Support
Contact
Ace:
aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com
CBD:
cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com
Buck:
buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com
joe mannix:
mannix2024 at proton.me
MisHum:
petmorons at gee mail.com
J.J. Sefton:
sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com
aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com
CBD:
cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com
Buck:
buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com
joe mannix:
mannix2024 at proton.me
MisHum:
petmorons at gee mail.com
J.J. Sefton:
sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com
The Morning Rant: Guest Edition [Pete Bog]
After Congress passed the wildly misnamed “Inflation Reduction Act” in August of 2022 I wrote a series of posts explaining why widespread inflation was inevitable. I bring that up for two reasons, first I was right and second the comments on those threads revealed a high level of economic understanding of the topic.
Recently I have been watching the financial media fantasize about the impacts of Trump’s tariff policy. Per the pundits, the new tariff regime will have devastating consequences on the economy, employment and the almost certain onset of “stagflation”, the simultaneous combination of slow or no economic growth and high inflation. I’ve been scratching my head over that one and I’d like to solicit the Horde’s thoughts, whether informed or otherwise. Here is a snapshot of the current economic situation in the US. For years, including Trump’s first term, the Government deficit has been exploding. In 2025, we are on track to spend about $2.5 trillion more the Government takes. Much of that is paid through the Fed “printing” money and expanding the supply of dollars. That is the reason we have been suffering from inflation for the last several years, and it continues despite the constant redefining of statistical measures to claim inflation is only about 2.5%. Everyone in the real world knows this is Bull. Despite this, the economy has remained surprisingly strong until the last few months as growth has slowed. The new tariffs will not have the impact prophesized by the media. It is true that the tariffs will cause economic shock as prices adjust to reflect the cost of importing goods to the US. That will be most keenly felt in the mountain of stuff that comes in from China, particularly consumer goods. That shock will be painful, but it seems that it is largely a one-time adjustment, and people will certainly change their consumption to reflect the new pricing. Much of the impact of tariffs will be borne by the Chinese manufacturers because the different tariff rates between countries will result in the production of those goods moving to the spots that can profitably put the goods in our market at the lowest price. This will include US manufacturers over time. Exactly the effect the tariffs are intended to induce. The other factor that the media is missing entirely is the rapidly increasing impact of Artificial Intelligence on productivity and employment. Even relatively slow to adopt industries such as real estate are seeing massive changes from AI and it is only beginning. So where is the stagflation?Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Morning!
Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at May 13, 2025 11:00 AM (/HDaX)
2
And nooded.
Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at May 13, 2025 11:01 AM (/HDaX)
3
Hello, Pete Bog. Don't believe I've seen your nic here before, but I assume you've been around here a while if your guest-cobbing.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM (77rzZ)
4
What does Paul Krugman, David Hogg, and/or Brian Stelter think of all this?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM (0sNs1)
5
So where is the stagflation?
They're wish-casting it. Obviously saying that something is the case makes it true, and stagflation would sink Trump.
Therefore stagflation it will be, actual economic conditions be damned.
They're wish-casting it. Obviously saying that something is the case makes it true, and stagflation would sink Trump.
Therefore stagflation it will be, actual economic conditions be damned.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM (hB7mE)
Posted by: Jasmine Crocketts' Eye Lashes at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM (5hfjS)
7
I mean I think the fed gov robbing the treasury blind and printing assloads of fiat money to float their friends etc becoming millionaires might have had something to do with the inflation
Posted by: Black Orchid at May 13, 2025 11:04 AM (Pv3Rg)
8
Joe Biden's physical deterioration was so severe that advisers privately discussed the possibility he'd need to use a wheelchair if he won re-election, @jaketapper and @AlexThomp write in their new book.
Wait, I thought he was so sharp people 1/4th his age couldn't keep up. And I thought Fake Fapper was one of the people saying so.
Wait, I thought he was so sharp people 1/4th his age couldn't keep up. And I thought Fake Fapper was one of the people saying so.
Posted by: Ian S. at May 13, 2025 11:04 AM (2ocoG)
9
Commenting present
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:04 AM (ypFCm)
Posted by: Ben Had at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (NVNRw)
11
FIRST!!!!!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (JA4sW)
12
I won't be happy until 'bidening' becomes a word for thoroughly fucking something up in order to enrich yourself and your buddies.
it's like 'fetch.' Imma make it happen.
it's like 'fetch.' Imma make it happen.
Posted by: Black Orchid at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (Pv3Rg)
13
Well I'll have to browse this thread later to read horde wisdom. But the FNM are A. ignorant, and B. propagandists for the socialist agenda, and DNC. B drives them and then they scrape around in their shallow minds for possible bad effects from any Trump or MAGA action.
Posted by: PaleRider at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (bP/i4)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (BHEWj)
15
I suppose:
1) They're idiots
2) Stagflation assumes everyone just sits on their hands and says Oh Well. But people will change both their consumption and their production.
1) They're idiots
2) Stagflation assumes everyone just sits on their hands and says Oh Well. But people will change both their consumption and their production.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (MdyBk)
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (JA4sW)
17
We won't have "stagflation" because we won't have *inflation*. We just spent 4 painful years of inflation because the previous regime tried to kill this nation destroying the currency and flooding the streets with illegals. Now that Trump's team is in place we're already seeing a reduction in the prices of gas and eggs. We'll soon see businesses have the confidence to invest in themselves as well. That leads to economic growth, which again rips the legs out from under the "stagflation" predictions.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (TN0g+)
18
The new tariffs will not have the impact prophesized by the media. It is true that the tariffs will cause economic shock as prices adjust to reflect the cost of importing goods to the US.
======
It needs to also be remembered that tariffs are applied to wholesale importer prices, and no further up the chain.
It's not 10% or whatever on the final retail price. It's 10% or whatever on the cost to the importer.
Importer to wholesaler to retailer, and that increase maybe 2-3%, depending on the good.
======
It needs to also be remembered that tariffs are applied to wholesale importer prices, and no further up the chain.
It's not 10% or whatever on the final retail price. It's 10% or whatever on the cost to the importer.
Importer to wholesaler to retailer, and that increase maybe 2-3%, depending on the good.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (GBKbO)
Posted by: four seasons at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (3ek7K)
20
For years, including Trump’s first term, the Government deficit has been exploding. In 2025, we are on track to spend about $2.5 trillion more the Government takes. Much of that is paid through the Fed “printing” money and expanding the supply of dollars. That is the reason we have been suffering from inflation for the last several years
This is why I can't get excited about Musk's $400B cuts in the budget (assuming they aren't repealed by Judge Macadamia), even though I heartily endorse them, and think they will have a profound influence on the politics of the country going forward. We are still miles from a balanced budget. I want to see a realistic plan for closing the deficit. So far, I haven't seen it.
This is why I can't get excited about Musk's $400B cuts in the budget (assuming they aren't repealed by Judge Macadamia), even though I heartily endorse them, and think they will have a profound influence on the politics of the country going forward. We are still miles from a balanced budget. I want to see a realistic plan for closing the deficit. So far, I haven't seen it.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (s8j++)
21
So where is the stagflation?
Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:00 AM
Expertly avoided by the genius of Joe Biden and we're benefiting from his swift and brilliant actions after the pandemic to save our economy.
Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:00 AM
Expertly avoided by the genius of Joe Biden and we're benefiting from his swift and brilliant actions after the pandemic to save our economy.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (JA4sW)
22
What does Paul Krugman, David Hogg, and/or Brian Stelter think of all this?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM
"Think"?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM
"Think"?
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 13, 2025 11:07 AM (kgE5c)
23
I want to see a realistic plan for closing the deficit. So far, I haven't seen it.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (s8j++)
There's no chance of a realistic comprehensive plan to build a supercar when your engineers don't even believe that wheels exist yet. One step at a time.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (s8j++)
There's no chance of a realistic comprehensive plan to build a supercar when your engineers don't even believe that wheels exist yet. One step at a time.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 13, 2025 11:07 AM (MdyBk)
24
I know nothing about the theme of this post.. I will wait until the comments inevitably veer off into the inevitable discussion of other matters….
Posted by: tubal at May 13, 2025 11:08 AM (PCK5/)
25
There's no chance of a realistic comprehensive plan to build a supercar when your engineers don't even believe that wheels exist yet. One step at a time.
Warai is correct
this is a big ship it will take an incremental response to the Obama Age's depravations
Warai is correct
this is a big ship it will take an incremental response to the Obama Age's depravations
Posted by: Black Orchid at May 13, 2025 11:08 AM (Pv3Rg)
26
I know nothing about the theme of this post.. I will wait until the comments inevitably veer off into the inevitable discussion of other matters….
Posted by: tubal
BOOBS!
Posted by: tubal
BOOBS!
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:08 AM (77rzZ)
27
Expertly avoided by the genius of Joe Biden and we're benefiting from his swift and brilliant actions after the pandemic to save our economy.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM
Well said! Why don't you join us? We always have space for pellucidly clear commentary!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM
Well said! Why don't you join us? We always have space for pellucidly clear commentary!
Posted by: Denizens of Democratic Underground at May 13, 2025 11:09 AM (0sNs1)
28
I think the economic effects of Trump's so-called tariff policies have come and gone.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 11:09 AM (Q4IgG)
29
The tariffs will raise some prices, sure. However, Americans quickly forget and move on. Take fuel prices. Biden had that shit up over $4 when he inherited $1.53. We're still paying $3 and no one is bitching.
it will be the same with cheap Chinese shit at WalMart.
Americans are an overly forgiving species on the planet.
The NFL called us racists and bigots and we are still handing them $9bn a year.
it will be the same with cheap Chinese shit at WalMart.
Americans are an overly forgiving species on the planet.
The NFL called us racists and bigots and we are still handing them $9bn a year.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:09 AM (JA4sW)
30
Pete Bog is an amazing chef, I can attest this having eaten many of his meals at the TXMoMe. He also has a keen insight and witty banter.
Posted by: lin-duh at May 13, 2025 11:10 AM (YDB6U)
31
So where is the stagflation?
Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:00 AM
In the adult film industry?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (BHEWj)
Well played.
Posted by: Open Blogger at 11:00 AM
In the adult film industry?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at May 13, 2025 11:05 AM (BHEWj)
Well played.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:10 AM (l3YAf)
Posted by: Kristi Noem's eyelashes at May 13, 2025 11:10 AM (Y1sOo)
33
Why is it that it seems the more educated some get, the more stupid they are?
Posted by: YosemiteSatchmo at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (fPxc5)
34
I've a big green line, hold me back, I want to sell.
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
· 18h
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
...announced it would acquire 18 natural gas-fired power plants …POWER Magazine
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
· 18h
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
...announced it would acquire 18 natural gas-fired power plants …POWER Magazine
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (xYplz)
35
The answer to inflation is for the government to take out all of the areas where prices are going up in the inflation basket. This should be revisited every time an inflation report comes out. I bet inflation will go down with this one simple trick.... like that is not going on now.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (17s+e)
36
Eric Daugherty
@EricLDaugh
Today:
- Inflation came in lower than expected
- Grocery prices fell the most in nearly 5 years
- "Experts" at JPMorgan withdrew their prediction of a recession
Me: Communists hardest hit.
@EricLDaugh
Today:
- Inflation came in lower than expected
- Grocery prices fell the most in nearly 5 years
- "Experts" at JPMorgan withdrew their prediction of a recession
Me: Communists hardest hit.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:12 AM (W5ArC)
37
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
· 18h
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
...announced it would acquire 18 natural gas-fired power plants …POWER Magazine
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (xYplz)
Couldn't find a listing of the plants LS Power owned........SpongeBro is in the industry and is VERY curious how many are in his territory.
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
· 18h
NRG Buying LS Power Gas-Fired Plants in $12-Billion Deal
...announced it would acquire 18 natural gas-fired power plants …POWER Magazine
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (xYplz)
Couldn't find a listing of the plants LS Power owned........SpongeBro is in the industry and is VERY curious how many are in his territory.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:12 AM (JA4sW)
38
In the last half of the 19th century the US government was able to fund itself almost entirely from tariff revenue. The main economic issue during that time was deflation not inflation.
Posted by: Rotaryu1 at May 13, 2025 11:12 AM (9U6Wl)
39
Thx Pete. Good post.
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
40
Well played.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:10 AM (l3YAf)
Thanks. Occasionally I say something of value to notice.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:10 AM (l3YAf)
Thanks. Occasionally I say something of value to notice.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (BHEWj)
41
Why is it that it seems the more educated some get, the more stupid they are?
Posted by: YosemiteSatchmo
Because they are taught dogma, not critical thinking skills.
Posted by: YosemiteSatchmo
Because they are taught dogma, not critical thinking skills.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (77rzZ)
42
>> Take fuel prices. Biden had that shit up over $4 when he inherited $1.53. We're still paying $3 and no one is bitching.
That’s the problem with inflation. Prices went up, then wages went up. $3 is no longer all that expensive for a gallon of gasoline, unfortunately.
That’s the problem with inflation. Prices went up, then wages went up. $3 is no longer all that expensive for a gallon of gasoline, unfortunately.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (l3YAf)
43
The prediction of stagflation is a powerful indicator of exactly how stupid and ignorant our media are.
They think that the costs of the tariffs will be borne entirely by American consumers, and there will be no concomitant economic benefit.
They think that the costs of the tariffs will be borne entirely by American consumers, and there will be no concomitant economic benefit.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (LjcqP)
44
> 33 Why is it that it seems the more educated some get, the more stupid they are?
Posted by: YosemiteSatchmo at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (fPxc5)
Your typical PhD knows a whole lot, about one tiny little area... say, one species of butterfly, or the life of some obscure Victorian poet. However, they've typically spent their entire lives in the highly artificial environment of academia, without ever once encountering the real world.
All too often, they think that their expertise translates to areas in which they have no qualifications whatsoever.
Posted by: YosemiteSatchmo at May 13, 2025 11:11 AM (fPxc5)
Your typical PhD knows a whole lot, about one tiny little area... say, one species of butterfly, or the life of some obscure Victorian poet. However, they've typically spent their entire lives in the highly artificial environment of academia, without ever once encountering the real world.
All too often, they think that their expertise translates to areas in which they have no qualifications whatsoever.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:15 AM (W5ArC)
45
Good article, Pete Bog, but you left out the part about knee capping Powell.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:15 AM (xYplz)
46
Thx Pete. Good post.
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM
We went *nowhere* near that.
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM
We went *nowhere* near that.
Posted by: The Aliens at May 13, 2025 11:15 AM (kgE5c)
47
Every economist, on both sides of the aisle, think corporate taxes should be raised for economic prosperity.
Also
Every economist, on both sides of the aisle, think tariffs will cause an economic meltdown.
In short, every economist, on both sides of the aisle, is ignorant, stupid, or a liar... possibly all three.
Also
Every economist, on both sides of the aisle, think tariffs will cause an economic meltdown.
In short, every economist, on both sides of the aisle, is ignorant, stupid, or a liar... possibly all three.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (17s+e)
48
Supply and demand and tariffs have nothing to do with government monetary inflation. They don’t want you to know that. They don’t want you to know American wages have been stagnant since 1974. They don’t want you to know the balance of trade went negative in 1975. The government has been getting away with financial insanity because of the dollar being the world reserve currency. No other reason.
In any case inflation is a permanent loss of the currency unit purchasing power. It doesn’t come back. Ever. If energy prices come down, that’s good for Americans, but it’s still a matter of one step forward and two steps back. Inflation is just theft on the part of the ruling class. Even the much vaunted Fed “2% target rate” is ridiculous, roughly half of your savings or investments are gone every 20 years. And you owe taxes on the nominal “gains”, to add insult to injury.
In any case inflation is a permanent loss of the currency unit purchasing power. It doesn’t come back. Ever. If energy prices come down, that’s good for Americans, but it’s still a matter of one step forward and two steps back. Inflation is just theft on the part of the ruling class. Even the much vaunted Fed “2% target rate” is ridiculous, roughly half of your savings or investments are gone every 20 years. And you owe taxes on the nominal “gains”, to add insult to injury.
Posted by: Common Tater at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (JmDaf)
49
The new tariffs will not have the impact prophesized by the media. It is true that the tariffs will cause economic shock as prices adjust to reflect the cost of importing goods to the US.
======
It needs to also be remembered that tariffs are applied to wholesale importer prices, and no further up the chain.
It's not 10% or whatever on the final retail price. It's 10% or whatever on the cost to the importer.
Importer to wholesaler to retailer, and that increase maybe 2-3%, depending on the good.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (GBKbO)
________
It's amazing how economically illiterate so many people are, including even some on our side. Few people ever even heard of tariffs -- other than in some vague, detached sense -- before Trump started talking about them. Then everyone became a True Certified Tariff Expert in 24 hours, despite not knowing even the basics.
I also think too many people on our side still get too much of their info from the shitiots in the media. You can see it seeping through with almost any Trump-related issue, from tariffs to immigration to gifting planes. Believe not a single word. Not even "the."
======
It needs to also be remembered that tariffs are applied to wholesale importer prices, and no further up the chain.
It's not 10% or whatever on the final retail price. It's 10% or whatever on the cost to the importer.
Importer to wholesaler to retailer, and that increase maybe 2-3%, depending on the good.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (GBKbO)
________
It's amazing how economically illiterate so many people are, including even some on our side. Few people ever even heard of tariffs -- other than in some vague, detached sense -- before Trump started talking about them. Then everyone became a True Certified Tariff Expert in 24 hours, despite not knowing even the basics.
I also think too many people on our side still get too much of their info from the shitiots in the media. You can see it seeping through with almost any Trump-related issue, from tariffs to immigration to gifting planes. Believe not a single word. Not even "the."
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (iFTx/)
50
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (l3YAf)
Almost completely incorrect. Real wages didn't rise nearly as much as the price of gasoline.
Almost completely incorrect. Real wages didn't rise nearly as much as the price of gasoline.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (LjcqP)
51
I saw Nodule in His Prostate open for Bloated Pork Rectum at The Big Pig Jig in 2012.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (JA4sW)
52
"Joe Biden's physical deterioration was so severe that advisers privately discussed the possibility he'd need to use a wheelchair if he won re-election, @jaketapper and @AlexThomp write in their new book.
Wait, I thought he was so sharp people 1/4th his age couldn't keep up. And I thought Fake Fapper was one of the people saying so.
Posted by: Ian S."
I think Tappers book is mostly an attempt to regain some credibility after participating in the cover up. Too late Jake. You were one of the lead dementia deniers.
Wait, I thought he was so sharp people 1/4th his age couldn't keep up. And I thought Fake Fapper was one of the people saying so.
Posted by: Ian S."
I think Tappers book is mostly an attempt to regain some credibility after participating in the cover up. Too late Jake. You were one of the lead dementia deniers.
Posted by: Ripley at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (GUOwU)
53
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
That's IS his brain.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
That's IS his brain.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (W5ArC)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (L/fGl)
55
Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
Considering his actions with young girls, the got the right spot.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
Considering his actions with young girls, the got the right spot.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (BHEWj)
56
39 Thx Pete. Good post.
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
So much for being a perfect prick.
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM (2ZThz)
So much for being a perfect prick.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (N39Ws)
57
The Inflation Reduction Act was Orwellian wording.
To curb inflation, all spending to the maximum extent possible must be on 1) a good or 2) a service, Government is neither.
