status/1851628221013622787

Thanks Don Black. Now I wish I'd gone to see Buzz at SLC's comiccon.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (QAK8m)

239 Vance points out (on the Tim Dillon podcast) points out China is 30% of world manufacturing GDP and America is 18%. Trump intends to attack that gap, because it is obvious real national wealth comes from Agriculture, Energy Production and Manufacturing. Services (as important as that may be for present-day national income), is wiped out in an instant during war or economic crises. Look at what happened to bank and financial services jobs during the financial crisis of 2009-12, many of those jobs were suddenly and nearly instantly gone. Trump, smartly, realizes hard money rules: grow stuff, mine, manufacture, generate energy, and make things.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 11:40 AM (lP7p1)

***

Gotta kill the Federal Reserve, but I don’t think Trump will be able to.

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:47 AM (FC8SQ)

240 Probably could be done be removing barriers and regulations we have in place, instead of imposing further ones as Alex: Hamilton and Henry Clay proposed.

Not in a nation of yeoman farmers, as T. Jefferson proposed.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:47 AM (xCA6C)

241 Wait, what? You're going to be at TX MoMee X???
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:00 AM (FnneF)

I'm told it's going to be the tenth one, so I should. I just need to lose some weight and get myself back into an acceptable sight for others first.

I have to come up with "The Obese, Lazy, Depressed Alcoholic's Guide to Diet and Exercise."

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 30, 2024 11:11 AM (Q0kLU)

I make this sacred vow: If MP4 goes to the 10th Annual TxMoMee, I will go to the 10th Annual TxMoMee.

He's one of my favorite Morons, and having had the pleasure of meeting him once before, I publicly commit to making the trip to meet him again.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider at October 30, 2024 11:47 AM (FAbrK)

242 212 test
Posted by: guzano

You scored a 95, A+ !!

Posted by: Mensa at October 30, 2024 11:47 AM (w9Wax)

243 Quiz

Posted by: Diogenes at October 30, 2024 11:47 AM (W/lyH)

244
President Biden's referring to voters as "garbage" is technically also a racial slur, as most garbage bags are black.

Posted by: Frank Barone at October 30, 2024 11:48 AM (+oR7L)

245 237 One of Trump's first EOs is to eliminate all Executive Branch rules filling in laws, and requiring Congress to do it's job by completing legislation, removing every deferral of lawmaking to the Executive Branch. That should keep them out of trouble for some time - that's a LOT of holes to fill.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (VNX3d)

=======

Loper is a huge hole in the administrative state's power. The approach to exploiting it now is from the outside through lawsuits and hoping that the multi-year process will end with courts agreeing with precedent (which, considering Bruen and it's effects, is not a sure thing).

The other is from the inside. Biden's admin wouldn't do it, but Trump's very easily could.

"This ream of regulations is unsupported by statute explicitly. It is rescinded. Now, bring me another ream."
-across every department

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:48 AM (GBKbO)

246 “Shazam!” Star Zachary Levi Tells Megyn Kelly He’s Voting for Trump’s “Bulldogs To Be Let Loose”

-
That's the way, un uh un uh, I like it, un hu un hu.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:48 AM (L/fGl)

247 213
Posted by: Nova Local

Medicare taxes have to go up is one thing or you have to cut Medicare as the program is well past insolvency. Medicaid is just as bad and is a primary driver in a lot of states and fedgov spending. Traditional medicaid is a 50/50 state/federal spending mix but Obamacare promised 100 percent 'bridge' funding from the feds to states to offer it to people beyond the poverty line (and in some cases illegals, etc.). Thus, spending has gotten out of control on Medicaid as well. There is also the dumping Grandma on the state for nursing care by taking that person's assets by heirs to avoid Grandma's assets from being used for her care that drives some of that.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (ctrM5)

And then you get voted out of office for 50 years...notice I said politically. Medicare tax increases or huge Medicare premium increases (or Medicare/Medicaid service cuts) are political non-starters. You're throwing granny from the cliff or killing the new 23 year old worker...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 30, 2024 11:48 AM (exHjb)

248 No one wants to touch the third rail, but maybe our politicians could be convinced to just keep SS balanced from a budget standpoint, and keep scaling the benefit downward as required to do that. Eventually it becomes like the nickel on the ground that you don't bother to pick up.
Posted by: TexasDan
=======
Easiest way is to increase the retirement age by month by month to something like 69 as was done in the 1980's and raise early retirement to 65.

That is another thing where getting rid of illegals and H1Bs, offshoring, etc. would help along with eliminating punitive taxes of benefits if they work part time. Makes the transition to full retirement a choice for later rather than sooner. Keep the current distribution requirements for 401ks and IRAs at 59 and 1/2.

We have to move to a full employment economy rather than a cheap labor one.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:48 AM (ctrM5)

249 I love you all but is it really that hard not to post a billion characters in a row without a space?

Can't see shit in the comments now.

Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:49 AM (hmOfI)

250 One of Trump's first EOs is to eliminate all Executive Branch rules filling in laws, and requiring Congress to do it's job by completing legislation, removing every deferral of lawmaking to the Executive Branch. That should keep them out of trouble for some time - that's a LOT of holes to fill.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at October 30, 2024 11:46 AM (VNX3d)

SCOTUS could do the right thing and decide that agencies making “rules” are in fact “laws”, and a law stating that an agency should make “rules”, by definition is unconstitutional, as the executive branch (where the agencies are located) can’t make laws since that is the legislature’s power!

