leh-nerd skin-erd

Well, to be fair, the chaos is largely a matter of perspective. In our political system, the winds of change blow quickly and politicians are always trying to figure out how to win the next election. As we approach the midterms, focus changes especially in tightly contested races. I think Trump realizes that, and decided to push forward and fast. In addition, the $500k study, one of hundreds if not thousands, most definitely falls into axe category. As for the lefty (or righty) government agency/official skimming off the top, I am not so sure. There’s a sh$tton of $$$ money involved and corruption always finds a way.

Acknowledging the initiative is the right thing to do is a good first step. As far as people not liking the process, that likely falls along political lines. I don’t like chaos, certainly don’t like to see friends or neighbors impacted by job losses, but as you indicated, pretty much everyone has known we (taxpayers) are getting fleeced and have been for decades. Sometimes you use a scalpel, sometimes an axe.

I think he knows it’s a different country than China.

The man raging about oligarchs and authoritarianism appears on behalf of…..China. Of course he does. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/09/politics/cnn-bernie-sanders-town-hall-takeaways/index.html “We don’t have to hate China. We don’t have to hate other people. Let’s figure out a way to work together,” the Vermont independent said in a CNN town hall, hours after Trump raised his tariffs on Beijing to 125% amid a trade battle ignited by the president. “The goal has got to be to break down these barriers that separate us as human beings — come together as Americans and come together globally as human beings,” Sanders said.

Your prediction was there would be a negotiation on tariffs? That was established. Market volatility was inevitable…do you really think that surprised anyone at the table? Right now, I see you less as Charles, more as Murray Schwab, Chuck’s cousin who works at Famous Footwear and riffs on Chucks market analysis 10 days after it comes out. For now, your win results in you getting Employee of the Month parking between the dumpster and the pallets of MSG behind the Chinese restaurant (still sellling Fried Dumplings 8 for $7.50– tariffs be damned!).

I think it’s important to consider the trajectory of the posters in question. Lots of hot takes, mostly misses.

Spot on B.

Ah, your “drama teacher” was unaware of the history of black face, stereotypes and social barriers of the day. I’m sure he was completely blindsided by the fallout, having intended of course to honor the Black experience by painting his face with shoe polish. You would have made a good liberal dem after Teddy K abandoned MJ Kopechne in that car—his performance in the infamous neck brace was Trudeau-worthy. Drama indeed.

A member of team Black Face attempting to secure the high ground on some crude humor is an interesting play. Good luck to you.

I’ve heard conflicting stories about the level and care provided by the VA for many years., especially with respect to mental health and PTSD. I’d think there is room for improvement there, but I may be behind the current standard of care provided. Regardless, I’m with you that the goal should be top tier care. The penguins I’m not so sure of. I’m neither pro nor con, but heard some people with a different perspective were actually protesting costs associated with the studies of the menstrual cycles of the cross dressing mini mice of Paraguay. Not sure if there was any street corn, folk music or face painting, they’re a serious bunch.

Well, I think if the American taxpayer was as committed to our national best interest as your friends are to yours, we probably wouldn't be standing right where we are today.

I understand your feelings about the relationship between the US and Canada. These are painful times to be sure, and it's fair to argue about the steps taken by the current administration to improve the American position. On the other hand, the build up to an attempt by the Japanese at world domination and subjugation during the 1930s culminated with an attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. For those of us classified with fathers and mothers that lived through WW2, we may be on this planet only because the war in the Pacific was ended in August 1945. In 1958, the first automobile manufactured by a Japanese company was offered for sale in the US. The first Japanese automobile was offered in Canada in 1964. In context, the relationship will survive and with luck, thrive in the future.

What do you mean by “I wonder if it’s too late”? Too late for what?

I was “gone”? Ah, ya sweet cranky bast*rd, thank you.

My goodness, you have two decades of experience in the insurance industry and have the social skills of a drunken monkey. Maybe a caveman can do it.

I’m actually surprised you clicked on the link. Did that Nigerian lawyer ever pony up the dead prince’s money?

I don’t watch either show, but in 2025, to compete with AI, I think some actors have to sacrifice a kidney or two in pursuit of their craft. That’s realism. Demand more, The Frank.

It’s on flip.it, Frank, and has received 17 ha-ha’s from 4th. That’s pretty much the gold standard, though admittedly dip.it and hit.it would be money in the bank. I’d run with it.

