patrick.net

To be honest, I want major cuts in everything, and stipulations to qualify everything that remains. Take a big fat shit on the head of anything that has some combination of woke, justice, and equity in its description. Massive layoffs of the office people doing nothing but typing useless shit etc. Unfortunately, the "R's" lack the composure to go that far.

There should be mandatory funding starting with items allegedly financed by payroll deductions like Soc Sec, Medicare, etc. Then essential gov services like courts, VA/Military Retirement, etc. All this should be funded with revenues first.

What's left is everything discretionary - including the military, infrastructure, pork, etc. with strict restrictions on borrowing to pay for it, like, can only borrow to 80% of last year - and next year, 80% of what it was last year.

Of course, this is just a dream.

steverbeaver says

To be honest, I want major cuts in everything

I'm with you.

They could just hold most spending constant for 2 years.

That could drop the debt to GDP ratio to nearly pre pandemic levels. The ratio peaked at 133% in summer 2020, and is currently 120%.

It was 106% in February 2020.

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They will wait until the last minute then raise the debt ceiling slightly. Also known as kicking the proverbial can down the road.

Honestly at this point I'd settle for a small increase in the debt ceiling in exchange for sealing the border and kicking out illegals.
Actually shutting down government does little except giving a paid vacation to federal employees.

Obviously things like any type of welfare program and education needs to be cut.

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steverbeaver says

To be honest, I want major cuts in everything

I'm with you.

They could just hold most spending constant for 2 years.

That could drop the debt to GDP ratio to nearly pre pandemic levels. The ratio peaked at 133% in summer 2020, and is currently 120%.

It was 106% in February 2020.

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Major cuts are hard. It needs to be 1-2% annually over the next decade if possible. On EVERYTHING. Not just picking winners and losers in the government handout game. Just a hard everyone is getting a 1% cut. We generally have the best of the best in the entire world as a whole. I don't think any superiority we have would suffer. And yes we're not tops in certain sectors, but who cares.

Sure some layoffs would happen, but it was probably fluff anyway. This is coming from a person that our family income is reliant on government spending. Though we'd benefit from cuts without doxxing myself and the product my wife sells. And that's the thing, cuts would result it people figuring out how to be more efficient or develop new things to sell for less, but still make money.

WookieMan says

Not just picking winners and losers in the government handout game.

End the war on poverty. That alone might balance the budget.

This is just theater as the government prints whatever they want to spend via the central bank. So why do it? It's a confidence game, and they need the illusion or the system collapses.

Funny thing is the money supply has been actually shrinking recently, and fast.

https://babylonbee.com/news/congress-raises-debt-ceiling-to-infinity-million-billion-1-no-take-backs

I think it goes down to the wire. Which side will blink? I haven't a clue. Worst case, they miscalculated, a bill or two goes unpaid (or is paid late) markets tank, forcing SOMEONE to capitulate. It's a game of chicken being played by a couple of idiots. Hopefully they don't drive the car into a ditch.

RWSGFY says

Funny thing is the money supply has been actually shrinking recently, and fast.

Disarming nuclear financial weapons.

On that note, I hear BRICS is now bigger than the G7.

just_passing_through says

On that note, I hear BRICS is now bigger than the G7.

That is actually historical, but probably will not be seen that way for a generation. Divestiture of dollars is next. It is the start where the US loses the benefit of having a global currency they can actually print.

Tick-tock pooftublicans... showtime approaches!

just_passing_through says

On that note, I hear BRICS is now bigger than the G7.

Bigger shithole is still a shithole.

I think they got a deal on the debt ceiling based on latest reporting from the website "The Hill".

2 year freeze on discretionary spending (Repubs wanted 6 years)

3% increase annually for Pentagon and Veteran Affairs budgets (that is what the Repubs wanted as a minimum annual increase)

cuts to IRS funding of $10 billion (from the original $80 billion)

increase in oil and gas permits and some more subsidies for home solar

I don't think the work requirements for 18 year to 55 year old recipients of welfare (food stamps, etc.) will not get agreed upon by the Dems.

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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/emerging-us-debt-deal-raise-005329446.html

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ad says

home solar

This shit has got to stop man. It literally doesn't do shit in most of the US besides sunny areas in the south. Gee golly I reduced my bill $40 this month. Very, very, very few people can go off the grid without a massive panel array. If you can't get off the grid you're still paying all the fees and taxes, and now you're paying for solar panels for the next 10 years. You're losing money.

I don't like welfare, but short term it needs to exist if people hit a rough patch. I've known people that have been there and are successful now.

