Chit-Chat: The Feels

[tres bien]

And Josh Hawley’s wife a lawyer worked with the group to overturn Roe and was the lawyer that argued the case against mifepristone in front of the Supreme Court 

[Affogato]

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

In the big old hypocrites department I just read how Josh Hawley is asking for federal aid for his state in the wake of recent tornadoes when only a month ago he voted against expanded disaster relief funding. 

And he may get it, because he has extended favors to the king and the king’s men. 

I really don’t know what to say. Yes, I realize that republicans have, for a long time, worked to transfer wealth from the poor to the rich. They hate the idea that people don’t work, but won’t do anything to provide more health care and jobs. I know that Trump is at end of life and certainly has no interest int he future disasters facing the world. All of thatl. But what to actually say to this?

[tres bien]

And BTW democratic congressman Sylvester Turner (TX) died on March 5

Texas governor Greg Abbott has conveniently postponed the special election until November 

[bluegirl147]

13 minutes ago, Affogato said:

Yes, I realize that republicans have, for a long time, worked to transfer wealth from the poor to the rich. They hate the idea that people don’t work, but won’t do anything to provide more health care and jobs

Actually I think they hate poor people that aren't able to donate to bribe them.  We've heard how they refer to them.  Takers. Who's fault is it people have jobs that don't pay them a living wage?  They make furthering one's education unaffordable unless you want to take out student loans that will haunt you till you die. They consistently vote against raising the minimum wage. Affordable housing is an oxymoron with so many people unable to buy a home so they are stuck paying outrageous rents. They continue to dismantle the already insufficient safety net.  And here they are wanting to give rich people an even bigger tax cut. 

[Affogato]

8 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

If that's how you feel, then I guess you're responsible for all the lies the Dems have told (esp. denying the dementia), and you did nothing about it. Ridiculous! 

No, to either of your guesses.

Stop with the race card already! Hillary would beg to differ.

People have to take responsibility, in a democracy, for the way they vote. It doesn’t mean other people don’t also have responsibility. We the people. Do you feel it is wrong to blame you, because you are not yourself Trump? Put on your big person panties and vote better.

Also, stop with the logical fallacies. Pulling funding for healthcare and snap and headstart from many many children is not offset by clapping for a child with cancer, wherever that happened. It is irrelevant, clapping for one child, given the other things that are being done to hurt many many children. 

 

Trump is demonstrably racist.  If it was not obvious before, accepting white ‘refugees’ from South Africa would have made it obvious to everyone in the world, literally everyone. Not to mention…in any case. Hillary Clinton was very likely the most qualified presidential candidate that we have had in a very long time and Kamala Harris was not, probably, as qualified, but was a very good candidate for the job.  They were defeated by someone who has no qualifications whatsoever. He is a poor negotiator and dealmaker, his only possible value, a poor scholar, and has the moral stature equivalent to  the worst people anyone can imagine, a personality disorder, and no constructive thoughts of his own. Oh, really. Certainly sexism and racism played some part in those decisions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DrSpaceman73]

2 hours ago, bluegirl147 said:

For MAGA if you aren't MAGA you are a Democrat. (Not saying @DrSpaceman73 thinks that)

 

That's the definite maga mantra right now. 

I don't think that. I'm one of those people. I dont support Trump or maga.  I wish there was a 3rd option but realistically there isn't so yes it's democrats I support right now. 

I voted 3rd party on 2016. I won't do that again after seeing what trump has done. 

[bluegirl147]

6 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

Just saw a clip of Mike Johnson announcing the bill’s passing, followed by him leading a “USA” chant.

Nothing says patriotism like fucking over people who need the most help while rewarding the people who least need help.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, tres bien said:

And Josh Hawley’s wife a lawyer worked with the group to overturn Roe and was the lawyer that argued the case against mifepristone in front of the Supreme Court 

Wow. A match made in Heaven Purgatory Hell?

 

50 minutes ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

I voted 3rd party on 2016. I won't do that again after seeing what trump has done. 

One of my daughters did it again because "her POTUS vote doesn't count in NY."
I presented the case that the popular vote is at least publicly known, but she (and many others) retorted that the Dem Party should see they are not winning the popular vote and get their act together. 
She's not wrong about that, but it was still not the best choice, IMO.