To curb inflation, all spending to the maximum extent possible must be on 1) a good or 2) a service, Government is neither.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (WqK+k)
58
That’s the problem with inflation. Prices went up, then wages went up. $3 is no longer all that expensive for a gallon of gasoline, unfortunately.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (l3YAf)
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (l3YAf)
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
59
> Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.
---------
The "nodule" was his head.
---------
The "nodule" was his head.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (Q4IgG)
60
AI isn’t, and will be shown to be a lot of hype for most.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:18 AM (WqK+k)
61
I think Tappers book is mostly an attempt to regain some credibility after participating in the cover up. Too late Jake. You were one of the lead dementia deniers.
Posted by: Ripley at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (GUOwU)
Forget it, Jake. You're stupid town.
Posted by: Ripley at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (GUOwU)
Forget it, Jake. You're stupid town.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:18 AM (JA4sW)
62
All too often, they think that their expertise translates to areas in which they have no qualifications whatsoever.
——-
Musicians. This took me a while to figure out growing up. Someone that talented, they must necessarily be highly intelligent. Oops.
——-
Musicians. This took me a while to figure out growing up. Someone that talented, they must necessarily be highly intelligent. Oops.
Posted by: Common Tater at May 13, 2025 11:18 AM (JmDaf)
63
23 I want to see a realistic plan for closing the deficit. So far, I haven't seen it.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (s8j++)3
-------------
When the States vote in a realistic Congress we'll get a realistic plan put into action.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:06 AM (s8j++)3
-------------
When the States vote in a realistic Congress we'll get a realistic plan put into action.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:18 AM (xYplz)
64
> In short, every economist, on both sides of the aisle, is ignorant, stupid, or a liar... possibly all three.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (17s+e)
You just have to look at the fake "Nobel Prize" for Economics to see that the substantive content of the field is essentially zero. Economists with diametrically opposed views have won it.
You don't see physicists winning the Nobel Prize for Physics for advocating completely incompatible views.
Why? Because physics is a real science.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (17s+e)
You just have to look at the fake "Nobel Prize" for Economics to see that the substantive content of the field is essentially zero. Economists with diametrically opposed views have won it.
You don't see physicists winning the Nobel Prize for Physics for advocating completely incompatible views.
Why? Because physics is a real science.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (W5ArC)
65
I’m just happy that TX has not increased gas taxes since 1991.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (WqK+k)
Posted by: Affordable Care Act at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (17s+e)
67
US wages have been stagnating for a decade, and even falling during Biden's era.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (g47mK)
68
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
Fist bump
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
Fist bump
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (QMyMX)
69
The "nodule" was his head.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (Q4IgG)
Or a bolus of goat semen. The doctors aren't sure yet.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (Q4IgG)
Or a bolus of goat semen. The doctors aren't sure yet.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:20 AM (LjcqP)
70
58
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
In the age of 3% raises (max, unless you work for city/state/fed govt.), everyone has fallen behind for the last several years. Depending on where you live, add in the astronomical rise in housing costs. People aren't able to keep pace year over year.
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
In the age of 3% raises (max, unless you work for city/state/fed govt.), everyone has fallen behind for the last several years. Depending on where you live, add in the astronomical rise in housing costs. People aren't able to keep pace year over year.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 13, 2025 11:20 AM (N39Ws)
71
I also think too many people on our side still get too much of their info from the shitiots in the media. You can see it seeping through with almost any Trump-related issue, from tariffs to immigration to gifting planes. Believe not a single word. Not even "the."
------------
Supply and demand curves are amazing things...and the media and three-quarters of those in elected office lack any understanding at all of how they work.
------------
Supply and demand curves are amazing things...and the media and three-quarters of those in elected office lack any understanding at all of how they work.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:20 AM (TN0g+)
72
Pete Bog is an amazing chef, I can attest this having eaten many of his meals at the TXMoMe. He also has a keen insight and witty banter.
Posted by: lin-duh
Shorter: will suck up for outstanding food!
AKA smart!!!
Posted by: lin-duh
Shorter: will suck up for outstanding food!
AKA smart!!!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (d2jCh)
73
"Joe Biden's physical deterioration was so severe that advisers privately discussed the possibility he'd need to use a wheelchair if he won re-election, @jaketapper and @AlexThomp write in their new book.
-
Hmm... I wonder if this is a ploy to attempt to avoid prison.
-
Hmm... I wonder if this is a ploy to attempt to avoid prison.
Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Men are the romantic sex that will pursue beauty regardless of status or income at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (2spYE)
74
67 US wages have been stagnating for a decade, and even falling during Biden's era.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (g47mK)
Well, when the labor pool expands because the government doesn’t feel like protecting its sovereignty and just letting anyone stroll across the border…
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (g47mK)
Well, when the labor pool expands because the government doesn’t feel like protecting its sovereignty and just letting anyone stroll across the border…
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (WqK+k)
75
The tariff BS to me is all Propaganda
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (ypFCm)
76
In different news, Hungary has moved armored units to the Ukrainian border. This is the wake of breakdowns in talks with Ukraine over the Transcarpathian region, and Ukraine capturing Hungarians they accused of spying on Ukraine.
I will note that the news is from Pravda, and some X channels, so I am not holding my breath.
This is kind of important in that if Hungary, a NATO and EU member carves off part of Ukraine as Historically Theirs, it is going to sit poorly with the EU and NATO
I will note that the news is from Pravda, and some X channels, so I am not holding my breath.
This is kind of important in that if Hungary, a NATO and EU member carves off part of Ukraine as Historically Theirs, it is going to sit poorly with the EU and NATO
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (D7oie)
77
Posted by: Jasmine Crocketts' Eye Lashes
~bat-bat--bat-bat-bat--BAT-BAT!
So, there!
Posted by: Kristi Noem's eyelashes
----------
Dat's be RACIEST1!1!!1!
~bat-bat--bat-bat-bat--BAT-BAT!
So, there!
Posted by: Kristi Noem's eyelashes
----------
Dat's be RACIEST1!1!!1!
Posted by: Jasmine Crocketts' Eye Lashes at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (5hfjS)
78
Demand for workers, falls, wages stagnate or fall. Plus illegals undercutting with bellow market wages. Just read recently how the trucking industry was undercut by the flow of Mex truckers, overstaying B-1 and then grabbing contracts from US truckers.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:21 AM (g47mK)
79
That’s the problem with inflation. Prices went up, then wages went up. $3 is no longer all that expensive for a gallon of gasoline, unfortunately.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (l3YAf)
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
===
Real Wages went down every single fucking month under super economist Joetato Biden. That is not keeping up but falling behind.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (l3YAf)
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
===
Real Wages went down every single fucking month under super economist Joetato Biden. That is not keeping up but falling behind.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:22 AM (17s+e)
80
Pete, the border taxes (tariffs) aren't a tax on the Chinese, they are a tax on you and me and everyone who purchases anything anywhere in the US.
Of similar concern is the yo-yoing of the rates and rules. Businesses need to plan and cannot plan well when the rules keep changing. This leads to reduction in business investment which leads to slower, or negative, growth. We will see what happens but I do not expect the economy to grow much.
Of similar concern is the yo-yoing of the rates and rules. Businesses need to plan and cannot plan well when the rules keep changing. This leads to reduction in business investment which leads to slower, or negative, growth. We will see what happens but I do not expect the economy to grow much.
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz at May 13, 2025 11:22 AM (P7Iz+)
81
They think that the costs of the tariffs will be borne entirely by American consumers, and there will be no concomitant economic benefit.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (LjcqP)
That's if they think at all.
Easy to not have to think when the hand up your ass does all the talking.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:14 AM (LjcqP)
That's if they think at all.
Easy to not have to think when the hand up your ass does all the talking.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:22 AM (GPc/R)
82
‘ So where is the stagflation?’
Stagflation is the media’s messaging campaign and not a result of analysis. They’re hoping that inflation and low growth will continue and they can attach that to the tariff policy
Stagflation is the media’s messaging campaign and not a result of analysis. They’re hoping that inflation and low growth will continue and they can attach that to the tariff policy
Posted by: Dr. Claw at May 13, 2025 11:22 AM (jbnUc)
83
Wisdom is feeding a flamingo shrimp until it turns pink.
Education is spray painting the bitch with Krylon and charging half a million for it.
Education is spray painting the bitch with Krylon and charging half a million for it.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 13, 2025 11:23 AM (EjkL4)
84
This is kind of important in that if Hungary, a NATO and EU member carves off part of Ukraine as Historically Theirs, it is going to sit poorly with the EU and NATO
Posted by: Kindltot
____
Ukraine has a problem with ethnic minorities in their territory. Surprise?
Posted by: Kindltot
____
Ukraine has a problem with ethnic minorities in their territory. Surprise?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (Dv3i1)
85
From Washington Examiner
"From Inauguration Day to May 5, debt held by the public rose by $37,238,323,646.66. Because this accounts for an influx of revenue around April Tax Day, the comparable window to compare Trump’s performance to that of his predecessor is not Trump’s first 104 days with the last 104 days of Joe Biden (when debt held by the public rose by $521,984,501,224.8
, but to the same window in 2024.
From Jan. 22, 2024, to May 6, 2024, debt held by the public rose by $478,402,286,425.95.
Still, that means that the growth in our outstanding national debt fell by an astounding 92%.
Part of this is indeed due to the federal revenue generated by the early Trump business boom and the subsequent tariff regime, which may have scared markets but has slightly increased Uncle Sam’s coffers: Relative to the same 104 days in 2024, the federal government collected $21 billion more in corporate tax revenue, or a 15% increase, and nearly $6 billion in tariff revenue."
"From Inauguration Day to May 5, debt held by the public rose by $37,238,323,646.66. Because this accounts for an influx of revenue around April Tax Day, the comparable window to compare Trump’s performance to that of his predecessor is not Trump’s first 104 days with the last 104 days of Joe Biden (when debt held by the public rose by $521,984,501,224.8
, but to the same window in 2024.
From Jan. 22, 2024, to May 6, 2024, debt held by the public rose by $478,402,286,425.95.
Still, that means that the growth in our outstanding national debt fell by an astounding 92%.
Part of this is indeed due to the federal revenue generated by the early Trump business boom and the subsequent tariff regime, which may have scared markets but has slightly increased Uncle Sam’s coffers: Relative to the same 104 days in 2024, the federal government collected $21 billion more in corporate tax revenue, or a 15% increase, and nearly $6 billion in tariff revenue."
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (ctrM5)
86
Stagflation is the media’s messaging campaign and not a result of analysis. They’re hoping that inflation and low growth will continue and they can attach that to the tariff policy
Posted by: Dr. Claw
____
There is no news, only narrative.
Posted by: Dr. Claw
____
There is no news, only narrative.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (Dv3i1)
87
US wages have been stagnating for a decade, and even falling during Biden's era.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (g47mK)
Since the early 70s, even.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:19 AM (g47mK)
Since the early 70s, even.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (l3YAf)
88
So Biden's neurologist had to say turn your head and cough, too?
Posted by: Warai-otoko at May 13, 2025 11:25 AM (EjkL4)
89
What people miss is the fact private banks can issue money as debt out of thin air too, not top of the Fed doing the same thing when lending to the government. More money is created by the private big banks than by the Fed.
Posted by: Tim at May 13, 2025 11:25 AM (9NOPs)
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at May 13, 2025 11:25 AM (dPQgj)
91
"Joe Biden's physical deterioration was so severe that advisers privately discussed the possibility he'd need to use a wheelchair if he won re-election, @jaketapper and @AlexThomp write in their new book.
----------
They really love rubbing the "truth" in years after the fact. They love it.
It's just a part of our daily lives now.
Waking up to "admissions" and "discoveries" of things we knew years ago but were not allowed to even discuss. It's kind of like banging on our prison bars. They fucking love it.
----------
They really love rubbing the "truth" in years after the fact. They love it.
It's just a part of our daily lives now.
Waking up to "admissions" and "discoveries" of things we knew years ago but were not allowed to even discuss. It's kind of like banging on our prison bars. They fucking love it.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:25 AM (GPc/R)
92
Plus illegals undercutting with bellow market wages.
====
The most insidious part of this is that the taxpayers pay for the living expenses of illegal invaders so they can undercut wages.... OH and without the invaders paying taxes. It is a double plus ungood fucking taxpayers get from WDC under Joepedo and the democrat party.
====
The most insidious part of this is that the taxpayers pay for the living expenses of illegal invaders so they can undercut wages.... OH and without the invaders paying taxes. It is a double plus ungood fucking taxpayers get from WDC under Joepedo and the democrat party.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:26 AM (17s+e)
93
I saw Nodule in His Prostate open for Bloated Pork Rectum at The Big Pig Jig in 2012.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
You attend very odd venues!!!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
You attend very odd venues!!!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 13, 2025 11:26 AM (d2jCh)
94
I saw a story yesterday that US factories can’t keep up with orders and are hiring and adding more shifts. The wizards of smart assures me that was impossible.
Posted by: Ian S. at May 13, 2025 11:26 AM (3cXfB)
95
I have an economic question for the Horde. Before the creation of the Fed, how were interest rates in the US set? Did each bank set its own, was it set by state or Federal laws, were they based on, say, whatever the Bank of England was doing? Just how did it work back then?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:26 AM (77rzZ)
96
The contrast between the energy of President Trump and Joe couldn't be more clear.
i also like the fact President Trump is up front about signing various things. Unlike his predecessor.
Press conferences by the current president? No problem. The previous White House occupant? Nowhere to be found.
i also like the fact President Trump is up front about signing various things. Unlike his predecessor.
Press conferences by the current president? No problem. The previous White House occupant? Nowhere to be found.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 11:27 AM (tT6L1)
Posted by: John Fetterman's lump at May 13, 2025 11:27 AM (Y1sOo)
98
So what I would like to know is what is the Democrats solution to the $32 trillion deficit they created? Come on big media tell us the answer to that. But then you haven't even asked, have you? Because you really don't give a sh*t do you? All you do is criticize Trump who is trying to clean THE DEMOCRATS MESS UP. You are nothing but SOCIALISTS who don't give a damn about this country. And you wonder why people hate you. Idiots.
Posted by: Case at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (Qdqx6)
99
I feel like Paul Narvey with the rest of the story.
The left have canonized a new urban saint.
Jennifer Get In Good Trouble@TheJenniWren
Martin Diaz came to the U.S. as a toddler, fleeing cartel violence. His family had proof of the danger—and hope for safety here. He married a U.S. citizen, and after years of waiting, their visa case finally moved forward.
Days later, ICE showed up at their Spokane home with no warrant, no ID, and no regard for the law.
-
But wait!
Alex Pfeiffer@Pfeiffer47
The Left's new hero is an illegal immigrant with a rape case and two felony convictions.
https://shorturl.at/DeF4b
The left have canonized a new urban saint.
Jennifer Get In Good Trouble@TheJenniWren
Martin Diaz came to the U.S. as a toddler, fleeing cartel violence. His family had proof of the danger—and hope for safety here. He married a U.S. citizen, and after years of waiting, their visa case finally moved forward.
Days later, ICE showed up at their Spokane home with no warrant, no ID, and no regard for the law.
-
But wait!
Alex Pfeiffer@Pfeiffer47
The Left's new hero is an illegal immigrant with a rape case and two felony convictions.
https://shorturl.at/DeF4b
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (L/fGl)
100
What people miss is the fact private banks can issue money as debt out of thin air too, not top of the Fed doing the same thing when lending to the government. More money is created by the private big banks than by the Fed.
Posted by: Tim at May 13, 2025 11:25 AM (9NOPs)
===
Yepper.
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Tim at May 13, 2025 11:25 AM (9NOPs)
===
Yepper.
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
101
What people miss is the fact private banks can issue money as debt out of thin air too, not top of the Fed doing the same thing when lending to the government. More money is created by the private big banks than by the Fed.
---------
Can you flesh that out a little please?
---------
Can you flesh that out a little please?
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (TN0g+)
102
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.
——
I got this, too and wondered why. Because of all the things I don’t need to know, this is definitely one.
——
I got this, too and wondered why. Because of all the things I don’t need to know, this is definitely one.
Posted by: Piper at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (pRpzT)
103
This story has everything! Zombies! Tank! Tesla!
Imposter WWII Vet Crushes Fascism by Running Over a Tesla With a Tank
The man in this video claims to be Ken Turner of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment at Normandy, who died in 2020. The video is a staged protest. The man’s identity is unverified.
Brian Allen@allenanalysis
A 98-year-old British WWII vet just ran over a Tesla with a tank and said, “We crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again.”
No metaphors here he lined up Musk, Putin, Trump, and the global far-right and hit the gas.
https://shorturl.at/Fdula
Imposter WWII Vet Crushes Fascism by Running Over a Tesla With a Tank
The man in this video claims to be Ken Turner of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment at Normandy, who died in 2020. The video is a staged protest. The man’s identity is unverified.
Brian Allen@allenanalysis
A 98-year-old British WWII vet just ran over a Tesla with a tank and said, “We crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again.”
No metaphors here he lined up Musk, Putin, Trump, and the global far-right and hit the gas.
https://shorturl.at/Fdula
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (L/fGl)
104
Please don't mention "peat bog" in my vicinity. One of my business failures came about due to my surveying, then seeking to drain, some of the Great Dismal Swamp. What looked like rich, dark, soil that would be great farmland was way off in pH to allow crops to flourish.
Posted by: Zombie George Washington at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (G5+As)
105
>>>In short, every economist, on both sides of the aisle, is ignorant, stupid, or a liar... possibly all three.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable
---
include: bought and paid for shill
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable
---
include: bought and paid for shill
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (xYplz)
106
82 Part of this is indeed due to the federal revenue generated by the early Trump business boom and the subsequent tariff regime, which may have scared markets but has slightly increased Uncle Sam’s coffers: Relative to the same 104 days in 2024, the federal government collected $21 billion more in corporate tax revenue, or a 15% increase, and nearly $6 billion in tariff revenue."
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (ctrM5)
=======
Now, if that budget process can finish out and rescission bills can get passed...
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (ctrM5)
=======
Now, if that budget process can finish out and rescission bills can get passed...
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (GBKbO)
Posted by: Rerorger at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (xcIvR)
108
Two days before the presidential debate: This is CNN.
Donald Trump’s allies in right-wing media have a problem ahead of CNN’s presidential debate: They’ve set the bar too low for President Joe Biden.
For years, and particularly over the last few months, MAGA Media has portrayed Biden as a senile, mentally incapacitated elderly man who cannot remember what he had for breakfast, let alone run the federal government. That might sound like an exaggeration to those who don’t tune in to Fox News or listen to talk radio, but it has been a real and constant theme in the right-wing media universe.
To support the narrative, these outlets and personalities have seized on Biden’s verbal gaffes (while ignoring Trump’s) and presented out-of-context video clips to their large audiences — a deceptive, but effective strategy that the Biden campaign has struggled to meaningfully rebut.
All lies.
Donald Trump’s allies in right-wing media have a problem ahead of CNN’s presidential debate: They’ve set the bar too low for President Joe Biden.
For years, and particularly over the last few months, MAGA Media has portrayed Biden as a senile, mentally incapacitated elderly man who cannot remember what he had for breakfast, let alone run the federal government. That might sound like an exaggeration to those who don’t tune in to Fox News or listen to talk radio, but it has been a real and constant theme in the right-wing media universe.
