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Messages - alum74

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1
The Deuce / Re: Let's talk about something we all can agree on...
« on: October 20, 2026, 07:03:46 PM »
Quote from: Custard on October 20, 2026, 06:35:34 PM
Condemnation for playing by the rules as they’ve been established? This has been going on as long as there have been politicians and businessmen.

We understand—you have a boner for the plutocracy.

2
The Deuce / Re: Let's talk about something we all can agree on...
« on: October 20, 2026, 05:28:27 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 20, 2026, 04:56:52 PM
I am sure Pritzker will pay for it at the ballot box in November.....

Legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators to limit big-money influence would likely draw support from voters nationwide, though the Supreme Court might strike it down. 

A voluntary pledge by billionaires to curb their political spending would be welcome, but someone must take the first step.  Both sides share responsibility.

In the meantime, Pritzker is likely to win reelection easily.


3
The Deuce / Re: Let's talk about something we all can agree on...
« on: October 20, 2026, 04:52:36 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 02:53:09 PM
Just like hating politicians, they all love their side's guys and blame the other side's guys.

No. Polls show bipartisan support for removing big money from political campaigns, including spending by billionaires such as Pritzker and Musk.  Both deserve condemnation.

4
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 20, 2026, 11:49:33 AM »
Quote from: No one in Mn on October 20, 2026, 10:01:14 AM
They have concerns.




Burn it all down and they'll promise a more equitable society.

Ah yes.  The protests in France, the new boogyman to distract from the economic problems at home just before the midterms. 

I keep imagining the MAGA Republican insurrectionists storming the U.S. Capitol like insects on J6, and the pardons Trump gleefully handled out.

Maybe the French looters and arsonists are just overly enthusiastic tourists who are misunderstood or they were egged on by agent provocateurs.

5
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 20, 2026, 12:30:11 AM »
Quote from: Custard on October 19, 2026, 11:50:55 PM
LOFL

I can’t even take you seriously right now. France wouldn’t even be an autonomous nation without our unrelenting support over the last 100+ years.

They’ve cut their defense spending dramatically in order to fund their 30-hour work weeks so lazy Frenchmen and mimes can sit around smoking cigarettes on cobblestone streets while we picked up their tab.

So insightful...you would have fit right in with Charles Lindbergh's American First Committee in the early-40s, which included fringe Nazi sympathizers.

We've had a long history of supporting France and other European nations as a defensive wall against the Soviet Union since WWII.  I'd say it worked out pretty well, had bipartisan support, and was a worthwhile investment. 

I'm all for NATO countries like France spending more for defense, especially with Putin looking to expand Russian influence in the region with the help of his useful idiot Donald Trump. 


6
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 11:56:22 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 09:58:16 PM

You forgot that she is a fascist. She's been trying to dig them out of the Socialist hole. Lot of structural issues like in France.

The last time Italy had a socialist-led government was from 1983-1987.  It alternated between center-right and center-left coalitions between 1990 and 2015.  For the next seven years, an  anti-establishment and populist movement led to the formation of unconventional alliances that often included right-wing groups.  The government has been led by a right-wing/center right coalition since 2022.

7
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 06:37:50 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 05:51:55 PM
You should have just cited Napoleon as opposed to their riding on our coattails!

Riding our coattails?  I don't see it that way.  Our commanders appreciated the French military support, and everyone understood the U.S. would naturally shoulder most of the effort.

8
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 05:05:39 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 03:21:03 PM

When is the last time the French military did anything besides surrender?

France contributed about 18,000 troops to the U.S.-led coalition in the Persian Gulf War, helping free Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.

Although France opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq because it lacked a UN mandate, it later sent hundreds of military personnel, aircraft, and training units to Iraq and Syria as part of the international coalition against ISIS.

In Afghanistan, France joined the U.S.-led coalition and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, deploying tens of thousands of troops over the campaign, mainly for counterinsurgency and training missions.

