The Morning Rant: Buck Shots (8/26/2022)

Can We Please Stop Issuing New Student Debt While Existing Loan Repayment Is Suspended?

Others have done an exceptional job of writing about Joe Biden’s unilateral, unconstitutional cancellation of student-debt, so I have nothing original to add regarding the vulgar transfer of wealth from the working class to the credentialed elite to pay for it.

But I do fear that we’re overlooking what may ultimately be the bigger story – the repayment freeze on student loans has been extended yet again, this time until 2023.

President Joe Biden announced Wednesday the cancellation of $10,000 in student debt for borrowers earning $125,000 or less per year and households earning $250,000 a year or less. The payment freeze on student loans will also be extended through Dec. 31.

In March 2020 the Department of Education paused debt repayment due to the initial Covid panic, while also setting interest rates at 0%. When Joe Biden became President, he immediately extended the moratorium until September 2021, which he then extended until February 2022, and then May 2022, then August 2022, and now until the start of 2023.

Student debt repayment is never going to resume, is it? Deferrals into perpetuity are effectively the same as canceling all student debt, and that is what is going on.

But the universities are still loading students up with new debt. Debt that will never be repaid.

Until student debt repayment resumes, it is a moral obligation that all new government-guaranteed student loan production be halted. And without a suspension of new debt issuance, the university cartel will not support the idea that their students should actually pay back their student loans.

This is an issue that Republican candidates need to grab hold of, and if elected, follow through on.

*****

Scary Statistic – One in Six US Energy Bills is Late

While Joe Biden is buying the votes of affluent college grads with student loan cancellation, how are average folks handling runaway inflation and soaring energy costs? Not very well.

Things are getting really tough out there.

‘Tsunami of Shutoffs’ Looms With 1 in 6 Late on US Energy Bills [Bloomberg – 8/23/2022]

If you can’t get through the Bloomberg paywall, Zero Hedge has excerpts:

Adrienne Nice is one of those struggling Americans who is more than $3,000 behind on utility bills. Last month, she received a "final notice" from power company Xcel Energy Inc., who turned off the electricity to her studio apartment in Minneapolis as temperatures approached near triple digits.
Nice found it near impossible to save money for utility expenses that have doubled over the past year as food, shelter, and gas prices have also skyrocketed. Her low-paying job as a housecleaner has left her in energy poverty.
"I just don't understand how electricity can be so high," she said.
Across the country, power companies reported a surge in non-payment customers. California's PG&E Corp said there had been a 40% jump in the number of residential customers behind on payments since February 2020. New Jersey's Public Service Enterprise Group said customers at least 90 days late have risen 30% since March.

This is an emerging national catastrophe on par with the suffering during the Depression. Since President Biden now has unlimited, unilateral lawmaking powers conferred on him because of “the emergency,” expect there to be a utility payment bailout in the near future.

Don’t forget, it was President Obama himself who first promised us higher electricity bills. In a 2008 interview with the gentry, leftist editorial board at the San Francisco Chronicle, Obama stated “Under my plan … electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”

The suffering going on right now is not a problem to our leftist ruling class, it’s by design, as part of their green re-organization of all human activity. The Sustainable Organic Church of the Carbon Apocalypse tolerates suffering and despair to bring about its green utopia.

Oh, by the way, doesn’t it seem a bit recessionary that if 16% of Americans can’t pay their utility bills, then they probably don’t have much money for other discretionary spending.

*****

Why Might Minneapolis Rents Be Dropping?

What happens if you burn a city down, endorse crime, dismantle the police force, and replace hockey with carjacking as the favorite pastime? You get lower rents! Finally some good news.

Minneapolis Rents Drop, Bucking National Trends

Actually, what I’m surprised about is the rising rents in some blue areas, especially New York City. There is a mass exodus of New Yorkers for Florida and Tennessee, and it doesn’t look like Mayor Eric Adams is running the city any more effectively than Bill de Blasio did.

Are rents high In New York because the wealthy are hanging on to unoccupied apartments, constraining supply? Or maybe rents are rising from the effects of inflation, despite softening of demand?

Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it.

*****

Are Old Episodes of Sesame Street Suddenly Problematic?

First they came for Br’er Rabbit. Then they came for Dr. Seuss. And now…Sesame Street!?

HBO Max Removes About 200 ‘Sesame Street’ Episodes

Did Big Bird wear blackface?

Is learning to count now considered a form of white supremacy?

If Sesame Street is now in the woke cross-hairs, we should probably expect a big announcement from Bert and Ernie in the near future.

*****

Speaking of Sesame Street, how ‘bout we head into the weekend with Alison Krauss and Union Station performing Sesame Jamboree. Have a great weekend.

(buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com)

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 10:00 AM (Zz0t1)

2 Hola

Posted by: Thanatopsis at August 26, 2022 10:00 AM (UDSQC)

3 Bold statements, Joe.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 10:00 AM (Zz0t1)

4 I got this.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 10:00 AM (Zz0t1)

5
ESPONJA!!!

Posted by: AltonJackson at August 26, 2022 10:00 AM (ENBF0)

6 Winning.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 10:01 AM (Zz0t1)

7 Can We Please Stop Issuing New Student Debt While Existing Loan Repayment Is Suspended?

=========

Merely asking this question is racist. This would hold back poor, black women from their educations.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:01 AM (LvTSG)

8 Sorry....Buck. Bold statements, Buck.

Damn moonshine.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 10:02 AM (Zz0t1)

9 Can We Please Stop Issuing New Student Debt While Existing Loan Repayment Is Suspended?

This would require a sane government.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at August 26, 2022 10:02 AM (yQpMk)

10 Shutting off 18% of users should ease the grid load a bit.

Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:02 AM (AwYPR)

11 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:03 AM (VJsqe)

12 This new set of transfer payments would be with us forever if we weren't nearing the screeching halt of collapse.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:03 AM (b2nrj)

13 An op-ed in the Washington Post has argued that men in women’s sports could actually be a good thing for young girls by teaching them the art of losing gracefully.

According to Alyssa Rosenberg, the aim of school athletics is not to teach children the art of achieving excellence but rather to build character, and what better way to build character in a teenage girl than having her experience the frustration of losing that championship title to a biological male? Her argument largely hinges on the unicorn of “sports-crazed parents” who will theoretically use transgender athletes in women’s sports as an excuse in the event their daughter loses.

.. had no idea that the WaPo had gone into competition with the Babylon Bee

Posted by: SMOD at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM (RHGPo)

14 Are rents high In New York because the wealthy are hanging on to unoccupied apartments, constraining supply? Or maybe rents are rising from the effects of inflation, despite softening of demand?

Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it.

My daughter just moved into NYC. She's in the Upper East Side, which Wiki describes as "posh". $2700 a month for a nominal one-bedroom, but which is absurdly tiny. It's in a relatively safe area, and I'll bet many of the young occupants are having their rent covered by their parents, which insulates those places from price drops (I'm not). How much is peace of mind worth? A lot.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM (/NCI4)

15 > "I just don't understand how electricity can be so high," she said.

She says, right before going out to vote a straight communist ticket.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM (bW8dp)

16 11 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:03 AM (VJsqe)

=========

They should really be scared about what happens to their ESG scores if they let their people survive the winter.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM (LvTSG)

17 Shutting off 18% of users should ease the grid load a bit.
Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:02 AM (AwYPR)
---
They'll just divert that power to charging stations for EVs, amirite?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 10:05 AM (YIVH2)

18 Morgen!

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at August 26, 2022 10:05 AM (ZSK0i)

19 Funny thing about energy, oil actually is a lot cheaper than decades ago when inflation adjusted. I'd have to check where electricity stands.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:05 AM (b2nrj)

20 Since President Biden now has unlimited, unilateral lawmaking powers conferred on him because of “the emergency,” expect there to be a utility payment bailout in the near future.

which he will probably implement by mailing everybody some solar panels.

Posted by: kulak anachronda at August 26, 2022 10:05 AM (sGtp+)

21 I don't understand how the tsunami of shut-offs can happen. Don't they know about LIHEAP?

Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (dCxaZ)

22 There won’t be any tsunami of shutoffs. They will get bailed out too. Or some judge will issue an edict saying shutting of power is unconstitutional or some shit. As usual those who play by the rules and pay their bills will be fucked over. Those who lie cheat and steal will be rewarded.

AneriKa 2022.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (ab+Qz)

23 Hellooooo!
Love AK and Union Station . Superb musicians.

Posted by: Flyover at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (Rbu5d)

24 had no idea that the WaPo had gone into competition with the Babylon Bee
Posted by: SMOD at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM (RHGPo)

Parody can’t keep pace with reality.

Posted by: 7man at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (qwO6y)

25 Oh, by the way, doesn’t it seem a bit recessionary that if 16% of Americans can’t pay their utility bills, then they probably don’t have much money for other discretionary spending.

fuckin' finance it!

Posted by: secretary granholm at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (sGtp+)

26 1 FIRST!!!!!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 10:00 AM (Zz0t1)

--------
"Why aren't I 50 points ahead?" you might ask.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (VJsqe)

27 $2700 for a 1 bedroom on the UES is a fucking steal.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (ab+Qz)

28 There won’t be any tsunami of shutoffs. They will get bailed out too. Or some judge will issue an edict saying shutting of power is unconstitutional or some shit. As usual those who play by the rules and pay their bills will be f***ed over. Those who lie cheat and steal will be rewarded.

You are correct, sir!

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (/NCI4)

29 What is LIHEAP? A heap of lies?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (cfHgC)

30 10 Shutting off 18% of users should ease the grid load a bit.

Posted by: BignJames
------------------
Well, if you want to freeze the elderly on pensions and the young on limited income, raising energy rates a lot will do the job.

Rationing of a scarce good always happens whether by government policy where the ones with political clout get the goodies, or by price where the burden is on those on fixed or small incomes. Dunno how energy assistance works for Euroland and whether the burden falls on the working poor or all of the poor.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (CXr4y)

31 This is an issue that Republican candidates need to grab hold of, and if elected, follow through on.

Yeah, that's not gonna happen.

Posted by: Flyover at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (Rbu5d)

32 In March 2020 the Department of Education paused debt repayment due to the initial Covid panic, while also setting interest rates at 0%. When Joe Biden became President, he immediately extended the moratorium until September 2021, which he then extended until February 2022, and then May 2022, then August 2022, and now until the start of 2023 ...
++++
Cancellation is a stupid political play, which is why the cancellation is actually fairly limited. Total cancellation wins the Dems precisely nothing. There's no point. It's a reset on college finance if they do it, but there's no real ongoing benefit to that.

The deferrals, however, *are* valuable, which is why they keep doing them. They could have gone for six months, or a year or even two years but they didn't. They went for four months, so it goes until after the election but before the new Congress is seated. The message on this extension is very, very clear: "Be a good drone and vote for Dems again and we'll make sure that extension is extended again. Fail to prevent major changes, and you can be sure those payments will restart."

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (WWh8n)

33 I expect the "Raid on Mar-a-Lago" (tm, pat pending) affidavit to read as follow: Affidavit. That's it. Everything else is blacked out.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (FF+On)

34 You can't turn off the flow of funds until you control the spigot. If the eGOP wind we the people still lose

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (V9ARR)

35 19 Funny thing about energy, oil actually is a lot cheaper than decades ago when inflation adjusted. I'd have to check where electricity stands.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:05 AM (b2nrj)

So much of our electricity come from natural gas now that it pretty much follows natural gas prices lockstep. We didn't switch to NG from coal because of climate change. We switched because NG was the cheapest option. Now coal is the cheapest option, but try getting any new permits to use it. We lost fuel flexibility that would keep prices lower.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (Y5qcH)

36 I still laugh when people talk about 'predatory lending' from back in my days processing mortgage loans.

The government issues $60, $80, hell $100k to 20 year olds with no job, income or holdings.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (bKomC)

37 Does anyone know where one would get a list of the default rates for specific schools and specific majors?

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (cupoy)

38 In addition to the confirmation of Bert and Ernie's status, the redacted episodes will be replaced with reedited ones confirming Grover to be a trans-muppet and Oscar the Grouch as the token Republican.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (TNyrE)

39 This is not about cancelling student debt. This is yet another handout to big banks holding the debt. The banks are getting a free $10k (or $20k) from the government that they would never see from the borrowers.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (iFTx/)

40 $2700 for a 1 bedroom on the UES is a f***ing steal.

Okay. The BR is so small, she can't use her queen bed. It won't fit. I have no idea how she's going to get a couch down her long, 2.5' hallway.

I think the plan is to work there for a couple of years, and then come back to DC. It's a good plan.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (/NCI4)

41 "Are rents high In New York because the wealthy are hanging on to unoccupied apartments, constraining supply? Or maybe rents are rising from the effects of inflation, despite softening of demand?

Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it."

I know a guy who does some real estate stuff(owns apartments) and follows the NY market. Per him, the owners of various buildings, residential and commercial, are avoiding renting them out for less so they can avoid writing them down and putting them deep underwater on their loans. There was a lot of construction that was done in a more bullish environment and the developers are screwed if they acknowledge the buildings can't rent for projected amounts.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (b2nrj)

42 39 This is not about cancelling student debt. This is yet another handout to big banks holding the debt. The banks are getting a free $10k (or $20k) from the government that they would never see from the borrowers.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (iFTx/)

========

I'm pretty sure this is federally owned debt. It's debt to the treasury, not to the banks.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (LvTSG)

43 The real play is not to stop the student loan theft, but to double down on it. No GOPe is going to stop this, and there won't be political will to do it anyway.

So, let's use the enemy's momentum, and cancel it ALL. A complete debt jubilee. After all, there are just as many people struggling under unfair obligations for mortgages and vehicles, and business loans. Let's zero the entire MFer out. No foreclosures, no repossessions. You now own the asset, and you owe nothing.

The best part is that you can use their own ridiculous convoluted legal justification to do that too.

Absurd? Yep, but it's just an extension of their really stupid idea. They're going for hyperinflation anyway - let's give them what they want and bring the entire mother down.

Posted by: Oldstoke at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (TH2A9)

44 > This is not about cancelling student debt. This is yet another handout to big banks holding the debt.

Banks haven't held significant student loan debt since way back in the Obama administration.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (bW8dp)

45 31 This is an issue that Republican candidates need to grab hold of, and if elected, follow through on

—

Right after repealing Obamacare, building the “dang wall” and defund the FBI.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (ab+Qz)

46 How much of the increase in utility arrears is driven by the fact that many utilities were not charging during the pandemic?

I had a huge electricity bill late last year. Normally I don't track it because it's paid automatically, but I noticed this one. When I investigated I found that the utility hadn't charged me a dime for well over six months.

Anyone on low income hit with a surprise like that is not going to be able to pay.

Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (g1EEm)

47 36 I still laugh when people talk about 'predatory lending' from back in my days processing mortgage loans.

The government issues $60, $80, hell $100k to 20 year olds with no job, income or holdings.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (bKomC)

Gotta support the colleges and their phoney baloney jobs.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (b2nrj)

48 Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it.

-------

One word: ~~Plastics.~~ Blackrock.

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (QbCrG)

49 33 I expect the "Raid on Mar-a-Lago" (tm, pat pending) affidavit to read as follow: Affidavit. That's it. Everything else is blacked out.
Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (FF+On)

That’d be giving away means and methods.

Posted by: 7man at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (qwO6y)

50 expect there to be a utility payment bailout in the near future.

I disagree. Biden's finally going to get the "cold, dark winter" he so infamously tweeted last year. Or rather, his handlers tweeted.

Posted by: Flyover at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (Rbu5d)

51 19 Funny thing about energy, oil actually is a lot cheaper than decades ago when inflation adjusted. I'd have to check where electricity stands.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy
--------------------
Use of oil or coal for power generation and heating has declined to a small fraction nowadays in the West. So essentially, regulators have prevented any substitution for scarce natural gas or electricity for most of the heat and precursor electrical current for heating.

E. Europe may or may not be in a bit better shape depending on whether they still use Soviet era oil or coal heating/power generation.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (CXr4y)

52 We didn't switch to NG from coal because of climate change. We switched because NG was the cheapest option. Now coal is the cheapest option, but try getting any new permits to use it. We lost fuel flexibility that would keep prices lower.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (Y5qcH)

See Clean Air Act.

Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (AwYPR)

53 JJ Abrams is the destroyer of franchise. Amazon came up with Girlboss Cheeto Galadrial with his help, but he would have made an even-more spectacular crater.

"I battled against Tolkien for three days from the darkest dungeons to the highest peaks. At last I threw down the audience approval and smote their ruin upon the mountainside."

Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 26, 2022 10:11 AM (44ww/)

54 46 How much of the increase in utility arrears is driven by the fact that many utilities were not charging during the pandemic?

I had a huge electricity bill late last year. Normally I don't track it because it's paid automatically, but I noticed this one. When I investigated I found that the utility hadn't charged me a dime for well over six months.

