The Morning Report

The Morning Report — 1/26/23

Good morning kids. So, Kevin McLuntz is now being praised for unflinchingly doing what anyone in his position had to do without even giving it a second thought in kicking Schiff-for-Brains, Flatulent Fang-Banging Swallwell and the Jew-hating Bro-Fo the hell off of the intelligence committees. The cherry on the parfait was telling the propagandists to go eff themselves when they attacked him. Bravo. Well done. And for me, big friggin' deal.

If Kevin McCarthy really wanted to impress me and perhaps begin to gain some of my respect, he would be leading the charge in dismantling the Federal government. That is, not just cutting the budget, which in DC speak means only decreasing the rate that at which the budget is increased (that is the agreed upon definition of budget cuts in DC so Dems can rile up their base and the GOP can appease theirs depending on the breaks). But in real terms actually cutting spending.

Aside from merely bankrupting us and our children's children's children, the size and scope of government is in direct proportion to the freedom and prosperity that is lost by the individual citizen. For the first time in history, a nation was founded on the bedrock principle that political power is vested first and foremost in the individual, and not in the government. That nation was called America. It's painfully obvious that it no longer exists and really has not existed for many years if not decades already.

So, with this debt ceiling "crisis" yet again coming into the fore, what did McCarthy do?

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) that Republcans would not make cuts to social security or Medicare to offset the debt ceiling during a meeting on Tuesday, according to Punch Bowl News co-founder Jake Sherman.
Sherman noted in a tweet that Manchin also “hopes” President Joe Biden will negotiate with Republicans, who want spending cuts in exchange for their help raising the debt ceiling. . .
. . . Manchin predicted that there would be no social security cuts to anyone already receiving benefits and asserted that “everyone’s using that as a leverage,” as CNN’s Daniella Diaz and Paul LeBlanc reported.
He did, however, indicate “He was open to raising the income cap for Social Security taxes,” according to the article.
Former President Donald Trump has sternly warned Republicans against making cuts to either social security or Medicare, noting that there was plenty of wasteful spending that could be cut instead.
“Cut waste, fraud, and abuse everywhere that we can find it, and there’s plenty of it, but do not cut the benefits our seniors worked for and paid for their entire lives. Save social security, don’t destroy it,” he warned.

So, there goes our hero McCarthy assuring Manchin that the sacred and sacrosanct "entitlements" will not be cut. Heaven forfend. Meh, I shouldn't just blast away at McCarthy. There is plenty of blame to go around. And while President Trump is correct about waste, fraud and abuse, the very thing that destroyed him, a feral Bureaucracy that only exists because we are forced to pay for it, is the root cause and is ignored. If we're really honest with ourselves, too many of us look upon "entitlements" as just that. Sure, we paid into it and of course are "entitled" to get the returns, but it's bankrupt. Gone. Bernie Madoff? Sam the Sham Bankman-Bank Fraud? Charles Ponzi? Pfft. Their entire takes combined are a rounding error to the money that has been stolen from us year after year after year.

It's one thing to kick welfare queens, illegal aliens and other layabouts off the government teat. And while I in no way, shape or form want to equate hardworking taxpaying citizens with them, this notion of not being able to recognize that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and all the rest of it – despite having forcibly paying into it – is still a form of slavery/indentured servitude to a government that the rest of the time everyone rails against for destroying the Bill of Rights makes no sense. Molon labe is the battle cry when our 2A rights are threatened but "Social Security reform" or even the brave soul who dares suggest privatizing or even phasing it out? Watch how fast the attitude towards Uncle Sugar does a 180.

Again, yeah, I get it. You paid into it. But again, it's not only gone or will be when the whole shit-house goes up in flames, but it's a way in which the Junta keeps us in line. It is time to cut the damned cord, painful as it might be.

Social Security is evil. It is in its way the government offering you security in exchange for a bit of your freedom. In the end, you'll have neither. The former is an empty "lock box" and the latter? Well, look what they did with the "lockdowns" culminating in 1/6/21.

So, another brave GOP standout Elise Stefanik is assuring us. . .

“A top priority for House Republicans is rooting out the weaponization of the federal government against everyday Americans,” said Stefanik. The No. 3 lawmaker in GOP leadership highlighted the nation’s top intelligence agencies as the committee’s primary focus.
“The FBI and DOJ are ripe for oversight, and they deserve oversight,” she said, while also pledging that investigations would come for the Internal Revenue Service and National Institutes of Health. Both agencies “have run rampant in targeting Americans,” Stefanik said, adding that Congress has a “constitutional duty” to conduct meaningful oversight.

Oh great. More hearings where Jim Jordan can huff and puff while nothing ever comes of it. The fact that someone like Lois Lerner is free as a bird and enjoys a big fat pension that, along with Social Security, our tax dollars also fund does not make me get all excited about Stefanik's tough talk. And Lois Lerner is just one cog, one "Little Eichmann" so to speak in a Machine that is nudging us gently, a la Cass Sunstein, into a mass grave.

I have news for Elise Stefanik. The Federal government hasn't been "weaponized." The Federal government IS. THE. WEAPON. The bitter irony is that its power comes from our money. Money which she, McCarthy and all these alleged "conservatives" are pretending to be responsible administrators of.

Meh, as I said earlier, we too in a way are just as much to blame in going along with this crap. I don't care about SSI or all the rest of it. I want my damned freedom. I want to be free to succeed or fail whether in saving for my future, getting the health insurance or doctors that I want, getting the car I want, owning and carrying a firearm for my protection anywhere I want, hiring and firing anyone from my business based on my criteria, baking or not baking a cake as my conscience and religion dictates . . . or on any other issue that the government sticks its beak into to wet. Which in reality is everything.

Samuel Hammond over at The American Conservative has a long, thoughtful piece in which he tries to differentiate between FDR's New Deal and LBJ's Great Society, and tires to advise not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

What do we mean when we talk about “big government”? Conservatives have railed against this enemy for generations, but it is striking how rarely we try to define the term.
The conservative movement was born in opposition to the New Deal and has thus historically oriented itself against the programs that emerged from that era. Social Security, our New Deal-era retirement system, is America’s biggest federal outlay by far. This makes it tempting to conflate “big government” with the government’s total fiscal footprint. Yet at least since Trump, conservatives have awoken to the folly of libertarian-inflected cuts to popular entitlement programs. While Medicare and Social Security have their problems, they are viewed by the public as earned benefits, and don’t represent what most conservatives intuitively mean by “big government” anyway.
Modern conservatives are thus better served by delineating the New Deal from what came after: the Great Society. Indeed, while President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society initiatives are typically seen as an extension of New Deal liberalism, they originated in an entirely distinct political economy. The political scientist Matt Grossman goes so far as to dub the era between 1961 and 1976 “the Long Great Society,” spanning four presidents, with LBJ merely being the most prominent. . .
. . . [So-called quote-unquote "president"] Joe Biden’s boosters fancied him the next FDR, but in perspective, he’s at best the faint echo of LBJ, a caretaker for the sclerotic and diffuse form of government his generation helped set into motion. That makes it all the more important for conservative opponents of big government to define their terms. Size matters, but it isn’t the only thing at play. Unwinding our mid-century technocracy, and the patronage systems that sustain it, should be the primary goal. It’s also one that conservatives have far more to learn from FDR than to disdain.

He makes some good points but on the whole, I have to disagree. The entire system is corrupt because all the people who are part of it are corrupt. Everything from FDR forward should never have existed in the first place. And as people, both FDR and LBJ were two horrid examples of megalomania, ego and plain old corruption.

The system isn't broken. The system is the problem in the first place.

ABOVE THE FOLD, BREAKING, NOTEWORTHY

"Eisenhower knew what he was talking about. Every president who opposed the CIA, ended a war (even the Cold War), and/or didn’t start a war has either gotten shot or lost reelection. Those who have played nice with them kept their jobs and heads."
Ike Was Right: The Military-Industrial Complex Has Become a Serious Problem
Michael Anton: "There is no permanent solution to the political problem. And this seems to cause some to insist there are no natural standards for truth."
Farewell to Z-Man! Once More on the Question of Natural Right

FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES, CENSORSHIP, FAKE NEWS, MEDIA, BIG BROTHER TECH

Trump's response: "FACEBOOK, which has lost Billions of Dollars in value since 'deplatforming' your favorite President, me, has just announced that they are reinstating my account. Such a thing should never again happen to a sitting President, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution! THANK YOU TO TRUTH SOCIAL FOR DOING SUCH AN INCREDIBLE JOB. YOUR GROWTH IS OUTSTANDING, AND FUTURE UNLIMITED!!!"
Mark Zuckerberg to End Suspension of Donald Trump from Facebook and Instagram
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants, which include the named individuals as well as [so-called quote-unquote "president"] Joe Biden and top officials from a variety of federal agencies, “colluded and/or coerced social media companies to suppress disfavored speakers, viewpoints, and content on social media platforms by labeling the content “dis-information,” “mis-information,” and “mal-formation.”
Judge Orders Biden DHS To Release Files On Agents Who Allegedly Helped Censor Election "Misinformation"
"The Journal’s editorialists were once in the vanguard of the Reagan Revolution but now seem committed to toeing the line for government."
The Wall Street Journal’s Reflexive Opposition to the People
Define the word "journalist" in this context and I will respond accordingly.
Murder of Journalists Rose Nearly 50 Percent in 2022, Report Finds
Bob Zimmerman: "In both cases, the banning occurred because some leftists made unsubstantiated accusations that the line really represented “white supremacy” and thus is racist. No evidence of course was ever presented to prove those allegations, but who cares about evidence in this day and age? All that matters is that the accusation is made, and all must immediately kow-tow to it, even if it destroys the first amendment and the lives of many innocent people."
Today’s blacklisted American: Thin blue line banned on flags in Los Angeles and suburban Philadelphia
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS, THE COURTS, WASTE/FRAUD/ABUSE
"[Punch Bowl News co-founder Jake] Sherman noted in a tweet that Manchin also 'hopes' [so-called quote-unquote "president"] Joe Biden will negotiate with Republicans, who want spending cuts in exchange for their help raising the debt ceiling."
Report: McCarthy Assured Manchin No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare in Debt Ceiling Resolution
"We have plenty of money." (We do? And for what? - jjs)
Rand Paul Fires Back at "Completely Dishonest" Debt Ceiling Doomsday Talk
"It's magical thinking for Republicans say that touching Social Security and Medicare is a nonstarter."
Why Would Republicans Rule Out Social Security and Medicare Reform?
"If House Republicans were serious about making spending cuts at least practical, if not immediately achievable, it’s easily done."
Reduce Federal Spending by Cutting Back Anywhere and Everywhere: A Guide for Bladder Shy, Financially Illiterate Republicans
"Conservatives have far more to learn from FDR than to disdain."
Unwinding the Long Great Society
“The Republican Party must unabashedly champion the interests of the country class.”
How Republicans Sold Out America

* * * * *
"Federal infrastructure law empowers the feds to monitor impaired driving and shut off your car. What could go wrong?"
Big Brother Gets a Seat in Your Car
"A major, unacceptable defeat for our constitutional freedoms." (the list is longer than your arm - jjs)
SCOTUS Defeated: The Leaker Gets Away With It
"A longtime analyst of the public sector offers a provocative solution to America’s government-union problem."
Philip Howard’s Endgame
CIVIL WAR 2.0: J-6 FBI FALSE FLAG "RIOT" & AFTERMATH, LEFTIST PERSECUTIONS, DEMOCRAT PUTSCH, AMERICAN DISSOLUTION
"These twerps, who claim to have no leadership but have the infrastructure to issue statements, are calling for more terrorism."
Turns Out the Atlanta Terrorists Are Children of Privilege
More soundbites and outrage with zero ramifications. PS Elise: The Deep State itself IS the corruption.
Stefanik: Rooting Out Deep State Corruption is a Top Priority for House Republicans
BIDEN CRIME FAMILY REVELATIONS
"The fresh allegation was made after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) blocked Schiff’s appointment to remain on the House Intelligence Committee, where he served as chairman for the last four years."
Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo Accuses Schiff-for-Brains of Leaking Classified Information
Victor Davis Hanson: "One of these things is not like the other."
The Real Differences Between the Biden and Trump Troves
"Laws governing classified documents in private possession have become a primary vehicle to thwart political opponents."
The Real Scandal in the Classified Documents Debacle Is Washington’s Overclassification Problem
"Classified documents about Ukraine were among those discovered at Biden’s home and office. Hunter Biden lived at his dad’s Wilmington, Del., home after his divorce, the same home where classified documents were stored. The email raises red flags because of the way it was written and the amount of detail it contained that Hunter Biden likely would not have known about had he not been made privy to classified information."
Is This Evidence Hunter Biden Had Access to Classified Documents?
"The question of how they were moved is still a mystery. Are we to believe the chief librarians at NARA actually initiated this investigation? The answers to these questions expose its genesis: Hunter Biden’s laptop."
Kash Patel Op-Ed: "Hunter Biden’s Access to Classified Docs Should Concern Everyone. Here’s How We Get to the Bottom of It"
“Those circumstances highlighted in that letter [from Mike Pence’s lawyer Greg Jacob] sound remarkably similar to the situation with [so-called quote-unquote "president"] Joe Biden,” MSNBC’s Chris Hayes suggested after the Pence classified document news broke.
The Usual Suspects Use Pence Classified Docs Story to Absolve Joe Biden, but Not Trump
David Harsanyi: "What possible reason could there be for so many classified documents?"
Our Classified System is a Joke
RED-GREENS, CLIMATE CHANGE HOAX, DEMOCRAT-LEFT WAR ON FOSSIL FUELS, JUNK SCIENCE, LYSENKOISM
"Before scoring coveted role in Biden's Energy Department, Jigar Shah represented China's largest solar companies."
Meet the Biden Energy Official Who Fought To Shield China From US Solar Tariffs
"The Biden [junta] shows a rare flash of prudence by treading lightly around the nationalization of the Mexican lithium industry." (a complete fluke - jjs)
Why Make the Perfect the Enemy of the Good?
"A hideous solution to a non-existent problem." (isn't this really the story of Democrats? - jjs)
Crazy Energy Ideas? Oz Is the Place
THE ECONOMY, STUPID
"Fox News reported that the market crashes in those cities could be worse than 25%."
Top Investment Bank Projects 4 U.S. Cities Will Suffer a 2008-Level Crash in Home Value
"Politicians need to stay out of the way." (like asking Dracula to keep away from a Red Cross blood bank - jjs)
Nationwide Rent Control Is a Dangerous Proposition
AMNESTY, IMMIGRATION, BORDER SECURITY
"Elected leaders like Karen Bass and Eric Adams know that advocating sanctuary policies is a requirement to stay in good standing with their party, so they will likely never abandon them."
Big-City Mayors Get Border-Wise, Policy Foolish
"Fewer than three percent of Hispanic voters think there should be a blanket amnesty."
Poll: Only 14% of Americans Agree With Amnesty for Illegals
CRIME & PUNISHMENT, NON-DOSTOYEVSKY
"Paralyzed by apathy."
School Officials Were Warned About Gun 3 Times Before 6-Year-Old Shot Teacher, Lawyer Says
"The order comes after a coalition of news outlets filed a motion to release the footage on January 11. The coalition included such outlets as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Fox News."
Paul "MC Hammer-oid" Pelosi Attack Footage To Be Released After Court Order
"New CDC data show that the rise in murders isn’t a “red state” or “blue state” problem." (anything from the CDC is axiomatically not to be trusted, but take from this what you will - jjs)
An Update on America’s Homicide Surge
AMERICA AND THE WORLD IMPRISONED: CHINESE CORONAVIRUS FICTIONS AND FACTS
The footage was released late Wednesday night by guerilla journalism outfit Project Veritas, and entirely proves the thesis first mooted by The National Pulse and others, which were routinely dismissed as “conspiracy theories” by politicians, bureaucrats, and the corporate media.
Pfizer Director Says ‘Cash Cow’ Chinese COVID Came from Wuhan lab, and That Pfizer is Doing Similar
"The IG audit concluded that the NIH and EcoHealth both failed to comply with oversight and monitoring procedures, particularly as it pertained to research at the WIV." (gee, who'd've thunk it? - jjs)
NIH, EcoHealth Did Not Properly Monitor Taxpayer Funds, Inspector General Finds
"Medical tyranny starts with medical brainwashing."
Forgiving the Medically Brainwashed in the Post- Chinese COVID Era
SECOND AMENDMENT
"The nearly 90-year-old federal law restricting short-barreled rifles has been superceded by time and technology. It’s past time the Supreme Court took notice."
Why the ATF’s Pistol Brace Ban Is Unconstitutional (the ATF itself is unconstitutional but that's another story - jjs)
EDUCATION, AND WHAT PASSES FOR IT
"Central Bucks Schools shut down despite no waiver from the legislature to close classrooms."
Email Shows Bucks County School Closures Weren’t Just Bad For Kids, They Were Illegal
"Records obtained by Legal Insurrection Foundation reveal that when Bessinger was involuntarily transferred to Classical High in late August 2022, after her middle school whistleblowing retaliation, an influential teacher already was organizing against her based on Bessinger’s viewpoints."
Whistleblower Teacher Ramona Bessinger Targeted For Viewpoint Discrimination At Providence High School Even Before Arrived, Records Reveal
The University of Texas at Austin increased its commitment to implementing social justice policies following demands from student activists in 2016, according to a new National Association of Scholars (NAS) report. The university has since implemented diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into its courses and hold DEI-based trainings and workshops.
Major Red State University Caved To Student Activists To Push ‘Social Justice,’ Report Says
"A case study in what’s happening in academics as real science morphs into narrative support."
Geology Professor Explains How Woke Policies Create Profession “Not Worthy” of His Effort
"The ballooning expansion of administrative spending has driven up tuition costs and funneled money away from instruction." (and the instruction is nothing to brag about either - jjs_
The More Taxpayers Pay for College, the Worse It Gets
DEMOCRAT/LEFTIST AND RINO SCANDALS, MESHUGAS, CHUTZPOCRISY
"The DOJ’s lawsuit alleges that Google has systematically bought out competitors and used its advertising to promote its own products. Alphabet stock dropped $2.71 on Tuesday, but has risen $6.04 since Pelosi sold her stock."
Pelosis Sold Google Stock One Month Before DOJ Announced Antitrust Lawsuit
"Ingrid Gant took more than $400,000 from Arlington Education Association."
Former Teachers' Union President Arrested in Virginia for Embezzlement
POLITICS
"New poll shows elected officials are out of touch with voters."
Elected Officials No Longer Reflect Views, Values of Average Voters, I&I TIPP Poll (but 110% of average Democrat ballots - jjs)
"Whoever wins the Chicago mayoral election will have to contend with two powerful officeholders working to drag the city down."
Headwinds in the Windy City
THE UKRAINIAN "FRONT"
"Germany and Poland are sending tanks, too."
Biden Sending 31 M1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine, Russia Calls the Move ‘Blatant Provocation’
U.S. stockpiles of weapons systems critical to national defense dwindle to levels described as “uncomfortably low,” “insufficient,” “precarious,” and “dangerous” due to the large quantities of these weapons given to Ukraine.
U.S. Weapons Stockpiles “Uncomfortably Low” Due To Arms Shipments to Ukraine
"There’s an increasingly hallucinatory feel to what’s happening in Ukraine as if we’ve wandered into Biden’s personal demented dreams."
In Ukraine, It Appears America Will Soon Be Arming Both Sides' Combatants
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL
"America’s credibility is in doubt."
Our Indo-Pacific Allies Signal That They Don’t Trust the Biden Administration’s Extended Deterrent
"Iran threatens to shutter vital Persian Gulf shipping lane."
US Monitoring Iranian Bid To Establish ‘Military Presence’ in Panama Canal (why are we not telling them we'll blow them out of the water if they dare leave port? - jjs)
"We do not, as Madeline Albright did, think the price is worth it."
The Limits of Number One
"[Karine] Jean-Pierre was responding to a decision Wednesday by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to kick Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) off the House Intelligence Committee for security reasons."
WATCH: White House Claims Anti-Semite, Immigration Fraudster and Incest Aficionado Bro-Fo Omar Has Foreign Policy "Expertise"
FEMINAZISM, TRANSGENDER PSYCHOSIS, HOMOSEXUALIZATION, WAR ON MASCULINITY/NORMALCY
"A transgender who only started identifying as a woman after raping two women is being sent to an all female prison."
You’ll Barely Believe This
“On Tuesday, Francis said there needed to be a distinction between a crime and a sin with regard to homosexuality."
Pope "Fiction" Francis: Homosexual Behavior is ‘a Sin’
CULTURE WARS, NATIONAL SUICIDE
"Has Crowder pulled back the curtain on some ugly practices in the highest echelons of conservative media?"
Steven Crowder versus Big Conservative Media?
"As recently as 2004, 91% of Americans were extremely or very proud to be American and the United States ranked first in the world in national pride."
America’s Future is Bleak When Only 27% of the Younger Generations are Proud to be American
"Your first course in critical paint theory."
Come See the Racism Inherent in the Paint Chip!
"Although set in Ireland, the Oscar nominee’s reflection of the same political strife we see in America is not likely to be accidental."
Irish Tragic-Comedy The Banshees of Inisherin Echoes the Existential Angst of U.S. Politics

NOTE: The opinions expressed in the links may or may not reflect my own. I include them because of their relevance to the discussion of a particular issue.

