America - The Official Thread

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The House has become more about pushing an agenda than compromise. If compromise and looking to work together exists, the country will survive. Otherwise, the country will fall off a cliff.
 
Joey D
Oh wait, nevermind. The House dumbass caucus is going to oust this guy and go right back to not doing anything productive:
apnews.com

House’s Ukraine, Israel aid package gains Biden's support as Speaker Johnson fights to keep his job

President Joe Biden says that he strongly supports a proposal from House Speaker Mike Johnson to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
apnews.com apnews.com
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Eunos_Cosmo
Good lord the GOP is a mess.
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article
"Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, said this week that if Johnson is ousted, he would “be known in history as the man who did the right thing even though it cost him a job.”
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This is constantly what people are facing as republicans. If you stick to your conscience, you lose your job. Ask Liz Chaney, almost everyone who worked in the Trump admin, and several of the most recent retirements from the US house.
 
Danoff
This is constantly what people are facing as republicans. If you stick to your conscience, you lose your job. Ask Liz Chaney, almost everyone who worked in the Trump admin, and several of the most recent retirements from the US house.
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Really needs to be a poison pill for these agenda GOP representatives that they face consequences for consistently not doing their job.
 
Lol, we have Don Bacon in Australia too. It remains to be seen which is a more effective legislator.

1713462199093.jpeg
 
Feels like trolling. Fitting, given the state of the GOP.

Freedom Caucus on alert for possible moves against it by GOP leaders
Conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus are signing up to take shifts to monitor the chamber floor in order to prevent their own party leaders from making unilateral moves that could curb their power.

The Freedom Caucus’ Floor Action Response Team, shorthanded as “FART,” aims to guard against an unannounced request to pass resolutions that would stealthily limit their leverage against leadership, according to two Republicans with direct knowledge, who were granted anonymity to speak candidly.

While one of the Republicans said the group largely doesn’t expect major developments, members also don’t want to be caught flat-footed if a GOP colleague tried to seek unanimous consent or a voice vote for a resolution that would change the House’s structure. Two potential examples of threats the Freedom Caucus perceives: the removal of its members from the Rules Committee or changes to agreements made at the beginning of this Congress with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

It’s a troubling sign for Speaker Mike Johnson, who’s trying to pass a foreign aid package that deeply divides his conference amid a growing ouster threat from his right. While Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) spearheads that push to boot him, a greater number of rank-and-file House Republicans are calling for changes to the concessions McCarthy gave conservatives in order to win the gavel last year.

The huge amount of intraparty power the former speaker had to give to the right flank is making it nearly impossible for Johnson to govern with his tiny majority, in the eyes of those Republicans.

During a Wednesday meeting with the speaker and the Republican Main Street group, members of that more establishment-minded bloc pitched Johnson on two changes, according to two other Republicans familiar with the matter. The first would remove Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) from the Rules panel — ending an effective conservative stranglehold on the pivotal panel that preps bills for floor debate.

“There were a number of members who told him that he should not allow malcontents to serve on the Rules Committee,” Main Street Chair Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) told POLITICO afterwards.

The second proposed change by Main Street members was to raise the threshold required for majority-party members to force a vote on ousting a speaker from its current number of one. Members of that group argued that McCarthy’s offers to the right — giveaways that ultimately helped end his term as speaker — are handcuffing Johnson.

Notably, Main Street members did not specifically propose that Johnson make those changes as part of debate on the foreign aid bill — but just urged to move as quickly as possible. Even so, the very idea infuriated conservatives, who vowed it would backfire if Johnson pursued them.

“Talking about changing the threshold to the motion to vacate [the speakership] is likely to induce the motion to vacate,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).

Gaetz, who is not a Freedom Caucus member, later joined several members of the group in a heated floor exchange with the speaker, during which the Floridian said “we did not get the answer that we wanted" about the changes Johnson might entertain.

Greene put it more bluntly: "Mike Johnson owes our entire conference a meeting. And if he wants to change the motion to vacate he needs to come before the Republican Conference that elected him and tell us of his intentions and tell us what this rule change … is going to be.”

Johnson demurred when asked twice on Thursday whether he was entertaining changes to the threshold of members required to force a vote on firing a speaker.

"I haven’t made any decisions on that,” he told reporters, adding that “I’ve been focused on the substance of the [foreign aid] bill itself.”
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Joey D
She's just the dumbest...uhhh...person:

www.newsweek.com

Marjorie Taylor Greene demands space lasers to combat migrants

"America needs to take our national security seriously and deserves the same type of defense for our border that Israel has and proudly uses," Greene said.
www.newsweek.com www.newsweek.com
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Would just love to ask her some follow up questions on this. For instance - What do you intend to do with said imaginary space lasers?
 
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I mean, we will give her the space lasers but she needs to have an IQ of a natural number to use it PLUS the permission from the Jews and she has neither.
 
Blitz24
I mean, we will give her the space lasers but she needs to have an IQ of a natural number to use it PLUS the permission from the Jews and she has neither.
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She's definitely a post turtle. She's been elevated above her position to do anything useful, she has no idea how she got there, no idea what to do now that she's up there, and she didn't get there on her own.
 
