Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[Dr. Strangelove]

I find it both interesting and ironic that just a couple years ago so many Democrats we're insisting that battery powered vehicles were the wave of the future. Now, since Elon Musk has joined the dark side leftists are firebombing Tesla dealerships. So I guess it's okay now if I keep my Chevy Cruze?

They're ditching Tesla for other EV's. Tesla's share of the EV market has gone from 90% in 2019 to below 50% today. Elon wants to end the subsidies that he took advantage of for years because his competitors have been rapidly gaining.

Firebombing cars is obviously well beyond the pale but if libs want to boycott Tesla, why not? Elon's politics are alienating his primary customer base (well-off liberals) just like Bud Light did a few years ago with conservatives that cherish shit beer.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Fact check: Trump falsely claims Canada is ‘one of the highest tariffing nations’ | CNN Politics

As he has before, Trump pointed in the Tuesday social media post to one set of notably high Canadian tariffs — dairy duties exceeding 250% on some products — as a prime example of Canada’s supposedly unfair trade practices. But he again failed to mention that these Canadian dairy tariffs only kick in after the US has hit a certain, Trump-negotiated quantity of zero-tariff sales to Canada. The US is not currently filling its zero-tariff sales quota in any category of dairy product, so the tariffs aren’t being applied.

[lineygoblue]

FTR, I don't want an electric car until they can make it cost something less than a house, make the range go over 500 miles on one charge, and have the recharge take about the same time as it takes to refill the gas tank in my Cruze. Until then, I'll stick with internal combustion.

I doubt that Tesla Corporation is going to go away over Musk's politics. The man is so rich that he can absorb some temporary losses. I doubt he loses any sleep over it.

[Jeff Buchanan]

DSL, I don't think it would surprise you to know that attentive and engaged conservatives think DJT outright lies, distorts facts, exaggerates accomplishments and is a narcissistic egomaniac. It's unnecessary to post every dumb thing DJT does or says.

Conservatives also know that we can put up with that to have him and his administration secure the borders and work to reduce the size of government. In so doing he is taking away the control of policy and process that unelected officials wield inherent in the administrative state that liberals have built to advance their socially liberal values and ideals.

[Jeff Buchanan]

........I think it also worthwhile to recognize that entrenched government employees are going to fight their positions getting eliminated and them along with it. See multiple court filings to protect the status quo. Reductions in force are always painful and unpleasant and may not produce the desired results. It's too early to tell if (a) DOGE can implement the force reductions it has on the table and (b) if it produces the desired result. Note that those results go beyond reducing costs of human resources. DOGE is being used to eliminate not only the costly burden of government (the tax payers) paying to employ them but also to eliminate programs and processes the Biden administration's DEI programs called for.

Finally, the left leaning press augments the down side of the DOGE mission that are going to be part and parcel of firing people from government jobs. Especially those who are members of the LGBTQ community and got their jobs not because of merit but because of who they are. Granted, I'm assuming while LGBTQ federal employees got a specific job, there were others, not members of that community, who were competing for that specific job and were equally or more qualified. IOW merit in hiring or assignment before race, sexual orientation, economic status, etc.

[Dr. Strangelove]

DSL, I don't think it would surprise you to know that attentive and engaged conservatives think DJT outright lies, distorts facts, exaggerates accomplishments and is a narcissistic egomaniac. It's unnecessary to post every dumb thing DJT does or says.

Conservatives also know that we can put up with that to have him and his administration secure the borders and work to reduce the size of government. In so doing he is taking away the control of policy and process that unelected officials wield inherent in the administrative state that liberals have built to advance their socially liberal values and ideals.

Geepers cripes I posted like two things today and you drag out your fainting couch to declare it's simply unbearable.

Heard today that Trump may eliminate anyone answering the phones at Social Security and force seniors to either do everything online or go to the nearest field office. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with that. Seniors are big fans of change.

[lineygoblue]

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[AlabamAlum]

Q: How many dead bodies does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: Well, it’s not 6, because my basement’s still dark.


(unrelated image below)

[lineygoblue]

Heard today that Trump may eliminate anyone answering the phones at Social Security and force seniors to either do everything online or go to the nearest field office. I'm sure they'll be thrilled with that. Seniors are big fans of change.

What change? I've been doing online banking since the late 90's. I filed for SS on line in 2016. I've went to a SS field office exactly 3 times in my entire life. One in 1967 to get my original SS card, (I was 13) and twice in 2017 to take paperwork to them rather than mail it.

I think you give too little credit to today's seniors. Shoot, I bet even Jeff books his 8 yearly cruises on line. Nobody goes to a travel agent anymore ...