 

 

10 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

Just saw a clip of Mike Johnson announcing the bill’s passing, followed by him leading a “USA” chant.

2 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Nothing says patriotism like fucking over people who need the most help while rewarding the people who least need help.

Ugh. Not to mention another $3 Trillion in debt for my tiny grandsons.
Maybe RFK Jr will put LSD in the water and the Republicans will see the error of their ways.

[peacheslatour]

Speaker Johnson says he got on his knees and prayed that the Big Beautiful Bill would pass.

[fastiller]

56 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Nothing says patriotism like fucking over people who need the most help while rewarding the people who least need help.

A budget is a moral document.

[Lisa418722]

That Big Beautiful Bill was  1,116 pages long. There is no way we know the minute details in this bill other than the rich are going to get even richer, and the poor are going to suffer either by paying more in taxes, losing Medicaid, and there are also cuts to Medicare.  I'm about 7 years from being old enough for Medicare, and I know it won't be there for me.  I have preexisting conditions, and I'm terrified he is going to gut the ACA, and there goes preexisting protections along with putting back on the million-dollar limit that insurance companies will pay.  

I want a MAGA to tell me WHY they hate poor American citizens so much that they want to see them destroyed.  Once upon a time, I would have thought I was middle class. Now I realize I fall into the poor working class.  

 

[ebk57]

6 hours ago, tres bien said:

I just have this feeling that most of them have no idea what they voted for

This is one of the scariest parts that I'm sure they didn't know about, or more likely, didn't care about.

From Newsweek - courts can't enforce rulings

[Affogato]

17 minutes ago, ebk57 said:

This is one of the scariest parts that I'm sure they didn't know about, or more likely, didn't care about.

From Newsweek - courts can't enforce rulings

Yes that is scary. I think there may ne other things hidden as well to increase the dictators power. 

[Absolom]

4 hours ago, Dimity said:

My understanding of how this has worked up to now is that the wealthier states (mainly blue states) heavily subsidize the poorer states (almost all red states). No doubt the lack of federal funding for these states will somehow be the fault of the Democrats though.

I've lived almost all my life in blue states.  I'm actually getting rather tired of supporting the people in the red states who vote against their own best interest, think that they are entitled to the money I have to pay in what is getting to be outrageous taxes, all only so people in my own state who need help aren't getting it.  

[peacheslatour]

7 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

Oh, absolutely, I'm furious with and have no patience for them, too. They keep sitting around waiting for their "perfect" candidate and then can't figure out why nothig ever gets done and why the people who do get into power, even those who are part of the party that they claim to support, don't listen to them. If you're (general "you're") not going to show up to vote and make your voice heard, you don't get to act shocked that those politicians aren't taking your wants and needs into account as a result. 

And, again, considering the GOP has been hellbent on doing everything in its power to restrict certain groups' ability to vote over recent years, not voting is just giving them more ammunition to push those policies. And it's a slap in the face to everyone who fought to ensure we had that right (and for white men who just decide to stay home andn not vote, it's even more insulting, 'cause white men have never once had to fight for that right, it's always been afforded to them and they're happy to take it for granted). What happens if the day comes when someone finally does want to make their voice heard and they don't have that right anymore? What will they do then? 

People really need to learn to start thinking long-term and be strategic. Not voting hasn't gotten us shit, meanwhile, the right gets out and votes and they're getting everything they want. It's almost like there's a connection there, or something...

Yeah, I want those who keep insisting we need to just stop being angry all the time to explain why we shouldn't be angry about things like this. 

I know why we're angry but why are they? Hey you won, get over it.

[Lantern7]

And I’m still a bit envious as to how all of those people managed to shut down their consciences for long periods of time, if not for good. Being able to say “Fuck ‘em” about people in need might as well be a mutant superpower to me.

Edited May 22 by Lantern7

[annzeepark914]

Since when does Congress get the right to curtail the powers of the Supreme Court? I'd love to have seen the reactions to this very scary nugget in Trump's bill by the Supremes (especially the ones who believe the president has so much immunity). This is the final blow to America if the Senate doesn't remove it.

