Did someone try to introduce a federal bill or something? Did some new report come out that’s capturing everyone’s attention?
Gas stoves are the new light bulb. They're providing a relatable (SEE: YK's wife) argument for the average American at how the Democrats are going to change the fundamental existence of life as we know it - unless the GOP stops them. Not only are they coming for your gas stove but they want to limit access to GREEN (SEE: Ohio) energy, making it harder to build homes.
Again, this goes back to how the GOP needs a boogeyman. Last week (or was it this week?) they were going after the IRS because so many Americans are being raided by over-zealous IRS agents, looking to squeeze them for every last penny. Next it'll be those crazy environmentalists that are trying to limit your access to natural gas.
There were a few politicians that were Tweeting out things (like Ted Cruz), whipping up the general public (or at least Twitter followers) and I'm guessing Tucker Carlson did a piece on it as well.
The party of outrage politics.
But is that really all it is? The GOP is creating this firestorm out of nothing? I certainly wouldn’t put it past them, but, man, that sucks.
On the IRS thing, that one seems a little different to me. I don’t blame the IRS: They didn’t write the tax code, and it’s not their fault this country needs an army at the IRS to implement and enforce the tax code. But the tax code in this country is seriously fucked up. Having paid taxes now for 32 years, this is the first year I’m giving up and hiring someone to do our taxes for me because they’re just too complicated at this point and I just don’t have the time it would take to spend for me to have any faith that my Turbo Tax skills are sufficient to get them right.
The GOP certainly has no business blaming the Dems for the complexity of our tax code. But it’s not a reach to say that a major expansion of the IRS is a BS way to address a symptom of a fundamental problem: Our tax code stinks and needs significant simplification and revision.
Just 'cause you feel it, doesn't mean it's there -- Radiohead
Do you believe me? Do you trust me? Do you like me? 😳
Kurth wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:47 pmDid someone try to introduce a federal bill or something? Did some new report come out that’s capturing everyone’s attention?
The head of the CPSC Richard Trumka Jr. (son of the big labor leader if the name rings a bell) floated it out into the universe as something they'd potentially ban. Turns out his fellow commissioners weren't going along with what he thought should be a strong campaign against gas stoves a few months back. They voted to study the issue further. He went to the press on it and opened the can of worms. The GOP didn't wholesale invent it and this isn't just an issue here. Like I mentioned previously this debate is occurring in Europe to some extent.
The GOP seized on an opportunity served up to them. And like they often do they went loud and stupid on it.
FWIW Biden officially doesn't agree with it now on the record. So while it's fun to pin this as just a GOP freak out there was underneath a political calculation of some sort that went awry in the administration.
Kurth wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:47 pm
Have I not been paying attention, or is this issue regarding regulating residential natural gas exploding out of nowhere? I knew CA was moving to limit natural gas appliances over time,
hah I probably should have known this considering I work in CARB. My defense I'm in IT. I guess we will go induction when the time comes.
It's a distraction. The problem isn't natural gas, it's our insatiable energy consumption.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "No scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer." -Stigler's Law of Eponymy, discovered by Robert K. Merton MYT
Kurth wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 1:06 pm
The GOP certainly has no business blaming the Dems for the complexity of our tax code. But it’s not a reach to say that a major expansion of the IRS is a BS way to address a symptom of a fundamental problem: Our tax code stinks and needs significant simplification and revision.
Our tax code needs revision and simplification - absolutely. But the GOP isn't going to be pushing for changes that impact the average American's experience with tax filing, of that I'm certain.
Instead, they're making sure the IRS is resource deficient and unable to pursue tax discrepancies for corporations and the wealthy. If the average American somehow benefits from that (and I doubt they do), it's accidental, not intentional.
Overall, I don't know enough about what's happening and how it relates to the 6 year improvement plan that the IRS adopted in 2019. Was it something the GOP thought they could monitor and shepherd under TFG if he was re-elected? Maybe. So now that they've lost control of not only the Presidency and the Senate, they need to dial up the outrage in the House. I really don't know anymore.
Scott Charles
@TheScottCharles
I haven’t slept a wink since learning that 87,000 IRS agents dressed in drag and high on rainbow fentanyl plan to replace our gas stoves with electric ranges smuggled into the country by Mexican cartels.
9:19 AM · Jan 11, 2023
It's f'n batshit crazy how effective the nonsense Fox pumps out is. Just as I was leaving last night they started talking about the stoves and how they want to control everything. Any nonsense issue is injected directly into their veins.
Capitalism tries for a delicate balance: It attempts to work things out so that everyone gets just enough stuff to keep them from getting violent and trying to take other people’s stuff.
Old big city infrastructure. Not sure why Red states would care.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "No scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer." -Stigler's Law of Eponymy, discovered by Robert K. Merton MYT
Kurth wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 1:06 pm
The GOP certainly has no business blaming the Dems for the complexity of our tax code. But it’s not a reach to say that a major expansion of the IRS is a BS way to address a symptom of a fundamental problem: Our tax code stinks and needs significant simplification and revision.
