Government Shutdown

[crimsonaudio]

yep, raise taxes on the über wealthy by 3% and you know what will happen to them?

they’ll still be the über wealthy

I don’t know anyone who disagrees with this.

Unfortunately, the uber-wealthy use the tax laws to avoid showing much income. And I cannot see the willingness (or the fairness) of taxing unrealized gains.

Unless / until laws are put in place (such as counting loans taken out against unrealized gains as income) the uber-wealthy will continue to game the system.

 

[Huckleberry]

I found this short video of the interview.

“I mean, shutdowns are terrible and of course there will be, you know, families that are going to suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.” House Minority Whip Katherine Clark
I am painfully aware of the danger of taking a quote out of context, so I'm sure conservative media has snipped this in a way to make it look egregious. That said, Clark appears to be saying: (1) People will suffer. (2) We are responsible. (3) We did it for leverage.
Ethically, this seem to me to be like negotiating with someone over the price of a car. I am willing to pay $10. The seller says it is worth $15k. I counter by saying, "I'm going to punch my mother in the face until you agree to $10k, and when I start punching my mother in the face, I demand of the seller, "How can you be so cruel?"

ALl I have seen is the little snippet, so I guess I am wondering if the broader context of the quote could make it sound not so bad.

I’m pretty sure the leverage she’s referring to is this being the only real way they can try to get the ACA tax credits extended. She’s likely saying that the short-term pain is preferable to the long-term effects of millions being unable to afford health insurance.

 

[some_al_fan]

I don’t know anyone who disagrees with this.

Republican Congress / Senate + Trump, who voted to make tax cuts by ~3% permanent.
Real people voted in these congressmen/senators / Trump. Most likely, you know some of them.

Unfortunately, the uber-wealthy use the tax laws to avoid showing much income. And I cannot see the willingness (or the fairness) of taxing unrealized gains.

Unless / until laws are put in place (such as counting loans taken out against unrealized gains as income) the uber-wealthy will continue to game the system.

We don’t need to tax unrealized gains (aka wealth tax). And it is not about fairness.
We don’t need drastic tax increases, since pre-Trump tax numbers should be enough.
Here is the math:
https://www.americanprogress.org/ar...low-not-high-revenues-outside-of-a-recession/

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats

In a statement first shared with NBC News, the American Federation of Government Employees' president calls on Congress to pass a "clean continuing resolution."

www.nbcnews.com

The country’s largest union representing federal workers is calling for lawmakers to pass a short-term spending measure to end the government shutdown immediately, urging Democrats to abandon their current position and join Republicans in supporting a stopgap solution.

“Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight,” American Federation of Government Employees President Everett Kelley wrote in a statement first shared with NBC News. “It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship.”

The statement could increase pressure on Democrats to budge from their current stance. Senate Democrats have insisted that they won’t vote to reopen the government without a commitment from Republicans and President Donald Trump on extending health care subsidies through the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Without them, health insurance premiums on Obamacare markets will skyrocket for many individuals and families.

 

[75thru79]

Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats

In a statement first shared with NBC News, the American Federation of Government Employees' president calls on Congress to pass a "clean continuing resolution."

www.nbcnews.com

I'm surprised this took so long to happen. I expect we'll start hearing other voices speak up too.

 

[Huckleberry]

Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats

In a statement first shared with NBC News, the American Federation of Government Employees' president calls on Congress to pass a "clean continuing resolution."

www.nbcnews.com

One can’t really blame Kelley for doing what he’s doing. His job is to represent his members, not the broader public. Federal employees get their coverage through the FEHB program, not the ACA, so the subsidy fight doesn’t touch them directly. What matters to them is missing paychecks during a shutdown. From that angle, calling on Democrats to fold and pass a clean CR makes perfect sense.

But let’s be honest - it’s a self-serving move. His members’ healthcare isn’t in jeopardy, so it’s easy to say “end the shutdown now” and skip over the part where millions of Americans could see their premiums skyrocket if those subsidies lapse. He’s protecting his own, which is understandable, but it isn’t some noble bipartisan appeal to reason. It’s about getting his people back to work while others are left to deal with the fallout.

 

[75thru79]

those subsidies lapse. He’s protecting his own, which is understandable, but it isn’t some noble bipartisan appeal to reason.

I don't think anyone is making the assertion that this is anything other than a union head looking out for his members. However, it is very much a bellweather for the emerging sentiment around the shutdown.

 

[Huckleberry]

I don't think anyone is making the assertion that this is anything other than a union head looking out for his members. However, it is very much a bellweather for the emerging sentiment around the shutdown.

