@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai cover
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

FirefighterGeek

@[email protected]

INTP. Volunteer firefighter 20+ years. Software Developer. Parent. Grandparent. Love to fix things, not people.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. View on remote instance

rbreich , to Random
@rbreich@masto.ai avatar

What will Trump’s conviction really mean? https://robertreich.substack.com/p/what-will-trumps-conviction-mean?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

FirefighterGeek ,
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

@rbreich There were some good data points from polling recently. 16% of republicans surveyed thought Trump should end his campaign. That's a very bad number for Trump.

rbreich , to Random
@rbreich@masto.ai avatar

Will Trump be criminally convicted in his election interference trial? If so, will it affect the election?

FirefighterGeek ,
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

@rbreich The only thing likely to radically alter the election at this point would be if either of these old men suffer a catastrophic medical problem -- something not out of the question for either one.

This is the first election in my lifetime that I think was over before it started. I'm not sure in which direction, but I think the vast majority are locked in.

rbreich , to Random
@rbreich@masto.ai avatar

Trump has proposed a 10% tariff on all imported goods and a 60% or more tariff on Chinese imports.

No matter what he says, tariffs aren't paid by the other country. They're paid by you.

Recent analysis predicts his plan would cost the average family about $1,500 extra per year.

FirefighterGeek ,
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

@rbreich I have no interest in agreeing with the orange insurrectionist -- that said, there's a valid case to be made for some level of protectionism. Tariffs that counter the cost difference in countries not enforcing labor or environmental rules, or in cases of dumping for strategic advantage are very much valid strategies.

Of course, 60% seems ridiculous to me, but I haven't see the numbers that would have to support it.

Like 99% of what he says, it's meaningless drivel anyway.

rbreich , to Random
@rbreich@masto.ai avatar

There’s something odd about Trump’s inability to post an appeal bond in his NY civil fraud case. All those buildings and clubs could serve as collateral against a loan to pay the bond…unless they are already pledged as collateral on other loans. Is it all a house of cards?

FirefighterGeek ,
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

@rbreich I wrote about this yesterday. It's either already leveraged to its peak value, which means his net work has to be under a billion in total and could be as little as the edge of bankruptcy, or else he's just playing a delay and bargaining game with the appeals court. Some combination of those is possible.

rbreich , to Random
@rbreich@masto.ai avatar

First it was Boehringer. Now drugmaker AstraZeneca has followed suit by capping out-of-pocket costs for inhalers to $35/mo. That’s down from over $600. But this doesn’t happen by itself.

It took pressure by lawmakers like Sen. Bernie Sanders and from engaged consumer activists.

FirefighterGeek ,
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

@rbreich They're capping prices but still making money on a few common things to avoid legislation that would mean sweeping reforms. They can say, "look, we're helping" when they're not really helping.

rbreich , to Random
@rbreich@masto.ai avatar

Trump pledged revenge and retribution should he regain office. He says he will be a dictator on “day one.” He calls opponents “vermin” who he will “root out.” He says the blood of our country is being poisoned.

We are far past left vs right.

Our choice is democracy our fascism.

FirefighterGeek ,
@FirefighterGeek@masto.ai avatar

@rbreich ...and we can't count on SCOTUS limiting what he does.

Our whole system is predicated on even the leaders following the instructions of the court -- but with Trump, you have to ask:

"What if he simply refuses to do what the court says?"

He's definitely shown a willingness to ignore what we all assume are fundamental parts of our society.

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • random
  • All magazines
    •