I was wondering about this just last night:
As NC farmers are financially squeezed & bankrupted by Trump + the price of many items rises for NC'ians, will Republicans realize they've put blind loyalty to POTUS @realDonaldTrump & his surprise trade war over NC farmers, families & businesses? https://t.co/KDW1f7CrqM#ncpol
— Wayne Goodwin (@WayneGoodwinNC) April 10, 2018
Trump voters have been pretty resilient over his ham-handed leadership since he took office. By "resilient" I mean "blind," of course. Which proves to me they knew ahead of time he would be a disaster, but voted for him anyway because they hoped he would punish the people they don't like. And when your hatred runs that deep, even if you get punished some yourself, it might still seem worth it.
@NC_Governor something to consider! Especially in the city of Charlotte where economic mobility is the lowest. Help our community with #OpportunityZones. #econdev #jobs #ncpol #cltpol https://t.co/R4m1NV8nfW
— CAT (@OneCopaceticCAT) April 9, 2018
We recently had a "business" forum in our relatively small town, and at least two of the panelists were touting this "Opportunity Zones" portion of Trump's tax bill. One of the panelists (a tax accountant) briefly mentioned how it might benefit distressed areas, and then launched into a very long (25 minutes, easily) sales pitch about what a great investment opportunity it was for wealthy people. So it comes as no surprise to me the American Enterprise Institute is a cheerleader, since pandering to the wealthy is their bread and butter:
The goal of “opportunity zones” is a worthy one: spurring much-needed investment into housing, small businesses and infrastructure in depressed areas. Picture entrepreneurs in Pueblo, Delta and Alamosa getting an infusion of cash because of a simple provision in the GOP tax bill.
But the far more likely outcome will be financial institutions setting up qualified opportunity funds to market to their wealthy clients near retirement as a safe place to park their money tax-deferred in a slow-growing market for 10 years. The trade-off being slower growth than the stock market but tax-free gains.
The likely recipients of such investments in Colorado? Well, if I were in the business of helping wealthy clients abuse the tax code, I’d park their qualified opportunity investment in real estate in the most attractive designated opportunity zones on the Front Range and let it sit for 10 years, not really helping these areas, but qualifying under the law for the tax incentives.
I’m not some evil tax genius with a unique idea, just a former investigative reporter who has learned to expect the worst from years of covering well-intended tax policies gone awry — like a lease in/lease out transaction for a Florida utility, venture capital tax credits in Oklahoma, and enterprise zones in Colorado.
The key benefit of this is that "10 year" thing, which the accountant I mentioned repeatedly stressed. That's when your tax liability completely disappears. Was anything actually improved in those "Opportunity Zones"? Doesn't matter.
NC-09 congressional candidates appealing to their base by claiming to be the most like Donald Trump. So which one really IS the most like Trump? https://t.co/we1QGuEOEI #ncpol pic.twitter.com/YncWtD4OAT
— Kevin Siers (@KevinSiers) April 9, 2018
No doubt Christian Cano is going to be gnashing his teeth over this cartoon, but he brought it on himself. Oh crap, I made a pledge to not wade into any Democratic Primary contests, and remain neutral like Switzerland, minus the Nazi money in the bank thing. Just disregard what I said, or at least forget where you heard it...
Tim has always hated school teachers.#ncpol #nced #ncga #avlnews @timothypeck pic.twitter.com/dAS3f5wppB
— Trump Fluffer Peck (@AdophPeck) April 9, 2018
I know I have generally been against faux Twitter accounts, but it's actually a relief to have somebody else smacking this nitwit around. So I will grant this one my tacit approval. Wait, that makes it a formal approval, and no longer tacit. Forget I said that, too.
CLT Black Caucus does NOT endorse two black Democratic legislators: Sen. @joeldford and Rep. Rodney Moore. Can't remember when that ever happened. #charobs #ncpol #ncga pic.twitter.com/nPfkxqXe2d
— Jim Morrill (@jimmorrill) April 9, 2018
What? I didn't approve this message, I just posted it for your perusal. Still neutral, still Switzerland.