Anyone on low income hit with a surprise like that is not going to be able to pay.
Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:10 AM (g1EEm)

It seems mostly to relate to the collapse of shale production and consequently the loss of the natural gas production coming as a byproduct.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:11 AM (b2nrj)

55 I don't understand how the tsunami of shut-offs can happen. Don't they know about LIHEAP?
Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:06 AM (dCxaZ)

I don't know for certain of course, but I would imagine these are people who just barely don't qualify, and were on the edge for a long time. Higher gas and food prices pushed them over the edge, since they have no wiggle room.

Posted by: Jordan61 at August 26, 2022 10:11 AM (DRSnL)

56 Banks got out of the student loan business long ago. And for the small amount of loans still out there (loans taken out in the 2000s still exist) this bailout doesn’t apply. It is only for federal govt issued loans.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:11 AM (ab+Qz)

57 expect there to be a utility payment bailout in the near future.

I disagree. Biden's finally going to get the "cold, dark winter" he so infamously tweeted last year. Or rather, his handlers tweeted.

Oh, there will be a bailout, but only after some crying and pleas to the government to "do something". That something will inevitably increase their power and come out of our wallets.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:12 AM (/NCI4)

58 The Democrats have gone full steam ahead on their abandonment of the middle and working class.

A long while back, I did "back of the envelope" calculations.
A 5% increase in the white, non-college vote was better than a 15-20% increase in the Hispanic vote.

Trump--and every poll ever taken--has proven that the issues that are important to the middle and working class whites are the same issues that are important to Hispanics: Jobs, education, crime. Annesty never makes the top ten.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 26, 2022 10:12 AM (Zf0+a)

59 29 What is LIHEAP? A heap of lies?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (cfHgC)

Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program

Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:12 AM (dCxaZ)

60 None of this will get serious until bankruptcy law is changed to allow student loan debt to be discharged. It's an absolute travesty that student loan debt -- almost unique among all debt -- can't be discharged. Now, do I really give a shit that some shitbrained twat borrowed $100k for some shitbag degree and now can't pay it back? Hell no. Fuck him. But the fact that student loan debt is not dischargeable is an objective travesty.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:12 AM (iFTx/)

61 If the trend holds, we'll have over 10m new illegals during Biden's first term.

Nothing will stop it.

TX and AZ need to deport more and faster to NYC and DC.

Flood them into uncontrolled chaos.

Posted by: I've got bad news for you at August 26, 2022 10:13 AM (9FBGz)

62 What is LIHEAP? A heap of lies?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (cfHgC)

Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program

Embrace the healing power of AND.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:13 AM (/NCI4)

63 Make student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy (they're not).

Boom, the whole things falls apart and sorts itself out.

Thank the GOPe for that one.

Posted by: brak at August 26, 2022 10:13 AM (j5Tg0)

64 I don't know for certain of course, but I would imagine these are people who just barely don't qualify, and were on the edge for a long time. Higher gas and food prices pushed them over the edge, since they have no wiggle room.

Makes sense. The one lady though, who is 3k in arrears. At any point until the total reached that staggering amount, she could have worked out a payment plan with the provider. Or maybe looked at her monthly budget and started slashing and burning unnecessary stuff.

Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (dCxaZ)

65 This is an emerging national catastrophe on par with the suffering during the Depression. Since President Biden now has unlimited, unilateral lawmaking powers conferred on him because of “the emergency,” expect there to be a utility payment bailout in the near future.
++++
I just had my highest-ever power bill. There were a bunch of factors in that, including usage. But what about the actual rate? Well if I look at September of last year, I paid a bit over of $0.105 per kWh. In August of this year, I paid around $0.125 per kWh - a 19% increase in 11 months. And I am in area that is largely dependent on non-hydrocarbon energy, so in areas with greater dependency on natural gas, I imagine shit is very much worse.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (WWh8n)

66 >> If the trend holds, we'll have over 10m new illegals during Biden's first term.

To add to to 40-50M that were already here.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (xL1Rc)

67 Some of us went to...lesser educational institutions...because of the price, and chose majors that were...more intellectually intensive due to their monetary upside. So forgiving LARGE student debts ($100K) is basically not only forgiving debts, but large chunks to those who went to expensive universities taking fluff majors. Totally NOT helping the elites...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (ynpvh)

68 Makes sense. The one lady though, who is 3k in arrears. At any point until the total reached that staggering amount, she could have worked out a payment plan with the provider. Or maybe looked at her monthly budget and started slashing and burning unnecessary stuff.

Does she have cable? A smart phone? Get back to me when you've made some choices, sweetheart.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (/NCI4)

69 > When I investigated I found that the utility hadn't charged me a dime for well over six months.

This is why I never, ever do the "level billing" thing.

Way back at the beginning of Gulf War II, I had "level billing" on my natural gas account. Gas prices went up A LOT, but the utility didn't adjust the "level billing" amount for about a year.

Then I got a bill for thousands more than I was expecting.

Yeah, I should have been paying attention to the fact that natural gas prices were going up, while my monthly bill wasn't changing, but I didn't.

Related: if you buy a house with an adjustable rate mortgage right now, you're a fucking idiot. Don't do it.

(old enough to remember what happened to interest rates in the Carter administration).

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (bW8dp)

70 42 39 This is not about cancelling student debt. This is yet another handout to big banks holding the debt. The banks are getting a free $10k (or $20k) from the government that they would never see from the borrowers.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (iFTx/)

========

I'm pretty sure this is federally owned debt. It's debt to the treasury, not to the banks.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (LvTSG)
_________________________

Yes but I don't think it's federally "owned" like the feds are actually the lenders under the notes. I think it's a more complicated system where the banks hold the debt but it's backed/guaranteed by the feds. At least that's how it was when me and my brothers and sister borrowed for college and grad school, but that was a while ago. The loan notes were in the name of a private bank.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (iFTx/)

71 60 None of this will get serious until bankruptcy law is changed to allow student loan debt to be discharged. It's an absolute travesty that student loan debt -- almost unique among all debt -- can't be discharged. Now, do I really give a shit that some shitbrained twat borrowed $100k for some shitbag degree and now can't pay it back? Hell no. Fuck him. But the fact that student loan debt is not dischargeable is an objective travesty.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:12 AM (iFTx/)

It's a way to transfer money to the colleges. Around 40% of millennials have a bachelor's degree or higher. That is ridiculous. There isn't that much labor demand for those roles. They got suckered into a program that they were told would make their lives better and instead saddled them with debt. Yeah they were dumb but they were also kids when they got lied to by all the authority figures in their lives.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (b2nrj)

72 teaching them the art of losing gracefully.
-------------------------
Just like Dims in every election they lose.

Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (yikp0)

73 The great energy bailout is nothing. I am waiting to see what FJB comes up with when the Colorado River goes dry.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (FF+On)

74 I'm pretty sure this is federally owned debt. It's debt to the treasury, not to the banks.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------------------
There is probably some percentage still held in private hands--loans to parents are by private institutions and companies like SoFi used interest rate floats to tempt some to consolidate their loans privately in exchange for lower interest rates. But, I think that since the Obamacare total takeover (Clinton instituted the first direct federal govt loans), that about 80-90 percent of all student loans outstanding are owned by the fed gov.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (CXr4y)

75 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:03 AM (VJsqe)

I have a friend in England who JUST this morning was talking on line about how his house has a multi-fuel stove heater in it and how smart his dad was to tell him to fix it 15 years ago when he bought the place. he's excited that he won't have to turn the gas on for anything but hot water this coming winter...

so, even the common people know what's about to happen...

Posted by: Zombie Mediocrities at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (WhsXQ)

76 66 >> If the trend holds, we'll have over 10m new illegals during Biden's first term.

To add to to 40-50M that were already here.
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (xL1Rc)

But once here, their kids are totes Americans, güey!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (ynpvh)

77 Bringing down inflation will require some economic pain, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Friday in a tough-talking speech that signals the Fed is nowhere near relenting on interest rate increases.

DOW down 500 to 32,790

Posted by: SMOD at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (RHGPo)

78 Yes but I don't think it's federally "owned" like the feds are actually the lenders under the notes. I think it's a more complicated system where the banks hold the debt but it's backed/guaranteed by the feds. At least that's how it was when me and my brothers and sister borrowed for college and grad school, but that was a while ago. The loan notes were in the name of a private bank.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (iFTx/)

Obama nationalized them. No bank involvement anymore.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (b2nrj)

79 "I just don't understand how electricity can be so high."

It's a real head scratcher, isn't it?

Posted by: Fool Otto at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (DB16e)

80 What is LIHEAP? A heap of lies?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:07 AM (cfHgC)

-------

Lizzy Warren's Presidential Campaign Motto.

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (QbCrG)

81 We're looking at doubling our "income" through various disability payments, but I look around and realize it's not going to go very far.

Posted by: pookysgirl, drowning in paperwork at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (XKZwp)

82 Re the Morning Report article on General LeMay: my late father was a navigator for the Strategic Air Command in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He used to tell the following story about an incident he witnessed at Pease AFB in New Hampshire. (Evidently, I have to break this up to avoid the spam filter)

Posted by: Interesting Times at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (ieN7O)

83 Old: Sesame Street is brought to you by the letter "L"

New: Sesame Street is brought to you by the letters "L", "G", "B", "T", "Q" and the symbol "+"

Posted by: Muldoon at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (kXYt5)

84 Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (ynpvh)

-------
I went to an expensive private college and got a worthless English degree. I had to go back to school for something that would actually pay the bills.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (VJsqe)

85 1 in 6 late on energy bills? Yes I know inflation is out of control now but I still see companies and businesses begging for unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Correct me if I'm wrong but this type of economic environment is unprecedented . It all arises from closing down the world and trillions in Covid 'relief' giveaways.

Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (zB5jo)

86 All those buses from TX and Az with illegals heading to NYC and DC are now showing up early empty in NYC and DC. The illegals are getting off along the way, mainly in red states like TN, GA, NC.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (ab+Qz)

87 My daughter just moved into NYC. She's in the Upper East Side, ...
How much is peace of mind worth? A lot.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM

You can rest peacefully, knowing I'll be representing her.

Posted by: Jerry Nadler (D-NY) at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (a3Q+t)

88 Gen. LeMay was inspecting the flight line, accompanied by the commanding officers of the base. At one point he walked up to a B-47 and snapped at the guard, "Airman, what is your duty here?"

The airman said, "Sir, I guard this aircraft." LeMay: "And what is that line?" Airman: "That is the limit to which I guard this aircraft, sir."

LeMay: "What would you do if I crossed that line?" Airman: "Sir, I would order you to halt." LeMay: "And what if I ignored your order?" Airman: "Sir, I would call the crew chief."

LeMay, exploding: "You stupid SOB! Why in God's name would you call the crew chief?" Airman: (with no change of tone): "To haul away your dead body, sir."

My father said LeMay glared at the airman for a couple of seconds, turned on his heel, and stomped away. As he passed the Wing Commander, he said, "Promote that man."

Posted by: Interesting Times at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (ieN7O)

89 "Are rents high In New York because the wealthy are hanging on to unoccupied apartments, constraining supply? Or maybe rents are rising from the effects of inflation, despite softening of demand?

Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it."

My guess is that a lot of those high-end, over-valued properties are being used for money laundering. That would be one reason to hang onto them. I'm writing an article on money laundering, part of my research included some eye-opening information on just how much of the ritzy properties in cities like NYC are likely being used to launder funds.

Posted by: Taylor at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (THeWE)

90 Always love a good Throck Mortbuckton rant!

Posted by: Muldoon at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (kXYt5)

91 >> Bringing down inflation will require some economic pain, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Friday in a tough-talking speech that signals the Fed is nowhere near relenting on interest rate increases.

Talk to me when you get north of 4.5%, Jerome...

then we might have some room to work. Might.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (xL1Rc)

92 Oh boy.. They must be raising interest rates looking at the market today

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (bs+z0)

93 The great energy bailout is nothing. I am waiting to see what FJB comes up with when the Colorado River goes dry.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (FF+On)

Repurpose Keystone XL to tap the Great Lakes.

Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (AwYPR)

94 My daughter just moved into NYC. She's in the Upper East Side, which Wiki describes as "posh". $2700 a month for a nominal one-bedroom, but which is absurdly tiny. It's in a relatively safe area, and I'll bet many of the young occupants are having their rent covered by their parents, which insulates those places from price drops (I'm not). How much is peace of mind worth? A lot.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:04 AM (/NCI4)

my step dau moved to hells kitchen last year. 2200 for 500 sq ft. rent is up to 2400 this year and 2600 next year the landlord said they had artificially lowered rents during the pandemic because so many people were leaving.

I suspect they're trying to make that back up, which is why nyc rent is still rising.

Posted by: SturmToddler (WhsXQ) at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (WhsXQ)

95 This is why I never, ever do the "level billing" thing.

Way back at the beginning of Gulf War II, I had "level billing" on my natural gas account. Gas prices went up A LOT, but the utility didn't adjust the "level billing" amount for about a year.

Then I got a bill for thousands more than I was expecting.

Yeah, I should have been paying attention to the fact that natural gas prices were going up, while my monthly bill wasn't changing, but I didn't.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (bW8dp)

I actually do have that ("budget billing" is what they call it here), but I do look at the bill every month and make sure I have the actual amount set aside for when they do the true-ups.

Posted by: Jordan61 at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (DRSnL)

96 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:03 AM (VJsqe)

......

They aren't scared.

If they were scared they'd quit poking their supplier.

They don't give 2 fucks about their citizenry.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (bKomC)

97 ... the owners of various buildings, residential and commercial, are avoiding renting them out for less so they can avoid writing them down and putting them deep underwater on their loans. There was a lot of construction that was done in a more bullish environment and the developers are screwed if they acknowledge the buildings can't rent for projected amounts.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:09 AM (b2nrj)
++++
This is how real estate tops are formed. First, there is high inventory at high prices. Then there is low inventory at high prices as those who can afford to carry the property pull it off the market to maintain paper values and avoid dealing with a value decline. Transaction volume slows, which acts as a price support but everyone is on edge.

Then someone *has* to sell, so they do. The price-cutting starts. Inventory remains low but eventually more people need to sell and cutting gets more aggressive. Then owners on the sidelines pour inventory onto the market to cash out before the sucker collapses, which speeds the price drops.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (WWh8n)

98 Yes but I don't think it's federally "owned" like the feds are actually the lenders under the notes. I think it's a more complicated system where the banks hold the debt but it's backed/guaranteed by the feds. At least that's how it was when me and my brothers and sister borrowed for college and grad school, but that was a while ago. The loan notes were in the name of a private bank.

Posted by: Elric Blade
------------------
Nope, the Obamacare bill terminated private loan guarantees and subsidies as part of the plan to pay for Obamacare. Since 2011, all loans were directly from the Ed Dept to students. Even before, since the Clinton years which started the program, at least half or more were direct student loans from the Ed Dept. No private banks make federally guaranteed student loans anymore.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (CXr4y)

99 69 > Related: if you buy a house with an adjustable rate mortgage right now, you're a fucking idiot. Don't do it.
(old enough to remember what happened to interest rates in the Carter administration).
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (bW8dp)

Do I hear 20%! 20% over there! 21% 21%! Oh, bidder in the back has it at 25%!

Posted by: Interest Rate Auctioneer at August 26, 2022 10:19 AM (ynpvh)

100 skilled workers. Correct me if I'm wrong but this type of economic environment is unprecedented . It all arises from closing down the world and trillions in Covid 'relief' giveaways.
Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (zB5jo)

Pays better to be unemployed than employed in America 2.0

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:19 AM (ab+Qz)

101 > I think it's a more complicated system where the banks hold the debt but it's backed/guaranteed by the feds.

That's how it used to be, but Obama changed that.

What I think actually happened there is that the banks saw the looming crisis, and secretly lobbied to have the feds take over the loans. Obama and company obliged, paying off the banks, and putting the taxpayer on the hook. Of course, they touted this as "getting the greedy banks out of the student loan business".

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:19 AM (bW8dp)

102 Biden will issue an EO forbidding utility shut offs.

How much fentanyl is being smuggled through the south border?

Posted by: mr tmz at August 26, 2022 10:19 AM (rJ48h)

103 The loan notes were in the name of a private bank.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (iFTx/)

Banks will quite often sell loans they originated to investors or other banks so they can take the profit now, not have to wait for payment, and are released from the risk of default. I wouldn't be surprised if student loan are done the same way, which would be a big govt handout to banks.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:19 AM (UuD2k)

104 Makes sense. The one lady though, who is 3k in arrears. At any point until the total reached that staggering amount, she could have worked out a payment plan with the provider. Or maybe looked at her monthly budget and started slashing and burning unnecessary stuff.
==
Why bother when you expect the government will come to your rescue?

