Precision

There are a lot of good people in CA and I honestly do feel bad for them.

I'm in NH so not so much champ.

Thank you for helping to prove my point. America's educational system failing for 45 years and counting! One in five coming out of school can't read. If you can't read; history doesn't matter, art doesn't matter, music doesn't matter, science doesn't matter, government studies don't matter, and CRT doesn't matter. If you cannot read, you are not prepared for the workforce. If you cannot read, you are not prepared for life. All these useless studies need to be flushed until the literacy rate and basic math skills are improved.

I understand where you're coming from but personally, I am not worried about Marxism or the redistribution of wealth. Most in politics pushing this are intellectual lightweights. AOC, Sanders, Warren, etc are in their positions because they represent a district that votes D regardless of the incompetence of the individual they are voting for. If Kermit the Frog ran as a D in these districts he would win. IMO the country as a whole will not embrace this and the individuals pushing it aren't smart enough to make it happen. Additionally, most young people believe in "fairness". When they see peer's getting free rides at college due to their race or parents income level they don't like it. Ten years of indoctrination are easily overcome by a few months in the real world.

This topic is laughable. Roughly 19% of high school graduates have trouble reading and nearly 30% lack basic math skills. Nationally, the graduate rate of black's lags whites by 10%. Most high school graduates can't balance a physical or electronic check book. Roughly 30% don't have a driver's license. Tell me how some BS CRT course is going to help any of those more important issues? This is another boondoggle by the NEA and other teachers' unions to teach an "ungradable" subject. Another BS subject that teachers can't be judged upon based on the performance of the students. Another BS subject with no real-life skills or value. The only reason CRT is getting traction is because with the pandemic, schools are failing even further. The NEA and the D's (their political cover) are using this to divert attention away from their falling student scores and incompetent teaching.

Brave Sir Biden ran away. Bravely ran away, away. When danger reared its ugly head, He bravely turned his tail and fled. Yes, brave Sir Biden turned about And gallantly he chickened out. Swiftly taking to his feet, He beat a very brave retreat. Bravest of the brave, Sir Biden! He has that lost scared look like Joe!

I wonder what percentage of Americans received at least a 6.8% raise this past year. I bet it's less than 5%, maybe less than 2%. The midterms are going to be epic.

BT, I am, but not as much as you would think. Not trying to brag here but simply tell my story..... I'm in my mid-50's and make good money. I have always invested heavily in my Roth/401K/529 but with more disposable income as my wife and my careers advanced, started investing on my own. I did ok, sometimes beat the market and sometimes didn't. Could never seem to time things right and buy/hold was always the best strategy for me. The pandemic hit right when our kids went off to college. Between that and working remotely my wife and I had even more disposable income. I saw the pandemic as a once in a lifetime investing opportunity. I can't explain it, but everything was just clear as day to me. Companies that made products that would be in high demand during the lockdown I bought (PPE, vaccine makers, electronics, networking, companies with a large online presence, real estate in rural areas, home furnishings) everything that I saw as low demand I stayed away from (automotive, oil, tourism/travel, airlines, restaurant chains). Once the economy started re-opening, I reversed my strategy. Now that it looks like we may lockdown in some areas I may reverse it again. I've held Pfizer and Moderna most of the time, I am out of Pfizer and will be out of Moderna this year. Saw the inflation indicators early this year and made investment changes accordingly as well. I've been smart but certainly nowhere near as smart as the big investors. Honestly anyone could have done OK in this market. If I've been able to make money off this pandemic, I don't think for a second that large investors/politicians/media companies aren't making boatloads of money. They're making money through a good market and by manipulating the market and public through fear. Do I think the vaccines and booster are good? For an older or at-risk segment of the population, sure. Do I think everyone should be vaccinated? I am but I believe it should be a personal choice. Do I think people are making money off the pandemic and the general populace? Absolutely, I know they are.

