America

[Puja]

I just watched a video about trump’s economic plans.

And…damn. They’re surprisingly a lot closer to what I would do than any politician I’ve seen for a while. I can see why it’s popular.

Only one major, glaring problem: the reduction in corporation tax.

But putting major tariffs on imports and reducing/eliminating income tax would be amazing.

That’s where we diverge, though, as I would put massive dividend tax on, plus raise corporation tax and exclude certain small business from that (plus funds a way to have a lower dividend tax on investments in small business)

The problem is that they're absolute clownshoes when placed in the context of the massive structural issues in the US economy that Trump either has no intention of fixing, or intends on actively making worse. Eliminating/reducing income tax sounds great until you look at it being combined with rising cost of student debt, healthcare, the completely inadequate childcare system, housing, etc. Looks like a tax cut for the poor, but when basic essential needs go up, the whole paycheque is still swallowed by them (and then some) and it just turns out to be benefitting the rich all along (especially given those who cannot work because of childcare see no benefit from reduced income tax).

Most worrying is the plans to gut all safety and environmental protection. From a macroeconomic perspective, it leaves the country reactive rather than proactive and is false short-term economy - saving pennies, but then having to spend millions on things like the train at East Palestine. From a personal perspective, it's another cost on the working person if their town turns into the new Flint and those not rich enough to move out get to suffer and die.

This is not to mention that it's entirely unfunded - just like in his first term, Trump plans on cutting taxes and spamming economic go buttons, while ladling it all onto the national debt to be some future person's problem. It worked for him while it didn't work for Truss, because the dollar is the world's reserve currency, but it still doesn't make it a good idea.

Puja

[Stom]

Well sure, but in isolation, the concepts are good. And I do have the opinion that income tax on wages is a stupid idea, anyway.

[Puja]

Well sure, but in isolation, the concepts are good. And I do have the opinion that income tax on wages is a stupid idea, anyway.

What tax would you replace it with, if you were king of the world?

Puja

[Donny osmond]

Well sure, but in isolation, the concepts are good. And I do have the opinion that income tax on wages is a stupid idea, anyway.

What tax would you replace it with, if you were king of the world?

Puja

Personally, I would tax the living jesus out of people who go to the gym and TAKE THEIR SHOES OFF WHILE THEY WORK OUT.

[Stom]

Well sure, but in isolation, the concepts are good. And I do have the opinion that income tax on wages is a stupid idea, anyway.

What tax would you replace it with, if you were king of the world?

Puja

Dividend tax and corporation tax.

[Puja]

Well sure, but in isolation, the concepts are good. And I do have the opinion that income tax on wages is a stupid idea, anyway.

What tax would you replace it with, if you were king of the world?

Puja

Dividend tax and corporation tax.

Wouldn't everyone just set up a company and pay themselves enough salary so their corporation made no profit?

Puja

[Stom]

What tax would you replace it with, if you were king of the world?

Puja

Dividend tax and corporation tax.

Wouldn't everyone just set up a company and pay themselves enough salary so their corporation made no profit?

Puja

I have zero problem with that. I have a problem with companies making insane profits.

If Joe blogs sets up a company and pays himself a massive salary tax free, I’m happy, as he’s going to put that into the local economy. Who need to buy goods to sell, which means more money into the wider economy.

Ok, I do get the idea of income tax. But it shouldn’t be as much as it is in many countries. And salary tax I don’t like: I want to encourage companies to employ.

[Puja]

Dividend tax and corporation tax.

Wouldn't everyone just set up a company and pay themselves enough salary so their corporation made no profit?

Puja

I have zero problem with that. I have a problem with companies making insane profits.

If Joe blogs sets up a company and pays himself a massive salary tax free, I’m happy, as he’s going to put that into the local economy. Who need to buy goods to sell, which means more money into the wider economy.

Ok, I do get the idea of income tax. But it shouldn’t be as much as it is in many countries. And salary tax I don’t like: I want to encourage companies to employ.

Is he though? Wouldn't it just get socked into offshore accounts, the same way wealth is currently?

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah it’s a nice idea but it doesn’t seem realistic. You can’t rely on people not to take the option that benefits them the most financially.

If you have the means you can pay for someone to tell you how to hide it, buy property to rent out to somebody poorer than you or invest in the continued collapse of living standards. It’s the smart thing to do, sadly.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Will there be a debate?

