@LibertySpeaks - It's a good piece, LS. I don't have your experiences, but I can definitely see where you are coming from. And I think if it wasn't for his personality, (like it or loathe it), it'd just be back to normal, "boring" policy debates. In this aspect I think he's done the country a great disservice, but perhaps getting more people involved in watching politics will have a net benefit. We'll have to wait and see for that.
@LibertySpeaks - Agreed. Look at Stalin. Look at Kennedy. Look at MLK. Look at Perón. Some did great things with their personality, others, not so much.
@0x56 hell, I'll break it down further than that... look at Hollywood or the Music Industry...
How many of them we dislike but we see there movies or buy their music, and how many we love but we don't love the type of entertainment they put out?
Sigh... Would it though? With his policies being done via EO...
And killing our environment for his buddies...
I'm glad your employer actually trickled down last year... Though I'd like to know what happens next time...
And yes, I'm a curmudgeon even with my own employer...
Be well...
@InvaderGzim @LibertySpeaks - With everything there is good and bad. This would be a debated policy without the cloud of his personality affecting things. Plus, I'm not sure (I haven't paid enough attention) but the last I checked, his EO numbers are roughly the same rate as other presidents. (He just makes such a big deal about each and every one that it seems like a greater number.)
@InvaderGzim my employer has trickled down 2017, 18 and 19. this year was the biggest one. @0x56
@LibertySpeaks @InvaderGzim - unfortunately my employer has been cutting down on either raises or bonuses for the last 3 years. Each year we hear "This was our best year yet *by far*! But we didn't hit our targets, so bonuses/raises are going to be slim."
@0x56 my situation may be different, it's going to depend I am sure about he industry people are in, @InvaderGzim
@LibertySpeaks @InvaderGzim - yeah, everybody's situation is different. There are way too many factors in play to predict anything, even in the same industry.
@0x56 @LibertySpeaks @InvaderGzim
A bunch of deregulation (what's so bad about rivers catching fire?) and dropped corporate taxes and a shitload of deficit spending going right into corporate coffers- a great recipe for a temporary boon, but temporary only.
We've seen this before.
@Old_Dave @LibertySpeaks @InvaderGzim - and at that point, it's valid policy objections. It's not hate.
@0x56 @Old_Dave @LibertySpeaks
Can I have valid policy objections and hate the man as well??? 🤔
@InvaderGzim @Old_Dave @LibertySpeaks - that's what LS's essay was all about.
@Old_Dave The deficit is always going to be a major problem and I've yet to see any administration really tackle it, or not add to it. Honestly I can only speak for myself.. and what I'm seeing is on a local level, and its the local level that affects me. will it last locally, i dont know... @0x56 @InvaderGzim
@LibertySpeaks @0x56 @InvaderGzim
What about when there was a budget surplus? It wasn't that long ago.
@Old_Dave Clinton did a good job with that and it hadn't been since the early seventies and not done since. funny to think that it was also done with republicans in control of house and senate @0x56 @InvaderGzim
@LibertySpeaks @0x56 @InvaderGzim
I thought it just went (+) that one time?
@Old_Dave 5 times since 1969 and only a few prior since @0x56 @InvaderGzim
https://www.thebalance.com/us-deficit-by-year-3306306
Mine told me "The only thing you can expect here is a .10/hr raise, once a year. "
@Heucuva8 @LibertySpeaks @InvaderGzim - at least you know that going in (hopefully).
Eh, I've been here 2 years already.
I run a risk every day of getting attacked by my Client. Verbally, Physically, you name it. He beat me with door trim the last time it happened. Before that, it was a broomstick.
@Heucuva8 Sounds like you have bigger problems than not getting a raise... damn @0x56 @InvaderGzim
Yeah, I've talked about it before here, but I have to get out of this job. This whole industry really. Don't think I can keep doing this for the pay.
I was in Network Administration, but the company used me to get a project linked and then replaced me with their security guard cuz he "took classes in IT" (and they could pay him less).
Now, I'm not sure I even would WANT to work in IT.
I'd LIKE to do something creative. 😔
@0x56
Personality, and I'll bring up the phrase "cult of personality" can do a great many things. Inspire, create, influence, and it can destroy, insult and inflame.
its a very difficult balance to see look past a personality to see the policy behind it. That can be said for a lot of people. you may love them but now what they do or say, or you may hate them and love what they do or say..