Free Republic

“There are 535 problems in DC”

At this point, I would like for each of them to prove they are not being bribed by Ukraine money.

Yeah, normally it’s the other way around, but since justice has been stood on it’s head, I think it is prudent to assume that each Congressman is compromised in some fashion - either direct or indirect bribery, other behaviors held over them by the intel agencies.

Ah, the excuses.

Yes, you have to give up your Constitutional rights.

No, we aren’t going to tell you why, because “It’s Classified”

It also so happens that it helps bolster Deep State budgets, because, you know, “It’s Classified”.

Maybe somebody needs to break into Joe Bidens garage and get to the bottom of this.

What, praytell, could a “Senior Staffer” actually do in the real world? Actually work? I will wager that not even one will quit, and that this is merely a tantrum to see if anybody cares. So now they have their answer.

Plus where else do you get free insider trading stock tips as a side benefit?

Will he be endorsing Zelensky?

There are limited options when it comes to every government benefit and expectations Americans have of receiving it.

1. You can dedicate every productive fiber in all of america for decades, and maybe be able to pay it as people expect & want.

2. You can pay in inflated currency. You get what you are “entitled” on paper, but it doesnt buy what you thought it would.

3. Default.

Politics, as exhibited by our newly minted communists on this thread, dictates that you “get your money”, so you will get it. But you arent going to like it because it will be an inflated pittance.

#1 is off the table. Americans will not impoverish themselves because you want “your check”.

Good luck. We are all going to need it to get over our outsized expectations that are impossible to fulfill.

We are all socialists/communists like it or not. That means we will get nothing when the inevitable bill comes due.

Just think of how much money they would save if they got rid of all the aircraft in the Air Force?

“When Canada’s Supreme Court decided that euthanasia was an acceptable solution, I wonder if they realized how many people they would be condemning to an earlier death with such a decision?”

What kills cancer patients in Canada is delays in treatment from socialized medicine.

But it is a fair point, in my opinion, but who decides how much is spent on treatment?

If its “free” then the decision is different than if it is “out-of-pocket”.

The question and answers are as complex as people. Ive seen folks leave survivors destitute chasing long-shot treatments. Ive seen others accept the inevitable truth of a terminal illness.

As much as folks want to perch on the moral high-ground, there is a practical limit to medical costs if we are being honest. In our upcoming era of government austerity, we will face this issue more frequently. If you dont have the money, socialism wont be able to ride in to save you with high-cost treatments.

Is it fair? Depends on whether it is someone important to you or not.

From a practical sense, Bitcoin is a decent substitute for wires/swift for money transfers.

There are too few ways to transact in native bitcoin, so that is a fail.

Its (and I am not casting aspersions) a speculative investment.

There are too many risks (govt regulators, competing crypto emerging that address bitcoin shortfalls are a couple of big ones) to state “its here to stay” in my opinion.

“or spending cuts”

This is humorous.

“just don’t give a damn.”

Well, thats the thing. Giving the world and or its expectations of you and following your own path has an air of “rugged individualism” to it.

Not giving a damn but retreating to your mothers basement to mark time gaming and smoking weed and ordering grub-hub delivery on moms credit card is a totally different animal.

I see more of the latter, few of the former, though a true “rugged individualist” would simply do their thing and the world wouldnt know.

Im talking N=15 or so. Mileage may vary.

I’m not a fan of generational generalizations, but unfortunately I am familiar with some folks like this.

Prospering in this mode requires rich parents, patient parents willing to put up with an extended childhood, or some sort of hook into the welfare state.

It’s not a good time to be marking time like this - because the “safety net” is not going to survive in the relatively generous form it has evolved into.

Usually, when these folks get into the corporate world, they think they should be CEO or at least in very senior roles. Once they see that it actually takes hard work over an extended period of time - then it becomes “soul sucking” and a some (usually lacking talent or drive) just give up.

Many Z-ers are successful in many environments.