[PRgal]

Harvard can no longer enroll international students 

 

 

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

Speaker Johnson says he got on his knees and prayed that the Big Beautiful Bill would pass.

Maybe Jesus looked like this according to a website called allthatsinteresting.com.  Says it is forensic reconstruction of the face of a 1st century man from Judea.

Edited May 22 by lookeyloo
add sentence

[tres bien]

How much more is it going to take before Harvard sues the crap out of his phony fraudulent vindictive “administration”

Edited May 22 by tres bien

[PRgal]

Where the heck are all the international students going to go?  It’s a bit late to transfer out for September.  

[anony.miss]

11 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

Actually, it would be worse! She had no policies to speak of

Untrue - Kamala Harris presented multiple policies:

1) Sign the bipartisan border security bill.

2) Have Medicare cover in-home health care.

3) Will not raise taxes for those earning less than $400,000 a year. 

4) Raise the minimum wage.

5) Expand the startup expense tax deduction for new businesses from $5,000 to $50,000.

6) Expand child tax credit to $6,000 for families with newborns.

7) Provide first-time homebuyers with up to $25,000 for down payments.

8)  Ban corporate price gouging on food and groceries.

9) Eliminate the filibuster to restore the Roe v. Wade precedent on abortion.

10) Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

11) Require Supreme Court justices to comply with ethics rules.

12)Extend the $35  cap on insulin and the  $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket spening to every American.

This is not the complete list - more policies available at:

https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/sep/30/kamala-harris-2024-campaign-promises-here-are-her/

You can agree or disagree with the well thought out policies Harris presented, but claiming she "had no policies to speak of" is not true.

Edited May 22 by anony.miss

[DrSpaceman73]

1 hour ago, peacheslatour said:

Speaker Johnson says he got on his knees and prayed that the Big Beautiful Bill would pass.

I read that too.  To actually believe jesus/God or whatever deity would bless this is completely delusional.   

[Affogato]

1 minute ago, DrSpaceman73 said:

I read that too.  To actually believe jesus/God or whatever deity would bless this is completely delusional.   

Well, only if you believe God is Good. 

[anony.miss]

11 hours ago, Soapy Goddess said:

 

For what it's worth: You've spent months insisting all you want is constructive dialogue with people in this forum - fair enough - but posting this kind of content is a red flag on that front.

Edited May 22 by anony.miss

[kittykat]

1 hour ago, Lisa418722 said:

want a MAGA to tell me WHY they hate poor American citizens so much that they want to see them destroyed.  Once upon a time, I would have thought I was middle class. Now I realize I fall into the poor working class. 

It's the fallacious assumption that if you're poor, you're lazy. Why can't you just pull yourself up by the bootstraps from rags to riches, the Horatio Alger myth. The real truth is that the working poor are some of the hardest working and most stressed out people in this country. 

It's not a simple bootstrap pull nowadays. You have to subscribe to the app to even access the bootstraps and then there's probably gold, silver and bronze level bootstraps and you're only going to unlock certain opportunities if you have gold level which one always can't pay.  Plus the bootstrap app people can just decide you're getting too much of a good thing and per the contract terminate your bootstraps whenever they please.

And I know anti welfare people's biggest argument is that they don't want to support other people's bad decisions.  Why should we support someone get out of jail trying to rehabilitate themselves or a single mom who got pregnant in her teens?  Shouldn't they reap the consequences of their actions?  I mean they already have haven't they? What's wrong with a little sense of community in helping those with less? Even if they're not great people a little gesture towards someone struggling goes a long way.

And why are poor people less worthy of help than the rich? Remember when all those big companies went down, billions were lost and thousands of people lost their retirement savings?  Did we tell them "sorry you fucked up, now pay back all the people you screwed over by losing their savings." Nope we bailed them out, gave them more money so they could keep financing their affluent lives while screwing over the little guy.

So yeah, if we can subsidize the rich, we can throw a line to the poor as well.

[Ohiopirate02]

40 minutes ago, kittykat said:

It's the fallacious assumption that if you're poor, you're lazy. Why can't you just pull yourself up by the bootstraps from rags to riches, the Horatio Alger myth. The real truth is that the working poor are some of the hardest working and most stressed out people in this country. 

