dutch777
dutch777's JournalWish I were independently wealthy to "buy" Melania out of her contract with Donnie.
There must be a $ number that would get her to seek her freedom. Then an arranged marriage with someone like Gavin Newsom or similar to make Donnie's head explode. Once can dream....
Just read an article from the Times of Israel that Blinken brought a peace proposal to Israel and was turned down flat
The story says that Blinken has assurance from Saudi Arabia that they would recognize Israel, contribute to rebuilding Gaza and helping the Palestinian Authority administer Gaza peacefully in return for Israel entering into negotiations for establishment of a Palestinian State. Netanyahu supposedly rejected the proposal outright. I get that Netanyahu is up to his eyeballs with trouble and in a very weak political position given the Oct 7 attack that caught his government unprepared and surprised. And while the proposal does not solve the ongoing military threat from Hamas and Hezbollah, it could set the groundwork for Arab support that could weaken Hamas and Hezbollah and counter the negative influences of Iran. Yes, not a full and complete fix but a big step in the right direction that could deflect and decrease growing international criticism and erosion of world support for Israel. Just one man, one vote here but I am really against further $$$ support to Israel or rebuilding Gaza if all the parties don't get real that the threat to Israel will not go away nor will the Palestinian problem without some concrete movement toward a Palestinian State.
Is it just me, or is anyone else feeling like we Dems are playing too much defense and not enough offense?
I know the media has much to play in this as well, but I have a very urgent feeling that we Dems need to take the fight to the Repugs and for the country by putting out solid, big and bold proposals for major areas of policy. I have felt this for more than a year and keep hoping we could come up with some visionary policy proposals on things like immigration, abortion and others that will steal the thunder from the Repugs who rail against things but put forth no solid or thoughtful proposals yet damage Biden and the Dem brand just by grousing.
Anyone seen a $ figure on how much earned income is above the SS taxable limit annually?
I am looking for how much total US annual income is above the $142,000 social security taxing limit. I am testing a theory that if there was not a cap on the annual SS tax, projected shortfalls would decrease significantly of not outright disappear. I know one would have to decide if this limit lifting was on both the employer side and individual side or just one side but sure would like to run these numbers.
Trump should be embarrassed that George Santos is even smarter than him.
I suppose there are none of Trump's lawyers brave enough, or willing enough to lessen their fees, to suggest he talk about negotiated settlements or plea deals for at least some of his cases. I am sure the longer the cases run, the more he can grift donations from the many gullible that are willing to send the SICUS (Sleazeball in Chief of the US) their hard earned cash. But seems he may have a time management problem between court time and campaign time that he may want to consider. Santos at least realizes to move on, he has to clear the legal hurdles his past actions have created. Pretty bad when you are even behind the curve compared to Santos.
So what is a "reasonable" immigration policy and its processes?
Drives me nuts that Repugs are tying immigration policy to Ukraine aid. Risking letting Russia win in Ukraine, in any way, continues a weak kneed precedent of the West that only puts the EU and NATO interests at increasingly greater risk going forward. Building a wall and somehow fortifying the southern border never seemed the right answer. But I do share the concern that having as porous a border as we seem to have is also not in our best interests. Not to mention the industry of border control and related immigration impacts is a huge drain on public budgets that I could see being invested a whole lot of better places for the country. Has anyone seen a proposal lately that seems an improvement that would 1) help real border security and 2) allow Biden/Dems to take the issue away from the Repugs? I keep thinking a bold new policy proposal from Dems around this issue (amongst a few others) could be a huge help in the next election. Bonus if it also helps Ukraine.
Another Repug in the WH, especially with a GOP Congress, is scary. But who is the LEAST dangerous GOP candidate?
I'll put my two cents in, and it would be Christy. I wish I could say Haley as I want to see a woman in the Presidency in my lifetime, albeit not a Repug if I could help it, but she seems just off in a way that is disturbing. I do think she is in the ONLY GOPer that has a real sense of the dangers we face in foreign policy but I think Christy is teachable with the right staffers.
Maybe an off day to bring this up, but I can't help wondering if we Dems just aren't thinking big or bold enough?
The BS the RWers are doing to try and tie every meaningful piece of business in the House to some half baked set of spending cuts is stupid. BUT, I do think the level of national debt is troubling to many AND not in the nation's best long term interest. I keep thinking a bigger, bolder, more comprehensive and long term plan to begin to fully cover the national budget yearly and pay down long term debt would be good for the country AND could boost the view of the Dems over the Repugs in the eyes of many. Rather than nit pick a few spending cuts and raise a few taxes almost no one cares about, how about a much bigger plan over say at least ten years that is more comprehensive and has a real trend line to lower the debt? It is hard when you want to protect SS, Medicare and the Defense budgets, but it is doable and I think a case for less corporate welfare and tax breaks can be made and would be popular among voters. A bonus for many would be simplifying the tax code. I could go on and on but I really think that it would enhance Biden's and the Dems 2024 election chances. Similarly, I think a new comprehensive and meaningful change to border control and immigration could undercut the Repugs use of that issue as well.
Glad Pence is out. He was my biggest fear if Trump impeachments had ousted him.
Unlike Trump, Pence actually knows how to govern effectively. And he is such a right wing tool that I saw him as far more dangerous than Trump as he could have, assuming Repugs had both houses of Congress, gotten things done, not just be a blathering annoying airbag. I must give him credit for doing the right thing in certifying the election results for Biden, but glad to see him fade out as a candidate.
Is it time to ban most non biodegradeable plastics or at least come up with non toxic formulations?
From the great Pacific Garbage Patch, to micro plastics in our groundwater and now, found in clouds over mountains in Japan (and I would assume elsewhere), I am thinking it is time to start restricting plastic, or really any synthetics, that has lasting affects on our health and the environment. I know it would be a huge restructuring of how we do business as businesses, governments and individuals but it seems completely out of hand and dangerous for our future on the planet.
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Member since: Sun Dec 15, 2019, 05:48 PMNumber of posts: 3,013