I wish you people would pass this mandate and/or get your multiple booster shots already. Do this for the "good of society", specifically the rich part of society that's robbing you tools blind! I'm getting ready to cash out my position of Moderna (up 6.4% today, 152% YTD) and I would like a little more gain as I missed the last pop. Pfizer's only up 40% YTD, I cashed out that pig and didn't time it right (only made 17%), so I need a little help here. Seriously it's for the greater good, go get those boosters! Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha, you're kidding right? No seriously you have to be joking! Other countries are going to follow the US after we were run out of Afghanistan? Run out of a country of goat farmers with a population twice the size of NYS! Not only were we run out, we ran out like a scared cat! It won't be long until we're thrown out of Iraq as well so there's another in the "L" column. What was the last military conflict the US won with boots on the ground? Grenada in the 80's? Ha ha ha, maybe we can stick to picking on countries that are smaller than Syracuse! Or maybe we just bomb people who don't have weapons that can engage our aircraft, that's leadership! The US has the best equipped military with the most spectacular service men/women in the world. Unfortunately, our armed forces are saddled with weak leaders that are unwilling to do what it takes to win. That's certainly not going to change soon with president "poopy pants" in charge. Other countries respect our military, but they won't follow us because they don't respect our leaders.

Even with their low spending, by most accounts Germany's military is ranked anywhere from 4th to 14th in the world compared to Russia (widely ranked 2nd). Far from weak or the weakest. Germany has the 4th largest GDP in the world, more than twice the size of Russia's at 11th. Germany and Russia have extensive economic ties as Germany is Russia's second largest trading partner. Ukraine is less than 1000 miles from Germany. Nowhere in my post did I say Germany should "go it alone". Of all the NATO countries, Germany has most interest in this conflict being settled peacefully. Economically they can bring the most pressure to bear against Russia and will likely be the destination of refugees from the potential conflict. Rather than just criticize, tell me what country do you think should take the lead in averting a Russia/Ukraine conflict?

This is a great opportunity for our NATO partners to step up. Germany (still spending less than 1.5% of GDP on defense) should be leading the effort.

No surprise that this democratic bastion and perennial "Worst City in America" would waste their time and resources on CRT. Perhaps their education prowess could be focused on more pressing courses like; "5 easy ways to not commit violent crime", "Getting a job, it's easy and fun", or "Why you shouldn't leave Detroit even though everyone else is".

Roe v Wade should have never made it to the Supreme court. There is no wording in the constitution addressing reproductive rights and there is no constitutional-based precedent either. If you watch some old YouTube videos of Anthony Scalia, he addresses this subject much better than I! Our democracy has a really neat branch called the legislative branch. In our form of government congress is responsible for drafting and passing laws whereas the Supreme court only interprets the laws that are passed. Roe v Wade should have been addressed in one of three ways: 1. By congress so federal laws were put in place regarding reproductive rights. 2. By constitutional amendment so the court could protect abortion based on the constitutionality in the amendment. 3. By states writing local (state) laws. Roe v Wade will be rightly overturned. Not because women shouldn't have the right to choose, but because 9 people in robes shouldn't be making this decision for all Americans. My hope is overturning Roe v Wade will force congress to negotiate and pass a law somewhere between no and unlimited abortion.

Serious about being green? Heat with wood. Cancel a vacation (or two) and put up solar or install geothermal. Ever had a home energy/heat loss audit? I didn't think so. In many states they are free dependent upon your utility provider. All you need to do is take a couple of hours out of your day. Replacement windows, added insulation to the attic, installed weather stripping, LED lightbulbs, replaced old appliances? Probably didn't do those either. The truth is most of the green energy crowd are a bunch of posers. Sure, they'll sit at Starbucks sipping lattes talking about the mileage their Prius gets but they won't do anything hard. They won't do anything that affects their "lifestyle". I'm 55 and still harvest 6 cords every year from my property. Cut, split and stacked. I don't need to heat with wood, but I prefer a fuel whose source, cost, supply, demand and availability is determined by one person......me.