Posted by: Moral Hazard - Obama gonna pay my mortgage at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (u7Xyh)

105 >>None of this will get serious until bankruptcy law is changed to allow student loan debt to be discharged. It's an absolute travesty that student loan debt -- almost unique among all debt -- can't be discharged. Now, do I really give a shit that some shitbrained twat borrowed $100k for some shitbag degree and now can't pay it back? Hell no. Fuck him. But the fact that student loan debt is not dischargeable is an objective travesty.

The government owns the college loan market thanks to Obama taking it over in 2010. And we own the government debt.

The old adage "If you want more of something subsidy it" applies to debt on college loans. The skyrocketing price of tuition and college loan debt was not only easily predictable it was predicted by many. This was the plan.

We are now in phase 2 where the rest of us will be covering that debt. Debt doesn't just evaporate, someone always pays and that someone is us, the taxpayers.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (ZLI7S)

106 85 1 in 6 late on energy bills? Yes I know inflation is out of control now but I still see companies and businesses begging for unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Correct me if I'm wrong but this type of economic environment is unprecedented . It all arises from closing down the world and trillions in Covid 'relief' giveaways.
Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (zB5jo)

===========

It's not unprecedented at all.

It's been done before, never well.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (LvTSG)

107 69

Lol. Every single I’ve bought has been with an ARM. And I’ve done just fine than you very much. Only reason to get a 30 year is if you plan on living there for 30 years.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (ab+Qz)

108 Somewhat willowed from the Art thread. Given that GDP per capita has gone up 3X since 1964, but median income has remained virtually stagnant, that suggests we have a massive Gini issue.

Step 1 as far as I am concerned should be to go after the most egregious end of the spectrum. Get rid of all tax breaks on capital over some threshold (say $10M). No step-up. No preferential treatment of capital gains. Especially no f*cking carried interest.

I'm curious how much that would net.

Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (g1EEm)

109 83 Old: Sesame Street is brought to you by the letter "L"

New: Sesame Street is brought to you by the letters "L", "G", "B", "T", "Q" and the symbol "+"

Posted by: Muldoon at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (kXYt5)

Bert and Ernie have always been gay...

Posted by: Interest Rate Auctioneer at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (ynpvh)

110 Class warfare beats race warfare every time. Simply because of numbers.

Democrats have wholly embraced the race (and abnormal gender) warfare of minorities.

Republicans can either tacitly take up the class warfare interests of the middle and working class. Or die.

There is no room, currently, in American politics for an egalitarian, meritocracy political party.
The GOPe and NeverTrump are screaming bloody murder because they know they are the dead-end, extinction wing of the party, the rich elitists.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (Zf0+a)

111 They don't give 2 fucks about their citizenry.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at August 26, 2022 10:18

Yep.

Govern with an iron fist.

Posted by: I've got bad news for you at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (9FBGz)

112 Be Trump voters are semi-fascist violent extremists according to Mr. unity Biden

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (bs+z0)

113 84 Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:14 AM (ynpvh)

-------
I went to an expensive private college and got a worthless English degree. I had to go back to school for something that would actually pay the bills.
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:17 AM (VJsqe)

Not even useful for teaching?

Posted by: Interest Rate Auctioneer at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (ynpvh)

114 It's not that one area of society isn't functioning anymore, it's that ALL areas are corrupt and tainted.

Perhaps in a few hundred years, people will dig into and analyze what happened and why (I have my theories) just as people tried to figure out why the Roman Empire fell.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (V6f9+)

115 This is how real estate tops are formed. First, there is high inventory at high prices. Then there is low inventory at high prices as those who can afford to carry the property pull it off the market to maintain paper values and avoid dealing with a value decline. Transaction volume slows, which acts as a price support but everyone is on edge.

Then someone *has* to sell, so they do. The price-cutting starts. Inventory remains low but eventually more people need to sell and cutting gets more aggressive. Then owners on the sidelines pour inventory onto the market to cash out before the sucker collapses, which speeds the price drops.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (WWh8n)

Yeah he expects a real estate collapse in NY at some point.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (b2nrj)

116 Wow, lotta math on the blog today.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (cfHgC)

117 Good morning!
Regarding energy policies, we are being admonished to not use major appliances during certain hours, used to be 5 to 9pm now I think it is 3 to 10pm.
So I bought batteries for those.
I'll wash my dishes when I please, thank you.

Posted by: gourmand du jour, the edge of dampness at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (jTmQV)

118 >>Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it."

Rent Control has long lasting effects.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (xL1Rc)

119 Can FJB mandate that I have to sew a red M on to my clothes?

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (FF+On)

120 ... We didn't switch to NG from coal because of climate change. We switched because NG was the cheapest option. Now coal is the cheapest option, but try getting any new permits to use it. ...
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (Y5qcH)
++++
And gas was cheap thanks to fracking. You might frack to get oil, but you will get gas along with it. You can flare it off and get nothing, or you can sell it at below cost. Natural gas has been selling for below the cost of production for a long time thanks to the fracking boom.

With fracking destroyed, gas ain't going to sell at below cost anymore because there's no natural subsidy for it anymore. And it is happening just in time for our industries and power utilities to have more or less finished their wholesale conversion to use that cheap, plentiful natural gas. We're at the end of the conversion cycle now, which will make the effects of knocking the gas industry on its ass even more painful.

Biden's energy policy is an unmitigated disaster. Even Obama didn't manage to destroy the fracking business.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (WWh8n)

121 If they were scared they'd quit poking their supplier.

They don't give 2 fucks about their citizenry.
==
This is untrue. They are expensive to us. They also harm the planet. We care very much that they should die.

Posted by: The EU ministers at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (hylWL)

122 "Are rents high In New York because the wealthy are hanging on to unoccupied apartments, constraining supply? Or maybe rents are rising from the effects of inflation, despite softening of demand? Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it.

Because the city is NOT depopulating. All the narrative to the contrary is a lie. Rents are sky high and property values are still strong, even rising in places. (Property values are a little more complicated than just demand because they are heavily influenced by mortgage rates and availability.) I've been screaming about this from the rooftops ever since the meme started last year -- AllahPundit was a big pimp for the meme -- that people were fleeing NYC. They are not. Go try to buy or rent in NYC. You'll be in a bidding war.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (iFTx/)

123 Imma go out on a limb and say all those people behind have not cut down any spending on fast food,, or new clothes or beer or smokes or weed. And they all have the latest iPhone of course.

So my sympathy meter is kinda pegged at zero.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (ab+Qz)

124 I guess Adrienne Nice should just be happy to know that the energy not flowing into her residence can now be used by someone who wants to charge their EV.

Her betters appreciate the end result.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (TNyrE)

125 It's a way to transfer money to the colleges. Around 40% of millennials have a bachelor's degree or higher. That is ridiculous. There isn't that much labor demand for those roles. They got suckered into a program that they were told would make their lives better and instead saddled them with debt. Yeah they were dumb but they were also kids when they got lied to by all the authority figures in their lives.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (b2nrj)

That's all well and good, but go get the money from the people that lied. Sue the schools for fraud. They are the ones that took the money.

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (cupoy)

126 Posted by: Interesting Times at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (ieN7O)

Good one. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: 7man at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (qwO6y)

127 112 Be Trump voters are semi-fascist violent extremists according to Mr. unity Biden
Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (bs+z0)

=========

It's been obvious for a while that Democrats are scared of losing their base.

This is just further evidence of that. They now they've lost the middle. Their only hope for any kind of electoral success (outside of cheating in the blue enclaves) is to get their base to show up. That they can't operate on that as a given and they have to actively campaign for it is telling.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (LvTSG)

128 If the trend holds, we'll have over 10m new illegals during Biden's first term.

Nothing will stop it.

TX and AZ need to deport more and faster to NYC and DC.

Flood them into uncontrolled chaos.

Posted by: I've got bad news for you at August 26, 2022 10:13 AM (9FBGz)
-------
Kari Lake says that, as Governor, on Day One she'll use the powers granted in the Constitution to sign & issue a "Declaration of Invasion," send illegal immigrants back to Mexico, secure the border using National Guard troops & other State resources, finish President Trump's wall, and a seek to create a compact between the States to stop the invasion.

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (QbCrG)

129 I see they are sending obama out to campaign for the dems... Does that sound like they are confident ?

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (bs+z0)

130 88 My father said LeMay glared at the airman for a couple of seconds, turned on his heel, and stomped away. As he passed the Wing Commander, he said, "Promote that man."

Posted by: Interesting Times at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (ieN7O)

LOL, great story!

Posted by: Interest Rate Auctioneer at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (ynpvh)

131 I might change my nic to Meade Lux Lewis, Semi-Fascist.

Posted by: Meade Lux Lewis, Domestic Terrorist at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (sWM8x)

132 Not even useful for teaching?
Posted by: Interest Rate Auctioneer at August 26, 2022 10:21 AM (ynpvh)

-------
I taught HS English for a year... didn't like it.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (VJsqe)

133 Biden will issue an EO forbidding utility shut offs.

You know it. I know it. Zombie Bob Dole knows it.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (/NCI4)

134 Biden's energy policy is an unmitigated disaster. Even Obama didn't manage to destroy the fracking business.
==
To be fair, the two year shut down, killing the fcuk out of demand didn't help.

Posted by: I'm not normally fair, but at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (de024)

135 I expect the "Raid on Mar-a-Lago" (tm, pat pending) affidavit to read as follow: Affidavit. That's it. Everything else is blacked out.
Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:08 AM (FF+On)

"Trump... xxx Russia ... XXXX ... GUILTY ..."

that's what i expect to see

Posted by: SturmToddler (WhsXQ) at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (WhsXQ)

136 Wow, lotta math on the blog today.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (cfHgC)

---------------
Its Math Week at the HQ.

Posted by: Curly Shuffle at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (TNyrE)

137 JPOW has said he's gonna tame inflation to 2%

with .75 rate hikes

that should only take about

12 years

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (us2H3)

138 93 The great energy bailout is nothing. I am waiting to see what FJB comes up with when the Colorado River goes dry.
Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:16 AM (FF+On)

Repurpose Keystone XL to tap the Great Lakes.
Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (AwYPR)

Why does my water have an oily sheen and taste like asphalt?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (ynpvh)

139 What is LIHEAP?

**********

Lesbian, Homosexual, Exploring, Anophile, Pervert

Do try to keep up with the ever-changing terminology.

Posted by: Muldoon at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (kXYt5)

140 Turkish pop star arrested over a joke she made about Turkey's religious schools.

[I assume madrassahs.]

Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (yikp0)

141 the gal who's 3K in arrears, I've been really broke in years past, and put off paying bills, but, nothing to that extent.

And if that gal isn't making enough money, cleaning houses, to pay the bills, she's doing it wrong.

(I happen to know house cleaners in the Minneapolis Metro Area can do very well for themselves.)

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (5pTK/)

142 The shivering masses in the EU don't have to kill the top level guys. They have to wipe out the mid-level guys to the level that no future mid-level guy will think it's risk free to send the people into misery willingly and purposefully.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (LvTSG)

143 >>Because the city is NOT depopulating

The Tax Base is.

Not ALL people are equal.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (xL1Rc)

144 "Trump... xxx Russia ... XXXX ... GUILTY ..."

that's what i expect to see
Posted by: SturmToddler (WhsXQ) at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (WhsXQ)

Jan 6th insurrection... nukes....

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (bs+z0)

145 Sesame Street has been cancelling people for decades. Margaret Hamilton appeared on SS in 1976 as her Wicked Witch character and she so scared the youngsters that the episode was never shown again and only recently resurfaced. Little did we know that flying monkeys were preferable to an FBI raid.

Posted by: Ricardo Romantico at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (PIlQh)

146 > Every single I’ve bought has been with an ARM. And I’ve done just fine than you very much.

So far.

We'll see who's laughing in a couple of years.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (bW8dp)

147
Because the city is NOT depopulating. All the narrative to the contrary is a lie. Rents are sky high and property values are still strong, even rising in places. (Property values are a little more complicated than just demand because they are heavily influenced by mortgage rates and availability.) I've been screaming about this from the rooftops ever since the meme started last year -- AllahPundit was a big pimp for the meme -- that people were fleeing NYC. They are not. Go try to buy or rent in NYC. You'll be in a bidding war.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (iFTx/)

Looks like it's been growing slower than the US average since 2001. Probably locals are migrating out and foreigners are migrating in, that's what California has been experiencing. There is a decline into net negative during Covid but not by much.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (b2nrj)

148 Then someone *has* to sell, so they do. The price-cutting starts. Inventory remains low but eventually more people need to sell and cutting gets more aggressive. Then owners on the sidelines pour inventory onto the market to cash out before the sucker collapses, which speeds the price drops.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Sticky prices.

Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (g1EEm)

149 #140 Ooops, missed the lady's name -- Gulsen.

Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (yikp0)

150 137 JPOW has said he's gonna tame inflation to 2%

with .75 rate hikes

that should only take about

12 years
Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (us2H3)
++++
If there's anyone who does *not* deserve a cutsey nickname, it's Jerome Powell.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (WWh8n)

151 If Reps send out Trump to campaign does that mean they are confident? That’s how campaigns work. You get the popular people in your party to campaign for you, wether confident or not.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (ab+Qz)

152 >>the gal who's 3K in arrears, I've been really broke in years past, and put off paying bills, but, nothing to that extent.

Guessing she is used to Uncle SugarDaddy paying her Bills.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (xL1Rc)

153 125 It's a way to transfer money to the colleges. Around 40% of millennials have a bachelor's degree or higher. That is ridiculous. There isn't that much labor demand for those roles. They got suckered into a program that they were told would make their lives better and instead saddled them with debt. Yeah they were dumb but they were also kids when they got lied to by all the authority figures in their lives.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (b2nrj)

That's all well and good, but go get the money from the people that lied. Sue the schools for fraud. They are the ones that took the money.
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at August 26, 2022 10:23 AM (cupoy)

Yeah going for the university endowments would be the best resolution for this. Most people don't think like that though.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (b2nrj)

154 LIHEAP is the remaining members of Uriah Heap

lest not your expectations be too great

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (us2H3)

155 Because the city is NOT depopulating. All the narrative to the contrary is a lie. Rents are sky high and property values are still strong, even rising in places. ... -- AllahPundit was a big pimp for the meme -- that people were fleeing NYC. They are not. Go try to buy or rent in NYC. You'll be in a bidding war.

That was very much my daughter's experience.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (/NCI4)

156 107 69

Lol. Every single I’ve bought has been with an ARM. And I’ve done just fine than you very much. Only reason to get a 30 year is if you plan on living there for 30 years.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (ab+Qz)

I've lived at my current place for over 20...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (ynpvh)

157 Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (ab+Qz)

So confident they are not including their president in the campaigning

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (bs+z0)

158 152 >>the gal who's 3K in arrears, I've been really broke in years past, and put off paying bills, but, nothing to that extent.

Guessing she is used to Uncle SugarDaddy paying her Bills.
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (xL1Rc)

=========

"I didn't have to pay my rent for 2 years. That means that I don't have to pay for anything."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (LvTSG)

159 >>The Tax Base is.

>>Not ALL people are equal.

It's both, actually. Look at the census data. Look at the fact that NYC just lost a House seat.

Not all areas of the city are being hit the same but Gotham is a big as city. Just not as big as it used to be.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (ZLI7S)

160 > So far.

I mean, the people who'd bought massive amounts of stocks on margin had done "just fine so far" on October 23, 1929.

On October 24, they had a different perspective.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (bW8dp)

161 137 JPOW has said he's gonna tame inflation to 2%

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:24 AM (us2H3)
__________________________

That clown from the Jersey Show show?

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (iFTx/)

162 116 Wow, lotta math on the blog today.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (cfHgC)

congress: That's too much math. Just pass the bill and hope for the best...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (ynpvh)

163 Natural gas price 2 years ago was $2.58/MMBtu. It's now $9.37. It's up 325%. Electricity prices should be up roughly the same.

But, it's far, far worse in Europe.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (Y5qcH)

164 If there's anyone who does *not* deserve a cutsey nickname, it's Jerome Powell.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (WWh8n)

OK JMAN !!

Posted by: Jerome at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (us2H3)

165 How many congressional seats did NY lose due to the census?

Posted by: I've got bad news for you at August 26, 2022 10:28 AM (9FBGz)

166 NYC hs always been expensive and will always be so. It is the center of finance of the world as well as the US capital of fashion, publishing, art, and so on.

And until Phoenix and Boise start building HQs for Goldman Sachs, that is not changing.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:28 AM (ab+Qz)

167 165 How many congressional seats did NY lose due to the census?
Posted by: I've got bad news for you at August 26, 2022 10:28 AM (9FBGz)

=========

1.

Post-analysis says that they overcounted (oopsie!) and it should have been 2 or 3.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (LvTSG)

168 163 Natural gas price 2 years ago was $2.58/MMBtu. It's now $9.37. It's up 325%. Electricity prices should be up roughly the same.