To support the narrative, these outlets and personalities have seized on Biden’s verbal gaffes (while ignoring Trump’s) and presented out-of-context video clips to their large audiences — a deceptive, but effective strategy that the Biden campaign has struggled to meaningfully rebut.
All lies.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (Q4IgG)
109
I saw a story yesterday that US factories can’t keep up with orders and are hiring and adding more shifts. The wizards of smart assures me that was impossible.
It will be interesting how China handles the new trade agreement. They'll try to massively cheat, of course, it's what they do. But assuming Trump calls them on it, the only path forward is a dramatic reduction in Chinese manufacturing exports to the US, and that will utterly wreck their economy. I don't see their path forward, other than massive cheating, and that's going to be a problem. This isn't the Biden administration.
It will be interesting how China handles the new trade agreement. They'll try to massively cheat, of course, it's what they do. But assuming Trump calls them on it, the only path forward is a dramatic reduction in Chinese manufacturing exports to the US, and that will utterly wreck their economy. I don't see their path forward, other than massive cheating, and that's going to be a problem. This isn't the Biden administration.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (s8j++)
110
My first MoMe, I had an incredible Paella made by Mr. Bog.
No way I will slight the culinary abilities of Mr. Bog.
As for tariffs affecting people, President Trump is looking for tax relief to help out with any rise in prices. Whether or not the House or the Senate is willing to actually look out for the average American remains to be seen.
No way I will slight the culinary abilities of Mr. Bog.
As for tariffs affecting people, President Trump is looking for tax relief to help out with any rise in prices. Whether or not the House or the Senate is willing to actually look out for the average American remains to be seen.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (tT6L1)
111
98 So what I would like to know is what is the Democrats solution to the $32 trillion deficit they created? Come on big media tell us the answer to that. But then you haven't even asked, have you? Because you really don't give a sh*t do you? All you do is criticize Trump who is trying to clean THE DEMOCRATS MESS UP. You are nothing but SOCIALISTS who don't give a damn about this country. And you wonder why people hate you. Idiots.
Posted by: Case at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (Qdqx6)
=======
"Who cares?"
-Democrats
*shrugs*
-98% of Americans
Posted by: Case at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (Qdqx6)
=======
"Who cares?"
-Democrats
*shrugs*
-98% of Americans
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (GBKbO)
112
29
‘ The NFL called us racists and bigots and we are still handing them $9bn a year.’
Some of us aren’t.
‘ The NFL called us racists and bigots and we are still handing them $9bn a year.’
Some of us aren’t.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (jbnUc)
113
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
---------
Just no.
---------
Just no.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (TN0g+)
114
Joe Biden has a nodule in his skull. Where his brain should be.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (GPc/R)
115
Artblop slegstib coogklig
Posted by: Sid likes the taste of semen and scat at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (PUCHu)
116
After Congress passed the wildly misnamed “Inflation Reduction Act” in August of 2022
Maybe it was the Inflation Minimization Act. "see, we've dealt with it. no longer a problem."
Maybe it was the Inflation Minimization Act. "see, we've dealt with it. no longer a problem."
Posted by: t-bird at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (G7MqD)
117
Posted by: Sid at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (PUCHu)
======
Remember, people think that Trump's goal was 1,000,000% tariffs on China, anything less than that is failure, and 55% tariffs on China now are Trump caving completely.
Just vote for Vance, dude.
======
Remember, people think that Trump's goal was 1,000,000% tariffs on China, anything less than that is failure, and 55% tariffs on China now are Trump caving completely.
Just vote for Vance, dude.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (GBKbO)
118
102 Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.
——
I got this, too and wondered why. Because of all the things I don’t need to know, this is definitely one.
Posted by: Piper
---
Hey, hey, ho, ho, they've found a way for Joe to go.
——
I got this, too and wondered why. Because of all the things I don’t need to know, this is definitely one.
Posted by: Piper
---
Hey, hey, ho, ho, they've found a way for Joe to go.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (xYplz)
119
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (GPc/R)
121
I got this, too and wondered why. Because of all the things I don’t need to know, this is definitely one.
Posted by: Piper at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (pRpzT)
----------------
Why? Does this mean you can define what a woman is? Are you saying women can't have a prostate? Are you sure this isn't timely information for those women who've been putting off their prostate exam?
Posted by: Piper at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM (pRpzT)
----------------
Why? Does this mean you can define what a woman is? Are you saying women can't have a prostate? Are you sure this isn't timely information for those women who've been putting off their prostate exam?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (tT6L1)
122
It needs to also be remembered that tariffs are applied to wholesale importer prices, and no further up the chain.
That doesn't keep foreign companies from sending scare emails to retail importers, telling then that they have to pay the tariffs and if they don't US customs will send their stuff back to the merchant, and they'll have to pay for shipping back.
That doesn't keep foreign companies from sending scare emails to retail importers, telling then that they have to pay the tariffs and if they don't US customs will send their stuff back to the merchant, and they'll have to pay for shipping back.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (hB7mE)
123
82 Part of this is indeed due to the federal revenue generated by the early Trump business boom and the subsequent tariff regime, which may have scared markets but has slightly increased Uncle Sam’s coffers: Relative to the same 104 days in 2024, the federal government collected $21 billion more in corporate tax revenue, or a 15% increase, and nearly $6 billion in tariff revenue."
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (ctrM5)
---
Think what it would be if the Biden junta hadn't shoveled out $500 billion plus of taxpayer monies after Trump was elected.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (ctrM5)
---
Think what it would be if the Biden junta hadn't shoveled out $500 billion plus of taxpayer monies after Trump was elected.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (17s+e)
124
Just why does the troll think that "VOTE VANCE!" is some sort of burn?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (77rzZ)
125
The stagflation has come and gone, like tornadoes that left rubble where houses once stood.
Over the past few years, we've had major inflation. In general, the cost of most things have doubled. Basic food is volatile depending on supply or sudden spikes in demand, but a 2-liter bottle of soda, a candy bar, and that Campbell's can of soup are double the price.
In addition, we're seeing a lot of downward revisions ("Unexpectedly!", as Instapundit used to note back in the Barack years) of historical economic numbers like the jobs number report. The likelihood of numbers been juiced, massaged, or outright fabricated is increasing.
Under all of that, incomes weren't rising. $15 an hour minimum wage wasn't being boosted to $30. How many jobs didn't give out raises at all? How many jobs actually requested cuts in pay, if they didn't outright downsize and lay off employees?
The COVID lockdowns broke the economy. The Democrat economic bills tried to turn the rubble into glass, while enriching their own special interests.
Over the past few years, we've had major inflation. In general, the cost of most things have doubled. Basic food is volatile depending on supply or sudden spikes in demand, but a 2-liter bottle of soda, a candy bar, and that Campbell's can of soup are double the price.
In addition, we're seeing a lot of downward revisions ("Unexpectedly!", as Instapundit used to note back in the Barack years) of historical economic numbers like the jobs number report. The likelihood of numbers been juiced, massaged, or outright fabricated is increasing.
Under all of that, incomes weren't rising. $15 an hour minimum wage wasn't being boosted to $30. How many jobs didn't give out raises at all? How many jobs actually requested cuts in pay, if they didn't outright downsize and lay off employees?
The COVID lockdowns broke the economy. The Democrat economic bills tried to turn the rubble into glass, while enriching their own special interests.
Posted by: Another Anon at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (4h45B)
126
What's worse, Joe's nodule in his prostate, or bats in his belfry?
Posted by: Joe's AutoPen at May 13, 2025 11:33 AM (G5+As)
127
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate. Obviously that's what caused this mental decline. Aliens put it there and were controlling his mind
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM
There's a reason you don't read about Fetterman's Lump anymore.
We had to put the device somewhere.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM
There's a reason you don't read about Fetterman's Lump anymore.
We had to put the device somewhere.
Posted by: The Aliens at May 13, 2025 11:33 AM (0sNs1)
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:33 AM (GPc/R)
129
80 Pete, the border taxes (tariffs) aren't a tax on the Chinese, they are a tax on you and me and everyone who purchases anything anywhere in the US.
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz
=======
Earl,
Depends on whether the exporter eats the tariff or not. Nevertheless, when dealing with the economy, one must think of it as a system, not isolated parts. In this case, Chinese (and a lot of other countries particularly Asia) have engaged in artificially lowering their currency in order to suppress demand for imports and increase exports. Ditto for refusal to follow any sort of environmental regulations, labor regulations, etc. followed in the West. This substantially advantages low cost producers at the disadvantage to domestic manufacturers.
That in turn raises unemployment in the US, increases welfare costs (and crime), reduces domestic wealth as China increasingly buys up US assets with their massive trade surplus, and grants outsized benefits to small sliver of people in the US engaged in handling financial flows (arbitrage) and those like Justin Amash benefitting from importing cheap goods to sell. In the sum of all things, consumers get little to nothing.
Posted by: Earl Schlobodowicz
=======
Earl,
Depends on whether the exporter eats the tariff or not. Nevertheless, when dealing with the economy, one must think of it as a system, not isolated parts. In this case, Chinese (and a lot of other countries particularly Asia) have engaged in artificially lowering their currency in order to suppress demand for imports and increase exports. Ditto for refusal to follow any sort of environmental regulations, labor regulations, etc. followed in the West. This substantially advantages low cost producers at the disadvantage to domestic manufacturers.
That in turn raises unemployment in the US, increases welfare costs (and crime), reduces domestic wealth as China increasingly buys up US assets with their massive trade surplus, and grants outsized benefits to small sliver of people in the US engaged in handling financial flows (arbitrage) and those like Justin Amash benefitting from importing cheap goods to sell. In the sum of all things, consumers get little to nothing.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:33 AM (ctrM5)
130
*shrugs*
-98% of Americans
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
____
It's really hard to focus on the financial cliff the country is rushing toward when the price of Barbie dolls are going up 10%
-98% of Americans
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
____
It's really hard to focus on the financial cliff the country is rushing toward when the price of Barbie dolls are going up 10%
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (Dv3i1)
131
124 Just why does the troll think that "VOTE VANCE!" is some sort of burn?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (77rzZ)
=======
He doesn't.
It's not his original comment.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (77rzZ)
=======
He doesn't.
It's not his original comment.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (GBKbO)
132
I saw a story yesterday that US factories can’t keep up with orders and are hiring and adding more shifts. The wizards of smart assures me that was impossible.
It will be interesting how China handles the new trade agreement. They'll try to massively cheat, of course, it's what they do. But assuming Trump calls them on it, the only path forward is a dramatic reduction in Chinese manufacturing exports to the US, and that will utterly wreck their economy. I don't see their path forward, other than massive cheating, and that's going to be a problem. This isn't the Biden administration.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (s8j++)
_________
China will of course cheat, but it will be harder to do now that American companies who are benefitting from the new regime will be policing the arrangements. Imports from China will be harder to police, in part because there will be American companies conspiring with China to import Chinese junk as cheaply as possible. But the situation -- even with cheating -- will be much better than it was before the trade deal.
It will be interesting how China handles the new trade agreement. They'll try to massively cheat, of course, it's what they do. But assuming Trump calls them on it, the only path forward is a dramatic reduction in Chinese manufacturing exports to the US, and that will utterly wreck their economy. I don't see their path forward, other than massive cheating, and that's going to be a problem. This isn't the Biden administration.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (s8j++)
_________
China will of course cheat, but it will be harder to do now that American companies who are benefitting from the new regime will be policing the arrangements. Imports from China will be harder to police, in part because there will be American companies conspiring with China to import Chinese junk as cheaply as possible. But the situation -- even with cheating -- will be much better than it was before the trade deal.
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (iFTx/)
133
A 98-year-old British WWII vet just ran over a Tesla with a tank and said, “We crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again.”
I'm surprised that didn't light the battery on fire.
I'm surprised that didn't light the battery on fire.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (hB7mE)
134
Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM
Huh...given how far his head is up his own ass, one would think he'd have noticed this before now.
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:13 AM
Huh...given how far his head is up his own ass, one would think he'd have noticed this before now.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (kgE5c)
135
As for tariffs affecting people, President Trump is looking for tax relief to help out with any rise in prices. Whether or not the House or the Senate is willing to actually look out for the average American remains to be seen.
That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
136
Yepper.
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
It's more that money gets lent in a chain. Someone deposits $100, bank lends $95(5% reserve ratio). That $95 is spent and deposited at the bank, bank lends $90ish and so on. So the same physical $100 ends up with a chain of lending behind it that's much larger, effectively increasing the money supply.
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
It's more that money gets lent in a chain. Someone deposits $100, bank lends $95(5% reserve ratio). That $95 is spent and deposited at the bank, bank lends $90ish and so on. So the same physical $100 ends up with a chain of lending behind it that's much larger, effectively increasing the money supply.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy's phone at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (1//Yw)
137
130 It's really hard to focus on the financial cliff the country is rushing toward when the price of Barbie dolls are going up 10%
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (Dv3i1)
=====
Well, 0%.
It may go up 3% eventually.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (Dv3i1)
=====
Well, 0%.
It may go up 3% eventually.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (GBKbO)
138
Firstly, First Bank of the United States was established in 1791. Secondly, The Fed does not set rates exactly, it manipulates the Federal Funds rate. Banks, lending takes it from there.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (g47mK)
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (s8j++)
140
119 For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
I was gonna say. There are federal limitations on what banks can loan out versus what they have on hand.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
I was gonna say. There are federal limitations on what banks can loan out versus what they have on hand.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (WqK+k)
141
135 That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
=======
Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
=======
Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (GBKbO)
142
Think what it would be if the Biden junta hadn't shoveled out $500 billion plus of taxpayer monies after Trump was elected.
Posted by: Jukin
-------
Yes and the cowardly GOP Congress raised the debt limit for him and refused to do so for Trump when asked. Make no mistake, a lot of the issue is GOP Congress responds to well heeled donors rather than voters.
Posted by: Jukin
-------
Yes and the cowardly GOP Congress raised the debt limit for him and refused to do so for Trump when asked. Make no mistake, a lot of the issue is GOP Congress responds to well heeled donors rather than voters.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (ctrM5)
143
Just replaced a tire for a wheelbarrow that couldn't have been 2 years old, looks new still. Thing was leaking air like it was a window screen in 50 places all over it. Fking Chinese garbage.
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (ypFCm)
144
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
---------
Just no.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (TN0g+)
It's true (the multiplier may shift depending on the risk analysis done by the bank) and pretty routine.
This speaks to default risk. If the lending department is doing its job then very few loans it makes will be in default. Thus there's a cash flow and, yes, to oversimplify, a bank can lend money it doesn't have sitting around doing nothing in its vault that's based on both the cash flow and (sometimes) fed funds borrowing.
I'm way oversimplifying but this is one of the prime things we OCC examiners looked at during exams.
---------
Just no.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:30 AM (TN0g+)
It's true (the multiplier may shift depending on the risk analysis done by the bank) and pretty routine.
This speaks to default risk. If the lending department is doing its job then very few loans it makes will be in default. Thus there's a cash flow and, yes, to oversimplify, a bank can lend money it doesn't have sitting around doing nothing in its vault that's based on both the cash flow and (sometimes) fed funds borrowing.
I'm way oversimplifying but this is one of the prime things we OCC examiners looked at during exams.
Posted by: WitchDoktor at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (7s0sL)
145
include: bought and paid for shill
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM
Why do you say that like it's a Bad Thing?
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:29 AM
Why do you say that like it's a Bad Thing?
Posted by: The Uniparty at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (0sNs1)
146
Trump playing Lee Greenwood in Saudi.
If he plays YMCA I'll freak out..
If he plays YMCA I'll freak out..
Posted by: Captain Fantastic not Gumby at May 13, 2025 11:36 AM (ey6uh)
147
@GordonGChang 50m
Looking forward to talking with @TracySabolDC on @NewsmaxII at 11:30 ET on China. Please set your dial.
Looking forward to talking with @TracySabolDC on @NewsmaxII at 11:30 ET on China. Please set your dial.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:36 AM (xYplz)
148
How effective setting the Fund rate, you can see today, where Bond rates are falling, regardless of what the Fed is doing.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:36 AM (g47mK)
149
Ukraine has a problem with ethnic minorities in their territory. Surprise?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (Dv3i1)
Hungary has a problem with how Ukraine is treating their Ethnically Hungarian population.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (Dv3i1)
Hungary has a problem with how Ukraine is treating their Ethnically Hungarian population.
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 11:36 AM (D7oie)
150
#119 Thank you. I'm a former Federal Bank examiner and it drives me crazy when that particular conspiracy starts floating around otherwise sane circles.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (TN0g+)
151
Just replaced a tire for a wheelbarrow that couldn't have been 2 years old, looks new still. Thing was leaking air like it was a window screen in 50 places all over it. Fking Chinese garbage.
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM
Two words: Solid tire.
2 to 3x more expensive, but worth it in the long run. You may ask me how I know, if desired.
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM
Two words: Solid tire.
2 to 3x more expensive, but worth it in the long run. You may ask me how I know, if desired.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (0sNs1)
152
Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
There's a difference between increased revenue, and decreasing revenue we're already getting unless there are offsetting cuts in spending. Those would have to be some cuts, and NOBODY is seriously proposing them. I know the Dems are praying that Trump will cut SS, Medicare, etc., even if just by slowing the rate of growth.
There's a difference between increased revenue, and decreasing revenue we're already getting unless there are offsetting cuts in spending. Those would have to be some cuts, and NOBODY is seriously proposing them. I know the Dems are praying that Trump will cut SS, Medicare, etc., even if just by slowing the rate of growth.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (s8j++)
153
Been saying since 2017 there will never be another Trump in our lifetimes. Enjoy him while you can.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (GPc/R)
154
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
---
Let's see for every $5 on deposit the Fed will give the bank $100 to loan out. Look at deposits versus the money loaned out. Collateralize is up to the lender but the amount is set by the Fed. Yes banks that demand solid collateral are more solid but that does not affect the amount they CAN lend. Which is my point. Also look SVB, there was no penalty for their lousy collaterazation. The taxpayers picked it all up.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
---
Let's see for every $5 on deposit the Fed will give the bank $100 to loan out. Look at deposits versus the money loaned out. Collateralize is up to the lender but the amount is set by the Fed. Yes banks that demand solid collateral are more solid but that does not affect the amount they CAN lend. Which is my point. Also look SVB, there was no penalty for their lousy collaterazation. The taxpayers picked it all up.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:38 AM (17s+e)
155
I should also add that banks get serious lending pressure from govt examiners because of the Community Reinvestment Act. It's not enough that the banks make sound loans...they have to have some portion of their portfolios out with the "right" people.
Posted by: WitchDoktor at May 13, 2025 11:38 AM (7s0sL)
156
Over the past few years, we've had major inflation. In general, the cost of most things have doubled. Basic food is volatile depending on supply or sudden spikes in demand, but a 2-liter bottle of soda, a candy bar, and that Campbell's can of soup are double the price.
SOME food prices are coming down. At Wally World, up to late, charged $1.42 for a loaf of bread. Recently it came down to $1.
SOME food prices are coming down. At Wally World, up to late, charged $1.42 for a loaf of bread. Recently it came down to $1.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:38 AM (WqK+k)
157
I'm a former Federal Bank examiner and it drives me crazy when that particular conspiracy starts floating around otherwise sane circles.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM
How come bank examiners never lose their class rings like urologists seem to?