Our tax code needs revision and simplification - absolutely. But the GOP isn't going to be pushing for changes that impact the average American's experience with tax filing, of that I'm certain.
Instead, they're making sure the IRS is resource deficient and unable to pursue tax discrepancies for corporations and the wealthy. If the average American somehow benefits from that (and I doubt they do), it's accidental, not intentional.
Overall, I don't know enough about what's happening and how it relates to the 6 year improvement plan that the IRS adopted in 2019. Was it something the GOP thought they could monitor and shepherd under TFG if he was re-elected? Maybe. So now that they've lost control of not only the Presidency and the Senate, they need to dial up the outrage in the House. I really don't know anymore.
Yeah, this doesn't have much to do with the complexity of the tax code. It's more to do with tax enforcement against companies and wealthy individuals. It is very resource intensive to enforce tax laws against the wealthy. They both have access to high priced lawyers, but the dollar amounts are such that it's simple economics to fight back against even clear-cut enforcement. Like, if the IRS comes after one of us for an underpayment of $3,000, we're generally going to pay it if we can, because it doesn't make sense for us to hire lawyers over it.
But if someone's underpaying their taxes by $30 million, it absolutely makes sense for them to break off say $1 million or $2 million to fight that, even if the underpayment is relatively clear cut. As a result it takes a lot of time and people to enforce tax laws against the wealthy. Hence starving the IRS is an easy way to lower the effective tax burden on the wealthy. Which is what has been happening.
Don't worry they already said one of the bills they are putting forward very soon will remove the IRS... Remove income tax... and go with a national sales tax! I don't see at all how that would benefit the rich and screw over the poor?
Capitalism tries for a delicate balance: It attempts to work things out so that everyone gets just enough stuff to keep them from getting violent and trying to take other people’s stuff.
Octavious wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:52 pm
Don't worry they already said one of the bills they are putting forward very soon will...
Repeal and Replace the ACA with something far better. It will happen during the first 100 days of the most successful and best presidency in history. It's all written down right here. While we're at it, we will also build a Wall and impose term limits in Congress and cyber attacks will become a thing of the past.
Very soon... All we need is the presidency and Congress, and the courts...
Kurth wrote:On the IRS thing, that one seems a little different to me. I don’t blame the IRS: They didn’t write the tax code, and it’s not their fault this country needs an army at the IRS to implement and enforce the tax code. But the tax code in this country is seriously fucked up. Having paid taxes now for 32 years, this is the first year I’m giving up and hiring someone to do our taxes for me because they’re just too complicated at this point and I just don’t have the time it would take to spend for me to have any faith that my Turbo Tax skills are sufficient to get them right.
The GOP certainly has no business blaming the Dems for the complexity of our tax code. But it’s not a reach to say that a major expansion of the IRS is a BS way to address a symptom of a fundamental problem: Our tax code stinks and needs significant simplification and revision.
The GOP deliberately starved and limited the IRS during the Trump years, and has denied them badly needed tech and service upgrades.
The GOP is also responsible for forcing the IRS and tax code into a system to manufacture tax refunds and credits — often passed at the last minute just before Christmas in emergency Omnibus bills which did not go through committee. Those bills usually have “sunset” provisions to avoid artificial budget deficit limits. As a result, our tax code reflects many Republican policy preferences that make taxes more complex and uncertain than necessary. In 2 years, for example, most of the Trump tax cuts will sunset because they were unaffordable, complex giveaways. The limitation on SALT (state tax) deductions was wholly a way to punish Blue states and build an anti-tax base there.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein "I don't stand by anything." - Trump “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill, Inaugural Address Delivered to the University of St Andrews, 2/1/1867 “It is the impractical things in this tumultuous hell-scape of a world that matter most. A book, a name, chicken soup. They help us remember that, even in our darkest hour, life is still to be savored.” - Poe, Altered Carbon
stessier wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:36 am
The hook-ups are a normal 240V/50amp circuit. It's not like it takes some space age level of power.
I installed mine in 2013, in a house that was built in 2004. I just remember my handyman telling me at the time that the existing power at the range was not enough according to the installation guide, but that it would probably work anyway (albeit with lower/slower power when using all or maybe most burners at the same time).
There are like 10 Floridians with gas stoves. It would be like banning snow shoes.
Golden age of fraud.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "No scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer." -Stigler's Law of Eponymy, discovered by Robert K. Merton MYT
stessier wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:36 am
The hook-ups are a normal 240V/50amp circuit. It's not like it takes some space age level of power.
I installed mine in 2013, in a house that was built in 2004. I just remember my handyman telling me at the time that the existing power at the range was not enough according to the installation guide, but that it would probably work anyway (albeit with lower/slower power when using all or maybe most burners at the same time).
That's what we call a fire risk. (Maybe - details matter but things that want to pull more power but can't often are a bad idea).
stessier wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:36 am
The hook-ups are a normal 240V/50amp circuit. It's not like it takes some space age level of power.
