COVID-19

[vapacersfan]

Interesting opinion piece/article. I do not agree with all of it but as I was talking to a good friend last week (a huge Bernie fan) I think some folks have ignored (or undersold) how much of an impact this will have on the middle class

The Entitlements of U.S. Decline
Biden says his plans will make America great again. Ask Europe how that has turned out.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-entitlements-of-u-s-decline-joe-biden-europe-11633556687?st=lda3iywrwi73gzr&reflink=article_copyURL_share

[dal9]

Interesting opinion piece/article. I do not agree with all of it but as I was talking to a good friend last week (a huge Bernie fan) I think some folks have ignored (or undersold) how much of an impact this will have on the middle class

The Entitlements of U.S. Decline
Biden says his plans will make America great again. Ask Europe how that has turned out.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-entitlements-of-u-s-decline-joe-biden-europe-11633556687?st=lda3iywrwi73gzr&reflink=article_copyURL_share

i didn't read it, but i'm pretty sure biden didn't say his "plans will make america great again"

[Natston]

i didn't read it, but i'm pretty sure biden didn't say his "plans will make america great again"

Yeah it’s actually “build america (the thing) back better”.

[Gamble1]

Interesting opinion piece/article. I do not agree with all of it but as I was talking to a good friend last week (a huge Bernie fan) I think some folks have ignored (or undersold) how much of an impact this will have on the middle class

The Entitlements of U.S. Decline
Biden says his plans will make America great again. Ask Europe how that has turned out.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-entitlements-of-u-s-decline-joe-biden-europe-11633556687?st=lda3iywrwi73gzr&reflink=article_copyURL_share

Yeah not sure I am buying it. The US labor participation rate is in the low 60's and for the EU it is in the low 70's and has been for the last 5 years. As simplistic as we all want these arguments to be I tend to think people cherry pick the data to suit their own argument which normally boils down to gross inaccuracies in tax rates on what is actually be taxed and who is actually paying the tax. We claim the tax burden is very high but many dodge, skirt and circumvent the taxes that should be paid while defunding the IRS to administer the tax code. We can not even enforce our tax laws so it is hard for me to believe in any comparison to Europe.

[vapacersfan]

Yeah not sure I am buying it. The US labor participation rate is in the low 60's and for the EU it is in the low 70's and has been for the last 5 years. As simplistic as we all want these arguments to be I tend to think people cherry pick the data to suit their own argument which normally boils down to gross inaccuracies in tax rates on what is actually be taxed and who is actually paying the tax. We claim the tax burden is very high but many dodge, skirt and circumvent the taxes that should be paid while defunding the IRS to administer the tax code. We can not even enforce our tax laws so it is hard for me to believe in any comparison to Europe.

I respect where you are coming from but I disagree with your last point

While I am sure it does exist, IMO there are not many middle class folks who are dodging, skirting, or circumventing tax codes.

We see it at several layers - EG. how many of us use dry cleaners or have favorite restaurants that are cash only? I doubt they are cash only solely to prevent credit card fees

We all know about BP and Apple making billions and paying zero.

Ignoring corporations we all know that the upper class that have their own set of rules.

[Gamble1]

I respect where you are coming from but I disagree with your last point

While I am sure it does exist, IMO there are not many middle class folks who are dodging, skirting, or circumventing tax codes.

We see it at several layers - EG. how many of us use dry cleaners or have favorite restaurants that are cash only? I doubt they are cash only solely to prevent credit card fees

We all know about BP and Apple making billions and paying zero.

Ignoring corporations we all know that the upper class that have their own set of rules.

The article claims that the middle class will suffer if you increase the society safety nets by decreasing labor participation and that measurement per the article was the example of one country (Germany). I simply pointed out that either the author is lying or using an outlier as an example since the EU labor participation is stronger than the US. Biden's plan via the article is about taxing the rich or corporate America and the author states that the EU tax burden falls on the middle class which would be the case if the US follows suit.

I think the true cost is unclear since the actual cost has not been determine. Using the EU as the boogey man is not really addressing the problem. IF our current system works then the middle class would not be shrinking and our wealth inequality would not be growing at the rate that it is. One could also argue that our current system is leading to more fractures in our society threatening the entire system. IF our system was working one would predict a more stable society and a lower poverty rate.