Posted by: DoublySymmetric at October 30, 2024 11:50 AM (FGFJD)

251 No one wants to be the first one to "not get what they paid for."

But, cut hard, fast and ruthless in March of 2025 and the Rice Bowl voters will have forgotten by 2026--especially if there is massive growth.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice

Easiest things to simply eliminate? Departments that are duplicated at the state level.

OSHA
Dept of Ed
DOT

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 11:50 AM (aNhid)

252 >>> “Shazam!” Star Zachary Levi Tells Megyn Kelly He’s Voting for Trump’s “Bulldogs To Be Let Loose”

He was on Piers Morgan recently, was really good. Glad he's on our side. Loved him as Flynn Rider and Chuck.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:50 AM (QAK8m)

253 The VA is administratively top heavy and poorly managed, like a large majority of federal executive agencies.

Can't you remember its intense dislike of The Donald??

>Federal News Network, 'VA paid nearly $11M in bonuses to ineligible executives, watchdog finds'
A watchdog report finds breakdowns in communications — and leadership — led to the VA paying nearly $11 million in bonuses to ineligible career executives. Jory Heckman @jheckmanWFED, May 10, 2024

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at October 30, 2024 11:50 AM (NFX2v)

254 SCOTUS could do the right thing and decide that agencies making “rules” are in fact “laws”, and a law stating that an agency should make “rules”, by definition is unconstitutional, as the executive branch (where the agencies are located) can’t make laws since that is the legislature’s power!
Posted by: DoublySymmetric

Bye bye BATFE.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 11:50 AM (aNhid)

255 227 You amaze me with your insight and kindness...
Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024

Thank you. This means a lot.

Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (pZEOD)

256 250 SCOTUS could do the right thing and decide that agencies making “rules” are in fact “laws”, and a law stating that an agency should make “rules”, by definition is unconstitutional, as the executive branch (where the agencies are located) can’t make laws since that is the legislature’s power!
Posted by: DoublySymmetric at October 30, 2024 11:50 AM (FGFJD)

======

That's pretty much what Loper did.

They just didn't wipe out the entire book of regulations, which I kind of wish they had done but which makes sense that they wouldn't do (that'd be huge disruption that SCOTUS doesn't seem to like).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (GBKbO)

257
It's a write off, Jerry.
They just write it off.

Posted by: Kramer at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (DobEs)

258 Deadline....

Jimmy Kimmel Devotes 19-Minute Monologue Making Case Against Donald Trump For President – Watch

Nah, I'll pass. Put on women on trampolines...

Posted by: Stateless at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (jvJvP)

259 190
‘ Self-identifying moaner says what?’

I dislike the moaning too but you aren’t the policeman of the blog.

Mannix is.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (jbnUc)

260 213 The only way you can politically deal with the health spending avalanche is to try to find more money to bring in from everything else.

tanned, rested, and ready

Posted by: that platinum asteroid at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (sGtp+)

261 Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (pZEOD)

You earned it..

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (IyPmt)

262 Easiest way is to increase the retirement age by month by month to something like 69 as was done in the 1980's and raise early retirement to 65.

That is another thing where getting rid of illegals and H1Bs, offshoring, etc. would help along with eliminating punitive taxes of benefits if they work part time. Makes the transition to full retirement a choice for later rather than sooner. Keep the current distribution requirements for 401ks and IRAs at 59 and 1/2.

We have to move to a full employment economy rather than a cheap labor one.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:48 AM (ctrM5)

The same could be done for Medicare...THAT would be a big savings driver since it was not linked to SS when age for SS went up...

It would ALSO keep folks working longer and retiring later in their life expectancy, which was the way it worked when these programs went into effect..

Gen X knows we're screwed, so we'd probably be okay with moving Medicare to 66 or 67, tied to SS age...

Posted by: Nova Local at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (exHjb)

263 Yes: $20,541,679,800,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000%
No: 0.000%
Posted by: SEriOus poLlinG grOuP InC!

Russian Interference!

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (w9Wax)

264 >>> 255 227 You amaze me with your insight and kindness...
Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024

Thank you. This means a lot.
Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (pZEOD)

You're pretty good a rounding up cattle, too!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (FnneF)

265 And then you get voted out of office for 50 years...notice I said politically. Medicare tax increases or huge Medicare premium increases (or Medicare/Medicaid service cuts) are political non-starters. You're throwing granny from the cliff or killing the new 23 year old worker...
Posted by: Nova Local
--------
It is going to happen. Medical spending as noted above is 2 trillion and not funded by taxes but by borrowing. That is akin to charging all your food and rent to a credit card. Simply not sustainable.

That is why I think the whole thing will collapse and you will get a national version of the NHS here. The other way is to find some funding mechanism such as tariffs, consumption taxes like VAT or National Sales Tax, etc.

Go play around with abalancingact dot com with their budget simulator and you soon realize austerity is coming whether the people in the US like it or not. May be a reason that some Dems want Trump to take that challenge instead of Kamala.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:52 AM (ctrM5)

266 Jimmy Kimmel Devotes 19-Minute Monologue Making Case Against Donald Trump For President – Watch

Too bad for him no one watches his train wreck of a show...