It's not a simple bootstrap pull nowadays. You have to subscribe to the app to even access the bootstraps and then there's probably gold, silver and bronze level bootstraps and you're only going to unlock certain opportunities if you have gold level which one always can't pay.  Plus the bootstrap app people can just decide you're getting too much of a good thing and per the contract terminate your bootstraps whenever they please.

And I know anti welfare people's biggest argument is that they don't want to support other people's bad decisions.  Why should we support someone get out of jail trying to rehabilitate themselves or a single mom who got pregnant in her teens?  Shouldn't they reap the consequences of their actions?  I mean they already have haven't they? What's wrong with a little sense of community in helping those with less? Even if they're not great people a little gesture towards someone struggling goes a long way.

And why are poor people less worthy of help than the rich? Remember when all those big companies went down, billions were lost and thousands of people lost their retirement savings?  Did we tell them "sorry you fucked up, now pay back all the people you screwed over by losing their savings." Nope we bailed them out, gave them more money so they could keep financing their affluent lives while screwing over the little guy.

So yeah, if we can subsidize the rich, we can throw a line to the poor as well.

American Protestantism also heavily influences this. The idea that being poor is a moral failing. And, if you just said the "right" prayer to the "right" Jesus and tithe your 10% to the "right" pastor and church then you will be rich ergo those who are poor are not doing those things.

[ProudMary]

I want to address the "Kamala had no plans" bullshit with something relatively small and very specific.

Although I spent the first five decades of my life never living more than eight miles from midtown Manhattan, I now live in the southeast. I don't live in a rural area, but in the south you're always within about a thirty minute drive of rural areas. The Harris/Walz campaign had a specific "Plan for Rural America."

My son's profession puts him in contact with many people who live in rural areas. A lot of them own a tractor or two. They're not necessarily farmers, but they own larger pieces of land and having a John Deere is about as common as a Ford F150. A major complaint among John Deere owners is that they can't repair their own tractors. You see, just like smartphones and some other electronic devices, John Deere and some other farm equipment manufacturers have used software to lock owners out of their products.

How John Deere Hijacked Copyright Law To Keep You From Tinkering With Your Tractor

https://reason.com/2024/01/08/how-john-deere-hijacked-copyright-law-to-keep-you-from-tinkering-with-your-tractor/

The Harris/Walz "Plan for Rural America" covered many issues like crop insurance, technical assistance programs, internet improvement in rural areas, incentives for more healthcare professionals to provide service in rural areas and many other programs to help rural residents. Also part of the Harris/Walz plan was a push for passage of the Agricultural Right to Repair Act which would require manufacturers of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment to share documents, parts, software and tools with owners and independent repair shops.

I only found out about this part of the plan less than two weeks before Election Day, but I passed the info along to my son and he then had conversations about the potential of the plan with some of his rural tractor-owning clients. He actually got a couple of families to vote for Harris/Walz based just on that one item.

Don't run that "she had no plans" bullshit by me. Kamala Harris had plans that were actually going to benefit Americans at all levels, instead of taking rights and social safety nets away from them.

Kamala Harris Unveils Rural Agenda

https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/kamala-harris-unveils-rural-agenda

[fastiller]

12 minutes ago, ProudMary said:

Don't run that "she had no plans" bullshit by me. Kamala Harris had plans that were actually going to benefit Americans at all levels, instead of taking rights and social safety nets away from them.
 

She (like Hillary before her) had so many plans that her plans had plans.

[Bastet]

11 minutes ago, fastiller said:

She (like Hillary before her) had so many plans that her plans had plans.

Like Elizabeth Warren, too.

[Lantern7]

How about this: We give Trump several billion dollars to build a pyramid. When he passes on, he would be mummified and entombed . . . as well as all those who helped him in the past decade. Maybe some of them would like being lackeys to Dear Leader Pharaoh throughout eternity.

Edited May 22 by Lantern7

[ebk57]

From the LA Times, a nice piece on Mary Pickford

This is from 1974 and really has nothing to do with this thread...except for this part where she talks about Nixon:

Quote

“I can’t see any individuals destroying this country,” she said, vehemently. “The United States is supposed to be the leader of the world and some punks are letting it go to the ashcan. We obviously need some housecleaning.”