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM
How come bank examiners never lose their class rings like urologists seem to?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:38 AM (0sNs1)
158
That’s the problem with inflation. Prices went up, then wages went up. $3 is no longer all that expensive for a gallon of gasoline, unfortunately.
Prices went up 50+% and my wages went up maybe 10% over the same period. I have worked in the tech industry since 1988 and I think only once have I ever received a double-digit pay increase in a year.
Prices went up 50+% and my wages went up maybe 10% over the same period. I have worked in the tech industry since 1988 and I think only once have I ever received a double-digit pay increase in a year.
Posted by: Oddbob at May 13, 2025 11:38 AM (/y8xj)
159
Live by the kangaroo, die by the kangaroo.
Man with history of roughhousing kangaroos found dead inside kangaroo enclosure at brother's zoo
Man with history of roughhousing kangaroos found dead inside kangaroo enclosure at brother's zoo
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 11:39 AM (L/fGl)
160
You people think you've got it bad...
Posted by: Joe Biden's Prostate Nodule at May 13, 2025 11:39 AM (1FWWQ)
161
I know the Dems are praying that Trump will propose cuts in SS, Medicare, etc., even if just by slowing the rate of growth.
FIFM
FIFM
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:39 AM (s8j++)
162
117 Posted by: Sid at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (PUCHu)
Posted by: Sid likes the taste of semen and scat at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (PUCHu)
Heh.
Nicely done, COB. Nicely done.
Posted by: Sid likes the taste of semen and scat at May 13, 2025 11:31 AM (PUCHu)
Heh.
Nicely done, COB. Nicely done.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:39 AM (JA4sW)
163
152 Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
There's a difference between increased revenue, and decreasing revenue we're already getting unless there are offsetting cuts in spending. Those would have to be some cuts, and NOBODY is seriously proposing them. I know the Dems are praying that Trump will cut SS, Medicare, etc., even if just by slowing the rate of growth.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (s8j++)
=======
Well, the budget package slows the growth of the federal government, includes language about ending things like TARP, and Johnson has said that rescission bills will come after the budget process is done to solidify the cuts that Trump is doing by EO.
So...it may be happening.
But...Congress. So...who knows?
There's a difference between increased revenue, and decreasing revenue we're already getting unless there are offsetting cuts in spending. Those would have to be some cuts, and NOBODY is seriously proposing them. I know the Dems are praying that Trump will cut SS, Medicare, etc., even if just by slowing the rate of growth.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (s8j++)
=======
Well, the budget package slows the growth of the federal government, includes language about ending things like TARP, and Johnson has said that rescission bills will come after the budget process is done to solidify the cuts that Trump is doing by EO.
So...it may be happening.
But...Congress. So...who knows?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (GBKbO)
164
143 Just replaced a tire for a wheelbarrow that couldn't have been 2 years old, looks new still. Thing was leaking air like it was a window screen in 50 places all over it. Fking Chinese garbage.
Posted by: Skip
You just needed to buy a Chinese inner tube to go in it.
Posted by: Skip
You just needed to buy a Chinese inner tube to go in it.
Posted by: Where The Rubber Meets The Road at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (G5+As)
165
IF a bank has $10 in deposits, it can't lend more than $10, period (discarding overnight Fed Funds transfers for the sake of discussion). Anyone arguing otherwise is just making shit up.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (TN0g+)
166
For every $5 on deposit, private banks can loan out $100, a 20 to 1 multiplier.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
______
"Fractional banking" is a different animal from collateral lending. It is true that banks need only keep some percentage of their deposits actually "in the bank." (The percentage varies depending on several factors, IIRC.)
The rest of the deposit is available for lending or other use. If a bank lends out part of that deposit, it does so on whatever terms the banks agree to. Most of the loans are collateralized, but not all. Very wealthy customers or companies that are good customers of the banks can get huge loans just on their signatures.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:28 AM (17s+e)
No.
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
______
"Fractional banking" is a different animal from collateral lending. It is true that banks need only keep some percentage of their deposits actually "in the bank." (The percentage varies depending on several factors, IIRC.)
The rest of the deposit is available for lending or other use. If a bank lends out part of that deposit, it does so on whatever terms the banks agree to. Most of the loans are collateralized, but not all. Very wealthy customers or companies that are good customers of the banks can get huge loans just on their signatures.
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (iFTx/)
167
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (GBKbO)
Man we gotta give you lessons in troll ballbusting.
Man we gotta give you lessons in troll ballbusting.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (GPc/R)
168
3 A 98-year-old British WWII vet just ran over a Tesla with a tank and said, “We crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again.”
Sounds like the vets brain may not be running on all cylinders.
Sounds like the vets brain may not be running on all cylinders.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (42Vb+)
169
I was gonna say. There are federal limitations on what banks can loan out versus what they have on hand.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33
========
Fed eliminated the formal reserve requirement for federal banks. They have moved instead to ample reserves model. From the Fed itself explaining this mush, First of one of three parts with links to rest.
https://tinyurl.com/3f9xbbb5
Essentially banks produce the fiat money via lending more so than the fed does nowadays with the fed funds rate serving to raise and lower bank's incentives to lend or not. The idea is that as the risk free return increases, then bank lending decreases as they invest in federal funds instead of lending.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33
========
Fed eliminated the formal reserve requirement for federal banks. They have moved instead to ample reserves model. From the Fed itself explaining this mush, First of one of three parts with links to rest.
https://tinyurl.com/3f9xbbb5
Essentially banks produce the fiat money via lending more so than the fed does nowadays with the fed funds rate serving to raise and lower bank's incentives to lend or not. The idea is that as the risk free return increases, then bank lending decreases as they invest in federal funds instead of lending.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (ctrM5)
170
IF a bank has $10 in deposits, it can't lend more than $10, period (discarding overnight Fed Funds transfers for the sake of discussion). Anyone arguing otherwise is just making shit up.
You say that likes it's a bad thing.
You say that likes it's a bad thing.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (s8j++)
171
I'm a former Federal Bank examiner
Posted by: Crusader
You had to quit because you couldn't nab that Bailey guy in Bedford Falls?
Posted by: Crusader
You had to quit because you couldn't nab that Bailey guy in Bedford Falls?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (77rzZ)
172
It's amazing how economically illiterate so many people are, including even some on our side.
Look at the fractional child argument from the other night.
Look at the fractional child argument from the other night.
Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (0M7jv)
173
167 Man we gotta give you lessons in troll ballbusting.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (GPc/R)
=====
My heart wasn't in it.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (GPc/R)
=====
My heart wasn't in it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (GBKbO)
174
Just why does the troll think that "VOTE VANCE!" is some sort of burn?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (77rzZ)
His original comment is slightly modified by a COB in particular to make Sid look like even more an idiot than he actually is.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (77rzZ)
His original comment is slightly modified by a COB in particular to make Sid look like even more an idiot than he actually is.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (JA4sW)
175
149 Ukraine has a problem with ethnic minorities in their territory. Surprise?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (Dv3i1)
Hungary has a problem with how Ukraine is treating their Ethnically Hungarian population.
Posted by: Kindltot
Yes. I wasn't clear in my post.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:24 AM (Dv3i1)
Hungary has a problem with how Ukraine is treating their Ethnically Hungarian population.
Posted by: Kindltot
Yes. I wasn't clear in my post.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (Dv3i1)
176
168 3 A 98-year-old British WWII vet just ran over a Tesla with a tank and said, “We crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again.”
Sounds like the vets brain may not be running on all cylinders.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
=======
He comes from an era where people trusted the media and authority. Relic of a time long gone.
Sounds like the vets brain may not be running on all cylinders.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
=======
He comes from an era where people trusted the media and authority. Relic of a time long gone.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (ctrM5)
177
Inflation is a decline in the monetary standard.
2 trillion a year deficits is substantial.
Only caveat is interest rates have not gone up very much.
Another impact on inflation is energy prices.
2 trillion a year deficits is substantial.
Only caveat is interest rates have not gone up very much.
Another impact on inflation is energy prices.
Posted by: MikeN at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (HVZOH)
178
> 143 Just replaced a tire for a wheelbarrow that couldn't have been 2 years old, looks new still. Thing was leaking air like it was a window screen in 50 places all over it. Fking Chinese garbage.
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (ypFCm)
Maybe won't work for the piece of junk you had, but I've found that in general fix-a-flat spray works great for wheelbarrow tires.
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (ypFCm)
Maybe won't work for the piece of junk you had, but I've found that in general fix-a-flat spray works great for wheelbarrow tires.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:41 AM (W5ArC)
179
Let's see for every $5 on deposit the Fed will give the bank $100 to loan out.
---------
That's simply not true.
---------
That's simply not true.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (TN0g+)
180
Inflation was reduced in 2025. See the IRA worked.
- the left
- the left
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (d4dD2)
181
>>>the comments on those threads revealed a high level of economic understanding of the topic
Threadwinner. Or, flattery will get you everywhere.
Threadwinner. Or, flattery will get you everywhere.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (i24o9)
182
For the entire four year mistake of the Biden junta those happy little rollback price tags at Wal-Mart were very few, very far between, and very little price change. Last week, they were everywhere! And real price changes! It makes a difference.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (2J/Lj)
183
My heart wasn't in it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=====
Your Ace cruelty index will suffer in your cob performance evaluation this quarter. Be better.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=====
Your Ace cruelty index will suffer in your cob performance evaluation this quarter. Be better.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (ctrM5)
184
Almost completely incorrect. Real wages didn't rise nearly as much as the price of gasoline.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (LjcqP)
They actually rose more. Average price per gallon in 2008 was $3.299. In 2014, $3.437. The avg price for Trump’s first term (excluding 2020) was $2.67.
Average price for Joey’s four years was $3.55. That’s a 33% increase over the avg of Trump’s term. Prices have dropped since then, so 2025 will probably see an average closer to (guesstimate) $3.10. That’s a 16% increase over Trump’s first term.
For those interested, the average for Obama’s eight years was $3.03 /gal.
In many states minimum wage alone has gone up 50% or more since 2017. SSA median compensation in 2017 was $31,561, in 2023 $43,222. That’s a 27% increase. I’m sure it’s even higher in 2024.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:16 AM (LjcqP)
They actually rose more. Average price per gallon in 2008 was $3.299. In 2014, $3.437. The avg price for Trump’s first term (excluding 2020) was $2.67.
Average price for Joey’s four years was $3.55. That’s a 33% increase over the avg of Trump’s term. Prices have dropped since then, so 2025 will probably see an average closer to (guesstimate) $3.10. That’s a 16% increase over Trump’s first term.
For those interested, the average for Obama’s eight years was $3.03 /gal.
In many states minimum wage alone has gone up 50% or more since 2017. SSA median compensation in 2017 was $31,561, in 2023 $43,222. That’s a 27% increase. I’m sure it’s even higher in 2024.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (l3YAf)
185
Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison,
We have more tax revenue let us spend lots more debt, the proles will pay for it after we have made our millions.
~Congress
Posted by: TheJamesMadison,
We have more tax revenue let us spend lots more debt, the proles will pay for it after we have made our millions.
~Congress
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (d2jCh)
186
Two words: Solid tire.
2 to 3x more expensive, but worth it in the long run. You may ask me how I know, if desired.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (0sNs1)
There's also the "silicone filled" option.
Two words: Solid tire.
2 to 3x more expensive, but worth it in the long run. You may ask me how I know, if desired.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:37 AM (0sNs1)
There's also the "silicone filled" option.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (JA4sW)
187
>>>I’d like to solicit the Horde’s thoughts, whether informed or otherwise.
Well, since you asked . . . .
Well, since you asked . . . .
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (i24o9)
188
135 As for tariffs affecting people, President Trump is looking for tax relief to help out with any rise in prices. Whether or not the House or the Senate is willing to actually look out for the average American remains to be seen.
That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
Actually, so far, Trump has gotten our projected 2025 fiscal year deficit down to $1.8T...yes, I know, but every dollar literally counts...
That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
Actually, so far, Trump has gotten our projected 2025 fiscal year deficit down to $1.8T...yes, I know, but every dollar literally counts...
Posted by: Nova Local at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (tOcjL)
189
There's also the "silicone filled" option.
And then no work would be done, because the morons would all be in the yard feeling up their wheelbarrows.
And then no work would be done, because the morons would all be in the yard feeling up their wheelbarrows.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (s8j++)
190
In many states minimum wage alone has gone up 50% or more since 2017. SSA median compensation in 2017 was $31,561, in 2023 $43,222. That’s a 27% increase. I’m sure it’s even higher in 2024.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (l3YAf)
I never knew some states have their own minimum wage laws until I moved to AK.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (l3YAf)
I never knew some states have their own minimum wage laws until I moved to AK.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (LJ3iK)
191
Everything is shit quality these days. Sure it’s 1/2 the price of made in the US stuff of old. But you have to replace it 3X as often.
But somehow this is a good thing according to “experts”.
But somehow this is a good thing according to “experts”.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (d4dD2)
192
I just want to know for certain to what degree the decoupling of the 10 yr bond rates from the Fed rates is due to the simple fact there is no money left to borrow.
I will take victory lap for predicting the Fed would end QT, but that was a gimme. Several years ago Powell posited that neutral was about 2.5%. I want that Fed rate down a bit to unlock existing homes for sale and take some cost out housing, but the apparent dearth of liquidity scares me a bit.
I will take victory lap for predicting the Fed would end QT, but that was a gimme. Several years ago Powell posited that neutral was about 2.5%. I want that Fed rate down a bit to unlock existing homes for sale and take some cost out housing, but the apparent dearth of liquidity scares me a bit.
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (pIfcn)
193
It is hilarious to see how everyone official who was predicting recession is now backing off, hemming and hawing. They still want to predict it but they know it's not going their way.
Posted by: Tom Servo at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (uWKK8)
194
And then no work would be done, because the morons would all be in the yard feeling up their wheelbarrows.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (s8j++)
Yeah, I really should read the room better.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (s8j++)
Yeah, I really should read the room better.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (JA4sW)
195
I will of course defer to Crusader as he very likely has more experience than I at Satety and Sounders exams. I focused on Info Systems audits.
Posted by: WitchDoktor at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (/Uw4P)
196
That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
Eh, they can just print the money. Who the hell cares? You think that $40 trillion in debt will ever be paid off.
I can hedge against inflation, but not taxes.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
Eh, they can just print the money. Who the hell cares? You think that $40 trillion in debt will ever be paid off.
I can hedge against inflation, but not taxes.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (l3YAf)
197
Very wealthy customers or companies that are good customers of the banks can get huge loans just on their signatures.
Posted by: Elric Blade
=========
For the rest of us, credit unions have signature loans too. If someone is suffering from credit card debt, it is often far better to take out these signature loans than pay credit card interest.
Unless you have specific needs, credit unions generally do a far superior job at regular consumer banking than big banks do.
Posted by: Elric Blade
=========
For the rest of us, credit unions have signature loans too. If someone is suffering from credit card debt, it is often far better to take out these signature loans than pay credit card interest.
Unless you have specific needs, credit unions generally do a far superior job at regular consumer banking than big banks do.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (ctrM5)
198
137 130 It's really hard to focus on the financial cliff the country is rushing toward when the price of Barbie dolls are going up 10%
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (Dv3i1)
=====
Well, 0%.
It may go up 3% eventually.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
The media and the dems (BIRM) want the 98% focused on the non-existent horrific effects of increases on Chinese crap and not pay any attention to the ever growing share of the federal budget that will be devoted to interest payments on the debt. And the media narrative seems to be working.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (Dv3i1)
=====
Well, 0%.
It may go up 3% eventually.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
The media and the dems (BIRM) want the 98% focused on the non-existent horrific effects of increases on Chinese crap and not pay any attention to the ever growing share of the federal budget that will be devoted to interest payments on the debt. And the media narrative seems to be working.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (Dv3i1)
199
Trump's cut a deal with Saudi Arabia and is not going to visit Israel.
It's not as bad as the media is portraying it but best guess is Netanyahu assumed authority he didn't have and his position is being demonstrated. They'll be best buds by the end of next week.
It's not as bad as the media is portraying it but best guess is Netanyahu assumed authority he didn't have and his position is being demonstrated. They'll be best buds by the end of next week.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (xYplz)
200
W.C. Fields knew how to handle a bank examiner. Brought him to the Black Pussy Cafe at the New Olde Lompoc House. The bartender served the examiner a "Mickey Finn".
Posted by: The Bank Dick at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (G5+As)
201
Actually, so far, Trump has gotten our projected 2025 fiscal year deficit down to $1.8T...yes, I know, but every dollar literally counts...
Like I said, I'm all for it, but yeah, that's a long way to go. I also don't know where your number originates (I'm not doubting you, I'd love for it to be true), but the number Musk himself cited was $400B. If other things have conspired to reduce the deficit, great.
Like I said, I'm all for it, but yeah, that's a long way to go. I also don't know where your number originates (I'm not doubting you, I'd love for it to be true), but the number Musk himself cited was $400B. If other things have conspired to reduce the deficit, great.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (s8j++)
202
Yeah, I really should read the room better.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (JA4sW)
--------
Why change now?
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (JA4sW)
--------
Why change now?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (tT6L1)
203
America desperately needs the Tax act to pass, and needs PDJT to continue his dramatic reduction of the regulatory overhang.
Republicans are the problem; they are protecting their favorite spending and tax breaks, at the potential cost of their majority.
Republicans are the problem; they are protecting their favorite spending and tax breaks, at the potential cost of their majority.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (pDyYO)
204
198 And the media narrative seems to be working.
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (Dv3i1)
=======
How are we to measure this?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (Dv3i1)
=======
How are we to measure this?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (GBKbO)
205
Duncanthrax I thought had a can of spray expanding foam around here somewhere, thinking of trying to make a solid tire with it.
Still have the 3rd wheelbarrow to replace
Still have the 3rd wheelbarrow to replace
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (ypFCm)
206
McDonald’s in my area pays $8-9 more than the minimum wage. The MW is an irrelevant number currently.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (d4dD2)
207
Pete Bog made a fantastic shrimp and more Paella over a wood fire using a 6 foot diameter pan. Took hours.
Just part of what makes him a Renaissance Man.
Just part of what makes him a Renaissance Man.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (u82oZ)
208
That bartender was Shemp Howard, BTW.
Posted by: The Bank Dick(1940) at May 13, 2025 11:47 AM (G5+As)
209
Loans are backed by collateral. Banks that do a shitty job of balancing collateral with loaned money usually fail.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
No, outside of pawn shops and some lower end loans, most loans are issued on the perceived ability of the borrower to pay it back.
There may be collateral there, like a house or a car, but the loans are actually sourced from Federal Reserve banks and that money creation is only restrained by the willingness of people to accept the interest rates.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:32 AM (LjcqP)
No, outside of pawn shops and some lower end loans, most loans are issued on the perceived ability of the borrower to pay it back.
There may be collateral there, like a house or a car, but the loans are actually sourced from Federal Reserve banks and that money creation is only restrained by the willingness of people to accept the interest rates.
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 11:47 AM (D7oie)
210
>>>The new tariffs will not have the impact prophesized by the media. It is true that the tariffs will cause economic shock as prices adjust to reflect the cost of importing goods to the US.
