2024 Presidential Election Thread

[Uncle Ted]

For the record, I don't believe that it was a coordinated effort by Biden or the democratic party. Let's take your link at face value and accept that they wanted to avoid Russian interference in an election. In so doing, they ended up suppressing stories about the laptop THAT WERE FACTUALLY TRUE and that suppression of information may have had an impact on the outcome of the election. If that doesn't bother you as a matter of principle, I don't know what to say.

Oh c'mon man... Of course, it was a coordinated effort:

1. Biden denied Hunters laptop every time it popped up... and called it Russian disinformation.

Embedded Tweet

2. All the democrats in the media were claiming the laptop was Russian disinformation... and called anyone believing it was real useful Russian idiots:

Embedded Tweet

(Who are the idiots now??? Freak'n idiots.)

3. The FBI seized the laptop in Dec 2019... they had plenty of time to determine it was real.

Embedded Tweet

They most likely are the ones that told Zuckerberg to squelch it on FaceBook.

4. And finally the 51 so-called intelligence operatives that all signed a letter labeling the laptop "Russian Disinformation"... either these idiots that represent the governments "finest" are just completely low IQ or they are all supporting the democratic party:

Embedded Tweet

This alone gives me absolutely no faith in our government to tell us the truth. Who are they serving?

[Jeff Lebowski]

You could have said that without all the tweets, you know.

[YOhio]

You could have said that without all the tweets, you know.

Easy to say. You try to replicate the eloquence of MAGA Nancy and see how that goes.

[BlueK]

Oh brother.

Embedded Tweet

The guy is not right in the brain.

[myboynoah]

For the record, I don't believe that it was a coordinated effort by Biden or the democratic party. Let's take your link at face value and accept that they wanted to avoid Russian interference in an election. In so doing, they ended up suppressing stories about the laptop THAT WERE FACTUALLY TRUE and that suppression of information may have had an impact on the outcome of the election. If that doesn't bother you as a matter of principle, I don't know what to say.

While I don't like the idea of suppression, I don't believe whatever suppression happened in this case had a significant impact on the outcome of the 2020 election (let alone "rigged" the election as Trumps says). The reason Trump lost is simple IMO: he is a narcissistic sociopath and people were tired of the chaos that followed him around (his bungling of COVID was a prime example). Besides, Hunter Biden wasn't the candidate and his endeavors in Ukraine, China and elsewhere were old news by 2020. Voters had already factored that into their voting calculi IMO by the time the Trump Campaign planted the laptop story with the NYP.

I can't wait for the football season to begin and this election to be over.

[Moliere]

While I don't like the idea of suppression, I don't believe whatever suppression happened in this case had a significant impact on the outcome of the 2020 election (let alone "rigged" the election as Trumps says). The reason Trump lost is simple IMO: he is a narcissistic sociopath and people were tired of the chaos that followed him around (his bungling of COVID was a prime example). Besides, Hunter Biden wasn't the candidate and his endeavors in Ukraine, China and elsewhere were old news by 2020. Voters had already factored that into their voting calculi IMO by the time the Trump Campaign planted the laptop story with the NYP.

I can't wait for the football season to begin and this election to be over.

Just because you don't think it impacted the election (it probably didn't) isn't the point Lebowski was making. The point mostly is whether or not the government can pressure private businesses to suppress information that is potentially damaging. It's a free speech question and it's clear that free speech was curtailed in this situation. That is a very bad thing to set a precedent for given that Trump could very likely be in the White House in six months and I'm sure he'd do the same thing if given the chance. At least Trump pays the people he wants to keep quiet

[Moliere]

For those keeping watch on the betting markets, it's basically a toss up at this point. Kamala made a good run and was the favorite for a couple weeks but loosk like things have stabilized

[Jeff Lebowski]

What's the chances that Harris makes a proposal to tax unrealized gains? I"m thinking she does and it'll then be her dumbest policy position yet...and that's saying something after she outlayed a plan for price controls.

It blows my mind that this is a real proposal.

