I have both a managed account and one I manage myself. I did much much better the last few years with the one I manage personally. Last year wasn’t great for me but it wasn’t bad either.
I’m not going to claim expertise in this but I do think there are real factors in reducing inflation at play and good reason to think that we won’t see stagflation. Supply chains are easing. In my own field while im not seeing construction costs come down they are stabilizing. As noted companies are still hiring and there still is a strong demand for labor in several sectors. While there is a lot of uncertainty overseas especially with the PRC if more manufacturing does return to the US and other countries we could see more stability in supply chains. I’m not going to say that stagflation isn’t possible but I think the doom and gloom predictions aren’t that certain.
There are many Conservatives who do understand that much of this stuff is just distraction. The impression that I get from some of them is they they are very frustrated with the direction that the Republican Party has gone. That said I’m getting the feeling that Biden’s stumbling and bumbling while not quite deliberate he doesn’t mind if his political opponents focus on those while he takes the upper hand in policies. We saw that in play during the SOTU.
Some are hoping Desantis is being MAGA for the primary but will swing to center for the general and his presidency. Some don’t like anything in the field yet. Nobody wants Trump or wants to admit they actually want Trump. Among educated, normal people, I think it is extremely difficult to say you are pro Trump. It is basically morally and intellectually indefensible.
DeSantis is a true believer on social issues like we are seeing in Florida. He has been very successful selling social issues and framing them as being about helping families and protecting children. This will appeal to a lot of people that are not serious into politics and that are blue collar and in some cases even minority groups. For example when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, there are a lot of minorities that were raised in or come from more traditional cultures and backgrounds and are open to limitations placed on support for the LGBTQ+. You couple that with promises of middle-class tax cuts, limiting "radical teachings" in school, support for, or at least perceived respect for religion and you can be VERY successful. @rocketsjudoka has talked about how DeSantis leverages cultural wars like Nixon did and there is a LOT of truth to that. DeSantis even does it more successful in that he has marketed himself as someone that finds solutions and will fight for the people of his state. I find DeSantis to overstep his authority often, and his meddling in the schools in Florida is horrifying - but a lot of people will tolerate that if he gives them things they find more important.
I agree and in my mind, desantis can’t be trusted. I would be open to voting for a centrist Republican candidate who doesn’t appeal to culture wars and MAGA base, but Desantis ain’t it. Biden has done a fine job and I will easily vote for him again barring some radical shift in his governance or a major health issue. My greater concern is whether Biden can have a running mate other than Kamala.
Is Biden stuck with her? I dont know of any recent precedent where POTUS finds another VP for round 2...........its almost like there stuck together, if he dumps her then he`s saying she was horrible at her job but in reality a VP IMO is nothing more than window dressing
I don’t think there is precedent for swapping VPs, and he would get crushed for dumping her. It is a window dressing job normally, but with Biden’s age and the possibility that the VP is the presumptive favorite in the Democratic field, there is a lot more at stake in getting it right. And Kamala ain’t it.
In another parallel to Nixon the only modern case of a VP being replaced was when Gerald Ford replaced Spiro Agnew. Agnew resigned in disgrace and Nixon was already in the depths of Watergate at the time. Nixon himself was under pressure to be replaced when he was VP under Eisenhower. While a lot of people are unimpressed with Kamala Harris I wouldn’t rule her political future out. GH Bush didn’t get along with Reagan and wasn’t given much of prominence in the Reagan presidency.
I'm still confused with the disproportionate hatred of Kamala. I see her as any other generic Democrat like Biden or Pete or Klobachar. I wouldn't be excited for her the same way I wouldn't be excited for Biden but I would still vote for them over fascists. So can someone explain the hatred of her? Not from a right wing poster but moderates who think she's disproportionately bad compared to the field.
Biden is to the left of all those folks you mentioned. I don't think lefties like yourself have any idea about the transformative things biden is doing in regards to corporate consolidation. People like you would rather make noise online then follow actual governoring. A generic Democrat isn't for a billionaire tax which taxes unrealized gains. A generic Democrat isn't for rewriting corporate merger guidelines so we can breakup big tech and other monopolies like ticketmaster. I can give you million examples how biden is to the left of the average Democrat. You're just disingenuous and don't pay attention Biden is the most progressive president since who knows. I don't consider lbj a progressive. Carter started the austerity neiliberal era for democrats.
Speaking for myself. I don’t hate Kamala Harris and certainly would vote for her over Trump or DeSantis. I don’t think she’s a terrible politician and probably would be a competent President. I’m not impressed by her either. Most politicians are hypocrites to some extent but I think she’s one of the bigger ones. I also think she plays her racial angle more than needed and to cover up her record as a prosecutor where there is criticism of how hard she prosecuted people of color. So far has VP she’s largely been in the background and while she’s been given some issues to address such as the border she hasn’t really distinguished herself in that role.
Anyone that thinks there has been a fascist elected in the United States shouldn't be given serious consideration in political discussions.
It's really amusing watching conservatives suddenly be for pro regulation and pro safety standards. I sincerely hope you folks keep this attitude up. Conservatives are becoming more and more liberal by the day!
The best way to get conservatives on board with your agenda is to pretend to do the opposite. They're reflective hatred for libs is hilarious. We just have to figure how to get them to support tax hikes. These people have no core philosophy.
