I agree. This is also the level that I've been eyeing.
I still hesitate though, between the trade war, Trump's general incompetence and given that everyone and their mothers are predicting a market crash within 1-2 years.
-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
- Status
I agree. This is also the level that I've been eyeing.
I still hesitate though, between the trade war, Trump's general incompetence and given that everyone and their mothers are predicting a market crash within 1-2 years.
For reference, market crashes generally happen when *nobody* is predicting them. The fact that everyone is predicting it means it probably won't happen in that timefrme.
The trade war is going to make a big fat mess, but Tesla is better positioned than the vast majority of companies (Netflix and Amazon are also well-positioned). I'd expect high volatility when Trump is impeached -- which he almost certainly will be, because his manifest incompetence is starting to disturb even the most loyal Republican Senators, who would prefer Pence.
A crash is unlikely. I think the market may instead go down slowly *bear market style* for a few years, which hasn't really happened in my lifetime and which essentially nobody is expecting. That would hurt. I'm trying to position myself defensively for this but it's not straightfoward.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
As long as the economy stays strong and he doesn't make any massive blunder I don't see impeachment happening.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
He's already made several massive blunders.
The child separation policy, which horrified a large number of Republican Congresspeople, was condemned by the Southern Baptists and caused the Methodists to start the process of expelling Sessions from his church.
The tarriffs, which have caused major Republican big business funders to fund the Democrats directly, and have the Murdoch press attacking Trump.
It takes time for these things to catch up with him, but I think they have to be classified as major blunders. I would honestly be more surprised if the Republican politicians decided to tie themselves to this *anchor* and go down with the ship, though they may do so.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
Don't worry, it's coming. Or maybe I should say do worry, it's coming.
Courtesy of the NYT, here's a thoughtful argument for a leftward turn in Democratic politics from a political heavy. Even aside from an anti-Trump vote, the political landscape has changed as the middle class is being wiped out even more. Should be appealing to middle class white men who have been left out.
The New Old Democrats
The New Old Democrats
A French citizen crosses the border with Canada by accident.
A jogger accidentally crossed into the U.S. from Canada and was detained for two weeks
After this and a series of similar incidents, one can anticipate headlines after Trump's second inaugural. (Courtesy of Pravduh.com, as The Onion has been removed from existence by the new FTC head, Jeff Sessions, who was instrumental in eliminating all satire of His Vanity, as we were thereafter required to call the president re-elect.)
"Pravduh has an exclusive which is possible due to our private internet service, Starlink, called Radio Free America. We now know after a series of insults to French citizens like what happened in 2018, the French asked for the Statue of Liberty to be returned. Unfortunately, that was privatized along with all U.S. assets, including Social Security--a dream of conservatives since inception. Doubly unfortunate, Trump had already sold it for scrap to President-for-Life, Putin."
A jogger accidentally crossed into the U.S. from Canada and was detained for two weeks
After this and a series of similar incidents, one can anticipate headlines after Trump's second inaugural. (Courtesy of Pravduh.com, as The Onion has been removed from existence by the new FTC head, Jeff Sessions, who was instrumental in eliminating all satire of His Vanity, as we were thereafter required to call the president re-elect.)
"Pravduh has an exclusive which is possible due to our private internet service, Starlink, called Radio Free America. We now know after a series of insults to French citizens like what happened in 2018, the French asked for the Statue of Liberty to be returned. Unfortunately, that was privatized along with all U.S. assets, including Social Security--a dream of conservatives since inception. Doubly unfortunate, Trump had already sold it for scrap to President-for-Life, Putin."
Last edited:
gilscales
Banned
I just wanted you to know that I really missed your informative posts as I continued to read through this thread and I am still constantly and consistantly shocked at the fear mongoring from the far left who only see what they believe, are unwilling to compromise in any way, shape or form and simply cannot do the math on where the money will come from to fund all of these outlandish giveaway programs, I work hard for my income and the amount of taxes I have to pay are criminal, I have family members who live off "the system", they are physically able to work but they tell me that they get the equivalent of a $25 an hour job in free assistance after factoring in all of the governments help and cannot imagine how they would get the nessesary training to qualify them for a higher paying job even if they had the motivation to do so, (section 8 housing benefits, food stamps, discounted utilities, cell phones, high speed internet and others...) Things have to change before the middle class is disappears.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
You do understand that it's the extremely rich who are hoarding all the wealth and not those on government assistance, right? The middle class was fine when there was less concentration of wealth at the top. Our economy is turning into an inverted pyramid, inherently unstable. Trump is trying to increase the wealth disparity.
gilscales
Banned
So let me guess what your answer is to this, redistribution of wealth and a socialist economy.
From what I hear Trump is not the generator of the tax bill. Of course he signed the bill, but the source is the Republican leadership and followers. He's letting Congress do their thing, at least for a moment. He's not a policy guy, but Stephen Miller on domestic policy and Bolton on foreign policy are. Trump's cred with Congress is slipping. What he's really interested in is headlines, not policy. He has a gut reaction to people of color, women, science, his version of Islam, and everything Obama. That can generate policy initiatives but his lack of organizational skills and negotiation is not so hot. When coverage gets to a certain outrageous point, he intervenes and crudely, as the impossible then possible executive order on separating families happens. Then he throws it to Congress, and after a halfway attempt, throws it away and claims it is to be saved by the coming red wave in November.
Perhaps he's right. Since we have done little to protect the integrity of our electoral process, with just a nudge from Putin and minions....
