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The middle class shrinking is one of the biggest myths out there, and is used as a way for the government to intervene even more than it already does. This is only one study of many. Yes, the Middle Class Is Shrinking—Because It's Moving Up The real squeeze comes from government-distorted markets, not economic decline. [Hidden Content] The Middle Class Is Shrinking Because of a Booming Upper-Middle Class [Hidden Content]

I thought I'd humor those who choose to read with some of my thoughts on this fine morning. As anyone who reads my posts is aware, I'm not big on political parties. I consider myself a conservative libertarian. I believe in free markets and free people. I believe in individualism and personal liberty. My personal belief is the current political parties have long ago left their purpose of serving the people, and exist now only to collect power and stay in power. They exist to protect themselves, and the power they have--and can--accumulate. These are their primary drivers. The future of our--and our kids/grandkids--way of life seems to have been turned into nothing more than a sporting event by the two major parties. They've minimized it to the point where we can literally gamble online about the future direction of our country. As a cynical view, I'd think they were doing it on purpose to simplify, divide, and distract. With that said, I thought I'd post some quotes from one of my personal, favorite thinkers. If you've never heard of her, I'd recommend a quick look at some of her thoughts. If you have heard of her--but it's been awhile--it may be a good time to refresh your memories on some of her thoughts. No matter which Party you choose, I'd hope that some of these quotes strike a nerve, help remind us all of what's made America great, why she was founded, and what can be accomplished when our freedoms are actually unleashed. I'll step off my soapbox, and hope the below quotes are meaningful to everyone in some way. If you feel it's worthwhile, please post thoughts and/or quotes that are personally meaningful to you as they relate to our current political atmosphere. It would be interesting to me to see where people stand--aside from the specific headlines discussed in other threads. I'm curious if we all aren't closer in our beliefs than what we may think, or further apart. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ All quotes are courtesy of Ayn Rand America's abundance was created not by public sacrifices to the common good, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes. They did not starve the people to pay for America's industrialization. They gave the people better jobs, higher wages, and cheaper goods with every new machine they invented, with every scientific discovery or technological advance- and thus the whole country was moving forward and profiting, not suffering, every step of the way. Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual). Socialism is the doctrine that man has no right to exist for his own sake, that his life and his work do not belong to him, but belong to society, that the only justification of his existence is his service to society, and that society may dispose of him in any way it pleases for the sake of whatever it deems to be its own tribal, collective good. Whoever claims the right to redistribute the wealth produced by others is claiming the right to treat human beings as chattel. It only stands to reason that where there's sacrifice, there's someone collecting the sacrificial offerings. Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master. Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.

I have zero problem with HI moving from UIL to TCAL. Got to do what's best. Also, HI has really no reason to consolidate with any other ISD. They operate in the black and just passed a bond to improve facilities on all fronts. Are they experiencing growth problems? Yes. But there are many school districts existing in the state of Texas that have fewer students than HI. It certainly isn't necessary to participate in UIL for a school to exist. High Island ISD has it's purpose for it's own community. That's all that matters.

Welp. So much for that. What a waste of bandwidth.

Pending eligibility of course

Picture of Reagan convincing everyone that $4 to $5 dollar a gallon fuel along with the collateral inflation it causes on goods is good for everyone. Smh True TWS ( Trump Worshipping Syndrome)

What happens next? Hopefully the GOP finds their balls, employs the nuclear option and passes the SAVE act before your commie friends take over (i.e. steal another election) and pack the supreme court, end the electoral college, add Puerto Rico and DC as states, and enact permanent democratic control all while pointing to the other side shouting "threat to democracy".

Brookeland defeats Avery in one game series 17-0 Brookeland advances to state semi-final for second year in a row.

That's 2 series in a row!!! One more is called a series winning streak. It has happened before. Monday L 0-1 Tuesday W 7-4 Wednesday W 6-5 Road trip weekend to houston to take on the astros.

The dems are always going to vote dem. But I always find it fascinating when the "concerned moderates" and "Never Trumpers" that "allegedly" have traditionally voted R, happily pull the lever for D. The Biden presidency was a complete disaster and a stain on our nation's history. Kamala said she'd "change nothing" about it so a vote for Kamala was effectively just an extension of the Biden embarrassment. The only explanation I can come up with for a traditional R to vote D, is that their brain has been broken by TDS and their soul corrupted with hate for the guy. I'm not getting everything I voted for (and none of us ever will), but I'm getting a lot of it. And it's infinitely better than if Kamala was in charge.