[graphic-er]

The article claims that the middle class will suffer if you increase the society safety nets by decreasing labor participation and that measurement per the article was the example of one country (Germany). I simply pointed out that either the author is lying or using an outlier as an example since the EU labor participation is stronger than the US. Biden's plan via the article is about taxing the rich or corporate America and the author states that the EU tax burden falls on the middle class which would be the case if the US follows suit.

I think the true cost is unclear since the actual cost has not been determine. Using the EU as the boogey man is not really addressing the problem. IF our current system works then the middle class would not be shrinking and our wealth inequality would not be growing at the rate that it is. One could also argue that our current system is leading to more fractures in our society threatening the entire system. IF our system was working one would predict a more stable society and a lower poverty rate.

BINGO. We are in late stage capitalism. The US really has no choice but to embrace socialistic programs like Medicare at this point.

[Eleazar]

BINGO. We are in late stage capitalism. The US really has no choice but to embrace socialistic programs like Medicare at this point.

There is no such thing as late stage capitalism. Most of our problems could be fixed if we moved the burden from the federal government to the state governments. Let each state decide if they want taxes to pay for healthcare or not. The centralization of everything to the federal government is why this country is so divided. As long as states are upholding individual rights, there is no reason for the federal government to be involved in most things. Domestically that is really what the role of the federal government is supposed to be, not controlling how things are done, but making sure each state is upholding the rights of the people. Beyond that most everything else should be decided at the state level.

[Gamble1]

There is no such thing as late stage capitalism. Most of our problems could be fixed if we moved the burden from the federal government to the state governments. Let each state decide if they want taxes to pay for healthcare or not. The centralization of everything to the federal government is why this country is so divided. As long as states are upholding individual rights, there is no reason for the federal government to be involved in most things. Domestically that is really what the role of the federal government is supposed to be, not controlling how things are done, but making sure each state is upholding the rights of the people. Beyond that most everything else should be decided at the state level.

Yeah I can see so many flaws with that system. Essentially you would have people travel across state borders to get treatment and by law you can not deny treatment if the person life is in danger.

Then you have the issue of poor states vs wealthier states. The federal income tax is designed to tax wealthier people more and poor people less. So by design wealthier states support the poor people in the poor states. If you rip that a way you will find that places like West Virgina, Kentucky and many others would be facing a massive crisis.

[Bball]

Capitalism will eat itself alive if we let it... And we've been letting it do exactly that.

[Ozys Nepimpis]

https://theathletic.com/2890869/2021/10/15/why-kevin-durant-isnt-mad-at-kyrie-irving-we-are-not-going-to-change-his-mind/

Why Kevin Durant isn’t mad at Kyrie Irving: ‘We are not going to change his mind”

Joe Vardon Oct 15, 2021 122
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Shouldn’t Kevin Durant be mad at Kyrie Irving?

“What is being mad going to do?” Durant said. “We are not going to change his mind, know what I’m saying?”

Durant may not be upset with Irving over this whole vaccine debacle, but he hasn’t spoken to him yet, either. Not since the bombshell dropped Tuesday that the Nets are moving on without the seven-time All-Star until he either gets the COVID-19 vaccine or, the New York City rule changes so he could work inside without one.

Since the start of training camp, when Irving couldn’t attend the Nets’ media day in person because he had not gotten a shot, through a turbulent preseason that is now finished, his teammates, including Durant, have maintained Irving was making a personal choice. They didn’t criticize him.

Refusing the vaccine is indeed a personal decision, insofar as only Irving can give a thumbs up or down to a nurse sticking a needle in his arm. But that choice has now impacted an entire basketball team, and the league, not to mention companies who sponsor Irving such as Nike. And the burden is going to fall at least in part on Durant because, well, now Brooklyn needs to replace Kyrie’s 26.9 points per game.

Durant carried the Nets through the playoffs last season when James Harden was hobbled and then Irving went down with an injury, and he likewise carried a disjointed Team USA to gold in Tokyo. At age 33, Durant’s still in his prime. As long as he’s upright, he can do this. And yes, Harden is still standing next to him. He’s won a few NBA scoring titles so, no, Durant isn’t going to have to do this alone.

But Durant wouldn’t have to bear any greater burden at all but for a choice Irving’s made, which is wild because, well, Durant would not have come to Brooklyn if not for his friendship with Irving.

