I think another thing that isn’t being talked about with these layoffs, which would call for more unionization and policy making, is that “AI” is taking over these jobs.
Also when companies merge, there are “redundant” employees. So like the recent Microsoft layoffs, those were going to happen.
I know a few schools in my area tried to institute zero tolerance no phones rule and the screaming from parents was loud enough that they gave up. One of the big sticking points was because of school shootings. Another was that schools have been bad about getting kids on the bus, that kids are getting lost or even ending up in bus depots at the end of the day.
Something I’ve thought about recently that I don’t think gets mentioned enough is the raising of speed limits across the board. You have a car centric infrastructure operating along neglected (and sometimes non-existent) pedestrian paths and the speed limits keep going higher.
Yeah but Oklahoma has a small town called Peggs
I didn’t see a question in your original comment but I can answer a bit.
A lot has been said about the proposal to tax unrealized gains. One of the issues is that this is how the super wealthy are able to keep their taxes low. A not insignificant amount of their wealth is tied up in the stock market. This sits as an unrealized gain(or loss) but, because of the large amount of their holdings, they can take out loans using it as collateral at near 0% interest. This loan is tax free, and reduces their tax burden at the same time. Closing this loophole for them is a big one. Why do you think the majority of the compensation C Suite executives are given is in stocks? It’s for this very reason.
Now the backlash on the proposal to tax unrealized gains is fair when you look at what is considered unrealized gains. With inflation, house values are generally always going up. That increase IS an unrealized gain. And don’t be mistaken, the fact that we accept 2% as a general year-over-year inflation number means that inflation is an accepted financial policy of the United States.
That’s why the proposal to tax unrealized gains starts at an already high number. I think it was in the $400,000 range, but I am not certain.
Piggy backing off of this, a lot of the super wealthy bury their money into real estate. The idea of increasing real estate taxes on purchases based on the amount of home(s) you have has been circling around. I like the idea.
Closing the loopholes surrounding Private Foundations that they start up is another. Here’s an article that best articulates what’s wrong with these. https://www.propublica.org/article/how-private-nonprofits-ultrawealthy-tax-deductions-museums-foundation-art
Finally, we need an IRS that is funded and staffed appropriately, and to actually ENFORCE the tax code.
One of the biggest budget issues with the F35 program is that maintenance and repairs must go through private industry. Corporations just continuing to milk profit at every level. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/09/22/gao-blasts-contractor-led-f-35-maintenance-as-costly-slow/
There was the semi-recent report following the plane disappearance in the Carolinas that pointed to the battle readiness of the F35 program being lower than is acceptable (don’t remember the percentage thrown out there), and a lot of that is due to the corporate side of the deal. Parts are not readily available when needed, repairs are going slower than we are used to, and this is on top of using newer technologies in an effort to PREDICT future conflicts.
I hope we have learned our lessons from the F22 and F35 programs. New tank designs for the successor to the M1A2 Abrams are popping up. We cannot allow future programs to continue to favor corporate profits to these levels.
I can’t speak on the billionaires but wealthy people are already utilizing private LLCs to do exactly what you are talking about.
It’s written in the Nitter link but Poland wanted the backing of the US in the event Russia would attack Poland. They wanted it to be an “Allied” decision as opposed to just a Polish decision.
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Great book
You ignore the part of suppressed wages and denial of benefits. The average American worker does not receive the benefits of the aid
Edit: this is to add to your point.
The lawmakers pretend they don’t understand. They know the benefits of aid aren’t going to the American workers, and because of suppressed wages and non-existent mandatory benefits, the tactic works. The general public is purposefully removed from how any of this works and that allows manipulators to run around yelling bullshit lies that sound true. The bureaucracy works to their advantage, and it’s why we are buried in it.
That’s my go to but another great lineup would be Slipknot, Mudvayne, and Static X/Drowning Pool.