PLAYPEN: Covid-19 Everything Political

[John Camp]

In spite of the huge waste of time it is to be posting here, I would like to make a prediction -- not exactly a prediction, perhaps, but the suggestion of a possible conversion -- that after the campaign gets underway, that Alan will wind up voting for Biden. I say this because when looking at the concerns that show up in his posts, we find the following:

-He thinks we'll suffer from inflation. Under which administration has the US borrowed the most? Busted the budget by the largest extent (after WWII.)
-Which administration in the last 30 years has delivered the biggest tax breaks to the very rich, thereby worsening the deficit, while attempting to get rid of Obamacare and to limit inflation increases in Social Security?
-Which administration in the past 30 years has done the least to help elderly people with health problems; no, it wasn't Bush. And what health problem seems like it attacks the elderly the most?
-Alan already lives in one of the highest taxed states in America. What Administration resolutely opposes bailing out states in financial trouble because of something they couldn't avoid -- the virus -- thereby probably ensuring further rather harsh tax increases in both income and property taxes?
-Which presidential candidate is most likely to continue this incredible serving of horseshit?

As he's a rational human being, I'm pretty sure Alan will be coming around, and the rest of us rational persons should encourage him in this.

[John Camp]

Must be a slow day for you guys to put in so much effort in defending Trump's height. When do you go back to work?

And in my original effort, I didn't even point out that somebody as tall as Trump claims to be, would have such small hands. And short thumbs. And we all know what that means.

[Craig Lamson]

I am real. For all those 400K privileged people...how many more do you feel are living below the poverty line. Remember the two weeks of lock down before people become desperate and come out with guns in order to feed their families. You crowed all about this a couple months ago...like you really cared about those desperate.

The rich always have money...in fact they make money during times like this. It's the poor that always suffer.

Far more people were protesting because they were being denied their freedoms, but I know that’s impossible for you to understand.

Reality is that some make it and some don’t.  And of those who make it become some of those who don’t.  Nothing is ever equal when it comes to money, and quite frankly I would not want to live in a world that worked that way. 

We have a massive system here to help those in need, but quite frankly much of it is not need but choice.  Before this virus hit there were many millions of open jobs here that were going unfilled.  It’s not like there was not work available to earn a living and work your way up the ladder.  In the end some are just not equipped and others who just don’t care to try. 

That’s being real. 

[Craig Lamson]

And in my original effort, I didn't even point out that somebody as tall as Trump claims to be, would have such small hands. And short thumbs. And we all know what that means.

You really didn’t make much of an effort, you just cribbed some else’s work from some lefty conspiracy sites.

[JoeKitchen]

Quote of the week.

And it's only Tuesday.

It's true.

I have seen no one on this forum talk about the obvious, that Biden is losing his mind.  All prominent independents are in the USA. 

Of course the media are not, but they have shown themselves to be shrills for the Dems. 

The Dems really need to drop Biden if they want to win.

[LesPalenik]

I have seen no one on this forum talk about the obvious, that Biden is losing his mind.  All prominent independents are in the USA. 
Of course the media are not, but they have shown themselves to be shrills for the Dems. 

The Dems really need to drop Biden if they want to win.

Unfortunately, they are not so great when it comes to common sense and practicality. They must be still counting the Iowa votes.

[Manoli]

.. The spreading of conspiracy theories is central to the extreme right’s activities. Some claim the virus is a hoax. Others blame the Chinese, the Jews or even Bill Gates. Some claim that the federal government is using the virus as a pretext to confiscate weapons and enforce “medical martial law”...

Source: The Economist

Any similarity to some posters in this thread is, I'm guessing,  purely coincidental.

[Manoli]

We have a massive system here to help those in need, but quite frankly much of it is not need but choice.  Before this virus hit there were many millions of open jobs here that were going unfilled.  It’s not like there was not work available to earn a living and work your way up the ladder.  In the end some are just not equipped and others who just don’t care to try. 

That’s being real. 

Probably more attributable to those on the right side of the spectrum rather than the 'commies & lefties'.

[Craig Lamson]

Probably more attributable to those on the right side of the spectrum rather than the 'commies & lefties'.

Based on what, exactly?

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

... Any similarity to some posters in this thread is, I'm guessing,  purely coincidental.

