Fnord 2,051 Posted March 6 41 minutes ago, supermike80 said: But, sir. My point is. Rather than acting like a little girl and screaming from the rooftops about the cuts, when you don't know anything at all, why not wait and see what happens? Wouldn't that be more prudent? Well then we wouldn't be able to argue about it. What fun is that? Everyone wants waste, fraud, abuse and bloat eliminated from gov't. I find it VERY hard to believe that the current DOGE team, comprised of a ketamine-addled tech giant with questionable allegiances and his small flock of 20-something coding bros has the wherewithal to determine good cuts vs. bad cuts. The speed at which it's all happening reinforces that assumption, since careful and deliberate cuts take time to investigate and execute. But you are right, it would be much more prudent to wait and see what the actual results are. That brings me back to my first sentence, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grace Under Pressure 70 Posted March 6 Obviously rubes who are in a cult aren't blaming Trump for the crap market and employment numbers. But it's very obvious to everyone else that this is on him, and on Musk who cultists also bootlick. He screws you over so his Mar-a-lago crowd can make an extra buck, and you still simp for him. Get a clue. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 6 1 minute ago, Grace Under Pressure said: Obviously rubes who are in a cult aren't blaming Trump for the crap market and employment numbers. But it's very obvious to everyone else that this is on him, and on Musk who cultists also bootlick. He screws you over so his Mar-a-lago crowd can make an extra buck, and you still simp for him. Get a clue. Ok Rusty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,796 Posted March 6 8 minutes ago, Fnord said: Well then we wouldn't be able to argue about it. What fun is that? Everyone wants waste, fraud, abuse and bloat eliminated from gov't. I find it VERY hard to believe that the current DOGE team, comprised of a ketamine-addled tech giant with questionable allegiances and his small flock of 20-something coding bros has the wherewithal to determine good cuts vs. bad cuts. The speed at which it's all happening reinforces that assumption, since careful and deliberate cuts take time to investigate and execute. But you are right, it would be much more prudent to wait and see what the actual results are. That brings me back to my first sentence, though. Yeah but here's my counter to that. You say you doubt his ketamine-addled cronies have the wherewithal to make these cuts. I say back, how do you know the federal employees have any more or less ability that these people? You don't. You're making assumptions based on nothing. I agree it's Ok to discuss and argue and all that. I enjoy the debate, but assumptions are being made that I take issue with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Girlfriend 208 Posted March 6 5 minutes ago, Fnord said: Well then we wouldn't be able to argue about it. What fun is that? Everyone wants waste, fraud, abuse and bloat eliminated from gov't. I find it VERY hard to believe that the current DOGE team, comprised of a ketamine-addled tech giant with questionable allegiances and his small flock of 20-something coding bros has the wherewithal to determine good cuts vs. bad cuts. The speed at which it's all happening reinforces that assumption, since careful and deliberate cuts take time to investigate and execute. But you are right, it would be much more prudent to wait and see what the actual results are. That brings me back to my first sentence, though. Here’s my biggest problem with the wait and see theory. It is much, much harder to build something back up than it is to tear it down. I would much rather see enough people get pissed and make their voices heard, so they slow down and do it the right way. We’ve already seen numerous examples of them recklessly firing people, only to find out that they were indeed necessary. It’s a sh!tshow right now. I’d say there’s a 0% chance this doesn’t end badly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fnord 2,051 Posted March 6 1 minute ago, supermike80 said: Yeah but here's my counter to that. You say you doubt his ketamine-addled cronies have the wherewithal to make these cuts. I say back, how do you know the federal employees have any more or less ability that these people? You don't. You're making assumptions based on nothing. I agree it's Ok to discuss and argue and all that. I enjoy the debate, but assumptions are being made that I take issue with. Not entirely. If POTUS demands cuts, the best way to go about it is probably an impartial, non-partisan third party audit. That requires identifying the vendor, gathering bids and proposals, signing contracts, then giving them whatever amount of time has been agreed upon. I would think 90 days would be absolute minimum for an entity as big as the VA, for instance. This ensures that the bloat and unnecessary redundancy can be rooted out without negatively affecting vital services. DOGE kids (and Elon) don't know what they don't know. They have no gov't experience, no concept of the regulations, little knowledge of the services being provided by many of the departments. And they've gone way too fast for decisions to have been made with any sort of consideration of downstream effects. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,796 Posted March 6 12 minutes ago, Fnord said: Not entirely. If POTUS demands cuts, the best way to go about it is probably an impartial, non-partisan third party audit. That requires identifying the vendor, gathering bids and proposals, signing contracts, then giving them whatever amount of time has been agreed upon. I would think 90 days would be absolute minimum for an entity as big as the VA, for instance. This ensures that the bloat and unnecessary redundancy can be rooted out without negatively affecting vital services. DOGE kids (and Elon) don't know what they don't know. They have no gov't experience, no concept of the regulations, little knowledge of the services being provided by many of the departments. And they've gone way too fast for decisions to have been made with any sort of consideration of downstream effects. Unfortunately, a non partisan third party audit is impossible. Literally impossible. In the fractured government we have, there is less than a 0% chance the two parties could agree on what is impartial. So that's out. CDUB brought up a good point discussing this prior. If you give too much notice, everyone will start finding