The Biden Presidency - 2020

[GrantDawg]

This, a month ago, may be the most monkey paw tweet of all time. https://t.co/fomZtXgshF

— Arieh Kovler (@ariehkovler) November 10, 2022

[sterlingice]

"Things that say really stupid stuff publicly. Things that are getting cancelled. Things that are worth way less than they were just a month ago."

Is a $10K ($25K?) Pyramid joke too old?

SI

[Ghost Econ]

Hardest game of Marry, Fuck, Kill?

Since the Judiciary is so good at getting things cancelled, we need to suggest other things for them to tweet.

I'll start: Student Loan Debt

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Is a $10K ($25K?) Pyramid joke too old?

SI

Probably not for this board.

[Edward64]

FWIW, I like this pic. I like the contrast of POTUS with an ancient temple (?) backdrop.

G20: Biden steps into summit in Indonesia aiming to unite leaders in opposition to Russia's war on Ukraine | CNN Politics

[Edward64]

Alright Joe, hope you are ready for the next 2 years. I have more confidence in you beating Trump than anyone else.

So please stay healthy, take some of the gingko stuff, keep on cycling and maybe do some Pilates.

[NobodyHere]

Is it just me, or has all the talk about the price of healthcare in this country just disappeared.

I bring this up because my out-of-pocket costs for my recent hospital stay is going to cost me about as much as a high end cruise.

Hospitals need to give you the price of every billable item before they perform them. I don't need to be charged hundreds of dollars for someone to watch me swallow. Or for a speech therapist to spend 5 minutes making sure my speech is fine.

Looking at my bill was almost enough to give me another mini-stroke.

[Edward64]

Join the club.

The out of pocket cost for my 2 kids was reasonable. But wife and I looked through the itemized bill, many of the charges were ridiculous.

I know Obamacare has gotten more people insured. But don't think it necessarily lowered cost of healthcare overall.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

Is it just me, or has all the talk about the price of healthcare in this country just disappeared.

I bring this up because my out-of-pocket costs for my recent hospital stay is going to cost me about as much as a high end cruise.

Hospitals need to give you the price of every billable item before they perform them. I don't need to be charged hundreds of dollars for someone to watch me swallow. Or for a speech therapist to spend 5 minutes making sure my speech is fine.

Looking at my bill was almost enough to give me another mini-stroke.

As more and more of us spend more time at the doctor's office, I expect that conversation to reappear.

[GrantDawg]

I had bills from three different Heart doctors offices. I only saw one doctor while i eas in the hospital. The other two charged me $500 per to just look at my chart. It is ridiculous.

[Edward64]

I like this move and bet there won't be a successful challenge here. Assume Biden wanted to shoot for the moon first with the debt forgiveness and that is probably deader than a doornail. This is Plan B and seems more fair for those that did not benefit, or did not get a loan from the government.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/17/bide...ankruptcy.html

The Biden administration announced on Thursday updated guidelines that will make it easier for those struggling with their student debt to discharge it in bankruptcy.

The new bankruptcy policy comes from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education, and allows federal student loan borrowers to prove that they’re experiencing financial distress requiring a fresh start. Under the rules, the agencies may recommend that a bankruptcy judge discharge a borrower’s student debt if they find their case warrants it.

Currently, it’s difficult, if not impossible, for someone to walk away from their federal student debt in a normal bankruptcy proceeding.

Around 250,000 student loan debtors file for bankruptcy each year, but fewer than 300 walk away from their education debt in the proceeding, according to research published in the Duke Law Journal in December 2020. That’s a success rate of just 0.1%.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I had bills from three different Heart doctors offices. I only saw one doctor while i eas in the hospital. The other two charged me $500 per to just look at my chart. It is ridiculous.

As part of immigration reform (whenever that is), we should identify those professions that we really want to increase, and provide some sort incentive and fast-track process. There may not be a ton of qualified foreign specialists (e.g. heart, neuro, oncologist etc.) up to the US standards, but I'm positive there are a ton that can be GPs.

(That goes for nurses also who I know the US has been complaining about a shortage since the early 90's).

[Edward64]

Probably a good move as there's a lot others can sue US Presidents for.

MBS was made Prime Minister in Sep 2022. This probably means Biden admin bided its time by not acting until they could use this excuse.

The practical realities that the Trump and, now, Biden admin have to deal with in our frenemy relationship.

Jamal Khashoggi death: US determines Saudi Crown Prince is immune in case brought by journalist's fiancée | CNN Politics

The Biden administration has determined that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, should be granted immunity in a case brought against him by the fiancée of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whom the administration has said was murdered at the prince’s direction.