Working in a small enterprise or opening your own business is likely a lot more work than these lie-abouts are ready to consider.

Many will discover showing up and working is directly related to having something to eat. It won’t be a pretty site.

“It’s OK not to give money to Ukraine”

“Hanging by the neck seems excessive.”

Hanging is certainly technically binding, if not legally.

“It’s OK not to give money to Ukraine”

If you have a few in your parts box, then build it, run it and see if it blows up. It probably wont, but hey, this is the excitement of tinkering of electronics.

“This is because there are literally THOUSANDS of ways to get ‘information’ these days, and the number of advertisers have remained basically the same.”

Very good point. This speaks to the viability of any advertising vehicle these days.

Its almost to the point (maybe its just me) where marketing is increasingly pointless for a large swath of consumer goods.

For those, your marketing strategy is simply price. As an example for me, i like to have a diet soda every now and then. Coca cola products are nearly 8 bucks a 12 pack. Generic brand is 40% or less. So i tried the generic, found it acceptable. Others where I shop have also noticed this, as the shelves are always depleted of generics, but always full for coca cola. No amount of marketing can fix that. But marketing is what used to allow them to dominate. I have no idea how their business is going, but i am not exposed to any marketing from coca cola. So broadcasters are not getting that revenue....or other consumer staples.

That has to spell doom for old-school advertising. Coke can lower their prices if the unload the high cost structure, and it is inevitable they will do exactly that.

I guess its time for more ambulance chaser ads....

Ad-supported content does not seem to be viable in the long term.

Broadcast TV/radio without technological innovation are doomed, and will continue the glide into oblivion.

“A NY Times article might be offered for sale for three ‘penny points”

You are feeling generous today! The problem facing newspapers is that if folks are like me, i have no problem moving on if i dont get the info I want to see because of a paywall or a 30 second ad. I simply dont care if they dont want to give me info. I might pay something but its not possible now. I see X is maybe getting close. We will see.

“Engineers aren’t cheap either.”

True, Ive practically priced myself out of a great livelihood!

I dont consult much in broadcasting, but your point is valid.

There was a time when radio/tv marketing was the center of the center of the universe. But now, there are so many ways to slice and dice demographics that most broadcasters are on 2nd and third restructurings. The biggest assets AM radio has is the land that used to be on the outskirts of town. Many have sold out. Many will follow.

TV broadcast in my market would be broke if not for so many personal injury lawyers.

Unless they are allowed to innovate, there is a hard road ahead for broadcasting, because their product is stale and depreciating rapidly.

But internet services are not much better. Youtube is all but unusable. Im guessing Im not the only one who is tired of being pitched things I will never even think of buying.

“The auto industry is marketing lucrative subscription services for audio and GPS.”

Anymore, at least for me when driving, the competition for radio and the endless commercials is silence. I suspect its not entirely just me being old and grumpy.

There really is little reason to turn on the radio.

Streaming services can be just as bad. I believe the “Ad supported model” in broadcast/streaming simply doesnt work and is detrimental to providing anything of entertainment value.

I also posit that most if not all internet content cannot be profitable - because there is no way they make it worthwhile to sit through ads, and nobody can afford to “go ad free” on every individual information/entertainment service they may happen upon.

“many of whom remember the bill from 2023’s attempt, made the point that the gist of the bill was a way to give the losers in historical conflicts equal time with the winners.”

What people fail to understand is that each and every Confederate and Union soldier are Americans. So define “losers” and “winners” as you wish. If we tear down monuments, we are all losers. If you want to make a point that expresses something contrary to an existing historic monument, put up your own monument. That’s how adults handle this issue.

The rhetorical children amongst our fellow Americans throw tantrums, destroy, and are violent until they get their way.

If they insist on treating others and things that are important to others this way, they will be especially surprised and bitter when the exact same thing happens to them and those things that they think matter, because they are children and are unable to think ahead.