Politics And The Markets 04/04/22

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Comments

[tewright2012]

Nationwide gas prices are about 4.18 for regular unleaded. So I have to wonder why all the news shows prices from CA at 6.00 instead of Kansas or Alabama or Wisconsin where it is sub 4.00.

[C. King Alpha Flunkie]

@tewright2012 To stir the pot.

[daustin97222]

@tewright2012 Simple: "If it bleeds, it leads".

Here in the Portland area, lots of stations have over $5 on the sign. That's a headline.

[tewright2012]

@daustin97222 I am getting it for about 4.39 here in WA State with Costco being around 4.30.

[Divi-It-Up]

WTF?

www.washingtonpost.com/...

www.cbsnews.com/...

I feel sadness for those who don't appreciate the Second Amendment rights that many, whom are long dead, had fought and died for.

[Henry Miles]

@Divi-It-Up

Blather

[Divi-It-Up]

@Henry Miles The citizens in Ukraine would not agree with your opinion.

[Henry Miles]

@Divi-It-Up

Oh, so you speak for them?

[techy46]

@Namron Damron

It's going to be fun to watch and see if voters face slap Democrats.

"Democrats are growing increasingly worried about President Biden’s standing in the polls seven months out from the midterm elections.

Biden hasn’t seen a boost in his approval ratings amid Russia’s war in Ukraine despite support among Americans for the steps that he has taken.

While the economy continues to gain jobs and the unemployment rate is low, something Biden touted on Friday, inflation is at a 40-year high and gas prices are through the roof, exacerbated by the Russian invasion."

www.msn.com/...

[DoubleD44]

@techy46 The Dems were always going to lose midterms no matter what, its the cycle plus the GOP feel like they got cheated when Don had to leave so they are up in arms like always. If you aren't mad at something, don't join the GOP these days

[PaulM_2]

@techy46 The election may be 7 months away, but by Labor day, 5 months from now, most voters will have solidified their choices. So time is growing short for any turnaround by the Dems.

But I will predict one positive for the Dems that will likely take place from Jul-Sep. They will somehow show inflation has ebbed just before the election, accomplishing not only that objective, but also keeping the Social Security COLA down to a minimum for next year.

[Namron Damron]

@techy46 US history is laced with this back and forth. Have you just discovered that?

[al roman]

$es downgrade was because of expense of renewable in ratio to returns and these are compliance issues
That’s there job joe works for them too ?

[al roman]

You guys are getting too heavy in businesses your not trained or professional in

[techy46]

@daustin97222

The Democratic Socialists ARE the NEO-NAZIS.

"The Biden team's proposal would raise the average top tax rate on personal income to 57.4%, the steepest rate in the 38-member Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The president laid out a series of tax increases including a "Billionaire Minimum Income Tax" that would establish a 20% minimum tax on all U.S. households worth more than $100 million, or about 0.01% of Americans.

Under the proposal, the top sliver of U.S. households would be required to pay a tax rate of at least 20% on their full income, or the combination of wage income and whatever they made in unrealized gains. If a billionaire is not paying 20% on their income, they will owe a "top-up payment" that makes up the difference to meet the new minimum.

The White House projected that more than half the revenue generated by the tax would stem from the country's 700 billionaires."

www.msn.com/...

Continue

[DoubleD44]

@techy46 So where do you want to get the money, the people on the bottom? The extremely wealthy used to pay way more in taxes.

[daustin97222]

@DoubleD44 @techy46 We need a consumption tax, with a flat rate and an exemption for food, medicine, and housing. Structure it so that the first $50k (salt to taste) of expenditures is tax-free via rebate (yes, you have to save your receipts).

This will capture Donny's spending (instead of his $750 Fed tax bill nonsense). This will capture the underground economy. Captures tourist expenditures. No, it does NOT punish the poor, because necessities are excluded, and so is the first $50k. No place to hide, as you pay it when you buy and THEN you must request a rebate. 21% should do the trick. Corporations pay too, and with the same exemption(s). Motivates people to save and not buy frivolous crap. Fuels the economy by pushing up savings.

Yes, the Oligarchs escape with a lower overall rate, but they do now anyway. Fill in your rebate request, and no whining about the lack of a Schedule A. Puts half a million CPAs out of business.

[techy46]

@DoubleD44

That's a very good $32-64T question that needs very serious discussion.

US needs better leaders that prioritize our needs over those of others.

That means less not more defense and wars, more on what US needs.

The Ukrainian War was avoidable, France tried, US only hates Putin.

US has demonstrated same towards China, but only shows EU love.

That 57% is BS, it's now approaching 70-80% in blue states like CA.

Joe will never get a wealth tax, its unconstitutional, only income taxed.

US must build its way forward, not spend and tax its way into more debt.

Joe's BBB is wrong, it's already been built, just invest in it, not tax it.

Americans that earn, invest and save are far better off than all others.

Don't punish them, educate the others and lead them there.

[Pinguino Investments]

Oh, so this is what Fox & Friends is like: www.youtube.com/... I actually have never seen it before, but now I have an inkling about where the Trumplings get a lot of their opinions.

[DoubleD44]

@Pinguino Investments Hilarious!! Love Kate McKinnon

[Namron Damron]

@Pinguino Investments a world class SNL opening act.

[genomegk]

IEEFA predicted last year that wind, solar and hydro’s share of the U.S. electric power market would approach 30 percent by the end of 2026. IEEFA now believes the forecast reflected the low end of possible growth, given the significant acceleration in expected solar and wind (particularly offshore) capacity installations through 2026. We now expect that clean energy’s share of the electric generation market could hit 33 percent or more. Together with existing nuclear generation, this would push the U.S. share of carbon-free electricity to well over 50 percent—a massive transition from just five years ago.

