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29 minutes ago, bad_teammate said:

Ah yes, a woman living happily with a family and a disabled husband accommodated... truly a source of shame.

She doesn't even have an upstairs gameroom. Where is her beautiful lawn? How does a human live without a rusting grill in a rarely-used back yard?

When I look at the American housing landscape, two empty nesters in a 3800sqft suburban 4/4 is what I consider an achievement in efficiency of resources and capital.

Yes of course your inclination would be confiscation of individual wealth.  

 

Does the calculus change if the empty nesters were members of SEIU?
 

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Just now, aggie08 said:

An yes, if Democrats were just nicer, everyone would have Covid vaccinations and $3.5T spending bills. Why won't they account for everyone's feelings?!

You aren't wrong (and I think Machin's suggestion that if the Democrats don't like him, then vote for more progressives is a good one), but when you have a slim to very slim margin, it's bad politics. And we are seeing the fruits of that miscalculation so far.

1 hour ago, Satoshi said:

I’m surprised you felt this way. You’re usually pretty blunt about the politics/numbers. Don’t have the numbers. 
 

 

They'll get the votes.

8 hours ago, DonkeyCigars said:

Were you saying it was going to get done today?

No. 

30 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

They'll get the votes.

 

30 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

No. 

When?

1 hour ago, DonkeyCigars said:

You've been MIA for the last couple weeks on this stuff (I get it, football season), so I was expecting a little bit more pent-up smoke from you.

I guess you are a bit beaten down already and have settled into accepting the realities of a Biden/centrist regime, a year into it?

That happened on Super Tuesday 2020. The Dem power establishment made their calls, brokered deals, and it was over.

i never bought into the attempt here to assure anyone left of Manchin that Biden actually cared about anything he's spent the last 60 years openly saying he doesn't care about. I've been happy with a few things Biden has done, but anyone who thought he was going to do anything significant about climate change, student debt, and healthcare costs has always been an idiot. Nothing has changed.

There's nothing happening I care about or that I'm hopeful about. I was hopeful about a potential Sanders presidency

1 hour ago, Incredulity said:

Yes of course your inclination would be confiscation of individual wealth.  

Does the calculus change if the empty nesters were members of SEIU?

Do you think the setup I described is an efficient use of capital and resources? I didn't propose any kind of solution, but it's telling that you get all crybaby "cOnFiScAtIoN!!!!!" when something that obvious is pointed out.

2 minutes ago, bad_teammate said:

Do you think the setup I described is an efficient use of capital and resources? I didn't propose any kind of solution, but it's telling that you get all crybaby "cOnFiScAtIoN!!!!!" when something that obvious is pointed out.

I think that decision should be up to... wait for it... the owner of the capital.  Not the government.  Shocking, I know.

1 hour ago, DonkeyCigars said:

You aren't wrong (and I think Machin's suggestion that if the Democrats don't like him, then vote for more progressives is a good one), but when you have a slim to very slim margin, it's bad politics. And we are seeing the fruits of that miscalculation so far.

I think Josh Marshall explains it well here....

Quote

The note of profound pessimism about the future of Biden’s agenda is one I do not share. But I don’t want to dwell on that because that’s a subjective read of a future none of us can see. The week has been filled with bleak moments and there’s been enough reversals of fortune that I won’t gainsay anyone’s pessimism.

But look at just the factual analysis here. The president’s goal throughout has been both bills. They both have to pass. The last week has appeared to be on a steady course toward decoupling the two bills, passing the BIF bill and then facing negotiations over a reconciliation bill with no leverage at all over the two Senate holdouts who seem increasingly happy to let the reconciliation bill die on the vine. This is far from over. But what really happened is that the threat to kill the BIF bill got the two holdouts or at least Joe Manchin to actually start negotiating. What the Times calls a “significant setback” and a “humiliating blow” is actually the two bills being recoupled which has been the White House’s aim literally for the entire time.

Reporters often overstate the importance of self-imposed deadlines. In this case, blowing this deadline is perfectly fine on all counts. But the confusion or willful confusion runs much much deeper.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/somethings-very-wrong-with-the-times

2 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

I think that decision should be up to... wait for it... the owner of the capital.  Not the government.  Shocking, I know.