It seems so - unfortunately - current. 

 

(Not sure if you can link to the piece, but if not and you're interested, I can find another way to share)

[Kemper]

kittykat ... I wanted to "quote" your entire post but figured to just post my response.

You are right on every point you made. I volunteer at a local food pantry run by my church. I was shocked and saddened at the responses by the supposed Christians that attend; some on the Vestry, re the Pantry. Their (not all) attitude is - people who visit The Pantry are "working the system". When we gave out turkeys for Thanksgiving, one of them brought the turkeys In his huge pickup with the Trump/Vance banner flying. I was giving out bags with dressing mix, canned veggies, etc.  I usually check off the people as they come to pick their turkeys up (they have to preregister). I always greet them (at this point I know most of their names) and say "Happy Thanksgiving" ... and chat for a few minutes. They are beaming and so very grateful. The three guys who were "volunteering" with me just sat there.  I finally sniped at them "would it hurt you to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving" and could tell by their looks that I was an alien from Mars. 

I am a lapsed Catholic; Mr. Kemper came from a Southern Baptist family. We chose a church - won't name the denomination, but - whose service was almost identical to the Catholic. All Mr. Kemper wished for was a minister who could give a sermon in 10 minutes. His thought? If they can't get their point across in 10 minutes, they should not be preaching. Growing up, he spent hours on Sundays, listening to preachers. He liked to play golf on Sunday afternoons. 😎 My point? We should not take for granted that churches who are supposedly inclusive and - shall I say - liberal .... some members can be just as intolerant as the ones who are known for it.

[isalicat]

1 hour ago, ProudMary said:

I want to address the "Kamala had no plans" bullshit with something relatively small and very specific.

Although I spent the first five decades of my life never living more than eight miles from midtown Manhattan, I now live in the southeast. I don't live in a rural area, but in the south you're always within about a thirty minute drive of rural areas. The Harris/Walz campaign had a specific "Plan for Rural America."

My son's profession puts him in contact with many people who live in rural areas. A lot of them own a tractor or two. They're not necessarily farmers, but they own larger pieces of land and having a John Deere is about as common as a Ford F150. A major complaint among John Deere owners is that they can't repair their own tractors. You see, just like smartphones and some other electronic devices, John Deere and some other farm equipment manufacturers have used software to lock owners out of their products.

How John Deere Hijacked Copyright Law To Keep You From Tinkering With Your Tractor

https://reason.com/2024/01/08/how-john-deere-hijacked-copyright-law-to-keep-you-from-tinkering-with-your-tractor/

The Harris/Walz "Plan for Rural America" covered many issues like crop insurance, technical assistance programs, internet improvement in rural areas, incentives for more healthcare professionals to provide service in rural areas and many other programs to help rural residents. Also part of the Harris/Walz plan was a push for passage of the Agricultural Right to Repair Act which would require manufacturers of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment to share documents, parts, software and tools with owners and independent repair shops.

I only found out about this part of the plan less than two weeks before Election Day, but I passed the info along to my son and he then had conversations about the potential of the plan with some of his rural tractor-owning clients. He actually got a couple of families to vote for Harris/Walz based just on that one item.

Don't run that "she had no plans" bullshit by me. Kamala Harris had plans that were actually going to benefit Americans at all levels, instead of taking rights and social safety nets away from them.

Kamala Harris Unveils Rural Agenda

https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/kamala-harris-unveils-rural-agenda

Here is an update on this particular issue:

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/right-to-repair-farmers-challenge-john-deere-control-equipment-rcna199651

So it looks like the current administration (or the FTC part of it anyways) is pursuing a solution.

[PRgal]

@Kemper:  I'm pretty sure I can figure out the denomination without you naming it (LOL)!!! :D. A neighbourhood church has two services:  an earlier one that is "modern" (which can be weird to me...communion is done with the (smaller) congregation at the altar.....not all hymns are sung with the organ accompanying (you may hear guitar and sometimes even a drum)) and the later one is "traditional."  I don't go anymore, so things could have changed since the pre-pandemic days, but the early service was an..."experience" for me.  :S

[peacheslatour]

3 minutes ago, PRgal said:

@Kemper:  I'm pretty sure I can figure out the denomination without you naming it (LOL)!!! :D. A neighbourhood church has two services:  an earlier one that is "modern" (which can be weird to me...communion is done with the (smaller) congregation at the altar.....not all hymns are sung with the organ accompanying (you may hear guitar and sometimes even a drum)) and the later one is "traditional."  I don't go anymore, so things could have changed since the pre-pandemic days, but the early service was an..."experience" for me.  :S

I've never been to church except for midnight mass on Christmas Eve for a few years because my parents best friends went.