Is it a case of teachers vs. parents? Tweets from #NCGA House Democratic candidates about meeting with teachers to hear their concerns leads to NC House GOP tweeting that Dems are disregarding seeking input from parents in the education of their children. #nced #ncpol
— Keung Hui (@nckhui) April 9, 2018
No, it's not. It's just idiot Republicans looking for any out-of-context issue to smear Democratic candidates. And frankly, a reporter even asking such a question says more about that reporter than any potential answer.
The minimum wage was always supposed to be a living wage. In fact, to argue that the minimum wage was never supposed to be a living wage is completely out of touch with historical reality. https://t.co/ruQ70CrjYH #FightFor15 #ncpol pic.twitter.com/TIG4ZNlRdF
— Raising Wages NC (@RaisingWagesNC) April 9, 2018
Oh, conservatives know good and well what it's supposed to do, they just don't care. It's all about increasing the profit margins of the wealthy, no matter how unfair or inhumane it is. Or misleading:
Conservative policies are working for NC! #MoreGoodNews #ncpol pic.twitter.com/uTHQJ2GPbP
— Rep. Cody Henson (@RepCodyHenson) April 9, 2018
That's a load of crap, right there. The median hourly wage level in NC has barely moved in the last decade, but the top earners have scored big while the bottom has lost ground. It's not a pretty sight, and no amount of propaganda will change that.
North Carolina’s law enfranchising felons when they compete obligations was Rep. Mickey Michaux’ signature accomplishment in his first #ncga term in 1973. Previously required pardon OR court order. Both difficult to get #ncpol
— Gerry Cohen (@gercohen) April 9, 2018
Zack has some huge shoes to fill, but if anybody can do it, he can.
Join us May 7 at Campbell Law Auditorium. Time to change how NC selects judges?Our panel of esteemed guests will discuss it. $15, includes boxed lunch/drink. Buy ticket: https://t.co/JdDzhfWCGV #ncpol #ncga @FedSoc @nccourts @NCStateBar @NCDAsConf pic.twitter.com/8dEwlRP6kK
— JohnLockeFoundation (@JohnLockeNC) April 9, 2018
Fifteen dollars? Unless there's a lobster salad sandwich and some earplugs in that boxed lunch, count me out...
New beefed-up security coming to #ncga building's garage entrances #ncpol pic.twitter.com/rV8tL8xSgw
— Colin Campbell (@RaleighReporter) April 9, 2018
Who the #$%^ is paying for that? You know what, I don't want to know...
London Authorities Seizing Knives, School Choice, and Trump's Atty Raided
#ThePeteKalinerShow #NCPOL https://t.co/LjsjHvWXDe— News Radio 570 WWNC (@newsradio570) April 10, 2018
Conservatives seem to think their "London knives" stories prove that guns in the U.S. don't really matter, but what they don't realize is what it also implies: Their unspoken yet hovering-near-the-surface opinion, "If those people had guns they wouldn't need to carry knives!" Bless their hearts...
On that logic-deprived note, here's your Onion:
College Equestrian Clearly Coming To Class Straight From Practice https://t.co/3MsTlSe1rC pic.twitter.com/H3iArIieoL
— The Onion (@TheOnion) April 9, 2018
Tight schedules can be stressful...
Comments
Bonus Onion:
Buckle up! :)
The stink of fear and desperation...
Dude is so angry he can only squeak out a few words. He will try to fire Mueller this week, because he just doesn't have the sense to realize that's a bridge too far...
At my local grocery, a box of
At my local grocery, a box of crackers is $4.99.
The minimum wage is still $7.25.
One pound of lean ground beef is $6.99.
Minimum wage still $7.25.
One cantaloup is $3.29.
Minimum wage still $7.25.
One red bell pepper is $1.79.
Minimum wage still $7.25.
Laundry detergent runs $5.99 to 10.99.
Minimum wage still $7.25.
#RaiseTheWage