The upward revisions happen every year. 50% is a safe bet. Last month the US obtained 40% of electricity used from carbon-free sources.

The transition to a low carbon economy continues to happen in plain sight.

[al roman]

m.youtube.com/...

[PaulM_2]

An update on the Ukraine war:

Russia's attempt to surround and capture Kiev has failed after meeting fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces, and poor execution by the Russian military. The seige of Chernihiv has also been lifted.

The capture of Kiev was one of several key objectives for Russia. The south (Black Sea & Sea of Azov) & east (Donbas) are the other objectives, & fighting continues there. Russia still controls considerable territory and is attempting to encircle Ukrainian troops in the east.

Russia announced it was pulling back from Kiev a week ago after 'achieving its objectives' and in order to de-escalate, & would shift resources to focus on the Donbas region. Clearly propaganda. Russia's defeat in Kiev certainly wasn't part of its plan.

The Russian military advanced to the eastern and western outskirts of Kiev but failed to sustain its forces due to superior Ukrainian perseverance and tactics, Russian logistical problems, tactical incompetence, and a failure to commit more resources to the fight.

It is clear that the Russian leadership/military came to the conclusion that pouring more resources into the maw of Kiev would not help it achieve its objective. The Russian military lost significant numbers of armored vehicles and troops in the Kiev operation.

Keep in mind we still don't understand the extent of Ukraine's losses in the battle for Kiev. Ukrainian forces will also have to consolidate and refit for the next fight.

While Russia's loss in Kiev certainly stings Putin and Moscow, it did serve to tie down Ukrainian resources needed in the east & south, where Russia has made significant gains and theoretically has an advantage with shorter supply lines, control of seas, etc.

"Theoretically" because it is unclear if Russia will learn from its mistakes in Kiev. The loss in Kiev is a very bitter pill for the Russian military. If Russia wants to have success in the east & south, it will have to adapt and commit more resources.

Ukraine may be able to shift resources to the south & east, but it must continue to devote units to defend Kiev, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, etc. In the short term, a renewed Russian offensive against Kiev is highly unlikely, but Ukraine must remain vigilant.

Russia has intensified its operations in the Donbas & east. Izium fell last week and Russian troops are slowly advancing southward, while Russian forces on the east & west bank of the Dnieper River are attempting to push northward to Zaporizhzhia & Kryvyi Rih.

Fighting outside of Mykolaiv continues and Ukrainian forces are counterattacking in an attempt to halt a westward Russian advance towards Odesa, the last major port Ukrainian-held on the Black Sea. Russia has launched missile strikes into Odesa.

Russia's mistakes (excluding the tactical issues) are that it underestimated the Ukrainian's willingness to defend Kiev, and overestimated its ability to effectively fight on multiple fronts.

Russia may have been better served by focusing on Kharkiv region, and the south and east, with a limited operation to tie down Ukrainian forces north of Kiev. It would have had more resources for operations in those theaters.

Ukraine's victory in Kiev is significant, but must be viewed as a victory in one battle in the war. Russia still controls significant territory in the south and east, and is pressing its offensives.

Sanctions have yet to break the Russian economy or lead to Putin's overthrow (there is evidence that Putin's popularity may growing, but that is unclear). Some NATO/EU countries, led by Germany, are resisting calls to increase sanctions due to dependance on Russian gas/oil.

President Zelensky has conceded on several Russian demands, including neutrality & non-NATO status. The issue of territory will be a major sticking point, and that likely will be dictated by success or failure on the battlefield. This war was never going to be quick.

[al roman]

Buy want mind.

[al roman]

When all else fails that’s who they sick on ya

[al roman]

Unbelievable

[DoubleD44]

@al roman $TWTR had a very nice day

[al roman]

@DoubleD44 The process
Not an sec issue

[al roman]

Tech “your profiting off rate raises ?..”

[al roman]

D seems to think so.

[DoubleD44]

@al roman I do

[PaulM_2]

Look at all the woke Twitter employees that were triggered by Elon Musk becoming the company's largest shareholder:

It’s a thing of beauty.

One second, wokies are resting on their laurels, telling those MAGA dweebs that Twitter is a private company and can set whatever speech limits it wants.

The next second, they’re upset when someone they don’t like buys a huge stake in said private company!

Here’s a wonderful series of screenshots from this thread by journalist Andy Ngô: twitter.com/...

The morons can't even understand why the stock price went up. Those buying now expect Musk to advocate for change which they think will make the company more valuable. The morons can't understand that the way they are comfortable doing things was destroying value.

[PaulM_2]

@PaulM_2 As we speak the Democrat smear machine and their media allies are pouring through every word spoken by Musk over the years looking for anything that they can fabricate into a hit job on him. He cannot be allowed to disturb their monopoly on censorship.

Expect to see these hit jobs any day now.

[al roman]

You guys are on an investment site and let these anti market trolls run all over the place

[DayIdie]

@al roman look like uslg missed their reporting deadline. Soft
deadline??

[al roman]

@DayIdie $uslg

[al roman]

@DayIdie I post some good on this may be belated

[al roman]

Don’t worry about the rest just focus on Putin that’s it

[al roman]

Wokes are experts at all constituencies of the mix

[al roman]

Typical wonder 💭 breads

[al roman]

Defunct policy bring on the mid terms