ALSO: The Morning Report is cross-posted at CutJibNewsletter.com if you want to continue the conversation all day.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at 07:41 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sometime back, Ace-of-Spades convinced me to
read the nearly unreadable, "The True Believer,"
by Eric Hoffer. I've made it to section 87 in
chapter 14, which reads like a description of
good-vs-evil or equivalently, right-vs-left.

To read for free: bit.ly/Archive-True-Believer

Posted by: Marooned at January 26, 2023 07:40 AM (w6hJ9)

2 WTFO??

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 07:40 AM (BRHaw)

3 Hi.

Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at January 26, 2023 07:40 AM (TXFi7)

4 Thank You JJ

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 26, 2023 07:40 AM (uLr+K)

5 The Ramona Bessinger story is shocking. I'm listening to the Sky News interview right now.

"What is wrong with liberty and justice?"

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 07:41 AM (kBHPP)

6 Top 100.

Posted by: CZ=FNG, Free Republic of Florida at January 26, 2023 07:42 AM (MkuC5)

7 hiya

Posted by: JT at January 26, 2023 07:42 AM (T4tVD)

8 HAHAHAHAHA

Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you:

"Your Tax Dollars at Work: Ukrainian Officials Blew $100 Billion in US Uniparty Dollars on Sports Cars, Mansions, Luxury Vacations, etc."

https://tinyurl.com/2o3872bv

(Does Ukraine even have a $100B GDP?)

This is why your eggs cost $5 and your family is experiencing 50%+ real inflation. We're borrowing the money to send to Ukraine so that the officials can blow it on luxury items.

Did you really think this bullshit "war" was anything else?

Posted by: Press Juan For English - There is no path to 270, not even counting GA and NC cheating at January 26, 2023 07:45 AM (KETMo)

9 Good morning horde

Posted by: Skip at January 26, 2023 07:45 AM (I0qVU)

10 "You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

James 4:2-3

Posted by: Marcus T at January 26, 2023 07:46 AM (OYDDz)

11 "Manchin predicted that there would be no social security cuts to anyone already receiving benefits"

That counts as a spending cut, right? (Your spending not theirs)

Posted by: Ripley at January 26, 2023 07:46 AM (cUYo/)

12 Only a fool cannot see our debt will destroy us. Foreign adversaries recognize this and back groups that advocate for more careless tax and spending.
Destroy the beast from within.

Posted by: Redenzo at January 26, 2023 07:46 AM (E7vND)

13 “The FBI and DOJ are ripe for oversight, and they deserve oversight,” she said, while also pledging that investigations would come for the Internal Revenue Service and National Institutes of Health. Both agencies “have run rampant in targeting Americans,” Stefanik said
---------------

There you see it, the mealy-mouthed signal language: "ripe for oversight" means "someone should do something.... someday".

The Republicans won't do a damn thing.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 07:47 AM (kBHPP)

14 House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) that Republcans would not make cuts to social security or Medicare to offset the debt ceiling during a meeting on Tuesday, according to Punch Bowl News co-founder Jake Sherman.

I don't even worry about it anymore. The currency is going to eventually collapse, everything will fall apart shortly after, and we'll be Argentina. Life will go on - it just won't be as good. Nothing anyone's going to do to stop it.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 07:48 AM (ye39K)

15
g'mornin' again, 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at January 26, 2023 07:49 AM (ENBF0)

16 Good morning horde!

Posted by: I used to have a different nic, Ashli Babbitt/Rosanne Boyland at January 26, 2023 07:50 AM (1Z8zZ)

17 MR by JJ Sefton is always a must read... thanks as always. Anyone nood below?

Posted by: NALNAMSAM - not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine at January 26, 2023 07:50 AM (aki9y)

18 I saw Hugh Hewitt making some suggestions about how to address the budget, and one of them was to make eligibility for retirement with social security age 68 v age 65 for those over 50.

I don't know why no one knows about the 1983 social security act. If you were born after 1960, your retirement age is already 67.

Is it too much to ask the pundits to have some minor knowledge of what they are talking about? If you are going to ask Republicans to march into the maw of death which is changing social security, then don't do it over minor changes or stuff that already exists.

Posted by: blaster at January 26, 2023 07:51 AM (pwExq)

19 17 MR by JJ Sefton is always a must read... thanks as always. Anyone nood below?
Posted by: NALNAMSAM - not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine at January 26, 2023 07:50 AM (aki9y)

Personally, I am wearing pants.

Posted by: blaster at January 26, 2023 07:52 AM (pwExq)

20 This is why your eggs cost $5 and your family is experiencing 50%+ real inflation. We're borrowing the money to send to Ukraine so that the officials can blow it on luxury items.

I wrote War is a Racket way back in 1935. Nothing has changed. Nobody listens.

Posted by: Smedley Butler at January 26, 2023 07:52 AM (ye39K)

21 America’s Future is Bleak When Only 27% of the Younger Generations are Proud to be American

Expecting Americans to identify with America and be proud of it and themselves is like asking the marks to be enthusiastic about the grift. Everything is a con or a hustle. The government taxes us but represents others. The profits of big business are private but their externalities are increasingly born by the public. The culture is rotten to the core.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 07:53 AM (KFhLj)

22 name field test

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 07:53 AM (KETMo)

23 Posted by: Press Juan For English - There is no path to 270, not even counting GA and NC cheating at January 26, 2023 07:45 AM (KETMo)
===================
Zelensky is amazing; that ZeroHedge story has a video of him speaking to a Chamber Of Commerce meeting in Boca Raton. He accepts all interview requests I guess!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 07:54 AM (zmX2g)

24 A very small step in the right direction would be McCarthy suggesting Congress passing an actual budget, as per The Constitution, instead of these Continuing Resolution pretend budgets.

Not gonna happen, though. The graft must flow.

Posted by: davidt at January 26, 2023 07:55 AM (SYTee)

25 13 There you see it, the mealy-mouthed signal language: "ripe for oversight" means "someone should do something.... someday".
The Republicans won't do a damn thing.

IKR? New stooges, same tired theater. Conservatives conserving their precious police state

Posted by: Ex-GOP at January 26, 2023 07:55 AM (Fj8Gx)

26 Some years ago, Republicans and Democrats alike, weakened the eligibility requirements for Social Security Disability. That included opening it up to foreign born nationals who never paired into it. That included the parents of people who had become citizens. Take a look at Social Security spending and you will see since that was passed, it moved the fund significantly closer to insolvency.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 26, 2023 07:55 AM (OYDDz)

27 CARE TO PLAY A GAME OF GLOBAL THERMONUCLEAR WAR?

Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at January 26, 2023 07:56 AM (TXFi7)

28 Gosh, who could've seen this coming? And they're just gettin started. Idiots.

"Driving 100 Miles in an EV Is Now More Expensive Than in an ICE"

https://tinyurl.com/2zrmbprk

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 07:56 AM (KETMo)

29 I'm all for cutting back on entitlement but my SS benefit is a substantial amount of my income at this point in my life. I lost everything in a terrible marriage and divorce.

I already own nothing other than a car and am happy because I can get along. I live a very low cost and solitary existence. I pick up an odd job here and their mostly for personal satisfaction.

But I fear that the people with the loudest voices are going to keep getting their "fair share" and quiet people like me are going to get screwed. It's probably the fear of every aging while male has that they will squeeze us the most because it's supported everything up to now.

Posted by: pawn at January 26, 2023 07:56 AM (wsHtO)

30 Anyone nood below?

I did.

Posted by: jewells45 fuck cancer at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (nxdel)

31 "It's magical thinking for Republicans say that touching Social Security and Medicare is a nonstarter."

--

The only thing I can say in their defense is this. Cutting SS or Medicare is simply not an option to most Americans. And that's the way they would see it...and it's the only way they'd see it. It's an unwinnable position, even if your reforms are the only thing that will stave off the coming disaster.

There is only one option left, and that's collapse. A sad truth.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (sVtYq)

32 'The Federal government hasn't been "weaponized." The Federal government IS. THE. WEAPON."

FEDERAL bureaucrats who do not exist do not enforce freedom-killing regulations.

JJ's statement is an immutable truth.

Posted by: Voter theater. at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (omU9l)

33 26 Posted by: Marcus T at January 26, 2023 07:55 AM (OYDDz)

I understand that SSD is actually insolvent right now. But what does that really mean when the Treasury's printing presses run nonstop?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (x0n13)

34 Pope "Fiction" Francis: Homosexual Behavior is ‘a Sin’

I don't know if you've seen this, JJ, but there is a new, posthumously published book by Pope Benedict that exposes the lavender mafia in the RCC:

https://tinyurl.com/32ecy6pd

According to the newspaper Our Sunday Visitor, the book also slams Frankie Fabulous, but I can't find a proper link at their website or anywhere else.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (AW0uW)

35 I saw Hugh Hewitt making some suggestions about how to address the budget, and one of them was to make eligibility for retirement with social security age 68 v age 65 for those over 50.

I don't know why no one knows about the 1983 social security act. If you were born after 1960, your retirement age is already 67.
=======================
I wondered the same thing. I can receive SS at 67 but "full retirement benefits" is already set at 70 years old anyway, meaning SS offers a financial incentive to people not to get benefits, even if you qualify, for those extra three years.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 07:58 AM (zmX2g)

36 Some years ago, Republicans and Democrats alike, weakened the eligibility requirements for Social Security Disability.

12.4% of my wages over my lifetime have been taken by the Federal Government and given to others - 6.2% by me, matched by my employer. And now they're telling me its not enough, they need more, and I need less ? Pull the other one - its got bells on it.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 07:59 AM (ye39K)

37 34 Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (AW0uW)

I linked Benedict's book yesterday. But good to keep this in the forefront.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 07:59 AM (x0n13)

38 Do not cut a fucking dime from SS or Medicare until parasitic Ukraine, NATO and UN are zeroed out. And the alphabet agencies are deleted.

Posted by: Ex-GOP at January 26, 2023 08:00 AM (Fj8Gx)

39 Yonder Horde.

Know what else keeps us in line? Taxes.

What do you suppose would happen if (IF) 200 million individuals quit paying taxes? Along with 2/3 of the businesses. Assuming this could happen at once.

Of course the junta's going to go after us, but it's unlikely they'd be able to swarm 200M people and 2/3 of businesses with 87K agents. And the electronic banking? That works both ways too.

A national tax strike... a pipedream but nonetheless it might be effective.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 26, 2023 08:01 AM (Q4IgG)

40 I linked Benedict's book yesterday. But good to keep this in the forefront.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 07:59 AM (x0n13)

Oh, sorry, JJ, I missed that, since it was a day off for me. I don't read the MR every day.

**hangs head in shame**

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 08:01 AM (AW0uW)

41 I don't even worry about it anymore. The currency is going to eventually collapse, everything will fall apart shortly after, and we'll be Argentina. Life will go on - it just won't be as good. Nothing anyone's going to do to stop it.

My thoughts exactly. Cloward-Piven in practice.

Given the junta knew in advance that a Vax Mandate was unconstitutional, they openly acknowledged it, yet a few months later implemented it because they knew there were zero consequences for imposing it other than the humiliation of repeated court losses.

Since they have no shame, it means nothing. Millions suffered, tens of thousands died and no consequences.

Now do that again for the so-called "debt ceiling". What would happen if the junta ignored it and just kept sending out money as if there was no "debt-ceiling" ?

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:01 AM (l7lsb)

42 the PV thing ... this time it actually iS a bombshell

I knew SARS II was lab-created - note never-found zoonotic link? note how poorly it fared out-of-doors? - but confirmation is still scary.

and that the idiots at Pfizer are gleefully doing gain-of-function on it NOW ...

the SPIKE is the manufactured part. the truly dangerous part. I guess the virus in the wild wasn't kill-y enough so they made shots to force your own body to replicate it?

Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (w0NJk)

43 "More hearings where Jim Jordan can huff and puff while nothing ever comes of it."

Jordan-the king of Harumph, Harumph and more Harumph.

Monster on the wrestling mat.
P*ssy extraordinaire in the political arena.

Posted by: Voter theater. at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (omU9l)

44 40 **hangs head in shame**
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 08:01 AM (AW0uW)

I don't take attendance.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (x0n13)

45 It's National Peanut Brittle Day...

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (NpAcC)

46 "I understand that SSD is actually insolvent right now. But what does that really mean when the Treasury's printing presses run nonstop?
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 07:57 AM (x0n13)"

I think that's more an an example of where we can "cut" Social Security Disability.

This idea that Democrats peddle every time that "they're going to take away your SS or Medicare" is the big lie and Republicans need to articulate that. The way that's accomplished is by floating specific ideas like getting people out of it (like foreign nationals) who never paid into it or by making reforms that kick people out of Medicare (or Medicaid) who are not eligible.

Nobody is taking grannies SS or SSD. They are preserving it for her by kicking out the grifters who have bankrupt the system.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 26, 2023 08:03 AM (OYDDz)

47 Know what else keeps us in line? Taxes.

The glorious 16th Amendment - the one that completely and totally transformed the FUSA from We The People who has a servant government, to a model where we are chattel slaves to the ruling class.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:03 AM (l7lsb)

48 43 Jordan-the king of Harumph, Harumph and more Harumph.

Monster on the wrestling mat.
P*ssy extraordinaire in the political arena.

Posted by: Voter theater. at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (omU9l)

"I know, right?"

- - Trey Gowdy, tres gaudy

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:03 AM (x0n13)

49 "New poll shows elected officials are out of touch with voters."
Elected Officials No Longer Reflect Views, Values of Average Voters, I&I TIPP Poll

--

Um, then it is prudent at this stage to pay close attention to whom you are casting your vote.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 26, 2023 08:04 AM (sVtYq)

50 And it's Clashing Clothes Day...
dress accordingly.

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:04 AM (NpAcC)

51 The Karine Jean Pierre speech in favor of Brother Lover Olhan Omar is painful to watch. How did such a caricature become Press Secretary to the Delusional Resident? America is an absolute mess: voters elect a stroke victim who can't read or talk, tolerates the theft of elections, allows the Junta to unilaterally ignore immigration law and illegally give welfare to those same migrants...

Meanwhile, Democrats celebrate "public employment is path to prosperity", or whatever the hell the disgusting Josh Shapiro said.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:06 AM (zmX2g)

52 Kabuki, under the facepaint, all the same.

Posted by: Eromero at January 26, 2023 08:06 AM (1vBNQ)

53 "Nobody is taking grannies SS or SSD. They are preserving it for her by kicking out the grifters who have bankrupt the system."

So explain why the grifters ended up getting these benefits in the first place. They have advocates in DC that manipulate to laws for their benefit.

Who is speaking for Granny anymore?

Posted by: pawn at January 26, 2023 08:07 AM (wsHtO)

54
Social Security and Medicare (SS and M) only 'work' because 2.2 workers pay into it every week for every recipient. In France their system only has 1.7 workers per recipient and it's a battle royal to raise the retirement age.

The shit hits the SS and M fan when the labor force participation factor drops too low. It had been dropping for 20 years before Trump had it heading north again. Then covid.

I tell my own leftist sister who is on SS and M to vote in her own self interest, which is a vibrant economy with lots of workers. I'm sure she still voted for shit-for-brains.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 08:07 AM (enJYY)

55 It's National Peanut Brittle Day...

--

You know what is the best peanut brittle? Hammond's Peanut Squares. Those things are like crack*.

* I've never had crack. It was used for illustrative purposes only!

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 26, 2023 08:07 AM (sVtYq)

56 The glorious 16th Amendment - the one that completely and totally transformed the FUSA from We The People who has a servant government, to a model where we are chattel slaves to the ruling class.

Another glorious decision to curtail their own freedoms made by the American people in the 20th Century. That's the thing. Americans did most of this to themselves. Our central government didn't "take" this power. It was freely given, each and every time.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:07 AM (ye39K)

57 @43

>>Monster on the wrestling mat.
P*ssy extraordinaire in the political arena.

The only real power that congress has is exercised through legislation and spending, that's it.

Everything else is a multi-act, bravura performance The Aristocrats.

Which the GOP excels at.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 26, 2023 08:08 AM (2K0N+)

58 Gooooooooood morning, Morons!!!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:08 AM (t0OGg)

59 'If we're really honest with ourselves, too many of us look upon "entitlements" as just that. Sure, we paid into it and of course are "entitled" to get the returns, but it's bankrupt.'

The original 'it's a tax' decision came from the supreme court in 1934. When the feds were sued over the idea of social security, they ruled that no one was entitled to any money from the system, because it was merely a tax, on top of the original income tax.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 26, 2023 08:09 AM (lTGtQ)

60 "University of Bergen is sponsoring research into the burning question of whether and how white paint contributes to white supremacy and why Norway should feel guilty about it because of its role in it."

Uh-oh. It won't be long before the Left will demand we have more black names of paint colors than white..
Black Paint Matters.

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:09 AM (NpAcC)

61 the SPIKE is the manufactured part. the truly dangerous part. I guess the virus in the wild wasn't kill-y enough so they made shots to force your own body to replicate it?

Posted by: BlackOrchid

--

And both cause "long COVID", which is reactivation of viruses your body had defeated in the past.

Likely cancers, too.

THAT was the weapon. The initial death of elderly people was useful, but massive weakening and sickening and ultimate death of the population through vague "oh, he got sick and died" is utter brilliance.

And it was designed that way.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:10 AM (KETMo)

62 42 the PV thing ... this time it actually iS a bombshell
Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (w0NJk)

Its just crazy how this story is getting overlooked and buried. In a sane world there would be a bloodthirsty mob at Pfizer corporate headquarters this morning.

Posted by: Word to your mother at January 26, 2023 08:10 AM (3uf3+)

63 Anyone nood below?

I did.
Posted by: jewells45 fuck cancer

woo-woo !

Posted by: JT at January 26, 2023 08:10 AM (T4tVD)

64 If Kevin McCarthy really wanted to impress me and perhaps begin to gain some of my respect, he would be leading the charge in dismantling the Federal government. That is, not just cutting the budget ... {b}ut in real terms actually cutting spending.
++++
In a targeted way. Yeah, there are catastrophic spending problems that need to be dealt with systematically. But retribution should come first. Make the DoJ's budget a million bucks for starters. Not zero, but rather an insultingly, uselessly small number.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:10 AM (t0OGg)

65 the size and scope of government is in direct proportion to the freedom and prosperity that is lost by the individual citizen.
++++
Yup. The larger the state, the smaller the man.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:11 AM (t0OGg)

66 'If we're really honest with ourselves, too many of us look upon "entitlements" as just that. Sure, we paid into it and of course are "entitled" to get the returns, but it's bankrupt."

Then let it bankrupt. I'm not paying 12.4% of my wages, over fifty years, simply to walk up to the pay window when its finally my turn just to hear "sorry, you need to take this one on the chin - for the good of the system".

Before I willingly accept one thin dime less than the original bargain, I insist the entire thing fall. The sooner the better. I'm spiteful like that.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:12 AM (ye39K)

67 My mother used to make peanut brittle at Christmas every year. She had a dresser from her mother that had a marble top piece on it, and we would bring the top into the kitchen. After making the peanut concoction, she would pour out the mixture onto the marble to cool, then we would help her break it apart and put (most) of it into cans to give away. A good memory.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:12 AM (zmX2g)

68

*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at January 26, 2023 08:12 AM (vwCZJ)

69 But retribution should come first. Make the DoJ's budget a million bucks for starters. Not zero, but rather an insultingly, uselessly small number.

Just enough to cover the lease payments on offices within private buildings.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:13 AM (l7lsb)

70 I have a thought, cut the pay increase nancy gave the house members back to what it was before. Will it save billions, no, but it's the fair thing to do, the right thing to do, it's equity, etc, etc, etc.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 26, 2023 08:13 AM (2NHgQ)

71 10-15 Years ago I was saying and actually would have accepted a deal to opt out of SS and the govt can keep every penny had payed in for 30+years, just stop the mandatory contributions and let me go my own way. But no, that was mean and racist and unfair or something. Fine. Now that I am closing in on retirement age I want to claw as much back as I can before everything collapses and will gladly punish the youth that voted overwhelmingly for this shit. Have fun working and paying into a system you will never see a penny of (unless you are an anchor baby) I do feel bad for those that have voted responsibly, they need to take it up with their peers.

Posted by: Ripley at January 26, 2023 08:13 AM (cUYo/)

72 I'm 60 and plan on not getting SS until I reach 70. I'll be working long past that because I wasn't as good as I should have been saving. I don't mind because I like working and don't have any grand plans for retirement anyway. I just hope in some form it is there for me and my husband who is 63.