Still up in the air - Trump is saying that he wants to honour the September slot he was scheduled to have with Biden, but who knows if that's anywhere even adjacent to the truth.

Harris should be pushing for as many debates as she can get, IMO. She wants every opportunity to get her name and face out there, get known to people and set out her brand, as well as having every opportunity to let Trump talk where casual voters can hear him.

Puja

Totally agree. She isn’t the best debater, or wasn’t in the democratic nomination race last time out but she is sane and can make a coherent argument.

The more exposure she gets the better.

There's a world of difference between a 10 person debate stage and a one on one cross examination. She'll crucify him. Even better, people think she's not great so the expectations aren't high. My bet is on Trump wimping out unless he's losing substantially in the polls.

[morepork]

Still up in the air - Trump is saying that he wants to honour the September slot he was scheduled to have with Biden, but who knows if that's anywhere even adjacent to the truth.

Harris should be pushing for as many debates as she can get, IMO. She wants every opportunity to get her name and face out there, get known to people and set out her brand, as well as having every opportunity to let Trump talk where casual voters can hear him.

Puja

Totally agree. She isn’t the best debater, or wasn’t in the democratic nomination race last time out but she is sane and can make a coherent argument.

The more exposure she gets the better.

There's a world of difference between a 10 person debate stage and a one on one cross examination. She'll crucify him. Even better, people think she's not great so the expectations aren't high. My bet is on Trump wimping out unless he's losing substantially in the polls.

Yep

[Puja]

Still up in the air - Trump is saying that he wants to honour the September slot he was scheduled to have with Biden, but who knows if that's anywhere even adjacent to the truth.

Harris should be pushing for as many debates as she can get, IMO. She wants every opportunity to get her name and face out there, get known to people and set out her brand, as well as having every opportunity to let Trump talk where casual voters can hear him.

Puja

Totally agree. She isn’t the best debater, or wasn’t in the democratic nomination race last time out but she is sane and can make a coherent argument.

The more exposure she gets the better.

There's a world of difference between a 10 person debate stage and a one on one cross examination. She'll crucify him. Even better, people think she's not great so the expectations aren't high. My bet is on Trump wimping out unless he's losing substantially in the polls.

The hope has to be that he's as stupid and easily baited as he appears to be and can be lured by accusations of "being chicken".

Puja

[Which Tyler]

My bet is on Trump wimping out unless he's losing substantially in the polls.

Already has.
He's withdrawn from the September debate, on the grounds that the Dems "might change their minds again" despite being 100% locked in from August 7th (IIRC)

[Son of Mathonwy]

Totally agree. She isn’t the best debater, or wasn’t in the democratic nomination race last time out but she is sane and can make a coherent argument.

The more exposure she gets the better.

There's a world of difference between a 10 person debate stage and a one on one cross examination. She'll crucify him. Even better, people think she's not great so the expectations aren't high. My bet is on Trump wimping out unless he's losing substantially in the polls.

The hope has to be that he's as stupid and easily baited as he appears to be and can be lured by accusations of "being chicken".

Puja

Either he agrees to the debate or the Dems will constantly attack his supposed strong man status by telling America how shit-scared he is to debate with a woman. Either way is a win.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I have to say, although I am mightily relieved that Biden has done the right thing, this is a total stitch-up for Harris (and presumably the Dem establishment). She's unlikely to have won a straight contest for nomination (ie under the normal process).

[Which Tyler]

By the time Biden withdrew, there was literally 1 viable candidate - or are you implying that this has been planned by Democrat hierarchy for a year or two?
A stitch-up would require the latter, that time is linear is all the explanation required for the former.

[Sandydragon]

The speed at which Team Harris has moved is incredible. She is a good political operator, but I cant believe that she went from a standing start when Biden's withdrawal letter hit social media to 100mph that quickly. at the very least, her team was prepped and ready to go (which could have been good contingency planning I suppose) but I get the sense they knew in advance and also that Biden would endorse her.

But that's not a stitch-up where this was always the plan. What they have done is very high risk and I genuinely believe Biden felt he was the best person to beat Trump.

[Which Tyler]

A] She's the VP - it's literally her job to be able to hit the ground running if Biden can't govern.
B] People had been calling for Biden's withdrawal for 3 weeks solid before he did (and yes, the timing of his announcement, AFTER the GOP convention would have been decided in advance, and communicated with his allies, complete with polling said allies as to who they'd support, and the practicalities if things like Harris being the only viable candidate).

