The First Biden Term

For stuff that is general.
Leisher
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The First Biden Term

Post by Leisher »

Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 1:02 pm15 boxes of of confidential “national security related” documents found years after they should be turned over is about the opposite of smoke and mirrors.
Sadly, no it's not. Not these days. Depending on which propaganda media outlet you decide to follow, investigating/reporting leaves a LOT to be desired. Mainly they run with stories that they know their core demographic wants to see and hear because they're in the business of money, not information.

For example: CNN and the other left wing outlets did nothing about Hunter's laptop except mock the right for believing in it. Now that the NYT have confirmed it, it's still not on CNN's front page. Over on the other side, Fox News was a Trump apology outlet for his entire term.

Oddly CNN doesn't have the story you're referencing anywhere on the entire front page. Maybe because you're painting it (or having it painted for you) in a completely different way than what the National Archives are saying? Not one time in that article are the words "national security related" mentioned. Sounds more like he was just being his ignorant, narcissistic, dick self rather than breaking laws intentionally? I don't know. I know Trump belongs in jail, but I'm not sure this is the crime that should send him there.

As for Hillary, she absolutely violated federal rules. Why she didn't face charges. Hint: It had nothing to do with them not finding evidence. As the one guy says, in 300K emails it'd be pretty impossible for them to avoid breaking the law at least once.

The funny part of this is both Trump and Hillary's crimes are essentially the same, yet both sides are slamming each other not seeing the hypocrisy.
Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 1:24 pm The Anti Hillary camp says the email server obviously ran a pedophile ring that operated out of a DC pizzeria.
It's been well established among those with IQs above 10 that QAnon was and is bullshit. Although, it does remind me of the John Laroquette skit from SNL where he went to heaven and was asking an angel for questions to mysteries back at home. They could redo it now with "QAnon was real."
Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 1:43 pm We DO have an effective system of law in this country
I agree, but it's not the same for everyone. For example, and if you read nothing else I posted read this:
Epstein's little black book had 2000+ names in it of clients and he was known for recording and tracking everything. (Probably why he's dead.) Anyway, a judge at Maxwell's trial (Epstein's right hand woman) said the public didn't need to see those names. That's 2K+ people with more money and power than you and I who will never see a day in court for their probably rape of minors. To contrast that, there was a sting that just happened in Orlando and every single person, right after the sting and prior to their trials, had their names and faces posted to all media outlets and other such websites. 1 was a sex trafficker, 4 were pedos, and the rest (about 20-30) were just Johns.

So if you, I, or some general were sending classified emails from an unsecure server or didn't turn in some documents we should have, we're going to jail. These people won't have shit done to them.
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Post by Troy »

Then I further take away from your post the same thing. That I shouldn't care about any of this, because it doesn't matter.

Whatever the bar is for getting prosecuted as a Government official is too high for you, or I, to effect*. So I go back to not caring.

Outside of certain sexual crimes, and whatever Omarosa did.
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Post by Leisher »

Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:06 pm Then I further take away from your post the same thing. That I shouldn't care about any of this, because it doesn't matter.

Whatever the bar is for getting prosecuted as a Government official is too high for you, or I, to effect*. So I go back to not caring.
"Worry about the things you can control, and not the things you can't."

We aren't going to nail Hillary to the wall for her email shit, and I'm not sure we should, although you notice all the laws have been tightened up since her scandal? Same for Trump and the stuff he tore up, threw away, took home, etc.

However, we can demand better. By continuing to blindly vote R or D we're just stuck in the same endless cycle of bullshit. Hold them accountable and vote them out if they fuck up. It's our only option. If the people could prove even once that they won't constantly play the game, it would change things. Or maybe that's just optimism? I only know what we've been doing isn't working.
Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:06 pm Outside of certain sexual crimes
I really feel like this is something that should appeal to both parties and independents. Something where actual traction should happen, but why are there obstacles for this? Rich pedos have too much money to fight any sort of real justice, and apparently have friends in the right places. Ask Epstein.
Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:06 pm and whatever Omarosa did
Spite is a very under counted motive for crime.
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Post by Troy »

Leisher wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:19 pm
Spite is a very under counted motive for crime.
If Spite was really that important. Hillary would have been in jail already.

e: wait are you saying Omarosa didn't comply with normal federal government "exit interview" regulations because of spite, or that she was found guilty because of the spite in the current admin towards her?
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Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:37 pm e: wait are you saying Omarosa didn't comply with normal federal government "exit interview" regulations because of spite, or that she was found guilty because of the spite in the current admin towards her?
This. I watched her season of Apprentice. That is not a nice woman. If you cross her, she'll hate you forever.
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Post by Troy »

Leisher wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:53 pm
Troy wrote: Fri Mar 18, 2022 3:37 pm e: wait are you saying Omarosa didn't comply with normal federal government "exit interview" regulations because of spite, or that she was found guilty because of the spite in the current admin towards her?
This. I watched her season of Apprentice. That is not a nice woman. If you cross her, she'll hate you forever.
Ok, that makes sense and it's funny. She's self destructively prideful to the point of catching a federal charge. Lmao.
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Post by Leisher »

Now she may not have known what the consequences would be, but yeah, she broke the rules intentionally out of spite.
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Post by Leisher »

Had this in the wrong thread...