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:52 AM (IyPmt)

267 >>> Jimmy Kimmel Devotes 19-Minute Monologue Making Case Against Donald Trump For President – Watch

Like I posted above, Buzz Aldrin endorsed Trump. The people of merit, who are actually doing or producing things of real value for humanity, are voting orangeman.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 11:53 AM (QAK8m)

268 266 Jimmy Kimmel Devotes 19-Minute Monologue Making Case Against Donald Trump For President – Watch

Too bad for him no one watches his train wreck of a show...
Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 11:52 AM (IyPmt)

=======

In the tradition of Carson's long diatribes against electing Reagan...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:53 AM (GBKbO)

269 Dang, he's good.

‘This Guy’s Supposed To Be A Football Coach’: JD Vance Mocks Tim Walz After Misusing Football Term

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elllU-YAPII

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (xCA6C)

270 Eliminate foreign aid, all of it, to countries that hate the U.S. Deport the illegals, and enforce laws against hiring them -- via huge fines for companies and confiscating assets of CEOs that hire them, including jail time. Hiring them will end quickly, as will their remaining in this country when they are not being given handouts or jobs. The vast amounts of dough we spend on all that will go a long way toward solvency.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (J2vNu)

271 I dislike the moaning too but you aren’t the policeman of the blog.

Mannix is.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 11:51 AM (jbnUc)

Hey now, let's see what sort of cheesecake pics Archimedes can show first.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (D7oie)

272 Handouts to the Newcomers in month could have probably paid for the full length wall.
Next month another wall.
Third month a minefield between the two.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (5KeIv)

273 How about rolling it all back to 1958 levels?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at October 30, 2024 11:42 AM (J2vNu)

***

According to the Internet, the budget for 1958 was $82 billion. That would require cutting all Federal funding for education! Who’s going to indoctrinate children into anti-white gay communism then, huh?

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (FC8SQ)

274 ‘ Self-identifying moaner says what?’

I dislike the moaning too but you aren’t the policeman of the blog.

Lighten up, Francis, it was a joke.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (xCA6C)

275 Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:52 AM (ctrM5)

My other favorite thing is trying to make cuts to the entire federal budget.

No one understands that you can't even make a ghost of a dent in the fucker.

Once you look at military and "entitlements" (another word invented by "them" to obscure what they are talking about) and debt service, good luck.

Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (hmOfI)

276 Probably building pill boxes, trenches and redoubts around the Capital and White House

Posted by: Skip at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (fwDg9)

277 Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion

-
Little Lies

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (L/fGl)

278 According to the Internet, the budget for 1958 was $82 billion. That would require cutting all Federal funding for education! Who’s going to indoctrinate children into anti-white gay communism then, huh?
Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (FC8SQ)

we could just send them to trick or treat at P-Diddy's if you really think that is important.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (D7oie)

279 We know why Walz was a football coach.

Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (hmOfI)

280 The same could be done for Medicare...THAT would be a big savings driver since it was not linked to SS when age for SS went up...

It would ALSO keep folks working longer and retiring later in their life expectancy, which was the way it worked when these programs went into effect..

Gen X knows we're screwed, so we'd probably be okay with moving Medicare to 66 or 67, tied to SS age...
Posted by: Nova Local

I would agree. Right now, there is also the legal requirement to take medicare if you are getting social security benefits. Repeal that asap. But, moving the age is also a cut but unlike SS, it is not enough. S.S. taxes are about 85 percent of benefits so mild changes work there. As seen above, Medicare tax is only funding 17 percent of current benefits which causes a 1.8 TRILLION difference between Medicare taxes and spending on its benefits. As Mannix points out above, that is the size of the current deficit.

Medicare requires an all the above strategy to fix it.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:57 AM (ctrM5)

281 Handouts to the Newcomers in month could have probably paid for the full length wall.
Next month another wall.
Third month a minefield between the two.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at October 30, 2024 11:54 AM (5KeIv)

***

Better yet, skip the walls and add more mines!

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 11:57 AM (FC8SQ)

282 My other favorite thing is trying to make cuts to the entire federal budget.

No one understands that you can't even make a ghost of a dent in the fucker.

Once you look at military and "entitlements" (another word invented by "them" to obscure what they are talking about) and debt service, good luck.
Posted by: ...

DOT - dead!
DOE - dead!
Neidermeyer - dead!

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 11:58 AM (aNhid)

283 we could just send them to trick or treat at P-Diddy's if you really think that is important.
Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (D7oie)

=====

LOL

Posted by: Jordan61 at October 30, 2024 11:58 AM (DRSnL)

284 282 Neidermeyer - dead!
Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 11:58 AM (aNhid)

=======

And yet...still in The Stupids...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, finding suspense, madness, and humanity with Michael Powell at October 30, 2024 11:59 AM (GBKbO)

285 My other favorite thing is trying to make cuts to the entire federal budget.
No one understands that you can't even make a ghost of a dent in the fucker.
Once you look at military and "entitlements" (another word invented by "them" to obscure what they are talking about) and debt service, good luck.
Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (hmOfI)

And Argentina will never shake off the clutches of Peronism.
One thing people forget is that things won't change radically when things are good and everyone is fat and happy.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 11:59 AM (D7oie)

286 Jimmy Kimmel Devotes 19-Minute Monologue Making Case Against Donald Trump For President

-
Then he split atoms with his mind.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:59 AM (L/fGl)

287 New Olympic Sport

https://www.youtube.com/live/A7Rc_evBgl8?

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon, Guilty as a Jaywalker, Free as a Bird at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (i24o9)

288 Right now, there is also the legal requirement to take medicare if you are getting social security benefits. Repeal that asap.

IIRC, you get Part A, for which you don't pay any more. Part B is optional, but they make it sound like you're going to die an extremely unpleasant death if you don't take it. I get SS and Part A, but not Part B. Feel free to correct me.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (xCA6C)

289 Google can pay off the debt.

Posted by: Just ask the Russians at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (DobEs)

290 We know why Walz was a football coach.
Posted by: ... at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (hmOfI)
_______

He liked picking 6s out of young boys' assholes.

