In retrospect, it wasn't close at all. Trump took all but 2 swing states...and it's looking likely that he will take those as well once the votes are tallied.

#139

You guys are all severely mistaken. Median household income in 2023 was over $80k. That represents a 4% increase in inflation-adjusted dollars over 2022.

What has changed? People's expectations of what they deserve. This #139 nonsense article pre-supposes an obsolete market that no longer exists. It's not wrong probably, but it is referencing a world that has been overcome by events.

The biggest contributor to dissatisfaction now is that people feel they deserve more than they are able to earn or collect on their own. Imagine a prehistoric hunter stating that he "deserved" one elk kill per week, but based on ability was not able to achieve that, and instead based the blame on those hunters with greater skill who were able to achieve multiple kills per week.

That's where we are at champs. But ask yourself, would our ancestors who survived the great depression want to trade places with us? Would you want to trade places with them? How about those in 1960? That halcyon period where high income earners were taxes at 91% and union membership was strong.

I think they would happily trade places. Progressive might, until they realized they were stuck in a 1200 square foot house with one car.

According to articles I have read, something like 40% of voters have already cast their ballots. Shouldn't we have some idea of what these results look like? Is there something that keeps the early results from being released.

"Yes, I do, because the 21st Amendment allows for states to regulate alcohol."

No, the 21st amendment simply mirrors the 10th amendment.

The 2st amendment simply ended federal criminalization of alcohol production, sale, or consumption. It did nothing to prevent the states from implementing legal restrictions.

"It is correct that shipping abortion drugs is now illegal. Has been since Dobbs."

Why wasn't it before Dobbs?

What changed?

Did you even go to college, bro?

"so, once again, you prove yourself ignorant of basic civics."

Yeah. Sure, champ.

"Donnerboy addresses how Comstock was not enforceable under RvW."

Sure it was. It is captured in US code. Its literally the law of the land.

So, I suppose, pharmaceutical manufacturers COULD set up factories in every state.

"What about non medicine abortions? Wellllll, those require equipment, right? Doctors need to buy that equipment, right? That equipment would therefore be...... shipped-BOOM no longer permitted. I guess they could be bought by the doctor but once he crosses a state line-BOOM no longer permitted.You do realize that pretty much makes getting an abortion pretty much illegal, right?"

Technically, it would make pretty much everything occurring in a hospital illegal.

I said "would". I meant "did."

Its already illegal.

"You're shown yourself to be more than a troll"

The statement I would expect from someone who couldn't actually answer the question.

And technically, if that's the case, abortion is already being performed illegally. Comstock has been in place for a long time.

"You are not a serious person."

I don't think any of you know what you are talking about. Comstock addresses mail and freight services. It could, maybe, affect the distribution of medication used to cause abortions. But that's about it. And even that is a very serious stretch.

"Donald Trump is the Ted Bundy of politics."

Donald Trump is popular.

For a long time, my perception was that people did not like Trump but viewed him as the lesser of evils.

Now you have Kamala Harris, who seems to come across as a very reasonable, even good choice for president, and people still seem to be favoring Trump.

I certainly don't understand it, but it does seem to be a thing.

"Do you have women in your life?"

Heh-I have only women in my life. One wife, two daughters.

"Do you not care that they have fewer rights now?"

They do?

Walk me though that as well.

"A nationwide ban is as simple as enforcing the Comstock Act. You seem to not understand that federal law is supreme over state law. So an amendment is NOT required to implement a ban."

Federal law is 'technically' supreme, but one can still buy pot in many states, even though it is illegal at the federal level.

You'll have to walk me through the whole Comstock thing...sounds like conspiracy theory to me.

#10

A-dorbs.

Maybe you heard 'Allahu Akbar' in Paris and didn't run. But let's Be honest-everyone else did, right?

"But then again, When black men walk by me in any American city at night I don't piss my pants, either."

Black men aren't typically scary-until they are screaming Allahu Akbar.' But that's true of every race and ethnicity. There were plenty of wedos who subscribed to the 'Allahu Akbar' school of thought.

----, ISIS would have been nothing if it weren't for Europeans deciding that they couldn't pass up the opportunity to rape and pillage on behalf of the prophet.

Fortunately, you had people like me to curb that.

You're ------- welcome.

"So, despite your claim that "Trump has nothing to do with Texas abortion law. Whether he wins or loses, it will have no bearing on these laws." it's pretty clear that the only way to stop these laws is to make sure Dems win the presidency and Senate for the next few terms (so we can replace the talibaptists on SCOTUS as they age out) and restore Roe."

States could still ban abortion.

The 21st amendment legalized the production and sale of alcohol, but there are still dry counties in some parts of the US (that I would never visit).

Do you know why?

"In other words, Congress can't, since there is zero chance of such an amendment happening."

Then it probably shouldn't happen.

Listen, princess. I get it. You think your pet causes are so important-so tantamount-that they should be law based solely on your beliefs.

You're not the only child to feel that way.

"I am not joking because you repeatedly express wrong positions."

As in-positions that are in conflict with the constitution? Do elaborate.

"Wont affect trump and johnson's coup plans at all."

Coup?

Send data.

My only gripe with the Economist is the price. It is the most expensive subscription I have. But I've had it since I was in college, and it's always been solid.

#4

Just lil ol' me here...but the Economist is the gold standard in reporting. I am quite liberal-in the classical sense, but I detest the Trump sycophants as much as I detest the BernieBros. Just opposite sides of the same coin.

Kamala is the best choice. Does she say stupid ----? Certainly. But so does Trump. And Trump is about 18 months away from being a drooling vegetable on hospice.

I can't fathom why Repubs just don't put this dude out to pasture.

"What power does Congress have to pass a law that protects abortion (or ANY medical procedure) nationwide, that this court would be bound to respect?"

Through an amendment to the constitution. It can occur two ways. Either 2/3rds of state legislatures, OR, a 2/3rds vote in both the house and the senate.

But you knew this, right, being an expert on constitutional law and all...

"You and madbummer do not understand basic civics."

C'mon. You're joking, right?

How can you say someone doesn't understand civics when you don't understand it yourself?

Where did you study constitutional law again?

"If ------- is reelected it is HIGHLY likely that a nationwide abortion ban will be implemented."

You think so?

You think the Supreme Court is going to reverse their position that it is up to the states?

And even if they did, some states have already written the right to an abortion into their state constitutions.

I don't think it would be possible to create a nationwide ban on abortion unless it were carried out through an amendment to the constitution. Which is not gonna happen.