Going back to solar. Why is the government even involved? Do the greenies think it's going to shut down existing coal power plants? Sure I'd love to be independent from the grid, but for me that would take up my entire roof, back yard, removing trees, etc. $50k easy here in IL. It wouldn't be worth it even if I planed to live here 30 years.

Also, they're uglier then can be. I'm very minimalist, MCM type architecture and solar panels are trannies in my world. Don't put them on my house.

The Democrats have always had a diabolical plan; they give away enough free shit to keep themselves elected forever.

EVERY person I know (and I know more than a few) who gets government "assistance" is cheating. They don't deserve a dime, none of them.

Also, by overspending so much, it's almost guaranteed that taxes will go up on the stubborn people who dare to be responsible and who comprise the 50% who actually pay taxes and keep our society functioning.

Factoid for "non boomers"; unless you are pretty poor and didn't plan for retirement, you will end up sending most or all of your Social Security back to Uncle Sam every April 15 in taxes. If all of your financial assets are in Roth IRAs then you can keep it (for now).
Medicare "premium" for me is $329/month and will rise I am sure.

But, it's really good insurance.

clambo says

EVERY person I know (and I know more than a few) who gets government "assistance" is cheating. They don't deserve a dime, none of them.

There are cheaters for sure. My SIL is one. But I've known a lot of people that needed it for 3 months or so. Maybe they could have gotten by, but who knows. That short term help got them through. And that's the problem with welfare. It is needed, but how do you stop the cheating?

My wife does sales for road construction. The crews they hire get laid off every year and collect unemployment and work cash jobs like plowing while collecting. Non-college educated and they can make $70-90k non-union wages in season. If they don't do cash gigs they sit on their ass for 3-4 months during winter and collect another $10-15k UE and most have a spouse bringing in money. For an easy as shit blue collar job they're making good money for the cost of living where I'm at.

I think she's up to three 5 man crews. So 15 dudes getting paid 4 months (usually) UE when they "really" don't need it. That's the stuff that has to stop. Teachers can't file unemployment. Seasonal workers can. I'd guesstimate with no research on this, but I could see cutting 20% of welfare overnight for seasonal workers. The other 80% I don't see how you're not labeled racist or ageist. There are cuts that can be made for working able men generally that work seasonally. Budget for the time off or get another seasonal job.

clambo says

Factoid for "non boomers"; unless you are pretty poor and didn't plan for retirement, you will end up sending most or all of your Social Security back to Uncle Sam every April 15 in taxes.

And some to the state if you live in one of the 11 states that tax SS. However, you do not have to be dirt poor to not pay Federal tax on SS. Many working class folks have paid off the house and car by retirement and live quite well on SS along with modest savings. Of course, that is in "fly over land" and does not work in high cost of living areas with high local property taxes.

WookieMan says

This shit has got to stop man. It literally doesn't do shit in most of the US besides sunny areas in the south.

True, even in the Florida panhandle, you have to be within a few miles of the beach to have a solar rating like South Florida, if you are near the Georgia or Alabama border such as Marianna or Tallahassee then your solar rating is orange color on the map and its no different than Houston or Savannah.

The problem here in Florida is its tropical weather so its sunny, and we got good solar energy capacity but its only a grade of a B compared to New Mexico or El Paso which is a grade of an A.

But it looks like at least 50% of continental USA is rated at least a grade of B for solar energy.

I read the solar energy installation companies will ensure panels and roof in case the home insurance company refuses to insure the roof.

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ad says

I read the solar energy installation companies will ensure panels and roof in case the home insurance company refuses to insure the roof.

The average homeowner just doesn't have the acreage or square footage on their roof to get off grid. I'm not doing any of if I can't be off grid. For 90% of the country it's a sheer impossibility without dropping $100k of panels on well over an acre of land.

Harder with kids, but turn shit off. It's really as simple as that. LED light bulbs. You can spend $500 on devices to save electric and gas and get paid back in a year, not 15 years with solar after you've moved out. Natural gas or propane back up generator is the better expense. Lithium battery back ups could power a house for a while, just not AC and all the creature comforts. Light and refrigeration basically.

Just implement solar in to the border wall if Trump gets back in. Not sure how that looks as I know you need ideal angles to get maximum energy. Even just some 4'x8' plywood sized panels on top. Would make it harder to get over the top as well. Transmission lines would be expensive, but you're in maximum solar energy area in the US mainland at the Southern border. Makes sense.

guys think… why does entire media faggot group pushes for debt ceiling increase? they are working for rich, rich who benefit from it. its not for little guy, it’s for billionaires out there. they don’t increase ceiling, wealthy speculators get a haircut they don’t want.