Btw: the term "pick 6" is one of the most nauseating sports terms out there today. I never heard it before maybe 10 years ago. Some worthless sportswriter musta pulled out out of his ass. They are most useless forms of life in the universe.

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (iFTx/)

291 I would agree. Right now, there is also the legal requirement to take medicare if you are getting social security benefits. Repeal that asap

THANK YOU! I get full medical and dental coverage when I retire through my corporation as retiree benefits. Forcing me to take Medicare will fuck that up.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (aNhid)

292 What shall we do?

Look at the French pension system.

The US FERS looks as if it's taken a page from that book.

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (NFX2v)

293 Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion

-
Little Lies
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (L/fGl)

Fleetwood Mac ended when the stopped being a blues band.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (iLFFu)

294 "Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion"

Ok with me.

Posted by: fd at October 30, 2024 12:01 PM (vFG9F)

295 Once you look at military and "entitlements" (another word invented by "them" to obscure what they are talking about) and debt service, good luck.
Posted by: ...
========
It is going to piss some people off but most of the military spending is not for weapons, bases, etc. but people--retired or active plus their benefits.

Military and the civilian government work force are going to have to be moved to defined contribution plans (aka 403b etc.) instead of the traditional years of service/benefits with long periods of time before vesting. Like Medicare and Medicaid, something is going to have to be done regarding military health care costs as well.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:02 PM (ctrM5)

296 I would agree. Right now, there is also the legal requirement to take medicare if you are getting social security benefits. Repeal that asap. But, moving the age is also a cut but unlike SS, it is not enough. S.S. taxes are about 85 percent of benefits so mild changes work there. As seen above, Medicare tax is only funding 17 percent of current benefits which causes a 1.8 TRILLION difference between Medicare taxes and spending on its benefits. As Mannix points out above, that is the size of the current deficit.

Medicare requires an all the above strategy to fix it.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 11:57 AM (ctrM5)

***

Ah, yes, let’s expend effort to save a multi-trillion dollar Democrat welfare program. Much Republican!

I look forward to 2030 and the earnest discussions on how we can balance the budget and save “Free College” and “Medicare 4 All” from insolvency.

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 12:02 PM (FC8SQ)

297 Here's Ozzy Man Reviewing the Newest Olympic Sport

https://youtu.be/3fSGukQknN0

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon, Guilty as a Jaywalker, Free as a Bird at October 30, 2024 12:02 PM (i24o9)

298 291 THANK YOU! I get full medical and dental coverage when I retire through my corporation as retiree benefits. Forcing me to take Medicare will fuck that up.
Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October

Even when Medicare eligible? That is amazing.

Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 12:02 PM (p4NUW)

299 >>> And Argentina will never shake off the clutches of Peronism.

Afuera!!!

Posted by: That guy that says Afuera! at October 30, 2024 12:02 PM (QAK8m)

300 The federal government budget simulation using current budget numbers is found directly at

https://shorturl.at/bpmmo

A balancing act also sells their services to localities so that citizens can show their preferences to their elected officials that choose to pay for that service.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:03 PM (ctrM5)

301 Rich Cromwell: Kamala Harris Was Created In A Lab To Annoy Men

-
Well, she's more Pinky than the Brain.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 12:03 PM (L/fGl)

302 264
You're pretty good a rounding up cattle, too!
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October

Can’t wait to do this again.

Posted by: Piper at October 30, 2024 12:04 PM (p4NUW)

303 I saw a claim that some 'structure' was being built in front of the White House

Could be the big statue of Biden giving the finger to the White House. Odd that he's starting construction now.

It'll be a gold statue of Reggie buggering Big Mike while Obama sits in the cuckshed.

Posted by: Ian S. at October 30, 2024 12:04 PM (2ocoG)

304 Trump just announced that /Elon Musk will be tasked with the deregulation of umlauts.

Finally!!

Posted by: German-American Bund at October 30, 2024 12:05 PM (nS6qG)

305 Rich Cromwell: Kamala Harris Was Created In A Lab To Annoy Men

-
Well, she's more Pinky than the Brain.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 12:03 PM (L/fGl)
__________

"Well, not all men . . ."

-- Willie Brown

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 12:05 PM (iFTx/)

306 277 Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion

What difference at this point does it make?!

Posted by: Christine McVie at October 30, 2024 12:05 PM (w9Wax)

307 To anyone who hasn't yet voted, get your ass to Mars, or the choppah, but mainly to the polls!

Posted by: Douglas Quaid at October 30, 2024 12:05 PM (LPS7w)

308 Ah, yes, let’s expend effort to save a multi-trillion dollar Democrat welfare program. Much Republican!

I look forward to 2030 and the earnest discussions on how we can balance the budget and save “Free College” and “Medicare 4 All” from insolvency.
Posted by: Lurker
========
Well, you can wait for the crash and try to pick up the pieces because your solution won't work politically because it will hurt too many voters or the ones they care about.

Simply put, the old paradigm prior to the 20th century is not something you can go back to. What you can do is ignore the purist bullshit and try to fix problems.

As they say in the Southlands, your dog won't hunt and your sneering tone is obnoxious if you plan to sell what you want to others.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:06 PM (ctrM5)

309 190 That's not creepy, obsessive, and really weird at all.

Self-identifying moaner says what?
Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 11:38 AM (xCA6C)

Nah, dude. "Don't think we're not watching you, Don't think we won't take account" is leftist stalker-threat tactics.

