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What’s wrong with two opposing political candidates agreeing on something?
Both Harris and Trump want to stop taxing workers’ tips. Is there some unwritten law saying two candidates can’t both have the same good idea? If candidate A says something is a good idea, must candidate B automatically say “No, it isn’t.”? Geez - How could you run a country that way?
I saw that they agree about that. I see no problem, eh? What I long for is competing campaigns which focus on issues--- like that one, rather than crowd size, racial/ethnic background, and the other silly junk.
Dems and Reps used to start with the same playbook, and diverge when it came to approach and methods, policies. But they're not on the same page that way, anymore. It's a different ballgame. The public are the ones to suffer. Well, to whatever extent they are even interested....
Frankly participants from both (all) parties seem totally bewildered when they discover common ground. They are so used to defining each other's opinions or positions as wacko, radical or extremist they are lost without it. It's almost as though they need to keep whipping up their tribes with the 100% Us vs. the 100% Them themes while the general populace outside the political arena have no trouble voicing 60-70% agreement on a number of issues - a woman's right to choose, sensible gun laws, the right to vote and so on and so forth.
If tips become untaxed I predict that it will take about twenty minutes for high-wealth taxpayers to suddenly start receiving large amounts of income as "tips". "You did real good this year, Mr Trump- here's a decent tip for you!"
Tips seem almost mandatory at many venues. I drink non-alcohol at plays in NYC. At $200-$300 a seat why would you want to sit through a performance with a buzz on? Bought a plastic cup of soda with some ice for around $12 at intermission recently. They weren’t taking cash - just credit. Along with serving up the glass of soda the bartender asked me how much I’d like to tip and pointed out 3 options printed on the tab. These ranged from 15% to 40%. I checked off 15%. Crazy!
Employers want tips to be counted as part of wages so they don’t have to pay workers a fair rate. Hell - pay them what they’re worth. Tips should be optional and between myself and the person performing the service. I like to tip the housekeeping folks in hotels. Tough unglamorous work and low pay. I respect those who show up to work avery day and perform such service with a smile.
A Subway, across from the movie theater. You stand. And wait. If you're unlucky enough to get caught behind 14 policemen on their break. Finally, you get your sub. You carry it out to a table in the big, wide-open hall. Tip? No. Pay the workers what they should be getting paid. When I slide my credit card into the gizmo, there is an option for NO TIP. I chose that one.
@hank - I think that you might find some nuggets in this NYT interview with Sen. Joe Manchin.
"Manchin: I’m totally committed to a sensible, moderate middle that has no one speaking for them, that aren’t represented to the level that they should be represented, and the system is designed against them. The system is the business model where that middle’s got to follow one side or the other.
Cottle: It sounds like what you see are kind of big-picture, systemic changes.
Manchin: Yeah, I do. I mean, if you look at 1796, his farewell speech, George Washington, he said: Beware of political parties, for they will usurp the power from the people. That’s exactly what is happening. They’re usurping the power from the people and only giving you two choices."
Thanks @Mark. Good article with some human interest. I always liked Manchin. Gosh - political rivals enjoying dinner, drinks and conversation together on someone’s boat? What an alien concept today. Good idea - except that if you went out alone with only Trump, Jordan and Cruz for company, the boat might return to port with only 3 passsengers.
Well the article served to soften my stance on Manchin a bit. When he was disrupting the Dem's party line it was portrayed as though he was mainly just protecting his coal mining interests. There still may be some truth in that but as he stated repeatedly in this article he felt he had to be able to sell his positions to his constituents (mostly the middle 50%) and not any one particular party line (the 25%'ers on either end of the line). I would generally agree with that.
For me that boat would return with 3 less passengers.
Yes, I also thought that the interview with Manchin was really good. I especially liked his comment that he wasn't going to vote for anything that he couldn't go home to his constituency and explain in plain English.
Watching couple hours of Dem Convention (on Fox News) Tuesday. night. Some powerful speakers. Caught a bit of Duckworth. Strong. And Doug Emhoff was excellent. But Barack Obama stole the show. What an amazing orator. I don’t think I’ve witnessed anything like it in my lifetime. Timing just perfect. Could have been a Broadway star. And, of course spot-on message.
@Observent1 / Agree, Unfortunately, some of the most “democratic” reforms in my lifetime have led to the opposite result. Primaries replaced real delegate conventions with all the backroom bartering and compromising. Sausage being made. Generally, candidates were put forth who had wide voter appeal. But primaries have led to candidates who appeal to the “base” - often the most extreme candidates on both sides.
Not at all sure that I agree with that... I thought that Michelle Obama gave one of the most powerful speeches that I've ever had the pleasure to hear. Barack was very good, but...