What are you even responding to?

I said it was an inefficient use of capital and resources. You aren't even disagreeing with that, you're just coming up with some other shit I didn't say to argue with and in that response you try to achieve a condescending tone.

I'm being condescended to by an imbecile.

Edited by bad_teammate

Just now, bad_teammate said:

What are you even responding to?

I said it was an inefficient use of capital and resources. You aren't even disagreeing with that, you're just coming up with some other shit I didn't say to argue with and in that response to try to achieve a condescending to.

I'm being condescended to by an imbecile.

Thats, Mr. Imbecile fuckboi...  wait.

The elderly couple living in a crumbling exurban estate hours away from their nearest family is an indication of an ACTUAL wasteful capital/resource use and it is rampant in our nation. An elderly woman receiving housing appropriate to the scope and needs of her life is an example of resource and capital efficiency.

In that circumstance, it's pretty clear that the government is using capital and resources far more efficiently.

That's a separate question of whether or not it should be allowed or whatever.

Now, I think we can both agree that the wasteful exurban lifestyle shouldn't be actively subsidized, right?

1 minute ago, bad_teammate said:

The elderly couple living in a crumbling exurban estate hours away from their nearest family is an indication of an ACTUAL wasteful capital/resource use and it is rampant in our nation. An elderly woman receiving housing appropriate to the scope and needs of her life is an example of resource and capital efficiency.

In that circumstance, it's pretty clear that the government is using capital and resources far more efficiently.

That's a separate question of whether or not it should be allowed or whatever.

Now, I think we can both agree that the wasteful exurban lifestyle shouldn't be actively subsidized, right?

Everyone knows the middle class was created by capitalism. The government had nothing to do with it. Duh.

4 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

When they have the votes.

I don’t believe that’s the tune you were singing just yesterday…

1 minute ago, DonkeyCigars said:

I don’t believe that’s the tune you were singing just yesterday…

I said the bills will pass. And they will.

1 minute ago, David Dennison said:

I said the bills will pass. And they will.

I said, “Just heard on CNN that the pundits aren't bullish on this deal getting made today“

and you said don’t worry they will get it done. The implication being done today as I specifically called out the “today” and that today was doing all the work in that sentence.

you are lying because you were wrong.

Edited by DonkeyCigars

Just now, DonkeyCigars said:

I said, “Just heard on CNN that the pundits aren't bullish on this deal getting made today“

and you said don’t worry they will get it done. The implication being done today as I specifically called out the “today” and that today was doing all the work in that sentence.

you are lying.

You can infer whatever you like. That's on you. 

All I said was that the bills will pass. I made no claim as to when. 

cal cunningham:

doesnt-matter-had-sex.jpg

For someone who thinks he is a fucking genius at every subject he's ever brought up, Donkey sure takes everything he hears on CNN at face value. 

Hint: cable news is not your friend, except for every 2 years when you need pretty maps to look at in November. 

14 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

You can infer whatever you like. That's on you. 

All I said was that the bills will pass. I made no claim as to when. 

You were responding directly and quoted my “afraid it won’t pass today” comment. You are being dishonest, sir.

I think I see your game now. Spin spin spin out of everything you say that didn’t happen, but take credit for everything you got right. You are essentially a human zodiac horoscope.

Edited by DonkeyCigars

16 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

how?  Mortgage interest deduction?

Through Bidens plan to pay for home care givers?

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/biden-s-pledge-boost-home-caregiver-funding-excluded-infrastructure-deal-n1272435

Two examples among dozens, yes.

Massive infrastructure investments (highways, power, water, sewage, etc...) led to the development of the suburbs (and still do).  Advantageous tax policies. The creation of entire agencies designed to make home building/purchasing easier away from cities (FHA, multiple public-backed loan corporations). And on and on and on and on...

You can argue it's all worth it for whatever reason, but if you're going to try and argue that the suburb/exurb sprawl exists because of the raw efficiency of free market capitalism then you're only going to get bites from the dumbest YouTube addicts.