But, it's far, far worse in Europe.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (Y5qcH)

It's not going to be up the same amount because a huge portion of electricity costs are the power plants.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (b2nrj)

169 Can FJB mandate that I have to sew a red M on to my clothes?

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:22 AM (FF+On)

-------

M for Moron? And yes, but scarlet is also acceptable ...

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (QbCrG)

170 Ultra-MAGA, semi-fascists, rule the USA

There's a jingle forming there ....

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (Zf0+a)

171 She's probably working for one of those places that hire people to clean houses, charge a lot for it and pay very little to the person that does the work.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (5HBd1)

172 OK JMAN !!
Posted by: Jerome at August 26, 2022 10:27 AM (us2H3)
++++
Heh. I *definitely* deserve to be called J-Man...

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (WWh8n)

173 >>How many congressional seats did NY lose due to the census?

There is one fewer women at the table making decisions.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (ZLI7S)

174
I've lived at my current place for over 20...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (ynpvh)

You are an outlier. The average person moves every 7 years in the US.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (ab+Qz)

175 >>It's not going to be up the same amount because a huge portion of electricity costs are the power plants.

AND, not all Power Plants are Nat. Gas.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (xL1Rc)

176 Student loan. Yes. I paid mine off.

I don't understand under this great economy why these colloege folks aren't working. I read the unemployment rate for that group is 3'5%

Second, if you can't make your payment or aren't currently paying it, these folks ain't banking the difference. The money is already "in the system." So I do quibble with people regarding the coming onslaught of inflation because of this. There will be some but nor a great amount.

The pisser is the precedent it sets. I don't care if you're white, black, brown or purple. Pay your goddam debt that you signed up for.

Posted by: Steve_in_SoCal at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (NW9xb)

177 It's not unprecedented at all.

It's been done before, never well.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (LvTSG)

Please educate me on when demand for workers existed at the same time able bodied people didn't have money to pay bills.

Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (zB5jo)

178 Now, do I really give a shit that some shitbrained twat borrowed $100k for some shitbag degree and now can't pay it back? Hell no. Fuck him. But the fact that student loan debt is not dischargeable is an objective travesty.
Posted by: Elric Blade

It's all fun and games until that post-modern madrassa pumps out another neo-Maosist HR director or health care admin.

Oh, I'm sure you and your kids are immune to being fired or affected in any way. Pardon Grande.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (IEa8U)

179 146 > Every single I’ve bought has been with an ARM. And I’ve done just fine than you very much.

So far.
We'll see who's laughing in a couple of years.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (bW8dp)

Monkey Pox comes from flying monkeys.

Posted by: CDC at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (ynpvh)

180 You people are making me nervous. Our move to AZ has dropped our summer electric bills by a tremendous amount. now you're starting to make me wonder if they're a problem with the way the meter is being read.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (5pTK/)

181
I am surprised people aren't running from NYC. There was a time when I could understand the draw, even if it didn't appeal to me. But today? What's so compelling about living in that antpile?

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (uaLxw)

182 I’ve been behind on my energy bills before but never three g’s and I always worked out a payment plan.

Most companies don’t want to shut your shit off. They will work with you. Still though I feel for her because it didn’t have to be this way but, most likely, she voted for it.

Posted by: thathalfrican - The One at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (Ix++l)

183 >>I've lived at my current place for over 20...

Same here. After I built the place.
But, I paid cash for the property and the materials.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (xL1Rc)

184 Bringing down inflation will require some economic pain, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Friday

Weird. The White House said the July numbers meant inflation was solved.

Mr. Powell, sir, are you calling Joe Biden a liar?

Posted by: spindrift at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (h5TKJ)

185 "This is an issue that Republican candidates need to grab hold of, and if elected, follow through on."

This is likely one of the dumber things I've read here in a long while. The entire student loan mess was deliberately created as a trap - 1, to wreck the younger generations' finances, and 2, to get the GOP to "grab hold of" it to piss off voters. This is a losing issue unless a bunch of servicers end up in jail.

A large number of borrowers haven't been able to pay off their loans because the servicers are a bunch of fucking crooks. They're crooks because the feds nationalized the loans in 2009 and... contracted the servicing to their crook buddies. These borrowers are keenly aware that "you took the loan, pay it back" doesn't really mean anything when the company the feds say you're supposed to be paying has no goddamn ability to accept payment - in some cases they didn't even start looking to lease office space and hire until AFTER they got the contract.

And, yet again, don't forget the PSLF clusterfuck and a dozen similar scams the servicers were running. Older generations of borrowers are largely ignorant of what has been going on.

Posted by: somedood at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (BaGvt)

186 Big Corp, Inc loves these loan forgives schemes. Every $1 not paid in student loans is a $1 used to buy more shit from Apple, Nike, Tesla, etc.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (ab+Qz)

187 AND, not all Power Plants are Nat. Gas.
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (xL1Rc)
++++
Nope. Movement in electricity prices will depend a lot on the fuel mix used to deliver electricity to you. My power bill is up "only" around 20% per kWh, which is worse than overall inflation but not as bad as various input fuels. Where you fall on the Nuke/Hydro/Coal/Gas/Renewables spectrum is going to influence the sensitivity of final price.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (WWh8n)

188 I taught HS English for a year... didn't like it.

I don't mean this to sound accusative so please don't take it that way, but what were you planning to do for a living when you got a degree in English?

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (nfrXX)

189 Are rents high In New York because the wealthy are hanging on to unoccupied apartments, constraining supply? Or maybe rents are rising from the effects of inflation, despite softening of demand?

Sticky prices.

Landlords can play games with rents for a while. So many buildings in NYC have highly fungible units, so the landlords hate to lower prices in response to softening demand because the next guy that comes along will demand the same price for an equivalent unit.

Instead, they'll give you 1,2,3 free month's rent. That only lasts for a while but it creates the illusion of higher prices.

Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (g1EEm)

190 "Joe Biden at DNC Rally: 'I Don't Respect These MAGA Republicans.' "

this was what Hillary attempted, with her deplorable comment. "Half of them are racists, homophobes ... deplorable and irredeemable"

Trying to cleave Republicans into two camps, the establishment friendly (submissive), and the deplorable -- patriotic Americans that think America Classic (the original intent) is "exceptional".

But Dems have gone crazy left AND totalitarian, so they are losing their "middle", to the extent Dem voters were ever near the middle.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (Cus5s)

191 I bet there will be calls for California and other states' electricity smart meters to be implemented nation wide. It'll be argued as a fairness issue: The people behind on utility bills deserve basic power, too, so we should ration the electricity that people are using who aren't behind on their bills, so it can be provided to others.

Posted by: Mainah at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (B+qrE)

192 Every single I’ve bought has been with an ARM. And I’ve done just fine than you very much.

So far.
We'll see who's laughing in a couple of years.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (bW8dp)

First house I bought was 19 years ago. I think I’ll be Ok in 2 years, lol.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (ab+Qz)

193 >>I do quibble with people regarding the coming onslaught of inflation because of this

The 'money' will now be spent elsewhere, chasing other goods in limited supply.

That's how it will affect inflationary trends.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (xL1Rc)

194 So...anyone think Biden will try the Clintonian re-triangulation thing in 2023?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (LvTSG)

195 Ford hikes price of electric Mustang Mach-E by as much as $8,475 due to ‘significant’ battery cost increases

LOL, but buy an electric car and save money?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (FHzKS)

196 174
I've lived at my current place for over 20...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (ynpvh)

You are an outlier. The average person moves every 7 years in the US.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (ab+Qz)

I'm in Kalifornia. If I move, I have to pay property taxes commensurate with the value I buy the new place at. Thank GOD for Prop 13...and why the Dems want to kill it.

Posted by: CDC at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (ynpvh)

197 the COLA may be as much as 10.5

for you who get close to the max, it's a 500 buck a month raise

Posted by: the man who counts pennies at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (us2H3)

198 >LeMay, exploding: "You stupid SOB! Why in God's name would you call the crew chief?" Airman: (with no change of tone): "To haul away your dead body, sir."

My unit did an exercise at Fort ~~Swampy~~ Polk, and I was checking IDs for everyone entering the lunch tent. A captain I had never seen before asked me what I would do if he ran into the tent. (The joke is there is nothing in there, just a bizarre process crime.) I told him I would trip him in a way he would fall on his face. "I know that's not the best answer but we are all new to this."

I didn't want to step on his joke, but the total indifferent tone I used makes me chuckle still. He didn't say anything else, while I was lining up a phrase about "apologizing profusely" (no sincerity implied) that I never got to use.

There are lines in the military that are bolder and brighter than rank, that tend to make for funny stories.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (44ww/)

199 I am surprised people aren't running from NYC.

Trust me, they're running. And a lot of them are ending up in Lehigh County, lancaster and delaware county (PA)

Lucky us

Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (dCxaZ)

200 You people are making me nervous. Our move to AZ has dropped our summer electric bills by a tremendous amount. now you're starting to make me wonder if they're a problem with the way the meter is being read.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (5pTK/)
++++
I doubt it. They're pretty careful with meter reading. Your rate (price per kWh) is probably lower or your house is way more energy efficient or both.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (WWh8n)

201 194 So...anyone think Biden will try the Clintonian re-triangulation thing in 2023?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:33 AM (LvTSG)

LOL.. I read that as strangulation.. which fits too since he is strangling America

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (bs+z0)

202 Biden at his rally, "...make sure no one, no one, ever has the opportunity to steal an election again".

They are just laughing in our faces.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (Y5qcH)

203 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back

Posted by: Sarahw at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (g1vnC)

204 Looks like they are ready to shift blame to Trump for the vaccine effects.
Are they so evil as to push 100% vax compliance knowing they'd use it against Trump?
Yup, they are.

Posted by: Inogame, non alius regit at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (53oGX)

205 Wow, lotta math on the blog today. Posted by: Bulgaroctonus

What is the unjust and racist median student loan amount of 6 oppressed Caucasian purple haired lesbian gender study majors if FJB mandates Covid-19 vaccines for 4 year olds, minus the square of the number 7 year old drag queens, plus the social cost of food and electricity insecurity times the carbon dioxide amount, in tons, emitted by HRC, Kamala, Liz Warren summed together.

Show your work.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (FF+On)

206 Electricity is insane. Last year it was .01$ per kwh, this year it is .14$!! We just paid over 500$ last month...we were gone 25 days out of the month...so it was just ac running.

Posted by: Mishdog at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (uwW33)

207 179 146 > Every single I’ve bought has been with an ARM. And I’ve done just fine than you very much.

So far.
We'll see who's laughing in a couple of years.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at August 26, 2022 10:25 AM (bW8dp)

Monkey Pox comes from flying monkeys.
Posted by: CDC at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (ynpvh)

Wow. Copy and paste fail. That was supposed to be linked to the Sesame Street Wicked Witch comment...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (ynpvh)

208 Only reason to get a 30 year is if you plan on living there for 30 years.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:20 AM (ab+Qz)

I've lived at my current place for over 20...
==
Me too. I refi'd the fixed mortg a couple of times since 2000. So I had some additional fees with the refi s, but still enjoy a lower payments as rates fell, without the risk of rising payments. It seemed a rational trade off. I bit more conservative than Moo Moo.

Posted by: Best advice at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (2kes6)

209 202 Biden at his rally, "...make sure no one, no one, ever has the opportunity to steal an election again".

They are just laughing in our faces.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (Y5qcH)

=======

Elections were stolen?

That's pretty insurrectiony.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (LvTSG)

210 I've been watching too many Dave Ramsey videos, but there seems to be a serious disconnect in what people think they can afford. I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)

211 Yeah going for the university endowments would be the best resolution for this. Most people don't think like that though.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (b2nrj)

-------

It's not so much that (even if most people DID think like that) as the fact that the Commie Indoctrination Mills are perhaps the greatest protected class -- admittedly, among the many that are in the cronyism competition -- among the oligarchs.

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (QbCrG)

212 180 You people are making me nervous. Our move to AZ has dropped our summer electric bills by a tremendous amount. now you're starting to make me wonder if they're a problem with the way the meter is being read.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:31 AM (5pTK/)

Meters are easy to read. Keep any multipliers in mind...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (ynpvh)

213 In the 90s I shared a 2 bedroom apartment on the UWS. Rent was $2200. Nothing special, decent location close to the subway.

That same apartment goes for $5k easy today.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (ab+Qz)

214 NYC still has rent control and rent stabilization issues.

Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (zB5jo)

215 188 I taught HS English for a year... didn't like it.

I don't mean this to sound accusative so please don't take it that way, but what were you planning to do for a living when you got a degree in English?

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (nfrXX)

Professional Thespian?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (ynpvh)

216 The times get more "interesting" each and every day.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (Xrfse)

217 210 I've been watching too many Dave Ramsey videos, but there seems to be a serious disconnect in what people think they can afford. I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)

Part of it is TV and social media. Both pretend to higher standards of living for a given salary than is reasonable.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (b2nrj)

218 I've been watching too many Dave Ramsey videos, but there seems to be a serious disconnect in what people think they can afford. I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)

Blame social media. And I’m not being facetious.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (ab+Qz)

219 So...anyone think Biden will try the Clintonian re-triangulation thing in 2023?

Doubtful. I doubt Joe grasps the concept of the triangle.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (/NCI4)

220 There's always a cardboard box and a 55gallon drum fire to keep you warm down at the park. I'm sick of hearing people whine about this that and the other when they have made extremely poor life choices.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (m7R0k)

221 " It's a way to transfer money to the colleges. Around 40% of millennials have a bachelor's degree or higher. That is ridiculous. There isn't that much labor demand for those roles. They got suckered into a program that they were told would make their lives better and instead saddled them with debt. Yeah they were dumb but they were also kids when they got lied to by all the authority figures in their lives.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:15 AM (b2nrj)"

They money transfer is just the left's side scam here, seeing as how they occupy sinecure positions at these schools - AND are raking in hundreds of millions a year on servicing contracts. The real prize is how this - along with mortgage policy shennanigans - is a key element to curtailing home ownership, not to mention inflating the ranks of those who are entitled but lack any real skills.

Posted by: somedood at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (BaGvt)

222 I don't mean this to sound accusative so please don't take it that way, but what were you planning to do for a living when you got a degree in English?
Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (nfrXX)

-------
I was a dumbass like many other college kids. I sucked at math and science so I went with English. Stupid move!

After a couple years I went back to school for accounting and got my CPA. Smartest thing I ever did.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (VJsqe)

223 >>They are just laughing in our faces.

On the same day that Zuckerberg admitted Facebook knowingly buried the Hunter laptop story before the election at the request of the FBI who knew it was real.

Interesting timing.

Gotta wonder how those 50 former intel experts also got the laptop wrong before the election. I mean, they're experts and everything.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (ZLI7S)

224 Deja vu, the Doom thread is back.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (lTGtQ)

225 Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)

the AWFLs love them some credit cards

I know one who charges 2-3k/month just on AMZ

Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (dCxaZ)

226 Ford hikes price of electric Mustang Mach-E by as much as $8,475 due to ‘significant’ battery cost increases

LOL, but buy an electric car and save money?
Posted by: Nevergiveup

Now do that when the Chicoms raise the price of battery raw materials. Though, to be fair, there should be a price decrease of EVs when the US electrical grid is in complete collapse.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (FF+On)

227 188 "I taught HS English for a year... didn't like it."

I don't mean this to sound accusative so please don't take it that way, but what were you planning to do for a living when you got a degree in English?
Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (nfrXX)

Society insists a college degree is absolutely necessary to have a good income and life. Society is a lot less concerned with the practicalities of the matter.

Does anyone know teachers or counsellors that actually give practical advice relating to employment and degrees?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (b2nrj)

228 So...anyone think Biden will try the Clintonian re-triangulation thing in 2023?

..

Nah just arresting opposition.

Posted by: I've got bad news for you at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (9FBGz)

229 199 I am surprised people aren't running from NYC.

Trust me, they're running. And a lot of them are ending up in Lehigh County, lancaster and delaware county (PA)

Lucky us
Posted by: kallisto

It's done wonders for housing prices in my neighborhood (NJ).

Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (g1EEm)

230 I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)

-------
How long did our grandparents make a sofa last?

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (VJsqe)

231 225 the AWFLs love them some credit cards

I know one who charges 2-3k/month just on AMZ
Posted by: kallisto at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (dCxaZ)

=========

Doesn't matter if it's paid off immediately. Is it?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (LvTSG)

232 The bulk of the student loan debt is above BA or BS levels.. it's the masters and beyond programs.

If they didn't know what they are signing up for.. I'm not super concerned.

Posted by: Inogame, non alius regit at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (53oGX)

233 Instead, they'll give you 1,2,3 free month's rent. That only lasts for a while but it creates the illusion of higher prices.
Posted by: quantum mechanic at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (g1EEm)

Family lore is that during the Depression, my great grandmother would move every couple of months to take advantage of this. My grandfather would come home from work and not know where she moved to, and would wander around the neighborhood yelling, "MA!" until he found her.

