OlDawg

Let me see if I can answer without falling out of my chair laughing at the awesome liberal education you received as a teasipper. 🤣 The U.S. imports 60% of it's fruit and 40% of it's vegetables. The major importer is Mexico. The U.S. issues roughly 500,000 H2A Visas (temporary farm worker visas) each year. There is no maximum allowable, and the number is set based on requests from the U.S. agricultural businesses themselves, so it fluctuates. There are approximately 2.4 million farmworkers employed each year in the U.S. Thirty percent are U.S. citizens, the aforementioned 500,000+ are here legally, which leaves about 1 million--give or take--illegal migrants. It would take an awful lot of crop harvesting to make up for a negative cost of $65,000 per illegal immigrant to even come close to breaking even on outlays. I think the cost of your fruits and vegetables would be more impacted by a 10% tariff than any loss of harvesting due to lack of illegal labor. Still, that's a heckuva lot of guacamole.

Correct. That’s why the approximately 12 Million that crossed the southern border recently are a net negative per capita on the U.S. economy. I’ve already posted the numbers and data on this provided to Congress in another thread. 😬😉 Again, I suggest waiting to see what actually winds up in the Bill. I think it’s going to have a tough time in its present form. This might wind up like Texas SB25 (MAHA Bill) after HEB lobbied against it so hard because they don’t want you to know what’s in the food you’re buying from them. It’s watered down so much now, it’s practically useless.

So, you go from 1.39 to ? You need to have a sizable investment portfolio for this to really hit your nonprofit. We’re talking in the millions to billions range. I haven’t read the numbers. But, if you say triple, that’s still only about 5% tax on investment income. As a nonprofit private foundation charity, how much investment income is needed? Is there a need to sit on that much cash? I thought the purpose of a charity was to provide support by giving? Not make income. I understand operating costs as I started and ran a nonprofit for years. But, my goodness. Will need to apportion out more carefully. That’s if this even stays in the final Bill. Note: After reading the proposed changes, a private nonprofit will still pay 1.39% on investments up to $50 Million. That’s a sizable investment portfolio. Not sure you’re gonna get much sympathy from Joe/Jane Smith who will have their taxes go up a much higher pct. when they’re barely getting by and you crying about paying—at most—10% on BILLIONS of investment income when you’re a tax advantaged nonprofit charity. That’s still less than the 12% most middle income folks pay, and most will never see a million in their lifetimes. But, many still probably give to charities. There may be many things not to like about this proposal. I haven’t read it all yet. But, I’m not sure this one is a biggie to the majority. This one strikes me as tone deaf…

I think it’s important to remember—as much as I may wonder about some aspects—if something doesn’t pass, everyone gets a major tax increase. Especially the middle to lower classes. Add layoffs on top of that because of tax increases and it’s gonna be bigly ugly. Medicaid coverage will be secondary because people won’t have money to get to the doctor anyway. Dems ran on letting the tax cuts we have now expire, raising taxes on top of that, and not doing anything to make the government more efficient. Then, they have the audacity to gripe about misuse of Medicaid? Rich…

Honestly, I haven’t read it all yet because I’ve gotten to the point where I wait until its final. This Bill is going to have massive changes before/if it gets through.

From my reading/understanding, Medicaid eligibility and enforcement is primarily up to the individual states. The Feds basically just provide the funds. I believe it’s supposed to be a 50/50 split. But, some states are taking advantage of some legal loopholes to increase their Fed matching money.

Agree. Not on Medicaid. But, Trump’s attempts to do away with ACA his first term—with no replacement—still have me worried. No one would cover my wife without the protections offered by ACA. Granted, her Parkinson’s Plus is untreatable & incurable at this time. But, Botox shots help with the paralysis/palsy & she is at higher risk for other issues that may need coverage. We pay over $2600/mo. for the privilege of having insurance cards. Still have high deductibles & co-pays. But, we’re not allowed to have a catastrophic plan by law. We do get a little of it back at tax time.

How Medicaid is being used to illegally cover illegal immigrants in multiple states: (My understanding is this is one of the ‘cuts’ that’s being addressed.) [Hidden Content]

Congrats Ladies!

I thought I heard/read something about PAISD voters approving a $78 Mil bond for new land and a new stadium. Is that true? @Mr. Buddy Garrity

Awesome piece by Texas Football Life! Even gave a shout out to the Dairy Queen. 😁

@baddog posted a thread with a video about a cover up scenario. Interesting watch.

Good question. Insurance stops paying for PSA at 70-75. Don’t know about Medicare. But, POTUS doctors I’d think would still include the test. Not as if it just jumps up overnight. Plus, he has family history of cancer. I know insurance only pays for one PSA a year for me. I have to wait another 4 months before I can get my next one paid. That’s the medical guidelines. So, you could conceivably go 11 months without any indication via blood work.

