Badsmerf
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Everything posted by Badsmerf
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First we have to stop the bleeding. Stop these huge loans, stop the burden on borrowers, stop the outrageous tuition increases. The system needs to be fixed before throwing cash at it. I might support a bail out if I thought gross misconduct wasn't going to continue to happen.
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For a long time, that $200-500 mark is where I lived. Barely enough to pay bills and eat without assistance. I know how much of a boom the economy would get, but where does the money come from? Higher taxes? Gutting the military? Who gets the bailouts? Partners at law firms earning $200k? Only teachers and social workers? To me, if the government invested in students that can't repay the loan, they should pay it themselves. I was in that group for a long time. Thankfully, I'm not now, and my education is finally paying off. People in my position don't need a bailout. I made it work. I'd love to have an extra $700 to put into the economy in different ways but can't say I deserve it. My point is we can accomplish easing the burden without a lump sum injection of cash.
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Think of the billions of dollars in interest that banks have reaped, and the trillions that colleges have. All on the backs of 20-45 year olds.... Our country has systematically created this wealth gap that continues to rise. Education and access to top internships/contacts is only exacerbating the problem. I don't think bailing out student loans is the solution. I would have went to Stanford had I known I'd be bailed out in my 30's. Also would have gone to law school and piled up another $80k. That isn't fair, nor is it economically viable. Better solution: I like the tiered approach. Instead of low earners paying less, have the government pay their loans until they earn an amount appropriate to pay these loans. Zero interest, or 2% to cover inflation. **** the banks getting rich off all these loans. Increased scrutiny on the cost of public universities, and provide some type of incentive for attending them vs. Private schools. Might even go as far to stop giving loans to private schools... And make public schools free. However, I can see this resulting in worse segregation than already exists.
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I think Beto entering the race is a real threat to all, not just Biden. Beto had to be slightly cryptic running statewide in Texas. I hope he'll be more upfront running in the primary, and possibly in the general. I singled out Biden, because he will win with blue color everyday people. Beto poses a real threat to that coalition. Beto has more charisma, is younger, still a white male (fwiw), doesn't have the baggage. This isn't about beating Trump or ideas yet, this is about capturing the base, and I think Beto has the best shot at that.
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Couldn't have said it better. I pay $700 a month for student loans for my wife and I... and she only went to school for 2 years. I've been paying on these loans for 10 years now, and just recently have started making a dent in them (mostly by throwing extra money from my bonus in January at them). I didn't have a firm grasp on what happens after college, nor did either of my parents... and the guidance counselors were absolutely no help for me. I took out the loans, and I'm responsible for that. However, colleges are praying on kids like me... and many don't have the jobs to pay for these loans we were "promised." I graduated in 2008... and couldn't pay to get a job. I'm not sure a complete forgiveness across the board is in order, but I see the merit. The system is broken, and this case of paying to get into college really highlights a problem in this country. I'll likely be paying for these loans another 10 years, while some patents are throwing $500k just to get their kids into school... and I'm doubting that kid will have loans at the end of the day. I will certainly help my kids make more informed decisions than I did, but I hope things are different by then.
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Obviously I'm guessing... But I'm curious on your stance here. I think Beto can appeal to the same people Biden can, but also can appeal to the younger anti establishment movement that Biden will have trouble with.
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Beto entered the race.... Things just got real. He is a guy that can relate to both sides of the party, is a fresh new voice, has experience in Congress.... Guy is a home run. I wouldn't be surprised if Biden doesn't run. Do we need a separate thread for the campaign?
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National emergency to ground 737 max 8 planes. Thank you Trump. Boeing needs to get this fixed before we have an accident here.
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Nice... Glad they aren't in our division. All we're going to hear about next year is how long it has been since they've been in the playoffs....
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No universities being charged is a joke. Ignorance is a terrible lie. They should be held accountable too.
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Odell Beckham to the Browns.... First playoff appearance ever for that team next year. They could be pretty good.
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Westbrook is a rich basketball star... Of course he overreacted. Him and the fan are both dumb. However, Westbrook was provoked by the fan, and I'm doubting it was only once. Westbrook was also fined, this fan is just simply banned. Fair trade off imo.
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Crap. What do they see in Barr that we don't? I just don't think he is very good. If they are going to use him more for pass rushing that would be great... because he can't cover for ****.
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I'm not a big fan of Sendejo. He is a big hitter, but it cost the team multiple times, and he's not a great cover safety. I think Cousins needs another WR to throw to. DiggsThielen really aren't different enough from each other to rely solely on them. I'd like to see a tall, athletic WR drafted that can create mismatches in the red zone. Treadwell isn't that guy. Maybe I watched Randy Moss too much?
