LGP Political Discussion Thread - Latest news at top

[Gaucho]

Kim Jong-un announces "radical changes" for the new year and extensive reforms. Welp, go ahead.

[tifosi77]

The Department of the Navy was, is and ever shall be, the primary tool for military intervention and security.

The Navy is international logistics. A very important component to be sure, but "Primary Tool"? I wouldn't want to have to argue that point with the late General Schwarzkopf.

I wouldn't want you to argue that, either, cos it's wrong.

When crisis erupts in the world, the president does not ask "Where is the nearest Army brigade?" Land forces (Army and Air Force) require land to operate from, meaning permission from some host country..... permission that, often times, is not forthcoming. For example, the Iraq assault in Operation Desert Storm was only possible because Saudi Arabia allowed U.S. forces to stage out of their territory. However, there were three carrier battle groups operating in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf within weeks of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait representing a tactical capability greater than the entire Iraqi air force at the time, and two more carriers eventually completed the order of battle. All the while patiently waiting for the land forces to build up over three months......

Nearly half the world's population - and its associated infrastructure - lives within 150 miles of the sea. An aircraft carrier represents 4.5 acres of sovereign U.S. territory and its battle group can steam wherever it pleases. Until either of these factors change, the Navy will be primary tool of 'diplomacy by other means'.

[tifosi77]

I've seen nothing about the payroll holiday being extended, so we will all be paying 2% more.

What a gimmick, as are all "temporary" tax policy changes.

I've always thought that 'holiday' nothing more than a semantic gimmick, anyway. At my take-home level 2% amounts to less than $100 every month. What economic activity am I going to generate with that $100 that I could not do without it? It's honestly less than negligible.

[ulf]

For someone starting out on their own like me, I would love to not give up $900 next year, and save that instead.

[King Sid the Great 87]

I've seen nothing about the payroll holiday being extended, so we will all be paying 2% more.

What a gimmick, as are all "temporary" tax policy changes.

I've always thought that 'holiday' nothing more than a semantic gimmick, anyway. At my take-home level 2% amounts to less than $100 every month. What economic activity am I going to generate with that $100 that I could not do without it? It's honestly less than negligible.

It won't change my habits, but I could see a single teacher making $50k annually, living in an area where rent goes for $800-$1000/month for a one bedroom feeling squeezed.

[ExPatriatePen]

I've seen nothing about the payroll holiday being extended, so we will all be paying 2% more.

What a gimmick, as are all "temporary" tax policy changes.

I've always thought that 'holiday' nothing more than a semantic gimmick, anyway. At my take-home level 2% amounts to less than $100 every month. What economic activity am I going to generate with that $100 that I could not do without it? It's honestly less than negligible.

Most folks I know will just spend $1200 a year less on video games

Who needs the video game or entertainment industry anyway?

The Department of the Navy was, is and ever shall be, the primary tool for military intervention and security.

The Navy is international logistics. A very important component to be sure, but "Primary Tool"? I wouldn't want to have to argue that point with the late General Schwarzkopf.

I wouldn't want you to argue that, either, cos it's wrong.

When crisis erupts in the world, the president does not ask "Where is the nearest Army brigade?" Land forces (Army and Air Force) require land to operate from, meaning permission from some host country..... permission that, often times, is not forthcoming. For example, the Iraq assault in Operation Desert Storm was only possible because Saudi Arabia allowed U.S. forces to stage out of their territory. However, there were three carrier battle groups operating in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf within weeks of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait representing a tactical capability greater than the entire Iraqi air force at the time, and two more carriers eventually completed the order of battle. All the while patiently waiting for the land forces to build up over three months......

Nearly half the world's population - and its associated infrastructure - lives within 150 miles of the sea. An aircraft carrier represents 4.5 acres of sovereign U.S. territory and its battle group can steam wherever it pleases. Until either of these factors change, the Navy will be primary tool of 'diplomacy by other means'.

I did conceed the logistics angle. But as there's only so much you can with ariel attacks and shelling. Eventually you need "boots on the ground".

It's like saying the most important part of Amazons business model is UPS

[columbia]

The lottery of life



http://www.economist.com/news/21566430- ... ttery-life

[ExPatriatePen]

The lottery of life

Spoiler:

http://www.economist.com/news/21566430- ... ttery-life

What? No Tahiti?

