The Federal Reserve is supposed to be non-partisan. Are you sure they are raising interest rates because they are Democrats? What about the trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy & corps DJT pushed through & he raised the deficit $8 trillion in only four years!
The Federal Reserve is supposed to be non-partisan. Are you sure they are raising interest rates because they are Democrats? What about the trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy & corps DJT pushed through & he raised the deficit $8 trillion in only four years!
Jerome Powell, in fact, was appointed by Trump, 1 of several controversial Trump appointees, including Christopher Wray & Louis DeJoy, that Biden refuses to dismiss.
Jaime Ramirez ; I think the President can't 'fire' Dejoy ; there is a board that controls the postal service. Powell and Wray, I don't know. But why hasn't he replaced them if he could?
He can fire the (USPS) Board of Governors for their silence and complicity in Trumps and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's campaign to subvert vote-by-mail elections and destroy the Post Office.
Libby: I wonder if that would entail a long, drawn out legal battle with the need to prove intent? It may be that President Biden needs to 'pick his battles' carefully.? Why would he allow Dejoy et al to abuse the postal service to the extent of blocking the vote? It does not make sense to me.
Laurie, no doubt he has to pick his battles and choose carefully, and yes, the legal red tape is what it is. You aren't alone in saying that it doesn't make sense.
As I understand it, Laurie, the board members decide & there is 1 position on that board which has gone unfilled for quite a long time that, once filled, could become the deciding vote to oust Dejoy. I don't know what's holding up that appointment.
It seems to me Biden is very averse to firing people from his administration or getting into a controversy about government personnel.
Jaime ; I wonder if that is why DOJ has not done a stellar job of stopping MAGA seditionists and bringing them to justice? May be related. They must give the workers at least an impression that we are served, at least once in a while, by a winning Democrat. But it is never really real. Witness Clinton and Obama and how they gave away the store, so to speak.
They always let us down in the end. True that they're much better (or, should I say, "much less bad") than the Republicans, & they spend a lot of their time cleaning up the messes left by their Republican predecessors, but after an often promising start, they underperform in some fundamental way.
As an outsider (not an American) I think Obama was not allowed to be everything he could have been. And this is probably true of a lot of former presidents. They are kept on leashes, and no matter how they try they are only allowed to go so far.
In the eyes of the world, Barrack Obama was the greatest president the USA ever had. But not even he could fight the "old boy's club" that is holding the leash. Money talks in the USA, but it also silences those who would take away its power.
Rawgod ; It's like the R's, funded by the 'powers that be' allow the Democrats to have a 'president'. The whole thing is carefully controlled and manipulated, by the judiciary and the press. The rest is accomplished by sheer treachery, the way the DNC threw Bernie under the bus, with Hillary' (and the chair of the DNC's), help. The current Congress was bought by Oligarch money: some from Russia, from what I have read. But dirty money for sure.
And that is the way the world sees US politics. No matter who is "elected to power" the real control lies behind the scenes, in the hands of the wealthy. And they sure--as-hell arent going to give up that power willingly.
rawgod ; Just recognizing what is going on helps. It is a beginning. If there are good candidates avoiding taking dirty money, those are the ones to support.
That sounds like a good platitude, but if recognition comes without action it amounts to nothing. Recognition is only the first step. It creates the necessity for more steps!
I got that sense, too. I remember 1 time after a secret meeting with some of the military & intelligence leaders within a month of his inauguration, Obama came out of it looking downcast & disillusioned as if he realized he couldn't (wouldn't be allowed to) do all he wanted to do for the country. He was never quite the same after that.
I agree that Obama was our finest President of the past half-century, maybe since Franklin Roosevelt. I wish he could've had a 3rd term, which would likely have been outstanding. He was on a roll by then & comfortable in his role.
I had a stupid thought the other day. Biden could be keeping these fools around to ensure Trump gets the nominatiion for Republican candidate for the presidency, thinking he can defeat Trump again whereas he might not be able to defeat Duh'Santis or someone else.
IF this is his thinking, Biden is playing with fire! Overconfidence almost always leads to a downfall, and letting Trump slip back into the Presidency of the USA is the worst possible outcome, because that will be the end of American democracy as known today!
