The Democratic Safe House

[mark46]

I'm beginning to wonder whether we're less likely to have bipartisan bills get through the Senate because Democrats are in control. The last stimulus package happened at the last minute, because otherwise lots of people would lose the extra unemployment coverage. Republicans had to come to some agreement or there would be a disaster, which they would be blamed for. Now that Democrats have enough votes to pass budget-related things, Republicans can avoid taking any responsibility for things needed to save the country but are opposed by the Trumpist ideologues that dominate their party.

Republicans didn't have 50 votes in their own caucus to support a stimulus bill. Now, Democrats will pass such legislation before the unemployment insurance deadline because they have the votes.

Very little was passed by Republicans with Democratic votes. The tax cut had zero Democratic votes.

 

[GodLovesCats]

I disagree with the idea that Republicans and Democrats agreed on a stimulus bill. Republicans forced the Democrats to accept only $600 stimulus checks. Mitch McConnell basically said, $600 or nothing." For the parties to really agree on a bill, they need to stop compromising on dollar amounts. Everyone knew all of us need $2,000.

 

[DaisyDay]

I disagree with the idea that Republicans and Democrats agreed on a stimulus bill. Republicans forced the Democrats to accept only $600 stimulus checks. Mitch McConnell basically said, $600 or nothing." For the parties to really agree on a bill, they need to stop compromising on dollar amounts. Everyone knew all of us need $2,000.

Well, no, it isn’t all of us who need $2,000 but a lot of people do. Even more important is the extended unemployment benefits.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Well, no, it isn’t all of us who need $2,000 but a lot of people do. Even more important is the extended unemployment benefits.

Everyone who can't afford a mansion needs that much.

How do people qualify for unemployment benefits?

 

[DaisyDay]

Everyone who can't afford a mansion needs that much.

People who got the lion's share of the Trump tax cut could afford several mansions.

How do people qualify for unemployment benefits?

I don't know all the rules, but they would have to have been employed for a certain amount of time during which unemployment insurance was taken out on them - but some of that might have been waived for "gig" workers and independent contractors; then be currently unemployed up to a certain number of weeks. I think the rules might vary from state to state. I've been more fortunate than to have to have collected it.

 

[mark46]

People who got the lion's share of the Trump tax cut could afford several mansions.

I don't know all the rules, but they would have to have been employed for a certain amount of time during which unemployment insurance was taken out on them - but some of that might have been waived for "gig" workers and independent contractors; then be currently unemployed up to a certain number of weeks. I think the rules might vary from state to state. I've been more fortunate than to have to have collected it.

I think that the issue is whether those making $300K a year should be considered so needy that they should qualify for another round of extended benefits.

 

[GodLovesCats]

I think that the issue is whether those making $300K a year should be considered so needy that they should qualify for another round of extended benefits.

Three hundred thousand dollars a year is more than enough in deep red states where you would not want to live. For a good quality of life, you need to live where home prices are ridiculously expensive. I wouldn't feel like I need $2,000 if I earned $300,000 in Mississippi. But in CA? That is a totally different story.

 

[DaisyDay]

Three hundred thousand dollars a year is more than enough in deep red states where you would not want to live. For a good quality of life, you need to live where home prices are ridiculously expensive. I wouldn't feel like I need $2,000 if I earned $300,000 in Mississippi. But in CA? That is a totally different story.

How have those making $300,000 a year been adversely affected? If that is W2 income, it means they have a job and a good one at that. If that is trust income, then the stock market has done exceedingly well this past year, so again, how is covid relief needed?

 

[mark46]

How have those making $300,000 a year been adversely affected? If that is W2 income, it means they have a job and a good one at that. If that is trust income, then the stock market has done exceedingly well this past year, so again, how is covid relief needed?

I agree. It offends lots of folks to see people with $300K incomes getting emergency financial aid. It is really that simply. Manchin objects and that it is all that is necessary to prevent this to be in the bill.

 

[GodLovesCats]

How have those making $300,000 a year been adversely affected? If that is W2 income, it means they have a job and a good one at that. If that is trust income, then the stock market has done exceedingly well this past year, so again, how is covid relief needed?

Now move straight west to the most expensive (and racially diverse) state in America. Are most blacks or Latino/Latina or white?

 

[DaisyDay]

Now move straight west to the most expensive (and racially diverse) state in America.

I’ve lived in Manhattan for most my life, so I am aware that costs of living can be high in some areas, but this proposed money is supposed to make up for hardship due to the pandemic. You have not made the case that someone making far more than most have actually endured such.

Are most blacks or Latino/Latina or white?

How would I know and what difference would it make?

 

[mark46]

Conviction seems a bit more likely than a week ago. McConnell and Thune (#1 and #2 senate Republicans) have been clear that they wanted to see the evidence before deciding (and obviously hear from that their supporters and donors).

I suspect that McConnell will count and see if can get 20 votes or so. If he can, he might vote to convict. If not, then the Republican vote to convict will about 10.

 

[FreeinChrist]

Seems to me that the House managers presented a damning case against Trump.

 

[Guinan]

I have a couple of questions I’d like to ask the Democrats in this thread. My questions stem from a thread here in this forum asking about the lack of pro-Biden threads. I voted for Biden myself, but I don’t feel the need to praise him for what he’s currently doing or for what he has done so far.

