Re the rise in room rates: Sure. Tomorrow is the big day. Trump is going to be inaugurated as the nineteenth president of the restored republic. So, naturally, Trump's hotel has to cash in by soaking his loyal followers. What better way to reward them for their faith?
These people are like the Millerites. What's supposed to happen doesn't happen on the predicted date, so they just keep pushing their expectations out further. When Trump doesn't descend on clouds of glory tomorrow to be sworn in and initiate the great age of Q or whatever the heck it's supposed to be, we can only hope these poor, dumb, deluded nutsoids will move on and pin their hopes on some other fantasy. But I'm afraid that's not what's going to happen. These aren't just gullible idiots living in a world of make believe and magical thinking, they're committed and armed and extremely dangerous. I hope we all survive tomorrow.
People have been saving at an increasing rate since 2008. That staged crash was a really big mistake. Since then, while banks continue to fail, the only financical entities that have seen increased growth are credit unions. Which is why banks are now trying to buy them. Revolving credit on which people pay 16% interest has also been stagnant. Car loans keep being extended longer at lower interest rates to prompt sales that are not happening. We are in a period of gross transition for which the virus may be blamed, but it is just the cherry on top. In the U.S., the underground economy (what the federal government does not control) has grown to well over two trillion a year (more than the relief package). The telling thing is that we know its dimensions because people who do not pay taxes on individual transactions do honestly report their income at the end of the year. Never mind all the people from whom payroll taxes are collected but who prefer not to waste time filing returns to get a refund. In any event, people have moved to controlling their own money and challenging the efforts of Capitol Hill to control them. "We have the power" and $70 Billion spent annually on lottery ticket proves it.
Thinking of the Millerites, there were a number of churches in the US during the 19th Century that predicted the Second Coming on a particular date; most folded when it didn't happen as scheduled. The only two I know of that still exist are the Seventh Day Adventiss (who have largely forgotten their origin) and the Jehovah's Witnesses, who have lost adherents following a couple of failed predictions.
U.S. culture has little respect for personal rights such as privacy and security and integrity. That may be a lingering result of the commitment to owning people as slaves and denying their personhood. Whatever, the legal system recognizes property rights and civil rights and even the rights of the accused, but human rights are not on the books. Consider, for example, that minor children are legally the property of their parents unless disposed of by some court. What is the effect of youths discovering that they have no rights until they are accused of a crime? The culture is not calibrated to people expecting respect. Wasn't when I was 18 and still isn't.
So, the important thing about the second relief bill, IMHO, is the implicit admission that, in fact, Capitol Hill is in charge of the currency and does not have to collect taxes before it spends. Indeed, taxes ought to be simply an auditing process to determine where and by whom the currency is being used. Using it to insure support at election time is unethical. That Congress has been doing that for four decades does not change that it is an immoral act.
It has been overcast all day here. The weather forecast is for rain this coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Miyoko's second vaccination is on Wednesday.
Cuomo Facing a Political Extinction Event [Click]
ReplyDeleteDe Blasio’s payback: New York mayor unloads on wounded Cuomo [Click]
Consumers [worldwide have] Saved $2.9 Trillion During the Pandemic [Click] Half in the US. I’m sure that will be great comfort to those who lose their jobs and homes.
No Need to Compromise If You Have the Votes [Click] And it looks like Schumer does.
Schumer Says He Has the Votes for Relief Bill [Click]
FT: The U.S. Has Become a Social Democratic Country [Click] A little bit. In attitude.
Trump Hotel Tripled Room Rates Tonight [Click]
Biden Limits Eligibility for Stimulus Payments [Click] Not a large concession IMO.
Scientists in Iceland say 'strong signs' volcanic eruption is imminent [Click]
Re the rise in room rates: Sure. Tomorrow is the big day. Trump is going to be inaugurated as the nineteenth president of the restored republic. So, naturally, Trump's hotel has to cash in by soaking his loyal followers. What better way to reward them for their faith?
