The New Lounge

[GhostOf301]

We'll the email said that if they chose not to leave now during the evacuation period, they were on their own. A bit of a difference.

Is there anything that a democrat could do that you wouldn't rationalize? Babylon Bee is really satire. But it's becoming harder to tell nowadays.



This administration is clearly trying to save face with lies about how dire the situation is for thousands of Americans and you choose to blindly believe their lies.

 

[KDSTONE]

On the rare occasion when I go so far off line that I end up in the woods, I usually use either my pitching wedge or my 7 iron, depending. And you really sound like you are losing it. Take a breath.

On the rare occasion. Right you probably take a mulligan on like every hole. And those balls you thought were in the woods miraculously end up in the first cut of rough. We all know what you about

 

[Dattier]

Top of the morning to you as well! It wasn’t my cousin it was my daughter you clueless insensitive piece of ****
I was hoping you would wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed but looks like the same old horse sh—

Aw, geez. That hits even closer to home. Wanting to protect our kids from evil like that is one of the strongest parental instincts there is. That's really heartbreaking. I'm sorry that happened to her. Sorry, also, for mistaking her for your cousin.

 

[Dattier]

You actually have procreated? Oh lord I wish I could go back in time to when I didn’t know that

Yep! My daughters are 20 and 17; my son is 11. How old is your daughter? Do you have other kids?

 

[KDSTONE]

Yep! My daughters are 20 and 17; my son is 11. How old is your daughter? Do you have other kids?

I’ll take it in faith that you’re a decent enough guy to know when you’ve crossed a line. I accept your apology.
it concerns me how easily you give out information about your personal life however. I hope your kids find personal fulfillment as Long as they’re not teaching crt but I wish you would give our views of less government more freedom at least a chance. We’re imperfect messengers I’ll grant you that

 

[Dattier]

I’ll take it in faith that you’re a decent enough guy to know when you’ve crossed a line. I accept your apology.
it concerns me how easily you give out information about your personal life however. I hope your kids find personal fulfillment as Long as they’re not teaching crt but I wish you would give our views of less government more freedom at least a chance. We’re imperfect messengers I’ll grant you that

Thanks.

My issue with "less government, more freedom" is that freedom should apply first and foremost to our personal choices. Abortion, legal marijuana, separation of church and state, gun ownership -- things like that. It's also why questions of nature vs nurture are irrelevant as applied to LGBTQ+ issues: so what if it is a choice? And if a strong military is an important responsibility of the federal government, there are other ways the govt should protect us, too: healthcare, environment, education, gun control, welfare, access to food, income equity, racial & social justice. I trust an elected govt more than I trust letting the market decide.

 

[Mac9192]

The people that play "party politics" are the same type people that hardly ever find fault with their favorite sports team.

Republicans are evil and racist.
Roy Williams, Calipari, and Bill Self are all cheaters. Coach K does nothing wrong.

 

[topps coach]

Thanks.

My issue with "less government, more freedom" is that freedom should apply first and foremost to our personal choices. Abortion, legal marijuana, separation of church and state, gun ownership -- things like that. It's also why questions of nature vs nurture are irrelevant as applied to LGBTQ+ issues: so what if it is a choice? And if a strong military is an important responsibility of the federal government, there are other ways the govt should protect us, too: healthcare, environment, education, gun control, welfare, access to food, income equity, racial & social justice. I trust an elected govt more than I trust letting the market decide.

Those are admirable goals but more government is the least likely way to achieve them.More government almost always curtails achievements and personal freedoms.You surely are not going to suggest that governmental control are efficient and fair

 

[KDSTONE]

Those are admirable goals but more government is the least likely way to achieve them.More government almost always curtails achievements and personal freedoms.You surely are not going to suggest that governmental control are efficient and fair

Correct. I’m afraid they’re searching for a utopia that never be yet but it might be soon. Fingers crossed!

 

[Mac9192]

Those are admirable goals but more government is the least likely way to achieve them.More government almost always curtails achievements and personal freedoms.You surely are not going to suggest that governmental control are efficient and fair

You mean you don’t trust them Topps? Why not? There’s nothing wrong with them going up there not broke, but not a millionaire, to being worth millions with multiple homes. All within 10 years.

I’m appalled you would suggest that we not trust our government.

 

[KDSTONE]

The people that play "party politics" are the same type people that hardly ever find fault with their favorite sports team.