Posted by: Jordan61 at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (DRSnL)

234 I knew I should have gotten that free degree on French Lesbian Poetry of the 16th Century

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (EdnZ5)

235 HBO Max didn't want to pay residuals on the Sesame Street product since they are no longer targeting families as subscribers.

It was a pure belt-tightening move...

Posted by: Nova local at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (exHjb)

236 203 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back
Posted by: Sarahw at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (g1vnC)

Your kid spent 150k on college?!

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (V6f9+)

237 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.

Posted by: 496

I fully expect many thousands of Europeans to freeze to death this winter. I also anticipate something along the lines of 1848. We'll see if the masses have it in them.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (lTGtQ)

238 >>How long did our grandparents make a sofa last?

They got 20 years just out of the see-through plastic covering!

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (xL1Rc)

239 Crook buddies-

I suspect these same crook buddies comprise the larger share of Pell Runner crime rings that have bilked billions not only from Bad-faith enrollment Pell refund scams but from Stafford loans taken out for straw students.

The usual suspects.

Posted by: Sarahw at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (g1vnC)

240 Arm vs fixed is a simple math problem to find the break even. If you think you will not move past he break even, go with the fixed. Otherwise go with the ARM.

And even if rates do increase there is a cap on it yearly. Usually 2%. So it’s not like the rate jumps from 3 to 9% or anything.

30 fixed is just leaving money on the table in most situations.

Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (ab+Qz)

241 205 Wow, lotta math on the blog today. Posted by: Bulgaroctonus

What is the unjust and racist median student loan amount of 6 oppressed Caucasian purple haired lesbian gender study majors if FJB mandates Covid-19 vaccines for 4 year olds, minus the square of the number 7 year old drag queens, plus the social cost of food and electricity insecurity times the carbon dioxide amount, in tons, emitted by HRC, Kamala, Liz Warren summed together.

Show your work.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (FF+On)

Answer: YOU F*CKING H8TER!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (ynpvh)

242 232 The bulk of the student loan debt is above BA or BS levels.. it's the masters and beyond programs.

If they didn't know what they are signing up for.. I'm not super concerned.
Posted by: Inogame, non alius regit at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (53oGX)

Well at the end of the day the "crisis" is somewhat exaggerated. Many people are worse off for the degrees, but few have an unsustainable debt load.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (b2nrj)

243 214 NYC still has rent control and rent stabilization issues.
Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (zB5jo)

well, if I lived there I might give a cold shit

but I don't, so fuckem

good and hard

Posted by: the man who counts pennies at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (us2H3)

244 Banks will quite often sell loans they originated to investors or other banks so they can take the profit now, not have to wait for payment, and are released from the risk of default. I wouldn't be surprised if student loan are done the same way, which would be a big govt handout to banks.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe
---------------------------
Was that way, no longer true. Then there were quangos like Sallie Mae and some state agencies that held guaranteed loans but sold packages of them like in mortgages to individual investors or as bond issues. You can get private loans for education either for consolidation of loans (private or federal), parental assistance loans, or individual loans usually for graduate degrees and such due to limits since 2011 on the amount of federal loans you can get.

None of the private loans are backed by the government but the family assistance loans are quasi federal in that they are tied to student aid forms and offered by schools as part of a package deal for financial aid. All of the loans are governed under the same undue hardship bankruptcy law passed in 2005 which makes it very difficult to discharge in bankruptcy in most jurisdictions.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (CXr4y)

245 "230 I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)

-------
How long did our grandparents make a sofa last?
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (VJsqe)"

This. Things weren't more modest at all; they were less numerous and higher quality.

The numbers on actual income and net worth adjusted for inflation across eras are illuminating; we are surrounded by a sea of cheap ship but are making, and owning, less than ever.

Posted by: somedood at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (BaGvt)

246 237 I fully expect many thousands of Europeans to freeze to death this winter. I also anticipate something along the lines of 1848. We'll see if the masses have it in them.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (lTGtQ)

========

Nah. People will just accept freezing to death because I took a black pill this morning and forgot all of my history and logic.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (LvTSG)

247 "I just don't understand how energy can be so high". And here's your sign. And a blue voter to be sure as well. GMFS.

Posted by: Indignacio Vindacatorem at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (AaLDK)

248 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back
==
I'm old, and I think my four years at an in state public university with a good reputation cost me about 20,000 in loans for all four years. That same school today is (just tuition) 16K per year. With room and board the total is over 33K. For one year. Nuts.

There's gotta be a better way.

Posted by: Best advice at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (uxrVf)

249 They got 20 years just out of the see-through plastic covering!
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (xL1Rc)

-------
Lol - also the plastic trailways that covered the carpet.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (VJsqe)

250 The ones in the worst trouble are those that borrowed for two years of partying and got kicked out with no degree at all.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (IakeZ)

251 236 203 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back
Posted by: Sarahw at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (g1vnC)

Your kid spent 150k on college?!
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (V6f9+)

That's like 4-5 years of out of state tuition(no other expenses or interest).

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (b2nrj)

252 My electric bill in Houston hasn't risen yet because I have locked in rate. It's almost a certainty that it will increase on renewal. How many ch is the question.

Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (zB5jo)

253 Electricity is insane. Last year it was .01$ per kwh, this year it is .14$!! We just paid over 500$ last month...we were gone 25 days out of the month...so it was just ac running.

Posted by: Mishdog at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (uwW33)

Did you leave the windows open?...Mine was $120...in SC.

Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (AwYPR)

254 242 232 The bulk of the student loan debt is above BA or BS levels.. it's the masters and beyond programs

so, Master rebaters

Posted by: the man who counts pennies at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (us2H3)

255 Seriously? Again, Dave Ramsey. It's not unusual for people to have $40-100,000 in just student loan debt.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (5HBd1)

256 How long did our grandparents make a sofa last?
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (VJsqe)

Furniture used to be built to last generations. Sofas could be reupholstered when they wore out. The vinyl upholstery they used to put in Mercedes Benz cars was know to last 30 years if minimally cared for.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (Y5qcH)

257 248 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back
==
I'm old, and I think my four years at an in state public university with a good reputation cost me about 20,000 in loans for all four years. That same school today is (just tuition) 16K per year. With room and board the total is over 33K. For one year. Nuts.

There's gotta be a better way.
Posted by: Best advice at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (uxrVf)

It's been examined a fair number of times and college tuition rates rose way faster than overall inflation. Likely due to government stimulating demand and a societal swing towards believing a degree is essential.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (b2nrj)

258 216 The times get more "interesting" each and every day.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 10:36 AM (Xrfse)

Well, we've met at least two of the Chinese curses:
We Live in Interesting times
We have come to the attention of the Emperor

I forget what the third one is...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (ynpvh)

259 I've been watching too many Dave Ramsey videos, but there seems to be a serious disconnect in what people think they can afford. I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)
++++
There are a lot of factors, including "Keeping up with the Joneses" and the like, off of which exist and many of which are made worse by social media.

But I think the basic problem at the root of it is a conflation of concepts. "I can pay for this" and "I can afford this" are not the same thing, but a whole lot of people treat those as equivalent conditions, at least in my experience.

I could *pay* for a lot of shit that I can't properly *afford.* If you do that, then you're one hiccup from disaster because you're stretched *way* too thin.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (WWh8n)

260 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.

Posted by: 496

Trump warned them about relying so heavily on Russia. Their reaction was to mock him.

Every one of them needs to be reminded of this - while they are shivering.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (N39Ws)

261 the COLA may be as much as 10.5

for you who get close to the max, it's a 500 buck a month raise
Posted by: the man who counts pennies at August 26, 2022

***
In SS, you mean? They told me on the phone earlier this year that they do adjustments 2x a year, in Feb. and October. I updated my biggest earnings years with last year's salary, but I just missed the Feb. deadline, so they said I should (*should*) see the bump in the Nov. check. Does that mean the COLA will kick in then too?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (J2vNu)

262 224 Deja vu, the Doom thread is back.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:37 AM (lTGtQ)
__________________

It never left. It's all doom, all the time on this site. Everything sucks and is in freefall, the economy will collapse, cities are doomed, nobody wants to live in NYC, we're all gonna die, nobody will get presents delivered for xmas (remember that one?), etc etc etc.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (iFTx/)

263 I've been watching too many Dave Ramsey videos, but there seems to be a serious disconnect in what people think they can afford. I realize that a lot of what we buy is designed to be throwaway, but people used to have a lot more modest lifestyle.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:35 AM (5HBd1)
-------
Heh. Caught him on the radio about a month ago during a long night drive. Some plumber in Florida, trying to run a farm with his wife in the off-hours, was seeking his advice on how to get out of debt as soon as possible and be able to farm full-time and quit his day-job. After peppering the dude with questions, it turns out the guy owed a lot on his Ford F-150. [Paraphrasing the end of the conversation, which had me chuckling:]

Ramsey: "Wait, you're driving a Ford F-150? That's like a $60,000 truck isn't it?"
Dude: "Well ... yeah, but it's a 2019."
Ramsey: "Come on, man! Sell the truck and pay off the money you owe for the farm equipment. Get an old truck like other farmers drive ..."

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (QbCrG)

264 People don't want to have to move furniture any more. It's an odd thing.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (5HBd1)

265 It's been examined a fair number of times and college tuition rates rose way faster than overall inflation. Likely due to government stimulating demand and a societal swing towards believing a degree is essential.

Someone's gotta pay for the diversity counselors and lazy rivers.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (/NCI4)

266 170 Ultra-MAGA, semi-fascists, rule the USA

There's a jingle forming there ....
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at August 26, 2022 10:29 AM (Zf0+a)

Paging Muldoon. Dr Muldoon, to the limerick desk, please.

Posted by: Flyover at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (Rbu5d)

267 The redacted MAL affidavit will be released by noon today.

Posted by: mrp at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (6eRlp)

268 I was a dumbass like many other college kids. I sucked at math and science so I went with English.

So the plan was basically "get through college and then something good will happen." To be fair, that's probably pretty much what everyone -- with the possible exception of your father -- was telling you. Which has been the subject of numerous other rants here.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (nfrXX)

269 I'm gonna' drag this comment back up from JJ's M.R. this morning;
Discussions about unfunded liabilities, interest, debt, etc. when referencing the government's approach to monetary issues is laughable. One, the feds will continue to print money until there's no paper left. Two, they'll create legislation that "fixes" any perceived problems with whatever approach they take. Three, when all else has failed they'll strip the public of whatever they have and start over.

The rest is academic masturbation.

Addendum: The potential destruction of the economy isn't an issue to the political class. They'll survive. Just like they'll survive the so-called "reset" that many think is upon us. When you're sure you've got it made why would you care about long term consequences?

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (BFigT)

270 Trump warned them about relying so heavily on Russia. Their reaction was to mock him.

Every one of them needs to be reminded of this - while they are shivering.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (N39Ws)
------------

And this would be a perfect chance for our energy sector to fill the gap, but, nah, the Junta won't allow it.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (5pTK/)

271 Posted by: the man who counts pennies at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (us2H3)

Just pointing out just one of many factors of why rents are so high.

Posted by: polynikes at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (zB5jo)

272 When did the Democrats stop being the party of working people? I realize Senile Joe, who has never done an honest minute of work in his life, claims to be a man of people.

Posted by: NLurker at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (eGTCV)

273 They got 20 years just out of the see-through plastic covering!
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (xL1Rc)

-------
Lol - also the plastic trailways that covered the carpet.
Posted by: 496

The 1960s were great because everything was covered in plastic and cigarettes had filters.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (FF+On)

274 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back
Posted by: Sarahw at August 26, 2022 10:34 AM (g1vnC)

Your kid spent 150k on college?!
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (V6f9+)

That's like 4-5 years of out of state tuition(no other expenses or interest).
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (b2nrj)

I simply cannot imagine taking out a 50k/year loan for 5 (?) years. I know I'm an Old but my Iowa State in-state tuition was way under 10k a year, with room and board. I mean, that was back in the 80's and 90's but still...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (V6f9+)

275 257 248 If college is free, my kid would like his 150,000 back
==
I'm old, and I think my four years at an in state public university with a good reputation cost me about 20,000 in loans for all four years. That same school today is (just tuition) 16K per year. With room and board the total is over 33K. For one year. Nuts.

There's gotta be a better way.
Posted by: Best advice at August 26, 2022 10:40 AM (uxrVf)

It's been examined a fair number of times and college tuition rates rose way faster than overall inflation. Likely due to government stimulating demand and a societal swing towards believing a degree is essential.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (b2nrj)

There is - live at home, and go to the local state school, even if the commute is 30-45 minutes.

My kid's total all-in costs even with the ridiculous fees and science labs and books will be about $70K for 4 years with zero aid. (It will really be $66K b/c they gave her a token $1K/year scholarship)...

Posted by: Nova local at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (exHjb)

276 227 Society insists a college degree is absolutely necessary to have a good income and life. Society is a lot less concerned with the practicalities of the matter.

Does anyone know teachers or counsellors that actually give practical advice relating to employment and degrees?
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (b2nrj)

Our high school actually brought in folks to evaluate each of us seniors to evaluate what we would be good at. In my case, micro-biology was suggested. Went into engineering instead.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (ynpvh)

277 >>Trump warned them about relying so heavily on Russia. Their reaction was to mock him.

>>Every one of them needs to be reminded of this - while they are shivering.

They also need to be reminded that their leaders along with the corrupt dunce occupying the White House started a needless war with Ukraine that helped create this crisis. And they need to be mocked relentlessly.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (ZLI7S)

278 Ramsey: "Come on, man! Sell the truck and pay off the money you owe for the farm equipment. Get an old truck like other farmers drive ..."

-------

More Ramsey: "Once your farm becomes profitable, THEN you can go out an buy & drive a NICE truck."

Posted by: ShainS -- VDH-Endorsed-by-Proxy Connoisseur of Cruelty at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (QbCrG)

279 Furniture used to be built to last generations. Sofas could be reupholstered when they wore out. The vinyl upholstery they used to put in Mercedes Benz cars was know to last 30 years if minimally cared for.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:41 AM (Y5qcH)

MBTex

Posted by: the man who counts pennies at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (us2H3)

280 270
And this would be a perfect chance for our energy sector to fill the gap, but, nah, the Junta won't allow it.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (5pTK/)

=========

Didn't a circuit court allow an injunction against the Biden administration's efforts to pause drilling leases? Essentially, forcing them to continue leases.

I think it happened last week.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (LvTSG)

281 The point of the US government is to steal from the US people.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Posted by: 18-1 at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (ESjRY)

282 >The redacted MAL affidavit will be released by noon today.

Posted by: mrp

what are they hiding with the redactions

Posted by: DB at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (geLO8)

283 "239 Crook buddies-

I suspect these same crook buddies comprise the larger share of Pell Runner crime rings that have bilked billions not only from Bad-faith enrollment Pell refund scams but from Stafford loans taken out for straw students.

The usual suspects.
Posted by: Sarahw at August 26, 2022 10:39 AM (g1vnC)"

The big scam was "Rainmaker" style bad faith paperwork processes to defraud PSLF borrowers and to illegally capitalize interest on pretty much anyone they could. The latter works by "losing" your payments or paperwork until they say you're in default, then applying the wrong type of forbearance retroactively to "fix" it. The problem is so bad that some servicers have literally had their entire portfolios forgiven by court order. A bunch of others are trying to flee the business before they get hammered.

Posted by: somedood at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (BaGvt)

284 It never left. It's all doom, all the time on this site. Everything sucks and is in freefall, the economy will collapse, cities are doomed, nobody wants to live in NYC, we're all gonna die, nobody will get presents delivered for xmas (remember that one?), etc etc etc.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (iFTx/)

well except for the Christmas presents, it's true isn't it?

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (trdmm)

285 276 227 Society insists a college degree is absolutely necessary to have a good income and life. Society is a lot less concerned with the practicalities of the matter.

Does anyone know teachers or counsellors that actually give practical advice relating to employment and degrees?
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:38 AM (b2nrj)

Our high school actually brought in folks to evaluate each of us seniors to evaluate what we would be good at. In my case, micro-biology was suggested. Went into engineering instead.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (ynpvh)

That's a substantial credit to your high school then.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (b2nrj)

286 274 I simply cannot imagine taking out a 50k/year loan for 5 (?) years. I know I'm an Old but my Iowa State in-state tuition was way under 10k a year, with room and board. I mean, that was back in the 80's and 90's but still...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (V6f9+)

=========

30k per year.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (LvTSG)

287 Some of those 18-year-olds were listening to their teachers and parents when they signed their life away.

I want to see Yale-Harvard-Columbia closing their doors permanently and turning them into monasteries. If that idea doesn't strike you as a great big W then I can't help you.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (44ww/)

288 264 People don't want to have to move furniture any more. It's an odd thing.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (5HBd1)

---------
Another shift in attitudes: I remember luggage sets being all the rage in the 70's & 80's. People had to have luggage sets. Hell, The Price is Right had whole segments devoted to them.