BTFO.

Posted by: XTC at October 30, 2024 12:06 PM (UnA8+)

310 295. Posted by: whig

Indeed.

But the country must also stop 'rescuing' through laws such as the American Rescue Plan.

Some unions can't be made whole ++, nor can 'likely voters' be bailed out time & time again from programs which the feds have taken over.

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at October 30, 2024 12:06 PM (NFX2v)

311 218
‘ How about rolling it all back to 1958 levels?’
Well, you and I would go for it but I think targeting 2008 has advantages.

1. 2008 standard of living and healthcare should be plenty good enough.
2. We aren’t facing a depression like we were then. Although we will if we don’t cut spending.
3. By design, Obama’s ‘temporary ‘$900 million benefited almost exclusively democrats and wasn’t temporary.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 12:07 PM (jbnUc)

312 >>> Rich Cromwell: Kamala Harris Was Created In A Lab To Annoy Men

Oh my goodness, so the only head scratching line in an otherwise stellar interview, was when Zachary Levi told Piers Morgan that Kamala had a pleasant laugh or speaking voice. I almost spit out my drink. I think he was trying to be nice and reach across the aisle, but I was like we clearly aren't watching the same person. Rest of the interview was great though.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 12:07 PM (QAK8m)

313 "Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion"

But what might we have gained had she not?

Posted by: Bacon Jeff at October 30, 2024 12:08 PM (LJKij)

314 Zachary Levi told Piers Morgan that Kamala had a pleasant laugh or speaking voice. I almost spit out my drink. I think he was trying to be nice and reach across the aisle, but I was like we clearly aren't watching the same person. Rest of the interview was great though.
Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 12:07 PM (QAK8m)

Her voice to me is like fingernails on a chalkboard

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 12:08 PM (IyPmt)

315 235
‘ Nah I think I'm tired of letting them dictate anything. ’

Same here. All FJB’s insult does for me is give me one more reason to wring his neck.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 30, 2024 12:09 PM (jbnUc)

316 IIRC, you get Part A, for which you don't pay any more. Part B is optional, but they make it sound like you're going to die an extremely unpleasant death if you don't take it. I get SS and Part A, but not Part B. Feel free to correct me.
Posted by: Archimedes
--------
No corrections here. But, it is a cost to government that you are taking Part A because as seen above, you paid about 17 cents on the dollar of benefits received. Remove the mandatory bit and a lot of people would stay on their private insurance. If my understanding is correct from prior statements, you are a federal retiree which has its own post Medicare benefits and that resembles Tricare second payer benefits that removes the necessity for Medicare drug and other optional benefits.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:09 PM (ctrM5)

317 But what might we have gained had she not?
Posted by: Bacon Jeff at October 30, 2024 12:08 PM (LJKij)

Her spawn might have been the next Justin Bieber.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 30, 2024 12:09 PM (iLFFu)

318 Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion

-
Little Lies
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:56 AM (L/fGl)
_____

So . . . the band stayed together through alcoholism, drug abuse, mental breakdowns, suicide attempts, bandmembers fucking each other's significant others, and toxic dysfunction. But that (alleged) pregnancy?? No way, the band would have collapsed right there. Fuck off, Stevie.

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 12:10 PM (iFTx/)

319 Zachary Levi told Piers Morgan that Kamala had a pleasant laugh or speaking voice. I almost spit out my drink. I think he was trying to be nice and reach across the aisle, but I was like we clearly aren't watching the same person. Rest of the interview was great though.
Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 12:07 PM (QAK8m)

Her voice to me is like fingernails on a chalkboard
Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 12:08 PM (IyPmt)

I'm 50/50 on whose is worse, Kumala or Jessica Tarlov.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 12:10 PM (CIS44)

320 Aaron Rupar@atrupar
Kamala Harris: "I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for."

-
Even if they are Nazis.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 12:10 PM (L/fGl)

321 320 Aaron Rupar@atrupar
Kamala Harris: "I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for."

-
Even if they are Nazis.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 12:10 PM (L/fGl)

LOL... Great point

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 12:11 PM (IyPmt)

322 "Russian court reportedly fines Google 2 undecillion roubles for blocking 17 state TV channels -- equates to $20.5 decillion USD, Russian media report

2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 roubles is still a lot of cash despite the current exchange rate."

Posted by: Cue Nelson Muntz Laugh at October 30, 2024 12:11 PM (QAK8m)

323 Biden's insults bother me not. He is a senile old imbecile, who can't find his way to the bathroom without a guide. Why would I care what he thinks about anything?

Posted by: Xipe Totec at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (pohLc)

324 286 Jimmy Kimmel Devotes 19-Minute Monologue Making Case Against Donald Trump For President

-
Then he split atoms with his mind.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Covfefe Today, Covfefe Tomorrow, Covfefe Forever! at October 30, 2024 11:59 AM (L/fGl)

ITS FUNNY CAUSE HE DID IT IN HIS CARL MALONE GET UP!

Posted by: Ben Rothliesbergergler at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (CFblW)

325 End income tax, starve the beast
It is your money, not the government's
https://shorturl.at/Hnxfe
Don Surber (h/t Insty)

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (FnneF)

326 Problem is Peter and Paul are brothers. They’re in this together, and the only ones getting robbed is us, the taxpayers.

Posted by: Eromero at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (jgmnb)

327 Simply put, the old paradigm prior to the 20th century is not something you can go back to. What you can do is ignore the purist bullshit and try to fix problems.