Populuxe
She's definitely a post turtle. She's been elevated above her position to do anything useful, she has no idea how she got there, no idea what to do now that she's up there, and she didn't get there on her own.
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The humane thing to do would be to remove her from the post.

She does resemble a chelonian that has been mutated by radioactive ooze somewhat, though.
 
Populuxe
She's definitely a post turtle. She's been elevated above her position to do anything useful, she has no idea how she got there, no idea what to do now that she's up there, and she didn't get there on her own.
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The problem with her, Trump and a bunch of others is that it really doesn't seem to matter. If anything, the more absolutely insane stuff they dribble the more it seems to help them. If she said something sensible it would probably hurt her position.

One of the unspoken assumptions of democracy is that the people desire leaders who are for the most part intelligent, knowledgeable and who have the best interests of the community at heart. It sort of falls apart if the people desire leaders who are selfish, conspiratorial snake oil salesmen who couldn't tell the difference between a hamster and a ham sandwich.

A lottery system would have produced a more effective leader than her.
 
Imari
A lottery system would have produced a more effective leader than her.
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Sadly she could end up as a VP candidate as she is very good at sucking up to Trump. She could also be used as cannon fodder for any screw ups because she is definitely not smart enough to see the bus even leave the station to avoid getting run over by it.
 
TexRex
The Freedom Caucus’ Floor Action Response Team, shorthanded as “FART,” aims to guard against an unannounced request to pass resolutions
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I'm going to start calling gas resolutions.
 
My platform if I was running for office:

Executive Compensation Reform - To fix our busted ass and crazy distorted obsession with finance market capitalism that keeps leading to really bad and short sighted results across basically every sector of the economy.
  • Set new rules for duration executives must remain at public companies before stock options are available (5 years)
  • Set cash compensation limits based on proportion of company revenue or not to exceed some multiplier of median employee salary
  • Set new rules for duration before shareholders can sell stock after IPOs (1 year)
  • Outlaw stock buybacks completely in all cases except for intent to take company private
Civilian Service Corps - To fix our busted ass infrastructure and housing while giving something productive to do - while building useful skills - for the most problematic age demographic, particularly males.
  • Mandatory (paid) service for all 18-22 year olds (until they are 22) to participate in civilian service with the main goal of building or rebuilding infrastructure, building housing, and other needs with the following exceptions:
    • College enrollment
    • Military enlistment
  • Significant bonus upon completion of service - such as a house of some nominal value

I think those two things could go a long way in improving our country because they would help alleviate problems in so many corners of American culture.
 
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Eunos_Cosmo
My platform if I was running for office:

Executive Compensation Reform - To fix our busted ass and crazy distorted obsession with finance market capitalism that keeps leading to really bad and short sighted results across basically every sector of the economy.
  • Set new rules for duration executives must remain at public companies before stock options are available (5 years)
  • Set cash compensation limits based on proportion of company revenue or not to exceed some multiplier of median employee salary
  • Set new rules for duration before shareholders can sell stock after IPOs (1 year)
  • Outlaw stock buybacks completely in all cases except for intent to take company private
Civilian Service Corps - To fix our busted ass infrastructure and housing while giving something productive to do - while building useful skills - for the most problematic age demographic, particularly males.
  • Mandatory (paid) service for all 18-22 year olds (until they are 22) to participate in civilian service with the main goal of building or rebuilding infrastructure, building housing, and other needs with the following exceptions:
    • College enrollment
    • Military enlistment
  • Significant bonus upon completion of service - such as a house of some nominal value

I think those two things could go a long way in improving our country because they would help alleviate problems in so many corners of American culture.
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Are you younger than 75? That might be a key issue.
 
Eunos_Cosmo
My platform if I was running for office:

Executive Compensation Reform - To fix our busted ass and crazy distorted obsession with finance market capitalism that keeps leading to really bad and short sighted results across basically every sector of the economy.
  • Set new rules for duration executives must remain at public companies before stock options are available (5 years)
  • Set cash compensation limits based on proportion of company revenue or not to exceed some multiplier of median employee salary
  • Set new rules for duration before shareholders can sell stock after IPOs (1 year)
  • Outlaw stock buybacks completely in all cases except for intent to take company private
Civilian Service Corps - To fix our busted ass infrastructure and housing while giving something productive to do - while building useful skills - for the most problematic age demographic, particularly males.
  • Mandatory (paid) service for all 18-22 year olds (until they are 22) to participate in civilian service with the main goal of building or rebuilding infrastructure, building housing, and other needs with the following exceptions:
    • College enrollment
    • Military enlistment
  • Significant bonus upon completion of service - such as a house of some nominal value

I think those two things could go a long way in improving our country because they would help alleviate problems in so many corners of American culture.
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I don't like either of those. Here's my suggestion for both:

Executive Compensation:
-- Long term capital gains is short term capital gains, taxed as income
-- Stock Property Tax - 0.5% tax annually on all US stock for all people
-- Drastically tighten what it takes to be a tax-exempt charity
Housing:
-- Eliminate the mortgage tax deduction
 
MatskiMonk
Not American or home owner, so apologies if stupid question, but how does this help tackle housing issues?
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No it's a good question.