Posted by: Jaimo at January 26, 2023 08:13 AM (DBrN4)

73 Mornin’, All. Happy Thursday.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 08:14 AM (bc9SP)

74 He did, however, indicate “He was open to raising the income cap for Social Security taxes,” according to the article.
++++
That's pretty routine. It's gone from around $120k a few years ago to something like $160k this year.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:14 AM (t0OGg)

75 Its just crazy how this story is getting overlooked and buried. In a sane world there would be a bloodthirsty mob at Pfizer corporate headquarters this morning.

maybe releasing the reports at 8-9 pm isn't that helpful? gives them the whole night to fuck around. and they did here - scrubbed the guy's linked in and all his social and the narrative is he didn't even work at Pfizer (which is false but they did enough overnight for plausible deniability)

Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 26, 2023 08:14 AM (w0NJk)

76 I don't take attendance.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (x0n13)

Present

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:15 AM (BRHaw)

77 Its just crazy how this story is getting overlooked and buried. In a sane world there would be a bloodthirsty mob at Pfizer corporate headquarters this morning.
Posted by: Word to your mother at January 26, 2023 08:10 AM (3uf3+)

They're monsters, enemies of humanity, and must be stopped. Who will do it?

Posted by: Ordinary American at January 26, 2023 08:15 AM (H8QX8)

78 Happy Thursday one and all.

Posted by: NR Pax at January 26, 2023 08:15 AM (4olE8)

79 76 I don't take attendance.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (x0n13)

Present
Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:15 AM (BRHaw)

The guy gets enough presents as it is, what with all those birthdays.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:16 AM (9UlRk)

80 "The order comes after a coalition of news outlets filed a motion to release the footage on January 11. The coalition included such outlets as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Fox News."
Paul "MC Hammer-oid" Pelosi Attack Footage To Be Released After Court Order
============================
Amazing.

Next up, go after the Epstein client list.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:16 AM (zmX2g)

81 Former President Donald Trump has sternly warned Republicans against making cuts to either social security or Medicare, noting that there was plenty of wasteful spending that could be cut instead.
+++++
Trump is wrong. It's a political football and likely a suicide mission to attempt reform and so from a political cycle standpoint, I can understand ignoring the problem. But this is *the* the problem in the budget. Social Security is fixable. Increasing the retirement age and upping the tax threshold will lessen the blow considerably.

Medicare is not fixable. Medicare (and other federal medical spending) is what detonates the budget, not social security.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:16 AM (t0OGg)

82 Thx for the morning report ,JJ. A definite big bucket of crappy news. Stay strong Horde and trust in the Lord

Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 26, 2023 08:16 AM (dHzaG)

83 The article about SBRs and pistol braces proves the BATF has a Department of Making up Shit as We Go Along. There is so much contradiction within their regulations. Example. A 12" barreled 92 Winchester is OK because it's a curio or relic. Go ahead and attach that holster shoulder stock to that C96 Mauser. That's OK. Likewise Lugers. The pistol brace ruling is so obviously a political stunt under the heading of "see, we did something". Maybe Clarence Thomas and others will tell the BATF to just work on untaxed cigarettes and moonshine.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at January 26, 2023 08:17 AM (lz5hY)

84 Its just crazy how this story is getting overlooked and buried. In a sane world there would be a bloodthirsty mob at Pfizer corporate headquarters this morning.

You ever stop and wonder how much people in some parts of the world hate us, just for being a safe haven for corporations that at best simply exploit the shit out of them - and at worst are absolutely malevolent ? I wonder sometimes, now. The thought would have never crossed my mind back in the 90s.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:17 AM (ye39K)

85 In the Age or RONA, it is good to go back in time to watch Season 2, Episode 10 of, "South Park - Chickenpox."

Love Was Out to Get Me,
The Monkees

Posted by: Marooned at January 26, 2023 08:17 AM (w6hJ9)

86 “The FBI and DOJ are ripe for oversight, and they deserve oversight,” she said, while also pledging that investigations would come for the Internal Revenue Service and National Institutes of Health. Both agencies “have run rampant in targeting Americans,” Stefanik said, adding that Congress has a “constitutional duty” to conduct meaningful oversight.
++++
Perhaps. I would argue that you have a constitutional duty to do your damn jobs. Just cut them. Reduce their funding. Radically. They're rotten boroughs within the federal government. Time for some urban renewal.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:18 AM (t0OGg)

87 I don't know what is so difficult about phasing out SS year by year. Every year that goes by, those people born that year pay less in taxes and get less at retirement. If you're already printing monopoly money to cover it, who the hell cares if you're shrinking the base of the pyramid?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:19 AM (9UlRk)

88 The fact that someone like Lois Lerner is free as a bird and enjoys a big fat pension that, along with Social Security, our tax dollars also fund does not make me get all excited about Stefanik's tough talk.
++++
What? You mean that committee hearings and rough-and-tumble soundbites that result in "recommendations" for improved self-regulation within the executive and no other action, all occurring on the eve of massive budget increases don't move the needle for you? What are you, some kind of reactionary?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:19 AM (t0OGg)

89 Wind power is a total bust. Land-based windmills are failing, and falling over, while sea-based windmills are killing whales. Power generation is intermittent at best and a danger to grid integrity wherever it is used.

In a rational world, large scale wind power projects would be abandoned.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:20 AM (zmX2g)

90 "More hearings where Jim Jordan can huff and puff while nothing ever comes of it."
"Jordan-the king of Harumph, Harumph and more Harumph."

He's not even the King of it, he sucks at it. He has his staff write a couple bullet points, which he then memorizes and repeats on a loop for weeks.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 08:20 AM (76Foq)

91 44 I don’t take attendance.

Does that mean we can blow off the final exam?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (bc9SP)

92 "I've got classified documents!" is the new "I'm SSpartacus!"

Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (ykeLU)

93
If you can't stop funding PBS / NPR, organizations that treat conservatives like nazis treated jews, you are worthless as an opposition party and a greater enemy to those you claim to represent that those oppressing us.

Posted by: Auspex at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (j4U/Z)

94 Bush tried to float a SS plan in 2005 to allow higher income people to opt out and forfeit money but in return get a system to taxed retirement funds at around 10 to 12%.

I paid up to about 550k(both my side and employers side) (ps I was the employer about 50%) into SS. If I had that and could make 6% average I would get around 33k per year. I get a little under 30k with SS. If the 550k was mine when I go tits up the 550k would go to my family.

PS Black working men get the worst returns on SS as they die younger and retire later.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (BRHaw)

95 How about we cut every single penny of foreign aid, including to Israel and Ukraine, until our books balance.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (u93Yj)

96 95 How about we cut every single penny of foreign aid, including to Israel and Ukraine, until our books balance.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (u93Yj)

fuck yeah

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:22 AM (BRHaw)

97 I don't know what is so difficult about phasing out SS year by year.

Gingrich proposed it - and was vilified for his efforts. Apparently, older generations get real pissy if younger generations don't enthusiastically support the same pyramid scheme.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:22 AM (ye39K)

98 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:23 AM (Zz0t1)

99 Fewer than three percent of Hispanic voters think there should be a blanket amnesty."
Poll: Only 14% of Americans Agree With Amnesty for Illegals

My guess is it is really less than 5%.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:23 AM (BRHaw)

100 100

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:23 AM (BRHaw)

101 In a rational world, large scale wind power projects would be abandoned.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:20 AM (zmX2g)

In a rational world, we'd have engineers and financiers who understand that "scaling up" is not the same as "making bigger".

The concept of wind power is neutral. It's just a technology. What's bad is idiots who don't know what the hell they are doing posing as "experts" and bilking money from the public for their asinine vanity projects in service to their death cult.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:23 AM (9UlRk)

102 If you can't stop funding PBS / NPR, organizations that treat conservatives like nazis treated jews, you are worthless as an opposition party and a greater enemy to those you claim to represent that those oppressing us.
Posted by: Auspex at January 26, 2023 08:21 AM (j4U/Z)
++++
Yup. Especially because the problems that PBS and NPR were ostensibly created to solve - limited bandwidth and thus natural oligopoly in broadcasting - no longer exist.

But cutting the funding isn't enough. They should not get free or subsidized spectrum licenses - a big chunk of the *real* subsidy and it is non-cash. Beyond that, the agencies should be eliminated.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:24 AM (t0OGg)

103 I don't know what is so difficult about phasing out SS year by year. Every year that goes by, those people born that year pay less in taxes and get less at retirement. If you're already printing monopoly money to cover it, who the hell cares if you're shrinking the base of the pyramid?

Everyone knows it is a massive Ponzi scheme, from the day it began to the day that the FUSA goes under.

Here is why they will always find money to fund SSI:
Because the moment the Feds kill it, they no longer can justify the massive SSI taxes it levies on wage slaves.

It will come bundled in some incredibly massive and fucked up overhaul of the entire tax system, and the current composition of Congresscritters are too evil, stupid, lazy and corrupt to come together with something, rather it will be hand delivered to them by a Think Tank, along with a manufactured crisis of global scope to create the panic and the public to scream DO SOMETHING!!

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:24 AM (l7lsb)

104 It is an insane proposal to start with, when they could have started with a clause just removing the funding for the 87K IRS agents. You do something POPULAR, not something intended to have you lose 2024, at your 1st shot at little power.

As for entitlements, my shock of the week was that pre-Covid, 47% of SNAP benefits went to Social Security receipients (per fed gov stats). So, if you cut SS, I'm sure those 47% will just have to be put on another program b/c there is no way you can politically win by saying your plan is to starve grandma...

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:24 AM (exHjb)

105
I have a new program for my medical care. It's sort of a concierge style but instead of a Dr I have one fixed Nurse/Practitioner who makes house calls. A lot of zoom style meetings and questions and answers back and forth within a secure portal/website.

So far, so good. Innovation is good. Whether it saves money in the long run is the question.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 08:24 AM (enJYY)

106 "Wind power is a total bust."

FARRRRRRRT!

Posted by: Whoopie at January 26, 2023 08:25 AM (iayUP)

107 Good morning kids. So, Kevin McLuntz is now being praised for unflinchingly doing what anyone in his position had to do without even giving it a second thought in kicking Schiff-for-Brains, Flatulent Fang-Banging Swallwell and the Jew-hating Bro-Fo the hell off of the intelligence committees. The cherry on the parfait was telling the propagandists to go eff themselves when they attacked him. Bravo. Well done. And for me, big friggin' deal.

Not only should they be kicked off every committee and their security clearances revoked, they should be INVESTIGATED and TRIED for crimes they've committed against this country.

Last I checked, treason was illegal and punishable by hanging. They sold their souls to China and gave secrets to them, hurting the sovereignty of this nation and should be punished for it.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:25 AM (Zz0t1)

108 How about we tell illegal gimmegrants to show up at the Social Security offices to pick up their government benefits and slap cuffs on them when they do, then load them on to a train down to Mexico and tell them not to come back until they've fixed their own country.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:26 AM (u93Yj)

109 The nearly 90-year-old federal law restricting short-barreled rifles has been superceded by time and technology. It’s past time the Supreme Court took notice."

--

The funny part is I can only find one (1) instance of anyone using a pistol with brace to commit a crime in the last 10 years. Big problem that needs to be fixed? No. Something white men buy and own and don't commit crimes with.

Here's an actual problem. "Switches", yo. Guess the demographic? Go ahead. Guess.

https://tinyurl.com/2lblp3y4

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:26 AM (KETMo)

110 I'm not yet eligible for SS but the day I am I'm pulling every goddamn dollar I can, for as long as I can. If it goes tits up in the next 2-3 before I'm eligible, then so be it. But between now and then I'm going to look at every possible dodge I can use to reduce my tax footprint in order to deny FedGov my earnings.

Thinking about going off shore. For the money... maybe myself too.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 26, 2023 08:26 AM (Q4IgG)

111 87 I don't know what is so difficult about phasing out SS year by year. Every year that goes by, those people born that year pay less in taxes and get less at retirement. If you're already printing monopoly money to cover it, who the hell cares if you're shrinking the base of the pyramid?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:19 AM (9UlRk)

Never being elected as a party to another office again b/c old people rebel and vote 95-5 from then on, once the group out of power regains it...

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:26 AM (exHjb)

112 Gingrich proposed it - and was vilified for his efforts. Apparently, older generations get real pissy if younger generations don't enthusiastically support the same pyramid scheme.
Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:22 AM (ye39K)

Regan's plan did that by moving from 59.5 to 62.5 for partial and 67.5 YO for full. It was suppose to go to 70. or 72.5 if I remember so that people born after 70 or so would opt out taking to IRA or 401k option.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:26 AM (BRHaw)

113 Last I checked, treason was illegal and punishable by hanging. They sold their souls to China and gave secrets to them, hurting the sovereignty of this nation and should be punished for it.

I'm gonna' go out on a limb here, and say that Congress isn't going to investigate, expose, and punish itself for something that at least a third of its membership in both parties is doing.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (ye39K)

114 Medicare is not fixable

********

Sure it is. You just need the Hip Nazi™!

"You're too old. No hip for YOU!!"
"You smoke. No hip for YOU!!"
"Nor vaxxed? No hip for YOU!!"
"You retweeted Trump? No hip for YOU!"

Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (ykeLU)

115 "Has Crowder pulled back the curtain on some ugly practices in the highest echelons of conservative media?"

I guess but the bigger question is, why did everyone pretend The Daily Wire was a valuable part of conservative media in the first place? Most of the people here understood how worthless they are.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (76Foq)

116 The fact that someone like Lois Lerner is free as a bird and enjoys a big fat pension
--

Fun fact:

Here 2nd in command is in charge of the 87,000 new IRS agents.

Probably just a coincidence though.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (KETMo)

117
As for entitlements, my shock of the week was that pre-Covid, 47% of SNAP benefits went to Social Security receipients (per fed gov stats). So, if you cut SS, I'm sure those 47% will just have to be put on another program b/c there is no way you can politically win by saying your plan is to starve grandma...

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:24 AM

Yeah, that's fvcked up. People decide not to work and end up with a small SS check. But the govmint steps in and gives them extra money for heating, food, and rent. So they end up as well off as the person who worked 50 years.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (enJYY)

118 10-15 Years ago I was saying and actually would have accepted a deal to opt out of SS and the govt can keep every penny had payed in for 30+years, just stop the mandatory contributions and let me go my own way. But no, that was mean and racist and unfair or something. Fine. Now that I am closing in on retirement age I want to claw as much back as I can before everything collapses and will gladly punish the youth that voted overwhelmingly for this shit. Have fun working and paying into a system you will never see a penny of (unless you are an anchor baby) I do feel bad for those that have voted responsibly, they need to take it up with their peers.
Posted by: Ripley

Double fistbump!

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:28 AM (7rC9u)

119 We talked about this years ago, when SS was last threatened with bankruptcy, but Chile has a great system for retirement. Everyone pays into their private retirement account at a legally mandated rate, and the government oversees investment vehicles to make certain they are trustworthy. Citizens direct their own investments within that approved group of plans. There is a safety-net for the truly poor. No one falls through, and the government budget is not strained by retirement costs.

But, we don't have that system. We have a socialised system, and it is a budget-buster.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:28 AM (zmX2g)

120 So far, so good. Innovation is good. Whether it saves money in the long run is the question.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 08:24 AM (enJYY)

We have a $70 per month system like that here in Houston and Amazon now has a doc service.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:28 AM (BRHaw)

121 "You're too old. No hip for YOU!!"
"You smoke. No hip for YOU!!"
"Nor vaxxed? No hip for YOU!!"
"You retweeted Trump? No hip for YOU!"
Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (ykeLU)

Obama, is that you?

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:29 AM (BRHaw)

122 It was suppose to go to 70. or 72.5 if I remember so that people born after 70 or so would opt out taking to IRA or 401k option.

12.4%. Let's keep that number in mind. I'm paying 12.4% of my wages into that damn system. And they're telling me it's not enough ? Screw that. Tell that story walking.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:29 AM (ye39K)

123 114 Medicare is not fixable

********

Sure you do - as Obamacare tried to set up, you just need death panels.

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:30 AM (exHjb)

124 Trump is wrong.

Not as a practical matter he's not. The GOP controls the House by next to nothing, doesn't have the Senate or the presidency. What the fuck is the point in even talking about cutting entitlement spending in this environment? The pleasure of being right? This is like Miss Lindsey talking about abortion rights before the election. The GOP should drink a nice piping hot cup of shut the fuck up. They're excellent at saying nothing, so this is right in their wheelhouse. Politics: how are it done?

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (KFhLj)

125 Talking about reforming SS and Medicare/Medicade is a nice but will lead nowhere. The public has been conditioned to panicking whenever this option is talked about. It's been insolvent for years due to congress stealing the funds for other crap items they've made law. Cut the useless spending we see everywhere. NPR, idiotic studies (why are lesbians overweight and the like), foreign aid, and hundreds more. But the bottom line is the house needs to present a yearly budget that doesn't bankrupt the US. SS reform is a favorite here at the HQ, but will not happen, nor will it go away unless everything around it collapses. And then we are truly screwed.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (2NHgQ)

126 How about we walk into every federal office in the country and tell them to cut their staff by 25%, starting with those that haven't qualified for a full government re to retirement.

Tell the department heads you want the list by 5 pm, or else they are the first one fired and you will select the rest like a military draft.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (u93Yj)

127 Pretty sure SCOTUS will be taking both the ATF and a bunch of circuit courts to the woodshed in the next year or so. ATF doesn't have the power to change the law and definitions. That's exactly why they're doing and the 5th Circuit bump stock ruling, et al, presages some tough times ahead for them. I think the Brace ruling will be much more interesting and can actually lead to questioning parts of the NFA related to SBR's and the whole taxing issue.

Semi auto rifle bans, sensitive places and things like standard magazines will probably be ruled on from a post Bruen perspective within the next year. A lot of that unconstitutional garbage is about to be taken out with the trash.

Posted by: Marcus T at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (OYDDz)

128 Gingrich proposed it - and was vilified for his efforts. Apparently, older generations get real pissy if younger generations don't enthusiastically support the same pyramid scheme.

Going back a few generations a man could work, his wife managed the household and through some combination of savings, pension and multi-generational families working together a couple could retire with the SSI as a nice little subsidy.

Then it was decided that destroying the family, debasing the currency and raising the costs of everything through taxes and regulation was somehow an improvement. Family disintegrated, savings blown and companies offshored and ended pensions.

I live off every third paycheck from my regular gig (side hustles go straight to the investment portfolio) yet I'm wondering, given the promise of eternal double-digit inflation if retirement is possible.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (l7lsb)

129 Trumps warning was that trying to change SS/Medicare would consume the GOP majority, and eventually end it. My read is he was saying "it's a target-rich environment of things to change, and take that problem on later, when you've proven yourselves to voters".

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:32 AM (zmX2g)

130 Waaay too much math this morning.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 08:32 AM (bc9SP)

131 Semi auto rifle bans, sensitive places and things like standard magazines will probably be ruled on from a post Bruen perspective within the next year. A lot of that unconstitutional garbage is about to be taken out with the trash.

Not if I have anything to say about it, sonny boy !!!

Posted by: John Roberts at January 26, 2023 08:32 AM (ye39K)

132 None of the alternative energy technologies are economically sound. It is the perversion of the marketplace by special interests influencing the lawmakers and media covering for them.

I worked in the alt energy field for 10 years. Trying to get the most effective alt technologies to compete with the established fossil fuels could only be done by escalating the costs and peak oil was a thing back then.

The government needs to get the hell out of picking winners and losers but it lines their pockets and makes the DC dysfunctional machine limp along the road to civilizational peril.

Posted by: pawn at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (wsHtO)

133 "Cut government spending, but not my government spending."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (LvTSG)

134
I guess but the bigger question is, why did everyone pretend The Daily Wire was a valuable part of conservative media in the first place? Most of the people here understood how worthless they are.
Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 08:27 AM (76Foq)

Ben Shapiro's wife is a DOCTOR not a scientist!!!! And he made a LIBERAL TEARS TUMBLER!!!!! He's ONE OF US!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (Zz0t1)

135 124 Trump is wrong.

Not as a practical matter he's not. The GOP controls the House by next to nothing, doesn't have the Senate or the presidency. What the fuck is the point in even talking about cutting entitlement spending in this environment? The pleasure of being right? This is like Miss Lindsey talking about abortion rights before the election. The GOP should drink a nice piping hot cup of shut the fuck up. They're excellent at saying nothing, so this is right in their wheelhouse. Politics: how are it done?
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (KFhLj)

Amen - we have 1 of 3 power sources, and have that one by about 5 votes...now is the time to do the popular cuts, not the unpopular ones...

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (exHjb)

136 The GOP is always the most strident when they are the most impotent.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (9UlRk)

137 McCarthy does what should be (and should already have been) SOP for any republican leader, and gently rebukes a reporter ("with all due respect"!) and there's oohing and aahing all around. The cool ruthlessness required to deal with the Left is so far beyond people like McCarthy.

Posted by: Ordinary American at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (H8QX8)

138 "Cut government spending, but not my government spending."
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (LvTSG)

"Save all the children, but not the British children."