A court filing was made by Justice Department lawyers at the request of the State Department because bin Salman was recently made the Saudi prime minister and as a result, qualifies for immunity as a foreign head of government, the request said. It was filed late Thursday night, just before the court’s deadline for the Justice Department to give its views in court on the immunity question and other arguments the prince made for having the lawsuit dismissed.

“Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the sitting head of government and, accordingly, is immune from this suit,” the filing reads, while calling the murder “heinous.”

The decision is likely to provoke an angry reaction. The White House had hoped the July trip by President Joe Biden to Saudi Arabia would get the rocky US-Saudi relationship back on track but since then, relations have only continued to sour.

[Edward64]

I'm not sure this would be a fair swap (Olympian & WNBA druggie vs notorious arms merchant) but it's a good sign that there are talks. I think we'll need to assess if Bout will resume his work or his connections have moved on.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63675119

Russia is hopeful it can agree a prisoner swap with the US that would include infamous arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the Merchant of Death.

It is the first time US or Russian officials have publicly said Bout could be part of an exchange.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday he hoped the prospect of a swap had "strengthened".

The US has previously said it was eager to organise a prisoner swap to release US basketball player Brittney Griner.

She was convicted of illegal drug possession in August after cannabis oil vapes were found in her bags as she tried to enter Russia.

The double-Olympic winner has been sent to a penal colony in a remote region south-east of Moscow.

On Friday Mr Ryabkov said a "common denominator" had not yet been reached between the US and Russia, but "it is undeniable that Viktor Bout is among those who are being discussed [for exchange] and we certainly count on a positive result".

[Lathum]

Druggie?

Seriously?

[Edward64]

Good thing she wasn't travelling to Singapore.

[sovereignstar v2]

Sweet, I'm a druggie.

[NobodyHere]

I take 4 drugs every morning.

Count me in as a druggie.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Sweet, I'm a druggie.

guilty...

[HerRealName]

Does Delta-8 usage qualify for druggie status?

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

I take 4 drugs every morning.

Count me in as a druggie.

Amateur. I take more than that in the morning just for blood pressure. I must be a drug king-pen.

[Lathum]

Not only do I take 5 a day but I also inject once a week!

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Not only do I take 5 a day but I also inject once a week!

Bow to your new King! Long may he reign!

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Probably a good move as there's a lot others can sue US Presidents for.

MBS was made Prime Minister in Sep 2022. This probably means Biden admin bided its time by not acting until they could use this excuse.

The practical realities that the Trump and, now, Biden admin have to deal with in our frenemy relationship.

Jamal Khashoggi death: US determines Saudi Crown Prince is immune in case brought by journalist's fiancée | CNN Politics

He's not really Prime Minister though. Salmon is since he's King (according to their laws). The Prime Minister name annoited to MBS is just a new thing they made up out of thin air to avoid being sued.

Fully convinced they have compromising information on Biden or he just has a humiliation fetish.

[sterlingice]

I'm sure the GOP's numerous investigations will get to the bottom of that and won't just be about trying to find Hunter Biden porn

SI

[GrantDawg]

If someone with a NYT sub could share access to this story, that would be great. From what I'm reading, it is pretty clear Alito makes a habit of leaking pro-Evangelical decision to their leaders. How deeply he and Thomas are tied to the very people who become before their court is not a good look.

You are witnessing one of those rare moments when I am speechless. Don’t just read the headline. READ every line of this shocking and deeply troubling piece. https://t.co/QCkzUAPY3C

— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) November 19, 2022

[miami_fan]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/u...smid=share-url

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/19/u...smid=share-url

Thank you.

[Edward64]

Joe, the 2 shotguns you own are (probably) semi-automatic. I'll assume you really mean assault weapons and not all semi-automatic weapons in general.

Yeah, the gun legislation you got passed earlier this year, although better than nothing, seemed watered down.

President Joe Biden rails against access to assault weapons after recent spate of shootings | CNN Politics

President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would work with Congress to “try to get rid of assault weapons” after a recent spate of shootings in the US.

“The idea (that) we still allow semiautomatic weapons to be purchased is sick, it’s just sick. It has no social redeeming value, zero, none. Not a single, solitary rationale for it,” Biden told reporters during a brief gaggle outside the Nantucket Fire Department in Massachusetts, where he greeted first responders.

Asked whether he would try to take action on guns, the president said, “I’m going to try. I’m going to try to get rid of assault weapons.” When pressed on whether he would try to do so during the lame duck session, he said, “I’m going to do it whenever – I’ve got to make that assessment as soon as I get in and start counting the votes.”
:
Congress returns next week with a jam-packed to-do list in the lame duck session, focused primarily on the must-pass government funding bill, as well as other priorities. But any action on gun legislation – particularly the assault weapons ban Biden has repeatedly called for – does not have the votes to pass. And the reality of a divided Congress in next year’s session makes it highly unlikely that anything will pass over the next two years.