When is the last time anyone bought a luggage set?

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (VJsqe)

289 I forget what the third one is...

The Emperor has no clothes?

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (Xrfse)

290 Furniture used to be built to last generations

The bulk of Our furniture is from the 50's and 60's with the exception of the sofa

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (bs+z0)

291 Just pointing out just one of many factors of why rents are so high.

Would you say the rent is too damned high?

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:46 AM (/NCI4)

292 Didn't a circuit court allow an injunction against the Biden administration's efforts to pause drilling leases? Essentially, forcing them to continue leases.

I think it happened last week.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (LvTSG)
---------------

The EPA can now regulate CO2 emissions. The injunction is dead, Jim.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:46 AM (5pTK/)

293 13 An op-ed in the Washington Post has argued that men in women’s sports could actually be a good thing for young girls by teaching them the art of losing gracefully.

Because when there were just women in women's sport nobody ever lost, just like in men"s sports everybody wins./s

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 26, 2022 10:46 AM (wvo9L)

294 It's been examined a fair number of times and college tuition rates rose way faster than overall inflation.

So did medical treatment. Two things that cannot be provided by chinese slave labor. We have had significant inflation over the past decade, but hid it in cheap imports built by virtual slaves.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:46 AM (lTGtQ)

295 Trump warned them about relying so heavily on Russia. Their reaction was to mock him.

Germany is basically the Saudi Arabia of coal.

There is no reason for anyone in Germany to need for energy.

But the German government will subject the German people to this to remind them who the boss is. And if some of them time...well...you can always get more peasants from Turkey right?

Posted by: 18-1 at August 26, 2022 10:46 AM (ESjRY)

296
Repurpose Keystone XL to tap the Great Lakes.
Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (AwYPR)

Yeah, the Lakes are still too high, but F them, especially California.

Posted by: clutch at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (9UmRs)

297 Electricity is insane. Last year it was .01$ per kwh, this year it is .14$!! We just paid over 500$ last month...we were gone 25 days out of the month...so it was just ac running.

Posted by: Mishdog
==
Well, that seems high. Thermo stat set at 68? Maybe look into some insulation, new windows? Don't get me wrong .14 is a pretty high rate. I think I'm around .06 or so. But a 500 electric bill would make me think maybe somebody was stealing electricity from me - neighbor plugged in a extension cord . .

Posted by: Best advice at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (de024)

298 I was a dumbass like many other college kids. I sucked at math and science so I went with English.

This speaks to the absolute decline of our public K-12 education coupled to this lunatic idea that everyone must get a college degree. Net yield: Gender Studies Majors by the ton.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (FF+On)

299 >>I could *pay* for a lot of shit that I can't properly *afford.* If you do that, then you're one hiccup from disaster because you're stretched *way* too thin.

Never regretted buying anything, with intrinsic value, that I could not afford but pay for. That stuff can be sold quickly in the event of said hiccup.

But, I have never taken a vacation that I could afford.

Where you put your money and take your risk is what matters.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (xL1Rc)

300 Our high school actually brought in folks to evaluate each of us seniors to evaluate what we would be good at. In my case, micro-biology was suggested. Went into engineering instead.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (ynpvh)

I think a lot of high school kids today would get the same advice the Canadian soldier suffering with PTSD got a few days ago.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (trdmm)

301 30k per year.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (LvTSG)

Oh right. 50x5 would 250. Thanks, not awake yet.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (V6f9+)

302 When is the last time anyone bought a luggage set?

Duffel bag works for me.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (Xrfse)

303 Furniture used to be built to last generations. Sofas could be reupholstered when they wore out. The vinyl upholstery they used to put in Mercedes Benz cars was know to last 30 years if minimally cared for.

That was before their greed wiped out the vast herds of Nauga.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (/NCI4)

304 269 One, the feds will continue to print money until there's no paper left.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 26, 2022 10:43 AM (BFigT)

Most of the currency is digital. No need to actually print it...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (ynpvh)

305 re heating oil vs natural gas -- In the EU, NG is (in futures contracts for the winter months) running about $500/barrel in crude oil energy equivalents. Electricity rates in Germany are up over 300% from a couple of years ago ($.14 vs. $.41).

Interest in buying firewood is thru the roof, baby. To paraphrase a certain former IL gubner pardoned by Trump, a tree is a valuable fucking thing.

So yes, having an oil fired boiler/heater in the EU would be a relative bargain, if you could still buy heating oil. But but but climate change!

Here in the US, things aren't quite as dire, but the Greenies ain't done porking us yet. If you live in a cold winter clime, invest in sweater futures.

Posted by: GnuBreed at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (JOtiF)

306 I had a lefty LIV complaining to me about housing costs the other day. I point out we increased the US population dramatically, almost completely through immigration so of course as demand went up so would price.

I literally left him speechless and frankly this is mind blowingly obvious.

Posted by: 18-1 at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (ESjRY)

307 When did the Democrats stop being the party of working people?

It never was. That was always just the marketing angle.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (nfrXX)

308 FEDERAL RESERVE
Powell warns of ‘some pain’ ahead as the Fed fights to bring down inflation

It's almost as if the Feds enjoy this

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (FHzKS)

309 There is still good furniture that will last essentially forever, but it's very expensive. Cheap furniture is relatively new in the market. Cheap furniture is also often a false economy - like if it costs a third as much but only lasts a quarter as long. Depending on what you're after, cheap furniture that you have to replace sooner than good furniture might be sensible. For example, if you're furnishing a guest room, cheap might be the way to go because it's low-use. If you have little kids who break and stain everything, waiting until they're a bit older to get good stuff might make sense. If you're very fashionable and don't *want* to keep stuff for a long time because fashions change, that might be one of the areas where you choose to spend your money.

If you're looking for everyday furniture for the family that you want to save money one, though, cheap furniture is often a false economy.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (WWh8n)

310 273 My Mom and Dad used to get those Hunnicutt plastic seat covers for the car. Kept the seats real nice and would give your ass a second degree burn in the summer.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (lz5hY)

311 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (Y5qcH)

312 301 30k per year.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (LvTSG)

Oh right. 50x5 would 250. Thanks, not awake yet.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (V6f9+)

========

Still a lot of money to learn that I'm a racist and will never be any different, so I should beg and plead for forgiveness every day from a strong black woman, also rich white women.

I just came here to learn math.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (LvTSG)

313 287 Some of those 18-year-olds were listening to their teachers and parents when they signed their life away.

I want to see Yale-Harvard-Columbia closing their doors permanently and turning them into monasteries. If that idea doesn't strike you as a great big W then I can't help you.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (44ww/)

And furthermore, I believe the colleges must be destroyed!

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (b2nrj)

314 >>That was before their greed wiped out the vast herds of Nauga.

Proud and majestic animals.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (ZLI7S)

315 That was before their greed wiped out the vast herds of Nauga.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM

My people used every part of the Nauga.

Posted by: Elizabeth "Two Dogs" Warren at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (a3Q+t)

316 >>The 1960s were great because everything was covered in plastic and cigarettes had filters.

The filters give you the cancer.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (xL1Rc)

317 That was before their greed wiped out the vast herds of Nauga.

A tragedy that we never quite recovered from.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (Xrfse)

318 When is the last time anyone bought a luggage set?
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (VJsqe

Never!

Posted by: Tommy Boy at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (89T5c)

319 The filters give you the cancer.

Meh, we've got better ways to do that now.

Posted by: Pfizer and Moderna at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (ESjRY)

320 307 When did the Democrats stop being the party of working people?

It never was. That was always just the marketing angle.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (nfrXX)

========

It was the party of unions when people thought unions were for the people instead of for the global union of communism, which evolved into simply a graft machine.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:50 AM (LvTSG)

321 That was before their greed wiped out the vast herds of Nauga.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (/NCI4)
++++
The Naugacide of the last century is one of the least talked-about extinction events, which is odd given how much people play up environmental issues nowadays.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:50 AM (WWh8n)

322 Sure screw me other 3 times, once for paying off my student loans years ago, once for making me pay for other peoples student loans and once for denying me the right to teach my children about money and taking out meager student loans to pay for state college tuition. You're worse than the democrats. A better idea is to make the University trust funds pay off the student debt.

Posted by: Dave at August 26, 2022 10:50 AM (vOQVj)

323 288 264 People don't want to have to move furniture any more. It's an odd thing.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (5HBd1)

---------
Another shift in attitudes: I remember luggage sets being all the rage in the 70's & 80's. People had to have luggage sets. Hell, The Price is Right had whole segments devoted to them.

When is the last time anyone bought a luggage set?
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (VJsqe)
________________________

I have to buy new luggage all the time. I travel a lot and even the higher-end stuff is made like garbage. The wheels fall off, that telescoping handle thing breaks, zippers fail, etc.

Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:50 AM (iFTx/)

324 274 I simply cannot imagine taking out a 50k/year loan for 5 (?) years. I know I'm an Old but my Iowa State in-state tuition was way under 10k a year, with room and board. I mean, that was back in the 80's and 90's but still...
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (V6f9+)

I went to a JC for 3 years, at a tuition cost of $60/semester (including $10 for a parking permit) while living at home with my parents. The cost of my books was more.
I wen to the University for an additional 3 years at a cost of $500/semester and had a couple of scholarships to help me. Rent was the biggest expense ($400/month), but I lived frugally and got good grades. Whatever student loans I had, I paid off within 10 years of graduation, and then when I got married I paid off what remained of my wife's student loans.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:50 AM (ynpvh)

325 180 You people are making me nervous. Our move to AZ has dropped our summer electric bills by a tremendous amount. now you're starting to make me wonder if they're a problem with the way the meter is being read.

i live in a duplex. last year sometime, the folks in the other side of the duplex moved out. my electric bill dropped significantly; like to $5 a month or so. scratched my head for a bit, until i decided that they were probably reading the wrong meter. took a while arguing with the landlord and the power company, but got it sorted out.

what i did not expect was that after it was sorted out i had a $400 credit on my power bill. apparently the folks in the other side of the duplex used a lot of power.

Posted by: kulak anachronda at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (sGtp+)

326 Some factoids (9

about student loan demographics.

https://tinyurl.com/4fka6552

In the battle of the generations, Gen X has the highest student debt load totals with about 34k, Millenials at 21k, and Gen Z at 15k.

Part of that is that interest rates were much higher for the Gen X as the original loans until sometime in the 90's was 8% for part and 10% for the rest. Even the floating loans were at higher interest rates which of course means a slower payoff. If consolidated, the interest rates were a weighted average of the original interest rates by loan balance. Millennials and particularly Gen Z have benefited more from ZIRP which issued loans at very low interest rates due to Fed overall ZIRP programs which means a more rapid payback of loans because of less total interest over time.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (CXr4y)

327 My people used every part of the Nauga.
Posted by: Elizabeth "Two Dogs" Warren at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (a3Q+t)

My ancestors claimed the Nauga as our clan totem.

Posted by: mrp at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (6eRlp)

328 Has Joe told the story about being overwhelmed with student debt to the point he got work as a long distance truck driver just to pay it off?

Posted by: NLurker at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (eGTCV)

329 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

I think you mean exponential. Asymptotic is approaching a maximum value. I suspect they're a long way from that.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (/NCI4)

330 316 >>The 1960s were great because everything was covered in plastic and cigarettes had filters.

The filters give you the cancer.
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (xL1Rc)

Is that the case? I know there was animal testing that indicated you couldn't induce cancer in animals with smoke and nicotine so some other cause makes sense.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (b2nrj)

331 When is the last time anyone bought a luggage set?
Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (VJsqe
++++
2012. I needed new luggage for a business trip. I was broke. I bought a cheap set. It failed fairly quickly. Through that process, though, I learned what I actually need and bought individual pieces that are useful and bought quality at less than the cost of a whole set, which contains pieces I do not need.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (WWh8n)

332 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st

Posted by: sniffybigtoe

France and Germany both. These 'leaders' are insane. 500% increase in price. The only explanation is that they want people to die. Not kidding.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (lTGtQ)

333 If you're looking for everyday furniture for the family that you want to save money one, though, cheap furniture is often a false economy.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (WWh8n)

Never buy a cheap bed.
I bought some furniture at Costco that is still going strong 20+ years later.
Finding a good desk nowadays is hard, I ended up buying cheap plastic for my home office. It's oddly more stable and durable than pressboard.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (V6f9+)

334 "309 There is still good furniture that will last essentially forever, but it's very expensive.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (WWh8n)"

It's not really any more expensive than it used to be, adjusted for inflation. And that's the point - we've had ~30 years of increasingly cheapened imports to cover up the initial phase of batshit money printing.

Most furniture plants now, they just have minimum wage ex-cons uncrating kits of China and stapling cheap upholstery onto them off of giant-ass rolls.

Posted by: somedood at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (BaGvt)

335 >>I have to buy new luggage all the time. I travel a lot and even the higher-end stuff is made like garbage. The wheels fall off, that telescoping handle thing breaks, zippers fail, etc.

Dana Designs Backpack. Had it since 1992. Still looks brand new. Just need a large duffel to stuff it into to protect the buckles and straps when checking it.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (xL1Rc)

336 I don't mean this to sound accusative so please don't take it that way, but what were you planning to do for a living when you got a degree in English?
Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:32 AM (nfrXX)
---
In my case I went into technical writing and now do instructional design and haven't regretted it.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (YIVH2)

337 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st
Posted by: sniffybigtoe

This is going to work out well and by well I mean riots.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (FF+On)

338 naugas have been seen in cave paintings

Posted by: DB at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (geLO8)

339 How are people feeling about plugging in their cars now?

Posted by: Indignacio Vindacatorem at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (AaLDK)

340 128
She better be prepared to ignore federal judges orders. And I am advocating that.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (ruYJi)

341 I once sold a pair of 18th century fauteuil a la reine to the guy who owns the Coors distributorship in NE TX

they were covered in an old, not period of course, yellow silk in nice condition

he had them covered in zebra hide

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:53 AM (us2H3)

342 what i did not expect was that after it was sorted out i had a $400 credit on my power bill. apparently the folks in the other side of the duplex used a lot of power.
Posted by: kulak anachronda at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (sGtp+)
------------

Heh.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:53 AM (5pTK/)

343 t's oddly more stable and durable than pressboard.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (V6f9+)

Some of the pressboard they use now is just fancy cardboard.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:53 AM (Y5qcH)

344 What real college reform would look like

1) Ban college loans without collateral - giving an 18 year old with no income $250K in debt is morally criminal and should be legally so.

2) 100% tax on endowments. Sorry if it is "critical" that we pay off people's loans with the taxpayer's money it is also critical enough that we make the colleges pay

3) All colleges must post the 5 year average incomes of their students by major. Incoming students must sign off on reviewing, including selecting the majors they are interested in.

Posted by: 18-1 at August 26, 2022 10:53 AM (ESjRY)

345 289 I forget what the third one is...

The Emperor has no clothes?

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 10:45 AM (Xrfse)

Looked it up:
1) May you live in interesting times.
2) May you be recognized by powerful people.
3) May you get what you wish for.

So I guess we are getting two of them, and the left is getting the third.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (ynpvh)

346 >>Is that the case?

I'm no Dr Science. But, I personally believe that the particulate matter is what gets you. Like Asbestosis and Farmer's Lung.

Ever install a whole house of Fiberglass Insulation without masking up?

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (xL1Rc)

347 337 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st
Posted by: sniffybigtoe

This is going to work out well and by well I mean riots.
Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (FF+On)

The French riot all the time though.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (b2nrj)

348 "In the battle of the generations, Gen X has the highest student debt load totals with about 34k, Millenials at 21k, and Gen Z at 15k.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:51 AM (CXr4y)"

These are averages. Most new hires I see with 4 year degrees are 200-350k in the hole. It's insane.

Posted by: somedood at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (BaGvt)

349 I have to buy new luggage all the time. I travel a lot and even the higher-end stuff is made like garbage. The wheels fall off, that telescoping handle thing breaks, zippers fail, etc.

Posted by: Elric Blade

I have found a few good pieces over the years, and when I say good, I mean that the zippers and the bag material doesn't fail. Even on good pieces, the wheels are crap. I buy high end roller blade wheels and retrofit.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (lTGtQ)

350 334 "309 There is still good furniture that will last essentially forever, but it's very expensive.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (WWh8n)"

I have lots of stuff in my house I still use that's 200 years old

go ahead, I teed you up, have at it

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (us2H3)

351 350 334 "309 There is still good furniture that will last essentially forever, but it's very expensive.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (WWh8n)"

I have lots of stuff in my house I still use that's 200 years old

go ahead, I teed you up, have at it
Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (us2H3)

One would thing the sex drive would decline at such advanced age.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 10:55 AM (b2nrj)

352
How much of the increase in utility arrears is driven by the fact that many utilities were not charging during the pandemic?