I'm not sure I can challenge those who criticize the left. In my personal experience the only Trump supporter in my family is homeless and likely a drug addict. I presume, therefore, there may be within the Republican persuasion some others, wealthy or not, who are grifters.
Since we are all here of above average intelligence, I wonder if Trump's supporters have a way to assess the chances of a Red Wave in November? Also, I would as an "extinguished" professor of Soviet studies any fix on the probability of continued Russian influence that might affect the outcome? From the center, left wing by US standards, but far right by world standards, my assessment of a Blue Wave in November is low probability, and sincerely hope the Dems stay away from impeachment during the campaign and for the foreseeable future. Five-thirty-eight and many other knowledgeable outlets have thoroughly discussed the impeachment thing in history. You have to have at minimum a dna sample to match semen on a dress for a Democrat or a bungled up response to a civil war for a Republican. Trump hasn't that record as yet; give him time. An advice to the left, such as it is in this country, the land of the free.
Perhaps he's right. Since we have done little to protect the integrity of our electoral process, with just a nudge from Putin and minions....
I'm not sure I can challenge those who criticize the left. In my personal experience the only Trump supporter in my family is homeless and likely a drug addict. I presume, therefore, there may be within the Republican persuasion some others, wealthy or not, who are grifters.
Since we are all here of above average intelligence, I wonder if Trump's supporters have a way to assess the chances of a Red Wave in November? Also, I would as an "extinguished" professor of Soviet studies any fix on the probability of continued Russian influence that might affect the outcome? From the center, left wing by US standards, but far right by world standards, my assessment of a Blue Wave in November is low probability, and sincerely hope the Dems stay away from impeachment during the campaign and for the foreseeable future. Five-thirty-eight and many other knowledgeable outlets have thoroughly discussed the impeachment thing in history. You have to have at minimum a dna sample to match semen on a dress for a Democrat or a bungled up response to a civil war for a Republican. Trump hasn't that record as yet; give him time. An advice to the left, such as it is in this country, the land of the free.
My take on Russia's interference in the US is that they want maximum disruption. That may mean that they interfere on the side of the Democrats, or just refrain entirely. "See, we don't meddle with elections!" at the same time as the Democrats take the house but Republicans increase their majority in the Senate.
From were I sit it seems that the absolutism has reached fever pitch. Those on the left cant see a single redeeming factor in trump and those on the right think the Dems will give away the house given the chance.
But what about the middle. While I believe trump is a con man who has never seen a wad of cash he would not do almost anything to grab I also think some of his policy's align with mine. For instance the pull back of american forces is long over due. When we decided to project force to protect our vital national interest's and decided that the whole world was a vital national interest...well we became and remained the worlds policeman. Pulling back from that is in my opinion a good idea.
Controlling immigration is a good thing. Of course the Steven Miller way is insane and counter productive. Building a wall is insane and a waste of time/money. But I agree with the idea of controlling the folks that come here.
One problem for me with the current PUTUS is his almost complete lack of faith in the expert's in science. Putting Mr. Pruit in charge of the EPA being exhibit one. Missing out on the opportunity to embrace and push clean energy instead of the boneheaded coal train shows a lack of foresight that is shocking.
To claim climate change is a hoax is frightening when instead we should look at it as a chance to lead the world in a new direction ....and reap the benefits.
But what about the middle. While I believe trump is a con man who has never seen a wad of cash he would not do almost anything to grab I also think some of his policy's align with mine. For instance the pull back of american forces is long over due. When we decided to project force to protect our vital national interest's and decided that the whole world was a vital national interest...well we became and remained the worlds policeman. Pulling back from that is in my opinion a good idea.
Controlling immigration is a good thing. Of course the Steven Miller way is insane and counter productive. Building a wall is insane and a waste of time/money. But I agree with the idea of controlling the folks that come here.
One problem for me with the current PUTUS is his almost complete lack of faith in the expert's in science. Putting Mr. Pruit in charge of the EPA being exhibit one. Missing out on the opportunity to embrace and push clean energy instead of the boneheaded coal train shows a lack of foresight that is shocking.
To claim climate change is a hoax is frightening when instead we should look at it as a chance to lead the world in a new direction ....and reap the benefits.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
The current version of capitalism isn't quite working, is it? Wealth hoarding is not sustainable, so yes something needs to be done to redistribute wealth. A more realistic taxation scheme, as we used to have decades ago, would be a start.
The current version of the economy is not capitalism but crony capitalism or socialism for corporations. In reality, the correct term is fascism. The unholy alliance between government and corporations.
What is your definition of hording? The rich don't spend their money of course but they do invest it. They buy stocks which support the creation of enterprises (like Tesla). They invest in bonds which support local, state, and federal government spending. They invest in real estate which creates a rental market for individuals and businesses. This whole idea that consumption drives an economy is completely asinine. Yes, you need a good consumer society but we have gone so far that 70% of our GDP is consumption. Typically, that isn't a problem if you can afford it but most of this consumption is financed by debt. That is extremely wasteful as a society and asking for more of it is not the right thing to do. In addition, with our already large trade deficit, all that extra consumption is doing is enriching our suppliers, most of which are outside the US leaving us with nothing more than retail jobs.
What is your definition of a realistic taxation scheme? In the 1950s, the 90% tax was reserved for only those with multi-million dollar (adjusted for inflation) incomes. There were also many deductions that existed back then, too. According to Hauser's Law, no matter what the income tax rate, the revenues are always about 20%.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
What is created by owning stocks like Apple and collecting dividends to increase your wealth?
- Status
Similar threads