[Edward64]

I'm sure this would be entertaining for X weeks before he flames out. But I'll buy his Ye 24 t-shirt as a souvenir (and hang it beside my twice-worn Yang 2020 t-shirt ... btw I guess universal basic income is dead?)

Kanye West says he asked Trump to be his 2024 running mate | The Hill

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, said he asked former President Trump to be his running mate in 2024.

The rapper, in a Twitter video posted on Thursday evening, said he mentioned a campaign during a recent meeting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, also tweeting a series of “Ye 24” graphics.

“I think the thing that Trump was most perturbed about, me asking him to be my vice president,” Ye said in the video in the Twitter post. “I think that was like lower on the list of things that caught him off-guard.”

Ye went on to say Trump screamed at him during the meeting about a run.

“When Trump started basically screaming at me at the table telling me I was going to lose — I mean has that ever worked for anyone in history,” Ye said in the video. “I’m like hold on, hold on, hold on, Trump, you’re talking to Ye.”

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Edward64

btw I guess universal basic income is dead?)

Yang is more interested in permanent political income for himself.

[Edward64]

JAUKUS (aka Asian NATO) coming soon to a theatre near you. Great move Biden.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/polit...rtner-alliance

Japan is not yet officially a member of the trilateral Aukus security pact, but for many observers its eventual entry into the grouping is all but inevitable.
:
“Tokyo is exceptionally well equipped to help Canberra, London, and Washington develop critical defence technologies and bolster stability in Asia,” he said. “The transition from Aukus to Jaukus would represent the natural evolution of the group.”
:
Japan, he noted, “is the linchpin for US force projection into Northeast Asia”, while Tokyo, Britain and Australia “share an ‘alliance in all but name’”.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Don't think anyone is saying Biden can fix inflation immediately. I am saying that Biden can help reduce the impact of inflation if he is willing to pay the political price. Similar to my discussion with Brian, I do not believe that Biden could/can not lessen the impacts (and reduce the odds) on inflation.

On inflation and recession being a given, the best minds then (Powell, Yellen) said transitory inflation and I honestly don't remember reading much about recession back in first 3Q of 2021.

Assuming you agree that stimulus money had helped fuel inflation (or in general, there is too much money around) why do student loan forgiveness now (vs pause). An estimate is $370B. And for that matter, is it time to remove the pause.

Also the Trump tariffs on China (and think Canada also). Should he get rid of those?

Backlog in western ports to offload goods. Can Biden step in and help the union and management do better (e.g. work 24/7)?

Can Biden swallow his pride and re-engage SA (and Venezuela) and give them what they want (whatever that is) to increase heavy crude production?

There's probably other ideas out there that Biden can do if he is willing to pay the price.

Good to see that Biden is taking a more practical approach now. Should have done it earlier. This was a trigger he could have pulled earlier to help inflation if he really wanted to.

Biden gives Chevron permit to restart Venezuelan oil sales - POLITICO

The Treasury Department granted permission Saturday for oil giant Chevron to produce and export oil from Venezuela following the South American country’s decision to restart talks with opposition groups.

The move could add supply to the global oil market, which may ease fuel prices and speed the declines in U.S. gasoline prices that have been a political burden for President Joe Biden since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

I guess below also could be true but do we really believe Maduro is going to give in? He's already survived the worst of it, Venezuela is getting better compared to 2-3 years ago. Our ME frenemy has embarrassed Biden so he's reaching out to Maduro. I really do hope we can buildup our relationship with Venezuela, we still need to import the 5% heavy crude from somewhere for the next 10-15 years; and Venezuela is a lot closer than ME.

But a senior administration official said the easing of sanctions was not driven by the oil market pressures and was instead a response the Venezuelan regime’s decision this week to participate in the negotiations with opposition groups. Those talks, which were originally launched in Mexico City in September 2021, are expected to focus on humanitarian programs and setting future elections.

[sterlingice]

I don't know about this specific instance. But just from those snippets, it's almost like this is what real foreign affairs are supposed to look like. You take on risk and exert political pressure to extract concessions with a medium and long term plan instead of just going off on whoever has offended you on Twitter last week.

SI

[Lathum]

How much of a ghoul do you have to be to take an amazing moment where a bunch of kids see the president on Nantucket, call to him, and he actually acknowledges them and comes over, and turn it into a narrative of him being a creeper. It is so gross.