Trump loves him some Trump. Father Time will eventually take are of his narcissism. He’s usually instinctual when it comes to making decisions but I think he went against his instincts on the Iran situation imo. Now he can’t find an exit ramp. I’ve worn weary of his antics. Meanwhile average Americans are feeling the financial pain.

His dad posted today he was ineligible and they were going back to Arkansas

Remember that one time... when fans were on here talking about how he needed to be fired? Good times.

Open so far Jasper Hemphill West Sabine Corrigan Warren Brookelamd Burkeville

Well this issue goes all the way back to covid, with several factors at play. 1, Declining enrollment and no new people moving in the district because all new houses being built are air bnbs 2, This was a projected problem with the hopes that move ins would come the the district, but at this point until "the ike group" gets thru you still have those low numbers because those kids never came back. (only 4 graduating seniors this year. 3. The strongest athletic group is in 6th grade so numbers will rise again, and a new school building with a gym ect will help. Also in the next year or two new football stadium and softball/baseball fields will attract kids to come play, hopefully. Hope this helps y'all, Also the jump to t-cal will be done in two year cycles and reevaluated.

Trolling at it’s finest CB - noticing no one will have a serious conversation with you?

WooHoo, we won the series vs the Cubbies!!! Friday L 1-7 Saturday W 6-0 Sunday W 3-0 The diamondbacks are coming to Arlington Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Season record: 19-21

I was disappointed in the Brooks’ firing because I like the man a lot and thought he had earned at least another year. Having said that, Jeff hasn’t whiffed on a hire yet and has gotten in the weeds to find some. I would expect this one to be no different.

reminds me of the Trumpers and anti-Trumpers on this site.

The were estimates weeks or months from development….. I know Democrats think people have to be shot at before they can shoot back. Only a fool would wait until they fired the nuke before we fired back and addressed it.

I have been wondering if we would get a Lamar softball post this year. If only they would have gotten rid of the coach!

W25 Spurger Vs. R28 Medina Medina 10 Spurger 7 Medina advances W22 Douglass Vs. W24 West Sabine Game 1: West Sabine 11 Douglass 1 Game 2: West Sabine 9 Douglass 3 West Sabine advances W22 Kirbyville (18-10-1) vs. East Bernard (19-8-3) Game 1: Kirbyville 5 East Bernard 3 Game 2: Friday, May 8 @ Barbers Hill HS, 7:00 Game 3: Saturday, May 9 @ Barbers Hill HS, 3:00 (if necessary) Bullard (22-9) vs. W19 Livingston (24-6) Game 1: Bullard 5 Livingston 0 Game 2: Friday, May 8 | 7:00 PM | @ Nacogdoches HS Game 3: Saturday, May 9 | 5:00 PM | @ Nacogdoches HS (if necessary) W18 Vidor (20-8-1) vs. R19 Huffman-Hargrave (21-8-1) Game 1: Huffman-Hargrave 4 Vidor 3 Game 2: Friday, May 8 | 7:00 PM | @ Deer Park HS Game 3: Saturday, May 9 | 1:00 PM | @ Deer Park HS (if necessary) W18 Silsbee (24-5-1) vs. R19 Hamshire-Fannett (11-20) Game 1: Hamshire-Fannett 7 Silsbee 6 Game 2: Friday, May 8 | 7:00 PM | @ Lamar University Game 3: Saturday, May 9 | 1:00 PM | @ Lamar University (if necessary)

I'm right in the middle of middle class, and he only thing I feel is gas prices. I believe if he gets that down, everything else will follow.

IMO, this is the greatest post ever made down here in this political forum. So much so that this thread probably should be pinned up top of the forum so it won't be pushed down the page. The best perspective ever posted down here which is so refreshing considering some of these other posts being made that I consider complete garbage. Thank you sir for this post. Very much appreciated.

Has happened both ways. Many people would rate Chavis McCollister among the greatest high school players of all time. Yet, he received little to no college interest.