The people I hear crying the loudest are the ones who rely on cheap Chinese imports to support their razor thin margin business model, which thin margins are made thinner by government intervention in the labor markets (e.g., minimum, wage laws, lavish layabout benefits, etc.).
And that was just crying about the threat of tariffs. I have since stopped listening to the whining.
The people I hear crying the loudest are the ones who rely on cheap Chinese imports to support their razor thin margin business model, which thin margins are made thinner by government intervention in the labor markets (e.g., minimum, wage laws, lavish layabout benefits, etc.).
And that was just crying about the threat of tariffs. I have since stopped listening to the whining.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (i24o9)
211
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (l3YAf)
Using minimum wage as a place holder for real wages is a mistake.
Using minimum wage as a place holder for real wages is a mistake.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (LjcqP)
Posted by: NaCly Dog at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (u82oZ)
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (Dv3i1)
214
ugh, this is stupid. Real wages did not rise! Inflation killed them. Just pull up any "value of a dollar" online calculator and see what 100K is worth vs. 2,3, 5 year ago.
Posted by: runner at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (g47mK)
215
The GOP’s initial tax cut proposal includes raising salt from $10k to $30k. A big tax cut for upper middle class Democrats in NY and California. Just what people in Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida voted for.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (d4dD2)
216
Insty:
Extend Trump’s tax cuts, pay for it by repealing Biden’s climate handouts.
The U.S. is on the brink of a tax nightmare, with Democrats pushing the largest tax increase in history.
President Trump’s signature legislation from his first term, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is set to expire at the end of the year, and Democrats are united in their efforts to end this successful policy and implement an automatic $4.5 trillion tax increase.
The Dem solution is ALWAYS more of your money.
Extend Trump’s tax cuts, pay for it by repealing Biden’s climate handouts.
The U.S. is on the brink of a tax nightmare, with Democrats pushing the largest tax increase in history.
President Trump’s signature legislation from his first term, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is set to expire at the end of the year, and Democrats are united in their efforts to end this successful policy and implement an automatic $4.5 trillion tax increase.
The Dem solution is ALWAYS more of your money.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (s8j++)
217
Very wealthy customers or companies that are good customers of the banks can get huge loans just on their signatures.
Posted by: Elric Blade
=========
For the rest of us, credit unions have signature loans too. If someone is suffering from credit card debt, it is often far better to take out these signature loans than pay credit card interest.
Unless you have specific needs, credit unions generally do a far superior job at regular consumer banking than big banks do.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (ctrM5)
_______
True, but consolidation in the credit union industry is reducing competition and pushing them ever closer to being just like regular commercial banks (which are themselves consolidating and reducing competition).
Posted by: Elric Blade
=========
For the rest of us, credit unions have signature loans too. If someone is suffering from credit card debt, it is often far better to take out these signature loans than pay credit card interest.
Unless you have specific needs, credit unions generally do a far superior job at regular consumer banking than big banks do.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (ctrM5)
_______
True, but consolidation in the credit union industry is reducing competition and pushing them ever closer to being just like regular commercial banks (which are themselves consolidating and reducing competition).
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (iFTx/)
218
201 Actually, so far, Trump has gotten our projected 2025 fiscal year deficit down to $1.8T...yes, I know, but every dollar literally counts...
Like I said, I'm all for it, but yeah, that's a long way to go. I also don't know where your number originates (I'm not doubting you, I'd love for it to be true), but the number Musk himself cited was $400B. If other things have conspired to reduce the deficit, great.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (s8j++)
Current CBO - CBO.gov
Like I said, I'm all for it, but yeah, that's a long way to go. I also don't know where your number originates (I'm not doubting you, I'd love for it to be true), but the number Musk himself cited was $400B. If other things have conspired to reduce the deficit, great.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:45 AM (s8j++)
Current CBO - CBO.gov
Posted by: Nova Local at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (tOcjL)
219
213 How are we to measure this?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
98%, right?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (Dv3i1)
=======
Well, mine was snark.
But, how are we to measure if a media's narrative is effective or not?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
98%, right?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (Dv3i1)
=======
Well, mine was snark.
But, how are we to measure if a media's narrative is effective or not?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (GBKbO)
220
So when I look at a bank's balance sheet and see cash in deposits on hand at $100 and loaned amounts at $2000 that's not a 20 to 1 leverage? Even if the bank has collateral, say a $1900 mortgage where did the dollars come from to give the seller the cash for the sale? $1900 cash out the door to seller, $100 in deposits and a promissory note which may or may not be worth $1900.
Maybe we are talking semantics but this is a basic point.
Maybe we are talking semantics but this is a basic point.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (17s+e)
221
Republicans are the problem; they are protecting their favorite spending and tax breaks, at the potential cost of their majority.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (pDyYO)
a good number of them have been getting lots of money via the NGO network as well. Miss Lindsay is rumored to have gotten lots and lots of Soros money
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (pDyYO)
a good number of them have been getting lots of money via the NGO network as well. Miss Lindsay is rumored to have gotten lots and lots of Soros money
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (D7oie)
222
I will of course defer to Crusader as he very likely has more experience than I at Satety and Sounders exams. I focused on Info Systems audits.
--------------
I don't pretend to possess any sacred knowledge--its just the basics of accounting. If I opened "Crusader National Bank" today and had $10 to my name, its rather comical for anyone to assert my newly minted bank could loan out anything more than $10. Some people believe "bank conspiracies" the way that other people believe ghost stories (and who doesn't love a good ghost story?).
--------------
I don't pretend to possess any sacred knowledge--its just the basics of accounting. If I opened "Crusader National Bank" today and had $10 to my name, its rather comical for anyone to assert my newly minted bank could loan out anything more than $10. Some people believe "bank conspiracies" the way that other people believe ghost stories (and who doesn't love a good ghost story?).
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (TN0g+)
223
But somehow this is a good thing according to “experts”.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (d4dD2)
It keeps the Chinese factories humming so the workers don't have time to jump off the roof.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:44 AM (d4dD2)
It keeps the Chinese factories humming so the workers don't have time to jump off the roof.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 13, 2025 11:50 AM (muwun)
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 13, 2025 11:50 AM (agYoY)
225
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
——
That’s the problem. The only time I got big raises was when I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
——
That’s the problem. The only time I got big raises was when I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (BRJFo)
226
> 165 IF a bank has $10 in deposits, it can't lend more than $10, period (discarding overnight Fed Funds transfers for the sake of discussion). Anyone arguing otherwise is just making shit up.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (TN0g+)
An individual bank can't lend more than it has, but the banking system can.
Bank A has $10 in deposits. It's required to keep some of that as a reserve (say $2.00). It can lend $8.
Bob borrows the $8 and... burns it? Puts it in his mattress? No, he spends it. His vendors take that money and put it in their own banks, or use it to pay their own vendors, who in turn put it in THEIR banks... it doesn't matter... somewhere along the way that $8 winds up in one or more other banks. For simplification, let's say that it's all in Bank B (again, it doesn't matter... the effect is the same if it's in multiple banks). Bank B can now lend out $6.40 (80% of the $. The process then repeats. Bank C can lend out $5.12 (80% of the $6.40). After only two rounds, a $10.00 deposit has turned into $8 + $6.40 + $5.12 = $19.52 in loans.
Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (TN0g+)
An individual bank can't lend more than it has, but the banking system can.
Bank A has $10 in deposits. It's required to keep some of that as a reserve (say $2.00). It can lend $8.
Bob borrows the $8 and... burns it? Puts it in his mattress? No, he spends it. His vendors take that money and put it in their own banks, or use it to pay their own vendors, who in turn put it in THEIR banks... it doesn't matter... somewhere along the way that $8 winds up in one or more other banks. For simplification, let's say that it's all in Bank B (again, it doesn't matter... the effect is the same if it's in multiple banks). Bank B can now lend out $6.40 (80% of the $
. The process then repeats. Bank C can lend out $5.12 (80% of the $6.40). After only two rounds, a $10.00 deposit has turned into $8 + $6.40 + $5.12 = $19.52 in loans.
Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (W5ArC)
227
Well, the budget package slows the growth of the federal government, includes language about ending things like TARP, and Johnson has said that rescission bills will come after the budget process is done to solidify the cuts that Trump is doing by EO.
So...it may be happening.
But...Congress. So...who knows?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=======
GOP Congress is faced with a bad dilemma, what a majority of the members want which not coincidentally agree with their donors is not what a vast majority of their voters want.
We see that today with Thune not being interested in codifying Trump's EO on drug prices. Given that quite a few GOP senators exceed one million or so in Big Pharma campaign donations, you can see why. So the Leaders in Congress protect their members by doing nothing and saying nothing.
So...it may be happening.
But...Congress. So...who knows?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=======
GOP Congress is faced with a bad dilemma, what a majority of the members want which not coincidentally agree with their donors is not what a vast majority of their voters want.
We see that today with Thune not being interested in codifying Trump's EO on drug prices. Given that quite a few GOP senators exceed one million or so in Big Pharma campaign donations, you can see why. So the Leaders in Congress protect their members by doing nothing and saying nothing.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (ctrM5)
228
McDonald’s in my area pays $8-9 more than the minimum wage. The MW is an irrelevant number currently.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (d4dD2)
This is killing fast food in my area. Not enough productive labor to warrant that rate, food prices reflect that, services declines with hamfisted intro of automation. They will go entirely curbside/app orders or go under is my guess, unfortunately.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (d4dD2)
This is killing fast food in my area. Not enough productive labor to warrant that rate, food prices reflect that, services declines with hamfisted intro of automation. They will go entirely curbside/app orders or go under is my guess, unfortunately.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (i24o9)
229
Actually, so far, Trump has gotten our projected 2025 fiscal year deficit down to $1.8T...yes, I know, but every dollar literally counts...
Posted by: Nova Local at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (tOcjL)
And it would be even more than that but the entrenched corruptocrats are fighting him tooth and nail.
Posted by: Nova Local at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (tOcjL)
And it would be even more than that but the entrenched corruptocrats are fighting him tooth and nail.
Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (rF2iL)
230
No, outside of pawn shops and some lower end loans, most loans are issued on the perceived ability of the borrower to pay it back.
There may be collateral there, like a house or a car, but the loans are actually sourced from Federal Reserve banks and that money creation is only restrained by the willingness of people to accept the interest rates.
----------------
You're just making shit up--the Federal Reserve lends *only* to Fed-backed banks, and not to consumers/borrowers/etc., and only for so-called "overnight" liquidity purposes.
There may be collateral there, like a house or a car, but the loans are actually sourced from Federal Reserve banks and that money creation is only restrained by the willingness of people to accept the interest rates.
----------------
You're just making shit up--the Federal Reserve lends *only* to Fed-backed banks, and not to consumers/borrowers/etc., and only for so-called "overnight" liquidity purposes.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (TN0g+)
231
McDonald’s in my area pays $8-9 more than the minimum wage. The MW is an irrelevant number currently.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (d4dD2)
Mine, too. The wage-price spiral has been brutal.
Minimum wage still has some use in measuring an absolute baseline of compensation. If someone making minimum wage is up 50% in the last 6 years, that gives you an idea of how debased the currency has been.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (d4dD2)
Mine, too. The wage-price spiral has been brutal.
Minimum wage still has some use in measuring an absolute baseline of compensation. If someone making minimum wage is up 50% in the last 6 years, that gives you an idea of how debased the currency has been.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (l3YAf)
232
Why change now?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (tT6L1)
Valid.
Why change now?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM (tT6L1)
Valid.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (JA4sW)
233
Tariffs are deflationary in nature as all taxes are.
Inflation is caused by the government printing money it doesn't have, so reduce it you either cut spending or increase taxes. Trump is doing both though honestly the tariffs are more marginal then the spending cuts.
So when the Democrats passed the “Inflation Reduction Act” of course it was going to raise inflation since it increased spending.
Inflation is caused by the government printing money it doesn't have, so reduce it you either cut spending or increase taxes. Trump is doing both though honestly the tariffs are more marginal then the spending cuts.
So when the Democrats passed the “Inflation Reduction Act” of course it was going to raise inflation since it increased spending.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (t0Rmr)
234
This was Econ 101, 1sr chapter stuff…
Someone Deposits $1000 in a bank. Bank keeps $100, loans out the other $900. Person borrowing $900 buys something with that $900. Seller takes the $900 deposits into the bank. Of that $900, bank keeps $90, lends out $810.
And on and on. So from that initial $1000, money is created out of thin air over and over.
It’s a bit more complex than that but at its core that’s how fractional banking works.
Someone Deposits $1000 in a bank. Bank keeps $100, loans out the other $900. Person borrowing $900 buys something with that $900. Seller takes the $900 deposits into the bank. Of that $900, bank keeps $90, lends out $810.
And on and on. So from that initial $1000, money is created out of thin air over and over.
It’s a bit more complex than that but at its core that’s how fractional banking works.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (d4dD2)
235
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (TN0g+)
Ha!
Yeah, it's been quite awhile for me and I very probably got mixed up in there.
Sorry all.
Ha!
Yeah, it's been quite awhile for me and I very probably got mixed up in there.
Sorry all.
Posted by: WitchDoktor at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (75jcA)
236
Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (W5ArC)
fractional reserve banking is inflationary. It is also the bank equivalent of "kiting checks" which makes the bank unhappy if they catch you at it.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (W5ArC)
fractional reserve banking is inflationary. It is also the bank equivalent of "kiting checks" which makes the bank unhappy if they catch you at it.
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (D7oie)
237
A large number of people have dropped out of the workforce. I know for a while it was because they were getting COVID checks, I'm not sure what they are doing now...
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (t0Rmr)
238
You're just making shit up--the Federal Reserve lends *only* to Fed-backed banks, and not to consumers/borrowers/etc., and only for so-called "overnight" liquidity purposes.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (TN0g+)
Where do you think the money loaned to consumers comes from?
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (TN0g+)
Where do you think the money loaned to consumers comes from?
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (l3YAf)
239
135
‘ That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.’
Voters will never understand the idea of not restraining our spending before having tax cuts.
Like it or not, it looks like just another government giveaway.
‘ That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.’
Voters will never understand the idea of not restraining our spending before having tax cuts.
Like it or not, it looks like just another government giveaway.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (jbnUc)
240
Just pull up any "value of a dollar" online calculator and see what 100K is worth vs. 2,3, 5 year ago.
When I retired, I had a very substantial estate. Using a calculator (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), it lost a quarter of its value. Now,most of it was invested, so that mitigates the loss, but what about those people who don't have the luxury of investing most of their assets, as I didn't when I was young and raising a family?
When I retired, I had a very substantial estate. Using a calculator (https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), it lost a quarter of its value. Now,most of it was invested, so that mitigates the loss, but what about those people who don't have the luxury of investing most of their assets, as I didn't when I was young and raising a family?
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:53 AM (s8j++)
241
This thread is demonstrating the truth of the quip that "All the economists in the world laid end to end would not reach a conclusion."
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (77rzZ)
242
*peeks in*
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (TZcgD)
243
But, how are we to measure if a media's narrative is effective or not?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
Good question. Polls don't work as an unbiased measure of public opinion. Elections aren't clean, but that might be the only way to measure. So 2026 mid-terms?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
Good question. Polls don't work as an unbiased measure of public opinion. Elections aren't clean, but that might be the only way to measure. So 2026 mid-terms?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (Dv3i1)
244
Trump is riffing like crazy in Saudi Arabia. The Dems will say he's bending a knee but he just spit at neocons and NGOs. Keep it up
Posted by: Smell the Glove at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (2ZThz)
245
And now Saudi Arabia is buttering up Trump.
Saudi Arabia welcomes former McDonald's employee with amazing mobile restaurant
Benny Johnson
@bennyjohnson
Saudi Arabia brought in a mobile McDonald’s for President Trump on his visit.
https://shorturl.at/le3C1
Saudi Arabia welcomes former McDonald's employee with amazing mobile restaurant
Benny Johnson
@bennyjohnson
Saudi Arabia brought in a mobile McDonald’s for President Trump on his visit.
https://shorturl.at/le3C1
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (L/fGl)
246
True, but consolidation in the credit union industry is reducing competition and pushing them ever closer to being just like regular commercial banks (which are themselves consolidating and reducing competition).
Posted by: Elric Blade
=========
I see new credit unions all the time in my area. There are some larger ones but a lot of state chartered smaller ones as well because they can have more open membership recruitment.
If you live in a blue state, your options are probably more limited because of your state's regulatory apparatus.
Posted by: Elric Blade
=========
I see new credit unions all the time in my area. There are some larger ones but a lot of state chartered smaller ones as well because they can have more open membership recruitment.
If you live in a blue state, your options are probably more limited because of your state's regulatory apparatus.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (ctrM5)
247
233 Tariffs are deflationary in nature as all taxes are.
Inflation is caused by the government printing money it doesn't have, so reduce it you either cut spending or increase taxes. Trump is doing both though honestly the tariffs are more marginal then the spending cuts.
So when the Democrats passed the “Inflation Reduction Act” of course it was going to raise inflation since it increased spending.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (t0Rmr)
=======
Yeah. Not every price increase is inflation. These price increases, since they're focused on the supply curve only, would end up having deflationary effects by decreasing spending.
But...the effects aren't...huge, especially if everyone imports months of product ahead of time in Q1, trade talks start within 90 days, tariffs rates fall by more than half, and diversification away from China has already started.
Inflation is caused by the government printing money it doesn't have, so reduce it you either cut spending or increase taxes. Trump is doing both though honestly the tariffs are more marginal then the spending cuts.
So when the Democrats passed the “Inflation Reduction Act” of course it was going to raise inflation since it increased spending.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (t0Rmr)
=======
Yeah. Not every price increase is inflation. These price increases, since they're focused on the supply curve only, would end up having deflationary effects by decreasing spending.
But...the effects aren't...huge, especially if everyone imports months of product ahead of time in Q1, trade talks start within 90 days, tariffs rates fall by more than half, and diversification away from China has already started.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (GBKbO)
248
I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
It used to be every 2 years!!! Inflation manifest!!!
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
It used to be every 2 years!!! Inflation manifest!!!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (d2jCh)
249
243 But, how are we to measure if a media's narrative is effective or not?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
Good question. Polls don't work as an unbiased measure of public opinion. Elections aren't clean, but that might be the only way to measure. So 2026 mid-terms?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (Dv3i1)
========
It's my underhanded way to shit on polls again, yes.
The only measure we have is polling, and polling sucks.
So...is the narrative working at all? I have no idea.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
Good question. Polls don't work as an unbiased measure of public opinion. Elections aren't clean, but that might be the only way to measure. So 2026 mid-terms?
Posted by: Chuck Martel at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (Dv3i1)
========
It's my underhanded way to shit on polls again, yes.
The only measure we have is polling, and polling sucks.
So...is the narrative working at all? I have no idea.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:55 AM (GBKbO)
250
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (TZcgD)
I would think there were better places to search for booze...........
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (TZcgD)
I would think there were better places to search for booze...........
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:55 AM (JA4sW)
251
Our tariffs are designed to induce foreign nations to eliminate their tariffs on our exports. Yes there will be some increase in manufacturing to meet domestic demand, but foreign demand for our goods also increases our manufacturing.
The opportunity costs that produce comparative advantage are all creatures of bad policy— whether energy, labor, environmental, etc. But inducing nations to remove their tariffs on American goods is key..