I installed mine in 2013, in a house that was built in 2004. I just remember my handyman telling me at the time that the existing power at the range was not enough according to the installation guide, but that it would probably work anyway (albeit with lower/slower power when using all or maybe most burners at the same time).
That's what we call a fire risk. (Maybe - details matter but things that want to pull more power but can't often are a bad idea).
While I had someone else install it for some reason (literally just dropping it in, and plugging it in, so no idea why I did that, except that he was there doing a bunch of other stuff maybe), years later I needed to do some work on it and had to read the install booklet. IIRC I read that you COULD use the lesser, more typical power option, you just would not get the full benefit of induction (primarily heat-up speed) on all burners when running them at the same time on high. Which is something I MAY have done once in 10 years, so....yeah.
Spoiler: I did not rewire according to the optimal scenario.
Yeah that is where I was getting at with the details stuff. That appliance is UL listed -- unless you bought it on some dark web black market . If you are in the listed range in the manual as tested then yeah it's mostly just slow water boil.
Unagi wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 12:33 am
I’m a little infuriated that he wasn’t asked “If people want to work more, why would you need to provide an incentive?”
I'm a little flummoxed he wasn't asked "Are you that stupid or do you just think your voters are?"
Skinypupy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 10:53 pm
“Are there no workhouses??”
(Sorry for the carnival barker Twitter account. Allen’s statement is the relevant part.)
Did a bit of research. Unemployment in Augusta area (his district) is roughly 3.5%. So he most definitely ain't talking for his District constituents here...
Black Lives definitely Matter Lorini!
Also: There are three ways to not tell the truth: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
The Oversight Committee is the committee that requires oversight, right? I mean it has to be that.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "No scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer." -Stigler's Law of Eponymy, discovered by Robert K. Merton MYT
That list is just *chef's kiss*. They are mocking us. They are mocking themselves. They are laughing in our collective faces. I mean Scott Perry is very much under investigation for 1/6.
I could put this in a few different spots, but I think it belongs here - the state of TN is no longer accepting money from the CDC to help cover the costs of treatment and detection for HIV:
A statement from Gov. Bill Lee’s office says the administration “is examining areas where it can decrease its reliance on federal funding and assume increased independence.” His office indicates the state will step in with the same funding amount but redirect money to groups that don’t necessarily target the people at highest risk. In Tennessee, most new HIV cases are among young, Black men who have sex with men.
“With the authority to responsibly steward these dollars, the state is committed to maintaining the same level of funding, while more efficiently and effectively serving vulnerable populations, such as victims of human trafficking, mothers and children, and first responders,” Lee’s spokesperson Jade Byers says in an email.
Nashville Cares has received this CDC grant money for the last 15 years to fund HIV testing in several emergency departments around the city.
I'd love to get a laundry list of money TN accepts from the federal government. Something tells me it won't be focused on children, disease prevention, or women's health. Of note:
Patient advocates are confused because the South accounts for half of all new HIV cases, and Memphis is considered a hotspot nationally.
There had to be a memo circulated after the first of the year as Iowa House GOP members are trying to restrict SNAP options:
A portion of the bill recommends narrowing SNAP food purchases to only what is on the state's approved WIC list, which is meant to be a supplemental nutritional aid for women, infants and children.
Proposed restrictions:
No white grains — people can only purchase 100% whole wheat bread, brown rice and 100% whole wheat pasta.
No baked, refried or chili beans — people can purchase black, red and pinto beans.
No fresh meats — people can purchase only canned products like canned tuna or canned salmon.
No sliced, cubed or crumbled cheese. No American cheese.
This is the same political party that went insane when Michelle Obama changed school lunches, right?
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:07 pm
I'd love to get a laundry list of money TN accepts from the federal government. Something tells me it won't be focused on children, disease prevention, or women's health. Of note:
Patient advocates are confused because the South accounts for half of all new HIV cases, and Memphis is considered a hotspot nationally.
Where's the confusion? Red state legislatures despise their own big cities even more than they hate California or New York.
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:07 pm
I'd love to get a laundry list of money TN accepts from the federal government. Something tells me it won't be focused on children, disease prevention, or women's health. Of note:
Patient advocates are confused because the South accounts for half of all new HIV cases, and Memphis is considered a hotspot nationally.
Where's the confusion? Red state legislatures despise their own big cities even more than they hate California or New York.
Furthermore, most 'Blue States' are blue only because the voting population of their urban is > the voting population of their rural. For the GOP - cities are the problem. Actually, I suppose that's sorta your point.
Looking at that first graphic, I realize that although I’ve lived in five different states, I’ve never lived in a county that isn’t shaded.
Taking it a step further, I can’t think of a single person in my circle of family and friends that has lived in a a non-shaded county. That’s kind of crazy to think about.
Just 'cause you feel it, doesn't mean it's there -- Radiohead
Do you believe me? Do you trust me? Do you like me? 😳
. If you are in the listed range in the manual as tested then yeah it's mostly just slow water boil.
