They’re typically small businesses, what reason do they have to lie about business being down?

I’m sure they have the data, and I’m sure if a local government or journalist wanted to, they could look at tax records to see revenue impact

I don’t think anyone would argue that such enhancements are a bad thing in the long run if 1) If the enhancements ultimately bring in more shoppers/customers, 2) there is still parking available in the area, and 3) the businesses can survive 6-12 months of reduced revenues

My response was really directed at comments implying that the businesses are essentially whining. There’s a very real impact during construction, and certain businesses could be hurt by reduced parking, particularly in the states where the car is king

In defense of business owners, when their customers are trained from birth to drive everywhere, their customers expect parking. When there is no parking, they lose business

Every major US city receives immense backlash from local businesses when roads/parking are unavailable due to added bike lanes, traffic calming projects that reduce parking, or much-needed major construction projects such as water main or sewer work. This is happening right now in downtown Burlington, VT, for example

https://m.sevendaysvt.com/news/main-street-construction-is-hurting-burlington-businesses-43270506

There’s no easy answer in most cases

It’s one thing to say “I’m really attracted to her, but I’m too much of an introvert to initiate a conversation”

But this is sounding like stalker-type fixation level shit

That’s as kind as I can put it

Beside the point. You want tariffs? Follow the law, it’s that simple

To govern within the boundaries of the law, one often needs to build coalitions. Those are guardrails established by democracy

And tariffs are perfectly legal when they go through the proper channels. So, the administration just needs to go through the proper channels and work with the legislative branch to pass such tariffs. And they shouldn’t be predicated on a bullshit national emergency

US law mandates retirement at 56 for Air Traffic Controllers due to the high stress and fast-paced multi-tasking nature of the job

It’s considered one of the most mentally challenging jobs there are.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/8335

Huh? It’s a survey

Sure, they could be lying, but why would they?

And your employee anecdotal stories mean zilch

Yep

Just say “I haven’t made my whole shopping list yet, so I’ll just go later when I’m prepared”

Another perspective is that a 3% increase in prices - even without non-labor inflation - to pay people closer to a living wage reflects a more accurate cost of that dining experience. It could be that the public is subsidizing those restaurants’ labor through social programs that make up the difference vs a living wage

As you noted, with the real (or at least more realistic) cost of eating out reflected in the pricing, consumers will decide if that experience is worth it. And some businesses may close. And that’s called capitalism

Oh that’s my bad. I didn’t realize only one lawyer could work on any aspect of a case at a time. I wasn’t aware that criminal cases were on a very strict timeline that cannot be impacted at all through resources or prosecutorial discretion on when to charge

I would respectfully argue that everybody knew that there was an election coming that Trump was going to run in, and there was a possibility of him winning it. And that should have dictated the timeline to bring charges. And if that meant more resources or bringing fewer charges, or whatever, that should have been the game plan.

If you believe he’s guilty, you don’t give him time to run out the clock

Not sure about how it feels on the skin, but here’s a good explanation of how Low-E glass coatings keep homes cooler in the summer

https://glassed.vitroglazings.com/topics/how-low-e-glass-works

All fair points. My intended point was that take some exception to Bernie’s blanket statement that the Dems abandoned the working class voters. Though I agree they haven’t focused enough there, nor message it correctly.

Biden definititely ran and led on a more progressively left platform after Bernie and AOC collaborated with them in 2020. I think it’s clear Harris was going to continue that, but I don’t think it was properly messaged

Are you trying to make a point? Because you’re not saying anything

I’m not defending Harris’ overall campaign, but I am taking some issue with Bernie claiming that the Democrats have abandoned working class voters.

I like Bernie, and he makes some good points about the lack of any bill put forth to raise the minimum wage. But I think his overall characterization is quite a bit off base, especially when compared to what the Republicans are offering working-class voters. Which is basically nothing

I’ll listen to any counterpoint with an open mind but you have to make one

The Republicans are doing zero for the working class other than lying to them and giving their money yo billionaires.

Dems supported unions where Trump impugned them

Dems forgave student loans, Republicans went to court to stop it

Dems pushed to end noncompetes for the average worker, Republicans went to court to stop it

Dems passed the CHIPS act to bring good paying jobs to multiple communities

Dems passed an infrastructure bill while Trump had 100 infrastructure weeks that accomplished nothing

Trump said he’d fire workers rather than pay them overtime

Harris promised to investigate price gouging, Trump is supported by the oligarchy

Etc, etc

Yeah, OK, the US isn’t the most economically and militarily powerful country, and by extension, politically powerful🙄

To say otherwise makes you not serious

As does bringing the metric system into the argument

Fascism needs a strong leader - authoritarianism is at the core of fascism. Of course the rank and file don’t go away, but without a strong leader, they lose their power.

Serious question: Referring back to the points I made in my previous post, who is going to effectively step into the fascism void in the US when Trump is gone?

Vance? He’s a clown and isn’t a true believer in Trumpism

DeSantis? Another clown

Ken Paxton? He’s evil enough but not sure he has the charisma to inspire the MAGAts

Trump’s base is comprised of sniveling sycophants who don’t have the personality, influence, or will to actually try and take over

Sure, but I was specifically talking about the US.

That said, when the US has a potential leader embracing fascism/authoritarianism, it creates an opportunity for the growth of those political ideologies across the world.

Keeping Trump out of office and believers in democracy in office will help blunt the power and growth of fascism across the globe. It’s not the sole solution, but it’s quite important that the most powerful country in the world not elect fascists.

While I generally agree with what you said, I’m not convinced Trumpism doesn’t die or at least go back into its hole when he goes away.

Trumpism is really nothing more than a power grab by an authoritarian who uses white nationalism rhetoric to enthrall the baser segment of society and amass a voting base to maintain power long enough to undermine democracy.

Trump could die tomorrow, and there’s a dozen wannabe authoritarians that would try to fill that void and run on Trumpism.

I’m not convinced there’s any MAGAts out there than can inspire the base, get the MAGAts in Congress to coalesce behind them, and solidify the financial support of the Musks, Thiels, etc of the oligarchy.

Not sure how to tell you this, but the right wing has, does, and will target ANY Democratic (or 3rd party) candidate that poses a realistic chance of beating them in the presidential election. The right wing doesn’t want or know how to govern, they just want to control, so they attack those that are qualified to govern.

Russia and China support and amplify unserious 3rd party candidates like Stein and RFK Jr with the support of the Republicans, because without splitting the left’s votes, the Republicans would be a powerless minority