2024 Presidential Election

[pinstripers]

Exactly one day after Trump did his cute little McDonalds stunt, Elizabeth Warren comes out making accusations against McDonalds corporate. SMDH.............ya can't make this stuff up

[WuDrWu]

JFC.

Government officials, those people almost exclusively RESPONSIBLE for the high inflation, want to know if any paid incentives were tied to higher profits.


You've got to be shitting me. Of course they weren't. The really big bonuses come in when you make less money for the company. HFS these people are stupid. And I realize they are pandering to their constituents.....which is weird because aren't the Dems really popular with all the college educated, smart folks? Those people don't worry about where they eat or the price.


I try to restrain and keep myself from saying stupid **** more often than not, but Senator Warren, please die as quickly as humanly possible.

[WuDrWu]

You might disagree with my descriptors here, but Harris Faulkner is having a very interesting round table discussion with 4 youths on Fox right now.

It's a bizarre mix of people that I've never heard of and wouldn't give the time of day to, but I'm sure that says more about me than anything. It's interesting to hear some "youth" talk about the things they are concerned about...from both sides of the aisle (and yes, 3 of the 4 seem to be right leaning people) BUT they are discussing without a ton of fight, which is unusual this day and age. They are "weird" to me (again, more about me) but they are informed and engaged and at least today, they are being heard (one of these "kids" has several million TikTok follows, I think I heard Harris say).

Interesting.

[C0|dB|00ded]

The fact that taxing unrealized gains is even in the lexicon should be a campaign ender.

Big warrior for those w/ net worths over $100M are ya?

I can assure you, they don't need your help.

Are you aware of the current "wealth gap" in America? Do you think that's sustainable?

What would you do to try and narrow it? Lower taxes? LMFAO!

Did you know that tax rates on the rich in America have been MUCH higher in the past?

[C0|dB|00ded]

Exactly one day after Trump did his cute little McDonalds stunt, Elizabeth Warren comes out making accusations against McDonalds corporate. SMDH.............ya can't make this stuff up

Here's the reality to your very "uninformed" (on purpose?) post:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/democratic-senators-slam-mcdonalds-menu-price-hikes-rcna176380

Democratic senators slam McDonald's for menu price hikes they say have outpaced inflation

“Corporate profits must not come at the expense of people’s ability to put food on the table,” read the letter from Sens. Warren, Casey and Wyden to the fast-food chain’s CEO.

In a letter sent late Monday afternoon, Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Ron Wyden of Oregon demanded that McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski explain the chain’s pricing decisions.

“McDonald’s own reports indicate that the company’s price increases may be outstripping inflation,” read the letter, which was shared first with NBC News.

Operating expenses at McDonald’s increased by 16.5% from 2020 to 2023, while its net profit margins increased from about 26% to 32% in the same period, according to the letter.

“As a result, McDonald’s net annual income rose by over 79% — to nearly $8.5 billion — from 2020 to 2023,” it said.

Fast-food restaurant prices have become out of reach for some lower-income households, leading them to instead opt to eat at home.

Not that it's a bad thing for folks to eat more at home...

The senators said they welcomed the findings of the evaluation but also pointed out that “at the same time that McDonald’s was raising prices, McDonald’s has paid out almost $4 billion in stock buybacks in 2022 and over $3 billion in 2023.”

“Corporate profits must not come at the expense of people’s ability to put food on the table,” the letter said.

While it's cringy to hear a Federal politician use some of this language when speaking to the "private sector", it's a discussion that's worth having - especially when it helps to bring some of the incredible corporate greed out of the shadows during a very hard economic time for most folks.

Make no mistake about it, the "inflation" narrative has been harnessed with GREAT success by large American companies to boost their profit margins. Not through competition, through financial engineering and out-and-out lies. "Passing through our "InFLaTiOn" costs to the consumer". This is what you hear over and over in the business sector. Yet the actual inflation numbers do not support their price increases.

Like I said before, without the Warren's in America, you'd be feeding your baby glass flavored Gerber.

As the moral fabric of this country erodes, the only solution is more regulation. This is an inarguable fact. A very sad one. Runaway greed can kill as many people as pesticides and pandemics if not controlled.