As they say in the Southlands, your dog won't hunt and your sneering tone is obnoxious if you plan to sell what you want to others.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:06 PM (ctrM5)

well, part of the problem is that the practice of medicine has been focused on the health and convenience of the insurance companies, and the "stakeholders" who insist on their profits over the benefits of the patients, and this was done because there was a animus to the ideas that the practice of medicine was overcompensating doctors and actual health care workers. That right there is an entry point for finding a solution.
Maintaining things as they are will be expensive, but even more, it will kill and maim more and more patients every year.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (D7oie)

328 I sort of surprised that at this point Stevie Nicks can string a sentence together.

Unlike, you know who.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (Q4IgG)

329 Fleetwood Mac ended when the stopped being a blues band.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 30, 2024 12:00 PM (iLFFu)
==================
Except for the whole "lets make millions!" part

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (h0OR+)

330 "Russian court reportedly fines Google 2 undecillion roubles for blocking 17 state TV channels -- equates to $20.5 decillion USD, Russian media report

2,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 roubles is still a lot of cash despite the current exchange rate."
Posted by: Cue Nelson Muntz Laugh at October 30, 2024 12:11 PM (QAK8m)
--------------

Hmm, who do we root for if Russia collection agents?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (tT6L1)

331 Zachary Levi told Piers Morgan that Kamala had a pleasant laugh or speaking voice. I almost spit out my drink. I think he was trying to be nice and reach across the aisle, but I was like we clearly aren't watching the same person. Rest of the interview was great though.
Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 12:07 PM (QAK8m)

Her voice to me is like fingernails on a chalkboard
Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 12:08 PM (IyPmt)

I'm 50/50 on whose is worse, Kumala or Jessica Tarlov.
Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 12:10 PM (CIS44)
_________________

Kumswala has that giddy "I'm sooooo drunk" voice that horny fratboy douchebags liked to hear around 1 am at the punchbowl

Posted by: Doctor Elric the Blade at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (iFTx/)

332 Military and the civilian government work force are going to have to be moved to defined contribution plans (aka 403b etc.) instead of the traditional years of service/benefits with long periods of time before vesting.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:02 PM (ctrM5)

=====

I think they were trying to do that with the TSPs. But all that's happening now is that people are getting both the pensions and the TSP.

Posted by: Jordan61 at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (DRSnL)

333 The federal government budget simulation using current budget numbers is found directly at

https://shorturl.at/bpmmo

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:03 PM (ctrM5)

***

Tried it, it’s no good:

- can’t zero things out, have to click a button to decrement every billion
- can’t cut Medicaid below 49%
- can’t cut interest on national debt at all

This is a communist demoralization tool to make it look like the deficit is so very difficult to solve.

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (FC8SQ)

334 323 Biden's insults bother me not. He is a senile old imbecile, who can't find his way to the bathroom without a guide. Why would I care what he thinks about anything?
Posted by: Xipe Totec at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (pohLc)

Of course we don't care... It's great that it impacts Kamala's campaign and gets the Puerto Rico joke out of the news

Posted by: It's me donna at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (IyPmt)

335 Heh.
According to a report out of Reuters (spits) Argentina, since Milei, now has a trade surplus of $16 Billion.

See? That's how it's done.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (W/lyH)

336 "Russian court reportedly fines Google 2 undecillion roubles for blocking 17 state TV channels -- equates to $20.5 decillion USD, Russian media report"

Pay them in pennies, and count them out one by one. If Google loses their place while counting, start over.

Posted by: Bacon Jeff at October 30, 2024 12:14 PM (LJKij)

337 The thing a lot of people miss about the Puerto Rico joke, besides that they don't know any Hispanics, is that PR is genuinely having a landfill crisis right now. So the joke was actually topical, but why expect the news media to know the news?

Posted by: Ian S. at October 30, 2024 12:14 PM (2ocoG)

338 "Stevie Nicks Says Fleetwood Mac Would Have Ended if She Hadn’t Had an Abortion"

But what might we have gained had she not?
Posted by: Bacon Jeff

What might we have gained had Stevie Nicks' mom had an abortion?

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 12:14 PM (aNhid)

339 I forgot "sends" between Russia and collection.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 12:14 PM (tT6L1)

340 Indeed.

But the country must also stop 'rescuing' through laws such as the American Rescue Plan.

Some unions can't be made whole ++, nor can 'likely voters' be bailed out time & time again from programs which the feds have taken over.
Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you

I dislike dealing with trade union issues because it gets really complicated really fast. Personally, I think the way to go is defined contribution plans across the board but central planning usually comes a cropper because in government, you rarely have a clean slate to work from and it is always about what can be done politically and what really is optimum.

The PBGC is what guarantees a minimum pension for a lot of people on defined benefit plans where the employer or union takes the money and either misinvests it or steals it in effect. You end up with much less but at least some in those cases.

That is in effect what the union pension bailout was about--paying past retirees without sending them to the PBGC as would be normal.

I dislike that too which is at least one problem resolved by moving to a defined contribution plan.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:15 PM (ctrM5)

341 The thing a lot of people miss about the Puerto Rico joke, besides that they don't know any Hispanics, is that PR is genuinely having a landfill crisis right now. So the joke was actually topical, but why expect the news media to know the news?
Posted by: Ian S. at October 30, 2024 12:14 PM (2ocoG)

Member when a certain donkey toothed congresswoman complained that her abuela lived in a dump? Pepperidge Farm members.

Posted by: BruceWayne at October 30, 2024 12:15 PM (CIS44)

342 325 End income tax, starve the beast
It is your money, not the government's
https://shorturl.at/Hnxfe
Don Surber (h/t Insty)
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 12:12 PM (FnneF)
I like that phrase you just invented there, HiaH.
EndCome Tax, the End is Come and Tax is weapon that destroys the people.