Why should this concept apply to just COVID? Smoke, drink, do drugs, overweight....take care of your own healthcare costs. Why should I have to pay for others poor choices? How about if you live in a flood prone or high crime area? Not my problem, I shouldn't have to subsidize anyone's home-owners insurance. Live in a poorly run high tax state? You take care of it. People shouldn't be allowed to deduct local taxes from your federal tax. Again, not my problem. Want a new football stadium? Bake it into the ticket and broadcast cost so only those that use/watch the games have to pay. If tickets cost $500 each that's just too bad. Poor, need services, awww so sad.....get a job. Isn't this grand now? Pay as you go is all dandy until it impacts something you care about.

It doesn't matter who the democrats run. Biden's poor numbers reflect his performance as well as the public's opposition to the democrat's platform. The midterms will flip enough seats where the republican's control one and probably both houses. When that occurs, they will begin hearings on; Hunter Biden, Afghanistan, inflation, Covid response, "insert democratic failure here". Whomever runs will not be able shed the 24/7 negative coverage, Trump couldn't. I think the interesting discussion is what is going to occur long term in the House and Senate. As of today, the midterms will be a generational change from democrats to republicans. Incumbents are typically hard to unseat and republicans should have a comfortable majority in both houses after the midterms. Could the midterms put congress in republican hands for the next 10+ years?

I am vaccinated and believed in the first round of vaccinations. This second round I have my doubts but am firmly against mandates. I do have a couple of questions for the pro-mandate crowd. Since this pandemic is going to require multiple vaccinations over an extended time how do you mandate and track that everyone is "all caught up with their shots, at the correct interval between shots"? If the shots were a one time event I could see you having a chance. We're at 3 shots now and who knows how many more shots will need to be administered and for how long. Most idiots have trouble getting their taxes done every year. Tell me how to force these same people to get shots, for themselves and their children, every 6 months? Know that any "enforcement" will disproportionally impact the poor. Logistically are you going to have everyone run around with a tattered vaccine card to show at the entrance of every business/event or are we going to get more creative and tattoo QR codes on people or add a chip? If you allow the government to put what they want into your body do you have a say if they want to put something on the outside of your body?

Come on guys, enough with all the hate. Look at these charts, look at how epic they are! We need to mandate more vaccines, jab the kids, stab the cats and dogs. Dump some of that juice into the goldfish bowls. Set up another round for every American, it's all free so what the heck! We'll run up the national debt buying vaccines and then let the little people pay for it once we've made enough. The best part is the end when they cry about rich people having too much money! Ha ha ha ha

Michael Burry came out this week and said that inflation is much worse than a byproduct of the re-opening from COVID. Also made comments regarding the Rivian IPO. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1_ov0tpX0AhVNm-AKHQ6QDWYQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmarkets.businessinsider.com%2Fnews%2Fstocks%2Fbig-short-michael-burry-scion-inflation-spike-economy-pandemic-reopening-2021-11&usg=AOvVaw2ejDzbftopOMYik1NrbPnj My questions to the board are: Have you adjusted your investing strategy based on the current and upcoming inflation and if so from/into what? Since this clearly in not transitionary at what point do you start to panic? Do you think the Bidenomics issues are solvable at the midterms, during the next administration or have we reached a tipping point (runaway inflation)? What do think inflation will top out at? What are your thoughts on the largest contributing factor? My answers: Yes, we have 60% of our investments are now in commodities, foreign investments, thinking about purchasing a rental property. I already have which is why I made the changes previously mentioned. Not solvable until at least midway though the next administration. 13%. Currency devaluation. For those unaware, Michael Burry ran Scion Capital. He was among the first to forecast the real estate bubble in 2007. To learn about what led up to the crash a great movie to watch is "The Big Short".