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (Zz0t1)

139 How bout we go down to the government housing projects with military recruiters and tell young fighting aged men they have two choices, join the military or learn a trade. The handouts are done you have 6 months to get the hell out of the housing projects because they are going to be torn down.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (u93Yj)

140 We talked about this years ago, when SS was last threatened with bankruptcy, but Chile has a great system for retirement. Everyone pays into their private retirement account at a legally mandated rate, and the government oversees investment vehicles to make certain they are trustworthy. Citizens direct their own investments within that approved group of plans. There is a safety-net for the truly poor. No one falls through, and the government budget is not strained by retirement costs.

But, we don't have that system. We have a socialised system, and it is a budget-buster.
Posted by: Huck Follywood

We had that system. Until government realized just how fucking much money was sitting there that they could steal and use to buy votes.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:34 AM (7rC9u)

141
IT'S THOR'S DAY!!!!!

YAAARRRRRGGGG!!!!

Oh, Great Thor, Underwear Sporting god of Thunder let fly thy Mighty Hammer Mjolnir to smite all All Democrat Perverts and Groomers throughout this land!!!

YAAAAARRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!

Posted by: naturalfake at January 26, 2023 08:34 AM (KLPy8)

142
Amen - we have 1 of 3 power sources, and have that one by about 5 votes...now is the time to do the popular cuts, not the unpopular ones...
Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (exHjb)

5 votes, where 6 of those five vote against you every time.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:34 AM (Zz0t1)

143 139 How bout we go down to the government housing projects with military recruiters and tell young fighting aged men they have two choices, join the military or learn a trade. The handouts are done you have 6 months to get the hell out of the housing projects because they are going to be torn down.
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (u93Yj)

==========

*gasps in horror and faints*
-Karen McWineMom at just all the unlovingness

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:35 AM (LvTSG)

144 Whoops!
Whoopsies!

"Judicial Watch: FDA Records Show Significant Number of mRNA Test Rats Born with Skeletal Deformations"

https://tinyurl.com/2mxxn7p9

Get those shots or you're fired, pregnant women!

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:35 AM (KETMo)

145 How about we walk into every federal office in the country and tell them to cut their staff by 25%, starting with those that haven't qualified for a full government re to retirement.

Given the high levels of sloth and unproductivity that Covid Word-At-Home exhibited for us, 25% is merciful.

No doubts screams of racism and misogyny will erupt at any threat to trim the fat.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:35 AM (l7lsb)

146 I think Trump is saying something like this:

Republicans only have a bare majority, and for practical purposes, it's not a real majority (in that defections will occur on an issue by issue basis).

So do smaller reforms. Build trust with voters. Take on big issues, like SS/Medicare, when you've been rewarded with a bigger majority.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 26, 2023 08:35 AM (zmX2g)

147 Define the word "journalist" in this context and I will respond accordingly.
Murder of Journalists Rose Nearly 50 Percent in 2022, Report Finds
----
Using percentages in any 'statistical' reporting is never a good thing as it is meaningless. If the normal murder rate in a town is 1 per year but suddenly we have 2 murders, then the rate has gone up 100%. That is dramatically large isn't it?
I also agree on defining the word 'journalist'. They do like that title but strangely Journalism Schools are now Communications Schools. Why?

Posted by: Ciampino - They lke the title 'journalist' at January 26, 2023 08:35 AM (qfLjt)

148 142
Amen - we have 1 of 3 power sources, and have that one by about 5 votes...now is the time to do the popular cuts, not the unpopular ones...
Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (exHjb)

5 votes, where 6 of those five vote against you every time.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:34 AM (Zz0t1)

=========

I can't wait until we get people in the comments saying that it's Matt Gaetz's fault that we're getting an omnibus CR that cuts nothing in October.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (LvTSG)

149 Sigh. We're not "borrowing" money from anyone, were giving money away to other countries, who has trillions of dollars to "loan" to us? The government is doing what every government in the history of the world has done: inflating the currency.

That is, minting more money than there are goods and services in the economy to require it. This drives up the costs of everything, because more dollars are chasing the same amount of goods and services. In 1923 gold was $12 per ounce. Do you think maybe the dollar has been inflated a bit over the last 100 years?

Biden and company hate the U.S. and its people, so they have simply turned up the inflation rate so high that you're feeling the pain. That's all.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (CecP5)

150 Not as a practical matter he's not. The GOP controls the House by next to nothing, doesn't have the Senate or the presidency. What the fuck is the point in even talking about cutting entitlement spending in this environment? ...
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 08:31 AM (KFhLj)
++++
There isn't. From a practical matter of retail politics, he's right. I acknowledged that in my comment. But if your goal is to fix the finance problem, Medicare *must* be dealt with. It's the billion-ton gorilla in the room. If your goal is to win elections, Medicare mustn't be touched. Political parties are in the business of winning elections, not solving problems.

From a political standpoint, absolutely. There are *way* better targets that can still move the needle. I don't even disagree with Trump's assessment on those terms. I just also am not kidding myself that the fiscal bombs don't have to be dealt with eventually.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (t0OGg)

151 You keep your hands off of my social security. I earned it and paid into it all these years so I want my money and I want it now. Who the hell do you think is gonna pay to fill up my RV and 2 Harleys while I vacation in Miami Beach at my condo this winter? Heartless bastard!

Posted by: Old Farts Who Hang Around Too Long at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (R/m4+)

152 U.S. Weapons Stockpiles “Uncomfortably Low” Due To Arms Shipments to Ukraine

When China attacks Taiwan we will have neither fuel for our Navy nor ammunition for our Army.

When Russia still defeats Ukraine, Europe will have no means to repel further attacks should they come.

All part of the plan.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic, Ashli Babbitt/Rosanne Boyland at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (1Z8zZ)

153 We had that system. Until government realized just how fucking much money was sitting there that they could steal and use to buy votes.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:34 AM (7rC9u)

Obama and his crew were floating the first trial balloons around on this. I'm convinced this regime will get around to snatching 401Ks and IRAs in a matter of decades. I think they'll do it by giving you some kind of certificate - like a bond or other promisary note - the entitles the bearer to so much income. Like a government mandated annuity.

Then, of course, they'll welch on the payout. Because that's what they do.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (ye39K)

154 How about we walk into every federal office in the country and tell them to cut their staff by 25%, starting with those that haven't qualified for a full government re to retirement.

--

If you aren't required to come in on snow days you are now part time with no benefits.

The end.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (KETMo)

155 "President Biden on Thursday will give what the White House is billing as a “major economic speech,” which he will use to contrast his vision for the economy with House Republican proposals.

https://tinyurl.com/wwam654f

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (NpAcC)

156 How about we send a letter to every Section 8 slumlord.

"Your contract with the US Department of Housing is terminated effective in 90 days. Fix your shithole up, sell it, raze it, find a renter. We don't care. The government and taxpayers are no longer funding your rental business. Good day."

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (u93Yj)

157
=========

I can't wait until we get people in the comments saying that it's Matt Gaetz's fault that we're getting an omnibus CR that cuts nothing in October.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (LvTSG)

*fistbump*

Posted by: Mitt Romney at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (Zz0t1)

158 150 From a political standpoint, absolutely. There are *way* better targets that can still move the needle. I don't even disagree with Trump's assessment on those terms. I just also am not kidding myself that the fiscal bombs don't have to be dealt with eventually.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:36 AM (t0OGg)

========

Bombs get dealt with when they go off.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (LvTSG)

159 We had that system. Until government realized just how fucking much money was sitting there that they could steal and use to buy votes.

---

That's a big part of why inflation is 50%

No vote required.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (KETMo)

160 Look at a breakdown of the spending percentages. It will never EVER be cut until it just implodes. Anyone with two brains cells to rub together can see that it won't be cut.

The best we can hope for is what Trump did, an attempt to dismantle the regulatory state and to tear apart the bureaucracy and the power of unnamed unentitled (swid) agencies.

Forget significanctly cutting spending. All you are doing is destroying political capital for what will amount to zero actual gain.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (U7hCZ)

161 Heard the news the other day that scientists now believe that the Earth's core is rotating slower than the outer layers. I suspect this is not due to slowing of the core, rather it is due to acceleration of the crust.

Because all the wind farm turbines are pointed the same direction. Eventually we will catch up with the International Date Line and tomorrow will become today!

BIG DUH!

Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (ykeLU)

162 81 Medicare is not fixable. Medicare (and other federal medical spending) is what detonates the budget, not social security.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:16 AM

Of course it's fixable...it's easy, and a human right! We just expand it to cover everyone, raise taxes on the rich to pay for it, and America will be the greatest nation on earth, once we solve all the racism, sexism, transphobia, income inequality, conservatism, shameful past, etc!

Posted by: AOC at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (NCgXW)

163 155 "President Biden on Thursday will give what the White House is billing as a “major economic speech,” which he will use to contrast his vision for the economy with House Republican proposals.

https://tinyurl.com/wwam654f
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (NpAcC)

==========

"Argle bargle, they want you to homicide and not be in the pants."

"I creamed my pants listening to the greatest president of my lifetime."
-Mitch McConnell

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (LvTSG)

164 Meanwhile-
Dow to Cut 2,000 Jobs Globally
Chemicals company seeks to cut costs by $1 billion in 2023

https://tinyurl.com/4kdnf6ht

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (NpAcC)

165 If you want to solve big problems like Social Security and the Medicare, you need serious people in the House and Senate. In order to attract good people, you need to make not only economically feasible for them to leave their existing situation, but attractive too. Also, you need to structure a package that gives incentives to accomplish what needs to be done.

Congress - $500,000/yr base. $500,000 bonus if all individual spending bills are on time and in budget. NetJets hours - based on distance to district.

Senate - $750,000/yr base. $750,000 bonus if all individual spending bills are on time and in budget. NetJets hours - 200/yr medium jet.

No serious people besides bored millionaires and broke bartenders can afford to take the jobs now.

Posted by: jwest at January 26, 2023 08:39 AM (/BlEx)

166 Bombs get dealt with when they go off.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (LvTSG)
++++
Yup. Which is too bad, but so it goes.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:39 AM (t0OGg)

167 tomorrow will become today!

BIG DUH!
Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (ykeLU)

What was, is. What is, will be. What will be, was, and shall be again.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:39 AM (9UlRk)

168 "President Biden on Thursday will give what the White House is billing as a “major economic speech,” which he will use to contrast his vision for the economy with House Republican proposals.

I don't even have to hear it. Because I can just go back and read any of the zillion speeches from FDR - they're pretty much the same.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (ye39K)

169 167 tomorrow will become today!

BIG DUH!
Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (ykeLU)

=========

"FALSE. Tomorrow is always a day away."
-Annie

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (LvTSG)

170 And I'm out. The oldster bashing is starting. I'm 67 and on SS/Medicare. I worked my ass off to get where I am today and payed into SS from the age of 16. Cry me a river those of you still working. I didn't squander SS, the damned government did. And no I will nit die to relieve of any of the burden you are struggling under. Take it up with your congress critter not with me.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (2NHgQ)

171 We had that system. Until government realized just how fucking much money was sitting there that they could steal and use to buy votes.

Every now and then some asshole raises up the keen observation that trillions of dollars are in personal retirement plans, and that the Fe'ral government only has to impose a "one time only" haircut of a percentage point less than the early-withdrawal fine and tax hickey.

Constantly reminding us that at any time, they can pass a retroactive law to wipe out our savings and dissolve our investment portfolio contained in tax-deferred plans.

This is how you grow a gray market and why crypto gets so much attention.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (l7lsb)

172 Science used to be very separate from religion. Bit now it’s no longer science…it’s sciencism. And sciencism is a religion. And in that religion, I am a heretic because I can show evidence and be skeptical of the idea that there is a single trace gas that drives all of the climate and all the weather events.

*looking up at that Four-hundred septillion watt orange ball in the sky*

Hmm, this dude could be right!

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (BRHaw)

173 Shipwrecked Crew has linked to a WaPo? Writer who is trying to make the argument that Trump's Russia collusion was so deep, that the FBI actually concocted CrossFire Hurricane to PROTECT him. To define the collusion so narrowly, that Trump could avoid prosecution, and McGonicals involvement with Deripeska was part of the cover up. Absolutely insane. And the reason for it? So that Trump could block arms sales so Ukraine and allow Putin to launch his invasion.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (aYRzU)

174
Who the hell do you think is gonna pay to fill up my RV and 2 Harleys while I vacation in Miami Beach at my condo this winter? Heartless bastard!

Do you know what the word 'poverty level' means? SS provides 'poverty level' funds. If some person of retirement age has accumulated an RV and motorcycles and a condo, good for them. But they're not buying them with a SS check.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (enJYY)

175 I turn 60 next month. My financial situation at the moment is comfortable. There is no way in hell I am going to wait until I am 67 or 68 to start collecting SS, especially as I expect things to collapse before then. I'm going to see what I can collect now, and try to stretch that until I turn 65 and collect (ha!) my pension from the old job.

I thought working only 2 days / week would make me happy. It doesn't. So I want to stop working altogether and just sit, read and write.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (AW0uW)

176 How about we send a letter to every commercial real estate lessor.

"The federal government is broke. If you wish to maintain the federal government as your tenant, you will reduce your rents by 50%. The federal government and taxpayers will no longer fund your real estate development business. Though we may vacate smaller satellites offices, if your property is deemed essential, it may be seized under Imminent Domain."

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (u93Yj)

177 170 And I'm out. The oldster bashing is starting. I'm 67 and on SS/Medicare. I worked my ass off to get where I am today and payed into SS from the age of 16. Cry me a river those of you still working. I didn't squander SS, the damned government did. And no I will nit die to relieve of any of the burden you are struggling under. Take it up with your congress critter not with me.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (2NHgQ)

=========

When even people on the far right are like this about social security, it's amazing it never gets touched. Just amazing!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (LvTSG)

178 If tomorrow becomes today, what happens to JJ’s birthday?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (bc9SP)

179 US Monitoring Iranian Bid To Establish ‘Military Presence’ in Panama Canal

Did someone say 'bid'? What are they up to? Don't forget my 10%. -- The Big Guy

Posted by: I used to have a different nic, Ashli Babbitt/Rosanne Boyland at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (1Z8zZ)

180
The problem with doing anything is that for the left it's war.

Posted by: Auspex at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (j4U/Z)

181 So that Trump could block arms sales so Ukraine and allow Putin to launch his invasion.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (aYRzU)

And don't forget that their Narrative is all projection. So what does that mean in genuine terms when discussing "Uke" and "Russia"?

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:42 AM (U7hCZ)

182 So that Trump could block arms sales so Ukraine and allow Putin to launch his invasion.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (aYRzU)

"I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help."

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:42 AM (9UlRk)

183 173 Absolutely insane. And the reason for it? So that Trump could block arms sales so Ukraine and allow Putin to launch his invasion.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (aYRzU)

=========

It's why Putin invaded on Trump's watch!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:42 AM (LvTSG)

184 "After all… tomorrow is another day."

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:42 AM (NpAcC)

185 "President Biden on Thursday will give what the White House is billing as a “major economic speech,”

*******

Oh Good Lord! I hope they don't put me on the podium for visuals again. I don't think I could poop another skittle if my life depended on it!

Posted by: A Skittle pooping unicorn at January 26, 2023 08:42 AM (ykeLU)

186
Former child star Lance Kerwin dead at 62. Yikes.

RIP

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (x0n13)

187 Lizzy Borden Warren still wants to tax unrealized capital gains.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (aYRzU)

188 We only made up all that life liberty and yadda yadda crap to save King George from the French. Honest.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (9UlRk)

189
BIG DUH!
Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 08:38 AM (ykeLU)

DOWN WITH BIG DUH!!!!

Posted by: Elizabeth Warren at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (Zz0t1)

190 187 Lizzy Borden Warren still wants to tax unrealized capital gains.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (aYRzU)

=========

Her millionaire and billionaire donors won't stop donating to her, though.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (LvTSG)

191 If tomorrow becomes today, what happens to JJ’s birthday?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 08:41 AM (bc9SP)

It doubles.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (Zz0t1)

192 *Tries on new sock*

Posted by: Muldoon, I want a Skittle pooping pony at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (ykeLU)

193 How about we put a notice in newspapers across America:

"Available immediately at public auction, lands controlled and unnecessarily seized by the Bureau of Land Management. These properties will be sold to the best bidder, with an emphasis on agricultural and energy production used as heavily considered factor in addition to the bid amount."

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (u93Yj)

194 If a man in a dress is now a woman, and vice versa; a pistol can be a rifle, a crossbow a longbow, and a horse can surely be a consul in the Senate.

Posted by: Calvin Igula at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (sOzH/)

195 When even people on the far right are like this about social security, it's amazing it never gets touched. Just amazing!

Yeah. People get a little touchy after paying 12.4% for fifty years or so, then getting told "sorry, old sport - but you need to take a wee bit of a haircut, one more time, for Uncle Sam". I just can't understand why for the life of me.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (ye39K)

196 187 Lizzy Borden Warren still wants to tax unrealized capital gains.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM (aYRzU)

So you can actually predict any amount of capital gains out of thin air. Winning!

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (x0n13)

197 Please allow us to offer a different viewpoint. If it weren't for us enlightened and dedicated GS and SES employees, your lives would be far more miserable than they already are.

The best thing you tax serfs and tax donkeys can do it quit your whining, know your role, and get a second job.

We're here for you.

Posted by: U.S. Government Civil "Servants" at January 26, 2023 08:45 AM (a3Q+t)

198 195 Yeah. People get a little touchy after paying 12.4% for fifty years or so, then getting told "sorry, old sport - but you need to take a wee bit of a haircut, one more time, for Uncle Sam". I just can't understand why for the life of me.
Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:44 AM (ye39K)

=========

And people like me who are told, "You have to pay 12.4% forever, but you're not going to get it in the end."

It's amazing that people like me don't give a shit about those who will get it!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:45 AM (LvTSG)

199 Shipwrecked Crew has linked to a WaPo? Writer who is trying to make the argument that Trump's Russia collusion was so deep, that the FBI actually concocted CrossFire Hurricane to PROTECT him. To define the collusion so narrowly, that Trump could avoid prosecution, and McGonicals involvement with Deripeska was part of the cover up. Absolutely insane. And the reason for it? So that Trump could block arms sales so Ukraine and allow Putin to launch his invasion.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (aYRzU)
++++
Then why didn't Putin invade Ukraine under Trump's administration? Why did Putin invade Ukraine only after Biden took over, the price oil shot up and we resumed foreign adventurism in central Asia and eastern Europe?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:45 AM (t0OGg)

200 Social security is already being cut by inflation. Everyone on social security and SSDI depends on it. That is why they are on it in the first place, even if they paid into it and "earned" it. Unfortunately when the money runs out, it will still be gone. Or when inflation becomes hyperinflation it will still be worthless. Start girding your loins now.

Posted by: Drc at January 26, 2023 08:45 AM (llGBY)

201 The More Taxpayers Pay for College, the Worse It Gets

Now do health care and food!

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:46 AM (BRHaw)

202 When even people on the far right are like this about social security, it's amazing it never gets touched. Just amazing!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

And they still act like this when you say "We won't make any changes to existing payouts. Even no changes to those who will start collecting in the next 10 years. The answer is the same "Reeeeeee! You ain't touchin my antisocial insecurity!"

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:46 AM (aYRzU)

203 Oh, God, not that old "we need to pay good money to get good people" bushwa again.

Considering how much money the treasonous assholes in congress make right now for selling state secrets, engaging in insider trading and taking bribes from every nickelfucker who wants political protection, I hardly think 'pay them more' is the answer.

I am of the 'bring in a balanced budget or you hang' school of thought.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 08:46 AM (AW0uW)

204 Ace had a great post many years ago about the only way to ever get buy-in to cut “entitlements” is to slash every other stupid government spending program first. There is no way to get buy in to cut SS while we’re funding so much depravity and waste with our tax dollars. The reason Paul Ryan and other faux “budget hawks” only talk about cutting entitlements is bcuz they are *preserving* big government spending. They only propose cutting what will not be cut, not what can be cut.

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at January 26, 2023 08:46 AM (7KSLK)

205 McCarthy does what should be (and should already have been) SOP for any republican leader, and gently rebukes a reporter ("with all due respect"!) and there's oohing and aahing all around. The cool ruthlessness required to deal with the Left is so far beyond people like McCarthy.
Posted by: Ordinary American at January 26, 2023 08:33 AM (H8QX

Eh, this is standard political wisdom "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick".

It's the Big Stick part that's been missing from the Republican side for a lo-o-o-o-ng time.

McCarthy's basically wielding a small willow tree switch with the Schiff stuff.

If he can actually progress to Big Stick stuff, say a budget that cuts gov't personnel across the board 5-10 and make it stick(!), I'll be very impressed.

But, baby steps. Baby steps.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (KLPy8)

206 This whole cutting SS talk has Paul Ryan's stinky fingers all over it.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (76Foq)

207 And people like me who are told, "You have to pay 12.4% forever, but you're not going to get it in the end." It's amazing that people like me don't give a shit about those who will get it!