Posted by: Eromero at October 30, 2024 12:15 PM (jgmnb)

343 I'm looking forward to hearing Rogan's conversation with Vance!

Posted by: Scarlett O'Hara at October 30, 2024 12:16 PM (efuu+)

344 The ewok is up

Posted by: BunkerintheBurbs at October 30, 2024 12:16 PM (fwA58)

345 Whenever I hear an excuse for an abortion, I think "Who did we lose?"

Posted by: mrp at October 30, 2024 12:16 PM (rj6Yv)

346 >>> Pay them in pennies, and count them out one by one. If Google loses their place while counting, start over.
Posted by: Bacon Jeff at October 30, 2024 12:14 PM (LJKij)

That's devious. I love it.

Posted by: LizLem at October 30, 2024 12:16 PM (QAK8m)

347 If my understanding is correct from prior statements, you are a federal retiree which has its own post Medicare benefits and that resembles Tricare second payer benefits that removes the necessity for Medicare drug and other optional benefits.

I am. One of the biggest benefits of being a Fed is that you take your health insurance into retirement. They really, REALLY try to get you to sign up for Part B, but I have enough money to cover my health expenses, and as I said, my BC/BS, so it was not at all clear to me that I derived any benefit from Part B. As to Part A, I agree, but I have no choice in that.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 12:16 PM (xCA6C)

348 Hmm, who do we root for if Russia collection agents?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 12:13 PM (tT6L1)

Well, Russia isn't trying to rape me personally, although I might make an exception for Anna Chapman. Google is flat-out evil.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 30, 2024 12:17 PM (iLFFu)

349 >>> 342
==
I like that phrase you just invented there, HiaH.
EndCome Tax, the End is Come and Tax is weapon that destroys the people.
Posted by: Eromero at October 30, 2024 12:15 PM (jgmnb)

Not *my* phrase, that's the title and subtitle of the article

But I may use 'EndCome Tax' in the future...

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at October 30, 2024 12:17 PM (FnneF)

350 The federal government budget simulation using current budget numbers is found directly at

https://shorturl.at/bpmmo

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:03 PM (ctrM5)

***

Tried it, it’s no good:

- can’t zero things out, have to click a button to decrement every billion
- can’t cut Medicaid below 49%
- can’t cut interest on national debt at all

This is a communist demoralization tool to make it look like the deficit is so very difficult to solve.
Posted by: Lurker

If the Constitution doesn't explicitly call for the department, the department ceases to exist.

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 12:17 PM (aNhid)

351 Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he will be voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 presidential election. The former Republican governor of California shared his shock endorsement on X Wednesday. 'I don’t really do endorsements. I’m not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and don’t trust most politicians,' the actor wrote. Despite that, the Terminator star, 77, said that it's time for the country 'to move forward,' and that 'the only way to do that is with buffoons like Harris and Walz.'

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 12:18 PM (RHGPo)

352 I really get tired of bands ruining themselves because a band member decides they're more important than their job, which is entertainment.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at October 30, 2024 12:18 PM (tT6L1)

353 I think they were trying to do that with the TSPs. But all that's happening now is that people are getting both the pensions and the TSP.

Posted by: Jordan61

They are, but the pensions were dramatically reduced from the old CSRS system. Ask me how I know.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 30, 2024 12:18 PM (xCA6C)

354 Biden putting himself on camera (instead of being at the rally or being glued to his television) during The Greatest Political Speech in American History: Priceless.

Biden then insulting half of the country as "floating garbage" during Princess K's Unity Speech: *Chef's kiss.*

And today it is Cleanup on Aisle Biden.

Posted by: Anti-Faucist at October 30, 2024 12:19 PM (qUkBO)

355 I think they were trying to do that with the TSPs. But all that's happening now is that people are getting both the pensions and the TSP.
Posted by: Jordan61
=======
Yep. Not sustainable. Ultimately, we are going to have to go to a conscription and/or reserve model for the Army at least. Conscription model does not work very well for technical services like the Space Force, Navy, and Air Force so we may have to move to the reserve model.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:19 PM (ctrM5)

356 Somebody added a bunch of photos in Tribute to Vic at his memorial page.

RIP, Vic.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon, Guilty as a Jaywalker, Free as a Bird at October 30, 2024 11:43 AM (i24o9)

The memorial video created quite a bit of dust in here.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at October 30, 2024 12:19 PM (iODuv)

357 186
Stay in your lane.
Posted by: Punctuation Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:33 AM (Y1sOo)

Hey you!
Posted by: Metaphor Nazis at October 30, 2024 11:34 AM (PiwSw)

I'm in charge here

Posted by: Diacritical Mark Police at October 30, 2024 11:37 AM (EsZUh)
----
Look there, their, and they're are confusing.

Posted by: The Oxford Comma Police at October 30, 2024 12:20 PM (i0xsb)

358 I'm on a phone, don't know if this has been posted. In A waiting room, on the TV they just said Kamal campaign has paid for a world called "Freedom Town" within Fortnite to reach young men

Posted by: Dr. Faustie - I AM The Science at October 30, 2024 12:21 PM (rhQhT)

359 They are, but the pensions were dramatically reduced from the old CSRS system. Ask me how I know.
Posted by: Archimedes
========
The defined benefit pensions are largely extinct in private companies and part of the problem with the bureaucracy regarding turnover would be resolved by defined contribution model where you are immediately vested and can take your retirement with you.

