patrick.net

HappyGilmore says

just any guy says

So what? Stop being a whiner. Interest rates are low and I'm making more money than ever.

Yep, in other words "got mine, eff you". It's the Republican platform.

Congrats. Enjoy it while you can.

That isn't exactly true but even if it were, you couldn't do anything about it.

I said to someone here a few minutes ago that Trump was a reaction to Obama. If you voted for Obama in a fit of rage over what happened during Bush 43, you are indirectly responsible for the Republicans collectively romping through the tax code like kids on a field trip. If you really want to see some action, wait until after the 2018 Senate races. I have a Poli Sci academic background and then many years of working campaigns. I don't exactly know the movers and shakers but have certainly met many of them along the way. Trump will extend his Senate majority. I have a hundred dollar bill in my wallet that I would put in the hands of a trusted third party to wager on it. Republicans will probably lose a few House races here and there but no way are they in danger of losing control. That can't happen anytime before 2022, after reapportionment.

What happened in 2016 was a big goddamn deal. By the time Democrats figure out who they are and rebuild their finances, Trump and his people will have so polluted the Cabinet level agencies and judiciary that it just won't matter. It definitely won't matter for me at age 52.

As for California, I'm thinking Jerry and his people will hold their breath praying for an impeachment. There were certain things in the tax bill that give the left reason for concern. Mnuchin said many times that the deduction for state and local tax would be either reduced or removed to stop the red states from subsidizing the blue. We also know (not being reported by most media) that the deduction for home equity lines of credit was removed. Whoa! Talk about a broadside to California. That's gonna hurt. I remember that when the deduction for credit card interest was removed from the tax code in 1986, it was followed by a slowdown in states where people carry a lot of debt...like California. That will happen again.

I'm hearing more and more that the result of the 2016 elections was the next thing to Hirohito standing on the deck of the USS Missouri in a tux, ready to sign the surrender. That's how people in the south see it. I travel there for work every month and I have seen it. The other party will recover but it will be years in the making. Their leadership is corrupt. They're flat dead broke. They have to find a way to divorce their finances from that of the Clintons, something that by itself will be a herculean task and while that's going on the conservatives will slowly but surely vacuum up control of everything that isn't nailed down.

anon_49a06 says

(sigh)

It isn't the United States of California. Most states or even regions do not have the whole free spending, velocity of money thing going on.

I've said before that without Obama, there would have been no reaction strong enough to bring us Trump in the White House. I want you to think about that.

All states and regions have the same issue with inequality--it's a US problem. The velocity of money is a US problem.

Trump won because Clinton was a crappy candidate. Obama would have won in a landslide against Trump.

rootvg says

I have a Poli Sci academic background and then many years of working campaigns. I don't exactly know the movers and shakers but have certainly met many of them along the way. Trump will extend his Senate majority. I have a hundred dollar bill in my wallet that I would put in the hands of a trusted third party to wager on it.

uh-huh. You said the same thing in 2012 so forgive me if I don't put a lot of weight in your "inside" info.

HappyGilmore says

Obama would have won in a landslide against Trump.

And thank Christ we limit Presidents to 2 terms.