[C0|dB|00ded]

JFC.

Government officials, those people almost exclusively RESPONSIBLE for the high inflation

This statement is about 17% correct.

JFC.

I try to restrain and keep myself from saying stupid **** more often than not, but Senator Warren, please die as quickly as humanly possible.

In Greed We Trust, right?

I used to believe that too. But once I cleaned all the wealth-excusing propaganda from the basement of my brain, logic poured in to fill its place like sunshine on a cloudy day.

SELF-INTEREST is what saved the pilgrims from starvation and kick-started Capitalism in America. Self-interest is NOT greed. And do you know what keeps them far apart in a society? A common altruistic thread. One that is not being displayed by your average CEO today. Many are as dark-hearted as sociopaths.

[ShockerPrez]

Big warrior for those w/ net worths over $100M are ya?

I can assure you, they don't need your help.

Are you aware of the current "wealth gap" in America? Do you think that's sustainable?

What would you do to try and narrow it? Lower taxes? LMFAO!

Did you know that tax rates on the rich in America have been MUCH higher in the past?

So.....

You like the idea of taxing unrealized capital gains?

I await your answer asking me why I hate puppies or something.

Side note, I hope you use a pencil with a very large eraser while you attempt to connect all these unrelated dots.

[C0|dB|00ded]

https://www.reuters.com/article/worl...idUSKBN26Y2RJ/

Circumstantial at best. No different than any other person's career track. She was in a 10 year relationship w/ the dude.... this is hardly befitting the picture painted by the Right as a ladder-climbing whore. You would expect MUCH more out of the Christians wouldn't you? Then again, the "Moral Majority" is trying with all their might to elect a man that makes Kamala look like Mother Teresa incarnate. All this hypocrisy gives a logical fella like myself a splitting headache.

Thanks for the links!

[pinstripers]

Exactly one day after Trump did his cute little McDonalds stunt, Elizabeth Warren comes out making accusations against McDonalds corporate. SMDH.............ya can't make this stuff up

Exactly what I said

[C0|dB|00ded]

So.....

You like the idea of taxing unrealized capital gains?

I await your answer asking me why I hate puppies or something.

Side note, I hope you use a pencil with a very large eraser while you attempt to connect all these unrelated dots.

You BETTER not hate puppies!

You dodged my question about the wealth gap. And here's a hint, it is not sustainable.

How would you solve it?

I think many of the wealthy in America have been begging to have their taxes raised. Might be a political stunt, but why not call them on their bluff?

Nobody needs more than a billion dollars... I mean, c'mon.

And I understand there are complex business ownership structures. Exceptions could be put in place not to disrupt those scenarios.

But the typical heir/heiress that is having billions after billions dumped in their laps for no other reason than being born with the "right" family, should be looked at for a "contribution".

And yes, I understand the government is wasteful. But we need to try some things to rebalance what has become an incredible large chasm between the haves and the have-nots.

It can no longer be simply remedied by pulling up your boot straps and chasing "The Dream". A happy and thriving middle-class is absolutely essential for the success of America. Not everybody wants to trade watching their children grow up for a gazillion dollars. Most folks just want a nice home, a reliable car, and a few vaca's a year. Then a stress-free retirement. That's it. The way it is for many now, people can't even retire.

And I understand that is sometimes on the decision-making of the individuals but... there has certainly been a massive deterioration of the average middle-class American's standard of living. And it all started to come apart in the 90s' due to globalization. And no, I don't think closed economies work. But... there was a limit in the past, in how far corporate leadership would go in order to protect the America worker. One day it became a race to the bottom in the country. And by bottom, I mean labor costs. And that absolutely killed the middle-class.

Greed.

[ShockerPrez]

You BETTER not hate puppies!

You dodged my question about the wealth gap. And here's a hint, it is not sustainable.

How would you solve it?

I think many of the wealthy in America have been begging to have their taxes raised. Might be a political stunt, but why not call them on their bluff?

Nobody needs more than a billion dollars... I mean, c'mon.

And I understand there are complex business ownership structures. Exceptions could be put in place not to disrupt those scenarios.