4 minutes ago, bad_teammate said:

Two examples among dozens, yes.

Massive infrastructure investments (highways, power, water, sewage, etc...) led to the development of the suburbs (and still do).  Advantageous tax policies. The creation of entire agencies designed to make home building/purchasing easier away from cities (FHA, multiple public-backed loan corporations). And on and on and on and on...

You can argue it's all worth it for whatever reason, but if you're going to try and argue that the suburb/exurb sprawl exists because of the raw efficiency of free market capitalism then you're only going to get bites from the dumbest YouTube addicts.

A twist of irony for those in North Texas, to what you are saying, is that the economic hub and job center of exburb Plano (which itself also served as jumping off points of newer/better/modern sprawl like Frisco and McKinney) was because the city of Dallas would not subsidize and play ball with Ross Perot. So he took his company and planted a master plan and campus on farm land a million miles from downtown Dallas in what everyone at the time said was insanity and stupid.

Edited by DonkeyCigars

18 hours ago, elfenix said:

the debt itself doesn't directly matter.  interest on the debt can matter to the extent it helps drive annual deficits.  deficits might matter if they drove inflation, but the evidence is that the US and world economic system not only can absorb US deficits but they actually need US deficits because the financial system goes haywire if there's not enough new US bonds floating around as collateral for everything. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/01/key-inflation-gauge-watched-by-the-federal-reserve-hits-another-30-year-high.html

Deficits and spending are contributing to our highest inflation numbers in 30 years.

14 minutes ago, elfenix said:

are they?

Contributing is doing the heavy lifting in that sentence ;)

i want a deeper breakdown but this is the best i've found so far:

https://apps.bea.gov/iTable/iTable.cfm?reqid=19&step=3&isuri=1&1921=survey&1903=84

big increase in durable goods, which includes cars, probably includes video games, definitely includes computer hardware, and we all know what's going on with those markets right now. 

also keep in mind a lot of YoY stuff is going to be weird because of all those negative months last year. 

free library will put the data up once available but it's not there yet (see similar: https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Personal+Consumption+Expenditures+by+Type+of+Product.-a0658144465

 

 

1 hour ago, DonkeyCigars said:

A twist of irony for those in North Texas, to what you are saying, is that the economic hub and job center of exburb Plano (which itself also served as jumping off points of newer/better/modern sprawl like Frisco and McKinney) was because the city of Dallas would not subsidize and play ball with Ross Perot. So he took his company and planted a master plan and campus on farm land a million miles from downtown Dallas in what everyone at the time said was insanity and stupid.

all made possible by lil 'ole State Highway 121

Without the government's ability to build the highway system, all these capital lords would have is isolated fiefdoms.

Edited by bad_teammate

17 hours ago, Anastasis said:

Seems relevant to the discussion...

Not really.

3 hours ago, Js1 said:

For someone who thinks he is a fucking genius at every subject he's ever brought up, Donkey sure takes everything he hears on CNN at face value. 

Hint: cable news is not your friend, except for every 2 years when you need pretty maps to look at in November. 

What’s really funny is that he’s still substantially smarter than Incredulity.

1 hour ago, wildcat09 said:

What’s really funny is that he’s still substantially smarter than Incredulity.

who isn't, really?

1 hour ago, David Dennison said:

That presents a great opportunity to slash the $800 billion Pentagon budget.

Hates America? CHECK

7 hours ago, DonkeyCigars said:

You were responding directly and quoted my “afraid it won’t pass today” comment. You are being dishonest, sir.

I think I see your game now. Spin spin spin out of everything you say that didn’t happen, but take credit for everything you got right. You are essentially a human zodiac horoscope.

This is a stupid take.  You are dumbass.

3 hours ago, Incredulity said:

Rent free in the borgs collective brain

You seem to think your posts come at no cost.  You couldn't be more wrong.  We all pay a big price for reading your incessant, unimaginative, predictable bullshit.

4 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

You seem to think your posts come at no cost.  You couldn't be more wrong.  We all pay a big price for reading your incessant, unimaginative, predictable bullshit.