Republicans are evil and racist.
Roy Williams, Calipari, and Bill Self are all cheaters. Coach K does nothing wrong.

I can support that!

 

[denverexpat]

Those are admirable goals but more government is the least likely way to achieve them.More government almost always curtails achievements and personal freedoms.You surely are not going to suggest that governmental control are efficient and fair

Admirable and unrealistically optimistic....when you relinquish your own ability to choose to government control and stewardship on anything, they ask for an inch but take a mile...and history shows that. You are deemed to stupid to decide. The Utopia described by the OP would be great if it wasnt for human self interest of government appointees and people in power. Government is about restriction of freedom not the facilitation of it. Minimal government allows you to at least retain some personal control of how you want to live your life.

 

[Dattier]

Admirable and unrealistically optimistic....when you relinquish your own ability to choose to government control and stewardship on anything, they ask for an inch but take a mile...and history shows that. You are deemed to stupid to decide. The Utopia described by the OP would be great if it wasnt for human self interest of government appointees and people in power. Government is about restriction of freedom not the facilitation of it. Minimal government allows you to at least retain some personal control of how you want to live your life.

Right now, we have an imbalance of economic freedom that has resulted in historic income inequity. Letting the market decide has resulted in more billionaires and stagnant wages, more near-monopolies and less room for local small business. The freedom to have billions and billions of dollars in a finite economy ultimately harms the freedom of others.

 

[Dattier]

You mean you don’t trust them Topps? Why not? There’s nothing wrong with them going up there not broke, but not a millionaire, to being worth millions with multiple homes. All within 10 years.

I’m appalled you would suggest that we not trust our government.

If you support that for average citizens, why not for elected officials? Why no scorn and suspicion toward Bezos, Musk, Gates, the Walton family?

 

[KDSTONE]

Right now, we have an imbalance of economic freedom that has resulted in historic income inequity. Letting the market decide has resulted in more billionaires and stagnant wages, more near-monopolies and less room for local small business. The freedom to have billions and billions of dollars in a finite economy ultimately harms the freedom of others.about V your

As Zero sum game. Has C been discredited repeatedly but at this moment I’m more worried about sleepy Joe

 

[Mac9192]

If you support that for average citizens, why not for elected officials? Why no scorn and suspicion toward Bezos, Musk, Gates, the Walton family?

You brought up trusting the government. You must have missed the many posts where I talk about the elites. That isn’t exclusive to just politicians.

 

[denverexpat]

Right now, we have an imbalance of economic freedom that has resulted in historic income inequity. Letting the market decide has resulted in more billionaires and stagnant wages, more near-monopolies and less room for local small business. The freedom to have billions and billions of dollars in a finite economy ultimately harms the freedom of others.

You see the "pie" as a finite resource...that someone having more takes away from someone else...that just isnt true. There is no limit to who can make their fortune in this country. Innovation, creation and entrepeneurship increases the pie exponentially...there is no limit....so noone is "taking" from anyone. Its a flawed argument.
Its been shown that if you do 3 things...you have a 75% chance of getting out of poverty. How often does our government even mention this? Personal choice to not do this is not the responsibility of the successful to fix.

• Finish high school.
• Get a full-time job.
• Wait until age 21 to get married and have children.

We will never agree on this as we are fundamentally at different opinion points and philosophies - and thats ok.

 

[GhostOf301]

Last year there was more government financial subsidies given to the citizens than ever before. And still broke a record for the most added billionaires for a single fiscal year. The government is supposed to work for you, not own you. The more power you give them, the less influence you will have on your own outcome. Income equity sounds good. But it won't mean what people thinks it will mean. It would mean everyone getting the government elite's bread crumbs while they live like royals.

 

[Mac9192]

Like the tired argument of some sports fans being upset with the “greedy” owners. Maybe some are greedy. But without the owners, Tom Brady or Lebron James would have just been the best players on the playground.

 

[Dattier]

Like the tired argument of some sports fans being upset with the “greedy” owners. Maybe some are greedy. But without the owners, Tom Brady or Lebron James would have just been the best players on the playground.

Owners aren't in it for philanthropy. It's a money-making investment for them and they make tons of it, off the skills of the players. And there are a lot more people prepared to fill their shoes than there are people who could replace Brady or Lebron. I can't really envision a scenario where I wouldn't side w/ the worker against the boss in a labor dispute.