But the typical heir/heiress that is having billions after billions dumped in their laps for no other reason than being born with the "right" family, should be looked at for a "contribution".

And yes, I understand the government is wasteful. But we need to try some things to rebalance what has become an incredible large chasm between the haves and the have-nots.

It can no longer be simply remedied by pulling up your boot straps and chasing "The Dream". A happy and thriving middle-class is absolutely essential for the success of America. Not everybody wants to trade watching their children grow up for a gazillion dollars. Most folks just want a nice home, a reliable car, and a few vaca's a year. Then a stress-free retirement. That's it. The way it is for many now, people can't even retire.

And I understand that is sometimes on the decision-making of the individuals but... there has certainly been a massive deterioration of the average middle-class American's standard of living. And it all started to come apart in the 90s' due to globalization. And no, I don't think closed economies work. But... there was a limit in the past, in how far corporate leadership would go in order to protect the America worker. One day it became a race to the bottom in the country. And by bottom, I mean labor costs. And that absolutely killed the middle-class.

Greed.

You quoted me saying that taxing unrealized capital gains illustrates an unemployable understanding of economics for a political figure with questions about the wealth gap. Then hyperventalate that I'm dodging your question. That's rich.

In essence, I said person K is a dunce on economic matters because of example A.

You come back with, "But what about status X"?

Answer me about status X!

Ok...

I'm sure taxing unrealized capital gains will solve all the wealth gap issues. It's a brilliant idea. I will now vote for Kamala as you have convinced me with your wealth (pun intended) of facts and figures.

There, you can resume your regularly scheduled trolling now.

[C0|dB|00ded]

You quoted me saying that taxing unrealized capital gains illustrates an unemployable understanding of economics for a political figure with questions about the wealth gap. Then hyperventalate that I'm dodging your question. That's rich.

In essence, I said person K is a dunce on economic matters because of example A.

You come back with, "But what about status X"?

Answer me about status X!

Ok...

I'm sure taxing unrealized capital gains will solve all the wealth gap issues. It's a brilliant idea. I will now vote for Kamala as you have convinced me with your wealth (pun intended) of facts and figures.

There, you can resume your regularly scheduled trolling now.

Hyperbole?

I'm confused. That's likely your fault.

I asked you a simple question. Are you not courageous enough to formulate your OWN opinion devoid of any propagandistic programming? I assure you that there are no wrong answers as long as they are honest attempts.

The simpler/shorter the better. Example:

1) Middle-class children need to be beat more.

2) Transfer long-term incarcerated felons to middle-class families to be used as domestic slaves.

3) Enact a kind of mandatory compensation diversification scheme that funnels a portion of comp to buying equity w/ penalty-free access for certain major life expenditures (medical, educational, retirement).

The third one was something similar to what I have floated. Although I do really like #1.

https://observer.com/2024/10/families-concerned-looming-generational-wealth-transfer/

Ultra-Rich Families Are Nervous About the $84 Trillion Generational Wealth Transfer

More than half of ultra-wealthy families are concerned about ceding control to an unqualified next generation, a survey found.

[C0|dB|00ded]

In essence, I said person K is a dunce on economic matters because of example A.

You come back with, "But what about status X"?

Answer me about status X!

I see what happened here. You missed a touch of 3rd grade nuance in my response. Maybe you were triggered, which is understandable. I like uncomfortable conversations.

Example A relates to Status X.

Example A is an attempt to solve Status X.

I just asked if you had an Example B and if you would like to share it. If the answer is no, or **** off. I'm okay with that too. I don't get triggered easily. :)

[Kung Wu]

In essence, I said person K is a dunce on economic matters because of example A.

You come back with, "But what about status X"?

Answer me about status X!

Similar technique to this discussion:

"Price controls are a socialist failure that always leads to price inflation."

"But Trump wants tariffs which are price controls!"

[C0|dB|00ded]

"Price controls are a socialist failure that always leads to price inflation."

"But Trump wants tariffs which are price controls!"

Questioning historical American economic orthodoxy. Now we're gettin' somewhere!


I will now cede the oxygen in the room to ya'll in hopes that I'll have something intellectually honest and creative to read when I come back.

Or you can just hammer me and call me a Democrat lol.