“Life is amazing, so I can’t be too mad at somebody for making a decision for themselves,” Durant said.

Well, yes, the $198-million extension Durant agreed to recently is a reason to feel breezy and light. He’s got another gold around his neck, two NBA titles to his name, a number of thriving business ventures, and more than $262 million in career earnings already.

But the inescapable truth is that Durant left the Golden State Warriors for Brooklyn in the summer of 2019 specifically because he wanted to team up with his friend Irving. Not to win, per se, because Durant is so transcendent a talent that any team he signed with was going to instantly become a contender (allowing, of course, for the year-long rehab from a torn Achilles that kept him out for the 19-20 season). And he didn’t pick the Nets for a paycheck, because, again, the money was always going to come.

The Nets closed the preseason with a sound 107-101 victory over Minnesota on Thursday. Durant glided through 32 minutes with a breezy 19 points and seven rebounds. After the game was the first time Durant had spoken publicly since the Nets sent Irving home. Like Harden, Durant said he hadn’t spoken to Irving since that decision was announced.

“I definitely want Kyrie to be around, I wish none of this stuff had happened,” Durant said. “But this is the situation that we’re in, and Kyrie made his decision on what he wanted to do, he chose to do what he wanted to do and the team did the same. For me, I’m just going to focus on me and do my job.”

Durant also mentioned that “things will work out best for both parties.” The last time he said something like it (last week), he added “maybe I’m being naive.” What has happened since, with Irving holding his ground, the Nets pulling the plug on him, and then, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the team changing its mind about offering Irving a $186 million contract extension. He has a player’s option worth $35.6 million for next season, and of course, he’s going to be forfeiting pay for the 43 games he’ll miss in New York out of the $34.9 million on his contract for this year.

The pressure of literally losing millions could cause Irving to cave. Or, perhaps, he’ll miss the game too much. The city’s rule about requiring vaccination to work at or attend an indoor entertainment venue came from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose term is up at the end of this year. The city’s next likely mayor is Democrat Eric Adams, who is currently Brooklyn borough president. He has not taken a position on de Blasio’s vaccine requirement and declined to respond when contacted Thursday by The Athletic. Between Irving’s contract status (he could be a free agent as early as next summer), no likely political avenue for him, and the possibility the Nets find a trade partner — it’s possible Durant and Irving never play together in Brooklyn again.

The Nets are trying to move on now. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks await Tuesday, and beyond that, a season in which oddsmakers still like the Nets as a title favorite, even without Irving. Durant and Harden are a dangerous combo for any opponent, Joe Harris is still here to knock down 3s, and kind of like the Lakers have done in Los Angeles, the Nets filled out their roster with aging-but-capable vets such as Blake Griffin, Patty Mills, Paul Millsap, and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Coach Steve Nash even offered before Thursday’s game that he’s said all he can say about the Irving situation until something changes. But Durant knows the questions aren’t going to go away.

“It may not be an everyday thing like it is now, but I’m sure it’s going to come up here and there,” he said. “(We’re) pros, we understand, we know y’all got a job to do.

“We knew what we was getting ourselves into if something like this would happen.”

Durant and Irving bonded while winning gold for Team USA in 2016. They remained close when Irving forced a trade out of Cleveland and shook Boston’s locker room to its core. They came to Brooklyn, knowing Durant would miss their first season together because of the Achilles. As it turned out, Irving only played 20 games in 2019-20 anyway because of a shoulder injury.

They finally got the chance to play together last season, and just after it began Irving disappeared from the team for personal reasons, an absence extended by the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

What’s keeping them apart now isn’t a league rule, but a city rule. And a choice by Irving not to get the shot. He’s made more work and created more responsibility for Durant, and jeopardized the Nets’ title chances.

At least Durant isn’t mad at him for it.

[vapacersfan]

RIP Colin Powell

[vapacersfan]

Has anyone got the booster yet?

Any side effects with the booster?

[Gamble1]

Has anyone got the booster yet?

Any side effects with the booster?

Outside of my Mom getting it my wife is due next week. For my mom there were no side effects.

[shags]

Has anyone got the booster yet?

Any side effects with the booster?

I had a teacher friend who got it. He had no issues with either of the initial COVID shots but had flu like symptoms for a day after the booster.