Hence my hard line about it. Collapse the whole damn thing before you raise the tax or cut the benefit by a penny. I don't want to hear that bullshit anymore. Run the whole thing in the ditch for all I care - but I'm not paying in another extra dime.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (ye39K)

208 Social Security was supposed to be a means for the elderly working class to have payment for fundamental requirements into their twilight years. It became a ponzi scheme for the government to steal from to fund their boondoggles and launder to backers.

You were supposed to save for your retirement and use SS to pay for basics while having retirement for your extras. They convinced you that SS was your retirement.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (Zz0t1)

209 204 Ace had a great post many years ago about the only way to ever get buy-in to cut “entitlements” is to slash every other stupid government spending program first. There is no way to get buy in to cut SS while we’re funding so much depravity and waste with our tax dollars. The reason Paul Ryan and other faux “budget hawks” only talk about cutting entitlements is bcuz they are *preserving* big government spending. They only propose cutting what will not be cut, not what can be cut.
Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at January 26, 2023 08:46 AM (7KSLK)

==========

Yeah...I don't think that would even do it.

"You cut the Department of Education. That should be enough. Don't touch my SS."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (LvTSG)

210 How about we send a letter to every college Board of Regents.

"Effective immediately, the federal government caps any and all government assistance for tuition at $5000 per annum.

The federal government will no longer back student loans, which will be returned to the private banking sector.

Get your shit together and stop f*cking your students and their parents over."

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (u93Yj)

211 Narrator: Trump didn't block arms sales to Ukraine.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (aYRzU)

212 200 Social security is already being cut by inflation. Everyone on social security and SSDI depends on it. That is why they are on it in the first place, even if they paid into it and "earned" it. Unfortunately when the money runs out, it will still be gone. Or when inflation becomes hyperinflation it will still be worthless. Start girding your loins now.
Posted by: Drc at January 26, 2023 08:45 AM (llGBY)

But it won't be any politician's fault when that happens...

Instead, you'll have Medicare not approving new cancer treatments...you'll have continued high (and understated b/c it has to be to help the issue) inflation...you'll have pretty much every single problem that can't be directly blamed on politicians or political parties...

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (exHjb)

213 Former President Donald Trump has sternly warned Republicans against making cuts to either social security or Medicare, noting that there was plenty of wasteful spending that could be cut instead.

There is no point in having this fight. Shrub couldn't get through obvious reforms when the Rs controlled congress and the Presidency.

Get rid of clot shot mandates and fire the Garland Gestapo using the power of the purse.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (lc5cP)

214 I don't even have to hear it. Because I can just go back and read any of the zillion speeches from FDR - they're pretty much the same.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:40 AM (ye39K)

No, they've gotten much better at targeted mental mindfuck persuasion, which is all the speech will be.

It will discuss how Republicans "can't even keep our kids safe" but how they want to take all our money and steal the food off their table, and their future. While benevolent Democrats want to give people what they earned and are owed, with care and heart.

Basically that. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a school shooting potshot is brought into the "economic plan" speech. Maybe not but that will tell you the level of mindfucking going on.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (U7hCZ)

215 208 Social Security was supposed to be a means for the elderly working class to have payment for fundamental requirements into their twilight years. It became a ponzi scheme for the government to steal from to fund their boondoggles and launder to backers.

You were supposed to save for your retirement and use SS to pay for basics while having retirement for your extras. They convinced you that SS was your retirement.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (Zz0t1)

=========

It was sold as an emergency system during the Great Depression that wouldn't be an entitlement forever.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (LvTSG)

216 Social security is already being cut by inflation.

Bidenflation is a 20-50% tax on everyone.

He could never get that kind of tax increase through congress so he did it this way instead. Intentionally.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:49 AM (lc5cP)

217 Good points above in commentary, but how realistic is it to dismantle SS/Medicare? Like millions of
Americans I'm not willing to cut off my nose to spite my face and say "oh, that's OK. I don't really need my social security." Medicare I don't care. They take it out of my SS to the extent I could buy it myself on the open market. Any politician who states SS/Medicare is on the chopping block knows it's DOA.
Revamp it for the younger generation but hands off for those already on it.

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 08:49 AM (4h9M3)

218 How about we send a letter to the Internal Revenue Service:

Your department has been eliminated. Americans will now pay 8% flat across the board on their income by way of a self-reported postcard.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:49 AM (u93Yj)

219 Nothing will ever get cut. The system has to collapse. The pain has to hit people personally. I keep saying this. It is in my nic. The left has the plan for the rebuilding. We have to be ready as well.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:50 AM (aYRzU)

220 Pay your exorbitant government mandated Healthcare premiums for years, and then get told by the receptionists to take a hike and just die already. See how that washes over.

If payroll taxes were optional, people might have an argument for axing SS and everyone sucking it up. But they're not optional. No one was allowed to make a risk- reward calculation. We just got the risk dumped on us and the cash yanked out of our lives before the check was even deposited.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:50 AM (9UlRk)

221 Greek Villa
Pearly White
Extra White
Pure White
Reserved White
Incredible White
Nice White
Windfresh White

White Trash
White Bread
Whitey White
White Guilt

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:50 AM (BRHaw)

222 Basically that. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if a school shooting potshot is brought into the "economic plan" speech. Maybe not but that will tell you the level of mindfucking going on.
Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (U7hCZ)
---
Don't forget the "economic benefits" and "pathways to citizenship" for millions of illegal immigrants.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 26, 2023 08:50 AM (zR7zg)

223 I am not even opposed to paying Congressmen well. They're already paid well. Congress critters make $174k per year with a gold-plated health plan and lots and lots of fringe benefits. Hell, make it $200k a year. $250k. Fine. It isn't a big difference and it will make no difference. It is nowhere even close to what they make on corruption, which is the real problem.

I would prefer to see something quite different. Pay the congressmen well, in the neighborhood of a quarter million bucks. Provide congressmen housing to get rid of the "but we have to maintain two households" canard. Build a congressional dorm. A nice apartment complex. Nice apartments. Three-bedroom jobs with nice furnishings and finishes to allow the kid(s) to visit and still have a home office space. Provide them as a perk of the job - company housing.

And don't allow hands-on management of portfolios. Investments must be handed off to someone else while you're a critter, or you have to invest in index and mutual funds.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (t0OGg)

224 219 Nothing will ever get cut. The system has to collapse. The pain has to hit people personally. I keep saying this. It is in my nic. The left has the plan for the rebuilding. We have to be ready as well.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:50 AM (aYRzU)

========

The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

It doesn't seem to be much of a plan.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (LvTSG)

225 =========

It was sold as an emergency system during the Great Depression that wouldn't be an entitlement forever.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:48 AM (LvTSG)

Of course it was. How many WWII spending bills are still active?

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (Zz0t1)

226 You were supposed to save for your retirement and use SS to pay for basics while having retirement for your extras. They convinced you that SS was your retirement.

12.4% over fifty years. When, funny enough - money managers seem to advise that 10% of your own money should do the trick in a pinch.

You're damn right that 12.4% should cover retirement.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (ye39K)

227 Breaking at DM:

"A loud fart noise was heard during Wednesday's live episode of 'The View'. The sound came as the hosts dealt with a mysterious leaking liquid. Instances like this have become commonplace on 'The View' in recent years."

Get it? "Breaking?" I crack myself up.

Posted by: gp Possesses The Jazz Bones at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (24fqN)

228 "As recently as 2004, 91% of Americans were extremely or very proud to be American and the United States ranked first in the world in national pride."
America’s Future is Bleak When Only 27% of the Younger Generations are Proud to be American

————-

Hard to be proud when you have a third world shit stain for a government.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (c46Wh)

229 Meanwhile, The Gods of the Copybook Headings are planning a return to the usual Catastrophic War to "settle" all things.

Posted by: pawn at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (wsHtO)

230 204 That’s interesting. I believe Ace hit the nail on the head there.

However, we now know that Ace steals all his good ideas from Lamont.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (bc9SP)

231 226 12.4% over fifty years. When, funny enough - money managers seem to advise that 10% of your own money should do the trick in a pinch.

You're damn right that 12.4% should cover retirement.
Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (ye39K)

========

Giving it to the government and expecting a market return was a bad idea.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (LvTSG)

232 What was, is. What is, will be. What will be, was, and shall be again.
Posted by: Warai-otoko

******

Whoa!
*bong hit*

Posted by: Muldoon, I want a Skittle pooping pony at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (ykeLU)

233 How about we send a letter to Planned Parenthood.

"The government no longer requires your services in killing infants.

Cheers.

p.s. Tell Public Broadcasting and NPR to get f*cked, too."

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (u93Yj)

234 My plan is that you walk into every federal agency and slap down a copy of the constitution and ask them to show you where it says they are authorized, if not then your agency closes now. There, I just saved a bunch of money.

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (WNfWI)

235 The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

It doesn't seem to be much of a plan.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (LvTSG)

Willingly?

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (d4tZk)

236 The thing is, in the long run, it does not matter.

-create entitlement which cannot be removed
-weight of entitlements take a healthy system and cause it to run off the rails
-communism
-communism does not work, and everything is an entitlement, so communism fails
-the whole system crashes and all of the entitlements go away.

THAT is how it is going to play out. If we are EXTRAORDINARILY lucky, we might miss the communist dictatorship (even though one might argue we are in it now) but the crashing of the system is baked in. No one wants to pay the bill- which means everyone will and no cake for anyone.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (CsVWE)

237 And people like me who are told, "You have to pay 12.4% forever, but you're not going to get it in the end."

It's amazing that people like me don't give a shit about those who will get it!

I'm of that generation that does not believe that I'll receive even one penny from the millions stolen from me over the years.

I worked 70-80hr weeks for over a decade - I can't tell you what I did in my 20s because it was spent in an office. Much of this current generation are a bunch of damned ne're do wells and goldbricks, sponging off the parents who aren't likely to see SSI because this generation is more interested in TikTok videos and fentanyl than slipping on work boots and creating wealth.

But I don't answer to this government or to this generation, I answer to God, and if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat. I pray that the LORD keeps me able to work until I'm called home.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (l7lsb)

238 220 Pay your exorbitant government mandated Healthcare premiums for years, and then get told by the receptionists to take a hike and just die already. See how that washes over.

If payroll taxes were optional, people might have an argument for axing SS and everyone sucking it up. But they're not optional. No one was allowed to make a risk- reward calculation. We just got the risk dumped on us and the cash yanked out of our lives before the check was even deposited.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:50 AM (9UlRk)

Well it's still going to be axed one way or the other. There's no argument about axing it, can't be prevented ultimately. The argument is about which is the last group to get screwed on it.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (eYoxG)

239 The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

It doesn't seem to be much of a plan.

They make it work tho.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (w0NJk)

240 "We are seeing an increase in people attempt to cross eggs from Juarez to El Paso because they are significantly less expensive in Mexico than the U.S. This is also occurring with added frequency at other southwest border locations as well," said Roger Maier, a CBP Public Affairs Specialist based in El Paso, Texas.

https://tinyurl.com/2hfulbrt

So if bird flu killed our American flock and made our American eggs more expensive...

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (KETMo)

241 I wonder where the job cuts are happening. Most tech companies' staff is overseas now.

Posted by: runner at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (Aoizk)

242 The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

Well, the idea is to isolate the people you want to starve. So once Joe Normie understands what they have planned for him he has no way to stop it - what's he going to do go attack the local police station? What does that do when you can't afford food?

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (lc5cP)

243 239 The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

It doesn't seem to be much of a plan.

They make it work tho.
Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (w0NJk)

==========

We'll see how well it works when mass starvation actually starts. It hasn't started yet.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (LvTSG)

244 The egg shortage shows just how strong Joe's economy is! Stores just can't keep them in stock! Gas and diesel prices are plummeting as storage levels soar! His infrastructure projects to roads and bridges have made traffic jams almost nonexistent!

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (aYRzU)

245 235 The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

It doesn't seem to be much of a plan.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM (LvTSG)

Willingly?
Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:52 AM (d4tZk)

The current left is a lot less realistic than the USSR about the starvation thing and how many troops they'll need.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (eYoxG)

246
Former child star Lance Kerwin dead at 62. Yikes.

RIP
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM

another grim milestone for the biden administration

Posted by: AltonJackson at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (ENBF0)

247
So if bird flu killed our American flock and made our American eggs more expensive...
Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (KETMo)

Amazing that bird flu didn't kill chickens anywhere else but here.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (Zz0t1)

248 Have you seen the jobs congressmen get when they are no longer congressmen? They don't need more money in their paycheck. It should be volunteer work with a stipend for room and board. 2 years and then you're done.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (d4tZk)

249 2022 Revenue $4.9 Trillion
2019 Spending $4.4 Trillion

TADA I balanced the budget and cut the debt by $500 B.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (BRHaw)

250 Social Security was supposed to be a means for the elderly working class to have payment for fundamental requirements into their twilight years. It became a ponzi scheme for the government to steal from to fund their boondoggles and launder to backers. ...
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 08:47 AM (Zz0t1)
++++
Social Security's structure is a Ponzi scheme. It was always a Ponzi scheme and always will be. Now, that theoretically doesn't matter because entrance into the scheme is mandatory, but it matters a lot if there aren't enough new entrants. There aren't enough new entrants.

But it won't be cut or restructured, not for new entrants to the workforce or even for existing participants under the age of, say, 40. It will go until it can't. It's a political impossibility otherwise. So go after other things.

They still *won't* go after other things, of course, but it's the logical place to start. It might even make a year's worth of difference in the grand scheme of things.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (t0OGg)

251 Prior to the Biden junta the last time the US had long lasting shortages of basic goods was...WWII.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (lc5cP)

252
Well, the idea is to isolate the people you want to starve. So once Joe Normie understands what they have planned for him he has no way to stop it - what's he going to do go attack the local police station? What does that do when you can't afford food?
Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (lc5cP)

Just steal food. Bandits are super common historically. It's not like he's going to sit at home and starve to death. A lot will go cannibal first, and that usually involve some murder.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (eYoxG)

253 Well it's still going to be axed one way or the other. There's no argument about axing it, can't be prevented ultimately. The argument is about which is the last group to get screwed on it.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (eYoxG)

I'd advise my gen to never give up their working healthcare for Medicare unless you're fine with a hospice healthcare approach vs a healing one. By the time I'm on Medicare in 2+ decades, that will likely be the European angle we've adopted, although we probably won't be waiting til 80 years old to pursue it for folks on the program...

Posted by: Nova Local at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (exHjb)

254 Giving it to the government and expecting a market return was a bad idea.

Show me a single person here that was given a choice.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (ye39K)

255 My plan is that you walk into every federal agency and slap down a copy of the constitution and ask them to show you where it says they are authorized, if not then your agency closes now. There, I just saved a bunch of money.

No problem. Just reorganize under the leadership and direction of the WEF or UN. The politicians will then use the "foreign aid" wresting of the Constitution to cut multi-trillion dollar checks to the new umbrella corporation that assumes the bureaucracies.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (l7lsb)

256 So if bird flu killed our American flock and made our American eggs more expensive...
Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort

The Mexican USDA doesn't force mexican chicken farmers to kill their entire flock because a chicken in the farm 5 miles away got bird flu.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (aYRzU)

257 242 The left's plan seems to be, "billions of people will willingly starve for utopia."

Well, the idea is to isolate the people you want to starve. So once Joe Normie understands what they have planned for him he has no way to stop it - what's he going to do go attack the local police station? What does that do when you can't afford food?
Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (lc5cP)

Or the food does not exist. It is an intentional Holodomor -although that was also intentional, but the famine was not the point, the glorious plan had a side effect. Here, the side effect IS the plan.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (CsVWE)

258 Well it's still going to be axed one way or the other. There's no argument about axing it, can't be prevented ultimately.

The argument is about which is the last group to get screwed on it.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy

How about the group responsible for fucking us? Put their asses up against the bullet pock marked wall.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (7rC9u)

259 How about we send a letter the National Endowment for the Arts.

"Your funding has been terminated. We gave you countless millions and you returned pictures of bloody tampons and crucifixes in a jar of piss. What the f*ck? Damn Trump NFTs are closer to art than that bullshit.

Find a private benefactor to fund that shit. Get f*cked you weirdos."

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (u93Yj)

260 Starvation without creating a massive bandit problem and ensuing collapse of government, such as the Holdomor, requires the targeted parties to basically be in a sort of military encirclement.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (eYoxG)

261 The fix for Social Security is fairly easy...

All we need to do is change it to individual accounts. This involves trillions of dollars being transferred into the market where only the recipient can control it. The system still proceeds as before, only the money doesn't end up in the government slush fund. Where does the money come from? It's an accounting entry. Let the world scream, but fuck them, the dollar is the fundamental element holding the planet together. There are a million ways to rationalize it and everyone would just need to get over it.

Posted by: jwest at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (/BlEx)

262 254 Giving it to the government and expecting a market return was a bad idea.

Show me a single person here that was given a choice.
Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:55 AM (ye39K)

=========

Of course, but we've had decades to reverse the bad idea, and the American people were happy to live with their fiction. I do not feel sorry for generations of people who bought into a lie that SS was reliable forever when it obviously wasn't.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (LvTSG)

263 National Peanut Brittle Day is an invention of greedy dentists to drum up business and further drive us into debt. It's an evil amalgam of The ADA, Big Nitrous, and the National Novocaine Conglomerate. Resist! Defund!

Posted by: Call to Action at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (8ocB+)

264 I'd advise my gen to never give up their working healthcare for Medicare unless you're fine with a hospice healthcare approach vs a healing one. By the time I'm on Medicare in 2+ decades, that will likely be the European angle we've adopted, although we probably won't be waiting til 80 years old to pursue it for folks on the program...

The Clot Shot will safely keep you from ever reaching Medicaid/Medicare age.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (l7lsb)

265 How about the group responsible for fucking us? Put their asses up against the bullet pock marked wall.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (7rC9u)

That really is the problem though. You'd have to line up 20th Century America. And most of them are dead. This current cluster-fuck has been brewing for, literally now, over a century.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (ye39K)

266 Former child star Lance Kerwin dead at 62. Yikes.

RIP
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM

another grim milestone for the biden administration
Posted by: AltonJackson

How dare he die during Pride Month!

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (7rC9u)

267 Have you seen the jobs congressmen get when they are no longer congressmen? They don't need more money in their paycheck. It should be volunteer work with a stipend for room and board. 2 years and then you're done.

Give them a massive increase in salary
All investments go in a blind trust
For 10 years after they leave the government they get taxed at a rate of 100% of anything over what they made in congress

I'd rather pay congressmen $1m/year then see them get paid $174K formally and then make $5m/year working for Pfizer afterwards.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (lc5cP)

268 It is a head fake, this whole "Let's talk about entitlements now!" jag. It's the proverbial outdoor furniture on the sinking cruise liner. Who cares about crooked bastards shuffling fake money around, when the entire edifice of law and order is condemned, cordoned off, boarded up, and crumbling into the dirt? The GOP has no interest in restoring law and order, or reigning in a thoroughly corrupt swamp. They just want to gull the rubes with their tv lawyer "Fighting For The People" shtick one more time.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (9UlRk)

269 248 Have you seen the jobs congressmen get when they are no longer congressmen? They don't need more money in their paycheck. It should be volunteer work with a stipend for room and board. 2 years and then you're done.
Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:54 AM (d4tZk)

Oh, what is the name of that system (I have asked the question here before) where working in government is a punishment. You enter government all of your assets are held. If the government runs a deficit, your assets are sold off to make the difference. If the government runs to budget, you get the assets back at the end of your sentence.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 08:58 AM (CsVWE)

270 No one will starve. There's avocado toast whenever I order it.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 08:58 AM (KFhLj)

271 That really is the problem though. You'd have to line up 20th Century America. And most of them are dead. This current cluster-fuck has been brewing for, literally now, over a century.
Posted by: I-IV-V

Last group = current congress.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:58 AM (7rC9u)

272 I could fix all of this mess for you. I will just roll out my Federal BizBitCoin and I can get a whole list of folks to give me lots of money for it and I can say what it's worth and bingo! Everybody gets paid! I am an expert and an economic wizard, trust me. You'll get Super Social Security and my girlfriend will text you nude pictures once a month with your statement. Believe me like you did when the politicians were lying to you all these years.

Now off to the bong store for their BOGO sale!

Posted by: Sam Bankfraud-Fried , democrat super donar at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (R/m4+)

273 >>I have news for Elise Stefanik. The Federal government hasn't been "weaponized." The Federal government IS. THE. WEAPON.

THIS!
Threadwinner, JJ!

Want to de-weaponize? Shut down and fire all the redundant and useless parts.