252508afd23b75ac7ee0201b1c2957cf_w200.gi

18 hours ago, DonkeyCigars said:

I agree it's fine to point it out and that is what it is, which is why I pointed it out and called it that.

In my opinion, the defense industry generally and our standing military specifically is the best application of socialism because it represents a true win/win. You subsidize a set of people or a population that otherwise would likely not be as efficient or valuable in the private markets and they either serve a valuable purpose as is (defending the country for the rest of us and/or fighting in war) or they get free enablement and education and discipline and work ethic so that when they are released to the private markets, they are efficient and valuable.

It's actually quite fantastic if you think about it and it's a pretty crucial piece of keeping us whole as a country (and protecting the wealth of everyone from the uber wealthy to the middle class).

This is also why I think it's a pretty creative and good idea to use military service as a path for legal immigration. I think it's that important; especially in 2021 with the geopolitical chess board looking the way it looks.

Well, it also points out that the "socialism" canard is horseshit.  Until Bernie or someone starts moving toward nationalizing industries or otherwise placing the means of production in the hands of the state, we're not really talking about socialism.  It's a boogeyman.

We've had what fits the current definition of "socialism" in this country before there was even a name for it, much less a pejorative one.

It's McCarthyism lite.

7 hours ago, babysdaddy said:

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/01/key-inflation-gauge-watched-by-the-federal-reserve-hits-another-30-year-high.html

Deficits and spending are contributing to our highest inflation numbers in 30 years.

Cost-Push Inflation primarily, not demand. There is global hoarding by nation-states emerging. That savages supply. 

Energy may make it go boom, since it will should peak at the same time the Fed stops buying mortgage backed securities (late 21 or early 22). 

The Fed has pledged to taper its support of the housing market bubble and there is general agreement they let the housing asset bubble grow too large. The Fed will slow its Mortgage Backed Securities buying ($120 billion monthly/$1.4 trillion yearly/$10.8 trillion over 10 years). That particular asset bubble will be tested as the US tries to hold our economic jalopy together. 

Animal Spirits: The herd is spooked. Interesting times.

 

I love that Joe Manchin the third (iii), whose immigrant family changed their name out of fear, is concerned.   Hey joe, fuck you and your Mountain Dew soaked couch.  You suck.  

39 minutes ago, washparkhorn said:

Cost-Push Inflation primarily, not demand. There is global hoarding by nation-states emerging. That savages supply. 

Energy may make it go boom, since it will should peak at the same time the Fed stops buying mortgage backed securities (late 21 or early 22). 

The Fed has pledged to taper its support of the housing market bubble and there is general agreement they let the housing asset bubble grow too large. The Fed will slow its Mortgage Backed Securities buying ($120 billion monthly/$1.4 trillion yearly/$10.8 trillion over 10 years). That particular asset bubble will be tested as the US tries to hold our economic jalopy together. 

Animal Spirits: The herd is spooked. Interesting times.

 

Amongst whom? I don’t recall any of the real decision makers saying such a specific thing. Maybe some vague comments about froth in markets but that’s just their jawboning trying to let a little air out  

 

You know good and well they will not get to zero MBS purchases again. The market will not allow it and the market rules the Fed and our economy honestly. 

You should read more economic news.  Catch up.

If this is long-term Cost-Push inflation, there are Monetary cures, but almost all end in recession. That's not good news. 

18 hours ago, bad_teammate said:

but anyone who thought he was going to do anything significant about climate change, student debt, and healthcare costs has always been an idiot.

Congratulations on your strides suppressing your ego. 

Edited by Willfully Horn
Edit

is noticing something as obvious as Biden not being a progressive something that would stroke an ego?

The sun will rise tomorrow, too

17 hours ago, Incredulity said:

Rent free in the borgs collective brain

It's not rent-free if you're constantly proving your lack of intelligence on the regular in multiple threads here.

5 hours ago, trauma babe said:

It's not rent-free if you're constantly proving your lack of intelligence on the regular in multiple threads here.

It just feels nice to be thought of.

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