WookieMan says

Going back to solar. Why is the government even involved? Do the greenies think it's going to shut down existing coal power plants

Subsidies are a method of kickbacks. It's the same reason ethanol takes more energy to produce than you get out of burning it, but it's still considered "greener".

WookieMan says

The average homeowner just doesn't have the acreage or square footage on their roof to get off grid. I'm not doing any of if I can't be off grid. For 90% of the country it's a sheer impossibility without dropping $100k of panels on well over an acre of land.

Is your house heated with electricity?

Here are the most energy intensive appliances you are likely to have:

Water heater, furnace, stove, fridge, air conditioner, television (particularly if it's an old one). You should go through your house and see where you're spending it all on. Your water header and furnace should NOT be electric, stove as well if you can avoid it. Fridge has to be, air condition has to be, television of course. Throw away your television.

I knew a guy that spent like $200 a month on his television alone. He never turned the damned thing off, and it was a gas plasma display. Finally the goddamned thing broke, and he moved to an LCD, electricity bill dropped in 1/2.

WookieMan says

The average homeowner just doesn't have the acreage or square footage on their roof to get off grid.

I know of 7 houses I saw during Solar Tours that are "Net Zero." They are not off the grid because they are still connected to the power company to feed during the day and draw at night. "Net Zero" means they put at least as much back in as they take out and thus have no power bill. They are able to do this here in Virgina with just the solar panels on part of the roof. This may not be your cup of tea, but it is doable for those who want it. Just need to use efficient appliances and turn off what is not being used and understand the cost breakeven can take over a decade. I am glad people are pioneering this, because they workout the issues for future users when it becomes mainstream.

HeadSet says

I know of 7 houses I saw during Solar Tours that are "Net Zero." They are not off the grid because they are still connected to the power company to feed during the day and draw at night. "Net Zero" means they put at least as much back in as they take out and thus have no power bill.

My sister and good husband have this in NEW HAMPSHIRE.

It's a giant panel on the front lawn, they have an energy excess to the point they've moved to a heat exchanger to make hot water, and brought in a mini split for heating and cooling.

Going off grid is significantly more difficult because you need a battery bank, and they have varying efficiencies, there's a fire risk.

richwicks says

energy excess to the point they've moved to a heat exchanger to make hot water

That is impressive. I have not seen that, but I have seen where a half-pipe reflector is used to solar heat water. By VA law the solar heater must feed into a conventional tank water heater to prevent scalding. The half-pipe heats the water well above the allowed 160 degrees output. Of course, your sister's method allows hot water even late at night.

richwicks says

Going off grid is significantly more difficult because you need a battery bank, and they have varying efficiencies, there's a fire risk.

Ah, but here is an opportunity to use that engineer's mind. How about something like using excess power to lift weights on a cable, which on the way back down turn a generator through a high ratio escapement. That is, a very heavy weight geared to spin the generator a 1,000 times for every foot of travel. Maybe pump water into a tower that can be used to drive a turbine later. Compress air to drive a piston motor?

HeadSet says

Ah, but here is an opportunity to use that engineer's mind. How about something like using excess power to lift weights on a cable, which on the way back down turn a generator through a high ratio escapement.

THOUGHT of it, lot of people have. I'm certainly not the first. There's not a lot of energy in potential energy. You can do this with a MASSIVE water storage system, and it's not efficient, like 50% at best, and that's doing tricks.

Gold is only like 19 denser than water. You could save 19 times the energy with GOLD than you can with water. How rich are you?

HeadSet says

That is, a very heavy weight geared to spin the generator a 1,000 times for every foot of travel.

You'd need something massive which is where material science comes in. You'd have to have something that weighs, TONS, and whatever it is suspended from has to be massively strong, and there's loss because whatever that is (cable, chain, wire), degrades and stretches, and is effected by heat.

HeadSet says

Compress air to drive a piston motor?

NUPE!

Carnot cycle. When you compress a gas, you heat it, and when you try to recover the energy, the gas has cooled so it's at a lower pressure and all the heat, is lost. Terrible efficiency.

I used to love all this green energy shit when I was a kid, so I went into the wonderful world of engineering, to only find out all my ideas were infeasible. The crime isn't I didn't know, I never teacher that could fucking tell me "this won't work", and it took to college to figure out why. We have terrible teachers.