I’d say Fetterman could be considered a DINO. Near death experiences can change one’s outlook on life.

Bryson Kennedy, the highly touted 2029 quarterback from Little Rock, Arkansas who transferred to Duncanville this past semester, was ruled ineligible for the season Tuesday, according to a now-deleted social media post from his father.“I know everyone was looking forward to Bryson being the starting QB for Duncanville, but it won’t happen due to Bryson being ineligible,” Kennedy’s father, Anthony, said in a Facebook post that also appeared to share an email informing him of the decision. Duncanville ISD has not responded to a request for comment. The ruling appears to stem from a podcast appearance Bryson made in February. In his post, Anthony also shared a clip of the podcast, in which his son said “I feel like the opportunity was better for me as a player,” after being asked why he came to Duncanville. Bryson Kennedy was the starting quarterback for Little Rock Central as a freshman in 2025 and already boasts offers from power programs such as Arkansas, Auburn and Missouri. He was expected to compete for the starting job this fall at Duncanville. “I spent over $15,000 moving to Duncanville out of my own pocket; no one paid us, so we returned to our home school, Little Rock Central,” his father’s Facebook post read. Bryson’s X account also no longer lists Duncanville in his profile

My apologies OlDawg. This wasn't how I wanted this thread to stay up top of forum page. Also, the clock is ticking on CB/TMB.

Alvarez in a bit of a slump right now but nothing like Seattle's Raleigh. Last year's MVP is now 0/37 in his last 39 plate appearances. Batting .157 on the season. Wow, what a difference a year makes. I thought Lambert pitched well last night. 7 innings pitched, 6 hits, 3 ER's, 8 K's, 1 BB. He has been Houston's best starter this season. Team best 2.76 ERA with 29 innings pitched, 29 K's, 12 BB's. Astros offense has taken a little dive over the last few games but the pitching has improved somewhat. Team batting average has dropped from .269 to .258 but team ERA has dropped from 6.37 to 5.50. Batting average is still top 3 in MLB but ERA is still the worse in MLB.

No, it’s not… according to you it is, but that’s because your side is trampling everybody else. The fact that patriots have tried three times now to eliminate the greatest threat that America has had in 250 years says that everything isn’t “doing just fine,” and if the Dems were doing the exact same things, you wouldn’t feel like things were going peachy. There will be an equal and opposite reaction, and it will be a bitter pill for people who think that taking a massive dump on half of America is okay.

Sad, but true. Stepping down is not enough. She’s looking at 10 years.

Guess I’ll be Johnny Carson lol

Nederland head baseball position might come open.....

They’re just sick of me being right on EVERYTHING. I can’t blame them… I’d hide if I were them, too

[Hidden Content] Ditto! 🌊🌊🌊

Can’t add anything to what Aggie covered. On your quotes, we should all be concerned. Numbers 3&4 really jump out at me. I’m not a member of the Republican Party, but their conservative views align more with what I believe. Democrats have lost touch with what Americans want and have zero policy. Their collusion with communists and Islamist is very worrisome. Siding with criminals is unacceptable and will trigger vigilante justice if not curbed.

Outfield (infield is turfed) in Hammond has been deemed unplayable. Lamar will be the 2 seed regardless of the outcome of today's game against HCU. LU has replaced most of the starting position players and did not bring the starting pitcher after getting in only a half inning of yesterday's game.

Week of 4/27 & 5/04. Last 2 weeks have been really good for the student athletes at LP. Keep focusing young men & ladies!

