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America is Healing ❤️‍🩹

All true. And I agree. I've been touting the bipartisan nature of our F'd up situation for a long time.

But I'll also say this: the vast majority of people I've come across who seem at all interested in paring the costs of government strike me as Republican voters. Those Democrats who are engaged on the issue seem to think we can largely, if not entirely, tax our way out of our pickle....as if the problem has been a diminishment of tax revenues rather than a growth of government spending.

The problem has not been a diminishment of tax revenues. Tax revenues comprise virtually the same percentage of GDP today that they have since the end of the war. They bounce around a bit, but not with a terribly large sigma. It's the growth of spending that has put us on a path to ruin.

I'm open to any ideas how to get that back on a sustainable path. And I'm not even generally opposed to tax increases. But it's beyond time for Democrats to engage in this debate...instead of just throwing temper tantrums about Elon Musk.
I agree. The only way for the Dems to curb Musk is to do it themselves and own the problem. I also agree entitlements are out of control (including VA disability benefits).

As far as a sustainable path, can anybody point me to how the **** we resolve nearly (or over) $40 trilliion in debt? Is it even real at this point?
 
The Dims will continue to attack every day - just like always. Extreme lock boxes on steroids. Death by 1,500 cuts, a couple of impeachment filings per year, as many pejoratives as possible, a triple-down on identity politics. Division as wide as the Trump Canyon and Gulf of America out together.

And Trump will gleefully give them ammo with new-league record efforts to claw back pseudo-legislative power from Congress (which will result in reactions similar to a crack head losing his crack) and react to every single slur.

Someone needs to contact @mcmurtry66 ’s psychiatrist - he smells healing. I smell street battles leading to generalized riots,
quiet tim and eric GIF
 
Elon Musk is a terrible public speaker. And his political instincts leave a bit to be desired (which is only fair, as he ain't a politician).

But his logic is here unassailable -- even if I think it's very unlikely he'll be able to get $1T in deficit reduction. Of course, I'm also somebody who said it was an utter impossibility that Donald Trump would win the popular vote. So don't put too much stock in my predictive prowess.

As I understand it, the Senate can introduce a recission bill under the ICA that is exempt from the filibuster. When DOGE gets nearer to cataloguing everything they recommend be cut, that's the way Trump should go. It seems like it might be easier for him to get a bill through the Senate than the House, especially a bill like this one.

 
Well, you’re preaching to the choir on protectionism. Hopefully it doesn’t amount to much more than saber-rattling for Trump. Because there are no winners in a trade war.

And I’m with you (mostly) on his bluster about foreign policy, too. The one caveat I’d have is that he’s right that it’s not in our best interest to have a Chinese firm operating ports in the Panama Canal. In fact, I agree with him that it was a mistake for us to cede control over the Canal itself.

I didn’t vote for Trump and have no regrets in not voting for him. But I’ll support him when he’s doing something good. And, to me, any attempt to reduce federal expenditures is a good thing. The expense is a drag on our national vitality.
Life is good when you do not need govt help.
 
Elon Musk is a terrible public speaker. And his political instincts leave a bit to be desired (which is only fair, as he ain't a politician).

But his logic is here unassailable -- even if I think it's very unlikely he'll be able to get $1T in deficit reduction. Of course, I'm also somebody who said it was an utter impossibility that Donald Trump would win the popular vote. So don't put too much stock in my predictive prowess.

As I understand it, the Senate can introduce a recission bill under the ICA that is exempt from the filibuster. When DOGE gets nearer to cataloguing everything they recommend be cut, that's the way Trump should go. It seems like it might be easier for him to get a bill through the Senate than the House, especially a bill like this one.

Sorry, the kid picking his nose threw me. Cute though.

I'll need to see some math on his numbers.
 
Elon Musk is a terrible public speaker. And his political instincts leave a bit to be desired (which is only fair, as he ain't a politician).

But his logic is here unassailable -- even if I think it's very unlikely he'll be able to get $1T in deficit reduction. Of course, I'm also somebody who said it was an utter impossibility that Donald Trump would win the popular vote. So don't put too much stock in my predictive prowess.