I think if you wanted to store energy, didn't want to use a battery, some system of electrolysis with water with a fuel cell - and it wouldn't be cheap and the reason it's not cheap is that it takes a TON of energy to make. You can get about 60% efficiency with electrolysis combined with a sterling engine to recover heat loss and with a fuel cell at least 50% efficiency turning it back into electric. No surprise we have battery cars instead of hydrogen fuel/cell cars. There's also again the matter of compression, because you need to compress the hydrogen, and that's takes energy, it heats up, Carnot cycle, blah blah blah.

Me electrical engineer now!

HeadSet says

How about something like using excess power to lift weights on a cable, which on the way back down turn a generator through a high ratio escapement. That is, a very heavy weight geared to spin the generator a 1,000 times for every foot of travel. Maybe pump water into a tower that can be used to drive a turbine later.

Sounds similar to this idea:

https://heindl-energy.com/

Gravity Storage is a concept with which unprecedentedly large quantities of power can be stored for a long time of 6-14 hours, and can be made available again. The fundamental principle is based on the hydraulic lifting of a large rock mass. Using electrical pumps, as already used today in pumped storage power plants, water is pumped beneath a movable rock piston, thereby lifting the rock mass. During times of insufficient generation of renewable power, the water which is under high pressure from the rock mass, is routed to a turbine, as in conventional hydroelectric plants, and generates electricity using a generator.

Patrick says

Sounds similar to this idea:

https://heindl-energy.com/

Is that referring to this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIhCuzxNvv0

Thunderf00t ripped it to shreds. There are so many scams in green energy. I worked in the field BRIEFLY, until too many of my questions were either not answered, or were brutally answered. The whole point of electric cars isn't about energy efficiency, it's so you can charge your car at home and at work, and your car will always be warm and toasty and ready to use because even in winter, the batteries are being warmed as well as the cabin. They key point is you'll never have to go to a gas station again!!!!

They are luxury cars, not cars. They don't give a shit about energy efficiency or reducing pollutants when you get past the engineers.

I do think we can get there, but it requires a complete change in our lifestyle, a return to what were more like in 1800 in SOME ways. We'd still have cell phones, internet, television, central heating, stoves, etc.

You'll no longer be staying up to midnight to watch television, you'll get up at the break of dawn, your shower will be lukewarm if that. It would be a more natural life, but to control crime, there might need to be night-time curfews. It would be a lot different. You wouldn't be driving around in a 2000 pound car either, more like 250 lb vehicle of some sort.

It doesn't have to be a nightmare, but you'd have to start accommodating your living to, you know, nature. I don't know if it would necessarily be a bad thing but it would be a radical change. Try not using your lights for a month. You can get through it, but it's different.

richwicks says

Gold is only like 19 denser than water. You could save 19 times the energy with GOLD than you can with water. How rich are you?

Well, if gold is out, we can use even heavier platinum. -joking-

Even if the compressed air or lifted weight measures are not efficient, they are for use when no other power is available. If enough kinks are worked out, being 10% efficient is better than nothing. During the day you use full energy from the solar panels and store the excess. At night you cut use to accommodate the 90% loss.

About an hour ago this article was published stating that McCarthy and Biden have come to an agreement on the debt ceiling. Looks like Biden also agreed on work requirements for welfare in addition to other Republican requests like at least 3% increase in defense and veterans spending.

"The deal would raise the debt limit for two years while capping spending over that time, claw back unused COVID funds, speed up the permitting process for some energy projects and includes some extra work requirements for food aid programs for poor Americans."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-debt-ceiling-negotiations-push-towards-critical-default-deadline-2023-05-27/

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clambo says

Medicare "premium" for me is $329/month and will rise I am sure.

I've always wondered what that will cost. I think one cannot collect until 65? I've got a long long way to go. I'm sure by then it'll all change but that seems affordable right now vs. what I pay between jobs when I get laid off. Like half that.

WookieMan says

So 15 dudes getting paid 4 months (usually) UE when they "really" don't need it.

In the 50s and 60s (probably every since then) illegal aliens would pick peaches and prunes then get welfare the rest of the year to sit on their asses in NorCal. I had family members who worked alongside them but had school and other jobs the rest of the year.

just_passing_through says

In the 50s and 60s (probably every since then) illegal aliens would pick peaches and prunes then get welfare the rest of the year to sit on their asses in NorCal.

Something similar still happens with seasonal IRS employees in Pittsburgh. They only work Oct to May and collect unemployment in the off months. They do not have to be seeking work to qualify since they already have a hire date for the next season. Another good reason for a young person to get a government job. These jobs also went to work from home.