[PRgal]

14 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I've never been to church except for midnight mass on Christmas Eve for a few years because my parents best friends went.

I bet THAT was an experience (I've never done midnight mass though).  My high school had mandatory daily chapel services and I remember LOVING it.  It was so calming and a great start for the day.  

[Anela]

19 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

I've never been to church except for midnight mass on Christmas Eve for a few years because my parents best friends went.

I used to like Midnight Mass, even though I'm not religious. Especially when we went to an old stone church, when we were staying with a friend. It was only lit with candles, and I just loved it. 

Another one, just before we moved to the US again, was fully lit, and didn't feel festive, but the people were friendly. People started hugging each other at the end. One woman grabbed me, and I was patting her back, like I guess we're doing this.  But I didn't really mind. 

The only one that was weird for me, was when I was getting over agoraphobia, and I saw a flyer for a local church service. My mum was religious, and so was my sister at the time. I knew that church could be one good way to meet people, so we went, around 7pm. People just stared at us. Nobody said a word. We sat through the service, and then just left, and the guy at the door smiled and nodded at us. That was it. I've met more people when any of my pets went missing, or when I helped with theirs. 

[Eri]

4 hours ago, PRgal said:

Harvard can no longer enroll international students 

-sigh- And affinity celebrations have been removed from their website. I hope this won't cause a chain effect at other institutions.

Do they even realise that international students pay $$$ out of state tuition (which is significantly higher than in-state tuition) for their degrees? And that these same populations will greatly affect enrollment numbers in grad/PhD programs? They're paying top dollar to come here to learn and study - these aren't cheap universities! Tuition costs are rising so where do they think those cost burdens will fall? Oh yeah, the resident in-state students who rely on financial aid and loans to cover their own education. 

Then they prolong their residencies because the immigration process takes months, so that they can't work resulting in a period of uncertainty. We're practically giving away the most valuable US-educated talent that could otherwise contribute to US growth, going to other countries with fewer restrictions (Canada, Australia, UK, etc.). But again, "let's burn down a trillion dollars because I hate immigrants." Rubio must not have gotten the memo before he started revoking student visas. It's almost as if racism doesn't pay? 🤔  

Okay then employers, don't complain about shortages when you can't find the skillsets Americans don't have then! Let them get poached and we'll keep the folks still struggling with reading and writing comprehension. But hey, if it makes a mediocre white man feel more "valued" at work (the literal DEI).

This administration is full of such idiots, I can't even! 😒

Edited May 22 by Eri

[Anela]

And then this is why I recoil from religion:

This guy is from NE Ohio. 

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/03/26/grand-jury-hear-case-townhall-owner-bobby-george/

 

Quote

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A criminal case against Cleveland business owner Bobby George will now be handled by a special Jefferson County Prosecutor, instead of a prosecutor in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office.

“We are still working on the investigation and, when it is complete, the matter will be presented to the grand jury. No date has been set yet,” said Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin.

George, the owner of TownHall and other major Cleveland businesses, faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, four counts of kidnapping, two counts of strangulation, felonious assault, and rape.

He appeared in Cleveland Municipal Court on Aug. 13, 2024.

George posted the $200,000 bond and also surrendered his passport.

He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.

 

 

[ProudMary]

36 minutes ago, isalicat said:

Here is an update on this particular issue:

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/right-to-repair-farmers-challenge-john-deere-control-equipment-rcna199651

So it looks like the current administration (or the FTC part of it anyways) is pursuing a solution.

Thank you for the update.

According to the article you linked, it was not the current administration, but the Biden FTC, in conjunction with the states of Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, that was pursuing a solution, as the lawsuit was filed on January 15, 2025. John Deere appears to be stonewalling.