As I understand it, the Senate can introduce a recission bill under the ICA that is exempt from the filibuster. When DOGE gets nearer to cataloguing everything they recommend be cut, that's the way Trump should go. It seems like it might be easier for him to get a bill through the Senate than the House, especially a bill like this one.

What an absolutely fascinating clip. Trump sitting down, at his Oval Office desk, just making faces--I'm not even sure he's listening, but he's giving Musk the floor and interested more in the kid than Musk. And we have Musk, in that weird hat and get up (wouldn't surprise me if he has black pants and brown shoes on--autistic, indeed) speaking in that bizarre, yet completely genuine manner, seriously thinking he can convince people he's right, seemingly unaware that, in politics, no one cares.

What an amazing actor he is, by the way, to so convincingly play the bizarre engineer type and hide his real desires to be the evil scheming dictator looking to "accumulate power" by stealing all our health information and social security numbers and soon rule us all!

As for the argument, he lost me at "cut the budget deficit in half." I give that less of a chance than the Hoosiers signing Brad Stevens as our next basketball coach.
 
What an absolutely fascinating clip. Trump sitting down, at his Oval Office desk, just making faces--I'm not even sure he's listening, but he's giving Musk the floor and interested more in the kid than Musk. And we have Musk, in that weird hat and get up (wouldn't surprise me if he has black pants and brown shoes on--autistic, indeed) speaking in that bizarre, yet completely genuine manner, seriously thinking he can convince people he's right, seemingly unaware that, in politics, no one cares.

What an amazing actor he is, by the way, to so convincingly play the bizarre engineer type and hide his real desires to be the evil scheming dictator looking to "accumulate power" by stealing all our health information and social security numbers and soon rule us all!

As for the argument, he lost me at "cut the budget deficit in half." I give that less of a chance than the Hoosiers signing Brad Stevens as our next basketball coach.
I think that’s a little harsh. What’s his MO then? Limelight? Adulation? Narcissism?

Do you think he’s genuine in what he related?
 
What an absolutely fascinating clip. Trump sitting down, at his Oval Office desk, just making faces--I'm not even sure he's listening, but he's giving Musk the floor and interested more in the kid than Musk. And we have Musk, in that weird hat and get up (wouldn't surprise me if he has black pants and brown shoes on--autistic, indeed) speaking in that bizarre, yet completely genuine manner, seriously thinking he can convince people he's right, seemingly unaware that, in politics, no one cares.

What an amazing actor he is, by the way, to so convincingly play the bizarre engineer type and hide his real desires to be the evil scheming dictator looking to "accumulate power" by stealing all our health information and social security numbers and soon rule us all!

As for the argument, he lost me at "cut the budget deficit in half." I give that less of a chance than the Hoosiers signing Brad Stevens as our next basketball coach.

Oh, yeah. I don’t think there’s even a remote chance of that - not while leaving mandatory spending alone. Off the top of my head, I’d guess that $1T would account for something like 2/3 of discretionary spending.

But I’m also a proponent of the concept of aiming for something improbably high. You may never get it, but you’ll usually get good results regardless.
 
I think that’s a little harsh. What’s his MO then? Limelight? Adulation? Narcissism?

Do you think he’s genuine in what he related?
My second paragraph was sarcasm. I think Musk naively thinks he can fix it all with competence and caring, and he wants to fix it all. He likes to solve problems and thinks all problems, in every realm, are capable of a "solution."
 
My second paragraph was sarcasm. I think Musk naively thinks he can fix it all with competence and caring, and he wants to fix it all. He likes to solve problems and thinks all problems, in every realm, are capable of a "solution."
Got it. I know by virtue of all of the gov Ks he’s procured he’s certainly not a neophyte in that arena but as @Marvin the Martian has aptly pointed out there’s a difference between the sectors. There’s not that same autonomy to affect change
 
Oh, yeah. I don’t think there’s even a remote chance of that - not while leaving mandatory spending alone. Off the top of my head, I’d guess that $1T would account for something like 2/3 of discretionary spending.

But I’m also a proponent of the concept of aiming for something improbably high. You may never get it, but you’ll usually get good results regardless.