+1 Yes. All the pundits (2 different networks) agree with you. For content and human appeal I agree. Touching how she built off her mother’s recent passing into broader themes. Very moving. A highly educated accomplished person in her own right,
Still, I’m impressed with Barack’s “stage presence”. His ability to express himself through facial expression, a roll of the eyes, gesture. To pause at exactly the right places. To vary his volume, cadence, pitch. Just unmatched in my experience. Generally those are skills that are taught. And practiced. And practiced. Often from a very early age.
Waimanalo's Obama Presidential Center The Obama complex in Waimanalo, Hawaii refers to a luxury oceanfront estate owned by Marty Nesbitt, a close friend and chairman of the Obama Foundation. The property, known as Waimanalo Paradise LLC, spans three acres and features a century-old seawall that was renovated and expanded in 2020.
Key Facts:
The estate was purchased by Nesbitt in 2015 for $8.7 million. The renovation and expansion of the seawall, valued at $3.2 million, was granted an exemption from environmental laws by the City and County of Honolulu in 2020. The project includes the construction of three new single-family homes, two pools, and a guard post. The property is located in the Native Hawaiian community of Waimanalo, which has raised concerns about the impact of the development on the local beach and environment. The Obama family has no direct ownership or involvement in the property, but Nesbitt’s connection to the former President has drawn attention to the project.
ORK? Then why is it The Obama Presidential Center? Like a museum? Like a Presidential Library? (No, that's in Chicago, I think.) Having read this AI-generated summary, WTF is the purpose of that complex, then?
Thanks, @Mark. I'll read that one later in the day.
EDIT: You got enough money, the rules don't apply to you! Ork. We have driven past that location countless times. Astoundingly beautiful, with the steep mountains looming over the aquamarine colored tropical sea. And not far away is the Makapu'u Light, halfway up the nearby cliff.
Comments
Dems and Reps used to start with the same playbook, and diverge when it came to approach and methods, policies. But they're not on the same page that way, anymore. It's a different ballgame. The public are the ones to suffer. Well, to whatever extent they are even interested....
Employers want tips to be counted as part of wages so they don’t have to pay workers a fair rate. Hell - pay them what they’re worth. Tips should be optional and between myself and the person performing the service. I like to tip the housekeeping folks in hotels. Tough unglamorous work and low pay. I respect those who show up to work avery day and perform such service with a smile.
"Manchin: I’m totally committed to a sensible, moderate middle that has no one speaking for them, that aren’t represented to the level that they should be represented, and the system is designed against them. The system is the business model where that middle’s got to follow one side or the other.
Cottle: It sounds like what you see are kind of big-picture, systemic changes.
Manchin: Yeah, I do. I mean, if you look at 1796, his farewell speech, George Washington, he said: Beware of political parties, for they will usurp the power from the people. That’s exactly what is happening. They’re usurping the power from the people and only giving you two choices."
Full article
For me that boat would return with 3 less passengers.
@Observent1 / Agree, Unfortunately, some of the most “democratic” reforms in my lifetime have led to the opposite result. Primaries replaced real delegate conventions with all the backroom bartering and compromising. Sausage being made. Generally, candidates were put forth who had wide voter appeal. But primaries have led to candidates who appeal to the “base” - often the most extreme candidates on both sides.
Not at all sure that I agree with that... I thought that Michelle Obama gave one of the most powerful speeches that I've ever had the pleasure to hear. Barack was very good, but...
Still, I’m impressed with Barack’s “stage presence”. His ability to express himself through facial expression, a roll of the eyes, gesture. To pause at exactly the right places. To vary his volume, cadence, pitch. Just unmatched in my experience. Generally those are skills that are taught. And practiced. And practiced. Often from a very early age.
Thanks for the thoughts @Old_Joe
The Obama complex in Waimanalo, Hawaii refers to a luxury oceanfront estate owned by Marty Nesbitt, a close friend and chairman of the Obama Foundation. The property, known as Waimanalo Paradise LLC, spans three acres and features a century-old seawall that was renovated and expanded in 2020.
Key Facts:
The estate was purchased by Nesbitt in 2015 for $8.7 million.
The renovation and expansion of the seawall, valued at $3.2 million, was granted an exemption from environmental laws by the City and County of Honolulu in 2020.
The project includes the construction of three new single-family homes, two pools, and a guard post.
The property is located in the Native Hawaiian community of Waimanalo, which has raised concerns about the impact of the development on the local beach and environment.
The Obama family has no direct ownership or involvement in the property, but Nesbitt’s connection to the former President has drawn attention to the project.
ORK? Then why is it The Obama Presidential Center? Like a museum? Like a Presidential Library? (No, that's in Chicago, I think.) Having read this AI-generated summary, WTF is the purpose of that complex, then?
Husband and wife Obama are awesome.
I still would like to know more but it sounds like the complex is for privacy most of all.
EDIT: You got enough money, the rules don't apply to you! Ork. We have driven past that location countless times. Astoundingly beautiful, with the steep mountains looming over the aquamarine colored tropical sea. And not far away is the Makapu'u Light, halfway up the nearby cliff.