Posted by: Lizzy at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (mqu1M)

274 260 Starvation without creating a massive bandit problem and ensuing collapse of government, such as the Holdomor, requires the targeted parties to basically be in a sort of military encirclement.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (eYoxG)

Oh, I did not say they were smart, but that is the plan.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (CsVWE)

275 They just want to gull the rubes with their tv lawyer "Fighting For The People" shtick one more time.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:57 AM (9UlRk)

Man you gotta spoiler tag that shit

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (d4tZk)

276 That a55hole Manchin is running.

Posted by: torabora at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (OUiUM)

277 271 Last group = current congress.
Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 08:58 AM (7rC9u)

=========

If it's politically unfeasible to actually fix the financial issues, the problem isn't Congress, it's the people who put them there and would punish them for fixing things.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (LvTSG)

278 Hey, a few billion will necessarily starve so that Bill Gates can live the lifestyle to which he is accustomed. We should all be grateful for him.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (aYRzU)

279 Oh, what is the name of that system (I have asked the question here before) where working in government is a punishment. You enter government all of your assets are held. If the government runs a deficit, your assets are sold off to make the difference. If the government runs to budget, you get the assets back at the end of your sentence.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

A righteous system?

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (7rC9u)

280 261 The fix for Social Security is fairly easy...

All we need to do is change it to individual accounts. This involves trillions of dollars being transferred into the market where only the recipient can control it. The system still proceeds as before, only the money doesn't end up in the government slush fund. Where does the money come from? It's an accounting entry. Let the world scream, but fuck them, the dollar is the fundamental element holding the planet together. There are a million ways to rationalize it and everyone would just need to get over it.
Posted by: jwest

For all his faults, and they were legion, W tried to do exactly this upon his re-election, and was shut down by weak-kneed GOP.

Posted by: Oedipus at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (l/90o)

281 Former child star Lance Kerwin dead at 62. Yikes.

RIP
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 08:43 AM

another grim milestone for the biden administration
Posted by: AltonJackson

Give 'em hell, Alton !

lol

Posted by: JT at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (T4tVD)

282 All we need to do is change it to individual accounts. This involves trillions of dollars being transferred into the market where only the recipient can control it.

The problem with that is the government enjoys engineering economic environments that torture the free markets. Then when some token large company institutes a news-worthy layoff, the same politicians come back and crow about how good life is under the constant paychecks of government service or welfare and that the uncertainty of the free market is just too dangerous for everyone but the super-rich.

The mental retards that we call "this generation" are far too stupid to see what sort of trap this is.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (l7lsb)

283 The GOP has no interest in restoring law and order, or reigning in a thoroughly corrupt swamp. They just want to gull the rubes with their tv lawyer "Fighting For The People" shtick one more time.

Yep. For example, I give you the repeal of ObamaCare. As long as they knew ol' Barry would give the veto - they ran almost twenty bills to his desk. Once they got the White House and both sides of Congress ? Nothing. All they had to do was re-run the last bill they passed. All eight pages of it.

Somebody hit it up-thread. This has the stink of Paul Ryan all over it.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (ye39K)

284 If it's politically unfeasible to actually fix the financial issues, the problem isn't Congress, it's the people who put them there and would punish them for fixing things.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (LvTSG)

*coughvotefraudcough*

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (CsVWE)

285 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’

https://tinyurl.com/bden7n59

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (NpAcC)

286 87 I don't know what is so difficult about phasing out SS year by year. Every year that goes by, those people born that year pay less in taxes and get less at retirement. If you're already printing monopoly money to cover it, who the hell cares if you're shrinking the base of the pyramid?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 08:19 AM (9UlRk)

———-

Every two years raise the retirement by one year. Simultaneously cut the individual portion of the SS tax by 0.5%.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (c46Wh)

287 33 26 Posted by: Marcus T

I understand that SSD is actually insolvent right now. But what does that really mean when the Treasury's printing presses run nonstop?
Posted by: J.J. Sefton
----------
SSI is different from SSDI in that it’s available to people without work credits, meaning individuals who have never worked or haven’t worked in a long time are eligible. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes by way of FICA and/or SECA (Self Employment Contributions) and it does not fund the SSI program. SSI is funded by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate and other taxes.

Posted by: NALNAMSAM - not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (aki9y)

288 Congress - $500,000/yr base. $500,000 bonus if all individual spending bills are on time and in budget. NetJets hours - based on distance to district.

Senate - $750,000/yr base. $750,000 bonus if all individual spending bills are on time and in budget. NetJets hours - 200/yr medium jet.

No serious people besides bored millionaires and broke bartenders can afford to take the jobs now.

Posted by: jwest

Why would they give themselves a pay cut? They are making more than that now.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (lTGtQ)

289 A righteous system?
Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (7rC9u)

Yes, but this was a... Greek system? Ancient. Maybe just proposed, but never implemented.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (CsVWE)

290 274 260 Starvation without creating a massive bandit problem and ensuing collapse of government, such as the Holdomor, requires the targeted parties to basically be in a sort of military encirclement.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 08:56 AM (eYoxG)

Oh, I did not say they were smart, but that is the plan.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (CsVWE)

Yeah it's just getting to TJM's point about this "voluntary starvation" thing not being very smart. I guess it could instead be said they don't meant it to be voluntary but dramatically underestimate the force needed to execute it.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (eYoxG)

291 If it's politically unfeasible to actually fix the financial issues, the problem isn't Congress, it's the people who put them there and would punish them for fixing things.

Yep.

A majority of voters don't want to cut any real spending, don't want to increase taxes (at least on them) and don't want inflation.

Well...one of those 3 has to happen. And right now that's why we are getting Biden-flation. Because the junta figures enough people are too stupid to understand the cause of inflation.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (lc5cP)

292 Lance Kerwin ist mort? Sad. I hope Moosie Drier is OK.

Posted by: Child at Heart at January 26, 2023 09:02 AM (8ocB+)

293 If it's politically unfeasible to actually fix the financial issues, the problem isn't Congress, it's the people who put them there and would punish them for fixing things.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

It's feasible to fix. CONGRESS just doesn't want to.

I didn't put the Dems there. Don't try to hang this shit on me.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:02 AM (7rC9u)

294 The mental retards that we call "this generation" are far too stupid to see what sort of trap this is.
Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (l7lsb)

——-

I’d be all for the individual accounts if I could be hard assists like real estate or gold.

Posted by: MAGA_Ken at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (c46Wh)

295 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’

https://tinyurl.com/bden7n59
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (NpAcC)

Because when I want to know something about anything, I go to a communist, America hating cünt like Jane Fonda.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (Zz0t1)

296 284 If it's politically unfeasible to actually fix the financial issues, the problem isn't Congress, it's the people who put them there and would punish them for fixing things.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (LvTSG)

*coughvotefraudcough*
Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (CsVWE)

=========

Yeah...no. We have people in here damning everyone who wants to think about cutting their SS.

That's not a vote fraud problem.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (LvTSG)

297 For all his faults, and they were legion, W tried to do exactly this upon his re-election, and was shut down by weak-kneed GOP.

Posted by: Oedipus at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (l/90o)

Perhaps it was theater.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (d4tZk)

298 "We are seeing an increase in people attempt to cross eggs from Juarez to El Paso"

******

It's a tsunami of Mexican eggs.

A tidal huevo!

(Thanks. I'll be here all week, and in Schenectady startin next Tuesday. )

Posted by: Muldoon, I want a Skittle pooping pony at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (ykeLU)

299 285 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’

https://tinyurl.com/bden7n59
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (NpAcC)

=========

We just need to find Pepe Silva.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (LvTSG)

300 I wonder where the job cuts are happening. Most tech companies' staff is overseas now.
Posted by: runner at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM (Aoizk)
++++
Cuts in High Tech, from my experience, tend to be US-centered. The stuff that's been offshored is "low cost" and so the biggest bang for your layoff buck comes from going after the onshore personnel. Where I've seen the layoffs hit foreign operations is when the foreign personnel are fairly large majority of the group being culled. For example, we had a product line where most of the development and technical support staff (like 75% of the total) were in India and Bulgaria. When cuts came to that product line, it hit the offshore staff by majority. But the preference, in my experience, is onshore reduction.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (t0OGg)

301 Yeah it's just getting to TJM's point about this "voluntary starvation" thing not being very smart. I guess it could instead be said they don't meant it to be voluntary but dramatically underestimate the force needed to execute it.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (eYoxG)

Well, I think the idea is if they can destroy the mechanism of food production, the people will die and they will be able to maintain control of the dramatically reduced population, safe in their bunkers and private islands.

The idea being you smash the mechanism, throw chaff in the air, and by the time the plebs realize what is happening and start to react, they are already starving and nothing can change it.

Holy shit, that is insanity. But I can believe it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (CsVWE)

302 293 It's feasible to fix. CONGRESS just doesn't want to.

I didn't put the Dems there. Don't try to hang this shit on me.
Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:02 AM (7rC9u)

==========

You think Republicans want to fix Social Security and our actual debt problems?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (LvTSG)

303
So if bird flu killed our American flock and made our American eggs more expensive...

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 08:53 AM

Something interesting I read is that the bird flu killed the cooped up chickens. The 'free range' chickens never got it. I expected tons of 'outdoorsmen' aka homeless to die of covid. It never happened.

There might just be something to Vitamin D. It's free! It's outside!

Yeah, the drug companies don't make a dime, so we'll never see that Public Service Announcement.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (enJYY)

304 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’
------------

I just hope she doesn't show everyone her yarn wall.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (d4tZk)

305 37 34 Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing

I linked Benedict's book yesterday. But good to keep this in the forefront.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton
-------
Is there a translated version out there for those of us who don't read eye-tally-yan?

Posted by: NALNAMSAM - not as lean, not as mean, still a Marine at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (aki9y)

306 Every two years raise the retirement by one year. Simultaneously cut the individual portion of the SS tax by 0.5%.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken

Stop mandatory retirement. Let 80 yr olds fly commercial planes. If you're gonna let them into congress, you gotta let everyone work.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (7rC9u)

307 I thought I heard the name Lance Kerwin before so I had to look him up, just another unrecognizable child star from the 70's.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 09:04 AM (76Foq)

308 Speaking of This Generation.... holy camoley has anyone seen the latest recruiting campaign from the Army? "Be the next Greatest Generation".... so, so very much wrong about it. I could rant all morning about just how awful it is....

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 09:05 AM (9UlRk)

309 Yeah...no. We have people in here damning everyone who wants to think about cutting their SS.

That's not a vote fraud problem.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:03 AM (LvTSG)

A fair point, but if you can no longer trust the voting system, you cannot then also blame people for not trying to elect sensible people. It is just a huge fucking mess.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:05 AM (CsVWE)

310 No serious people besides bored millionaires and broke bartenders can afford to take the jobs now.

Absolutely not. The answer is not to have the Federal Government pay those who are supposed to represent their states MORE money.

The states should pay Congressmen - as little or as much as they see fit. And people sit around and wonder why Mitch McConnell is loyal to DC rather than Kentucky. Because he gets his check from DC rather than Kentucky.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 09:05 AM (ye39K)

311 Jane Fonda...‘Everything’s connected’

*******

Except us!

Posted by: Jane Fonda's synapses at January 26, 2023 09:05 AM (ykeLU)

312 The bird flu bit was that those chickens were DESTROYED by the government to "contain the disease" rather than it actually killing them. Don't forget that part.

Posted by: American Hawkman at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (VfMhS)

313 Biden and company are doing everything they can to simultaneously wreck the production of goods and services (the economy), while also inflating the currency.

Suppose the government cut spending back to 1923 levels. The economy would shrink to 1923 levels, but that car you borrowed $40,000 to buy, well you would still owe the bank $30,000 or so on it. And those $30,000 would be more than you could make in ten years. Talk about pain for everyone.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (CecP5)

314 299 285 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’

https://tinyurl.com/bden7n59
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (NpAcC)
---------------
Is Climate Crisis another term for Vaginal Discharge?

Posted by: Puddinhead at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (n+GXa)

315 Except us!

Posted by: Jane Fonda's synapses at January 26, 2023 09:05 AM (ykeLU)

I hate when someone comes up with a better punchline than me. Muldoon you bastard.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (d4tZk)

316 Doc_0 has a poignant Twit thread comparing national debt to a coastal flood.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (aYRzU)

317 That a55hole Manchin is running.
Posted by: torabora at January 26, 2023 08:59 AM (OUiUM)

And I give him a better than even chance of winning.

Because voters are just that fucking stupid.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (AW0uW)

318 Article in WSJ last week about what it takes to retire comfortably. Spoiler alert: at least $1M, not including SS benefits or pensions. Heh.

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (4h9M3)

319 "A majority of voters don't want to cut any real spending, don't want to increase taxes (at least on them) and don't want inflation..."Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 09:01 AM (lc5cP)

I disagree. A majority of voter would want to cut real spending if they knew what was being spent and on what. We lost the ability to know these things when we eliminated individual spending bills and went to omnibus spending. With my pay structure for congress, they would have to vote on individual bills and stay in budget to get their bonuses. It works in every other situation on the planet, I believe it would work here.

Posted by: jwest at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (/BlEx)

320 Is Climate Crisis another term for Vaginal Discharge?
Posted by: Puddinhead at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (n+GXa)

I would think in her case it would be vaginal dryness.

Like the Gobi Desert.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (CsVWE)

321 Probably already discussed, but holy sh#t that demonic RGB homage-inf statue atop the NYC courthouse!!!

Posted by: Lizzy at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (mqu1M)

322 Good morning everyone. Thank you J.J.

Verse for the day:

"O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith.
– (St. Paul the Apostle), 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Posted by: Tonypete at January 26, 2023 09:08 AM (qoGsy)

323 Perhaps it was theater.
Posted by: ...

Maybe so, but when that's The Thing you're pushing after re-election with all that "Political Capital" (stupid TV nooz channel phrasing, I know), I thought it was legit. That's when I saw the GOP for what it was and left the party, so there's that, lol.

Posted by: Oedipus at January 26, 2023 09:08 AM (l/90o)

324 Suppose the government cut spending back to 1923 levels. The economy would shrink to 1923 levels, but that car you borrowed $40,000 to buy, well you would still owe the bank $30,000 or so on it. And those $30,000 would be more than you could make in ten years. Talk about pain for everyone.
Posted by: An Observation

Yeah. That is how it works.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:08 AM (aYRzU)

325 TG Jane Fonda is 85.

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 09:08 AM (4h9M3)

326 thru da linx by 8:08

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:08 AM (BRHaw)

327 320 Is Climate Crisis another term for Vaginal Discharge?
Posted by: Puddinhead at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (n+GXa)

I would think in her case it would be vaginal dryness.

Like the Gobi Desert.
-------------------
So she doesn't steam her snatch?

Posted by: Puddinhead at January 26, 2023 09:08 AM (n+GXa)

328 I disagree. A majority of voter would want to cut real spending if they knew what was being spent and on what.

The LIVs I talk with don't.

If they understood they were really paying for it? Maybe. But right now almost any real spending cuts they'd oppose.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (lc5cP)

329 Article in WSJ last week about what it takes to retire comfortably. Spoiler alert: at least $1M, not including SS benefits or pensions. Heh.

Posted by: Ziba

What did they think was comfortable? I would think a comfortable retirement was $100K per year.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (lTGtQ)

330 Speaking of This Generation.... holy camoley has anyone seen the latest recruiting campaign from the Army? "Be the next Greatest Generation"

Yep. They are planning WWIII.

"Thru the Fulda Gap!"

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (7rC9u)

331 Well, Second Junior finally shit in the toilet.

Dear lord...he's so much harder to potty train than his brother was, and his brother wasn't easy.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (LvTSG)

332 Associate principal of global engagement on trust and safety team. This kind of crap tech cos can't afford anymore. Sad.

Posted by: runner at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (Aoizk)

333 Maybe so, but when that's The Thing you're pushing after re-election with all that "Political Capital" (stupid TV nooz channel phrasing, I know), I thought it was legit.

Nothing I get tired of more, this notion that a President can only get his agenda for about 90 days - until his fictional "political capital" gets spends. Seems to only constrain Republicans, I've noticed.

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (ye39K)

334 Manchin would win WV if he ran for president.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (aYRzU)

335 Army? "Be the next Greatest Generation"

I guess it beats "Risk your mental health, dismemberment, and death so we can fly a rainbow flag in Kabul."

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (KFhLj)

336 Suppose the government cut spending back to 1923 levels. The economy would shrink to 1923 levels, but that car you borrowed $40,000 to buy, well you would still owe the bank $30,000 or so on it. And those $30,000 would be more than you could make in ten years. Talk about pain for everyone.
Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at January 26, 2023 09:06 AM (CecP5)

Why not just 2019 levels?

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (BRHaw)

337 I don't see the logic behind the step that "cutting spending to 19xx levels" necessarily would "shrink the economy to 19xx levels".

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (9UlRk)

338 Back to baseline sockage

Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (ykeLU)

339 "Thru the Fulda Gap!"

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (7rC9u)

Hey hey careful, no one's been in there since 1987!!

Posted by: Jane Fonda at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (d4tZk)

340
Eh, the whole cut Soc Sec is stupid right now, when -

the gov't basically runs under an 18th-19th Century model of scriveners and clerks.

There could easily, very easily be a 50% or more cut in gov't employees if we modernized the bureaucracy to a modern computer based model.

So, I want to see that first.

Next, I want to see all of the illegal aliens stripped out of SS, Medicare/Medicaid, and any and all welfare programs.

After that, any and all "immigrants" who've never earned their way and strictly sucked off the Gov't Teat to be shown the door.

Then, I want strict import taxes on any and all goods not made here in the good old USA, so we can max out employment and income taxes(at a reasonable level or flat tax)

After that, I want Obamacare and all related bureaucracies ended. And classic free market pricing encouraged.

Finally, I want welfare payments mostly ended esp in multigenerational welfare families, who've never contributed a dime or even their labor. Concentrating on those of working age.

I'm sure there's more if I care to think about it.
But, do all that and then if we still can't get our house in order, then let's talk SS.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (KLPy8)

341 321 Probably already discussed, but holy sh#t that demonic RGB homage-inf statue atop the NYC courthouse!!!

yeah Lizzy what the actual ...

NYC is bound and determined to make itself as ugly as possible

Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (w0NJk)

342 331 Well, Second Junior finally shit in the toilet.

Dear lord...he's so much harder to potty train than his brother was, and his brother wasn't easy.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (LvTSG)

Get him trained up quick. He'll have to be the trainer for Joe Biden.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (CsVWE)

343 334 Manchin would win WV if he ran for president.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (aYRzU)

Asswipe Goar did not win TN!

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (BRHaw)

344 Suppose the government cut spending back to 1923 levels. The economy would shrink to 1923 levels

I suspect you'd see the opposite. Government spending retards the economy.

If you were to seriously shrink the government you'd see a multiplier on economic growth.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (lc5cP)

345 Article in WSJ last week about what it takes to retire comfortably. Spoiler alert: at least $1M, not including SS benefits or pensions. Heh.
Posted by: Ziba

Jeebus, they are full of shit. There is so many variables and assumptions that go into a statement like that.

Posted by: Tonypete at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (qoGsy)

346 TJM, TMI. What is charming to the parent is not to most people on the planet.

Posted by: runner at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (Aoizk)

347 Well, Second Junior finally shit in the toilet. Dear lord...he's so much harder to potty train than his brother was, and his brother wasn't easy.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (LvTSG)

Spoiler Alert, Dad. I can shit on the toilet whenever I want. But I've heard you talk about cutting grand-dad's Social Security. It really pisses me off.

Posted by: Second Junior at January 26, 2023 09:11 AM (ye39K)

348 I feel you TJM. One of my daughters would not routinely use the potty until she was 5.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:11 AM (aYRzU)

349 346 TJM, TMI. What is charming to the parent is not to most people on the planet.
Posted by: runner at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (Aoizk)

==========

It's not charming. It's frustrating.

I'm sharing my frustrations.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:11 AM (LvTSG)

350 Spoiler Alert, Dad. I can shit on the toilet whenever I want. But I've heard you talk about cutting grand-dad's Social Security. It really pisses me off.
Posted by: Second Junior at January 26, 2023 09:11 AM (ye39K)

Heh.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:11 AM (CsVWE)

351
Saw a story on a classical music blog that said that the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden has severed sponsorship by BP due to pressure by climate activists.

My comment was that BP should be relieved no longer to be associated with a filthy, corrupt, exploitative business like the music industry.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (MoZTd)

352 347 Spoiler Alert, Dad. I can shit on the toilet whenever I want. But I've heard you talk about cutting grand-dad's Social Security. It really pisses me off.
Posted by: Second Junior at January 26, 2023 09:11 AM (ye39K)

========

I'm going to post this on Twitter.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (LvTSG)

353 Suppose the government cut spending back to 1923 levels. The economy would shrink to 1923 levels, but that car you borrowed $40,000 to buy, well you would still owe the bank $30,000 or so on it. And those $30,000 would be more than you could make in ten years. Talk about pain for everyone.
Posted by: An Observation

How about cut spending back to 1792 levels. Not amount. Levels.

