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Politically Incorrect
message 1101:
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Gary
(new)
May 07, 2017 06:43PM
Financial analysts are hardly disinterested observers. The GOP health plan, as written now, would be a major transfer of wealth from the middle-class and poor to the wealthy. The rational being that giving tax breaks to the wealthy will stimulate the economy (just like it's done for Kansas).
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And how many times DO we have to prove by trial that this doesn't work at all? I'd like to say they are idiots, but that's not it. They are corrupt. Also immoral and pretty much without compassion.
We have to laugh to keep from crying, but wouldn't Trump be the funniest guy ever if his shenanigans didn't affect us?...Like when he was just this creepy dude who would show up on talk shows occasionally and act like a pompous ass.
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There's actually a much simpler explanation for "Trickle Down Economics" failure. Creating manufacturing jobs, an investor can expect a return on investment of about 7.9% (S&P 500, 2006 survey). On the other hand, investing in financial services -- an increasingly large percentage of our GDP which creates almost no jobs -- offers returns that are significantly higher. Depending on risk, an investor can reap as much as a 100% return in the short term. (Russian bonds, for example.)
If you're somewhat sociopathic and have made the accumulation of wealth your primary focus in life, a single digit return, no matter how many jobs it would create, is not appealing.
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EPA dismisses half of key board’s scientific advisers; Interior suspends more than 200 advisory panels
...will effectively freeze the work of the Bureau of Land Management’s 38 resource advisory councils, along with other panels focused on a range of issues, from one assessing the threat of invasive species to the science technical advisory panel for Alaska’s North Slope.
...Bureau of Land Management’s regional advisory councils include officials from the energy and outdoor recreation industry as well as scientists and conservationists... “The only reasonable explanation is they don’t want to be hearing from these folks,” he [Greg Zimmerman, deputy director of the non-partisan advocacy group Center for Western Priorities] said.
Unfortunately, this administration does not understand that 'partisan science' is NOT science.
If a tree falls in the forest, but Congress doesn't ratify it, does it make a sound?
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Dude, you are on fire lately.
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When he's finished his business, ask the bear.
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John Baldacci
Governor of Maine, 2003 - 2011
US House of Representatives, 1995 - 2003
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
In 2026, an estimated 52 million people would be uninsured, compared with 28 million who would lack insurance that year under current law.
If you're in trouble, or hurt or need - go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones.
John Steinbeck
If a meteor landed on Paul Ryan's face, I wouldn't be sad.
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Seriously? No self-respecting meteor...
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Seriously? No self-respecting meteor..."
Perhaps a hunk of space debris? I hear they're not as discriminating.
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I suppose it's customary to smoke after being screwed.
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Elbert Hubbard
President Trump just released this official statement: "Я не мошенник"
It's nice to know Trump doesn't always sell out to the Russians. Sometimes he sells out to the Saudis.
Jay wrote: "The only foes that threaten America are the enemies at home, and these are ignorance, superstition and incompetence. Elbert Hubbard
"As a friend said, this is the problem in a nutshell
“How does someone like me know what’s true and what’s not?” she says. “I’m 54 years old. I don’t watch the news. I don’t listen to the news on the radio. Then when I’m on the internet, and I see something where I’m like, ‘Holy shit, really?,’ I’m led down this path of believing it". From: https://www.theguardian.com/environme...
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Good article, Gary. It raised several points that are worthy of separate followup articles:
1. Only 5% of Americans believe in chemtrails, but plenty more share a similar, deep-seated dread about the planet’s future.
--Much of the willingness to believe outright crap is fear-based.
2. Primary experiences, they suggest, are a more trustworthy gauge of truth than scientific consensus or the mainstream news.
--Even a poor scientist can tell you that primary experience is worthless without objective and, above all, verifiable interpretation, however this fails to have any impact on the general public who more than willingly 'believe their own eyes.'
3. Roughly 68% of Americans share this distrust in mass media. Instead of the news, Rob says he gets his information from friends he respects.
--While the media has its flaws - as does all human activity - it tends to be self-correcting over time, especially with competition between media outlets (which should be encouraged). However, many people are more willing to believe a neighbor over a back fence than The New York Times somewhat-based on a simplistic 'fool me once...' philosophy. Conspiracy theorists never consider asking if their neighbor has an editor and a fact-checker.
Science is beginning to address the need for presenting facts with an emotional context in order for the truth to reach more people. While this should increase positive results (Sway the jury, so to speak.), it's a remarkable commentary on our society when easily-verifiable truth must be sugarcoated to be believed.
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Jay wrote: "CAUTION: HC members may themselves be a hazard."
Trump's visit to Israel went as expected.
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“How does someone like me know what’s true and what’s not?” she says. “I’m 54 years old. I don’t watch the news. I don’t listen to the news on the radio. Then when I’m on the internet, and I see something where I’m like, ‘Holy shit, really?,’ I’m led down this path of believing it"."
Great article, Gary. Thanks for posting.
So many claims of "nothing will change my mind" and "my gut tells me" - perhaps not so coincidentally the same phrases uttered by Trump voters.
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Guess which one is a Republican working on the new budget?
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...Mark Keough, a state Republican, said last month that the hot air balloon approach would help hunters outwit the “smart” feral hogs.