Offense is the best defense, of course.

Let's attack "the far right" for peacefully protesting, while the left is using the enormous power of the government to dry run actual fascism.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Offense is the best defense, of course.

Let's attack "the far right" for peacefully protesting, while the left is using the enormous power of the government to dry run actual fascism.

Peacefully protesting with hanging guns and all. Right...

Personally, regarding incompetence, ignorance, and lying, I think that Trump still has a couple of things to learn from Bolsonaro though.

How about the president of Bielorussia that was advocating drinking vodka to beat the virus?

We do have a handfull of chomical characters these days.

[chez]

Peacefully protesting with hanging guns and all. Right...

Personally, regarding incompetence, ignorance, and lying, I think that Trump still has a couple of things to learn from Bolsonaro though.

How about the president of Bielorussia that was advocating drinking vodka to beat the virus?

We do have a handfull of chomical characters these days.

Well if the choice is between vodka or bleach...I'd take vodka every day. Both leaders are idiots.

[Alan Klein]

In spite of the huge waste of time it is to be posting here, I would like to make a prediction -- not exactly a prediction, perhaps, but the suggestion of a possible conversion -- that after the campaign gets underway, that Alan will wind up voting for Biden. I say this because when looking at the concerns that show up in his posts, we find the following:

-He thinks we'll suffer from inflation. Under which administration has the US borrowed the most? Busted the budget by the largest extent (after WWII.)
-Which administration in the last 30 years has delivered the biggest tax breaks to the very rich, thereby worsening the deficit, while attempting to get rid of Obamacare and to limit inflation increases in Social Security?
-Which administration in the past 30 years has done the least to help elderly people with health problems; no, it wasn't Bush. And what health problem seems like it attacks the elderly the most?
-Alan already lives in one of the highest taxed states in America. What Administration resolutely opposes bailing out states in financial trouble because of something they couldn't avoid -- the virus -- thereby probably ensuring further rather harsh tax increases in both income and property taxes?
-Which presidential candidate is most likely to continue this incredible serving of horseshit?

As he's a rational human being, I'm pretty sure Alan will be coming around, and the rest of us rational persons should encourage him in this.

You'd be right except that Biden will be worse.  Especially if the Democrats take the Senate as well.  While the Republicans have become Democrats, the Democrats have become Socialists.   The amount of printing they're all doing will destroy the value of the American dollar.  Both parties are acting nuts.  Even the Fed promise to keep on printing as long as needed. There's not one bit fiscal responsibility out of Washington, or most places in the world.  Where is the Tea Party.  There was one Representative, only one, in the House who insisted they all go to Washington instead of staying home and passing the first bill without discussing it.  Well, he was laughed at and insulted.  I think Pelosi moved his Washington offices to the toilet. 

We're printing one dollar for every one dollar we collect in taxes.  How long could you do that at home if half your expenses had to be charged to a credit card? This inflation is going to raise prices like they did in the 1970's, maybe worse.  You think film is expensive now?  Just wait. Even the Federal Reserve says they print as much as needed, no need to worry.  I can;t believe they're this stupid.  The Fed chairman Powell must be worried to say what a predicament they're creating.  The Fed can't make things.  They only can print money.  People and companies make things.  And it's going to be worse, because productivity is down with 30 million unemployed.  So we're going to have all those extra dollars chasing less goods driving their prices up.  I already see it on the web for certain items I need.  Prices are becoming ridiculous.  Haven't you seen that too?  Salaries will be worth less.  It's like tapped out credit cards.  It feels good this year.  Then next year your minimum payments to the charge card companies are so high, you have nothing left over to buy anything else.  Forget savings for retirement.

Why are we giving money to restaurants, airlines?  Half of them won't be in business in a year.  No one's eating out or traveling. And this all started before the virus.  America had a trillion dollar deficit before it began.  So we weren't doing well as it was.  Interest rates were nothing.  Europe's no better.  China Japan Canada, all of them are printing like crazy.  We all are undermining the value of our currencies making ourselves poorer, higher in debt.  All our salaries, savings, pensions, social security, are being devalued.  We'll all be working for squat. There won't be enough cheese left for a mouse to get a tooth in. 