If you figure the amount of your current benefit payments and plug in your expected life expectancy into a net present value annuity formula, you will most likely discover it to be one million plus if you had to go and buy such an annuity.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:22 PM (ctrM5)

360 Well, you can wait for the crash and try to pick up the pieces because your solution won't work politically because it will hurt too many voters or the ones they care about.

Simply put, the old paradigm prior to the 20th century is not something you can go back to. What you can do is ignore the purist bullshit and try to fix problems.

As they say in the Southlands, your dog won't hunt and your sneering tone is obnoxious if you plan to sell what you want to others.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:06 PM (ctrM5)

***

There won’t be a crash, just a slow, continual slide into Bolshevism. I have no interest in “picking up the pieces”, there’s nothing and no one worth saving in our current Federal government.

I’m not trying to go back to anything. Fedgov needs to die.

I’m not trying to convince you of anything. You’re clearly someone who thinks the system only needs some tweaks and is not grotesquely broken. Enjoy paying taxes to pedophiles.

It hardly matters, though, because nobody is going to be taking your suggestions, either. The budget will never balanced and you thinking Medicare can be reformed is more ludicrous than me wanting to see it burned to the ground.

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 12:23 PM (FC8SQ)

361 358 I'm on a phone, don't know if this has been posted. In A waiting room, on the TV they just said Kamal campaign has paid for a world called "Freedom Town" within Fortnite to reach young men
Posted by: Dr. Faustie - I AM The Science at October 30, 2024 12:21 PM (rhQhT)

Surely you mean “Fweedom Town”.

Posted by: DoublySymmetric at October 30, 2024 12:23 PM (FGFJD)

362 James Comey had FBI ‘honey pot’ spies infiltrate Trump’s 2016 campaign

... I seem to remember some talk about person or persons infiltrating the Trump campaign back in 2017, but it was quickly pushed away by FISA court stuff.

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 12:27 PM (RHGPo)

363 If the Constitution doesn't explicitly call for the department, the department ceases to exist.
Posted by: rickb223

You have to resurrect the Founders and correct them. Under your argument, Jefferson would have never bought the Louisiana Purchase. Basically Hamilton and Jefferson had this argument over the necessary and proper clause regarding the National Bank and each vision is laid out thoroughly. Washington ended up agreeing with Hamilton over the necessary and proper clause meaning and signed the bill. Justice Marshall and Scotus ratified it and even Madison rejected the purist interpretation when he signed the Second Bank of the US charter as president.

Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:29 PM (ctrM5)

364 If the Constitution doesn't explicitly call for the department, the department ceases to exist.
Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at October 30, 2024 12:17 PM (aNhid)

***

Bingo!

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 12:30 PM (FC8SQ)

365 As Liz Cheney Slams Donald Trump's Character, Her Integrity Comes Under Fire

The Select Committee was willing to take [Hutchinson] at her word, rather than checking into the facts. The American people deserve the truth.

If they had actually upheld the 6th amendment (able to confront witnesses), they may have had a better result.

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 12:32 PM (RHGPo)

366 You have to resurrect the Founders and correct them. Under your argument, Jefferson would have never bought the Louisiana Purchase. Basically Hamilton and Jefferson had this argument over the necessary and proper clause regarding the National Bank and each vision is laid out thoroughly. Washington ended up agreeing with Hamilton over the necessary and proper clause meaning and signed the bill. Justice Marshall and Scotus ratified it and even Madison rejected the purist interpretation when he signed the Second Bank of the US charter as president.
Posted by: whig at October 30, 2024 12:29 PM (ctrM5)

***

Yeah, the Founders made some mistakes:

- slavery
- the national banks
- not hanging John Marshall

They weren’t perfect.

Posted by: Lurker at October 30, 2024 12:33 PM (FC8SQ)

367 BofA Warns "Enforcement Action" By Feds Possible Over Money Laundering

Is this why Buffett was panic-dumping shares?

BofA really needs some new management

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 12:34 PM (RHGPo)

368 Fat Bubble Popped: Lilly Shares Dive On Disappointing Weight-Loss Drug Sales

"...Mounjaro and Zepbound sales in Q3 were negatively impacted by inventory decreases in the wholesaler channel."

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 12:35 PM (RHGPo)

369 October Surprise: Nico Grant And Media Matters To Drop Hit Piece On MSNBC For Disinformation

.. we can hope

Posted by: SMOD at October 30, 2024 12:36 PM (RHGPo)

370 340. Posted by: whig

I'm not entitled to SS, stick to a pension which - like most of us - is not as positive as it began but I was able to retire younger though with may working years behind me.

I've refused Medicare though entitled, paid into, and continued to do so, and pay for private medical insurance (which pays no more than medicare for most care) so I can seek treatment from certain specialists for an autoimmune disease.

Posted by: L - If they'll do it with you, they'll do it to you, too at October 30, 2024 12:43 PM (NFX2v)

371 I freely admit I am a huge part of the Medicare drain. I have been in the hospital three times this year, the last time for three full weeks. And I am on dialysis -- three times a week. At least, though, I managed to avoid a rehab nursing home after the three week stay.

Posted by: Livia Drusilla at October 30, 2024 12:47 PM (lAAta)

372 !! Hot girls are waiting for you on -- www.Nu21.eu

Posted by: Netta at October 30, 2024 01:24 PM (rwICQ)

373 By the way, there is a Military pension - equal to minimum Social Security for all Vietnam Vets.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at October 30, 2024 01:25 PM (Da7Vv)

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