Only spend what the Constitution authorizes.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (7rC9u)

354 What did they think was comfortable? I would think a comfortable retirement was $100K per year.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 26, 2023 09:09 AM (lTGtQ)
++++
Out of curiosity, how do you come up with that figure? That seems like a lot, but I don't know where you live or what your property tax burden is.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (t0OGg)

355 Back to baseline sockage

"Baseline Sockage" would be a good name for a techno band.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (AW0uW)

356 I'm going to post this on Twitter.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (LvTSG)

YOU are the problem with the world.

Take a photo for instagram while you're at it, asshole.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (CsVWE)

357 "There could easily, very easily be a 50% or more cut in gov't employees if we modernized the bureaucracy to a modern computer based model."Posted by: naturalfake at January 26, 2023 09:10 AM (KLPy

Absolutely. Also, it would be very easy to give the Defense Department at least a 25% cut and the entire "intelligence" community a 50% cut.

Posted by: jwest at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (/BlEx)

358 And stop sending money overseas to other countries.

Fuck them. They can hate us for free.
We don't need to pay them to.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (7rC9u)

359 Adam Schiff uses chinese Tiktok for fundraising

biggest lying mutha fuckr ever
using most unsecure platform ever

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (BRHaw)

360 Steins law states "If something that cannot go on forever, it will stop" We have been hearing this since 1985 about federal spending. I am a firm believe in Steins law and have been waiting/hoping for it to apply yet hasn't even come close. I cannot fathom how the govt has defied Steins law this long and what happens when it kicks in.

Posted by: Ripley at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (cUYo/)

361 Sockage is not the same thing as socage, is it?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (9UlRk)

362 A majority of voters don't want to cut any real spending, don't want to increase taxes (at least on them) and don't want inflation.

Well...one of those 3 has to happen. And right now that's why we are getting Biden-flation. Because the junta figures enough people are too stupid to understand the cause of inflation.

At this point you are probably correct, a few trillion in public debt ago it may have been possible to grow out of it.

What we need are slaves who will reliably work for next to nothing. The closest we can get to that is cheap and reliable energy. We can get machines to replace battalions of manual workers. There are a lot of things we could do now that we can't/won't because energy is to expensive.

With sufficient power, water could be desalinated and brought to new areas for agriculture and commerce, new chemicals and cheaper high tech metal alloys could produce better consumer goods.

but the PtB want comprehensive starvation and misery so we get debt as people fight to use borrowed money from a generation that will never be.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (l7lsb)

363
Article in WSJ last week about what it takes to retire comfortably. Spoiler alert: at least $1M, not including SS benefits or pensions. Heh.

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM

I think the WSJ is New York City based and that number may be true there. But I never see NYC listed as a good retirement destination. People move to FL, live in a trailer park, and enjoy life with little or no money.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (enJYY)

364 >>The idea being you smash the mechanism, throw chaff in the air, and by the time the plebs realize what is happening and start to react, they are already starving and nothing can change it. >>

It worked for Stalin and the kulaks...

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (4h9M3)

365 Ah, yeah.

Cut any and all stupid programs and bureaucracies based around "global warming", "climate change", and "CO2 panic".

Posted by: naturalfake at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (KLPy8)

366 331 Congrats, TJM!

My kid (also a boy) took forever to potty train.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (bc9SP)

367 The last piece of the Jenga tower removed was the popular belief in the electoral system being the ultimate Voice of the People. It is now very obvious to the common folk that they are powerless. Vote harder is over.

The system has has reached criticality and the next turn of events will result in a decent to the end of the game/ground state.

All the Kings horses and all the kings men.....

Posted by: pawn at January 26, 2023 09:14 AM (wsHtO)

368 356 YOU are the problem with the world.

Take a photo for instagram while you're at it, asshole.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (CsVWE)

=========

I really am. It's my love of The Last Jedi that is the true destructive influence.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:14 AM (LvTSG)

369 ""There could easily, very easily be a 50% or more cut in gov't employees if we modernized the bureaucracy to a modern computer based model."

ChatGPT is ready to do about 90% of office jobs.

Posted by: gp Possesses The Jazz Bones at January 26, 2023 09:14 AM (24fqN)

370 Adam Schiff uses chinese Tiktok for fundraising

biggest lying mutha fuckr ever
using most unsecure platform ever

Makes you wonder what he did as chair of the Intelligence Committee in Congress.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:15 AM (l7lsb)

371 ChatGPT is ready to do about 90% of office jobs.
Posted by: gp Possesses The Jazz Bones at January 26, 2023 09:14 AM (24fqN)

It would be nice to interact with someone intelligent for a change.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 09:15 AM (9UlRk)

372 I really am. It's my love of The Last Jedi that is the true destructive influence.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

coughPrometheuscough

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:15 AM (7rC9u)

373 Cut any and all stupid programs and bureaucracies ~~based around~~ that mention "global warming", "climate change", and "CO2 panic".

Posted by: naturalfake

fify

Posted by: Tonypete at January 26, 2023 09:15 AM (qoGsy)

374 families, who've never contributed a dime or even their labor. Concentrating on those of working age.

They are all unable to work by 22 because they have "degenerative disc disease" "and I am basically bone-on-bone in my knees"

Wow! Really? What kind of work did you do?

Oh, I haven't really been able to work much, because of the pain. I did work at Wal Mart for a couple weeks back in 2018.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:15 AM (aYRzU)

375 Hmmm, interesting thought:

-technocrats love bureaucracy. It makes them feel like things can be managed well.

-in the short term, it can really work for the first generation, but as time passes, bureaucrats take on a life of their own and then the government becomes slaves to their will (see also HR depts.)

-One of Diocletian's reforms was to DOUBLE the number of bureaucrats to oversee all of his micromanaging plans.

-Is it any wonder that even though things improved in the short term, things started to REALLY go to hell?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:16 AM (CsVWE)

376 "Probably already discussed, but holy sh#t that demonic RGB homage-inf statue atop the NYC courthouse!!!"
Posted by: Lizzy at January 26, 2023 09:07 AM (mqu1M)

I'm pretty sure that was a massive punk by the "artist". They had this cool idea for a statue and bullshitted everyone that it was a representation of RBG and abortion rights.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 09:16 AM (76Foq)

377 ""There could easily, very easily be a 50% or more cut in gov't employees if we modernized the bureaucracy to a modern computer based model."

Or got rid of the 95% of useless regulations that serve only to hobble the economy and support rent-seeking, grift and bribes-for-carveouts

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:16 AM (l7lsb)

378 I really am. It's my love of The Last Jedi that is the true destructive influence.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:14 AM (LvTSG)

Hah. I am surprised you are not socking Rian Johnson all the time.

'It's MEANT to be bad!'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:16 AM (CsVWE)

379 The idea being you smash the mechanism, throw chaff in the air, and by the time the plebs realize what is happening and start to react, they are already starving and nothing can change it. >>

The Donner party thought that too.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (7rC9u)

380 I really am. It's my love of The Last Jedi that is the true destructive influence.

I can live with your opinions on economic reform. But really ? The Last Friggin' Jedi ?

Have you no decency in your heart ? The slimmest crumb of Christian Mercy ?

Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (ye39K)

381 Makes you wonder what he did as chair of the Intelligence Committee in Congress.
Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:15 AM (l7lsb)

Sold state secrets like choir bake sales.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (BRHaw)

382 I have never met a government worker who wasn't tired from being overworked due to the office being understaffed.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (aYRzU)

383 I modified my body to be a ‘black alien’ — now restaurants are scared to serve me

https://tinyurl.com/349mp436

Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (NpAcC)

384 380 I can live with your opinions on economic reform. But really ? The Last Friggin' Jedi ?

Have you no decency in your heart ? The slimmest crumb of Christian Mercy ?
Posted by: I-IV-V at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (ye39K)

========

I'm Catholic, though. So, there's a whole guilt complex that underlies everything.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (LvTSG)

385 How about cut spending back to 1792 levels. Not amount. Levels.

Only spend what the Constitution authorizes.
Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:12 AM (7rC9u)

If 'voting' were anything other than a sick joke, let's cut voting requirements back to 1792 levels. Many of this country's problems can be traced back to the self-inflicted gunshot of universal suffrage.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (AW0uW)

386 Diocletian may have been the single most "important" man in history, in terms of his personal decisions shaping the course of humanity for millenia.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (9UlRk)

387
Manchin would win WV if he ran for president.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire

WV hasn't voted for a Democrat for President in like forever. Probably all of the other state positions go for the Dems, but they're not big fans of the global warming scam.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 09:18 AM (enJYY)

388 Ilhan Omar salty tears

The Committee War begun they have.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:18 AM (BRHaw)

389 I'm in a dentist waiting room with the twangiest country music.

Emo and southern is a terrible combination.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at January 26, 2023 09:18 AM (qgylm)

390 I have never met a government worker who wasn't tired from being overworked due to the office being understaffed.

The funny part of this? I've never worked in a private sector office where the employees felt there was enough staffing.

But those companies produce something people want. Those government offices mostly produce things people don't want.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 09:19 AM (lc5cP)

391 The Donner party thought that too.
Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (7rC9u)

Cannibalism was also present during the Holodomor. I do not think it made a substantive change/improvement. I don't think Cannibalism works as an actual solution- completely setting aside the moral concerns.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:19 AM (CsVWE)

392 MAJORITY of Americans vaccinated with bivalent Covid shot are NOT protected against falling ill, CDC report into new XBB.1.5 variant suggests — despite US paying $5bn for updated vaccines

Posted by: SMOD at January 26, 2023 09:19 AM (RHGPo)

393 389 I'm in a dentist waiting room with the twangiest country music.

Emo and southern is a terrible combination.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at January 26, 2023 09:18 AM (qgylm)

Faron Young is the harbinger of the Apocalypse.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:20 AM (CsVWE)

394 "What we need are slaves who will reliably work for next to nothing. The closest we can get to that is cheap and reliable energy."Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:13 AM (l7lsb)

This. If we had a government that wasn't composed of idiots, we would have over 3000 factory built small modular reactors spread out over the country, making our power grid bullet proof and providing nearly free unlimited energy for people and industry. Fucking fundamental stuff here.

Posted by: jwest at January 26, 2023 09:20 AM (/BlEx)

395 It's not just the military industrial complex that is undermining our nation. Its also the education industrial complex, and the health care industrial complex and pharmaceutical industrial complex and the government industrial complex.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at January 26, 2023 09:20 AM (lf83v)

396 I have never met a government worker who wasn't tired from being overworked due to the office being understaffed.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy

They've never held a real job then. Understaffed is the norm most everywhere other than tech and government.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:20 AM (7rC9u)

397 Emo and southern is a terrible combination.

Modern 'country' music is home to people too white and too articulate to make a rap career.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (AW0uW)

398 Cannibalism was also present during the Holodomor. I do not think it made a substantive change/improvement. I don't think Cannibalism works as an actual solution- completely setting aside the moral concerns.
-------------------
Don't eat the brains.

Posted by: Puddinhead at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (n+GXa)

399 When social security started the payment was $87 a month. Guess what, the $1383 a month that I get, is worth exactly $87 in 1930's dollars.

Posted by: An Observation sez China Joe not my president at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (CecP5)

400 I'm in a dentist waiting room with the twangiest country music.
_______

That's curious because dental care isn't usually associated with people who listen to country music.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (lf83v)

401 Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:19 AM (CsVWE)

Depends what problem you are trying to solve.

Posted by: ... at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (d4tZk)

402 398 Cannibalism was also present during the Holodomor. I do not think it made a substantive change/improvement. I don't think Cannibalism works as an actual solution- completely setting aside the moral concerns.
-------------------
Don't eat the brains.
Posted by: Puddinhead at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (n+GXa)

=========

The spinal cord is delicious.

*twitches*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (LvTSG)

403 It's not just the military industrial complex that is undermining our nation. Its also the education industrial complex, and the health care industrial complex and pharmaceutical industrial complex and the government industrial complex.
Posted by: Adirondack Patriot

Amen

Posted by: Tonypete at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (qoGsy)

404 This. If we had a government that wasn't composed of idiots, we would have over 3000 factory built small modular reactors spread out over the country, making our power grid bullet proof and providing nearly free unlimited energy for people and industry. Fucking fundamental stuff here.
Posted by: jwest at January 26, 2023 09:20 AM (/BlEx)

People without want are freedom oriented by nature. They do not want that. Plenty/abundance is not what they want. They want starving serfs, clamoring for the government to save them because they HAVE NO CHOICE.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:22 AM (CsVWE)

405 How about cut spending back to 1792 levels. Not amount. Levels.

It would be more productive to just accept that we are well and truly fucked and drink as much 1792 as required to keep from killing everyone in a rage.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 09:22 AM (KFhLj)

406 Somewhere in the secret control room that runs Congress:

"Ok, you new folks have to see how this all works" as the operator presses the button labeled "Cut Entitlements".....

Posted by: pawn at January 26, 2023 09:22 AM (wsHtO)

407 Machete wielding terrorist enters two churches in Southern Spain, attacking at least one priest and killing the Sacristan.

3 2 1
Common Sense Machete Control

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:22 AM (BRHaw)

408 That position I described upthread was held by an H1B staffer. Who is now sad that when he rolled out of bed he couldn't access his work account. For a meeting.

Posted by: runner at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (Aoizk)

409 Is there a group that audits our federal spending? There sure needs to be.

Posted by: Hairpin Corner Concrete Truck Collision Take Me Now at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (hVOGA)

410 Actually emo and southern is a good descriptor of Faron Young.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (CsVWE)

411 -One of Diocletian's reforms was to DOUBLE the number of bureaucrats to oversee all of his micromanaging plans.

-Is it any wonder that even though things improved in the short term, things started to REALLY go to hell?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:16 AM (CsVWE)

Bureaucrats of the first generation are usually personally loyal to the person who appointed them, and so are pretty mission-oriented.

After that they rapidly devolve into faction.

Which is a strong argument in favor of the spoils system.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (eYoxG)

412 If you were to seriously shrink the government you'd see a multiplier on economic growth.

I'm not sure about that. For a couple generations and counting, our civilization has been preparing people to do worthless things rather than creating genuine wealth.

Lots of people who do nothing more than create and enforce regulations, and their counterparts who do nothing but ensure compliance from the industries being regulated.

So much research is now pissed away on vanity climate projects like forecasting the amount of penguin nookie if the ocean temperature changed by 0.05C

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (l7lsb)

413 403 It's not just the military industrial complex that is undermining our nation. Its also the education industrial complex, and the health care industrial complex and pharmaceutical industrial complex and the government industrial complex.
Posted by: Adirondack Patriot

Amen
Posted by: Tonypete at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (qoGsy)

When digital medical records are so complicated your GP has a typist following him around you know it has ZERO to do with Healthcare.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (BRHaw)

414 400 I'm in a dentist waiting room with the twangiest country music.
_______

That's curious because dental care isn't usually associated with people who listen to country music.
Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at January 26, 2023 09:21 AM (lf83v)

"Pfft."

- - British teeth

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (x0n13)

415 I'm in a dentist waiting room with the twangiest country music.

*******

I had some extractions the other day. I told my dentist he should offer his patients frequent plier miles...

Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 09:24 AM (ykeLU)

416 By the time you retire, you should have your property and other major purchases paid for.

I see too many near retirees still paying rent, still buying a new car every 2 years and have not a nickel in the bank.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:24 AM (aYRzU)

417 We actually saw an economic boom just now with Trump cutting regulations during his term.

It does work- which is one of the many reasons he had to go.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:25 AM (CsVWE)

418 I'm not sure about that. For a couple generations and counting, our civilization has been preparing people to do worthless things rather than creating genuine wealth.

Lots of people who do nothing more than create and enforce regulations, and their counterparts who do nothing but ensure compliance from the industries being regulated.

So much research is now pissed away on vanity climate projects like forecasting the amount of penguin nookie if the ocean temperature changed by 0.05C
Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:23 AM (l7lsb)

People switch labor capabilities decently fast, and a lot of the people involved in these pointless regulations are not by nature useless. I can attest from personal familiarity that many of these people seem salvageable from a labor force perspective, they're just being deployed badly.

This is of the older crowd, not the younger. Capable physicists in the bureaucracy sort of thing. The younger have been actively maleducated to be dysfunctional.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:25 AM (eYoxG)

419 My deal with social security is I wish we had an opt out. Even if it was only on my portion, that's a significant increase to my annual savings and over a career is a substantial increase in my potential retirement pool. Of course, if I run it it is not available to divy up amongst others.. which is why I cannot have it.

Posted by: Inogame, non alius regit at January 26, 2023 09:25 AM (53oGX)

420 I had some extractions the other day. I told my dentist he should offer his patients frequent plier miles...
Posted by: Muldoon

HA! A biting comment!

Posted by: Tonypete at January 26, 2023 09:25 AM (qoGsy)

421 Machete wielding terrorist enters two churches in Southern Spain, attacking at least one priest and killing the Sacristan.

I have an old Baltimore Catechism from the 1930s. Some of the questions were of the 'if the church was on fire / attacked by a foreign army, what would you do?' nature. When I was a child, I used to look at those questions as an historical anomaly.

I don't do so now.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at January 26, 2023 09:26 AM (AW0uW)

422 The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded several million dollars in grants recently to universities and private firms to develop tools eerily similar to those developed in 2011 by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in its Social Media in Strategic Communication (SMISC) program.

DARPA said those tools were used "to help identify misinformation or deception campaigns and counter them with truthful information," beginning with the Arab Spring uprisings in the the Middle East that spawned ISIS over a decade ago.

Your tax $$$ at work fucking you over!!

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:26 AM (BRHaw)

423 I don't think Cannibalism works as an actual solution- completely setting aside the moral concerns.
-------------
You can't sous-vide him! He's a friar!

Posted by: andycanuck (Vwz3I) at January 26, 2023 09:26 AM (Vwz3I)

424 and... AND ? What is your solution ?

Good lord, I get the idea here, but without even a suggestion as to HOW to reform these programs, this is all just the hottest of hot air. Leave the huffing and puffing and hot air to Conservative Inc.

Yeah, the federal government IS the problem. Recognizing that is only 1% of the solution. And no solution, let alone a legislatively feasible solution is presented.

Posted by: deadrody at January 26, 2023 09:26 AM (pZxfz)

425
They always have to tinker around with Social Security every couple of years. Right now a married couple can only collect X amount of dollars together. But cost of living adjustments to SS are going to knock a lot of husbands and wives against that limit. So the couple who worked the longest, earned the most will get the haircut.

Unless something is done.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 09:26 AM (enJYY)

426 I’m not enameled of dental puns.

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (bc9SP)

427 We actually saw an economic boom just now with Trump cutting regulations during his term.

Best economy in American history in fact.

Though most of the advance went to the working/middle classes.

Upper class increases in earning were more moderate - they didn't lose in absolute terms, but in comparison.

Also note that's exactly what the "income inequality" people say they want.

Posted by: 18-1 at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (lc5cP)

428 Holy cow. From an amazon review for a "binder" (device to squish the breasts). Yeah, it's 100% called a binder, and it's used for mentally ill people to pretend they don't have breasts. This is a parent:

"Seeing my teenager absolutely euphoric in their first binder makes me cry tears of joy. "

https://tinyurl.com/2nmastbr

Think of the ouroboros of crazy in all of that.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (KETMo)

429 416 By the time you retire, you should have your property and other major purchases paid for.

I see too many near retirees still paying rent, still buying a new car every 2 years and have not a nickel in the bank.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:24 AM (aYRzU)

=========

My dad just finished paying his mortgage last year. The only reason he did was because he stopped travelling and floating thousands of dollars at a time. He was finally able to just focus on his mortgage and pay it off. He turns 69 later this year.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, being extravagant with Erich von Stroheim at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (LvTSG)

430 A lot of lawyer work is make-work for instance. Many lawyers are hard working reasonably intelligent people of dubious ethics. So they could easily be something else, like a used car salesman.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (eYoxG)

431 Modern 'country' music is home to people too white and too articulate to make a rap career.

Who around here observed that Music is like candy - you first have to throw away the wrapper.

Posted by: Reuben Hick at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (l7lsb)

432 When digital medical records are so complicated your GP has a typist following him around you know it has ZERO to do with Healthcare.

Those typists like to be called "transcribers" and they wear scrubs, too.

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 09:28 AM (4h9M3)

433 By the time you retire, you should have your property and other major purchases paid for.

I see too many near retirees still paying rent, still buying a new car every 2 years and have not a nickel in the bank.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy

That works if you never move. This isn't the 50's anymore.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:28 AM (7rC9u)

434
My proposal: zero out the budget. Actually dismantle the federal government. Overthrow it, replace it, and repudiate its debt.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 26, 2023 09:28 AM (oINRc)

435 People switch labor capabilities decently fast, and a lot of the people involved in these pointless regulations are not by nature useless. I can attest from personal familiarity that many of these people seem salvageable from a labor force perspective, they're just being deployed badly.