That’s fair - nobody’s accusing him of betraying his mission. And you’re right, it’s also a signal that the political ground is shifting. When even traditionally Democratic-leaning groups start nudging their allies to back off and make a deal, it’s a sign the shutdown fatigue is spreading.

Federal workers are already feeling it, and SNAP recipients won’t be far behind once benefits are disrupted. Add in the ACA subsidies expiring at the end of the year, and you’ve got a wave of frustration building across very different groups of people. Right now, it’s missed paychecks; soon, it’ll be food insecurity; later, it’ll be healthcare costs spiking.

That’s why both sides should want this resolved - the longer it drags on, the more it stops being a political standoff and starts being a real-world crisis for millions. I hope both parties care.

 

[some_al_fan]

That’s fair - nobody’s accusing him of betraying his mission. And you’re right, it’s also a signal that the political ground is shifting. When even traditionally Democratic-leaning groups start nudging their allies to back off and make a deal, it’s a sign the shutdown fatigue is spreading.

Federal workers are already feeling it, and SNAP recipients won’t be far behind once benefits are disrupted. Add in the ACA subsidies expiring at the end of the year, and you’ve got a wave of frustration building across very different groups of people. Right now, it’s missed paychecks; soon, it’ll be food insecurity; later, it’ll be healthcare costs spiking.

That’s why both sides should want this resolved - the longer it drags on, the more it stops being a political standoff and starts being a real-world crisis for millions. I hope both parties care.

If we were living in a normal political environment, then we’d have both parties at the negotiating table and hammering out a deal that might not get 100% to whatever each side wants, but meeting somewhere in the middle.
Instead, we have a crybaby in charge who is more interested in filling his own pockets and destroying the country instead of finding a solution to move us forward.

 

[jthomas666]

I hope both parties care.

You forgot the blue font.

The first step is for Johnson to reconvene the House. As soon as he does that, he has to swear in Adelita Grijalva. And shortly thereafter, the house will have to vote on a discharge petition on the Epstein papers.

If the Dems had ANY sense (yeah, yeah, I know), they tell the GOP that they're ready to deal; if Johnson still doesn't reconvene the house...

 

[CrimsonJazz]

Last week: No kings!

This week: Please feed us, king!

This seems like a solid opportunity to let people know that putting the responsibility of feeding you on to the government is also giving them permission to starve you. Will the Great SNAP Panic of 2025 teach anyone anything? Sigh......I doubt it.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

https://www.newsweek.com/walmart-set-to-lose-billions-from-snap-benefits-stopping-in-november-10945862

Walmart could see a significant decline in consumer spending if the government suspends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a result of the ongoing shutdown.

According to a June report from the market research data firm Numerator, Walmart accounts for roughly a quarter (24 percent) of SNAP shoppers’ total spending. Given the estimated $100 billion spent by the government on the program annually—roughly $8.3 billion monthly—this would imply a loss of about $2 billion for Walmart if the benefits are withheld for the entire month of November.

 

[mdb-tpet]

https://www.newsweek.com/walmart-set-to-lose-billions-from-snap-benefits-stopping-in-november-10945862

The first rule of SNAP is to realize that companies like Walmart are the exact companies lowering incomes so much that their workers need SNAP benefits to survive. Walmart, on average, lowers the overall incomes in a community by 6% when they come in by destroying competition (and through the illegal supplier price negotiations made illegal by the Robinson Patman Act meant to stop their anti-competitive behavior). But lower prices...

The Walmart Effect

New research suggests that the company makes the communities it operates in poorer—even taking into account its famous low prices.

www.theatlantic.com

 

[Its On A Slab]

One can’t really blame Kelley for doing what he’s doing. His job is to represent his members, not the broader public. Federal employees get their coverage through the FEHB program, not the ACA, so the subsidy fight doesn’t touch them directly. What matters to them is missing paychecks during a shutdown. From that angle, calling on Democrats to fold and pass a clean CR makes perfect sense.

But let’s be honest - it’s a self-serving move. His members’ healthcare isn’t in jeopardy, so it’s easy to say “end the shutdown now” and skip over the part where millions of Americans could see their premiums skyrocket if those subsidies lapse. He’s protecting his own, which is understandable, but it isn’t some noble bipartisan appeal to reason. It’s about getting his people back to work while others are left to deal with the fallout.

Yeah, I had an in-law last weekend throwing shade on the Democrats because he's been furloughed for the past 25+ days.

He works for the US Army Reserve, so I guess he still has his health insurance. When I tried to interject the fact that farmers, laborers, independent contractors would soon lose their health insurance, he paused for a micro-second before contnuing his diatribe.