The opportunity costs that produce comparative advantage are all creatures of bad policy— whether energy, labor, environmental, etc. But inducing nations to remove their tariffs on American goods is key..
Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (dQfJF)
252
*peeks in*
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes
Travelling on your geezer golf day?
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes
Travelling on your geezer golf day?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (77rzZ)
253
225 My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
——
That’s the problem. The only time I got big raises was when I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (BRJFo)
Worked three years at one job where my pay increases weren't discernible within my checks.
New job offered me an immediate 35% raise.
You're always worth more to the next one. (Probably because they don't know you)
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
——
That’s the problem. The only time I got big raises was when I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at May 13, 2025 11:51 AM (BRJFo)
Worked three years at one job where my pay increases weren't discernible within my checks.
New job offered me an immediate 35% raise.
You're always worth more to the next one. (Probably because they don't know you)
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (KbCG3)
254
Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
---------
Everyone throws around the phrase "Fractional Reserve Banking" as if its a boogy man, and as if there were any alternative to it. There isn't. When we pretend there is, we're pretending anyone would build those nice brick buildings with plush carpet, employ a dozen or more nicely dressed employees, and then simply SIT on top of the money deposited there.
That's not a functioning business model. Deposited funds *must* be invested. For most banks, the single biggest category of *investments* is their loan portfolio.
---------
Everyone throws around the phrase "Fractional Reserve Banking" as if its a boogy man, and as if there were any alternative to it. There isn't. When we pretend there is, we're pretending anyone would build those nice brick buildings with plush carpet, employ a dozen or more nicely dressed employees, and then simply SIT on top of the money deposited there.
That's not a functioning business model. Deposited funds *must* be invested. For most banks, the single biggest category of *investments* is their loan portfolio.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (TN0g+)
255
*peeks in*
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (TZcgD)
Ugh . I feel for you. I don't miss it at all.
Am sitting at the Seattle airport after a 1.5 hour drive (of only 22 miles) to get here. It's a zoo! I hate this place. The only upside is laughing at all the idiots wearing masks.
*starts drinking *
Posted by: Diogenes at May 13, 2025 11:54 AM (TZcgD)
Ugh . I feel for you. I don't miss it at all.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (i24o9)
256
Inflation should be thought of as just another tax.
If the government wants to give a new $1B hand out to their friends...and almost all federal spending is a handout...they have two choices in how to pay for it:
1) Raise taxes. But people notice when their take home pay goes down and then vote those politicians out of office
2) Raise inflation. Here your take home pay goes down but it buys fewer goods and services. The hope here is people won't understand why they can buy less and with the help of the media blame "greedy corporations"
If the government wants to give a new $1B hand out to their friends...and almost all federal spending is a handout...they have two choices in how to pay for it:
1) Raise taxes. But people notice when their take home pay goes down and then vote those politicians out of office
2) Raise inflation. Here your take home pay goes down but it buys fewer goods and services. The hope here is people won't understand why they can buy less and with the help of the media blame "greedy corporations"
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (t0Rmr)
257
You're just making shit up--the Federal Reserve lends *only* to Fed-backed banks, and not to consumers/borrowers/etc., and only for so-called "overnight" liquidity purposes.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (TN0g+)
because those banks never provide funds or extend credit to the mortgage lenders or your happy little bank downtown, that has the yummy mints on the customer service desks, that you have your checking account in.
How bitterly sarcastic do you want me to be about the idea you present of two completely separate banking systems?
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:52 AM (TN0g+)
because those banks never provide funds or extend credit to the mortgage lenders or your happy little bank downtown, that has the yummy mints on the customer service desks, that you have your checking account in.
How bitterly sarcastic do you want me to be about the idea you present of two completely separate banking systems?
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 11:57 AM (D7oie)
258
39
‘ Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.’
That’s just the media cuing it up for everyone to pretend to be sad when FJB gets cancer and croaks.
They’re not going to like my reaction.
‘ Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.’
That’s just the media cuing it up for everyone to pretend to be sad when FJB gets cancer and croaks.
They’re not going to like my reaction.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at May 13, 2025 11:57 AM (jbnUc)
259
What does Paul Krugman, David Hogg, and/or Brian Stelter think of all this?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM
Pffft! Screw THEM. What does Tay Tay or Madonna think about this?!
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM
Pffft! Screw THEM. What does Tay Tay or Madonna think about this?!
Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at May 13, 2025 11:57 AM (5xuJ/)
260
GOP Congress is faced with a bad dilemma, what a majority of the members want which not coincidentally agree with their donors is not what a vast majority of their voters want.
---
As was quoted here the other day:
In the Democrat Party, the policy dictates the donors.
In the Republican Party, the donors dictate the policy.
Neither party has an interest in the will of the voters.
Democrats and Republicans are for they/them.
Trump is for you.
---
As was quoted here the other day:
In the Democrat Party, the policy dictates the donors.
In the Republican Party, the donors dictate the policy.
Neither party has an interest in the will of the voters.
Democrats and Republicans are for they/them.
Trump is for you.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 13, 2025 11:57 AM (NwfFc)
261
260 As was quoted here the other day:
In the Democrat Party, the policy dictates the donors.
In the Republican Party, the donors dictate the policy.
Neither party has an interest in the will of the voters.
Democrats and Republicans are for they/them.
Trump is for you.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 13, 2025 11:57 AM (NwfFc)
======
A bad, terrible budget is better than the CR mess we're in now.
Just sayin'.
In the Democrat Party, the policy dictates the donors.
In the Republican Party, the donors dictate the policy.
Neither party has an interest in the will of the voters.
Democrats and Republicans are for they/them.
Trump is for you.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at May 13, 2025 11:57 AM (NwfFc)
======
A bad, terrible budget is better than the CR mess we're in now.
Just sayin'.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (GBKbO)
262
I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
Crap. I should be on my 7th company by now.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
Crap. I should be on my 7th company by now.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (QMyMX)
263
Excellent post sir. This is one of the things I voted for. They will be painful to many of us. Like any business decision, they are a calculated risk. The pundits and economic prognosticators will scream when the pain comes. They will assure us that Trump has brought disaster upon our heads. Very few will discuss the nature of a globalized economy, that it rests upon a fragile and weak foundation. We have endured alot of pain for many years yet our persistence and determination is now bringing dividends. Stay the course. Trump's economic battle plan has value. Value is a difficult concept because it is not quantifiable, but I believe we will know it when we see it. God willing, this will make us a stronger nation. Again, excellent post sir!
Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (Uzn0I)
264
I've been looking at old fast food commercials which often include prices.
We are paying 10X as much over the last 20 years, which I think is a more accurate estimate of inflation then the government will admit to.
We are paying 10X as much over the last 20 years, which I think is a more accurate estimate of inflation then the government will admit to.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (t0Rmr)
265
Where do you think the money loaned to consumers comes from?
---------------
If I opened "Crusader National Bank" today and had $10 to my name, its rather comical for anyone to assert my newly minted bank could loan out anything more than $10.
---------------
If I opened "Crusader National Bank" today and had $10 to my name, its rather comical for anyone to assert my newly minted bank could loan out anything more than $10.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (TN0g+)
266
Crap. I should be on my 7th company by now.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (QMyMX)
I just hate interviewing.
Crap. I should be on my 7th company by now.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (QMyMX)
I just hate interviewing.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (JA4sW)
267
‘ Just came up on my news feed. Joe Biden has a nodule in his prostate.’
Lucky for Mushbrain that he has a DOCTOR in residence to feel around up there every morning.
Lucky for Mushbrain that he has a DOCTOR in residence to feel around up there every morning.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (muwun)
268
220 So when I look at a bank's balance sheet and see cash in deposits on hand at $100 and loaned amounts at $2000 that's not a 20 to 1 leverage? Even if the bank has collateral, say a $1900 mortgage where did the dollars come from to give the seller the cash for the sale? $1900 cash out the door to seller, $100 in deposits and a promissory note which may or may not be worth $1900.
Maybe we are talking semantics but this is a basic point.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (17s+e)
If banks sat on the cash they received, they would have to charge storage frees since they can't make money lending it out. Any lending of a portion of that cash makes it less than fully backed by cash on hand.
Maybe we are talking semantics but this is a basic point.
Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable a Clear and Present Danger at May 13, 2025 11:49 AM (17s+e)
If banks sat on the cash they received, they would have to charge storage frees since they can't make money lending it out. Any lending of a portion of that cash makes it less than fully backed by cash on hand.
Posted by: Red Turban Someguy's phone at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (1//Yw)
269
From Google AI (yeah, I know):
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a federal budget deficit of $1.9 trillion for fiscal year 2025. This figure represents 6.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While the deficit remains high, it's a slight decrease from the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2024, which was 6.4% of GDP.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a federal budget deficit of $1.9 trillion for fiscal year 2025. This figure represents 6.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While the deficit remains high, it's a slight decrease from the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2024, which was 6.4% of GDP.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (s8j++)
270
I remember as a young, single lad who often had to deposit paychecks, there was a very cute teller at a bank I used to frequent.
I didn't dare ask her out. Being rejected by someone who knows what you make would've been soul crushing at that time.
I didn't dare ask her out. Being rejected by someone who knows what you make would've been soul crushing at that time.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (KbCG3)
271
Printing of money is part of the problem. Throwing "free" money at the bottom 25% of the population is a gift to the top 10%. Why, Because the bottom 25% does not have the economic comfort to save. Their margin of income to expanse is near zero, or below. They immediately spend it, increasing demand and thusly causing inflation. The top 10% own 80+% of the stock market. More spending and higher prices means higher profits for the companies and increase in their valuation. (I know inflation and dollar devaluation per printing, both lower the purchase power, but the "numbers" are higher.) I agree the tariffs will have a one time bump up, but not to the full extent on the tariff. Moving production sites (including anchoring), shifts in consumer purchasing, and manufacturers absorbing costs will offset some. Tariffs are more of a transport fee. The tariff is based on the price from the manufacturer. The product will be marked up, like now, by the wholesaler. The price will go up with any post import modifications, the made to order print placed on the tee shirt at the mall. The retailer marks up the price again. So 10% tariff may add 1-2% to the end cost.
Posted by: MacRadDoc at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (+OjEW)
272
Lucky for Mushbrain that he has a DOCTOR in residence to feel around up there every morning.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (muwun)
As a commenter upthread said, with his head so firmly up his ass, one would think he'd have seen this already.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (muwun)
As a commenter upthread said, with his head so firmly up his ass, one would think he'd have seen this already.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (JA4sW)
273
IF a bank has $10 in deposits, it can't lend more than $10, period (discarding overnight Fed Funds transfers for the sake of discussion). Anyone arguing otherwise is just making shit up.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (TN0g+)
An individual bank can't lend more than it has, but the banking system can.
Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia
======
Rodrigo is correct. When thinking about macro economics, you think in systems terms rather than micro terms. The problem with macro is you get so many feedback loops often with long lags that what might theoretically be the 'best' policy response turns out to be not so good in practice.
Classic example of this is "taxpayer rebates" to forestall a recession. It has always been a question of too little too late but the demand by politicians to "do something."
Systems analysis of macroeconomics is difficult enough at the national level, it becomes very uncertain when dealing with global economics.
Not a science but largely an art.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:40 AM (TN0g+)
An individual bank can't lend more than it has, but the banking system can.
Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia
======
Rodrigo is correct. When thinking about macro economics, you think in systems terms rather than micro terms. The problem with macro is you get so many feedback loops often with long lags that what might theoretically be the 'best' policy response turns out to be not so good in practice.
Classic example of this is "taxpayer rebates" to forestall a recession. It has always been a question of too little too late but the demand by politicians to "do something."
Systems analysis of macroeconomics is difficult enough at the national level, it becomes very uncertain when dealing with global economics.
Not a science but largely an art.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (ctrM5)
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (krQz2)
275
274 Jake Tapper wrote a new book.
I think it's proper title is "I am Not Very Good at My Job".
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (krQz2)
========
"And why you should still listen to me."
-the subtitle
I think it's proper title is "I am Not Very Good at My Job".
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (krQz2)
========
"And why you should still listen to me."
-the subtitle
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (GBKbO)
276
> Well, mine was snark.
But, how are we to measure if a media's narrative is effective or not?
-----------
Well, how many comments, arguments and mentions it gets here would be one way.
But, how are we to measure if a media's narrative is effective or not?
-----------
Well, how many comments, arguments and mentions it gets here would be one way.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (Q4IgG)
277
276 -----------
Well, how many comments, arguments and mentions it gets here would be one way.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (Q4IgG)
=======
Better than polling.
Well, how many comments, arguments and mentions it gets here would be one way.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (Q4IgG)
=======
Better than polling.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (GBKbO)
278
I remember when McDonald's used to advertise that you could get a meal and still get change back from a dollar.
I also recall that when the first McDonald's appeared in my area (early to mid-'60s) the regular burgers were $0.15, $0.20 for cheeseburgers.
I also recall that when the first McDonald's appeared in my area (early to mid-'60s) the regular burgers were $0.15, $0.20 for cheeseburgers.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (W5ArC)
279
As someone that's worked a lot in the corporate world, it is usually easier to hire a new person for more money then you can pay your current people.
The bean counters are amenable to the notion that you have to pay enough money to attract new employees, but don't believe that you have to pay people more to keep them.
And...they are right TBH. I've had cases where I've been given below market to hire new employees and...those roles stay open for a long time. Meanwhile your current employees get smaller year over year raises and stay.
And I'm as guilty of this as anyone - I could probably get more if I jumped ship but I don't like the instability and interviewing is a nightmare.
The bean counters are amenable to the notion that you have to pay enough money to attract new employees, but don't believe that you have to pay people more to keep them.
And...they are right TBH. I've had cases where I've been given below market to hire new employees and...those roles stay open for a long time. Meanwhile your current employees get smaller year over year raises and stay.
And I'm as guilty of this as anyone - I could probably get more if I jumped ship but I don't like the instability and interviewing is a nightmare.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (t0Rmr)
280
God willing, this will make us a stronger nation.
Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (Uzn0I)
Well said.
Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (Uzn0I)
Well said.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (i24o9)
281
264 I've been looking at old fast food commercials which often include prices.
We are paying 10X as much over the last 20 years, which I think is a more accurate estimate of inflation then the government will admit to.
Posted by: 18-1
That's only because of poor sesame seed harvests the last 25 yrars.
We are paying 10X as much over the last 20 years, which I think is a more accurate estimate of inflation then the government will admit to.
Posted by: 18-1
That's only because of poor sesame seed harvests the last 25 yrars.
Posted by: All-Beef Patty at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (G5+As)
282
because those banks never provide funds or extend credit to the mortgage lenders or your happy little bank downtown, that has the yummy mints on the customer service desks, that you have your checking account in.
How bitterly sarcastic do you want me to be about the idea you present of two completely separate banking systems?
----------
Perhaps I'm unaware of your bitter sarcasm since its wrapped in bland stupidity? The bank on the street can't lend funds it doesn't possess. Are you capable of grasping that?
How bitterly sarcastic do you want me to be about the idea you present of two completely separate banking systems?
----------
Perhaps I'm unaware of your bitter sarcasm since its wrapped in bland stupidity? The bank on the street can't lend funds it doesn't possess. Are you capable of grasping that?
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 12:02 PM (TN0g+)
283
I just hate interviewing.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
They asked one question about how I thought I'd be a good fit in Customer Service moving from security. I told them that I deal with the CEO & the rest of the C Suite daily.
That was 33 yrs ago. 😁
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
They asked one question about how I thought I'd be a good fit in Customer Service moving from security. I told them that I deal with the CEO & the rest of the C Suite daily.
That was 33 yrs ago. 😁
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 12:02 PM (QMyMX)
284
>> Tariffs are deflationary in nature as all taxes are.
People keep repeating this, but it’s not true. Taxes are not removing money from the system, they’re just giving it to government to spend.
People keep repeating this, but it’s not true. Taxes are not removing money from the system, they’re just giving it to government to spend.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 12:02 PM (l3YAf)
285
Ace's headline about Biden yesterday... 😂
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (GPc/R)
286
I didn't dare ask her out. Being rejected by someone who knows what you make would've been soul crushing at that time.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer
Maybe you made more than she did. You should've given it a try.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer
Maybe you made more than she did. You should've given it a try.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (77rzZ)
287
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 12:02 PM (l3YAf)
Government money isn't real.
Government money isn't real.
Posted by: ... at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (GPc/R)
288
I remember when McDonald's used to advertise that you could get a meal and still get change back from a dollar.
I also recall that when the first McDonald's appeared in my area (early to mid-'60s) the regular burgers were $0.15, $0.20 for cheeseburgers.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (W5ArC)
Wife and I were in a hurry but needed a bite over the weekend. Went to a McD's in Norman, Ok. 2 1/4 Lb's with cheese, large drink, fries and 2 hot mustard (they charge you for some condiments now)........$18.........
I also recall that when the first McDonald's appeared in my area (early to mid-'60s) the regular burgers were $0.15, $0.20 for cheeseburgers.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (W5ArC)
Wife and I were in a hurry but needed a bite over the weekend. Went to a McD's in Norman, Ok. 2 1/4 Lb's with cheese, large drink, fries and 2 hot mustard (they charge you for some condiments now)........$18.........
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (JA4sW)
289
I didn't dare ask her out. Being rejected by someone who knows what you make would've been soul crushing at that time.
As a much more experienced 29 year old now I know you should always make the attempt if you run across someone you like. Yes, most attempts will fail but like say hockey, its a percentage game so the more you take the better.
And way more so then hockey the more women you ask out the better you will get at it.
As a much more experienced 29 year old now I know you should always make the attempt if you run across someone you like. Yes, most attempts will fail but like say hockey, its a percentage game so the more you take the better.
And way more so then hockey the more women you ask out the better you will get at it.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (t0Rmr)
290
259 What does Paul Krugman, David Hogg, and/or Brian Stelter think of all this?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM
a dwarf, a stick, and a potato walk into a bar...
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 11:03 AM
a dwarf, a stick, and a potato walk into a bar...
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (pIfcn)
291
I remember when McDonald's used to advertise that you could get a meal and still get change back from a dollar.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (W5ArC)
---
You can still get change back from your 12th dollar.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (W5ArC)
---
You can still get change back from your 12th dollar.
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (krQz2)
292
286 I didn't dare ask her out. Being rejected by someone who knows what you make would've been soul crushing at that time.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer
Maybe you made more than she did. You should've given it a try.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (77rzZ)
If that was the case our date nights would not have been very exciting, haha.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer
Maybe you made more than she did. You should've given it a try.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (77rzZ)
If that was the case our date nights would not have been very exciting, haha.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (KbCG3)
293
On the retail side of things, my wife and I haven't materially altered our spending habits over the past 10 years or so. It feels like we have had 'extra' funds once the kids all left. I would imagine that is the case for most folks if they have 5+ of the little rascals, as we did.
BUT - I do see the damage done to the local underclass if you will. Those folks are struggling and their wages cannot be stretched any further.
BUT - I do see the damage done to the local underclass if you will. Those folks are struggling and their wages cannot be stretched any further.
Posted by: Tonypete at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (cYBz/)
294
Also, many of these pundits have missed some things:
1) China's government can claim to be forceful and willing to take the pain. Chinese firms? We have a supplier in China who is offering to ship from Vietnam starting in JULY. That is how fast they move.