I had a huge electricity bill late last year. Normally I don't track it because it's paid automatically, but I noticed this one. When I investigated I found that the utility hadn't charged me a dime for well over six months.

Anyone on low income hit with a surprise like that is not going to be able to pay.
Posted by: quantum mechanic

I just paid a big chunk of $ last week for my commercial electric bill, since PGandE pulled that number on me. They just shut off my auto-billing, and let the balance ride, without telling me they were doing it. About 8 months worth.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 26, 2022 10:55 AM (n+4am)

353 I went to a JC for 3 years, at a tuition cost of $60/semester (including $10 for a parking permit) while living at home with my parents. The cost of my books was more.
I wen to the University for an additional 3 years at a cost of $500/semester and had a couple of scholarships to help me. Rent was the biggest expense ($400/month), but I lived frugally and got good grades. Whatever student loans I had, I paid off within 10 years of graduation, and then when I got married I paid off what remained of my wife's student loans.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:50 AM (ynpvh)

That sounds like a good deal.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:55 AM (V6f9+)

354 This eternal pause in student loan repayment is exactly what Obama intended when he took over the program. (And did the GOP speak up at that time? Can't remember. lol)

So now, I can spend my retirement paying for the student loans of people making twice what I ever earned. Angry does not describe it. This country is just over. Thanks to both parties.

Posted by: Ultra pj at August 26, 2022 10:56 AM (G1dq6)

355 I bought some furniture at Costco that is still going strong 20+ years later.
Finding a good desk nowadays is hard, I ended up buying cheap plastic for my home office. It's oddly more stable and durable than pressboard.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (V6f9+)
++++
My desk is not fashionable, but it's excellent. Solid wood, dovetailed drawers, etc. I bought from a couple of *very* fashionable, um, "urban lifestyle" men in a very tony part of town. They sold it to me for fifty bucks because they wanted it gone more than anything else. It is a seriously high-quality piece and they practically gave it away. Their fashion sense got me a great desk, though, so I ain't complaining!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at August 26, 2022 10:56 AM (WWh8n)

356 292 Didn't a circuit court allow an injunction against the Biden administration's efforts to pause drilling leases? Essentially, forcing them to continue leases.

I think it happened last week.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (LvTSG)
---------------

The EPA can now regulate CO2 emissions. The injunction is dead, Jim.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:46 AM (5pTK/)

Yup. Oil has CO2, is a pollutant, therefore must be regulated to "safe" levels...Here, buy an EV!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:56 AM (ynpvh)

357 I have lots of stuff in my house I still use that's 200 years old

go ahead, I teed you up, have at it
Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (us2H3)

lucky you're only half that!

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 10:56 AM (trdmm)

358 >>180 You people are making me nervous. Our move to AZ has dropped our summer electric bills by a tremendous amount. now you're starting to make me wonder if they're a problem with the way the meter is being read.

Navopache electric co-op charges us .073 kwh

Posted by: Maj. Healey at August 26, 2022 10:56 AM (m7R0k)

359 DOOM! It's what's for dinner...

Posted by: Paladin at August 26, 2022 10:57 AM (7hzzD)

360 359 DOOM! It's what's for dinner...
Posted by: Paladin at August 26, 2022 10:57 AM (7hzzD)

========

Monty? Is that you?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 10:57 AM (LvTSG)

361 Mattress prices are very high. Also, there are so many different types advertised, you don't know what is a scam and what isn't. Friend bought a "new" one from a little shop that recycles mattresses. They strip them to the metal and springs, replace springs as needed and pad and cover to customers needs. He and wife saved a lot and it was local.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 26, 2022 10:57 AM (lz5hY)

362 153 125
'Most people don't think like that though.'
I think like that all the time.
If we ever seized the money supply in this country, even the left (at least the rich ones)would be brought to heel. It's their Achilles heel.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at August 26, 2022 10:57 AM (ruYJi)

363 297 Electricity is insane. Last year it was .01$ per kwh, this year it is .14$!! We just paid over 500$ last month...we were gone 25 days out of the month...so it was just ac running.

Posted by: Mishdog
==
Well, that seems high. Thermo stat set at 68? Maybe look into some insulation, new windows? Don't get me wrong .14 is a pretty high rate. I think I'm around .06 or so. But a 500 electric bill would make me think maybe somebody was stealing electricity from me - neighbor plugged in a extension cord . .

Posted by: Best advice at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (de024)

I grew up in the desert, so the summer monthgs often meant the AC was running almost non-stop. Folks would sometimes have bills in the $1000/mo range. Not fun, especially in an area that was depressed.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (ynpvh)

364 There is still good furniture that will last essentially forever, but it's very expensive.
Posted by: Joe Mannix

Find old furniture and refinish it. Cheap, gives you a sense of satisfaction, and will last your lifetime.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (lTGtQ)

365 Germany is basically the Saudi Arabia of coal.

There is no reason for anyone in Germany to need for energy.

But the German government will subject the German people to this to remind them who the boss is. And if some of them time...well...you can always get more peasants from Turkey right?

Posted by: 18-1
----------------------
If I remember correctly, it has been years, most of German coal is the lower grade brown coal (lignite) rather than bituminous (soft) or anthracite (hard). Burning it generated more CO2 than either of the higher grade coal types. BTW, it is the US that has the most proven reserves of coal far and beyond any other country. We have about a fifth of all proven coal reserves in the world.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (CXr4y)

366 DOOM! It's what's for dinner...

All is well!!!

Posted by: That guy who always says... at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (Xrfse)

367 In my case I went into technical writing and now do instructional design and haven't regretted it.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

And now you have reached the pinnacle of your profession as the CoB of The Book Thread. But obviously not every English major can expect to do that.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (AUPo9)

368 In SS, you mean? They told me on the phone earlier this year that they do adjustments 2x a year, in Feb. and October. I updated my biggest earnings years with last year's salary, but I just missed the Feb. deadline, so they said I should (*should*) see the bump in the Nov. check. Does that mean the COLA will kick in then too?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 26, 2022 10:42 AM (J2vNu)

I think the raise is only done in Jan

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (us2H3)

369 I have lots of stuff in my house I still use that's 200 years old

go ahead, I teed you up, have at it
Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (us2H3)

-------
Just wait til the warranty runs out.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (VJsqe)

370 300 Our high school actually brought in folks to evaluate each of us seniors to evaluate what we would be good at. In my case, micro-biology was suggested. Went into engineering instead.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:44 AM (ynpvh)

I think a lot of high school kids today would get the same advice the Canadian soldier suffering with PTSD got a few days ago.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 10:47 AM (trdmm)

"You have brown skin; say you're here illegally and Uncle Sam will take care of the rest for you!"

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (ynpvh)

371 Soon they'll be coming for Mel Mounds, "Righteous, delighteous, and out-of-sighteous!"

Now the Short Circus.

Posted by: InZona (formerly InCali) at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (ep37o)

372 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM

They've gone plaid.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (bVYXr)

373 I'd love a nice old roll top desk.
You can be as disorganized and messy as you like inside, just roll down the top and everything looks tidy.

Posted by: gourmand du jour, the edge of dampness at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (jTmQV)

374 They strip them to the metal and springs, replace springs as needed and pad and cover to customers needs. He and wife saved a lot and it was local.

Metal fatigue, FTW!

Posted by: Archimedes at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (/NCI4)

375 Re: NYC high rents, another thing to factor in is all the tenant protection that was put into effect in 2019. That has driven prices up because it costs more money and time to evict.
Compare residential tenant occupancy to commercial tenant occupancy. Commercial tenant occupancy is through the floor because of the pandemic and the various mandates and lockdowns.

Also, while the pandemic had families leaving permanently, the younger working types moved home for a year and then came back. Housing prices here have yet to drop, though the market is allegedly beginning to soften.

Posted by: Penfold at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (Fbt5B)

376 Ever install a whole house of Fiberglass Insulation without masking up?
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (xL1Rc)
------------

Ever pulled cable in a fiberglass insulated ceiling that has been infested with rats for decades?

Never, I mean never, open the ceiling in an old building unless it's absolutely necessary.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (5pTK/)

377 lucky you're only half that!
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 10:56 AM (trdmm)

*loads rat shot*

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (us2H3)

378 306 I had a lefty LIV complaining to me about housing costs the other day. I point out we increased the US population dramatically, almost completely through immigration so of course as demand went up so would price.

I literally left him speechless and frankly this is mind blowingly obvious.

Posted by: 18-1 at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (ESjRY)

Supply and Demand are not important in Socialist and Communist economics, Comrade.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (ynpvh)

379 Hey! I think we need electric bill relief. No kidding Everyone who votes Democrat gets 100% of their bill prebated. My word as a Biteum.

Posted by: Joe Biteum at August 26, 2022 11:00 AM (sn5EN)

380 307 When did the Democrats stop being the party of working people?

It never was. That was always just the marketing angle.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:48 AM (nfrXX)

If by working people you mean slavery, then yes.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 11:00 AM (ynpvh)

381 373 I'd love a nice old roll top desk.
You can be as disorganized and messy as you like inside, just roll down the top and everything looks tidy.
Posted by: gourmand du jour, the edge of dampness at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (jTmQV)

========

It has the advantage of being a decent place to stuff a witness you're trying to hide from the police if you're a journalist looking for a scoop.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 11:00 AM (LvTSG)

382 Find old furniture and refinish it. Cheap, gives you a sense of satisfaction, and will last your lifetime.

Posted by: Thomas Paine
--------------
Redacted might come after you. If an genuine antique, refinishing will damage the value of the piece--in some rare cases, a lot.

But generally, most pieces are not antiques especially a lot of the well built factory assembled pieces of the 1910-1930 era. Most of them use solid wood but often have issues with the plywood of that generation with de lamination due to glue failure.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:00 AM (CXr4y)

383 France and Germany both. These 'leaders' are insane. 500% increase in price. The only explanation is that they want people to die. Not kidding.
__________

Macron stated that the people need to get used to scarcity. Maybe he should have just said 'let them eat cake' to get right to the point.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (fs1hN)

384 311 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (Y5qcH)

Yowzah!

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (ynpvh)

385 >>BTW, it is the US that has the most proven reserves of coal far and beyond any other country. We have about a fifth of all proven coal reserves in the world.

Australia also has an enormous amount of coal and a relatively tiny population. The Hunter Valley alone is a gigantic reserve. They are also greener that we are.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (ZLI7S)

386 365 I have a friend in PA with a hunting camp. He was buying 50lb bags of real good anthracite coal for the stove, keeping it nice and warm. Next time I talk with him, I'll have to find out if he can still get it, what with the feds.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (lz5hY)

387 And now you have reached the pinnacle of your profession as the CoB of The Book Thread. But obviously not every English major can expect to do that.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (AUPo9)
---
Believe it or not, I do consider that to be a high honor and achievement.

I've had a wide and varied education that makes me qualified for a number of things...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (YIVH2)

388
Obama stated "Under my plan … electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."

And yet the 'Smartest Man in the Room' told people to buy electric cars. Not gonna make those EV sales attractive. Nope.

Posted by: Speller at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (pSotA)

389 Helluva platform!

INSANE: Democrat John Fetterman says if he had a magic wand to “fix one thing,” he would end “life without parole” for MURDERERS.

Fetterman claims it would “not make anyone less safe.”

-
Yeah, boy, if there's one thing Philly needs it's more murderers.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (FVME7)

390 Sometimes you can get used hotel furniture at auction for cheap. It's usually pretty durable stuff.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (Y5qcH)

391 389 Helluva platform!

INSANE: Democrat John Fetterman says if he had a magic wand to “fix one thing,” he would end “life without parole” for MURDERERS.

Fetterman claims it would “not make anyone less safe.”

-
Yeah, boy, if there's one thing Philly needs it's more murderers.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (FVME7)

=========

Philly is going to have to cheat harder in 2022 to make him senator than they did in 2020 to make Biden president.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (LvTSG)

392 >>Ever pulled cable in a fiberglass insulated ceiling that has been infested with rats for decades?

>>Never, I mean never, open the ceiling in an old building unless it's absolutely necessary.

Ran a demolition crew in NY / NJ for a while. I have seen the most disgusting shit this earth has to offer up.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (xL1Rc)

393 Sometimes you can get used hotel furniture at auction for cheap. It's usually pretty durable stuff.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (Y5qcH)

But the DNA that remains..........

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (Zz0t1)

394 381 Good movie.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (lz5hY)

395 INSANE: Democrat John Fetterman says if he had a magic wand to “fix one thing,” he would end “life without parole” for MURDERERS.

Fetterman claims it would “not make anyone less safe.”

-
Yeah, boy, if there's one thing Philly needs it's more murderers.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (FVME7)
-------------

didn't some guy out on parole for murder just beat some guy to death with a metal pole?

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (5pTK/)

396 394 381 Good movie.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (lz5hY)

=========

I don't get it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, navigating the destiny machine with Fritz Lang at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (LvTSG)

397 357 I have lots of stuff in my house I still use that's 200 years old

go ahead, I teed you up, have at it
Posted by: REDACTED
-------------------
Did Vic make any of it?

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (CXr4y)

398 387 And now you have reached the pinnacle of your profession as the CoB of The Book Thread. But obviously not every English major can expect to do that.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 10:58 AM (AUPo9)
---
Believe it or not, I do consider that to be a high honor and achievement.

I've had a wide and varied education that makes me qualified for a number of things...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM (YIVH2)

And so many of them from here! Sous chef, medical consultant, weaponry expert...

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (b2nrj)

399 311 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 10:49 AM (Y5qcH)
---
That chart is pretty insane. There's a spike from last December, which you'd expect higher heating costs. But the asymptotic spike is for AUGUST of this year. They don't have AC like we do here in the States. WTF is going on?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (YIVH2)

400
Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

------

AKA "virtue-signaling your dick into a wringer."

Who do these people think they're dealing with?? Americans? Not by a long shot.

If you try to crybully Russians with no military threat as backup, they'll just laugh and do whatever they can to increase your misery.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 26, 2022 11:04 AM (uaLxw)

401 393 Sometimes you can get used hotel furniture at auction for cheap. It's usually pretty durable stuff.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (Y5qcH)

But the DNA that remains..........

Posted by: Sponge
---------------
Take a blacklight to the auction.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:04 AM (CXr4y)

402 346 Ever install a whole house of Fiberglass Insulation without masking up?

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 10:54 AM (xL1Rc)

Sounds like the beginning of one of the class-action lawsuit commercials...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 11:04 AM (ynpvh)

403 Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:00 AM (CXr4y)

all true

and I don't think in 60 years that I have "refinished" a strip piece of furniture

It's amazing how many years are put upon antiques just from a boat ride across the Atlantic

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 11:04 AM (us2H3)

404 And so many of them from here! Sous chef, medical consultant, weaponry expert...
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (b2nrj)
----
And my personal favorite: "Art Critic"

Can't wait to start my new career!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 11:04 AM (YIVH2)

405 Ran a demolition crew in NY / NJ for a while. I have seen the most disgusting shit this earth has to offer up.
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 11:02 AM (xL1Rc)
------------

then you've seen worse than my bat guano and rat feces ceiling.

Gad, that had to be disgusting, at times.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 11:04 AM (5pTK/)

406 That chart is pretty insane. There's a spike from last December, which you'd expect higher heating costs. But the asymptotic spike is for AUGUST of this year. They don't have AC like we do here in the States. WTF is going on?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 26, 2022 11:03 AM (YIVH2)

Maybe they ran out and bought a ton of fans?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (b2nrj)

407 I'd love a nice old roll top desk.
You can be as disorganized and messy as you like inside, just roll down the top and everything looks tidy.

Posted by: gourmand du jour, the edge of dampness at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (jTmQV)

Bought a nice, new Broyhill solid oak 35 years ago, $400...have no idea what they go for now.

Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (AwYPR)

408 ZH's headlines this morning were eye-opening. Damn near every EU country is scared about heating costs this winter.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 10:03 AM (VJsqe)

they all have essentially picked a fight with the only bar owner in town after selling their cars.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (xhaym)

409 Dow down 580 pts.
Gold down 24.

Disturbing.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (m7R0k)

410 None of this will get serious until bankruptcy law is changed to allow student loan debt to be discharged. It's an absolute travesty that student loan debt -- almost unique among all debt -- can't be discharged. Now, do I really give a shit that some shitbrained twat borrowed $100k for some shitbag degree and now can't pay it back? Hell no. Fuck him. But the fact that student loan debt is not dischargeable is an objective travesty.
Posted by: Elric Blade at August 26, 2022 10:12 AM (iFTx/)

Since the debt is government held, that is just a debt cancellation with the minor stigma of bankruptcy involved. The only solution is get back out of government financing AND allow discharge in bankruptcy, with the Universities as co-signers on the note.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (yQpMk)

411 Check out this chart of French electricity prices. It's gone asymptotic.

https://tinyurl.com/yjwwr4st

Posted by: sniffybigtoe

Wish I had a few spare electrons to sell.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (FVME7)

412 12:05 and no affidavit.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (ZLI7S)

413 WTF is going on?

Saving the Earf, one thousand serfs at a time.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (Xrfse)

414 WTF is going on?
==
Well if demand is soft, but you have a price increase . . .

I'd say there is a supply shortage

Posted by: I'm not Paul Krugman, thank God, but I did take a few economics courses at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (de024)

415 This is going to work out well and by well I mean riots.
Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (FF+On)

It's all just street theater ... until they start eating you.