[BYU 14]

Who did that, Fox?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Who did that, Fox?

all right wing medai

[Edward64]

Joe, don't know all the details but looks like you gave it a good shot, and now you're being a leader, taking the political hit & making the tough calls. This is one step to prevent inflation from getting worse. Good job

‘No path’ forward: Biden calls on Congress to avert rail strike - POLITICO

Biden had held out for months on seeking congressional action, instead opting to give the freight rail industry and 12 of its unions more time to negotiate a contract. But as warnings mounted that a strike could begin as soon as Dec. 9, threatening to interrupt U.S. power and water supplies and devastate the broader economy, the pro-labor, pro-rail president said Monday that he saw “no path to resolve the dispute at the bargaining table.”

The development came two months after Labor Secretary Marty Walsh held an all-night bargaining session at his agency’s headquarters that produced a tentative deal, temporarily defusing the strike threat. But since then, members of three of the 12 unions voted to reject the agreement.

On Monday, Biden asked that Congress act “without any modifications or delay” to impose the September settlement.

[RainMaker]

The rail industry has spent $25 billion in stock buybacks.

[Edward64]

Total compensation

Total Compensation - NRLC

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

The rail industry has spent $25 billion in stock buybacks.

We should not ban stock buybacks. But we should give them very unfavorable tax treatment. Make it something that companies do only when it makes financial sense in the face of the tax penalty.

We really want to be encouraging them to increase their value through building, etc.--not through buying back stock.

[GrantDawg]

This holiday season....

Sure, monthly health insurance premiums are astronomical, but how else are the CEOs supposed to afford their sick yachts??? �� pic.twitter.com/QtownMz2VF

— Ady Barkan (@AdyBarkan) November 29, 2022

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Joe, don't know all the details but looks like you gave it a good shot, and now you're being a leader, taking the political hit & making the tough calls. This is one step to prevent inflation from getting worse. Good job

‘No path’ forward: Biden calls on Congress to avert rail strike - POLITICO

This was no leadership. This was turning your backs on workers whose back you should have had, whose back you've claim to have had for a long time.

The GOP gets to claim they are pro-business and reap the rewards of that preposterous claim despite the overwhelming evidence that their trickle down economic model destroys the middle class and that deficits explode when they are in office: "Hey, we'll give you a couple hundred bucks and

It's just another cynical move by Democratic leadership where they claim to be with workers but ultimately are owned by the same corporations that own the right, only without the benefits of being "pro business".

I just don't get it from a politics standpoint. Workers will remember you screwed them over for years but the gains from "keeping the economy going" are next to nil, especially 2 years before the next election when lots of other events will change the economy narrative.

I think we all know that this is really a blip in the overall economy - a rail strike for a few days or a couple of weeks isn't going to significantly affect the economy any more than a hurricane or Middle East politics that jack up oil prices. It's a temporary disruption - significant but temporary. And it's a tiny ripple in the structural ocean next to China's supply chain mess, corporate profit taking also really screwing up the supply chain, the feds policies that are rushing us into recession, and the lingering effects of COVID.

So it's hard to not see this as anything but a cynical chance for the Democratic leadership to pay back years of donations. But, hey, vote for us because, while we'll sell you out to the same corporate overlords as the other side (without the political gain), at least we're not going full on Christian nationalist fascism with shades of neo-Nazi.

SI

[RainMaker]

It's a bad look and not surprising when you see the loss of working class voters for the party over the past few decades.

The biggest issue is the companies knew the government would back them and never allow a strike. So they really had no need to negotiate.

Free market for me, not for thee.

[PilotMan]

For the same reasons, you'll never see another pilot strike allowed in the US too. It will always be blocked by the government, even if all the rules have been followed. It's nearly impossible for it to get this far down the road (strike),it takes years. So it's not surprising, and it's not good.

[GrantDawg]

I voted in the run-off today. 2:30 on a Wenesday and had to wait an hour to vote. Some places un Georgia the wait is two+ hours. There was areason they shortened the time frame, and reduced the number if early voting days. They tried their hardest to stop Saturday voting as well. Republicans fear allowing people to vote.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[GrantDawg]

I think Michigan is a good choice. Way more representative of the country than Iowa.

News: It's Michigan.

Mich is poised to replace Iowa as an early nominating state for Democrats in 2024, per senior officials.

Will be formally taken up by DNC this weekend, but the White House has decided.

I first reported Mich was being eyed here:https://t.co/fDPVbwoixc

— Jonathan Martin (@jmart) December 1, 2022

[NobodyHere]

In my opinion, the state with the highest voter turnout (as in votes per total population) the previous presidential election should get to go first in the primaries. Or maybe better they get to choose their position in line.

We should be rewarding states that encourage voter turnout.

[henry296]

Why not all primaries at the same time. We don't have different counties have different primary dates for selecting a governor nominee?

[Brian Swartz]

That's what I would like to do. That's the only way for all states to have the same voice.