DeleteThese people are like the Millerites. What's supposed to happen doesn't happen on the predicted date, so they just keep pushing their expectations out further. When Trump doesn't descend on clouds of glory tomorrow to be sworn in and initiate the great age of Q or whatever the heck it's supposed to be, we can only hope these poor, dumb, deluded nutsoids will move on and pin their hopes on some other fantasy. But I'm afraid that's not what's going to happen. These aren't just gullible idiots living in a world of make believe and magical thinking, they're committed and armed and extremely dangerous. I hope we all survive tomorrow.
People have been saving at an increasing rate since 2008. That staged crash was a really big mistake. Since then, while banks continue to fail, the only financical entities that have seen increased growth are credit unions. Which is why banks are now trying to buy them. Revolving credit on which people pay 16% interest has also been stagnant. Car loans keep being extended longer at lower interest rates to prompt sales that are not happening. We are in a period of gross transition for which the virus may be blamed, but it is just the cherry on top.
DeleteIn the U.S., the underground economy (what the federal government does not control) has grown to well over two trillion a year (more than the relief package). The telling thing is that we know its dimensions because people who do not pay taxes on individual transactions do honestly report their income at the end of the year. Never mind all the people from whom payroll taxes are collected but who prefer not to waste time filing returns to get a refund.
In any event, people have moved to controlling their own money and challenging the efforts of Capitol Hill to control them. "We have the power" and $70 Billion spent annually on lottery ticket proves it.
Thinking of the Millerites, there were a number of churches in the US during the 19th Century that predicted the Second Coming on a particular date; most folded when it didn't happen as scheduled. The only two I know of that still exist are the Seventh Day Adventiss (who have largely forgotten their origin) and the Jehovah's Witnesses, who have lost adherents following a couple of failed predictions.
DeleteAdventiss = Adventists
DeleteStockton’s Basic-Income Experiment Pays Off [Click] “A new study of the city’s program that sent cash to struggling individuals finds dramatic changes.”
ReplyDeleteU.S. culture has little respect for personal rights such as privacy and security and integrity. That may be a lingering result of the commitment to owning people as slaves and denying their personhood. Whatever, the legal system recognizes property rights and civil rights and even the rights of the accused, but human rights are not on the books. Consider, for example, that minor children are legally the property of their parents unless disposed of by some court.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the effect of youths discovering that they have no rights until they are accused of a crime?
The culture is not calibrated to people expecting respect. Wasn't when I was 18 and still isn't.
So, the important thing about the second relief bill, IMHO, is the implicit admission that, in fact, Capitol Hill is in charge of the currency and does not have to collect taxes before it spends. Indeed, taxes ought to be simply an auditing process to determine where and by whom the currency is being used. Using it to insure support at election time is unethical. That Congress has been doing that for four decades does not change that it is an immoral act.
ReplyDeleteVogue
ReplyDeleteSay Goodbye to Sweats and Hello to Comfortable Housedresses
A new housedress that you can wear indoors and outdoors will uplift your psyche.
Imagine that.:P
Well, I'm not personally sure of that. . .
DeleteLOL Alan. Give it a try. Who knows what wonders it might do for your psyche?
Delete/duck and run/
The Seuss debate shows Republicans' cancel culture war is a fight against the free market. [Click] “The escalating rhetoric on so-called "cancel culture" is conservatives' way of saying they are losing power in society and they want someone to stop that.” So that’s what they are carrying on about; it has not been clear to me.
ReplyDeleteIt has been overcast all day here. The weather forecast is for rain this coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Miyoko's second vaccination is on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteSo, the trump inauguration is tomorrow? oboy
ReplyDeleteYup. Batten down the hatches.
DeleteWaste plastic successfully used in roadways! [Click]
ReplyDeleteTwo SUVs breached the U.S.-Mexico border. One erupted in fire. The other crashed, killing 13. [Click]
ReplyDeleteWEDNESDAY VT cases:
ReplyDelete15,487-15,372 = 115
2438 active cases
207 deaths(+1)
Recovered 12,842(82.9%)
Hospital:23(0) ICU:5(-2)
Tests 332,411 (+474)