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Treadwell has a place on this team. He is a big possession 4th receiver type. Not the guy we hoped, but he played better and received more targets last year. I really like that the strategies we've talked about are highlighted in this piece. Hopefully we seem some aggressive moves to keep this team competitive while cousins is getting paid.
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Her choice of words was bad. Her criticism of Israel has merit. If she wasn't to continue to be a member of Congress she needs to get better at communicating criticism without being a bigot. She is a target, has been since she took office. A part of that is because of her religion and how she looks. We've all seen the evidence, and she needs to rise above that nonsense and be a leader.
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Kushner's methods with Saudi Arabia continue to muddy the waters. The use of American made weapons to target children, the death of the journalist, and the torture of the doctor... among other things.... are reasons we should be critical of Saudi Arabia. I wouldn't go so far to think it is about finances for Kushner, just a reckless methodology. On the Manafort sentencing... Really disappointing a guy can launder and tax evade millions of dollars, but very less time in prison than first time non violent drug offenses. I question the comments the judge has made in the case, and how he justified reducing the suggested time to serve. 20 years would have been excessive, but less than 4 (with 9 already counted as served)?
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Let me get this straight... You don't believe what champ said was white privilege or you don't believe white privilege exists? If it does exists, I'd like to see your definition.
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Do you not see how that is your white privilege talking? Like has already been pointed out by Brock, minorities don't have the same luxury. Putting your head down and not paying attention has never worked to further society, especially for black Americans. Activism is part of our foundation. We can't help demand change if we don't listen to journalists and aren't able to investigate topics in person.
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So if we're morphing this discussion into how the media shapes our bro view of reality... let's go for it. I disagree strongly that corporate news will ever die. I also disagree corporate news is evil in all facets. All these major outlets have some flaws, but I'm going to pick on Fox, because their role in dividing this country is the highest imo. Fox has credible and respected journalists that do their best to report the facts about what is happening. However, a bigger part of Fox is opinion and manipulation from the likes of Sean Hannity. We can pick on CNN too, and their ridiculous panels with extreme opinions on both sides who's overall goal is to skew the information in one party's favor. Neither methods helps provide clarity, both methods talk about irrelevant matters. I'd just like to point out, we haven't wasted our time in Robert Kraft or even the recent Cohen testimony, despite many of us aware of the topics.
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To clarify... I read 538 a lot. I don't think the polls themselves are bias. My point was, if you poll most Republicans they will approve of Trump. If you poll most democrats they will disapprove of Trump. There is little objectivity anymore. This feeds into what champ is talking about with media narratives. How many Republicans in these polls are just the lemmings doing what good lemmings do? The same could have been asked with Obama. As a whole, I don't think our country pays much attention to the details in politics. Tribalism is real, and the media.... and even more so Trump, are creating more of it.
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Champ... like Levi asked... what subject would you rather discuss? It is pretty open for debate here, and if you have something off the beaten path I'm sure it would stir a nice discussion. The reason we talk about relevant new items... like it or not, is because they are relevant. ewen, I'm no fan of how Israel operates. She could have phrased her legitimate concern in a better manner... but I don't think the GOP has room to judge when so many go to bat for Trump when he says way worse. The whole glass houses thing...
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I don't think I'll ever agree dressing up on Halloween as a character or person can be equated with the history of blackface (obviously the kkk picture is way crossed the line). They are different on many levels, but most all, intent. In most cases, intent is pretty easy too grasp.
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I disagree. I know the history of it, have read articles and opinions on why it is offensive, and still believe people are overreacting. Being upset because someone paints their skin to look like Michael Jackson is too sensitive. Being upset about a kkk and slave costume is justified. To me it is about intent. If the intent is to paint your face you be the bad guy, or another blatantly racist portrayal... bad idea.
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Ewen, we can rehash the comments I made about Nazism and the Charlottesville disgrace if you'd like. Or, about what many Nazi sympathizers actually stood for. The term "Nazi" is always referenced with murders, but that isn't the whole story nor why millions were enthusiastic about following Hitler. I think the Republican party lead by Trump is inching closer and closer because of his fascist tendencies, his xenophobia, and his populist appeal. The boarder wall funding is a perfect example as we speak... We can also talk about blackface.... which I think is completely overblown in this country. I'm on Megan Kelly's side, and think she was treated unfairly and attacked relentlessly for being a conservative talk show host. We can do hard things, like disagree politely.