Posted by: zombie Johan de Witt at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (h5TKJ)

416 Remember when Kristi Yamaguchi told the youth of America that if you wanted to be an Olympic gold medal winning women's figure skater you just had to want it enough and anything is possible?

Yeah, well she didn't mean YOU, Stanley!

Posted by: Muldoon at August 26, 2022 11:06 AM (kXYt5)

417 I have a friend in PA with a hunting camp. He was buying 50lb bags of real good anthracite coal for the stove, keeping it nice and warm. Next time I talk with him, I'll have to find out if he can still get it, what with the feds.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at August 26, 2022 11:01 AM

Some years back Rhode Island passed a law that made any new outdoor wood boilers illegal in the State. Tens of thousands of people in rural Rhode Island ran and bought them before the ban went into effect.

Posted by: Mister Scott (formerly GWS) at August 26, 2022 11:06 AM (bVYXr)

418 Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it.

There is no rationality in NYC real estate. They've gotten away with charging obscene amounts for pathetic properties for a century or more, and they don't understand that things have changed.

Posted by: Rob Crawford at August 26, 2022 11:06 AM (naEeR)

419 Dow down 580 pts.
Gold down 24.

Disturbing.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

It's not a recession!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 26, 2022 11:06 AM (FVME7)

420 Dow down 580 pts.
Gold down 24.

Disturbing.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (m7R0k)

I sold even my oil stocks yesterday because they were momentarily in the black. I have no confidence in anything right now.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at August 26, 2022 11:06 AM (yQpMk)

421 That chart is pretty insane. There's a spike from last December, which you'd expect higher heating costs. But the asymptotic spike is for AUGUST of this year. They don't have AC like we do here in the States.

WTF is going on?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

ALL GOVERNMENTS know what is coming and are trying to steal as much as they can before the music stops and they are left without chairs.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel ace is the best ace at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (nyNes)

422 >>then you've seen worse than my bat guano and rat feces ceiling.

Rats and Bats and Pigeons got nothing on Bums.

Occasionally you'd find a vault space that one/a few spent an entire winter in...
Hazmat type cleanup required.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (xL1Rc)

423 Dow down 580 pts.
Gold down 24.

Disturbing.
==
Not to me. A clear sign that the economy is on the mend and the Democrats will be swept into power by the frothy economy!!!

Posted by: Jose Psydin at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (o6xXV)

424 In SS, you mean? They told me on the phone earlier this year that they do adjustments 2x a year, in Feb. and October. I updated my biggest earnings years with last year's salary, but I just missed the Feb. deadline, so they said I should (*should*) see the bump in the Nov. check. Does that mean the COLA will kick in then too?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 26, 2022
*
I think the raise is only done in Jan
Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022

***
Thus I might not see the COLA increase until Feb. or March.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (J2vNu)

425 412 12:05 and no affidavit.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (ZLI7S)

appealing the release ?

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (us2H3)

426 AKA "virtue-signaling your dick into a wringer."

Exactly.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (Xrfse)

427 So the time stamp is Central time now ?

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (bs+z0)

428 That electric power cost chart for France and Germany: when electricity prices soar, manufacturing in all industries shuts down, across the board. It certainly looks like that's we're headed.

It's easy to criticized the "doom!" view, but all the financial indicators today are actually much, much, worse than they were in 1930. And this is going to be a worldwide happening, not just an American one.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (trdmm)

429 "We see a series of crises, each one more serious than the last, and it could be seen that we are destined to be permanently managing crises and emergencies. For my part I believe that what we are going through is a great upheaval, a radical change. In the first place, because we are experiencing - not just this summer, but for the last few years - what could be seen as the end of abundance, of endless liquidity, and we will have to face the consequences of that in the public finances. The world is reorganizing and we are seeing the end of perpetually available products and technologies, we saw it during Covid. The interruption of value chains, scarcity of one material technology or another is reappearing, the end of an abundance of land or raw materials, and water as well, on this we have to draw all the consequences "
-Macron
Maybe we need better leaders to avoid or ameliorate these (man-caused) problems?

Posted by: Chuck Martel at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (fs1hN)

430 Yeah, boy, if there's one thing Philly needs it's more murderers.

Presumably murderers are not a large voting bloc but in Philly and Pittsburgh family and friends of murderers probably are.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 11:08 AM (nfrXX)

431 This is going to work out well and by well I mean riots.
Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 10:52 AM (FF+On)

It's all just street theater ... until they start eating you.
Posted by: zombie Johan de Witt

It's all fun and games until somebody gets eaten.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at August 26, 2022 11:08 AM (FVME7)

432 Elric Blade,

Tom Bihn. They don't do wheeled luggage but there is a lifetime guarantee on their products. Made in Seattle, so leftys, but I have one of their bags going on over 20 years now.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (5HBd1)

433 Thus I might not see the COLA increase until Feb. or March.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (J2vNu)

dunno

mine always kicks in Jan

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (us2H3)

434 >>appealing the release ?

No idea what's happening.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (ZLI7S)

435 Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (trdmm)

German industry has already be idled or curtailed to ration NG use.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (UuD2k)

436 Australia also has an enormous amount of coal and a relatively tiny population. The Hunter Valley alone is a gigantic reserve. They are also greener that we are.

Posted by: JackStraw
---------------------
Number 3 in world. They have apparently either bituminous of high quality or lignite. Australia though exports a lot of coal to China which if you believe in AGW, Chinese coal burning puts out a lot more CO2 than Australia can ever reduce domestically.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (CXr4y)

437 428 That electric power cost chart for France and Germany: when electricity prices soar, manufacturing in all industries shuts down, across the board. It certainly looks like that's we're headed.

It's easy to criticized the "doom!" view, but all the financial indicators today are actually much, much, worse than they were in 1930. And this is going to be a worldwide happening, not just an American one.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (trdmm)

The Great Depression looked like it was well on its way to recovery before intervention. Absent much stronger government involvement this year is not going to be The Crash.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (b2nrj)

438 Last year we installed a 10Kw off-grid solar system. We only use the grid on very cloudy or snowy days to charge the battery banks. Fuck big electric.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (m7R0k)

439 421 That chart is pretty insane. There's a spike from last December, which you'd expect higher heating costs. But the asymptotic spike is for AUGUST of this year. They don't have AC like we do here in the States.

WTF is going on?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Remember the supply/demand chart. This is not about demand increasing; it is about Supply collapsing, especially nat gas. They vastly overrelied on it while just blithely assuming they could always get it from somewhere else.

And in the Energy Biz, when you have a supply problem it always takes at least 3 - 5 years to fix it. Can't be done in 90 days.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (trdmm)

440 Fetterman is a hard core Marxist

Posted by: Skip's phone at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (EdnZ5)

441 I'd love a nice old roll top desk.
You can be as disorganized and messy as you like inside, just roll down the top and everything looks tidy.

Posted by: gourmand du jour, the edge of dampness at August 26, 2022 10:59 AM (jTmQV)

Bought a nice, new Broyhill solid oak 35 years ago, $400...have no idea what they go for now.
Posted by: BignJames at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (AwYPR)

There was one literally for free about 3 blocks down from my house. They run a 'junk hauling' side hustle and sell the good stuff they take away. Sometimes they literally can't give away nice furniture. I got too much crap already or I would have snagged it.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (V6f9+)

442 >>then you've seen worse than my bat guano and rat feces ceiling.

I can smell that space just by reading that. Not kidding.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (xL1Rc)

443 425 412 12:05 and no affidavit.
Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 11:05 AM (ZLI7S)

appealing the release ?

Posted by: REDACTED at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (us2H3)

They need time to add black toner to their printers...Lots of black pages to print.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 11:11 AM (ynpvh)

444 Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (trdmm)

-------
Terrifying, really.

Posted by: 496 at August 26, 2022 11:11 AM (VJsqe)

445 I found a coal burning stove for sale on Amazon. It's the old style, with a cooking top. I am thinking about picking one up, if I can't find an old stove for sale at the new location.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 11:11 AM (5HBd1)

446 Occasionally you'd find a vault space that one/a few spent an entire winter in...
Hazmat type cleanup required.
Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 11:07 AM (xL1Rc)
-----------

LA is, or was, having a huge problem with abandoned RV's which had been used by bums. Like you mention, Hazmat cleanup required.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 11:11 AM (5pTK/)

447 Roll top desks go for $100 around here. there's no demand. We bought one that had belonged to the person's grandfather. I'm taking it with me.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 11:12 AM (5HBd1)

448
I forget which Russian diplomat said it recently, but he effectively said "In 2014, we learned we can make or buy cheese and wine much more easily than Europe can get natgas, so go eat shit and die."

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 26, 2022 11:12 AM (uaLxw)

449 LA is, or was, having a huge problem with abandoned RV's which had been used by bums. Like you mention, Hazmat cleanup required.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 11:11 AM (5pTK/)

Time to dump the shitter.

Posted by: Cousin Eddie at August 26, 2022 11:12 AM (yQpMk)

450 The Great Depression looked like it was well on its way to recovery before intervention. Absent much stronger government involvement this year is not going to be The Crash.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at August 26, 2022 11:09 AM (b2nrj)

We can't know, because the biggest imponderables are outside of this country. What if the Chinese financial sector collapses? What if all European manufacturing shuts down by the end of the year? It's hard to grasp just how big the forces moving today are; at times like these, the actions of government can look comically trivial. Printing lots of money is not going to fix any of this, but it's either that or do nothing.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 26, 2022 11:13 AM (trdmm)

451 NOOD WAITING

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 11:13 AM (ynpvh)

452 Roll top desks go for $100 around here. there's no demand. We bought one that had belonged to the person's grandfather. I'm taking it with me.
Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 11:12 AM (5HBd1)

It will make a fine casket.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at August 26, 2022 11:13 AM (yQpMk)

453 Time to dump the shitter.
Posted by: Cousin Eddie at August 26, 2022 11:12 AM (yQpMk)

You mean shitters full

Posted by: It's me donna at August 26, 2022 11:13 AM (bs+z0)

454 And if they burn those RVs, you have to have them tested for asbestos. Ask me how I know this.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - move forward at August 26, 2022 11:14 AM (5HBd1)

455 440 Fetterman is a hard core Marxist
Posted by: Skip's phone at August 26, 2022 11:10 AM (EdnZ5)

That explains the brain damage

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo, food, water at August 26, 2022 11:14 AM (V6f9+)

456 LA is, or was, and for the foreseeable future will continue to be having a huge problem with abandoned RV's which had been used by bums. Like you mention, Hazmat cleanup required.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at August 26, 2022 11:11 AM (5pTK/)

FIFY.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara - Impeach Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 11:14 AM (wiTnL)

457 we ran out of redactions

Posted by: DOJ at August 26, 2022 11:14 AM (us2H3)

458 >>Number 3 in world. They have apparently either bituminous of high quality or lignite. Australia though exports a lot of coal to China which if you believe in AGW, Chinese coal burning puts out a lot more CO2 than Australia can ever reduce domestically.

China and Australia have been having a pissing match over coal since the virus which has really impacted the Australian economy. Mining is by far the biggest industry in Australia. 2nd is scorchingly hot women.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 26, 2022 11:14 AM (ZLI7S)

459 Republicans should just send out mailers to everyone with that Obama quote, and a link to the video so they know it's true.

Let everyone who's struggling know the Democrats want them to struggle, because the energy is needed for the elites like Obama so he can heat his many homes (which often reside on areas he claims are going to disappear in a year or two thanks to global warming)

Posted by: Rbastid at August 26, 2022 11:14 AM (jZYv/)

460 Posted by: Interesting Times at August 26, 2022 10:18 AM (ieN7O)

Good one. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: 7man

Seconded !

Posted by: JT at August 26, 2022 11:15 AM (T4tVD)

461 396 394 381 Good movie.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

=========

I don't get it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Neither does Earl.

Posted by: Lost In Space at August 26, 2022 11:15 AM (FF+On)

462 >>And if they burn those RVs, you have to have them tested for asbestos.

The asbestos was always an issue. Which makes me laugh as I used to do Historic Restoration work on City Island and we werre required to use asbestos everywhere in those. used to cut it (Siding) with a circular saw, all day long.

Posted by: garrett at August 26, 2022 11:15 AM (xL1Rc)

463 In a shocking move that signaled its full support for stopping President Trump from running in 2024, Fox News published an opinion piece by Democrat lawyer Bradley Moss which claimed the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago was legal and justified.

Please stop watching any Fox News.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at August 26, 2022 11:15 AM (m7R0k)

464 Remember when Kristi Yamaguchi told the youth of America that if you wanted to be an Olympic gold medal winning women's figure skater you just had to want it enough and anything is possible?

Which may sound like a warm fuzzy sentiment but in reality is a pernicious lie that hobbles many, many more kids than it helps. What about the person who got silver or bronze or just missed out on making the team? Are you going to tell her that she just didn't want it enough? How many kids blow off getting an education because they know that some day they're going to be NBA stars because they want it so much? So yeah, Kristi, take that sh*t and shove it up your short skirt.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 26, 2022 11:16 AM (nfrXX)

465 Yes, 18-1, our population has increased by 140 million since the 1965 Immigration Act passed. So the population is not growing naturally at all, with babies being born and the olds dying off, with infrastructure keeping up. It was almost doubled on purpose.

At the same time the left began its scarcity agenda, so housing and water and electricity building was discouraged and taxed at every turn. So this will not end well.

Posted by: Ultra pj at August 26, 2022 11:17 AM (G1dq6)

466 403 Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:00 AM (CXr4y)
all true

and I don't think in 60 years that I have "refinished" a strip piece of furniture

It's amazing how many years are put upon antiques just from a boat ride across the Atlantic
Posted by: REDACTED
------------------------------------
We have a lot of family pieces of varying age but some of the oldest have been refinished by my grandmother in a hideous greenish paint and subsequent glaze. One of those pieces is mine and I am going to have to refinish it myself because the people we normally use do not do anything that might have lead paint applied. I'll have to do a wet chelating stripper and the normal one that I use for rifle stocks and the like is based on soybeans.

Posted by: whig at August 26, 2022 11:19 AM (CXr4y)

467 About those high electric bills caused by the so-called "green economy", does anyone else recall what the original architect of the Green New Deal, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez's chief of staff, said about said GND? As I recall he said "It's not about the environment, it's about getting control of the economy."

They f@#king tell the country to our faces what they want to do, and no one listens.

Posted by: George V at August 26, 2022 11:21 AM (ugbqN)

468 I forget which Russian diplomat said it recently, but he effectively said "In 2014, we learned we can make or buy cheese and wine much more easily than Europe can get natgas, so go eat shit and die."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 26, 2022 11:12 AM (uaLxw)
_______________

And they laughed at Trump when he told them they had a problem.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara - Impeach Joe Biden at August 26, 2022 11:22 AM (wiTnL)

469 Republicans are pussies. Plain and simple. The response to Biden's grotesque student loan subversion should be F you, we are filing suit against it.

Instead the cowards are wringing their hands. Nothing that has to do with liberty comes innately or is naturally existential to them.

Posted by: Marcus T at August 26, 2022 11:23 AM (mSy8I)

470 I've lived at my current place for over 20...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 26, 2022 10:26 AM (ynpvh)

You are an outlier. The average person moves every 7 years in the US.
Posted by: Joe XiDen at August 26, 2022 10:30 AM (ab+Qz)

Same house since 1974. Our parents lived in their same houses as well, all their married life.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at August 26, 2022 11:29 AM (Zvtjl)

471 "It's not about the environment, it's about getting control of the economy."

This is what the founder of one of these orgs like Greenpeace said many years ago.

Posted by: Ultra pj at August 26, 2022 11:40 AM (G1dq6)

472 my thoughts on rising rent in NYC is it's probably due to people leaving previously rent controlled apartments, hence the landlords can finally raise the rent and actually pay for their buildings.

Posted by: Phineasphogg at August 26, 2022 01:38 PM (acGE2)

473 "Seriously, why are rents going up in a depopulating city? There is a rational economic reason, but I don’t know it."

Large corporations are buying up condos and homes, and raising the rent all over the country. They realized they could do what China does.

Posted by: Inspector Kemp at August 26, 2022 01:48 PM (BLOTa)

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