The Real timschochet

It seems to me that Bernie’s reasoning on this issue is the same that Trump has with the tariffs: they both assume that the folks hit with this will simply absorb the cost without passing it on the consumer. But that NEVER happens.

Raising the minimum wage depending on region would certainly be more fair. But it doesn’t resolve the main dilemma: if, for example, we raise the minimum wage in California, because it is so much more expensive to live here, it’s still going to likely increase prices in Colorado, and South Carolina, and everywhere else. And even if, somehow, the price increases are limited to California, then what exactly is gained by raising the wages?

Of course. So do you.

Do you believe that keeping people out of the country will raise the standard of living for those already here? If yes please explain. TIA

Actually I do oppose raising minimum wage. I always have. Apparently you’ve never bothered to read me on this subject. I think it’s a topic worth discussing because it goes to the root of so many other issues. And your response here is so typical as always. You offer nothing of substance except to try and rip me. If you don’t think this is worthy of discussion why even post?

Of course. So do you.

Bernie did make the point that 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. What if anything should be done about this?

I should mention the biggest immediate concern: inflation.. Inflation has been awful during the Biden years, but recently it’s gotten under control somewhat. But Trump’s first two actions- the new tariffs and mass deportation of a significant portion of our workforces- will skyrocket prices. Add that to the immediate corporate tax cut coming which will balloon the annual deficit even beyond its current untenable amount- and inflation is going to go through the roof. I hope I’m wrong.

Nope nothing serious. I just watched a beautiful sunset at the beach. I live in absolute paradise.

But they would be stylish!

You’re rather patronizing, don’t you think? Of course we can’t survive without trade. What modern nation could?

Touché. And thank you. All I’m saying is that California would survive just fine as an independent state. Thrive even. I have no desire to secede.

Oh well have a military. Along with a full nuclear arsenal. After all it was our people at Berkeley and Cal Tech that invented the damn things. And we’ll have an Air Force- it’s our aerospace industry that supplies it. Nobody’s invading California. And if there was ever a civil war, we’d kick your asses too. It’s funny that you think you’re defending us. We’re defending YOU.

Benefits? Ive never been much into this whole secession thing but California is the one state that could survive independently of the United States. We’d be just fine.

OK let’s make a deal. We in California will pay nothing to the federal government and in return we get nothing back. Sound good to you? It does to me.

Obviously as a centrist Democrat I hate the very things you love about the Trump movement. I detest this move away from globalism towards nativism and isolationism. But hey you win for now. So be it.

It happens every time a loss occurs. Remember after Romney lost, the Republican “autopsy”? Then they nominated Trump. All the Democrats really have to do is stick around and be the alternative. The Republicans will have 4 years, maybe 8 if they don’t blow it. Then the Democrats will be back to Fock things up again until the next cycle. There’s never going to be a permanent victory here.

This is all second guessing. The public didn’t reject Kamala Harris per se, they rejected the incumbency. IMO (as of now, not my opinion a week ago) the Dems could have put up a combination of FDR, Obama and Jesus Christ and they still would have lost.

Once again the concert I saw (I get it, very anecdotal) was largely people in their early 20s and older. I’ve been with my daughters to what I would call “teen” concerts; this wasn’t one of them. Plus her music since Folkore is much more adult oriented, more Joni Mitchell than Ariana Grande- that’s what made me a fan.

Having gone to a Swift concert this summer (in Amsterdam of all places) I can guarantee you this isn’t accurate.

I was wrong.

It might be better for you- temporarily- but it’s not better for the nation. The key to economic prosperity is to have trade taxed as low as possible and instead tax income earned. That’s capitalism 101.

Could very well be. I live in a very red district- not the reddest in California by any means but close. I didn’t vote for Baugh but he’s certainly the favorite.

7. Not sure what this means. 8. Release the hostages. Recognize the State of Israel. Respect free elections in Gaza. Then we can talk. Like the Taliban and Putin I regard Hamas as evil. They can prove me wrong by doing these things and they can have peace overnight if they do. 9. I started a thread about bitcoin a while back because I wanted to understand it better. I still don’t, but my suspicion remains that this is a pyramid scheme. Still if there are millions of investors involved then I’m happy for them; I don’t like it when anyone loses money. So I hope the prosperity lasts. Other than that I’m indifferent. 10. Always good news. Overall it’s been doing well for a few years now. Let’s keep it going.

4. Discourage? What does this mean? As I’ve written before these are desperate people fleeing starvation with nowhere to go. If we ultimately don’t want them to come here then we need to figure out another solution. 5. What does this accomplish? So now they won’t eat? Do you think this will increase or decrease the chance of crime? 6. When didn’t they? Again they can prove it by offering better trade deals, by pledging not to invade Taiwan, by keeping their promise to respect Hong Kong’s independence, by releasing their political prisoners, by pressuring their main client state, North Korea, to do similar things. If Trump can achieve all of this or many of this, he will be a great President. Why not? I’m hopeful.