Maybe this is interesting or maybe it’s not, but…. Texas law does not distinguish between a principal and an accomplice or accessory in a crime like in some (majority?) states. In some states a person can be charged as an accessory/accomplice to a crime. In other words, the accessory isn’t the main actor (criminal). Maybe a getaway driver in a bank robbery is an accessory. The driver never entered the bank, never pointed a gun, never threatened anyone, etc., so he may have a reduced penalty. Where an armed robber might be facing 50 years maximum in prison, the driver (accessory) might be facing only up to 20 years maximum. Texas makes no such distinction. If you took part in the crime, you are charged with the same crime with the same penalty range. Going only by news reports it seems like that Texas law may have resulted in the arrest of the guy who was later released. It seems like shots were fired from a car or someone jumped into a nearby car and fled. If two people were identified by witnesses as being in the vehicle, it might likely lead to having probable cause to make an arrest for both as taking part either as a shooter or driver. I am going to guess that this may have been what happened to the player that AAW was referring to with the scholarship. Maybe he was thought to be driving the vehicle that fled or was in the vehicle when shots were fired OR was merely nearby and a witness thought that the he was seen in or getting into a car. According to a statement by BPD, after the scholarship player was arrested, further information later led them to dropping the arrest. Again just guessing, the believed to be shooter apparently admitted to both driving away and firing shots. Since he may have taken responsibility for the entire situation, that may have led to the dismissing the arrest in the scholarship player. But now is another arrest or warrant? This may be where the Texas law of no accessories might come into play. Did this third guy help the shooter get away from the scene? Did he hand the shooter the gun? L Anyway, all of this is just speculation but I thought maybe Texas law might be interesting in the justification for an arrest and later charges being accepted by the DA (requiring a grand jury indictment if a felony) or the dropping of charges against any person.

11-2 PNG mid 3rd

Amazes me that MAGA after all the lies still worship this idle wanna be king. He was trying to distract Americas attention from the files. Are we in a war? Did we win? Is the strait open? Do we even have allies?

Little Centerville 5 Chester 0 W22 Orangefield (24-7) vs.W24 Boling (18-8-1) Orangefield 6 Boling 0 Boling 3 Orangefield 2 Orangefield 10 Boling 3 – Orangefield advances W21 Huntington (23-7) vs. R24 Hitchcock (15-12-1) Huntington 1 Hitchcock 0 Huntington 14 Hitchcock 1 – Huntington advances W22 Kirbyville (18-10-1) vs. East Bernard (19-8-3) Game 1: Kirbyville 5 East Bernard 3 Game 2: East Bernard 2 Kirbyville 1 Game 3: Saturday, May 9 @ Barbers Hill HS, 3:00 Bullard (22-9) vs. W19 Livingston (24-6) Game 1: Bullard 5 Livingston 0 Game 2: Bullard 3 Livingston 2 Bullard Advances W18 Vidor (20-8-1) vs. R19 Huffman-Hargrave (21-8-1) Game 1: Huffman-Hargrave 4 Vidor 3 Game 2: Vidor 4 Huffman-Hargrave 2 Game 3: Saturday, May 9 | 1:00 PM | @ Deer Park HS (if necessary) W18 Silsbee (24-5-1) vs. R19 Hamshire-Fannett (11-20) Game 1: Hamshire-Fannett 7 Silsbee 6 Game 2: Hamshire-Fannett 3 Silsbee 2 Hamshire-Fannett Advances Game Day Merch

I’m actually excited for this series with the cubs. These are my 2 favorite teams playing against each other. Go RANGERS!!!

Harrel was a player but was enrolled at the Pathways Center (BISD alternative learning center). I was speaking about Briscoe. Evidently Harrel has had trouble at school as to why he is at Pathways.

this has been a brutal schedule. I'm ready for them to get a few easy teams... Over the last ten series the only teams with a losing record the Rangers have played are the Mariners and the Tigers,, who are both nearing .500 and were playoff teams last year. Now they get the cubs who're tied for the league's best record, after just playing the yankees (also tied for the league's best record) for a second series in 6 days.

Anything to halt Spanberger and her communist regime. Lmao.

Good job. LP has to regroup. They had some uncharacteristic errors that hurt.

Lake Creek 4 La Porte 0 Game 1 Final

Why? Its their prerogative. If their ISD is sound, they are financially secure and their academics are good, there is no pressing need to merge with anyone else for the sake of sports. Its has a very solid B rating (86). Some outside opinions may think otherwise, but its a decision left solely up to their community. If its a successful ISD, they know what's best for them.

Harold Mann is no longer with IHeart Radio, KLVI 560. Not sure what this means with radio broadcasts of Lamar football, basketball and baseball. Mann was the broadcaster for all these sports. It's possible that KLVI will no longer broadcast Lamar athletics. Not sure what they will do now without Mann. Wish Harold all the best. He was great at his job and as professional as they come.