Thanks Andy, awesome reply and I appreciate it. The typical reply to questions people aren’t interested in answering is “straw man” or “whataboutism”. I get that, but at some point, the theoretical “we need to do something” boils down to “Great, what are you willing to do?”. A couple thoughts— 1. Your thoughts on “collective responsibility” are spot on, I have no issue with that. Like you, I contribute through all the usual means—tax, consumption, charity, civic participation, manage my life to avoid burdening others etc—and understand my good fortune. Like you, I believe in a social safety net, benefited from food stamps in my lifetime, and was raised in a family that believed we were all in it together. That said…there is nothing in my Collective Responsibility Charter that suggests I need to be fooled, duped or complicit in abject stupidity of programs vibe wild. Fix the spending, fix the corruption, fix the grift and when all is said and done, if my tax needs to go up to help others, I’m happy to contribute. 2. Helping immigrants is fine and noble, however, the illegal immigration issue must be dealt with. People are victimized on both sides of the border, and for those suggesting the cost of lettuce will go up because they support cheap labor and the victimization on the route to the country, I say eat less lettuce. We can have a safe, secure immigration system without madness, chaos and corruption. 3. “Fair share” is a myth, a fable, something that makes people feel ok about pointing the finger at the other guy with more and screaming “I don’t want to pay, he should do it!”. A sensible, progressive tax is fine—-and let’s not pretend that the early days of the country didn’t come with tax breaks, tax dodges, and ways to beat the system. I won’t take the time to search, but it’s widely accepted that the actual tax rate from the heavy days of the 1950s was about the same as it is today all things considered. That said Andy—-where the 🤬 are the millions of liberal do-gooders stepping up, demanding they be heard and revealing all the extra money they have sent to the govt to solve the crisis? We’re responsible, of course, but the assumption that the solution is just to throw more and more money at the problem and shouting “oligarch” and “billionaire” is not the answer. It’s akin to your family running up $100,000 in credit card debt on $50k in income and figuring the solution is to incur more debt. Hard questions must be asked, ingrained behavior addressed, and difficult solutions implemented. Btw—I do not know one supporter of DJT in my extended circle of family and friends who thinks and behaves the way you portrayed them above. Open your mind a bit. Almost forgot: 😂 to being willing to skim $60k off Fancy Fergie. From my perspective, that shouldn’t happen though it would be nice if he was a bit more concerned about collective responsibility and voluntarily contributed. He’s our resident oligarchian wannabe, I think.

Missed the part about the buddy trip. The problem, Frank, is that while I typically seek to portray you as a bumbling yet kindly aging barrister, if we travel, it will become apparent that of the two of us, I'm a homely Starsky, you oozing cool like Hutch (relatively speaking of course). I can't have it, Frank, I just can't.

The Trump thumpers would be the other side of the coin from people in government with lucrative careers from being in govt (and stumbling upon some amazing information that would put regular folk and Martha Stewart in jail)?

Be careful Frank, it's probably a playground for aging lawyers with thinning hair, a few extra pounds around the middle, and an enlarged prostrate, but the Lisbon girls may be after more than your charm and company. Oh snap. I've been told here that all Trump supporters are destitute and will be sewing Air Lebron's for Nike to survive. Now they got portfolios!

No, I do not believe the things you believe. On the other hand, I cannot really think of a President in my lifetime that didn't live a life tilted toward their own self-interest with a heavy dose of narcissism mixed in. I think prior to January 2025, most sensible people felt the trajectory of spending by our government was out of control, that waste/fraud/abuse was a significant problem, and that something significant needed to be done. In fact, virtually everyone I've ever spoken with has felt the same way. So, here we are. That my be a different zip code as you say, but I'm pretty sure the postman delivers some of their mail to you from time to time. Next town over, maybe.

I don't believe that...over time, we tend to see the good and decency in people rise to the top. These are difficult times to be sure, but things tend to work out over time. We all have our hot buttons, obviously, and it's fair to say that most years, half the people are p*ssed off at the government for one reason or another, the next it's the other half. Personally, I wish you well in your journey to purchasing a place in Portugal and applaud you for chasing your dream. We don't agree on much, but I certainly can respect that. Andy, well, I can't speak for him and his socialist leanings. He may be out right now with his culturally misappropriated dreadlocks agitating explicitly to separate you from a few of your dollars for this very type of transaction. On the bright side, sounds like you're a 1%er and have plenty more to give if only the right people know how to ask. 😎

@Andy1, just gauging your thoughts on what Fergie has shared here as it relates to your perspective on collective responsibility for the current situation in our world. Assuming what's been shared is accurate, Fergie is a retired businessman who enjoys country clubs, golf, travel, fine wine, the beautiful beaches of Cuba (oddly devoid of Cubans as I recall), liberal politics and a robust discussion on the future of the country. He would also fall into the Boomer category, one of the groups you suggested needed to do more as a sort of fiscal penance for the state of the world as it exists today. Fergs is looking to invest in a property in Portugal. A quick check of real estate available revealed a 3 bedroom villa (new build) near Lisbon sells for $600,000 US, though that's just one of many I am sure. My question, Andy...would you think that money be better served spent here, in our country to assist those in need and fund social programs? If so, should a wealthy American be assessed a fee (or tax) on the overseas purchase? Let's use 10% as an example---would it be unreasonable to ask/require a wealthy American to contribute $60,000 based on the knowledge that his/her success was really all our collective success? This, of course would be in addition to whatever tax requirements exist for a US citizen living abroad. We struggled to find a number you might be comfortable to contribute the other day, but if people like Fergs were willing to help out just a little bit more, maybe people like you and I can keep the lights on.