Huh? The Constitution doesn’t address political parties at all. The Democratic & Republican Parties stop 3rd Parties. Rules that are changed: 1. Ballot access minimums & dates. 2. Debate access. 3. Defense Dept. briefing access is denied as well as other government data. 4. Funding assistance not provided like the 2 major parties. Those pop into my head right off the top.

Thanks. It happens. Medical research shows that 80% of men over the age of 80 get some form of prostate cancer. He had a full life and was ready to be with my Mom. We knew it was coming, as he spent his last months living with us, so we were prepared.

Yes. One of the great ironies in American political history. But, in Jefferson’s time, they were actually alliances that didn’t purposely institute rules to limit other candidates. We haven’t had a really viable 3rd Party candidate in many years because every time one threatens the 2 Parties, they change the rules to make it harder/impossible to have a successful candidacy. Then, the press limits participation on top of that. Instead of like-minded people gathering together for the betterment, it’s used as a system to limit the people’s choice. Just another form of control that makes people believe they have a real impact.

If a man lives long enough, it’s almost inevitable. My Dad passed at 87 in 2023 from complications due to prostate cancer.

Louisiana has had a jungle primary forever also. 2026 they’ll start having closed primaries where you have to register as Dem or Rep to vote like almost everyone else. No independents in the primaries. So, the biggest voting block has to choose between 2 crappy contestants from the far edges of their respective Parties. Wow. Talk about a stupid concept. And people wonder why we keep getting further and further apart with wild swings. A minority of super ideological people selecting who the majority can pick from… Not a fan of political Parties. We were warned.

I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all. Thomas Jefferson

Fox 26 Houston Sports Segment: [Hidden Content] Dr. Jackson is great! He puts so much time in & you can see him at almost every event involving LP young people. His enthusiasm for this district and community is very obvious & contagious.

[Hidden Content] I miscounted. Says there were over 4,000 people at Spring game. Coach sounds pretty excited about the returning and new talent. He also said Simon is bigger, stronger & he’s expecting him to be ‘fun to watch.’ Berneathy code for good luck with him. LOL My guess is he’s right at 6’ 225. Hasn’t lost a step. Maybe quicker. Still has the balance & vision. The young man is one large hunk of nasty coming at you like a freight train. No little scat-back. In the words of Mr. T, “I pity the fool” that tries a head on solo tackle. That’s if you can even square up on him.

The way it’s built, you seem closer to the field than old Bulldog—even with the bigger track—and you can hear the crack of helmets & pads from the top seats. The bands & students will sit in the end zone curve where you can still hear them, but you won’t ‘feel’ them right next to you. Can’t wait for the season to start. Apparently, a lot of other people can’t either because there were probably 3-4,000 people there for a Spring game. Never seen that many for an intrasquad spring game.

It’s something else again my friend. Speaker system all the way around for every section, elevators to every level, 6 cameras to catch action/replays for every part of the field, concourse goes all the way around so if you have friends on the other side you can walk around, lighting is the best I’ve seen, excellent handicap seating, 2 suites & VIP room that I haven’t seen-but a friend who did said ‘WOW’, 30 picnic tables on the concourse for eating if you want instead of at your seat (also some shade), video screen is awesome… (Video outside stadium also for updates, etc.) Tailgating will supposedly start at 4:00-7:00, then shut down & concessions take over inside. I was told LP is one of only 3 high schools in the country with the film/video classes they have that produce LPSportsnet. Also was told 4 former students were already working at ESPN because of what they learned at LP. This stadium is loaded with tech. LPSportsnet will be better than ever with the upgrades. ***PS- Simon looks like he put on about 40 lbs and didn’t lose a step, the talked about up & coming QB threw a 45 yd TD first series he came in, and some lineman moved from somewhere in Sasquatchville because he’s one of the biggest dudes I’ve ever seen. They looked very solid. I expect a good run—barring injuries. Longer than last year is a definite possibility.

Aldi has them at $3.27. Usually, they’re less. They’ve been $2.97. Milk is $2.22/gal. Gas around here is $2.41 - $2.51. Most I’ve seen are $2.45.

Yes. I’ll try to let all know ahead of time if they’re going to have all the pregame tailgating w/food trucks, restaurant tents, etc. If you like the horseshoe college stadiums, you should like the new Bulldog. The players should also like the new wood chip filled turf. Supposed to be much cooler than rubber, better traction, and less injury prone. Just don’t miss the left turn into the stadium complex, or you’ll literally drive into Galveston Bay. 😱