Biden's budget proposes 4% increase in defense spending.

In other news, up is down.
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Post by Leisher »

Biden wants to end stock buybacks.

This seems to further proof my belief that Wall St. is fisting consumers with Adam Smith's Invisible Hand?

Catt, this is your area. What are the pros-cons here with Biden's plan?
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Leisher wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:40 am This seems to further proof my belief that Wall St. is fisting consumers with Adam Smith's Invisible Hand?
My short answer is: No.

So a few things here:

1) Why share buybacks? To start with company's are supposed to earn money, right? That's their #1 goal. Provide the best return on the money they have. Once they make that money (profit), what should they do with it? They have 2 basic options today: 1) Return money to investors or 2) Invest that money (improved operations, buy other businesses, expand businesses, etc).

Ostensibly, they are smart enough to know when #2 is a good idea and when #1 is a better idea. So let's say they take door #1, and decide to give money back to investors. There are 2 ways to do that: 1) Dividends (payouts to investors) or 2) Share buy-backs. Option #1 is nice because it's $$ in your pocket, but those dividends are taxed that year, so there's drag on the payout. Share buy-backs, on the other hand, increase the share price by removing shares from the investable pool. So from an investor's perspective, you get the value increase, but no immediate taxable event. You get to choose when to incur taxes. Or, maybe you donate appreciated stock, and don't pay taxes on it at all.

So buy-backs are generally preferable to dividends for investors, not just CEOs. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/i ... ybacks.asp (This article hits the high notes, but also says Dividends are taxed as ordinary income, which isn't true as they are generally taxed as qualified dividends, which have rates low like long term capital gains)
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TheCatt wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:01 am
Leisher wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:40 am This seems to further proof my belief that Wall St. is fisting consumers with Adam Smith's Invisible Hand?
My short answer is: No.
Based on the rest of your answer...I still see it as Wall St. fisting consumers.

Yes, a company's #1 goal should be to make money.

However, I'm pretty sure that goal does not state: "Make money at all costs and give every penny that you can squeeze out of a company to shareholders, which include the C Suite execs of that company. Fuck the workers, fuck the law, fuck the environment, fuck the communities, fuck being a good corporate citizen, and fuck the consumers."

Because that IS 100% the current business environment, and a person would have to be fucking delusional to think otherwise. Cheaply made products, reduced portions, higher prices, smaller workforces that are overworked, and so on.

We have business ethics for a reason.

Point being, a company's #1a goal should be to ensure its long term survival and profitability. Constantly giving money to an extremely, extremely small group of people, a number of whom have no other link to the company or its locations/interests, is not good for goal #1a.

Investments in the company, technology, workers, and local communities would be far better for that goal.

Sustainability was a big buzzword in the corporate world prior to the pandemic, but what about economic sustainability? Ensuring that there's a highly skilled and happy workforce, ensuring they live good lives in clean communities, ensuring the consumer market remains strong enough to continue buying your products and are happy with them so they remain customers, and so on.

Now that doesn't mean I agree with Biden on this issue. I still don't know if I approve or not because I still firmly believe people should be allowed to make as much money as possible, but again ETHICALLY!!! Ethics isn't just about not doing illegal shit...

But that's just my very humble opinion.
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Post by TheCatt »

Leisher wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:40 pm Yes, a company's #1 goal should be to make money.

However, I'm pretty sure that goal does not state: "Make money at all costs and give every penny that you can squeeze out of a company to shareholders, which include the C Suite execs of that company. Fuck the workers, fuck the law, fuck the environment, fuck the communities, fuck being a good corporate citizen, and fuck the consumers."
It does. Maximize profits, the end. Now, maximizing profits can be complicated. You need employees to stay, you have to not piss off (too many?) customers, etc.
Leisher wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:40 pm Point being, a company's #1a goal should be to ensure its long term survival and profitability. Constantly giving money to an extremely, extremely small group of people, a number of whom have no other link to the company or its locations/interests, is not good for goal #1a.
This starts to get into the issues of principal-agent problems. Principals are the shareholders, represented by the board of directors, and the agents are the managers of the company. The Principals care more about the long term than managers (tend to) do. And aligning those interests is complicated.
Leisher wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:40 pm but again ETHICALLY!!! Ethics isn't just about not doing illegal shit...
Again, the goal is maximize profits, legally. Ethics only matter to the extent to which they appeal to employees + customers.