They are just basically just slashing and burning, cancelling contracts on a daily basis. There is clearly not any thought to it.
 
Trump is going to pressure the courts to restrict the power of the executive.

That might end up his greatest achievement.
At the growing speed of the EO's doing everything one sided (instead of the legislator doing ANYTHING) , to combat the Skullduggery of the octogenarian Democrat oligarchs and swamp (Nan, chucky et all), That very well may be a good move.
 
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They are just basically just slashing and burning, cancelling contracts on a daily basis. There is clearly not any thought to it.
instead of notice. In six months we’re pulling this. On Jan 1 26 we’re pulling this. What my guys have adopted is an asinine approach
 
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At the growing speed of the EO's doing everything one sided (instead of the legislator doing ANYTHING) , to combat the Skullduggery of the octogenarian Democrat oligarchs and swamp (Nan, chucky et all), That very well may be a good move.
You’ll hate when the next Dem comes in.

I say bring on the constitutional crisis.
 
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They are just basically just slashing and burning, cancelling contracts on a daily basis. There is clearly not any thought to it.

You may be right. I can certainly see why you’d say it. But there might also be some method to this madness - and not merely in the form of what cuts they might actually get to stick from what they’re doing.

Keep in mind that this will all eventually culminate in a report that will be presented to Trump, and then to Congress. Also keep in mind that a rescission bill can start in the Senate and isn’t subject to a filibuster.

Imagine what kind of pressure this could create for Congressional Republicans to act on at least some of their suggestions.

Donald Trump is crass and reckless. But he can also be a crafty sonofabitch too.
 
You’ll hate when the next Dem comes in.

I say bring on the constitutional crisis.
Given our fiscal trajectory, Trump or no Trump, has this ever really been avoidable?

As much as I’d love to think that normie politicians in Congress would get religion and bite the bullet to get things on a sustainable path, I’ve never been anything but pessimistic that they could swing it.

One way or another, we’ve long been headed into uncharted waters. Well before Trump was anything but a real estate hustler and fake boss on TV.
 
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What an absolutely fascinating clip. Trump sitting down, at his Oval Office desk, just making faces--I'm not even sure he's listening, but he's giving Musk the floor and interested more in the kid than Musk. And we have Musk, in that weird hat and get up (wouldn't surprise me if he has black pants and brown shoes on--autistic, indeed) speaking in that bizarre, yet completely genuine manner, seriously thinking he can convince people he's right, seemingly unaware that, in politics, no one cares.

What an amazing actor he is, by the way, to so convincingly play the bizarre engineer type and hide his real desires to be the evil scheming dictator looking to "accumulate power" by stealing all our health information and social security numbers and soon rule us all!

As for the argument, he lost me at "cut the budget deficit in half." I give that less of a chance than the Hoosiers signing Brad Stevens as our next basketball coach.

Finally, something Trump has done that I support.

I've been working on "actively listening" for the last year in my household. I have absolutely no idea what anyone is saying, yet I just look at them and just nod and agree.

It's bit me a couple times, but I'm generally more stress free not knowing why she's in her daily argument with her mom.
 
How many fascists lower taxes and regulation? How many fascists want to uphold the right to bear arms?
How many fascists eliminate the balance of powers?
How many fascists win on populism and racist nationalism?
How many fascists threaten their neighbors and eliminate FBI agents who investigated their traitorous insurrection and attempt to overturn a democratic election?

Do you not see that Elon Musk is not an elected official but an oligarch?

"want to uphold the right to bear arms?" What are you talking about? That is in the Constitution, just like freedom of the press, and of peaceful assembly to protest.
Notice that violent assembly and insurrection is not in the Constitution?

If you can't see that gutting the Department of Justice is an authoritarian power grab, then you are blind.
 
Finally, something Trump has done that I support.

I've been working on "actively listening" for the last year in my household. I have absolutely no idea what anyone is saying, yet I just look at them and just nod and agree.

It's bit me a couple times, but I'm generally more stress free not knowing why she's in her daily argument with her mom.
Do you ever get "The Quiz?"

