Tariffs?

[bpj]

The big companies have to try and maximize profits for the little guy, don't they?

Stockholders won't be happy otherwise. That is the little guy.

The people living on the corner aren't their responsibility.

There's a pretty considerable gap between people on the corner and stockholders. Those people are quickly being forgotten.

I don't think we've seen the last of Luigi Mangioni types taking matters into their own hands so long as profit over people is the goal.

If the argument is that things like insurance companies and drug manufacturers shouldn't be profit-first, I can agree with that.

But regular public companies, their allegiances aren't to the people in between obviously.

[auroraave]

The big companies have to try and maximize profits for the little guy, don't they?

Stockholders won't be happy otherwise. That is the little guy.

The people living on the corner aren't their responsibility.

There's a pretty considerable gap between people on the corner and stockholders. Those people are quickly being forgotten.

I don't think we've seen the last of Luigi Mangioni types taking matters into their own hands so long as profit over people is the goal.

If the argument is that things like insurance companies and drug manufacturers shouldn't be profit-first, I can agree with that.

But regular public companies, their allegiances aren't to the people in between obviously.

I don't think there is any way to make them not-for profit - I think what makes it worse is that they are publicly traded - thus having to do ANYTHING to prop up stock prices by any means necessary, usually so the CEO can get that mega bonus.

It's unfortunate but insurance is nothing but a black hole that needs regulations because they are also out of control - but a big part of that is because of fraud and scams costing them billions. I am against the regulation in general, but we are getting to a point that is is simply unmanageable and fuck no to socialized medicine. Keep the gov out of that - it would literally bankrupt us in a couple of years.

Pharmaceuticals have just become a massive scam on consumers. Now, try to imagine a scenario where the government artificially props up a pharmaceutical company by forcing it's citizens to buy their products or they cannot participate in regular societal activities - and have them further propped up by the main stream media claiming if you don't buy their products you are murdering people. Remember when 'take the vax to stop infections and the spread - or your murdering people - now the same exact product merely claims it 'may reduce symptoms' - all of these things big pharma knew early on and never revealed because the gov was pouring billions into their coffers. Pharma is the biggest scam on America - not that they do not have some useful products - but lets all kick back and wait for the ozempic lawsuits that are coming in 3, 2, 1....

[Seattle or Bust]

You know what would be pretty impressive?

If the Trump Organization committed to building projects 100% American. Nothing from China. Labor made up of nothing but American-born citizens. Guaranteed living wages.

Snowball's chance in hell that will ever happen.

[bpj]

https://x.com/TrashDiscourse/status/191 ... K13MQ&s=19

[Walla Walla Dawg II]

Love me some Arizona Ice Tea
1. Arnold Palmer
2. Sweet Tea
3. Raspberry Tea
4. Green Tea

[gil]

You know what would be pretty impressive?

If the Trump Organization committed to building projects 100% American. Nothing from China. Labor made up of nothing but American-born citizens. Guaranteed living wages.

Snowball's chance in hell that will ever happen.

Yes it would be incredible. And it's a private corporation, so it doesn't have to worry about the stock market freaking out.

Do it, Trump Organization! Put your money where your mouth is!

[auroraave]

You know what would be pretty impressive?

If the Trump Organization committed to building projects 100% American. Nothing from China. Labor made up of nothing but American-born citizens. Guaranteed living wages.

Snowball's chance in hell that will ever happen.

Yes it would be incredible. And it's a private corporation, so it doesn't have to worry about the stock market freaking out.

Do it, Trump Organization! Put your money where your mouth is!

Does the building you live in conform to the same standards you are demanding from Trump's? Of course not. I believe that's called 'hypocrisy" aka the single most common bond amongst the lefties, followed by the usual manufactured "outrage" from the perpetually "outraged." Utterly predictable.
Stimulus, response.

[gil]

You know what would be pretty impressive?

If the Trump Organization committed to building projects 100% American. Nothing from China. Labor made up of nothing but American-born citizens. Guaranteed living wages.

Snowball's chance in hell that will ever happen.

Yes it would be incredible. And it's a private corporation, so it doesn't have to worry about the stock market freaking out.

Do it, Trump Organization! Put your money where your mouth is!

Does the building you live in conform to the same standards you are demanding from Trump's? Of course not. I believe that's called 'hypocrisy" aka the single most common bond amongst the lefties, followed by the usual manufactured "outrage" from the perpetually "outraged." Utterly predictable.
Stimulus, response.

What seems most predictable is you lumping people together as "lefties" and exaggerating what people say. "it would be impressive" and "it would be incredible" are hardly "demands". "Do it" is hardly a "demand". (I think the last time I said that to someone his response was "sure, hold my beer.")

Look, I think it's a valid thought experiment: what if the most powerful man in the world, who also is a billionaire who has a real estate empire, were to try to do what Seattle or Bust suggested. The construction people, the concrete people, the roofers. Hire only American citizens so that these good jobs go to Americans. Stimulate economic demand for skilled tradespeople, so there are more education programs and more students. Maintenance people, cleaners. Americans. Let people work rather than be on unemployment, or fall into despair and use drugs. End the scourge of immigrants taking jobs away from American citizens. Is there anything wrong with this? (Other than raising costs and maybe not finding people who can do the work) Isn't this the direction we want to go?

(And no, I'm not perfect, nor do I ever claim to be.)

[gil]

Speaking of tariffs ... maybe we should have a thread on this topic.

I'm reading that the tariffs on Chinese-produced products exempts some categories of consumer electronics, including smart phones. Is this true? What is the grand plan here?

[Mel Bradford]

Read somewhere that it costs $10 to manufacture an I-phone.