It's so often a fatal mistake to underestimate an opponent, even (or maybe especially) if the opponent is obviously unfit & unpalatable. Those are the most dangerous kind, as Nixon, Reagan, Bush & Trump have all shown us.
Apparently Biden has an aversion to firing people in his administration, even those he didn't appoint & are problematic. Only rational explanation I can think of.
Jaime Ramirez ; Strange that tRump had no such aversions to installing anyone he chose, qualified or not! Just like the debt ceiling being raised 3 times under his watch, but it's a no no under Democrats ? What's with that? Who is making these rules? and getting away with it?
This Powell guy has an affinity to raising interest rates. I might be wrong but didn't Trump have a hand in his appointment. Imagine what a frightening duo Jerome and Sidney would make.
!!!!!! I KNOW!!!!!!!!! Infuriates me that Biden has left many Trump acolytes in powerful positions in the government. BIG MISTAKE. Recent criticism of Wray should influence Biden, but it won't.
And why arenтАЩt we asking: WhoтАЩs paying their salaries. ? We are and it makes me even more furious to think we stand by, pay them huge salaries to тАЬ not work for usтАЭ!! Amazing. What nut case would do this?
Powell does not need to still be there, but he is. And for all their excuses, DeJoy should be gone. When the GOP comes into power, they clean house. Dems continue too many bad policies, and in these cases, with the same people. I'm not saying there are zero differences, but the policies that matter most are waaaaay too similar regardless of the party in power....which, of course, is just another sign that neither political party is really the one in power, but is just the current puppet distracting the masses from the wealthy individuals and corporations actually driving policy.
From my perspective, because we have gridlock in Congress and the Federal Reserve is Republican the way to have reduced inflation would have been through litigation. Sue price fixers and price gougers. The Federal government has limited power to do it. At least one state, California, is suing Amazon for price fixing.
IMHO energy prices were fixed by Trump administration's deals with Saudi and OPEC, benefitting Russia. This caused a ripple effect.
Yes, and while the Republicans keep baiting their followers with the horrors of Hunter Biden, no one says a word about the Saudis' payout to Jared Kushner. Now Ivanka has the financial security to "stay home with the children."
Katrina: The Goya collection? Oh, no! DonтАЩt tell me she got the crystal ketchup bowl from the White House burger bar! That belongs in the Smithsonian! Or at least on Antiques Roadshow.
Both parties allowed the corporate consolidations that have allowed many of our major market segments to be dominated by just a handful of large companies giving them effective monopoly control to raise prices. We need some good old fashioned trust busting. Antitrust law doesn't do any good unless DOJ implements it.
тАЬSupposed to beтАЭ non-partisan. Powell is a Republican, with Republican ideologies. Biden should have replaced him. Is there a reason why he didnтАЩt? Does he need a committee to do it?
The Federal Reserve Chair serves a four year term. Powell was originally appointed by Trump when Obama appointee Janet Yellen's term was up. When Powell's term was expiring, Biden reappointed him to another four year term. So, yes, Biden could have replaced him. I don't know why he chose not to.
The Federal Reserve is supposed to be non-partisan. Are you sure they are raising interest rates because they are Democrats? What about the trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy & corps DJT pushed through & he raised the deficit $8 trillion in only four years!
Jerome Powell, in fact, was appointed by Trump, 1 of several controversial Trump appointees, including Christopher Wray & Louis DeJoy, that Biden refuses to dismiss.
Jaime Ramirez ; I think the President can't 'fire' Dejoy ; there is a board that controls the postal service. Powell and Wray, I don't know. But why hasn't he replaced them if he could?
He can fire the (USPS) Board of Governors for their silence and complicity in Trumps and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's campaign to subvert vote-by-mail elections and destroy the Post Office.
Libby: I wonder if that would entail a long, drawn out legal battle with the need to prove intent? It may be that President Biden needs to 'pick his battles' carefully.? Why would he allow Dejoy et al to abuse the postal service to the extent of blocking the vote? It does not make sense to me.
Laurie, no doubt he has to pick his battles and choose carefully, and yes, the legal red tape is what it is. You aren't alone in saying that it doesn't make sense.
Libby, it seems that our entire legal system is set up to be cumbersome to justice itself.
Indeed.