 

[topps coach]

Right now, we have an imbalance of economic freedom that has resulted in historic income inequity. Letting the market decide has resulted in more billionaires and stagnant wages, more near-monopolies and less room for local small business. The freedom to have billions and billions of dollars in a finite economy ultimately harms the freedom of others.

So your theory is that everyone should have the same results regardless of skill work ethic and the courage to take a chance on failure.I ran my own business for thirty years and my employees expectations were that they got paid regardless of how wel or poorly business was.In my life people who made more money than me worked harder or smarter than I did.It had nothing to do with privilege

 

[Mac9192]

Owners aren't in it for philanthropy. It's a money-making investment for them and they make tons of it, off the skills of the players. And there are a lot more people prepared to fill their shoes than there are people who could replace Brady or Lebron. I can't really envision a scenario where I wouldn't side w/ the worker against the boss in a labor dispute.

It’s an argument that both sides have valid points. Not sure I believe you though with the comment that there’s plenty of people who could replace the owners. Plus, these teams employ a lot of people and the city in which they’re in benefits as well.

The athletes benefit immensely. They get endorsements too. So let’s not even start with the “poor athlete” garbage.

 

[durhamgolfer]

We had eight years of the Obama administration. What freedoms do you feel were lost or limited during that period of time?

 

[Dattier]

It’s an argument that both sides have valid points. Not sure I believe you though with the comment that there’s plenty of people who could replace the owners. Plus, these teams employ a lot of people and the city in which they’re in benefits as well.

The athletes benefit immensely. They get endorsements too. So let’s not even start with the “poor athlete” garbage.

At this point, there is no owner who could just arbitrarily fold their team. The league would insist it be sold to someone else. That's what I meant by saying there are more people capable of replacing them than the players. And many of those owners came by their money via inheritance, stocks, or by hitting upon a genius idea that made them rich. Not to dismiss their hard work along the way, but I don't think most of them measure up to the work required of professional athletes, and they are certainly now at the point that their money works for them, rather than the other way around.

It's not a "poor players" situation for me, either. It's principle, not pity. Endorsements are separate and irrelevant. I like for more power to be in the hands of the workers, not the bosses.

 

[Mac9192]

At this point, there is no owner who could just arbitrarily fold their team. The league would insist it be sold to someone else. That's what I meant by saying there are more people capable of replacing them than the players. And many of those owners came by their money via inheritance, stocks, or by hitting upon a genius idea that made them rich. Not to dismiss their hard work along the way, but I don't think most of them measure up to the work required of professional athletes, and they are certainly now at the point that their money works for them, rather than the other way around.

It's not a "poor players" situation for me, either. It's principle, not pity. Endorsements are separate and irrelevant. I like for more power to be in the hands of the workers, not the bosses.

The players aren’t taking the financial risk like the owners are. Same for a company of any size.

I own my own business. Some might see me as being lucky, lazy, or whatever. They see the end ticket, or drive by and see all the cars in my parking lot. Most have no idea what a small business pays out. My guys have a lot of responsibility. Working on automobiles, and the people that ride in them are not to be taken lightly. And I appreciate what they do for me.
But the owner has the constant stress of each job being right, and handling any issue that pops up. It’s a different tired than being physically tired. It never leaves most owners. Occasionally I get phone calls/texts over the weekend, or after hours. It’s not an 8-5 job as the “Boss.”

I’m not asking for sympathy. No one forced me to do what I do. But on the other hand, if I’ve got more to lose, shouldn’t I make more than my employees?

 

[GhostOf301]

I like for more power to be in the hands of the workers, not the bosses.

So less government and more free enterprise?

 

[Dattier]

The players aren’t taking the financial risk like the owners are. Same for a company of any size.

I own my own business. Some might see me as being lucky, lazy, or whatever. They see the end ticket, or drive by and see all the cars in my parking lot. Most have no idea what a small business pays out. My guys have a lot of responsibility. Working on automobiles, and the people that ride in them are not to be taken lightly. And I appreciate what they do for me.
But the owner has the constant stress of each job being right, and handling any issue that pops up. It’s a different tired than being physically tired. It never leaves most owners. Occasionally I get phone calls/texts over the weekend, or after hours. It’s not an 8-5 job as the “Boss.”

I’m not asking for sympathy. No one forced me to do what I do. But on the other hand, if I’ve got more to lose, shouldn’t I make more than my employees?