Embedded Tweet

[Northwestcoug]

For those keeping watch on the betting markets, it's basically a toss up at this point. Kamala made a good run and was the favorite for a couple weeks but loosk like things have stabilized

Honestly this is the best the democrats could hope for at this point. A weak candidate thrust into a situation no one was prepared for.

The election is going to come down to a few hundred thousand votes in a couple of battleground states. Like 2020, 2016, etc. etc.

[PaloAltoCougar]

It blows my mind that this is a real proposal.

Embedded Tweet

It's absurd, and could be titled the Lawyers and Accountants Relief Act of 2025 if it were adopted. With proposals like this one, price and rent caps, and tariffs, it's like each side is trying to out-stupid the other on economic issues.

[Uncle Ted]

You could have said that without all the tweets, you know.

No, the tweets add pictures adds pictures and media... I like them.

[Moliere]

It blows my mind that this is a real proposal.

Embedded Tweet

If that’s he economic advisor then I feel sorry for her. He doesn’t even understand the nature of the tax. Property taxes are as valorem taxes, not taxes on unrealized gains. Just becasue they share a couple concepts out of a hundred doesn’t make them the same.

If the unrealized tax gets passed, then you’d be paying taxes on the difference between the fair value of your home and your basis in the home. So how would you define your homes basis? If you add a pool and deck to the back for $100k would you get to add that to the homes basis? If not, why not? What types of home improvements would count towards the basis? Who determines the fair value? Zillow? County appraisers? Do you get money back if the value drops below the basis?

What about art? Are unrealized gains on art taxed? What about your 1970s ford bronco? Your Steinway grand piano?

What about your LLC? It’s not traded on an exchange so a valuation isn’t readily available. Who is going to value it and do you have to pay for a valuation every year? Right now our company pays between $40k to $250k for valuations to be done on companies.

The whole thing is stupid. Rich people do hide their gains in assets to avoid paying taxes so change the tax law to tax them when they die or ownership transfers or when it’s put in a trust.

But Elon Musk holding Tesla stock isn’t what’s driving inflation or the other fiscal issues in the world today.

[PaloAltoCougar]

If that’s he economic advisor then I feel sorry for her. He doesn’t even understand the nature of the tax. Property taxes are as valorem taxes, not taxes on unrealized gains. Just becasue they share a couple concepts out of a hundred doesn’t make them the same.

If the unrealized tax gets passed, then you’d be paying taxes on the difference between the fair value of your home and your basis in the home. So how would you define your homes basis? If you add a pool and deck to the back for $100k would you get to add that to the homes basis? If not, why not? What types of home improvements would count towards the basis? Who determines the fair value? Zillow? County appraisers? Do you get money back if the value drops below the basis?

What about art? Are unrealized gains on art taxed? What about your 1970s ford bronco? Your Steinway grand piano?

What about your LLC? It’s not traded on an exchange so a valuation isn’t readily available. Who is going to value it and do you have to pay for a valuation every year? Right now our company pays between $40k to $250k for valuations to be done on companies.

The whole thing is stupid. Rich people do hide their gains in assets to avoid paying taxes so change the tax law to tax them when they die or ownership transfers or when it’s put in a trust.

But Elon Musk holding Tesla stock isn’t what’s driving inflation or the other fiscal issues in the world today.

The law would presumably set a fixed valuation date (close of business December 31?) as of which the unrealized gain on one's Picasso, Stutz Bearcat, or Tesla stock is determined. Imagine the market manipulations that will occur leading up to that measurement point. And you can add appraisers to the list of professionals who will make a fortune off of this stillborn brainchild of an idea.

[myboynoah]

It blows my mind that this is a real proposal.

Embedded Tweet

That wasn't pretty. Maybe he saw the "NBC" on the interview sheet and thought, "Oh, this will be friendly."

What issue important to voters does this address? Inflation? How is that?

[YOhio]

Once again Democrats doing everything they can to alienate moderates and disaffected Republicans.