[Geezer]

http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2013/ ... nding-cuts
Roughly $1 in spending cuts for every $40+ in new taxes. I have to be careful of what I wish for; I was hoping something would be done about the debt and deficit. Something was done. Barry also went on record that future cuts would be done on his balanced approach; any cut would be offset by a tax increase(on any non friends of Barry I imagine). I always figured he'd embrace the California model and he has.

So his Simpson - Bowles commission recommended $3 in cuts for every $1 in new taxes and we got < 3 cents in cuts for every $1 in new taxes.
Outstanding work by our Washington drunken sailors.

[Gaucho]

Why would I want to be born in Singapore?

[MRandall25]

Why would I want to be born in Singapore?

Livability/GDP/life expectancy?

[Gaucho]

Singapore is basically a dictatorship or at the very least an autocracy, so no thanks.

[viva la ben]

I don't understand how anyone could say no deal is better than any deal.
Everyone's taxes increase without a deal.

[Hockeynut!]

Israel is in the top 20???

[Pavel Bure]

I don't understand how anyone could say no deal is better than any deal.
Everyone's taxes increase without a deal.

Taxes need to increase.

[ExPatriatePen]

I don't understand how anyone could say no deal is better than any deal.
Everyone's taxes increase without a deal.

No deal includes tax increases AND spending cuts. This deal is very heavily weighted towards tax increases and kicks the "spending cut can" down the road another two months.

[Gaucho]

Israel is in the top 20???

I hear the shopping malls are very nice.

[bhaw]

So Cliff's Notes for the politically challenged:

Until I get my raise to $450k (:lol:), I will experience no difference in my taxes?

Is any part of your income derived from Dividends? Are you subject to the AMT?

If the answer is no, probably no change in federal income tax. No comment on the 'stealth tax' though.

Both are no, but the 2% payroll tax is a solid chunk of change.

[tifosi77]

I did conceed the logistics angle. But as there's only so much you can with ariel attacks and shelling. Eventually you need "boots on the ground".

It's like saying the most important part of Amazons business model is UPS

In almost all scenarios, the boots on the ground aspect requires someone else's permission to accomplish. And the aerial campaigns in Bosnia and Libya have both shown that focused air power can bring about the desired outcomes in certain circumstances.

It's not perfect or without its limitations, but no matter how much you poo-poo it the Navy is the only means that military influence can be wielded without first needed to get the okay from another nation.

I've seen polling that indicates the public considers the Air Force to be the most important branch, but they can really only exert influence once the decision is made to being dropping bombs. An aircraft carrier parked off the coast of your capital city can have an amazing deterrent effect.

Why would I want to be born in Singapore?

Hawker stands. Singapore is the only Asian country I desperately want to visit.

[DelPen]

I've seen nothing about the payroll holiday being extended, so we will all be paying 2% more.

What a gimmick, as are all "temporary" tax policy changes.

I've always thought that 'holiday' nothing more than a semantic gimmick, anyway. At my take-home level 2% amounts to less than $100 every month. What economic activity am I going to generate with that $100 that I could not do without it? It's honestly less than negligible.

It was the only way to "cut" taxes on those who don't pay any federal income tax. But it's not about your $50-75 a month, multiply that by 150 million and that's how much is taken out of the economy. For people living paycheck to paycheck, even $25 is going to hurt but this never should have happened to being with. It's like my employer not putting my money in my 401k, adding it to my paycheck and calling it a raise.

[shafnutz05]

I found this to be exceptionally well-done.

[Gaucho]

It's about three minutes too long.

[eddysnake]

I found this to be exceptionally well-done.

I don't understand what this is?

[shafnutz05]

It's about three minutes too long.

Yes, I confess it does get repetitive the longer you watch it, but I guess the creator wanted to be thorough.

[shafnutz05]

I don't understand what this is?

A bunch of celebrities got together to do a PSA demanding "a plan" to combat gun violence. Of course, they didn't offer any insight on said "plan", it was more just a general call for action with sound bytes. Someone interspersed all of their contributions with all of the clips from film and television in which they all have profited from some type of glorified gun violence in the past.