Time for a Sabbatical

By: Robert in Ohio  •  Metafied  •  119 Comments  •  1 Like  •  6 days ago

“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. Marcus Aurelius”

I have been a participating member of News Talkers through multiple iterations and formats, through changes in the rules and multiple changes in who enforces and how they enforce those rules are enforced. I have always been a floating independent life preserver, always about to be washed over or...

Opinion | The Tyranny of Today’s Tipping

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  124 Comments  •  8 Likes  •  2 weeks ago

“"Suddenly, I'm looking at this screen and I'm literally pressing a 20% tip for a burrito," Jung recalls. "I remember thinking, 'This is weird.' You...”

Few things annoy me more than "the tipping struggles" in America - charts telling me what I should tip on the paper receipt, on the screen as I try to process my credit card and as I try to place an online order. I decide when and how much to tip based on the service that I receive from the...

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed in the US?

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  5 Comments  •  2 Likes  •  one month ago

How much of our Social Security benefits should be taxed? Should any of our Social Security benefits be taxed? Are we being taxed twice on the same income, since workers pay into the social security fund throughout their working  years? Are the income thresholds to determine taxability of...

Biden, Trump, CNN agree on debate rules, format

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  33 Comments  •  3 Likes  •  one month ago

“CNN said that “though not impossible,” it’s unlikely that Kennedy will qualify.”

When you come right down to it, other than making sure no one is helping President Biden (unless somehow the questions are mysteriously made available ahead of time) or that Trump forgets that he is not giving a speech and never shuts up - there is no real reason for the two of them to even be i...

One in Four Voters Are Double-Haters, Rejecting Trump and Biden

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  82 Comments  •  2 Likes  •  one month ago

“The ranks of the double-haters — voters who say they don’t like either major party presidential candidate — are at a historic high and make up...”

The likelihood of a change two either the Democrat or Republican nominee for President in 2024 is nearly non-existent, but there are a lot of folks in the good old USA that think that neither of them are worthy of the nation's highest office. Nothing can be done so long as big money controls the...

The Real Problem With Prices

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  33 Comments  •  1 Like  •  4 weeks ago

“"The cost of just about everything went up, after more than a decade of not simply price stability but price stagnancy"”

We hear the trumpets announcing that inflation is only rising at a rate of 3% and not the 9% it was a couple of years ago and the powers that be in Washington D.C. expect the masses to cheer and be happy. But there is no cheering There are sighs of resignation, tears of despair and wails of...

Hunter Biden trial live updates: Hunter Biden guilty on all charges in historic gun case

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  183 Comments  •  one month ago

“Hunter Biden in a statement following the verdict said he was "disappointed by the outcome" but "grateful" for his family and loved ones.”

The verdict was not wholly unexpected It will be interesting to see what sentence is handed down and what the reaction of the White House will be

Fetterman says wild Oversight hearing was worse than ‘Jerry Springer Show’ BY JUDY KURTZ - 05/17/24 11:31 AM ET

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  11 Comments  •  5 Likes  •  2 months ago

““In the past, I’ve described the U.S. House as ‘The Jerry Springer Show,'” ”

I seldom agree with anything that Senator Fetterman has to say on any issue, but I think he has "nailed it" with his description of the U.S. House of Representatives (at least the versions in the past decade).   The inability to perform basic functions, a total lack of across the aisle governing...

Sonia Sotomayor's Retirement Is A 'Personal Decision': White House

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  9 Comments  •  1 Like  •  4 months ago  •  LOCKED

“"Sonia Sotomayor's Retirement Is A 'Personal Decision", the White House”

Another issue to be considered by people in making their voting decision this November - will another Supreme Court seat be filled by the next President of the United States? I thin Justice Sotomayor has done a credible and honest job, though I did not necessarily always agree with her decisions...

Oregon Starts SHUTTING DOWN Small Farms “To Protect The People”

Via: Robert in Ohio  •  News & Politics  •  7 Comments  •  4 Likes  •  4 months ago

“"The state of Oregon has effectively shut down small farms and market gardens on a large scale, and they're actually sending out cease-and-desist...”

The state of Oregon is shutting down family farms When I saw the headline I thought it was a satirical political article. Family farms lived on and managed by families for generations are at stake Where will the food produced by these farms replaced from, huge corporat co-ops that will charge...