I'll be "actively listening" and while my face and eyes are ENGAGED, my mind is wondering how Lewis Hamilton will fare in the Ferrari this year. Sure, it's quick but he's also 40 and reactions fade, even for the legends. Then again, he has a younger dude in the car next to him and a chance to get the 8th world championship passing Fangio and Schumacher. Loved Schumacher, sad what happened to him but his wife is a saint. Sepaking of Ferrari - it's quick this year but really thinking ahead to 2026. STill worried about Lewis's ability to keep the pace at his age but he's the G.O.A.T so there's that. REally though I'm just looking to get back to racing and.....


her: "Lars - did you hear what I said?"
me: "Of course babe, and I agree!"
her: "To what"
me: "To what you said" (what's that sound)
her: "TO WHAT"
me: "I'm scared" (there's that sounds again, like a rattle)
her: "Explain what you mean"
me: Blank stare

****.
 
Do you ever get "The Quiz?"

I'll be "actively listening" and while my face and eyes are ENGAGED, my mind is wondering how Lewis Hamilton will fare in the Ferrari this year. Sure, it's quick but he's also 40 and reactions fade, even for the legends. Then again, he has a younger dude in the car next to him and a chance to get the 8th world championship passing Fangio and Schumacher. Loved Schumacher, sad what happened to him but his wife is a saint. Sepaking of Ferrari - it's quick this year but really thinking ahead to 2026. STill worried about Lewis's ability to keep the pace at his age but he's the G.O.A.T so there's that. REally though I'm just looking to get back to racing and.....


her: "Lars - did you hear what I said?"
me: "Of course babe, and I agree!"
her: "To what"
me: "To what you said" (what's that sound)
her: "TO WHAT"
me: "I'm scared" (there's that sounds again, like a rattle)
her: "Explain what you mean"
me: Blank stare

****.

Of course that happens. Here's the thing with my wife though.. I'll hit her with "does it really matter what I think because you're gonna ultimately do what you think is best."

That's worked liked three times. When it doesn't, then I'll hit her with, did you honestly care what I thought in the first place? Her response is generally no, so her being mad usually goes away pretty quickly.

20 years together. I know my place in this relationship.
 
Of course that happens. Here's the thing with my wife though.. I'll hit her with "does it really matter what I think because you're gonna ultimately do what you think is best."

That's worked liked three times. When it doesn't, then I'll hit her with, did you honestly care what I thought in the first place? Her response is generally no, so her being mad usually goes away pretty quickly.

20 years together. I know my place in this relationship.
My wife takes a certain kind of umbrage to my not listening. I get it. But talk about something more interesting ffs.not another story about some bitch you’re silently feuding with. She’s the living embodiment of “OceaNia has always been at war with Eurasia”

Day 4.

Maybe @mcmurtry66 is right. Voluntary Celibacy ftw
 
What an absolutely fascinating clip. Trump sitting down, at his Oval Office desk, just making faces--I'm not even sure he's listening, but he's giving Musk the floor and interested more in the kid than Musk. And we have Musk, in that weird hat and get up (wouldn't surprise me if he has black pants and brown shoes on--autistic, indeed) speaking in that bizarre, yet completely genuine manner, seriously thinking he can convince people he's right, seemingly unaware that, in politics, no one cares.

What an amazing actor he is, by the way, to so convincingly play the bizarre engineer type and hide his real desires to be the evil scheming dictator looking to "accumulate power" by stealing all our health information and social security numbers and soon rule us all!

As for the argument, he lost me at "cut the budget deficit in half." I give that less of a chance than the Hoosiers signing Brad Stevens as our next basketball coach.

I zoned out on most of that fundamentally saving democracy stuff.., but you're Saying you're Not going to be our next basketball coach ?!??!???😳🙁

Wat bout all that trending stuff on X...?!? Urr jus stringing us along AgiinNN!?!????🙉🙈😖

Arrrrrrrghhhhh!!!!!!!
😫😫😫😫😫😫😫

🏀 🏀 🏀
 
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Elon Musk is a terrible public speaker. And his political instincts leave a bit to be desired (which is only fair, as he ain't a politician).

But his logic is here unassailable -- even if I think it's very unlikely he'll be able to get $1T in deficit reduction. Of course, I'm also somebody who said it was an utter impossibility that Donald Trump would win the popular vote. So don't put too much stock in my predictive prowess.