2) Consumers didn't even notice the 25% tariffs of 2018
3) US importers who aren't dumb started finding new suppliers a while back. I moved 50% of my business to Vietnam...they will be shipping normally.
10% is a speed bump.
1) China's government can claim to be forceful and willing to take the pain. Chinese firms? We have a supplier in China who is offering to ship from Vietnam starting in JULY. That is how fast they move.
2) Consumers didn't even notice the 25% tariffs of 2018
3) US importers who aren't dumb started finding new suppliers a while back. I moved 50% of my business to Vietnam...they will be shipping normally.
10% is a speed bump.
Posted by: Harun at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (IuIym)
295
And I'm as guilty of this as anyone - I could probably get more if I jumped ship but I don't like the instability and interviewing is a nightmare.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (t0Rmr)
-----------------
"Bird in the hand" syndrome. I've been unemployed for extended periods and had to do whatever I could to make ends meet. Once one lands that stable job which keeps food on the table and a roof over the head, it tends to reduce the desire to take any further chances.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:01 PM (t0Rmr)
-----------------
"Bird in the hand" syndrome. I've been unemployed for extended periods and had to do whatever I could to make ends meet. Once one lands that stable job which keeps food on the table and a roof over the head, it tends to reduce the desire to take any further chances.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (tT6L1)
296
If I opened "Crusader National Bank" today and had $10 to my name, its rather comical for anyone to assert my newly minted bank could loan out anything more than $10.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (TN0g+)
No, you don't understand. A bank can also get money from other banks, from investors, it was a normal practice in hard-money banking to draw on other banks to cover loans. In the west it was normal for banks to draw funds on banks out of San Francisco, since that was the center of west coast banking. This was useful because places like Seattle or Portland had a lot of industry but not a lot of investors who could cover those sorts of loans.
Nowadays most loans are originated, ultimately, in the Fed banks. That is how the Fed rate influences street level banking, not just the rate of Treasuries and government debt
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (TN0g+)
No, you don't understand. A bank can also get money from other banks, from investors, it was a normal practice in hard-money banking to draw on other banks to cover loans. In the west it was normal for banks to draw funds on banks out of San Francisco, since that was the center of west coast banking. This was useful because places like Seattle or Portland had a lot of industry but not a lot of investors who could cover those sorts of loans.
Nowadays most loans are originated, ultimately, in the Fed banks. That is how the Fed rate influences street level banking, not just the rate of Treasuries and government debt
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (D7oie)
297
I'm going to have to take out a loan to pay my tab down at The Regal Beagle.
Posted by: Ralph Furley at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (G5+As)
298
People keep repeating this, but it’s not true. Taxes are not removing money from the system, they’re just giving it to government to spend.
Government spending is completely separate from taxes and has been for some time.
Honestly you could set the income tax rate to $0 and outside of some increased inflationary pressure there would be no impact.
Government spending is completely separate from taxes and has been for some time.
Honestly you could set the income tax rate to $0 and outside of some increased inflationary pressure there would be no impact.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:05 PM (t0Rmr)
299
>>>Fractional reserve banking works great, as long as every depositor doesn't ask for their money on the same day.
https://tinyurl.com/zj8pjz7a
https://tinyurl.com/zj8pjz7a
Posted by: brak at May 13, 2025 12:05 PM (jGJov)
300
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 11:42 AM (l3YAf)
Using minimum wage as a place holder for real wages is a mistake.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (LjcqP)
=================
Of the goofiest variety
Using minimum wage as a place holder for real wages is a mistake.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (LjcqP)
=================
Of the goofiest variety
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 13, 2025 12:05 PM (HJRrT)
301
Wife and I were in a hurry but needed a bite over the weekend. Went to a McD's in Norman, Ok. 2 1/4 Lb's with cheese, large drink, fries and 2 hot mustard (they charge you for some condiments now)........$18.........
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (JA4sW)
I bought a medium milkshake at a local fast food joint. $8 and change. Last time, says me.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 12:03 PM (JA4sW)
I bought a medium milkshake at a local fast food joint. $8 and change. Last time, says me.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at May 13, 2025 12:05 PM (i24o9)
302
The bean counters are amenable to the notion that you have to pay enough money to attract new employees, but don't believe that you have to pay people more to keep them.
And...they are right TBH. I've had cases where I've been given below market to hire new employees and...those roles stay open for a long time. Meanwhile your current employees get smaller year over year raises and stay.
And I'm as guilty of this as anyone - I could probably get more if I jumped ship but I don't like the instability and interviewing is a nightmare.
Posted by: 18-1
One flaw. Training costs. It costs more to train someone than it does to give current employees a raise.
And...they are right TBH. I've had cases where I've been given below market to hire new employees and...those roles stay open for a long time. Meanwhile your current employees get smaller year over year raises and stay.
And I'm as guilty of this as anyone - I could probably get more if I jumped ship but I don't like the instability and interviewing is a nightmare.
Posted by: 18-1
One flaw. Training costs. It costs more to train someone than it does to give current employees a raise.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 12:05 PM (QMyMX)
303
297 I'm going to have to take out a loan to pay my tab down at The Regal Beagle.
Posted by: Ralph Furley at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (G5+As)
Don't lie. You gave the money to Lana on Only Fans.
Posted by: Ralph Furley at May 13, 2025 12:04 PM (G5+As)
Don't lie. You gave the money to Lana on Only Fans.
Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (pIfcn)
304
262 I took a job at a new company. I recommend changing jobs every five years or so.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
Crap. I should be on my 7th company by now.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (QMyMX)
I'm on #9. And I've been at the current company for 12 years. (Get off my lawn). I dread changing companies at my age - IT age discrimination is a real thing.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
Crap. I should be on my 7th company by now.
Posted by: rickb223 at May 13, 2025 11:58 AM (QMyMX)
I'm on #9. And I've been at the current company for 12 years. (Get off my lawn). I dread changing companies at my age - IT age discrimination is a real thing.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (N39Ws)
305
Pisgah Fish Camp was mentioned in the Food thread on Sunday. Just found out they are closed down. Never reopened after flooding from Helene. It's now a Mexican restaurant.
Posted by: cheztrainor at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (Uis59)
306
I just hate interviewing.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
---
No matter what you do, you're in sales.
Interviewing is sales.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
---
No matter what you do, you're in sales.
Interviewing is sales.
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (krQz2)
307
305 Pisgah Fish Camp was mentioned in the Food thread on Sunday. Just found out they are closed down. Never reopened after flooding from Helene. It's now a Mexican restaurant.
Posted by: cheztrainor at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (Uis59)
======
Took our jerbs!
Posted by: cheztrainor at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (Uis59)
======
Took our jerbs!
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (GBKbO)
308
New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed
-
They were aspirational jobs!
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (L/fGl)
309
Musk claps lime a Nerd
Posted by: Captain Fantastic not Gumby at May 13, 2025 12:07 PM (ey6uh)
310
BUT - I do see the damage done to the local underclass if you will. Those folks are struggling and their wages cannot be stretched any further. /i]
I make a good salary and live frugally. Bidenflation reduced the amount of money I can save but didn't impact my ability to buy the things I need.
I don't see how people making the average wage or less can make ends meet any more.
I make a good salary and live frugally. Bidenflation reduced the amount of money I can save but didn't impact my ability to buy the things I need.
I don't see how people making the average wage or less can make ends meet any more.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:07 PM (t0Rmr)
311
306 I just hate interviewing.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
---
No matter what you do, you're in sales.
Interviewing is sales.
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (krQz2)
Saw a recent talk that I felt was spot on.
Interviews are just to see if they like you. You have the skills or else they wouldn't be speaking with you. They just want to see if they can stand you.
After having just conducted two interviews with potential employees, I rate this as true.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer
---
No matter what you do, you're in sales.
Interviewing is sales.
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (krQz2)
Saw a recent talk that I felt was spot on.
Interviews are just to see if they like you. You have the skills or else they wouldn't be speaking with you. They just want to see if they can stand you.
After having just conducted two interviews with potential employees, I rate this as true.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:07 PM (KbCG3)
312
One flaw. Training costs. It costs more to train someone than it does to give current employees a raise.
Oh this is a big one that gets ignored.
Oh this is a big one that gets ignored.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (t0Rmr)
313
Inflation is the mismatch of dollars to national productivity. Yes, printing can be a symptom of the problem. Print to many - inflation. Print to few - deflation. Printing too few is indeed a problem and was the major problem with the gold standard or any system tied to a commodity - including crypto. You could see the Biden covid stimulus when a bunch of dollars were already in peoples wallets - that coupled with a crippling of the energy markets chasing the renewal dream created a recession as well as rampant inflation. It's taken the fed over 2 years to squeeze it out.
Tariffs were never an inflation issue. Economists were stupid to even suggest it. Could it slow the economy? Yes. Stagflation assumed inflation was increasing when in March it actually contracted. The issue now - Powell is wrong - the fed is too tight. He was late to raise rates and he is going to be late to cutting them. The frustration with the fed continues.
Tariffs were never an inflation issue. Economists were stupid to even suggest it. Could it slow the economy? Yes. Stagflation assumed inflation was increasing when in March it actually contracted. The issue now - Powell is wrong - the fed is too tight. He was late to raise rates and he is going to be late to cutting them. The frustration with the fed continues.
Posted by: Black JEM at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (GZYu7)
314
New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Schroedinger's Jobs. And some idiot just had to look.
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Schroedinger's Jobs. And some idiot just had to look.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (muwun)
315
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a federal budget deficit of $1.9 trillion for fiscal year 2025. This figure represents 6.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While the deficit remains high, it's a slight decrease from the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2024, which was 6.4% of GDP.
Posted by: Archimedes
CBO has long produced trash for estimates. There are several reasons why but one of those is that it uses static analysis of a dynamic process. Basically it assumes every dollar appropriated by Congress will be spent, that long term tax cuts cannot have a multiplicative effect on the private economy (false by empirical evidence), and that the fed spending has a positive multiplicative effect by way of the money multiplier.
One of the easiest ways to defuse the federal debt bomb is to increase the size of the domestic economy, reduce all government spending and regulations, and have a moderate demand pull inflation from a tight job market causing some slow inflation from increasing labor costs and business investment to meet demand. Leads to a virtuous cycle absent entry of cheap foreign goods.
Posted by: Archimedes
CBO has long produced trash for estimates. There are several reasons why but one of those is that it uses static analysis of a dynamic process. Basically it assumes every dollar appropriated by Congress will be spent, that long term tax cuts cannot have a multiplicative effect on the private economy (false by empirical evidence), and that the fed spending has a positive multiplicative effect by way of the money multiplier.
One of the easiest ways to defuse the federal debt bomb is to increase the size of the domestic economy, reduce all government spending and regulations, and have a moderate demand pull inflation from a tight job market causing some slow inflation from increasing labor costs and business investment to meet demand. Leads to a virtuous cycle absent entry of cheap foreign goods.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (ctrM5)
316
Travelling on your geezer golf day?
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (77rzZ)
Yeah. Sad. But it's been spitting rain so I don't feel too bad.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 11:56 AM (77rzZ)
Yeah. Sad. But it's been spitting rain so I don't feel too bad.
Posted by: Diogenes at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (TZcgD)
Posted by: kallisto at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (4iFiM)
318
Lefties are in a dither over the coming Fakee Jakee and Alex Thompson book exposing how many Democrats knew Biden was non compos during his term. They can't believe everyone in the Demofascist power structure lied to them!
Including (of course) Tapper.
Including (of course) Tapper.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 13, 2025 12:09 PM (HJRrT)
319
Perhaps I'm unaware of your bitter sarcasm since its wrapped in bland stupidity? The bank on the street can't lend funds it doesn't possess. Are you capable of grasping that?
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 12:02 PM (TN0g+)
I understand you are trying to support your argument by being insulting, so you have that going for you.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 12:02 PM (TN0g+)
I understand you are trying to support your argument by being insulting, so you have that going for you.
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 12:09 PM (D7oie)
320
My company avoided giving merit increases this year by cancelling annual reviews. Previously people were asking for increases to at least try to match inflation at their review. So the MBA brain trust came up with the solution. No reviews this year.
Posted by: brak at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (jGJov)
321
IT age discrimination is a real thing.
Posted by: Our Country
NB. A good explanation for why I went back to school at 54 and got my BSRN.
Posted by: Our Country
NB. A good explanation for why I went back to school at 54 and got my BSRN.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (d2jCh)
322
Oh, I finally got the name…Pete. Bog
Instead of peat
It took a while
Posted by: kallisto
Who wants to take a shot at explaining 'Masterbating Pete' for her?
Instead of peat
It took a while
Posted by: kallisto
Who wants to take a shot at explaining 'Masterbating Pete' for her?
Posted by: Tonypete at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (cYBz/)
323
320 My company avoided giving merit increases this year by cancelling annual reviews. Previously people were asking for increases to at least try to match inflation at their review. So the MBA brain trust came up with the solution. No reviews this year.
Posted by: brak at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (jGJov)
======
Honestly...might be worth it.
Posted by: brak at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (jGJov)
======
Honestly...might be worth it.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (GBKbO)
324
We've been in a depression for several years now. And with hyperinflation which is absurd.
But that's because Bidenomics was about looting the treasury.
Imagine if instead of electing Biden the United States had been conquered by a hostile power that primarily saw our wealth as something to expropriate. Same result.
But that's because Bidenomics was about looting the treasury.
Imagine if instead of electing Biden the United States had been conquered by a hostile power that primarily saw our wealth as something to expropriate. Same result.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (t0Rmr)
325
New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (L/fGl)
---
Don't blame him, he stutters.
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (L/fGl)
---
Don't blame him, he stutters.
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (krQz2)
326
One of the easiest ways to defuse the federal debt bomb is to increase the size of the domestic economy, reduce all government spending and regulations, and have a moderate demand pull inflation from a tight job market causing some slow inflation from increasing labor costs and business investment to meet demand.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (ctrM5)
============
The Trump Plan, in a sentence
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (ctrM5)
============
The Trump Plan, in a sentence
Posted by: Huck Follywood at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (HJRrT)
327
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a federal budget deficit of $1.9 trillion for fiscal year 2025. This figure represents 6.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While the deficit remains high, it's a slight decrease from the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2024, which was 6.4% of GDP.
Posted by: Archimedes
CBO has long produced trash for estimates. There are several reasons why but one of those is that it uses static analysis of a dynamic process. Basically it assumes every dollar appropriated by Congress will be spent, that long term tax cuts cannot have a multiplicative effect on the private economy (false by empirical evidence), and that the fed spending has a positive multiplicative effect by way of the money multiplier.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (ctrM5)
_________
"You flatter us. In truth, we just pull the numbers out of our assholes."
-- CBO
Posted by: Archimedes
CBO has long produced trash for estimates. There are several reasons why but one of those is that it uses static analysis of a dynamic process. Basically it assumes every dollar appropriated by Congress will be spent, that long term tax cuts cannot have a multiplicative effect on the private economy (false by empirical evidence), and that the fed spending has a positive multiplicative effect by way of the money multiplier.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:08 PM (ctrM5)
_________
"You flatter us. In truth, we just pull the numbers out of our assholes."
-- CBO
Posted by: Elric Blade at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (iFTx/)
328
New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (L/fGl)
==
Don't get me started. Almost 2 million jobs Biden said were created were later adjusted out in the last few years.
-
They were aspirational jobs!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 12:06 PM (L/fGl)
==
Don't get me started. Almost 2 million jobs Biden said were created were later adjusted out in the last few years.
Posted by: Black JEM at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (GZYu7)
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (77rzZ)
330
The issue now - Powell is wrong - the fed is too tight. He was late to raise rates and he is going to be late to cutting them. The frustration with the fed continues.
Posted by: Black JEM
=======
Congress in fiscal matters and the Fed in monetary matters almost always miss the bus on timing policies. Almost always the problems are information lags and prior policy biases inherent in such institutions. Fed works for banks, not the US primarily and Congress works for the donors, not the American citizens at large. Thus, any policy output to some degree will be warped by these internal biases.
To a large degree, it is argument that neither are particularly good stewards of national economic policy.
Posted by: Black JEM
=======
Congress in fiscal matters and the Fed in monetary matters almost always miss the bus on timing policies. Almost always the problems are information lags and prior policy biases inherent in such institutions. Fed works for banks, not the US primarily and Congress works for the donors, not the American citizens at large. Thus, any policy output to some degree will be warped by these internal biases.
To a large degree, it is argument that neither are particularly good stewards of national economic policy.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (ctrM5)
331
322 Oh, I finally got the name…Pete. Bog
Instead of peat
It took a while
Posted by: kallisto
Who wants to take a shot at explaining 'Masterbating Pete' for her?
Posted by: Tonypete at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (cYBz/)
Harry Paratestes took me at least a year.
Cat Ass Trophy was another six months.
Instead of peat
It took a while
Posted by: kallisto
Who wants to take a shot at explaining 'Masterbating Pete' for her?
Posted by: Tonypete at May 13, 2025 12:10 PM (cYBz/)
Harry Paratestes took me at least a year.
Cat Ass Trophy was another six months.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (KbCG3)
332
After having just conducted two interviews with potential employees, I rate this as true.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:07 PM (KbCG3)
There's a TON of places that have gone way overboard in their interview process since the market was saturated with people looking for jobs.
You get a phone interview, they direct you to some website where you take a personality exam that takes like 3 hours, then you get 2 or 3 more phone interviews, and if you're still around, there's 2 to 3 face to face interviews with various managers and execs.
It's stupid.
After having just conducted two interviews with potential employees, I rate this as true.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:07 PM (KbCG3)
There's a TON of places that have gone way overboard in their interview process since the market was saturated with people looking for jobs.
You get a phone interview, they direct you to some website where you take a personality exam that takes like 3 hours, then you get 2 or 3 more phone interviews, and if you're still around, there's 2 to 3 face to face interviews with various managers and execs.
It's stupid.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (JA4sW)
333
Side note: Never mock geezer golfers. I played with a geezer golfer before I became a geezer. Guy didn't crush the ball but he kept the ball in the fairway. Guy really knew how to keep the ball in play and make the shots. I think the guy was only a couple over after everything was said and done.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (tT6L1)
334
New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed
-
They were aspirational jobs!
---
Simon didn't draw them very well (with his magic crayon).
-
They were aspirational jobs!
---
Simon didn't draw them very well (with his magic crayon).
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (krQz2)
335
269 From Google AI (yeah, I know):
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a federal budget deficit of $1.9 trillion for fiscal year 2025. This figure represents 6.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While the deficit remains high, it's a slight decrease from the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2024, which was 6.4% of GDP.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (s8j++)
AI has not read the current CBO site...
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a federal budget deficit of $1.9 trillion for fiscal year 2025. This figure represents 6.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While the deficit remains high, it's a slight decrease from the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2024, which was 6.4% of GDP.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 12:00 PM (s8j++)
AI has not read the current CBO site...
Posted by: Nova Local at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (tOcjL)
336
long ago inflation was running 8%m manager said you get 3%. I explained i was losing purchasing power. no change in offer, I was at another company 2 weeks later.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (d2jCh)
337
329 No reviews this year.
Posted by: brak
I hate those, so I'd be OK with that.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (77rzZ)
Former co-worker always used to give himself perfect scores.