safe spaces and there will be little that has been cut. Remember, this has been tried before by prior administrations and it was entirely ineffective. I'm not so much behind doing the same old tired things over and over, knowing they don't work. And you're right. DOGE probably doesn't know much about how things work there. But some people there do. And I have seen multiple articles about DOGE asking the department heads to come up with a list of positions to cut. Not so much DOGE coming in and pointing to three desks and telling those people they are out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Real timschochet 6,391 Posted March 6 2 hours ago, supermike80 said: That could be the most obvious statement ever made. No kidding. IF it has an impact, then react then. But the freaking out about it now, with no evidence or knowledge about what these people do is, again, liberal feelings clouding rational decision making. I have literally no idea how many employees it takes to run the VA for instance. None. Neither do you, and neither does anyone else on this board or in most of american society. Yet, the left is losing their sheet over it. They’re “losing their sheet” in your words because per reporting it seems to be done without rhyme or reason EXCEPT that a lot of the cuts appear to be for programs that Trump and Musk don’t like, rather than a true effort to cost save. Personally I’m not freaking out but I am concerned because I don’t think it’s possible that in 2 months you can look at these programs and make intelligent decisions where the waste is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,796 Posted March 6 2 minutes ago, The Real timschochet said: They’re “losing their sheet” in your words because per reporting it seems to be done without rhyme or reason EXCEPT that a lot of the cuts appear to be for programs that Trump and Musk don’t like, rather than a true effort to cost save. Personally I’m not freaking out but I am concerned because I don’t think it’s possible that in 2 months you can look at these programs and make intelligent decisions where the waste is. No...That's false. They are losing it because of the cuts. Period. There has been some concern about the timing yes. But the overwhelming majority of the posts on social media, and the mainstream media, have been about the cuts period. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Girlfriend 208 Posted March 6 21 minutes ago, supermike80 said: No...That's false. They are losing it because of the cuts. Period. There has been some concern about the timing yes. But the overwhelming majority of the posts on social media, and the mainstream media, have been about the cuts period. Well now you just lost all credibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 6 Why is the stock market down? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,796 Posted March 6 Just now, Hardcore troubadour said: Why is the stock market down? Cause TRUMP! Duh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegeneral 2,882 Posted March 6 2 hours ago, supermike80 said: But, sir. My point is. Rather than acting like a little girl and screaming from the rooftops about the cuts, when you don't know anything at all, why not wait and see what happens? Wouldn't that be more prudent? Am I screaming? You sound like you need to relax. Maybe the people who got canned, the people who are impacted by these firings are a bit more upset. I’m personally not loving the chaos that this dope brings where everything is the worst ever, then it’s the best ever. I wish he would shut the hell up a lot more. Than would be nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 6 2 minutes ago, thegeneral said: Am I screaming? You sound like you need to relax. Maybe the people who got canned, the people who are impacted by these firings are a bit more upset. I’m personally not loving the chaos that this dope brings where everything is the worst ever, then it’s the best ever. I wish he would shut the hell up a lot more. Than would be nice. Aww...Maybe your mommy can give you some money for a cheap manicure or something to calm you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 7,113 Posted March 6 Just now, jbycho said: Aww...Maybe your mommy can give you some money for a cheap manicure or something to calm you. There’s that Peefoam wit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegeneral 2,882 Posted March 6 2 minutes ago, jbycho said: Aww...Maybe your mommy can give you some money for a cheap manicure or something to calm you. I know your mom can’t help me out after I rode her around like a show pony! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 6 2 minutes ago, thegeneral said: I know your mom can’t help me out after I rode her around like a show pony! Well, your mother wasn't worth the ride so I kicked her to the curb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 6 5 minutes ago, MDC said: There’s that Peefoam wit. Pee guy is back!! What was that Nickelodeon show that has the shower of slime for the losers? Your the guy who gets a shower of pee. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
supermike80 1,796 Posted March 6 13 minutes ago, thegeneral said: Am I screaming? You sound like you need to relax. Maybe the people who got canned, the people who are impacted by these firings are a bit more upset. I’m personally not loving the chaos that this dope brings where everything is the worst ever, then it’s the best ever. I wish he would shut the hell up a lot more. Than would be nice. Not you personally. I apologize..I meant kinda in general. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegeneral 2,882 Posted March 6 23 minutes ago, supermike80 said: Not you personally. I apologize..I meant kinda in general. Fair enough. I can definitely appreciate that it would be nice (and more beneficial) if people didn’t take everything Donald says so seriously. I would say he loves the spectacle and then complains about it so that’s a bit aggravating but yeah cable news for instance isn’t helping with much of their coverage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gepetto 1,285 Posted March 6 6 hours ago, MDC said: Serious question: What is the stated purpose of Trump’s tariffs? In general, I thought the idea was to boost US manufacturing and therefore jobs by making our products more cost competitive. Trump says the US has been treated very unfairly. That’s all I remember him saying about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 6 11 minutes ago, Gepetto said: Trump says the US has been treated very