During the 2011 military intervention in Libya, France worked with the U.S. and the U.K. to carry out air and naval strikes that helped bring down Gaddafi’s regime.


9
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 05:01:23 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 04:48:42 PM
Low productivity is still an issue, apparently. Once you get used to being a lazy socialist the tougher it gets to crawl out of the abyss. Just the way the DSA wants it!

Most Italians would take issue with that statement.  DSA isn't running things in Italy.   

10
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 04:38:36 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 04:32:58 PM
Not today!

Or in the future.  She has prioritized private sector growh rather than public ownership or wealth redistribution. 

11
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 04:27:20 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 03:55:00 PM
Another Euro socialist paradise!

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/milan-protests-italy-troops-looting-stores-b3069522.html

I doubt Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni would call Italy a “socialist paradise.”

12
The Deuce / Re: Let's talk about something we all can agree on...
« on: October 19, 2026, 02:27:11 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 01:56:46 PM
https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/18/politics/jb-pritzker-midterm-elections-donations-2028

The billionaire has funneled nearly $40 million to Democratic candidates and groups in the midterms, donating to everything from the party’s biggest super PACs to state legislative campaigns. As part of that, he’s helping to fund a $20 million effort in the final weeks of the midterms to support Democratic efforts to push deeper into red territory in their bid to capture the House majority.

Tempo doesn't mind this though!

Pritzker belongs to an elite group that includes Elon Musk, Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, Jeff Yass, George and Alex Soros, crypto founders, and others.

Much of the money appears to be flowing to super PACs, joint fundraising committees, and dark-money nonprofits.

Most Americans oppose the influence of big money in political campaigns.   So this thread works well for your post.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/09/poll-americans-say-too-much-money-in-politics-00912455

13
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 01:32:57 PM »
Quote from: No one in Mn on October 19, 2026, 08:04:04 AM
If you followed the news the mostly peaceful protesters are rioting and looting over a shortage of #2 pencils in the schools.
Yet images from France appear to be similar to images from Minneapolis a few years ago.

The images also remind me of January 6. 

News coverage inevitably focuses on the violence—as the saying goes, “If it bleeds, it leads.”

France’s daytime marches and broader protests were largely peaceful, drawing hundreds of thousands of families, students, teachers, and union workers.  As the official marches ended, fringe groups emerged to loot and commit arson.
https://www.npr.org/2026/10/17/nx-s1-6006735/student-protests-widen-into-greater-social-unrest-in-france

I saw a similar pattern during the Vietnam War protests at UIUC: peaceful marches by day, followed by hooligans damaging property at night.

14
The Deuce / Re: Da Economy
« on: October 19, 2026, 12:57:49 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 07:54:01 AM
Feel free to move to France. Things going great with socialism over there. Why they all pissed? No one has to work more than 30 hours a week and "free" healthcare. Yet, they are rioting and looting. Maybe that dumbass Kyle kid from Kenosha can go there and help them?

What did they do—ban cigarettes?  My understanding is that the main concerns are the rising cost of living, income inequality, and declining public services.  Despite its generous social safety net, France also appears to have structural problems with youth employment. 

Man, if only Mbappé would run for president of France in 2027.  That would be epic. 

15
The Deuce / Re: WTF is wrong with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson?
« on: October 19, 2026, 12:33:08 PM »
Quote from: ThePAMan on October 19, 2026, 08:15:31 AM
Hard to believe that a politician polls lower than Trump, but Tempo's Hamas Supporting DSA Mayor says, "Hold my beer."

Johnson at 22% to Trump's 33%

Go DSA!

Chicago mayor poll: Brandon Johnson's disapproval at 53% https://share.google/6MN2DBzb0v9NNMnTi

There are several credible alternatives to Johnson that have governing experience, including Mendoza, Quigley, Giannoulias, and Cardenas.  Several political outsiders may also merit consideration.

The problem will be narrowing the field.  Johnson will have boots on the ground with CTU.  The more entries, the greater chance he has to make it to the run-off. 

Just about anybody else would make a better candidate. 

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