As I understand it, the Senate can introduce a recission bill under the ICA that is exempt from the filibuster. When DOGE gets nearer to cataloguing everything they recommend be cut, that's the way Trump should go. It seems like it might be easier for him to get a bill through the Senate than the House, especially a bill like this one.

I mean he is autistic. His social cues are a bit off.
 
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Do you ever get "The Quiz?"

I'll be "actively listening" and while my face and eyes are ENGAGED, my mind is wondering how Lewis Hamilton will fare in the Ferrari this year. Sure, it's quick but he's also 40 and reactions fade, even for the legends. Then again, he has a younger dude in the car next to him and a chance to get the 8th world championship passing Fangio and Schumacher. Loved Schumacher, sad what happened to him but his wife is a saint. Sepaking of Ferrari - it's quick this year but really thinking ahead to 2026. STill worried about Lewis's ability to keep the pace at his age but he's the G.O.A.T so there's that. REally though I'm just looking to get back to racing and.....


her: "Lars - did you hear what I said?"
me: "Of course babe, and I agree!"
her: "To what"
me: "To what you said" (what's that sound)
her: "TO WHAT"
me: "I'm scared" (there's that sounds again, like a rattle)
her: "Explain what you mean"
me: Blank stare

****.
God has not provided me many natural gifts. HOWEVER, I can completely zone out, intake word vomit, and repeat it all back verbatim when asked “are you even listening?” I’m like a savant. Rainman like.
 
God has not provided me many natural gifts. HOWEVER, I can completely zone out, intake word vomit, and repeat it all back verbatim when asked “are you even listening?” I’m like a savant. Rainman like.
Better than athletic ability if you ask me.
 
How many fascists eliminate the balance of powers?
How many fascists win on populism and racist nationalism?
How many fascists threaten their neighbors and eliminate FBI agents who investigated their traitorous insurrection and attempt to overturn a democratic election?

Do you not see that Elon Musk is not an elected official but an oligarch?

"want to uphold the right to bear arms?" What are you talking about? That is in the Constitution, just like freedom of the press, and of peaceful assembly to protest.
Notice that violent assembly and insurrection is not in the Constitution?

If you can't see that gutting the Department of Justice is an authoritarian power grab, then you are blind.

Whats the difference between a regular Presidential appointee and an Oligarch Presidential appointee?
 
Do you ever get "The Quiz?"

I'll be "actively listening" and while my face and eyes are ENGAGED, my mind is wondering how Lewis Hamilton will fare in the Ferrari this year. Sure, it's quick but he's also 40 and reactions fade, even for the legends. Then again, he has a younger dude in the car next to him and a chance to get the 8th world championship passing Fangio and Schumacher. Loved Schumacher, sad what happened to him but his wife is a saint. Sepaking of Ferrari - it's quick this year but really thinking ahead to 2026. STill worried about Lewis's ability to keep the pace at his age but he's the G.O.A.T so there's that. REally though I'm just looking to get back to racing and.....


her: "Lars - did you hear what I said?"
me: "Of course babe, and I agree!"
her: "To what"
me: "To what you said" (what's that sound)
her: "TO WHAT"
me: "I'm scared" (there's that sounds again, like a rattle)
her: "Explain what you mean"
me: Blank stare

****.
Try this:

"Babe, I know you're stressed out. But I'm not the enemy here. I love you. How about this: book club is starting in 20 minutes. Let's go get ice cream in half an hour or so."
 
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How many fascists eliminate the balance of powers?
How many fascists win on populism and racist nationalism?
How many fascists threaten their neighbors and eliminate FBI agents who investigated their traitorous insurrection and attempt to overturn a democratic election?

Do you not see that Elon Musk is not an elected official but an oligarch?

"want to uphold the right to bear arms?" What are you talking about? That is in the Constitution, just like freedom of the press, and of peaceful assembly to protest.
Notice that violent assembly and insurrection is not in the Constitution?

If you can't see that gutting the Department of Justice is an authoritarian power grab, then you are blind.
Amy Schumer No GIF by Saturday Night Live
 
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