Once you make it more complicated than that, the managers open themselves to lawsuits from investors.
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TheCatt wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:52 pm It does. Maximize profits, the end. Now, maximizing profits can be complicated. You need employees to stay, you have to not piss off (too many?) customers, etc.
What we're both saying is primarily the same. The real difference is where the power lies and how much attention is paid to the stuff that keeps a company economically sustainable.
TheCatt wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:52 pm This starts to get into the issues of principal-agent problems. Principals are the shareholders, represented by the board of directors, and the agents are the managers of the company. The Principals care more about the long term than managers (tend to) do. And aligning those interests is complicated.
It is my assertion that the bolded portion is currently false. Let me add a stipulation here though. There are always exceptions to every rule. However, I think the richest of the rich don't give two fucks about a company's long term and just want to get every cent out it they can. Fuck everything else. Ditto for probably the majority of C Suite employees. It's hard to give a shit about the long term when you know you're more than likely not going to be there, and worse, there are no repercussions for your job performance.
TheCatt wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:52 pm Ethics only matter to the extent to which they appeal to employees + customers.
100% disagree. Employees and customers do not have the power to effect real change. (And honestly, most are too stupid.) Thus, ethics are out the fucking window.
TheCatt wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:52 pm the managers open themselves to lawsuits from investors.
Again, I read that as Wall St. has all the power.

We don't need to go on and on about this all day. We've had this discussion before. You know where I stand, and genuinely nothing is moving me off that point. And I know you're talking from a place of knowledge, so don't think I discount any of the arguments/points you make. I just truly don't believe the U.S.' capitalist system is working as intended. If you are right and it is, then I think this version of capitalism sucks ass. That doesn't mean I support the proven failures of socialism or communism, but I would fully endorse a new sustainable capitalism.
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Post by Leisher »

Biden is releasing 180M barrels over the next 6 months.

State governors are doing stuff too. All quotes below are from this very same article:
California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled out a $9 billion proposal to hand out $400 debit cards to drivers in the state to help soften the impact of the highest gas prices in the country.
And as Democratic Gov. Janet Mills faces a competitive reelection campaign in Maine, she has proposed some of the most generous relief to qualified taxpayers in her state -- in the form of $850 checks -- to cushion the blow of inflation and gas prices.
In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp -- who is facing one of the toughest reelection races in the country -- signed a bill that will give $250 to $500 tax refunds to Georgians -- a move several of his rivals blasted as election-year politicking.
Got to love that unbiased reporting!

In other news, the economy is killing Biden and most Americans, R and D, think he sucks at it.
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Post by GORDON »

I think Ukraine IS a war a lot of Americans would like to see us get in to. Seems a lot more justified than some nebulous "war on terror" in random brown countries. This is a smaller country that got attacked by a bully. America hates bullies. So that article said that wasn't the reason for bad polling numbers, but I think that is a lot more of a factor than they want to consider.

The massive inflation, stagnating salaries, and impossible housing market isn't helping, but still. There's lots of reasons why he's failing.
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Post by TheCatt »

"You suck at this thing you don't control"
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Post by GORDON »

Presidents can't send troops to places all of a sudden?
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Post by TheCatt »

GORDON wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 2:50 pm Presidents can't send troops to places all of a sudden?
The economy.
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Post by GORDON »

Ok. But the article I was addressing dismissed the Ukraine situation as a thing that wasn't hurting him. I was disagreeing. Anti-tank missiles are great, but russia has bodies to spare and Zalinsky was all but begging for air support as hospitals and schools get targeted, and cities get reduced to rubble. Eventually they'll run out of cities.
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Post by Leisher »

TheCatt wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 2:47 pm "You suck at this thing you don't control"
But here's where people's ignorance and bullshit don't help his case. Is the economy his fault or Trump's? Is it the pandemic? Is it the Ukraine war? Or does the president not actually control the economy like people think or like the MSM likes to pretend when their guy is in charge?

Point being, we've confused things so much that most people have no fucking clue what's what and just do the natural thing, which is to blame the guy at the top. Same logic as to why head coaches get blamed all the time for teams failing instead of the massively paid players not doing their jobs on the field.
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