I'm glad to see that you agree on the need to compromise. When you indicate you "never vote for a Trumper" I'm hoping that doesn't mean you never vote R. Anyone who votes party line all the time R or D is a fool. Russia was a political hit job and nothing more. I live in NH and "hit jobs" happen all the time to candidates running for president. I've seen people scream in a candidates ear, drop money, spit on an aide, pretend to be "bumped", yell obscenities, try to grab their privates.....all to try and get a negative reaction out of the candidate. If you want to see video proof of a hit job in action watch the Trump portion of the No Labels event in Manchester, NH from 2015. I was in close proximity to the little girl who yelled at Trump. Event lasted all day, lots of candidate she was there for.....2 minutes for her "hit job".

I often vote R but not always, I am not a big Trump fan. I agreed with nearly all of his policies and am very strongly in favor of his changes to immigration and taxation (especially the cap on the SALT deduction). I feel his ego was large, for a large percentage of Americans he is unlikeable, and his comments were divisive. He was unable to work with the D's regarding anything. His constant mocking of the media took valuable time away from more important topics that required the nations attention. His fixation on the bogus Russian scandal allowed it to remain in the headlines throughout his presidency. He was foolish to make the media an enemy as they worked against him so continuously that broadcasts turned into anti-Trump advertisements. In the 2020 election this was detrimental to him along with many R's down ticket. I will be happy to see a new face on the GOP ticket in 2024!

I don't understand this nonsense regarding "retraining" or "path to citizenship" or "slavery". None of these people should be in the country. NOT A SINGLE ONE. There is a reason they are called illegal immigrants. They are here without our permission and have violated the laws of our sovereign country. The best case scenario they should be able to hope for is that they are: a. Stopped at the border b. Vetted to make sure they have skills our country needs and no criminal past c. Allowed to apply for a temporary green card which allows them into the country on a temporary basis. d. IF they are a model green card holder they should be able to APPLY for a path to citizenship. Anyone already in this country illegally has violated our laws. Their assets should be seized and they should be returned to their home country with no further path to re-entering the United States.

From what I've seen there are 3 main components to the supply chain problems. The first has been the lack of supply due to countries shutting down. Honestly I don't think any administration would have been prepared for the breadth and depth of the problem. From raw materials all the way to completed product the "just in time" supply chain system has turned into "just too late" as everything is being delayed. The industry trend to carry as little inventory as possible has only further exacerbated the problem. The supply shortages cascade through the chain as each sub-assembly is delayed by multiple piece parts and raw materials delays. I am in charge of a product development effort and we are short PCB's, IC's, cables assemblies, motors, sheet metal, raw material for machined parts, plastic for our injection molds, even stuff like common hardware. We have components in transit from China to Long Beach and I fully expect that we will not see these until January. The second item that's an issue is the lack of transportation resources. Many older workers left the transportation industry when Covid hit making distribution of available product more difficult. This was an obvious issue months ago as the lack of truck drivers was common knowledge. We had difficulties both shipping and receiving product so anyone in the game knew that this was going on. I feel that the current administration does bear some of the responsibility for this as it is problem that was fixable months ago. The final component, demand, falls squarely on this administration. Really their lack of insight on this makes me wonder if anyone in the administration has even run a lemonade stand. Let's take a test, when you give people sitting around at home free money what are they going to do with it? A. Save it B. Give it to charity C. Put it into their retirement plan D. Pay off their debts E. Spend it on crap as fast as possible. Well, I think we know what they did (it wasn't give it to charity by the way) which is why there is a big spike in demand. Take out the unsustainable short term demand and the supply chain and transportation issues wouldn't be nearly as bad as they are today.

I am unaware of any "liquidity" stats that are published but I will provide the following..... The bottom 3 graphs are generated by the Federal Reserve of St. Louis. The first graph (M0) is US currency in circulation (bills and coins). The second graph(M2) is all US monies (this includes M0, as well as currency in electronic form). The third graph is US GDP. The "monies" in circulation should track GDP, at least somewhat but they don't. Look how much money was put into circulation in just the past year!