Now it makes sense. He doesn't have a dog in the ACA fight. And I just had a co-worker tell me that the ACA should be repealed. And when I asked what we would replace it with, he said, "Nothing. It all comes down to personal responsibility."

I think it all comes down to: There are a sizeable number of Americans who simply don't give a crap if someone loses everything they own, their family farm, their house, etc. due to a simple medical emergency.

That's where we are as a country. I've got mine, so screw you.

 

[JDCrimson]

Yeah, I had an in-law last weekend throwing shade on the Democrats because he's been furloughed for the past 25+ days.

He works for the US Army Reserve, so I guess he still has his health insurance. When I tried to interject the fact that farmers, laborers, independent contractors would soon lose their health insurance, he paused for a micro-second before contnuing his diatribe.

Now it makes sense. He doesn't have a dog in the ACA fight. And I just had a co-worker tell me that the ACA should be repealed. And when I asked what we would replace it with, he said, "Nothing. It all comes down to personal responsibility."

I think it all comes down to: There are a sizeable number of Americans who simply don't give a crap if someone loses everything they own, their family farm, their house, etc. due to a simple medical emergency.

That's where we are as a country. I've got mine, so screw you.

That's what social media and 24hr opinion news does for you.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

The first rule of SNAP is to realize that companies like Walmart are the exact companies lowering incomes so much that their workers need SNAP benefits to survive. Walmart, on average, lowers the overall incomes in a community by 6% when they come in by destroying competition (and through the illegal supplier price negotiations made illegal by the Robinson Patman Act meant to stop their anti-competitive behavior). But lower prices...

The Walmart Effect

New research suggests that the company makes the communities it operates in poorer—even taking into account its famous low prices.

www.theatlantic.com

Believe me, I'm not shedding any tears for Wal-Mart. Sympathy played no part in me sharing that data.

 

[Its On A Slab]

Believe me, I'm not shedding any tears for Wal-Mart. Sympathy played no part in me sharing that data.

I remember complimenting my neighbor about his new Weber gas grill a few years ago.

He opened it up and said, "You see, it has a cast iron grill surface. Now, next time you are in WalMart, look for this grill and tell me the difference."

Next time I was in WalMart, I found the grill. Looked identical. I opened it up and grill surface was cheap aluminum.

I later found out that WalMart does this to their suppliers, telling them that, in order to sell in their stores, you have to cut your prices. So the suppliers do what they can to sell wares in their store.

I think I remember WalMart selling "Levis". Cheap knockoffs with the Levi label. Not sure if it was counterfeit, or maybe Levis tried to play along for a while.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I remember complimenting my neighbor about his new Weber gas grill a few years ago.

He opened it up and said, "You see, it has a cast iron grill surface. Now, next time you are in WalMart, look for this grill and tell me the difference."

Next time I was in WalMart, I found the grill. Looked identical. I opened it up and grill surface was cheap aluminum.

I later found out that WalMart does this to their suppliers, telling them that, in order to sell in their stores, you have to cut your prices. So the suppliers do what they can to sell wares in their store.

I think I remember WalMart selling "Levis". Cheap knockoffs with the Levi label. Not sure if it was counterfeit, or maybe Levis tried to play along for a while.

The companies make cheaper versions to sell in Wal-Mart. The Weber grill is a great example. It's why I bought mine from Lowe's. You actually get a well made Weber and not the cheaper made one that's in Wal Mart. I paid more, but I'm good with it.

 

[75thru79]

The companies make cheaper versions to sell in Wal-Mart. The Weber grill is a great example. It's why I bought mine from Lowe's. You actually get a well made Weber and not the cheaper made one that's in Wal Mart. I paid more, but I'm good with it.

The other thing they do is make model#'s that are specific to that retailer so you can't compare prices from Home Depot, Lowes, etc. because those models only exist in one store. You can only compare them by looking at features, dimensions and materials, which is very time consuming, and the "find a lower price and we'll match it" promise extremely shallow.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

I remember complimenting my neighbor about his new Weber gas grill a few years ago.

He opened it up and said, "You see, it has a cast iron grill surface. Now, next time you are in WalMart, look for this grill and tell me the difference."

Next time I was in WalMart, I found the grill. Looked identical. I opened it up and grill surface was cheap aluminum.

I later found out that WalMart does this to their suppliers, telling them that, in order to sell in their stores, you have to cut your prices. So the suppliers do what they can to sell wares in their store.

I think I remember WalMart selling "Levis". Cheap knockoffs with the Levi label. Not sure if it was counterfeit, or maybe Levis tried to play along for a while.

I had a fellow at Best Buy explain this to me years ago. The TVs they sell at Wal-Mart might as well be knock-offs, even if they are made by the same company.