At the federal level, H.R. 5604 (118th Congress): Agricultural Right to Repair Act, was introduced on 9/20/23 by Representative Marie Glusenkamp Perez (D-WA) and co-sponsored by nine other Democrats, was allowed to die in committee (Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade) by the Republican majority. 

Info on the now dead bill can be found here:  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/118/hr5604/details

Quote from NBC News article linked above:

But a pending lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission

filed Jan. 15 claims the company falls short of that promise. The complaint accuses it of unlawful business practices that have “inflated farmers’ repair costs and degraded farmers’ ability to obtain timely repairs.”

[Affogato]

31 minutes ago, Anela said:

And then this is why I recoil from religion:

This guy is from NE Ohio. 

https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/03/26/grand-jury-hear-case-townhall-owner-bobby-george/

 

 

God made feet. Men make cars. Bet they drive. 

[Eri]

1 hour ago, Kemper said:

You are right on every point you made. I volunteer at a local food pantry run by my church. I was shocked and saddened at the responses by the supposed Christians that attend; some on the Vestry, re the Pantry. Their (not all) attitude is - people who visit The Pantry are "working the system". When we gave out turkeys for Thanksgiving, one of them brought the turkeys In his huge pickup with the Trump/Vance banner flying. I was giving out bags with dressing mix, canned veggies, etc.  I usually check off the people as they come to pick their turkeys up (they have to preregister). I always greet them (at this point I know most of their names) and say "Happy Thanksgiving" ... and chat for a few minutes. They are beaming and so very grateful. The three guys who were "volunteering" with me just sat there.  I finally sniped at them "would it hurt you to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving" and could tell by their looks that I was an alien from Mars. 

Good for you! The clowns now in charge of these programs at the Department of Agriculture have no idea what it means to be truly hungry. Their claims of needing more 'efficiency' are just an excuse to cut funding and push the bootstrap fallacy. Food banks are overwhelmingly serving households that are working and have children. There was a food bank president on the radio this morning who mentioned how the Census Bureau's annual ACS study, found that about two-thirds of food insecure households have an adult who works and some areas have childhood food insecurity as high as 50%!

Remember when we had a government shutdown in 2018 for 35 days and the food banks became overwhelmed? Flooded by households who couldn't even last without one paycheck before needing help. Low wage employment has become the number one enemy for food insecurity in America, and that's who they're going to see - households that are struggling. No one is immune from that.

You go to a fast food restaurant or a retail store and see who's working there now and it's more adults than young people these days. This is how they're making a living to try and support their family on the kind of wages that we used to think of as teenage employment. Hungry doesn't mean lazy!

 

Edited May 23 by Eri

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, Eri said:

Good for you! The clowns now in charge of these programs at the Department of Agriculture have no idea what it means to be truly hungry. Their claims of needing more 'efficiency' are just an excuse to cut funding and push the bootstrap fallacy. Food banks are overwhelmingly serving households that are working and have children. There was a food bank president on the radio this morning who mentioned how the Census Bureau's annual ACS study, found that about two-thirds of food insecure households have an adult who works and some areas have childhood food insecurity as high as 50%!

Remember when we had a government shutdown in 2018 for 35 days and the food banks became overwhelmed? Flooded by households who couldn't even last without one paycheck before needing help. Low wage employment has become the number one enemy for food insecurity in America, and that's who they're going to see - households that are struggling. No one is immune from that.

You go to a fast food restaurant or a retail store and see who's working there now and it's more adults than young people these days. This is how they're making a living to try and support their family on the kind of wages that we used to think of as teenage employment. Hungry doesn't mean lazy!

 

And to add to the cruelty, they want to abolish the Minimum Wage because "those are just teenager jobs".

[Absolom]

4 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

American Protestantism also heavily influences this. The idea that being poor is a moral failing. And, if you just said the "right" prayer to the "right" Jesus and tithe your 10% to the "right" pastor and church then you will be rich ergo those who are poor are not doing those things.

Good old prosperity gospel.  I think I heard sermons against that when I was a teen.  Most of this group will be singing Another Day in Paradise soon and hoping the resistant third or so of the country dragging the rest of us through Hades will figure it out.  