The mortgage deduction raises mortgage totals and home prices. Without it, the cost of renting vs owning is relatively more balanced, and house prices would be lower. Lower down payments means first time home owners may have an easier time getting over that hurdle.

The mortgage deduction also makes it less expensive to own a second home.
 
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I know that the quickest way to fix the housing problem near me would be to require any short-term rental property to be zoned commercial, which it should be since you're just operating a hotel in the guise of a house. Short-term rentals have absolutely ruined being able to live in Northern Michigan. There are a ton of properties for rent, but the lease is only from October to April. After that, you can only rent it for a week at a time (which costs as much as one month's rent). Like how do you expect to attract people to work in your area if they can't get a place to live? I get wanting to be a landlord and if that's something you want to do, then go for it, but be a landlord, don't be a half-assed hotel manager.

What's amusing though is that almost every politician in Northern Michigan complains about not being able to grow the economy or even get workers, but then they turn around and OK short-term rentals along with only allowing insanely expensive condos while axing any plans for affordable housing.

Even the affordable housing is shady around here too. A new neighborhood went up where you can get a new 1,300 sq ft home for around $160k, which is great. However, what they don't tell you is that you only own the house, not the land it sits on, and have to pay lot rent. Lot rent is $700 a month, which is insane because property taxes wouldn't even be close to $8,400 a year. You all need to pay an HOA fee to cover snow removal and stuff like that too. So yes the house is affordable, but everything else tacked on makes it unaffordable.

All I want is a house that's at least 1,000 sq ft for less than $200k, which should be doable because up until COVID, houses like that were routinely $120k around here. I get the market has gone up but this is the kind of stuff you get around here:
www.zillow.com

515 Hannah St, Boyne City, MI 49712 | MLS #473349 | Zillow

This 864 square feet Single Family home has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It is located at 515 Hannah St, Boyne City, MI.
www.zillow.com www.zillow.com

864sq ft for $255k? Get out of here with that. And being near a lake in Michigan is standard with Michigan homes. I get that realtors talk it up but in Michigan, you're never more than 6 miles from a lake no matter were you are. In Northern Michigan, it's like 2 miles.
 
Joey D
I know that the quickest way to fix the housing problem near me would be to require any short-term rental property to be zoned commercial, which it should be since you're just operating a hotel in the guise of a house.
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There are some significant distinctions between how short term rentals are operated vs. a hotel. Lots of STRs are a mix of personal and commercial use.
Joey D
Short-term rentals have absolutely ruined being able to live in Northern Michigan. There are a ton of properties for rent, but the lease is only from October to April. After that, you can only rent it for a week at a time (which costs as much as one month's rent). Like how do you expect to attract people to work in your area if they can't get a place to live? I get wanting to be a landlord and if that's something you want to do, then go for it, but be a landlord, don't be a half-assed hotel manager.
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If there are too many STRs in the area for the amount of tourism, they'll fall off.
Joey D
What's amusing though is that almost every politician in Northern Michigan complains about not being able to grow the economy or even get workers, but then they turn around and OK short-term rentals along with only allowing insanely expensive condos while axing any plans for affordable housing.
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We have some of this going on in the mountain towns in colorado as well. Higher density housing, especially accommodating seasonal workers, has been something that mountain towns are focusing on.
Joey D
Even the affordable housing is shady around here too. A new neighborhood went up where you can get a new 1,300 sq ft home for around $160k, which is great. However, what they don't tell you is that you only own the house, not the land it sits on, and have to pay lot rent. Lot rent is $700 a month, which is insane because property taxes wouldn't even be close to $8,400 a year. You all need to pay an HOA fee to cover snow removal and stuff like that too. So yes the house is affordable, but everything else tacked on makes it unaffordable.
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That sounds like mobile home park tactics, which can be fairly awful.
Joey D
All I want is a house that's at least 1,000 sq ft for less than $200k, which should be doable because up until COVID, houses like that were routinely $120k around here. I get the market has gone up but this is the kind of stuff you get around here:
www.zillow.com

515 Hannah St, Boyne City, MI 49712 | MLS #473349 | Zillow

This 864 square feet Single Family home has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It is located at 515 Hannah St, Boyne City, MI.
www.zillow.com www.zillow.com

864sq ft for $255k? Get out of here with that. And being near a lake in Michigan is standard with Michigan homes. I get that realtors talk it up but in Michigan, you're never more than 6 miles from a lake no matter were you are. In Northern Michigan, it's like 2 miles.
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Leasing in an area that is catering to seasonal tourism is just not as easy.

I feel like STRs and AirBnB and all of that deserves its own thread here.
 
Danoff
I don't like either of those. Here's my suggestion for both:

Executive Compensation:
-- Long term capital gains is short term capital gains, taxed as income
-- Stock Property Tax - 0.5% tax annually on all US stock for all people
-- Drastically tighten what it takes to be a tax-exempt charity
Housing:
-- Eliminate the mortgage tax deduction
Click to expand...

I don't think any light touch moves are going to push the needle. It's hammer time.

mc hammer rap GIF
 

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