I don't begrudge you making more than your employees. In fact, I'd expect it. I would further expect that as long as your employees feel fairly compensated, they won't begrudge you for making more, either.

Revenue-sharing in the NBA is a different level. Owners are still making more, which is fine. I'd say the physical risk players take puts their earning power at risk, too.

 

[Dattier]

So less government and more free enterprise?

I see what you did there.

"Free enterprise" sounds good, but too unregulated and you get child labor, monopolies, sharecropping, mill towns, company stores, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, no benefits, etc. That's an appropriate place for govt to step in to protect people. Like I said, protection isn't just about the military.

I recognize that there are individually bad regulations, and that there comes a point where the sheer mass of regulations becomes too much. I think we've erred too far in the other direction at least since President Reagan.

 

[denverexpat]

Are you stating that regulations have decreased since Reagan? Its the reverse if that is your stance.
Easy to show....

https://regulatorystudies.columbian.gwu.edu/reg-stats

The adverse effect of over regulation is also very easy to see...since removing business rules that are impediments leads to economic growth, job growth and the rise in wages...

While some Government regulation is needed to avoid exploitation and unsafe conditions...others are highly restricitive and choke business owners ability to make decisions to improve their business and hence their employees business....eg the mandatory requirement for benefits for any 40 hr week worker in any industry...it produced the reduction of hours for employees and less jobs...right idea, poor regulation.

 

[Dattier]

Are you stating that regulations have decreased since Reagan? Its the reverse if that is your stance.
Easy to show....

https://regulatorystudies.columbian.gwu.edu/reg-stats

The adverse effect of over regulation is also very easy to see...since removing business rules that are impediments leads to economic growth, job growth and the rise in wages...

While some Government regulation is needed to avoid exploitation and unsafe conditions...others are highly restricitive and choke business owners ability to make decisions to improve their business and hence their employees business....eg the mandatory requirement for benefits for any 40 hr week worker in any industry...it produced the reduction of hours for employees and less jobs...right idea, poor regulation.

It's the kind of regulations, more so than the overall number. Labor and workers' rights have eroded.

 

[Mac9192]

It's the kind of regulations, more so than the overall number. Labor and workers' rights have eroded.

Explain your last sentence please.

 

[KDSTONE]

Owners aren't in it for philanthropy. It's a money-making investment for them and they make tons of it, off the skills of the players. And there are a lot more people prepared to fill their shoes than there are people who could replace Brady or Lebron. I can't really envision a scenario where I wouldn't side w/ the worker against the boss in a labor dispute.

Seriously? You’ve never owned a business have you?

 

[denverexpat]

It's the kind of regulations, more so than the overall number. Labor and workers' rights have eroded.

How so? With the move to the gig economy the power of the individual was being touted as the next wave..WFH has changed that dynamic and the mass retirement seems to be moving the empowerment to employee vs employer...why do you think its the reverse?

 

[topps coach]

Seriously? You’ve never owned a business have you?

He also has never worked in a business that’s survival depends on producing a successful end product

 

[KDSTONE]

He also has never worked in a business that’s survival depends on producing a successful end product

Right. My dad used to own a feed mill and I would work there summers and some days customers just wouldn’t come and I would freak silently in my mind Owning a business is a whole different animal stress wise

 

[Dattier]

Explain your last sentence please.

Union-busting, "right to work" states, stagnant wages, increased income gap...

 

[Dattier]

Seriously? You’ve never owned a business have you?

An NBA franchise? Well, there was this one time... still nope.

 

[Dattier]

How so? With the move to the gig economy the power of the individual was being touted as the next wave..WFH has changed that dynamic and the mass retirement seems to be moving the empowerment to employee vs employer...why do you think its the reverse?

Eh. The "power of the individual" just sounds like the newest iteration of the "American Dream" to me, and it's largely snake oil and pipe dreams, imo. We do a really horrible job of looking out for "the least of these" for a country supposedly founded on Christian values.

 

[KDSTONE]

An NBA franchise? Well, there was this one time... still nope.

Not surprising that you would conflate being a business owner with billionaires who own NBA teams. Scary and sad Please tell me that you don’t actually teach economics to your students

 

[KDSTONE]

Eh. The "power of the individual" just sounds like the newest iteration of the "American Dream" to me, and it's largely snake oil and pipe dreams, imo. We do a really horrible job of looking out for "the least of these" for a country supposedly founded on Christian values.

Hot take Troll of the Day Award nominee