[Dimity]

55 minutes ago, Eri said:

You go to a fast food restaurant or a retail store and see who's working there now and it's more adults than young people these days. This is how they're making a living to try and support their family on the kind of wages that we used to think of as teenage employment. Hungry doesn't mean lazy!

I think most of the lawmakers pushing this narrative haven't been in a store or restaurant recently.

Or they are just as ignorant of what life is like for many adults and seniors as "the kids" are. I just saw some comments about how 'all baby boomers' are   rich and living in million dollar homes they bought for $5,000.  Sigh.  Read these comments on the same day as I was in a restaurant where the server had to be 70 if she was a day.  Clearly she was shleping heavy trays of food because she was putting in time before her next cruise. But sure, let's talk about how all elderly people are living in luxury. 

Edited May 23 by Dimity

[kittykat]

2 hours ago, Kemper said:

You are right on every point you made. I volunteer at a local food pantry run by my church. I was shocked and saddened at the responses by the supposed Christians that attend; some on the Vestry, re the Pantry. Their (not all) attitude is - people who visit The Pantry are "working the system". When we gave out turkeys for Thanksgiving, one of them brought the turkeys In his huge pickup with the Trump/Vance banner flying. I was giving out bags with dressing mix, canned veggies, etc.  I usually check off the people as they come to pick their turkeys up (they have to preregister). I always greet them (at this point I know most of their names) and say "Happy Thanksgiving" ... and chat for a few minutes. They are beaming and so very grateful. The three guys who were "volunteering" with me just sat there.  I finally sniped at them "would it hurt you to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving" and could tell by their looks that I was an alien from Mars. 

I don't volunteer as much as I should but unfortunately that behavior doesn't surprise me. The whole point of food pantries is to help those who need it.  Instead of having to choose between a bill or food there's a lifeline.  But there will always be people out there who think anyone receiving help is somehow "unworthy" until of course they need it.

1 hour ago, Eri said:

You go to a fast food restaurant or a retail store and see who's working there now and it's more adults than young people these days. This is how they're making a living to try and support their family on the kind of wages that we used to think of as teenage employment. Hungry doesn't mean lazy!

Exactly.  I've worked in fast food and restaurants and worked with people of all ages.  Some of the older ones were those who lost jobs and needed something, women who got divorced and were starting over, others just loved working in the service industry because of the flexible hours.  And I don't like it being called unskilled labor also.  Those jobs teach you time management, money management, multi tasking, emotional management (some customers I swear), if you're cooking that's a learned skill. 

[PRgal]

To be honest, it working might be the only way seniors can socialize and see other people.  Not everyone wants to go to a community centre to play bridge.  

[Dimity]

8 minutes ago, PRgal said:

To be honest, it working might be the only way seniors can socialize and see other people.  Not everyone wants to go to a community centre to play bridge.  

There are jobs you get because you like to be around other people and then there are jobs you get because your only income otherwise is the OAS.  This is especially true for women who are of a certain age and who did not work out side the home.   If I could give one piece of advice to young women it would be absolutely minimize the years when you are a SAHM.  When the kids start school go back to work.  Life holds no guarantees.

Edited May 23 by Dimity

[Eri]

1 hour ago, kittykat said:

Exactly.  I've worked in fast food and restaurants and worked with people of all ages.  Some of the older ones were those who lost jobs and needed something, women who got divorced and were starting over, others just loved working in the service industry because of the flexible hours.  And I don't like it being called unskilled labor also.  Those jobs teach you time management, money management, multi tasking, emotional management (some customers I swear), if you're cooking that's a learned skill. 

 

1 hour ago, Dimity said:

Read these comments on the same day as I was in a restaurant where the server had to be 70 if she was a day.  Clearly she was shleping heavy trays of food because she was putting in time before her next cruise. But sure, let's talk about how all elderly people are living in luxury. 

Oh wow, that is so sad! My mother is a caregiver and has very little to retire on so I'm sure she'll be working well past retirement age as long as she's physically able. This is a big obstacle for America, and these families are doing the best they can so I empathize. Lo were the days when a 40 hr/week week job could cover all the necessities. Poverty doesn't discriminate and the work that food pantries do to provide them help is only the decent thing to do. An ounce of prevention for a pound of cure.

Edited May 23 by Eri