[LesPalenik]

Many good points, Alan.  You should send a copy of it to the White House.

[Alan Klein]

Many good points, Alan.  You should send a copy of it to the White House.

Trump will keep telling the Fed they have to print.  He wants to get re-elected like the rest of them.  They'll goose the economy with funny money to show the country it's getting better.  Than next year we'll go into a steep recession.  Then everyone will blame Capitalism when it was the government that destroyed the economy.  Then we'll have to try Socialism because they'll be nothing left and we'll become like Venezuela.

[Craig Lamson]

Half of them won't be in business in a year.  No one's eating out or traveling.

Cant speak to traveling but the parking lots the restaurants here are looking pretty full.  Someone is willing to chance it.

[Alan Klein]

Yesterday, my town only had one new case of Covid 19.   I believe that might be the lowest one day total since this started.  That brings the total number of known cases to 657.  The town has lost 91, 68 in long-term care facilities and 23 community-wide.  The town does testing to anyone who wants a test in addition to the ones tested otherwise.

[JoeKitchen]

Unfortunately, they are not so great when it comes to common sense and practicality. They must be still counting the Iowa votes.

Forgot about that! 

But anyway, some of Biden's new proposals:

1.  Student debt forgiveness.
2.  Universal basic income. 
3.  Implementing the Green New Deal
4.  Banning  fracking
5.  Ban on stock buybacks
6.  Forcing companies, by law, to share profits with workers. 
7.  Government job plan similar to the New Deal (which extended the Great Depression btw). 
8.  A public option (which will lead to single payer government run healthcare). 

Biden is turning himself into Bernie and allowing Trump to make this a referendum on Biden's policies.  If Biden picks a progressive VP, it's over. 

To be honest, I don't think this a well thought out position; just his senility has made it easy for him to be taken advantage of.  Just when everyone wants to return to normalcy, Biden drops that campaign pitch, allowing Trump to use it.  It makes no sense. 

If the election was today, I believe Trump would win, narrowly.  By the time November gets here, it will be more. 

[Alan Klein]

Cant speak to traveling but the parking lots the restaurants here are looking pretty full.  Someone is willing to chance it.

Are the restaurants filling up? If they have to keep to let's say 50% occupancy, prices will have to go up to offset the overhead costs.  Rent, cooks, property taxes, mortgage costs, electricity, accountants, etc remain the same regardless of the number of customers.   That means that richer people will be able to afford to go there and many people who use to go when the prices were cheaper, will have to find less expensive places or eat at home. 

Also, with so many people out of work, the less expensive restaurants who attract lower income people, will have a tougher time of it as the unemployment rate of people who earn less is much higher than the rest of the population.  I read people who earn under $40K a year are at a 40% unemployment rate. Prices will go up generally in any case due to all the inflation we're going to get hit with. 

Traveling is going to be a real problem.  A lot of older people like me and my wife travel a lot.  With coronavirus still around, who wants to travel?  We're in the group that has the highest death rates.  Your RV's seem like a good idea.  Maybe renting a house in the country or woods or ocean shore is another good option. You can keep your family to yourselves.  But sitting on a plane with people coughing on you isn't my idea of fun.   

[Alan Klein]

Forgot about that! 

But anyway, some of Biden's new proposals:

1.  Student debt forgiveness.
2.  Universal basic income. 
3.  Implementing the Green New Deal
4.  Banning  fracking
5.  Ban on stock buybacks
6.  Forcing companies, by law, to share profits with workers. 
7.  Government job plan similar to the New Deal (which extended the Great Depression btw). 
8.  A public option (which will lead to single payer government run healthcare). 

Biden is turning himself into Bernie and allowing Trump to make this a referendum on Biden's policies.  If Biden picks a progressive VP, it's over. 

To be honest, I don't think this a well thought out position; just his senility has made it easy for him to be taken advantage of.  Just when everyone wants to return to normalcy, Biden drops that campaign pitch, allowing Trump to use it.  It makes no sense. 

If the election was today, I believe Trump would win, narrowly.  By the time November gets here, it will be more. 

If the economy continues to tank before the election, Americans will be screaming for all those things, unfortunately.  Trump will sign off on them as well.  The election will make this a race to the bottom of who can give out more free stuff faster than the other guy.