[paddy no 11]

Oh the gop is running scared, straight to the courts to try and block Harris using biden funds

Meanwhile there biggest attack on Harris is that she laughs a lot, I'm like isn't it great to hear her laugh, there's enough misery out there

Oul JD is tanking btw -6 negative impact for a vp pick the lowest since 1980, he'll probably get fired, lol

Can he be fired? I thought once he was nominated and confirmed, he had to be on the ticket?

Puja

Apparently some guy in the 70's got dropped as he hadn't declared he had electro shock therapy

[Son of Mathonwy]

By the time Biden withdrew, there was literally 1 viable candidate - or are you implying that this has been planned by Democrat hierarchy for a year or two?
A stitch-up would require the latter, that time is linear is all the explanation required for the former.

No I don't mean this was always the plan, just that this has delivered her the nomination without a contest when she would not have been odds-on to get it under normal circumstances.

NB I don't think she was the only viable candidate when Biden stood down but she had all the momentum/money/machinery behind her, so she had a massive advantage.

[Sandydragon]

A] She's the VP - it's literally her job to be able to hit the ground running if Biden can't govern.
B] People had been calling for Biden's withdrawal for 3 weeks solid before he did (and yes, the timing of his announcement, AFTER the GOP convention would have been decided in advance, and communicated with his allies, complete with polling said allies as to who they'd support, and the practicalities if things like Harris being the only viable candidate).

Not quite the same. Take over from Biden if he is incapacitated is one thing. But to set up a solo campaign, reach out to dozens of Democrats across both houses, former presidents, donors etc. And do all that before any other contender, who should also have been able to read the runes, could get out of the blocks. Whilst there might be a stalking horse at the convention, all the serious candidates have agreed Kamala is the best bet.

Its impressive.

[Sandydragon]

Oh the gop is running scared, straight to the courts to try and block Harris using biden funds

Meanwhile there biggest attack on Harris is that she laughs a lot, I'm like isn't it great to hear her laugh, there's enough misery out there

Oul JD is tanking btw -6 negative impact for a vp pick the lowest since 1980, he'll probably get fired, lol

Can he be fired? I thought once he was nominated and confirmed, he had to be on the ticket?

Puja

Apparently some guy in the 70's got dropped as he hadn't declared he had electro shock therapy

Last week we were arguing over whether anyone could replace Biden at this stage. Turns out that someone could. I suspect if Trump really wanted to, Vance would be drop kicked off the ticket.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Can he be fired? I thought once he was nominated and confirmed, he had to be on the ticket?

Puja

Apparently some guy in the 70's got dropped as he hadn't declared he had electro shock therapy

Last week we were arguing over whether anyone could replace Biden at this stage. Turns out that someone could. I suspect if Trump really wanted to, Vance would be drop kicked off the ticket.

Vance is looking like more of a liability now, but that could just be from the videos YouTube's algorithm picks for me.

It would be quite a step, and a massive sign of incompetence, to drop your VP only a few weeks after anointing him.

[Puja]

Can he be fired? I thought once he was nominated and confirmed, he had to be on the ticket?

Puja

Apparently some guy in the 70's got dropped as he hadn't declared he had electro shock therapy

Last week we were arguing over whether anyone could replace Biden at this stage. Turns out that someone could. I suspect if Trump really wanted to, Vance would be drop kicked off the ticket.

The difference is that Biden had not been nominated - he was just presumed and was due to be ratified at the convention. I understand that Trump/Vance is the official Republican ticket as they've had their convention and officially made their choice, but I don’t know what restrictions that imposes.

Moot point anyway, Trump won't fire a him-impersonator.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

Apparently some guy in the 70's got dropped as he hadn't declared he had electro shock therapy

Last week we were arguing over whether anyone could replace Biden at this stage. Turns out that someone could. I suspect if Trump really wanted to, Vance would be drop kicked off the ticket.

The difference is that Biden had not been nominated - he was just presumed and was due to be ratified at the convention. I understand that Trump/Vance is the official Republican ticket as they've had their convention and officially made their choice, but I don’t know what restrictions that imposes.

Moot point anyway, Trump won't fire a him-impersonator.

Puja

Trump owns that party now, it’s far from impossible. But I agree that to fire Vance, especially so quickly, is a sign of desperation and incompetence