This is of the older crowd, not the younger. Capable physicists in the bureaucracy sort of thing. The younger have been actively maleducated to be dysfunctional.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:25 AM (eYoxG)

That the main issue with Big Govt subsidies is it move people into jobs that may not be relevant to the current needs or opportunities. Like Obama shovel ready jobs were not really jobs until about 2016 or 2017.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (BRHaw)

436 We actually saw an economic boom just now with Trump cutting regulations during his term.

It does work- which is one of the many reasons he had to go.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:25 AM (CsVWE)
++++
It is one of the few firm thoughts I have about what I would do if I was the president. I would commission a system to map dependencies in the regulatory code, to find out what depends on what. Then, I would order all of my agency chiefs to have on my desk, by noon every Friday, a list of 15 regulations each of them recommends repealing. I would then run it through the system and those regulations - and *all* dependent regulations - get repealed that day.

That's the carrot. They get to choose which ones. The stick is that if the list is *not* on my desk by noon on Friday, I will randomly select 30 regulations for removal and run them through the system, then remove those 30 and all dependent regulations.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (t0OGg)

437 Yeah, the federal government IS the problem. Recognizing that is only 1% of the solution. And no solution, let alone a legislatively feasible solution is presented.
Posted by: deadrody at January 26, 2023 09:26 AM (pZxfz)

---

I already posted the one for employment.

If you aren't required to come in on snow days you are now part time with no benefits. "Non-essential" means just that.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (KETMo)

438 428 Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:27 AM (KETMo)

So Romney's "binders full of women" was a good thing?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (x0n13)

439 299 285 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’

https://tinyurl.com/bden7n59
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:00 AM (NpAcC)

=========

Well thats just nutz. Wanna borrow my ball bearings Jane? They are calming.

Posted by: Captain Queeg at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (n5l81)

440 I don't think Cannibalism works as an actual solution- completely setting aside the moral concerns.
-------------
You can't sous-vide him! He's a friar!
Posted by: andycanuck

Golf clap.

Posted by: rickb223 Cruel Lamont is the best Lamont at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (7rC9u)

441 Women full of binders?

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (bc9SP)

442 Out of curiosity, how do you come up with that figure? That seems like a lot, but I don't know where you live or what your property tax burden is.

Posted by: Joe Mannix

Just looking at normal spending levels, with some play money added. I don't see people spending only 80% of their pre-retirement level, like so many forecasters say.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (lTGtQ)

443 and... AND ? What is your solution ?

There can't be a solution because most people don't see what the problem is. Doc_0 just had a great thread about it. Tampons didn't believe their town could get wiped out by an 8ft storm surge until it happened. They looked around and saw all of the sturdy old buildings and thought life would be peachy forever.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (aYRzU)

444 441 Women full of binders?
Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (bc9SP)

Is that what women are sticking in their hoo-hah these days?

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (eYoxG)

445 Jane Fonda blames ‘climate crisis’ on racism: ‘Everything’s connected’
____________

Never thought I'd be rooting for cancer, but she makes it possible.

Posted by: Adirondack Patriot at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (lf83v)

446 nood

Posted by: gp Possesses The Jazz Bones at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (24fqN)

447
A
R
T

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 26, 2023 09:31 AM (BRHaw)

448 There can't be a solution because most people don't see what the problem is. Doc_0 just had a great thread about it. Tampons didn't believe their town could get wiped out by an 8ft storm surge until it happened. They looked around and saw all of the sturdy old buildings and thought life would be peachy forever.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (aYRzU)

Tampans. Autocucumber just made a hilarious change to what you wrote.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:31 AM (CsVWE)

449 Noodus gratia artis

Posted by: Bulgaroctonus at January 26, 2023 09:31 AM (bc9SP)

450 I’m not enameled of dental puns.

*******

I told him not to use any local anesthetic. I wanted to...

... transcend dental medication.

Posted by: Muldoon at January 26, 2023 09:31 AM (ykeLU)

451
I hate sentient Tampons.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (enJYY)

452 Just looking at normal spending levels, with some play money added. I don't see people spending only 80% of their pre-retirement level, like so many forecasters say.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 26, 2023 09:30 AM (lTGtQ)
++++
A lot of that depends on serious structural declines in costs - like no mortgage, no car loan, etc. There have been two ways to do this in the past: pay it all off before you retire, or sell it all and move somewhere cheaper.

That second option is vanishing fast.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (t0OGg)

453 So Romney's "binders full of women" was a good thing?

--

It's apparently magic underwear.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (KETMo)

454
Tampons didn't believe their town could get wiped out by an 8ft storm surge until it happened.

-----

A whole town of them? And a 8ft surge?? That's a huge vagina.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (oINRc)

455 That's the carrot. They get to choose which ones. The stick is that if the list is *not* on my desk by noon on Friday, I will randomly select 30 regulations for removal and run them through the system, then remove those 30 and all dependent regulations.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 09:29 AM (t0OGg)
---
Not a bad system, though a potential flaw is commissioning a system to do what you are asking. You *know* that the process of commissioning that system will cost 10x the actual development cost in the private sector and lead to untold amounts of graft. Not to mention that the programmers might decide to skew biases within the system to favor (or disfavor) certain departments/agencies.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (zR7zg)

456 451
I hate sentient Tampons.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (enJYY)

And the floods Tampons have to deal with?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (CsVWE)

457 >That's curious because dental care isn't usually associated with people who listen to country music.

I'm a snob not a jerk sir.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at January 26, 2023 09:33 AM (qgylm)

458 Just looking at normal spending levels, with some play money added. I don't see people spending only 80% of their pre-retirement level, like so many forecasters say.

---

When inflation is 50% there's not really a way to make it work.

Which was the entire point of ramping up inflation.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:33 AM (KETMo)

459 Show me a tampon that survive an 8-foot surge.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at January 26, 2023 09:33 AM (KFhLj)

460 That works if you never move. This isn't the 50's anymore.
Posted by: rickb223

I moved a bunch in the military. Bought everywhere I moved. Built equity. Took the equity from the last property and rolled it into the new one. So the payments I was making in 99, were applied to the property I bought in 2020. If you rent, you are making payments forever with nothing gained.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:33 AM (aYRzU)

461 Win elections, and you have at least the possibility of rolling back government power. Yes, in an incremental and limited way. You need to win many elections, and keep making that incremental progress.

Scare off voters with off-the-wall, crazy pronouncements about popular programs, and not only do you have no possibility of rolling back government power, you will also have no real influence on preventing the further enhancement of government power.

If you're a rando blogger, you get to take that position if you want to. If you have actual political power, doing so is massively irresponsible.

Samuel Hammond is EXACTLY correct.

Posted by: RichieC at January 26, 2023 09:33 AM (DxBF0)

462 My proposal: zero out the budget. Actually dismantle the federal government. Overthrow it, replace it, and repudiate its debt.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 26, 2023 09:28 AM (oINRc)

Concur. I call it the Abolish Is Happiness plan.

A man can dream.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at January 26, 2023 09:34 AM (R/m4+)

463 Tampans. Autocucumber just made a hilarious change to what you wrote.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

Yeah... autocucumber...

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy, Set the Earth to fire and reshape it closer to the heart's desire at January 26, 2023 09:35 AM (aYRzU)

464 "As recently as 2004, 91% of Americans were extremely or very proud to be American and the United States ranked first in the world in national pride."

America's Future is Bleak When Only 27% of the Younger Generations are Proud to be American

No one should be proud to be from any country. Why be proud of something that was the result of just complete luck of the draw of where one was born. "I'm proud to have been lucky enough to be born in X country!"

Instead, though, every single person who is an American citizen should be extremely **grateful** that they were born in the USA and are lucky enough to be an American citizen. Despite numerous problems with current government and culture and society, living in the USA -- except for extreme cases of bad luck to be in crime-ridden neighborhoods or born to sadistic parents, etc -- is better for people of all classes than living in almost anywhere else in the world.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 26, 2023 09:35 AM (Do5/p)

465 461 Win elections, and you have at least the possibility of rolling back government power. Yes, in an incremental and limited way. You need to win many elections, and keep making that incremental progress.

Posted by: RichieC at January 26, 2023 09:33 AM (DxBF0)

We'd been doing that for years but we're out of time so it doesn't really matter anymore. Collapse of the currency isn't even our biggest problem, and we're not going to be fixing the bigger problems either.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:36 AM (eYoxG)

466 Win elections, and you have at least the possibility of rolling back government power.
---

We did.

Our reward was having a toilet flood in Atlanta causing five separate cities across multiple time zones simultaneously shutting down counting ballots so that it wouldn't happen again.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:36 AM (KETMo)

467 No one should be proud to be from any country. Why be proud of something that was the result of just complete luck of the draw of where one was born. "I'm proud to have been lucky enough to be born in X country!"

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 26, 2023 09:35 AM (Do5/p)

What people mean by it is they love their country and heritage and are happy to be associated with it(because the country is noble, free, etc.). They find the country to be a distinguished association of people.

Posted by: Red Turban Someguy - The Republic is already dead! at January 26, 2023 09:37 AM (eYoxG)

468 Sorry, the toilet didn't flood. It didn't flush, maybe.

IIRC there never was a work order for a problem, though.

It was all pretend.

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:37 AM (KETMo)

469 IIRC Americans looked down their nose at the ancient Chinese tradition of women binding their feet.

Of course, one can still walk if they bind their chest, but they won't be able to chest feed...

Posted by: Ziba at January 26, 2023 09:37 AM (4h9M3)

470 "My proposal: zero out the budget. Actually dismantle the federal government. Overthrow it, replace it, and repudiate its debt."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 26, 2023 09:28 AM (oINRc)

You're now on a domestic terrorist watchlist.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 26, 2023 09:38 AM (76Foq)

471 IIRC Americans looked down their nose at the ancient Chinese tradition of women binding their feet.

--

Yep. Bunch of barbarians!!! Patriarchy!!!

(convinces young women to sterilize themselves and attempt to vanish into society as repulsively unattractive males)

Posted by: Here's your Ukraine War effort, suckers. Just like we've been telling you: at January 26, 2023 09:39 AM (KETMo)

472 Not a bad system, though a potential flaw is commissioning a system to do what you are asking. You *know* that the process of commissioning that system will cost 10x the actual development cost in the private sector and lead to untold amounts of graft. Not to mention that the programmers might decide to skew biases within the system to favor (or disfavor) certain departments/agencies.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 26, 2023 09:32 AM (zR7zg)
++++
It's all public information. I might just commission it out of my own pocket or campaign funds. It wouldn't be *that* expensive or difficult. Then, I'd be the only one with access to it.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 09:40 AM (t0OGg)

473 Suppose the government cut spending back to 1923 levels. The economy would shrink to 1923 levels,

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

Why would the economy shrink in proportion to government spending.
I think we've found the problem.

Posted by: Inogame, non alius regit at January 26, 2023 09:44 AM (53oGX)

474 I would prefer to see something quite different. Pay the congressmen well, in the neighborhood of a quarter million bucks. Provide congressmen housing to get rid of the "but we have to maintain two households" canard. Build a congressional dorm. A nice apartment complex. Nice apartments. Three-bedroom jobs with nice furnishings and finishes to allow the kid(s) to visit and still have a home office space. Provide them as a perk of the job - company housing.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 26, 2023 08:51 AM

There is absolutely no reason in this day and age of video conferencing that any Congressman or Senator needs to be anywhere else than in his/her district or State of residence.

Besides, these people keep telling us that "climate crisis" is real. So then they should act like it. No more travelling to/from DC for anything. You conduct all business from one main office in your home district/State and all business is conducted virtually.

For the children. To save the planet.

Far past time to Alinsky Rule #4 these assholes.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at January 26, 2023 09:45 AM (Do5/p)

475 It's National Peanut Brittle Day...
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 08:02 AM (NpAcC)

Support your local dentist!!

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at January 26, 2023 09:49 AM (Zvtjl)

476 There should not be any cap on SS taxable income and anyone born after the year 2000 should be able to opt out of the current system as long as they contribute the SS withholding to a privately controlled retirement plan. Get the government out of peoples lives whenever possible.

Posted by: dumb masses at January 26, 2023 09:52 AM (FjlUt)

477 "Your contract with the US Department of Housing is terminated effective in 90 days. Fix your shithole up, sell it, raze it, find a renter. We don't care. The government and taxpayers are no longer funding your rental business. Good day."
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at January 26, 2023 08:37 AM (u93Yj)

HAHAHAHAHA!!

Posted by: Obama appointed federal judge at January 26, 2023 10:01 AM (Zvtjl)

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Posted by: Jessica Larson at January 26, 2023 10:08 AM (voXUR)

479 "The system isn't broken. The system is the problem in the first place."

Bravo, JJ. And M1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles are 'defensive' weapons. Not. WWIII is now under way and we will likely see some sort of grid attack response from Russia... God help us.

Posted by: Danimal28 at January 26, 2023 10:19 AM (klw0w)

480 "Ike Was Right: The Military-Industrial Complex Has Become a Serious Problem"

As Molly Ball confirmed this for us in her 25 page Time essay about how they had to correct the election(2/4/21).

Posted by: Danimal28 at January 26, 2023 10:21 AM (klw0w)

481 I modified my body to be a ‘black alien’ — now restaurants are scared to serve me

https://tinyurl.com/349mp436
Posted by: redridinghood at January 26, 2023 09:17 AM (NpAcC)

I would set my dogs on this ... thing, if I ever saw it.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at January 26, 2023 10:41 AM (yQpMk)

482 Yes social security is a world collapsing forced ponzi scheme. First gen paid into it for days and yet pulled decades from it. Meanwhile current gen will pay into it for decades and pull nothing from it. 401k etc are not answer. Wall Street is just as corrupt as DC. Corporate overlords are not the solution.

Reality is left is totalitarian hegemon beyond correction. Even if we made a bunch of hugely unpopular decisions to free people from said scheme that drove us from every office in the land for a generation, the left would overnight just redirect that money to it's own people. We are at the Bolshevik stage where conservatives should be draining every penny out of the government so those pennies can't be weapomized against us. While we simultaneously start ground work for exiting from jaws of DC.

1. Red states start establishing it's own optional basket of physical resource based parallel currency. (Every city on border of America accepts one kind of currency and pays change in another. We did this even before digital registers.)

2. Red states start putting foreign countries on notice that we will not pay back any debt incurred by DC.

Posted by: Shiggz (defective slave) at January 26, 2023 10:47 AM (ZdP0E)

483 3. We start telling left-wingers how utopia happy they will be without Florida and Texas ruining their elections.

Posted by: Shiggz (defective slave) at January 26, 2023 10:48 AM (ZdP0E)

484 "Medicare I don't care. They take it out of my SS to the extent I could buy it myself on the open market."

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

That may have been true before Obamacare exploded the cost of private insurance. It sure as hell isn't true now, especially for someone of retirement age.

Posted by: Bigsmith at January 26, 2023 10:51 AM (4Voc+)

485 Reagan predicted most of this in his "A Time for Choosing" speech. Worth a re-watch.

Posted by: OCBill at January 26, 2023 10:52 AM (SUECK)

486 Brexit never could have succeeded if Britain had joined the eurodollar. Architects our demise fully understand this while we argue about Trump on Facebook.

Posted by: Shiggz (defective slave) at January 26, 2023 10:52 AM (ZdP0E)

487 "Big Government" is the mind-set that the solution to any given problem is something for the government to address. That means government at every level; not just the federales.

It was individual initiative, individual responsibility, and individual care & concern for "me and my own" that produced the greatness of this nation. More and more it is all being passed off as something for government to address, rather than the individual.

Having worked overseas for most of my life, I saw how other cultures, in the face of disaster or calamity, would stand by while waiting for the officialdom to come in and direct the efforts needed to address the disaster or calamity. Contrast that with the video of the pedestrian bridge collapse at FIU where the video showed everyone jumping out of their cars and running toward the scene. That was the individuality - individual responsibility - that made our country great. That is the individuality - individual responsibility - that is being ground out of us, as we turn more and more to look first to government, rather than to ourselves, for resolution.

Posted by: LCMS Rulz! at January 26, 2023 10:56 AM (K58O6)

488 The Morning Report is always so good J.J., it occupies my mind almost all day long. Don't know how you do it but I'm grateful.

Posted by: Lola at January 26, 2023 11:01 AM (Wxlzw)

489 "...Biden’s boosters fancied him the next FDR"

Ummmm, negatory.

Penetrating Fingers "ticket" was only that he wasn't Orangeman, (an outlier who hadn't paid proper naked homage to the Great Owl statue, or kissed the rings of Deep State Star Chamber Globalists, or gushed breathlessly and fainting over the PantsCrease We've Been Waiting For.

If you recall, Hillary bewailed, after throwing a shrieking cursing, garment rending tantrum,

"I knew *they* weren't going to let me be President..." My ears perked up at *they.*

Eventually, Trump revealed the *they.* 'By Any Means Necessary' is how he was removed from office by the riff-raff who rule us.

2X bonus of protection against any criticism, (female and black, you ol' racist mysogignist) Kamswalla waits in line to enforce Change We Can Believe In, bringing moar Fundamental Transformation to America on the backs of mRNA jabbed children who manage to make it out of the womb alive.

Posted by: Ju at January 26, 2023 11:04 AM (aTmM/)

490 JJ might be less supportive of ending SS if he were closer to retirement. As long as other people's money is cut, he's ok.

SS is a huge ripoff and could be privatized easily (though with regulations that restrict investment options that are appropriate for retirement investing (i.e. no gold and a strong emphasis on broad based index mutual funds). But this must be phased in because older people will not have the time to grow their account.

Posted by: Skzion at January 26, 2023 01:20 PM (vqSpp)

491 Thank you, J.J., for telling the truth about government retirement- Socialist Insecurity.

Posted by: insurgens ad opus at January 26, 2023 01:20 PM (B55/q)

492 Posted by: Skzion at January 26, 2023 01:20 PM (vqSpp)
----

I'm 49, fired for not taking the Jab, and burned through most of my savings be lcause of this clusterfuck. End SS now. End it.

And screw you for the shitty, passive aggressive attack on Sefton's (and by extension everyone who agrees with him) character. Nice logical fallacy.

You have chosen to buy into the lie that Uncle Sugar can and should take care of you in your golden years. To hell with that. But thanks for your honesty.

Every single human being who eats because of a federal government check is your mortal enemy.

Posted by: insurgens ad opus at January 26, 2023 01:24 PM (B55/q)

493 491 JJ might be less supportive of ending SS if he were closer to retirement. As long as other people's money is cut, he's ok.

SS is a huge ripoff and could be privatized easily (though with regulations that restrict investment options that are appropriate for retirement investing (i.e. no gold and a strong emphasis on broad based index mutual funds). But this must be phased in because older people will not have the time to grow their account.
Posted by: Skzion at January 26, 2023 01:20 PM (vqSpp)

I've got news for you, Stretch. I'm pushing 63. SIX-D-THREE.

And I stand by my statement. Not just SS but THE ENTIRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I will take my chances without Uncle Sugar/Sportin' Life deigning me with a taste of slavery dressed up as "entitlements."

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at January 26, 2023 01:58 PM (x0n13)

494 My opinion is we'd get a lot more freedom mileage out of booting the FBI and CIA to the curb than the Social Security Administration.

Yeah, there are ways of getting rid of entitlements, but they would take years to come to fruition, and the odds of maintaining the discipline that long are slim.

Posted by: MartynWW at January 26, 2023 02:03 PM (ZwbLG)

495 Hey JJ, you may not be impressed with Kevin McCarthy, but you are significantly less impressive than him.

If you had stopped sooner in stupidly (like a dodo) repeating the obvious establishment propaganda that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was going terribly, I might think now you have an IQ’s higher than Fetterman’s second (smaller) head (but you obviously don’t).

If Putin’s invasion is going so BAD why are we and NATO allies sending Ukraine our most advanced tanks? And Ukraine is already demanding (and will likely receive; with no effective opposition from blatantly empty-headed blowhards like you) advanced fighter jets from the West/Biden.

Hey, if Putin’s invasion keeps going as terribly as you claim (you dope) we may eventually give Ukraine short-range nuclear weapons.

Posted by: Dummy #43 at January 26, 2023 04:00 PM (U2W4Y)

496 I am making $100 an hour working from home. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning $16,000 a month by working on a laptop, that was truly astounding for me, she prescribed for me to attempt it simply.
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Posted by: www.Payathome7.com at January 26, 2023 05:03 PM (c7ZhB)

497 Making money online is more than $15k just by doing simple work from home. I received $18376 last month. It's an easy and simple job to do and its earnings are much better than regular office jobs and even a little child can do this and earn money. Everybody must try this job by just use the info on this page..... www.netpayfast.com/

Posted by: Sarah Garcia at January 27, 2023 09:02 AM (CJm4O)

498 Really interesting that nobody here has commented on the Anton/Zman spat.

Probably because most of the commenters here line up more with Zman in terms of mental processes.

Posted by: rold at January 27, 2023 04:30 PM (cPeLk)

499 M1 tanks and Bradleys are defensive weapons the same way an AR15 is a defensive weapon.

Ukraine doesn't need tanks. You don't need a gun.

See how that works?

YOU are the enemy you claim to be fighting.

Posted by: rold at January 27, 2023 04:33 PM (cPeLk)

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