I’m simply relieved that he's in the White House instead of Trump. I'm glad that he's trying to reverse the damage Trump caused while he was still the president, especially when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. My questions are: Do you feel the same about President Biden? Do you think we should post pro-Biden threads and praise him or should we just sit back, relax, and enjoy the calm seas?

 

[FreeinChrist]

I like him. He has compassion, decency and shows a concern for other people that has been missing for 4 years. I like having a president who can speak in full sentences when not reading a teleprompter. Right off the bat, there is a time to remember those lost to Covid -19. He is focusing a great deal on a Covid relief package. In the last three weeks, he has been making hiring choices and working with his pics to make changes. For instance, the DoJ is letting go of all the Trump appointees except two.

Much of this is not front page news but the important things done behind the scenes. I am not going start threads to praise him. There is no need to justify my vote for him.

 

[mark46]

.or should we just sit back, relax, and enjoy the calm seas?

I've wanted Biden to be president for a couple of decades. Personally, I think there isn't any reason to celebrate the obvious every day: Yes, the country is much, much better off. Let's chill and make comparisons or analysis in May (after 100 days has passed).
=====
Besides, what is the point of pro-Biden posts? Anyone who would listen well understands that we are better off, now that he is president. The Trumpers will just consider it red meat and fight. The other Republicans need to have time to consider their future.

 

[Tigger45]

I have a couple of questions I’d like to ask the Democrats in this thread. My questions stem from a thread here in this forum asking about the lack of pro-Biden threads. I voted for Biden myself, but I don’t feel the need to praise him for what he’s currently doing or for what he has done so far.

I’m simply relieved that he's in the White House instead of Trump. I'm glad that he's trying to reverse the damage Trump caused while he was still the president, especially when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. My questions are: Do you feel the same about President Biden? Do you think we should post pro-Biden threads and praise him or should we just sit back, relax, and enjoy the calm seas?

Sit back, relax and enjoy the calm seas.

IMO starting and/posting in pro-Biden threads only entangles one in an exchange with those that actually try to defend the not only ridiculous but horrendous actions of Trump. I’ve enjoyed conversing with those of a different position but reasoning with the unreasonable isn’t for me.

 

[Deviant Writer]

Conviction seems a bit more likely than a week ago. McConnell and Thune (#1 and #2 senate Republicans) have been clear that they wanted to see the evidence before deciding (and obviously hear from that their supporters and donors).

I suspect that McConnell will count see if can get 20 votes or so. If he can, he might vote to convict. If not, then the Republican vote to convict will about 10.

I really don't want to hope too much. At least, I don't want to have unreasonable hopes. One of the more sad aspects of continuing to lurk on this forum was watching conservatives go from one avenue of "throw the votes out" to the next. So I don't want to go into "well, we can get him arrested and convicted this way or that way."

Still, I would like to see Trump in prison. The Congressmen at the capitol that day, the ones supporting the election, I think they were going to be either held hostage or killed. It's really that simple and it's because of Trump's constant lying. "I told them to be peaceful." Good for you, next time just say you lost fair and square. That would have helped.

 

[Deviant Writer]

I have a couple of questions I’d like to ask the Democrats in this thread. My questions stem from a thread here in this forum asking about the lack of pro-Biden threads. I voted for Biden myself, but I don’t feel the need to praise him for what he’s currently doing or for what he has done so far.

I’m simply relieved that he's in the White House instead of Trump. I'm glad that he's trying to reverse the damage Trump caused while he was still the president, especially when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. My questions are: Do you feel the same about President Biden? Do you think we should post pro-Biden threads and praise him or should we just sit back, relax, and enjoy the calm seas?

As I said on this thread already, I don't fight on the forum like I used to. Even when I did fight on the forum, during the Obama era when I was TheYoungTurk and Savior2006, I didn't sing praises of the man so much as criticize him over surveillance and the drone program.

And as I've said on this thread already, I don't have any particular love of Biden or Harris. Obviously, I can't speak for anyone else, but there's no reason for me to post a pro-Biden thread.

I don't know if that particular thread you are referring to was supposed to carry an implication of "voter's remorse" as if we suddenly and magically hate Biden after less than a month in the White House...but no, not really. Red versus blue. That's an easy choice for me. January 6 only made it easier. Their candidate nearly cost us our democracy.

 

[Arcangl86]

I have a couple of questions I’d like to ask the Democrats in this thread. My questions stem from a thread here in this forum asking about the lack of pro-Biden threads. I voted for Biden myself, but I don’t feel the need to praise him for what he’s currently doing or for what he has done so far.

I’m simply relieved that he's in the White House instead of Trump. I'm glad that he's trying to reverse the damage Trump caused while he was still the president, especially when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. My questions are: Do you feel the same about President Biden? Do you think we should post pro-Biden threads and praise him or should we just sit back, relax, and enjoy the calm seas?

He's done nothing worthy of praise yet. I'm not going to praise a man for simply doing his job. Yes I agree with a lot of the EOs he has signed, but those are exactly that, EOs. They don't result in permanent change, and as such there is nothing worth praising about them. I don't care about temporary victories, I want long term ones.