Really?! Well, then get on with it, Joe!!!
kdsherpa ; Too bad Joe doesn't have tRump's drive and chutspah ; only without the evil intent!
Too true!
As I understand it, Laurie, the board members decide & there is 1 position on that board which has gone unfilled for quite a long time that, once filled, could become the deciding vote to oust Dejoy. I don't know what's holding up that appointment.
It seems to me Biden is very averse to firing people from his administration or getting into a controversy about government personnel.
Jaime ; I wonder if that is why DOJ has not done a stellar job of stopping MAGA seditionists and bringing them to justice? May be related. They must give the workers at least an impression that we are served, at least once in a while, by a winning Democrat. But it is never really real. Witness Clinton and Obama and how they gave away the store, so to speak.
They always let us down in the end. True that they're much better (or, should I say, "much less bad") than the Republicans, & they spend a lot of their time cleaning up the messes left by their Republican predecessors, but after an often promising start, they underperform in some fundamental way.
As an outsider (not an American) I think Obama was not allowed to be everything he could have been. And this is probably true of a lot of former presidents. They are kept on leashes, and no matter how they try they are only allowed to go so far.
In the eyes of the world, Barrack Obama was the greatest president the USA ever had. But not even he could fight the "old boy's club" that is holding the leash. Money talks in the USA, but it also silences those who would take away its power.
This is the real enemy of democracy!
Rawgod ; It's like the R's, funded by the 'powers that be' allow the Democrats to have a 'president'. The whole thing is carefully controlled and manipulated, by the judiciary and the press. The rest is accomplished by sheer treachery, the way the DNC threw Bernie under the bus, with Hillary' (and the chair of the DNC's), help. The current Congress was bought by Oligarch money: some from Russia, from what I have read. But dirty money for sure.
And that is the way the world sees US politics. No matter who is "elected to power" the real control lies behind the scenes, in the hands of the wealthy. And they sure--as-hell arent going to give up that power willingly.
rawgod ; Just recognizing what is going on helps. It is a beginning. If there are good candidates avoiding taking dirty money, those are the ones to support.
Bernie started that trend of not accepting money from corporations, & a number of others, mostly progressives, have followed it.
That sounds like a good platitude, but if recognition comes without action it amounts to nothing. Recognition is only the first step. It creates the necessity for more steps!
I got that sense, too. I remember 1 time after a secret meeting with some of the military & intelligence leaders within a month of his inauguration, Obama came out of it looking downcast & disillusioned as if he realized he couldn't (wouldn't be allowed to) do all he wanted to do for the country. He was never quite the same after that.
I agree that Obama was our finest President of the past half-century, maybe since Franklin Roosevelt. I wish he could've had a 3rd term, which would likely have been outstanding. He was on a roll by then & comfortable in his role.
Jaime Ramirez ; It's not as though they are acting in a bipartisan way, the R's. Ever hear the sound of one hand clapping?
I had a stupid thought the other day. Biden could be keeping these fools around to ensure Trump gets the nominatiion for Republican candidate for the presidency, thinking he can defeat Trump again whereas he might not be able to defeat Duh'Santis or someone else.
IF this is his thinking, Biden is playing with fire! Overconfidence almost always leads to a downfall, and letting Trump slip back into the Presidency of the USA is the worst possible outcome, because that will be the end of American democracy as known today!
It's so often a fatal mistake to underestimate an opponent, even (or maybe especially) if the opponent is obviously unfit & unpalatable. Those are the most dangerous kind, as Nixon, Reagan, Bush & Trump have all shown us.
Send DeJoy to Ukraine to help them rebuild their postal service, starting in Bakhmut.
Greg DeCowsky ; We are trying to help Ukraine, not destroy their postal service!
Apparently Biden has an aversion to firing people in his administration, even those he didn't appoint & are problematic. Only rational explanation I can think of.
Jaime Ramirez ; Strange that tRump had no such aversions to installing anyone he chose, qualified or not! Just like the debt ceiling being raised 3 times under his watch, but it's a no no under Democrats ? What's with that? Who is making these rules? and getting away with it?
1 low standard for the Republicans & a much higher standard for the Democrats. Republicans, hypocrisy is thy name.