I can certainly sympathize with hardworking farmers who have their crops destroyed by wild animals, however aerial attacks seem a little unfair unless the pigs are also allowed to raise an air force.
Secondly, I'm glad Republican Mark Keough has assisted Texas hunters, who, apparently up to now, have been unable to outwit a pig. Giving these hunters
The balloons will be moving--and probably the pigs, too. The ability of these geniuses to compensate for both has yet to be tested with guns that may have a range of nearly a mile. A push from a gentle breeze and they may nail Billy Joe instead of Porky. And where are they to hang the carcass for all to see? Do balloons have fenders?
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This seems like a viable objection. The destruction caused by the feral pigs (and these guys aren't cute little Porky Pig, trust me) leads me to move away from my usual stance and cheer damn near anything that will help reduce their numbers.
I'm assuming "feral pigs" is a euphemism for "Republicans."
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I have to agree with you, Rebecca, but aerial shooting? I think 'Feral Porky' is still safe.
I understand a farmer's need to control destructive wildlife, however since deer and wolf can be kept in check with periodic hunts on the ground, it begs the question, how are feral pigs different? Surely, there are enough active hunters in Texas to control wildlife populations without resorting to aerial attacks. And a temporary bounty to bring down the pig population has to be more cost effective than hot air balloons.
Also... What does it take to shoot effectively at long distances from a moving platform? Consider this quote from the Navy SEAL Sniper School website:
Sniper school is one of the very few courses a SEAL will not be looked down upon for failing to complete. It’s an unwritten rule that you don’t give guys a hard time for washing out of sniper school. Because the course is known for its insane difficulty, just being selected or volunteering to go automatically elicits respect in the teams.
Somehow, I think yahoos and Budweiser in a hot air balloon are going to be more of a threat to people and property than the pigs.
Jay wrote: "...it begs the question, how are feral pigs different?"As I think we've all learned in this past year, sometimes pigs fly.
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As I think we've all learned in this past year, sometimes pigs fly."
And sometimes they even get to fly in Air Force One.
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Jay wrote: "Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, and a SPF 30."
This is only going to increase immigration.
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Jay wrote: "Research publications may have to lower their standards somewhat after the budget cuts."
This study only cost 7 millions dollars.
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Sacré beurre: fears over croissant price hike as France faces butter shortage
Price of butter has rocketed 92% in a year and bakers are warning of a strong risk that the key ingredient is ‘running out’
This may be the worst crisis in European history. As you may know, a Frenchman cannot eat without butter...it's just not done. A butter shortage could cause both untold misery and, dare I say it, weight loss. While the world has become inured to African famines, we must prepare ourselves for the extreme, nay the abysmal shock of haute cuisine cooked with....Forgive me, Pierre!....margarine.
Americans owe a debt to the French for their invaluable military assistance during the American Revolution. It is now time to repay that debt. Waste no time! Buy a cow and a butter churn today, and ship the fruits of your labors to Paris immediately.
REMEMBER: The life you save may be the inventor of French Fries.
Jay wrote: "Trumpville excepted, most of the world is focused on climate change, all well and good. However, it must be said that there are other crises arising, often without notice, that may not be foremost ..."When the last bagel is buttered, only then will we realize we can't eat petroleum.
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Fox News drops 'fair and balanced' slogan
Jay wrote: "May we have a moment of silence for the passing of one of comedy's greatest punchlines."Like Joan Rivers at an Improv in the 1980s, I'm going to steal that line at the first available opportunity.
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Good point, however that brings up a common misconception. Modern agriculture is based on petroleum. A diesel tractor and a combine can feed hundreds more people than a mule and a scythe.
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It's a comedy tradition. I believe it was Milton Berle who said, "I know a good joke when I steal one."
When Milton Berle was on TV, there was only one channel, and everyone watched. Now everyone has their own channel, and Milton Berle must spend eternity watching each one.
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Good line, Scott, but... A little sophomoric history:
In Milton Berle's day, there were three major channels (Networks: NBC - founded 1947, ABC and CBS - 1948) until the expansion of UHF, which was pioneered by the DuMont network that had a limited broadcast area and ceased operation in 1956. UHF required an extra antenna and converter box for most televisions. but added another three channels.
Milton Berle, who began his career as the model for the Buster Brown Shoe Boy, is credited with selling more televisions than any other market influence. Everyone in America wanted to see Uncle Miltie (AKA Mr. Television), and people who didn't own a television often gathered in stores that sold TVs to see him each week as host of the Texaco Star Theater (1948 - 1955).
I don't know about eternity, but he'll certainly live on in reruns and documentaries about television's "Golden Age."
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The most fun, of course, will be seeing how they spin this as a
When even Trump calls the bill, "mean" -- Whoa! Stay tuned with baited breath, which may or may not be covered as a pre-existing condition.
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Great toon, and great quip about the pre-existing condition.
Jay wrote: "Scott wrote: "When Milton Berle was on TV, there was only one channel, and everyone watched. Now everyone has their own channel, and Milton Berle must spend eternity watching each one."Good line,..."
I remember when there were only 3 channels, and they shut down at midnight. Those were the days when there was only one kind of Oreos, and I drank Tab. Simpler times....
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