unfairly. That’s all I remember him saying about it. Good. Truth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 7,113 Posted March 6 16 minutes ago, Gepetto said: Trump says the US has been treated very unfairly. That’s all I remember him saying about it. Me too. I don’t know how we’ve been treated unfairly and what tariffs are supposed to do about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 6 5 minutes ago, MDC said: Me too. I don’t know how we’ve been treated unfairly and what tariffs are supposed to do about it. Well if you don't know, that doesn't make you smart about the topic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 5,182 Posted March 6 Walmart told their suppliers in China to eat Trump's tariffs. Which means their competitors will have to eat them too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gepetto 1,285 Posted March 7 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hasbro-ceo-on-trump-tariffs-higher-toy-prices-are-looming-184955178.html Hasbro CEO on Trump tariffs: Higher toy prices are looming FYI: Hasbro has raised prices 3 times in 4 years before these tariffs. I think it's just an excuse, they can blame Trump and then not take the blame themselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,032 Posted March 7 2 hours ago, Strike said: Walmart told their suppliers in China to eat Trump's tariffs. Which means their competitors will have to eat them too. That's not gonna work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 7 23 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: That's not gonna work Really? China has a bigger customer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Girlfriend 208 Posted March 7 @supermike80 Here’s some more evidence on how incompetent they are: https://apnews.com/article/dei-purge-images-pentagon-diversity-women-black-8efcfaec909954f4a24bad0d49c78074 But hey, let’s wait and see how things shake out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,032 Posted March 7 1 hour ago, Hardcore troubadour said: Really? China has a bigger customer? No you idiot Walmart's suppliers are not going to eat the tariffs because their margins are already so thin. They're not gonna take a loss. You don't understand anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 7 2 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: No you idiot Walmart's suppliers are not going to eat the tariffs because their margins are already so thin. They're not gonna take a loss. You don't understand anything. Their suppliers that are Chinese are going to have to. Wal-Mart said so. They have the leverage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,032 Posted March 7 6 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said: Their suppliers that are Chinese are going to have to. Wal-Mart said so. They have the leverage. You don't understand leverage. You're dumb. So far, few have acquiesced. Suppliers’ margins are already razor thin due to Walmart’s strategy of procuring goods cheaply in order to maintain its competitive advantage, according to the people. For some, any reduction greater than 2% would see them make a loss, the people said. Others have had their own upstream vendors refuse requests to cut prices more than 3%, forcing manufacturers to consider purchasing some parts from Vietnam, according to one of the people. That move has raised concerns that the lower prices will come at the expense of product quality, the person said. Walmart’s push shows how rising geopolitical tensions are set to reshape global supply chains and pile pressure on US consumers already grappling with cost-of-living stresses. While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed concerns about the tariffs, saying Chinese manufacturers will eat the extra cost, big box retailers Target Corp. and Best Buy Co. have warned shoppers should expect higher prices from the trade war that’s also ensnared Mexico and Canada. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-06/walmart-asks-chinese-suppliers-for-major-price-cuts-on-trump-tariffs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 7 Tl/dr. You’re usually wrong so I’ll assume you are again. Go have a Bud Light and watch some Disney instead of wasting your time trying to be right. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,032 Posted March 7 5 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said: Tl/dr. You’re usually wrong so I’ll assume you are again. Go have a Bud Light and watch some Disney instead of wasting your time trying to be right. Bud light #2 selling beer last year and will be #1 in 2025 now that Modelo is 25% more expensive. Disney had a $5B net income in FY2024. RIGHT! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 7 Michelob Ultra is #2. Gutterboy with the L. Again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,032 Posted March 7 2 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said: Michelob Ultra is #2. Gutterboy with the L. Again. I bring receipts. https://www.statista.com/statistics/237904/leading-20-beer-brands-in-the-us/ You're such a fool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 7 22 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: I bring receipts. https://www.statista.com/statistics/237904/leading-20-beer-brands-in-the-us/ You're such a fool. Off premise you idiot. What a maroon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron_Artest 1,032 Posted March 7 7 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said: Off premise you idiot. What a maroon. What other metrics are you looking at? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hardcore troubadour 14,906 Posted March 7 9 minutes ago, Ron_Artest said: What other metrics are you looking at? Total sales. Like a normal person would. You did too and found out you were wrong so you decided to try and slip that bullshitt by. Just admit you were wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbycho 579 Posted March 7 2 hours ago, The Girlfriend said: @supermike80 Here’s some more evidence on how incompetent they are: https://apnews.com/article/dei-purge-images-pentagon-diversity-women-black-8efcfaec909954f4a24bad0d49c78074 But hey, let’s wait and see how things shake out. Here's another one Rusty https://www.google.com/search?q=wizard+of+oz+wicked+withch+pics&oq=wizard+of+oz+wicked+withch+pics&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTE3NDQwajBqN6gCALACAQ&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#vhid=l7hQnB_6rp93QM&vssid=_en3KZ4WQHOOm5NoP6OjWyA8_56 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