Jaime Ramirez ; "Them that got the gold make the rules".
For Trump, the only qualification he valued was loyalty to him & willingness to do whatever dastardly deed he wanted done.
Jaime Ramirez ; "Dirty deeds and they're not dirt cheap".
He can but usually they say to let the term un out. The worked so well for Carter
Tom Tonelli ; Who are 'they' ?
Donald Hodgins
Writes DonaldтАЩs Substack
11 min ago
This Powell guy has an affinity to raising interest rates. I might be wrong but didn't Trump have a hand in his appointment. Imagine what a frightening duo Jerome and Sidney would make.
!!!!!! I KNOW!!!!!!!!! Infuriates me that Biden has left many Trump acolytes in powerful positions in the government. BIG MISTAKE. Recent criticism of Wray should influence Biden, but it won't.
AGREE!!!
And why arenтАЩt we asking: WhoтАЩs paying their salaries. ? We are and it makes me even more furious to think we stand by, pay them huge salaries to тАЬ not work for usтАЭ!! Amazing. What nut case would do this?
Powell does not need to still be there, but he is. And for all their excuses, DeJoy should be gone. When the GOP comes into power, they clean house. Dems continue too many bad policies, and in these cases, with the same people. I'm not saying there are zero differences, but the policies that matter most are waaaaay too similar regardless of the party in power....which, of course, is just another sign that neither political party is really the one in power, but is just the current puppet distracting the masses from the wealthy individuals and corporations actually driving policy.
We don't have a dictatorship.
From my perspective, because we have gridlock in Congress and the Federal Reserve is Republican the way to have reduced inflation would have been through litigation. Sue price fixers and price gougers. The Federal government has limited power to do it. At least one state, California, is suing Amazon for price fixing.
IMHO energy prices were fixed by Trump administration's deals with Saudi and OPEC, benefitting Russia. This caused a ripple effect.
Yes, and while the Republicans keep baiting their followers with the horrors of Hunter Biden, no one says a word about the Saudis' payout to Jared Kushner. Now Ivanka has the financial security to "stay home with the children."
Progwoman: LOL тАЬstay home with the childrenтАЭ: Don Jr. and Eric.
Katrina: The Goya collection? Oh, no! DonтАЩt tell me she got the crystal ketchup bowl from the White House burger bar! That belongs in the Smithsonian! Or at least on Antiques Roadshow.
Both parties allowed the corporate consolidations that have allowed many of our major market segments to be dominated by just a handful of large companies giving them effective monopoly control to raise prices. We need some good old fashioned trust busting. Antitrust law doesn't do any good unless DOJ implements it.
Democrats control the FTC, but the courts resist.
Yeah, the courts are a problem. Still they should try. Get them on record for their craziness.
Dems are too nice, and it is killing us.
тАЬNever be deceived that the rich will permit you to vote away their wealth.тАЭ
- Lucy Parsons, IWW founding convention, 1905
My Grandma used to say, "Zu gut ist nicht gut", and would add, "Too good is not good".
Roger:
Q. What do you call 100 politicians buried up to their necks in sand?
A. Not enough sand.
LOVE it!
LOL!
Roger: Is that the same thing as a ╨е╤Г╨╣╨╗╨╛ (khuylo)?
BtW my congresscritter Andy Gaspasser Harris worships Orb├бn.
Was Orb├бn at CPAC this year? He was a big hero there last yearтАж fтАЩing Stalinist.
тАЬSupposed to beтАЭ non-partisan. Powell is a Republican, with Republican ideologies. Biden should have replaced him. Is there a reason why he didnтАЩt? Does he need a committee to do it?
The Federal Reserve Chair serves a four year term. Powell was originally appointed by Trump when Obama appointee Janet Yellen's term was up. When Powell's term was expiring, Biden reappointed him to another four year term. So, yes, Biden could have replaced him. I don't know why he chose not to.
He was playing chess to get his legislative program through. Got infrastructure, Chips Act, etc.
Daniel:
He's no Bobby Fischer.
Greg : Bobby Fischer is no Joe Biden.
Laurie: Neither was FDR.
Well thatтАЩs very disappointing.
Thank you Corena, I almost left a message with a bunch of swear words!
Thanks for making me laugh early this morning.