I laughed when he told me but his reasoning was that when it came time for a promotion or raise, he wasn't about to give them any ammo to say no.
He ended up leaving for a much better gig.
Posted by: brak
I hate those, so I'd be OK with that.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (77rzZ)
Former co-worker always used to give himself perfect scores.
I laughed when he told me but his reasoning was that when it came time for a promotion or raise, he wasn't about to give them any ammo to say no.
He ended up leaving for a much better gig.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (KbCG3)
338
Using minimum wage as a place holder for real wages is a mistake.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (LjcqP)
I didn’t use it as a placeholder, I included SSA median compensation numbers, as well.
Minimum wage is still a useful way to track labor expenses. If burger flippers are making $15 /hour and the price of gas hasn’t doubled over the last decade, I’m inclined to say labor costs (and therefore wages) have stayed ahead of the cost of gasoline.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at May 13, 2025 11:48 AM (LjcqP)
I didn’t use it as a placeholder, I included SSA median compensation numbers, as well.
Minimum wage is still a useful way to track labor expenses. If burger flippers are making $15 /hour and the price of gas hasn’t doubled over the last decade, I’m inclined to say labor costs (and therefore wages) have stayed ahead of the cost of gasoline.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (l3YAf)
339
333 Side note: Never mock geezer golfers. I played with a geezer golfer before I became a geezer. Guy didn't crush the ball but he kept the ball in the fairway. Guy really knew how to keep the ball in play and make the shots. I think the guy was only a couple over after everything was said and done.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (tT6L1)
Drive for show, putt for dough.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at May 13, 2025 12:12 PM (tT6L1)
Drive for show, putt for dough.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (N39Ws)
340
Harry Paratestes took me at least a year.
Cat Ass Trophy was another six months.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer
I just figured out Count de Monet about a month ago.
Cat Ass Trophy was another six months.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer
I just figured out Count de Monet about a month ago.
Posted by: Bulg at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (77rzZ)
341
Another thing that could have pulled us out of our economic problems would be for the courts to rule that inflationary spending is just another tax increase (which it is) and that since it is a tax on future people who can't vote yet it is illegal.
But the best "conservative judges" are cowards, and most "conservative judges" are one phone call away from giving the left whatever the hell it wants.
But the best "conservative judges" are cowards, and most "conservative judges" are one phone call away from giving the left whatever the hell it wants.
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (t0Rmr)
342
Swallwell asspires.
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:14 PM (krQz2)
343
> New data shows 400,000 jobs that the Biden admin claimed to have created last year never actually existed
---------
The entire 4 years shouldn't have existed, but here we are.
I'm betting there's a shit-ton of bad ju-ju just waiting to be revealed from that abomination of an administration. A number of *biden's henchmen have been unusually quiet since Trump took office. I'd hope that's out of fear of retribution, but I know I'd be disappointed.
---------
The entire 4 years shouldn't have existed, but here we are.
I'm betting there's a shit-ton of bad ju-ju just waiting to be revealed from that abomination of an administration. A number of *biden's henchmen have been unusually quiet since Trump took office. I'd hope that's out of fear of retribution, but I know I'd be disappointed.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at May 13, 2025 12:14 PM (Q4IgG)
344
Cut spending. A one time cut of 50% for all federal teat sucklers outta work just fine.
Watch them scream and holler for their ill gotten titty feast.
Watch them scream and holler for their ill gotten titty feast.
Posted by: Cut Spending And Watch The Tears Flow at May 13, 2025 12:14 PM (xofCm)
345
Duncanthrax I thought had a can of spray expanding foam around here somewhere, thinking of trying to make a solid tire with it.
Still have the 3rd wheelbarrow to replace
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM
Hmmm ... I'd be interested in how well that works, if you give it a try. I use 4-wheel Gorilla carts, got tired of fixing flats, and swapped for solid rubber tires. Well worth it!
Still have the 3rd wheelbarrow to replace
Posted by: Skip at May 13, 2025 11:46 AM
Hmmm ... I'd be interested in how well that works, if you give it a try. I use 4-wheel Gorilla carts, got tired of fixing flats, and swapped for solid rubber tires. Well worth it!
Posted by: Duncanthrax at May 13, 2025 12:15 PM (0sNs1)
346
Can't wait for Ace.
Trump is making us Proud to be an American in Saudi Arabia. Giving an unbelievable speech.
Trump is making us Proud to be an American in Saudi Arabia. Giving an unbelievable speech.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at May 13, 2025 12:15 PM (t/2Uw)
347
Nood. Lucky bastard.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at May 13, 2025 12:15 PM (ExV1e)
Posted by: Axeman at May 13, 2025 12:16 PM (krQz2)
349
The Trump Plan, in a sentence
Posted by: Huck Follywood
=====
Yep. What people don't get which is heightened by reading the 'news' day to day is that Trump has long term goals but will tack back and forth on whatever wind is blowing to get to his long term goals. Peace, prosperity, and an aspiring people.
Those quoting muh principles and blaming Trump for lacking them are so invested in what they believe is true (in some cases at least) of the world, they cannot see the long term policies benefiting all for the tree (their particular interest at that moment) right in front of them.
Posted by: Huck Follywood
=====
Yep. What people don't get which is heightened by reading the 'news' day to day is that Trump has long term goals but will tack back and forth on whatever wind is blowing to get to his long term goals. Peace, prosperity, and an aspiring people.
Those quoting muh principles and blaming Trump for lacking them are so invested in what they believe is true (in some cases at least) of the world, they cannot see the long term policies benefiting all for the tree (their particular interest at that moment) right in front of them.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:16 PM (ctrM5)
350
Since at this point most government work involves stopping people in the private sector from producing value cuts in the federal workforce will produce many times their value. And ironically targeting "high performers" will give the best value
Posted by: 18-1 at May 13, 2025 12:16 PM (t0Rmr)
351
The issue now - Powell is wrong - the fed is too tight. He was late to raise rates and he is going to be late to cutting them. The frustration with the fed continues.
Posted by: Black JEM
=======
Congress in fiscal matters and the Fed in monetary matters almost always miss the bus on timing policies. Almost always the problems are information lags and prior policy biases inherent in such institutions. Fed works for banks, not the US primarily and Congress works for the donors, not the American citizens at large. Thus, any policy output to some degree will be warped by these internal biases.
To a large degree, it is argument that neither are particularly good stewards of national economic policy.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (ctrM5)
==
Yes, of course. It is why adding employment to their list of concerns was stupid. Their job is to keep the money supply consistent with national productivity - as well as covering our reserve currency needs. Should be nothing else.
Posted by: Black JEM
=======
Congress in fiscal matters and the Fed in monetary matters almost always miss the bus on timing policies. Almost always the problems are information lags and prior policy biases inherent in such institutions. Fed works for banks, not the US primarily and Congress works for the donors, not the American citizens at large. Thus, any policy output to some degree will be warped by these internal biases.
To a large degree, it is argument that neither are particularly good stewards of national economic policy.
Posted by: whig at May 13, 2025 12:11 PM (ctrM5)
==
Yes, of course. It is why adding employment to their list of concerns was stupid. Their job is to keep the money supply consistent with national productivity - as well as covering our reserve currency needs. Should be nothing else.
Posted by: Black JEM at May 13, 2025 12:17 PM (GZYu7)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, For a Limited Time Only at May 13, 2025 12:17 PM (L/fGl)
353
So when I look at a bank's balance sheet and see cash in deposits on hand at $100 and loaned amounts at $2000 that's not a 20 to 1 leverage?
-----------
Great question!
What you're viewing is a snapshot in time. What took place before that snapshot was the bank HAD loanable funds from operations and then loaned them out, keeping a small percentage in "cash" to meet "reserve requirements". The single largest "asset category" on most banks books is "loans receivable" (in laymans terms). Its no different than you or I really. IF we were in possession of "cash" that far exceeded our needs for today (or this week, or this month), the wise thing for us to do would be to *invest* that money for a good rate of return. Banks do their investing primarily by making loans.
-----------
Great question!
What you're viewing is a snapshot in time. What took place before that snapshot was the bank HAD loanable funds from operations and then loaned them out, keeping a small percentage in "cash" to meet "reserve requirements". The single largest "asset category" on most banks books is "loans receivable" (in laymans terms). Its no different than you or I really. IF we were in possession of "cash" that far exceeded our needs for today (or this week, or this month), the wise thing for us to do would be to *invest* that money for a good rate of return. Banks do their investing primarily by making loans.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 12:19 PM (TN0g+)
354
My salary hasn't gone up anywhere NEAR the price increase in energy OR gasoline. And I've been at the same company for 18 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
I’ve barely stayed anywhere for 18 months. I think 3.5 years was the longest and on average it’s been 2 years. Job hopping is the only way you make more money. Otherwise you’re stuck with the 3% increase every year for existing employees.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:17 AM (JA4sW)
I’ve barely stayed anywhere for 18 months. I think 3.5 years was the longest and on average it’s been 2 years. Job hopping is the only way you make more money. Otherwise you’re stuck with the 3% increase every year for existing employees.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at May 13, 2025 12:19 PM (d4dD2)
355
Former co-worker always used to give himself perfect scores.
I laughed when he told me but his reasoning was that when it came time for a promotion or raise, he wasn't about to give them any ammo to say no.
He ended up leaving for a much better gig.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (KbCG3)
I used to do that. SOB manager didn't want me to do his job for him, he could do it himself. Bastard played favorites anyways.
I laughed when he told me but his reasoning was that when it came time for a promotion or raise, he wasn't about to give them any ammo to say no.
He ended up leaving for a much better gig.
Posted by: The Central Scrutinizer at May 13, 2025 12:13 PM (KbCG3)
I used to do that. SOB manager didn't want me to do his job for him, he could do it himself. Bastard played favorites anyways.
Posted by: Kindltot at May 13, 2025 12:19 PM (D7oie)
356
>>> 141 135 That's just what we need: lower taxes when we're already running a $2.5T deficit. Yes, I understand supply side economics.
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
=======
Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (GBKbO)
https://is.gd/l8hSFk
Posted by: Archimedes at May 13, 2025 11:34 AM (s8j++)
=======
Increased revenue has never been the solution to our debt problem.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, smashy-smashy with Godzilla at May 13, 2025 11:35 AM (GBKbO)
https://is.gd/l8hSFk
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at May 13, 2025 12:22 PM (Vqx30)
357
Nowadays most loans are originated, ultimately, in the Fed banks.
----------
That is not even remotely true. Its entirely fantasy on your part.
----------
That is not even remotely true. Its entirely fantasy on your part.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 12:22 PM (TN0g+)
358
If I opened "Crusader National Bank" today and had $10 to my name, its rather comical for anyone to assert my newly minted bank could loan out anything more than $10.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (TN0g+)
Buy $10 in Treasuries. You’ve loaned $10 to FedGov.
Use treasuries as collateral in repo agreement to get $10 cash. Use $10 to buy mortgage-backed securities. You’ve now loaned out $20.
Posted by: Crusader at May 13, 2025 11:59 AM (TN0g+)
Buy $10 in Treasuries. You’ve loaned $10 to FedGov.
Use treasuries as collateral in repo agreement to get $10 cash. Use $10 to buy mortgage-backed securities. You’ve now loaned out $20.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at May 13, 2025 12:23 PM (l3YAf)
359
There's also the "silicone filled" option.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (JA4sW)
I can confirm that!!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at May 13, 2025 11:43 AM (JA4sW)
I can confirm that!!
Posted by: Miss Va Va Vavoom Las Vegas Stripper at May 13, 2025 12:28 PM (5xuJ/)
360
I like Trump closing deals like this, I just think what many times ends up happening is the other party gets what they want now (like some trade deal) and then the big promised investments never materialize.
Look at Foxconn in WI for an example, whole thing seems to be abandoned. Basically Apple products were going to start being made in America, etc.
Look at Foxconn in WI for an example, whole thing seems to be abandoned. Basically Apple products were going to start being made in America, etc.
Posted by: Leupold at May 13, 2025 12:45 PM (4pwAx)
361
No thank you. We don't need more Islamic influence here in the US (see Epic City, TX). I have no desire to end up like Europe, with rape gangs and no go zones.
Posted by: Inisfree at May 13, 2025 12:49 PM (xpipv)
362
1. Getting the illegal aliens out also reduces inflation. And Peter covered this, but it's true - the tariff adjustements are a ONE TIME HIT.
2. In the other post ahead of this one, mentions the Saudi investments. What the paradigm has been before, is we send money abroad and foreign interests buy our land and our companies. Rather than foreign companies making stuff with American labor and resources, and us exporting our goods abroad. Dems and Big Gov Deep State are too BOUGHT OFF to fix that and are mad that DJT is 1. succeeding at what they pledge couldn't and shouldn't be done and 2. GETTING THE CREDIT. They cannot abide this, hence the Judge stymying and Congress sitting on its ass.
3. DJT knows bringing the Two Year and Ten Year yields down is important. That's why he needs the FOMC's BoG's on board (pun slightly intended). And why he's so angry at Powell, who is clearly aligned against him and willing to cause HARM to the economy (with a ready-made "who, me?" excuse).
2. In the other post ahead of this one, mentions the Saudi investments. What the paradigm has been before, is we send money abroad and foreign interests buy our land and our companies. Rather than foreign companies making stuff with American labor and resources, and us exporting our goods abroad. Dems and Big Gov Deep State are too BOUGHT OFF to fix that and are mad that DJT is 1. succeeding at what they pledge couldn't and shouldn't be done and 2. GETTING THE CREDIT. They cannot abide this, hence the Judge stymying and Congress sitting on its ass.
3. DJT knows bringing the Two Year and Ten Year yields down is important. That's why he needs the FOMC's BoG's on board (pun slightly intended). And why he's so angry at Powell, who is clearly aligned against him and willing to cause HARM to the economy (with a ready-made "who, me?" excuse).
Posted by: geewhiz at May 13, 2025 12:50 PM (V87Oy)
363
That British vet may be a bit confused on the meaning of "fascism."
Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at May 13, 2025 12:55 PM (cWffP)
364
Look at Foxconn in WI for an example, whole thing seems to be abandoned. Basically Apple products were going to start being made in America, etc.
Posted by: Leupold at May 13, 2025 12:45 PM (4pwAx)
Yeah, but what happened in WI? Were there any issues in the state/county/localities that prevented the thing from going forward, above and beyond what the feds wanted?
Posted by: Leupold at May 13, 2025 12:45 PM (4pwAx)
Yeah, but what happened in WI? Were there any issues in the state/county/localities that prevented the thing from going forward, above and beyond what the feds wanted?
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 13, 2025 01:14 PM (LJ3iK)
365
remember not ONE product has reached US shelves that has been tariffed ...
everything on the shelves today was purchased by the store pre-tariff ... maybe in a month or two you can buy something that has been tariffed ...
But nothing you actually need ... food ? no tariffs, gas ? no tariffs, housing ? no tariffs ...
everything on the shelves today was purchased by the store pre-tariff ... maybe in a month or two you can buy something that has been tariffed ...
But nothing you actually need ... food ? no tariffs, gas ? no tariffs, housing ? no tariffs ...
Posted by: The Dark Lord at May 13, 2025 02:37 PM (DBAaD)
Processing 0.06, elapsed 0.0662 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0159 seconds, 374 records returned.
Page size 221 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.
MuNuvians
MeeNuvians
Frequently Asked Questions
The (Almost) Complete Paul Anka Integrity Kick
Primary Document: The Audio
Paul Anka Haiku Contest Announcement
Integrity SAT's: Entrance Exam for Paul Anka's Band
AllahPundit's Paul Anka 45's Collection
AnkaPundit: Paul Anka Takes Over the Site for a Weekend (Continues through to Monday's postings)
George Bush Slices Don Rumsfeld Like an F*ckin' Hammer
Paul Anka Haiku Contest Announcement
Integrity SAT's: Entrance Exam for Paul Anka's Band
AllahPundit's Paul Anka 45's Collection
AnkaPundit: Paul Anka Takes Over the Site for a Weekend (Continues through to Monday's postings)
George Bush Slices Don Rumsfeld Like an F*ckin' Hammer
Top Top Tens
Democratic Forays into Erotica
New Shows On Gore's DNC/MTV Network
Nicknames for Potatoes, By People Who Really Hate Potatoes
Star Wars Euphemisms for Self-Abuse
Signs You're at an Iraqi "Wedding Party"
Signs Your Clown Has Gone Bad
Signs That You, Geroge Michael, Should Probably Just Give It Up
Signs of Hip-Hop Influence on John Kerry
NYT Headlines Spinning Bush's Jobs Boom
Things People Are More Likely to Say Than "Did You Hear What Al Franken Said Yesterday?"
Signs that Paul Krugman Has Lost His Frickin' Mind
All-Time Best NBA Players, According to Senator Robert Byrd
Other Bad Things About the Jews, According to the Koran
Signs That David Letterman Just Doesn't Care Anymore
Examples of Bob Kerrey's Insufferable Racial Jackassery
Signs Andy Rooney Is Going Senile
Other Judgments Dick Clarke Made About Condi Rice Based on Her Appearance
Collective Names for Groups of People
John Kerry's Other Vietnam Super-Pets
Cool Things About the XM8 Assault Rifle
Media-Approved Facts About the Democrat Spy
Changes to Make Christianity More "Inclusive"
Secret John Kerry Senatorial Accomplishments
John Edwards Campaign Excuses
John Kerry Pick-Up Lines
Changes Liberal Senator George Michell Will Make at Disney
Torments in Dog-Hell
Greatest Hitjobs
The Ace of Spades HQ Sex-for-Money Skankathon
A D&D Guide to the Democratic Candidates
Margaret Cho: Just Not Funny
More Margaret Cho Abuse
Margaret Cho: Still Not Funny
Iraqi Prisoner Claims He Was Raped... By Woman
Wonkette Announces "Morning Zoo" Format
John Kerry's "Plan" Causes Surrender of Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia
World Muslim Leaders Apologize for Nick Berg's Beheading
Michael Moore Goes on Lunchtime Manhattan Death-Spree
Milestone: Oliver Willis Posts 400th "Fake News Article" Referencing Britney Spears
Liberal Economists Rue a "New Decade of Greed"
Artificial Insouciance: Maureen Dowd's Word Processor Revolts Against Her Numbing Imbecility
Intelligence Officials Eye Blogs for Tips
They Done Found Us Out, Cletus: Intrepid Internet Detective Figures Out Our Master Plan
Shock: Josh Marshall Almost Mentions Sarin Discovery in Iraq
Leather-Clad Biker Freaks Terrorize Australian Town
When Clinton Was President, Torture Was Cool
What Wonkette Means When She Explains What Tina Brown Means
Wonkette's Stand-Up Act
Wankette HQ Gay-Rumors Du Jour
Here's What's Bugging Me: Goose and Slider
My Own Micah Wright Style Confession of Dishonesty
Outraged "Conservatives" React to the FMA
An On-Line Impression of Dennis Miller Having Sex with a Kodiak Bear
The Story the Rightwing Media Refuses to Report!
Our Lunch with David "Glengarry Glen Ross" Mamet
The House of Love: Paul Krugman
A Michael Moore Mystery (TM)
The Dowd-O-Matic!
Liberal Consistency and Other Myths
Kepler's Laws of Liberal Media Bias
John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate
"Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long)
The Donkey ("The Raven" parody)
News/Chat