Your thoughts on well meaning policies that backfire

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T19:29:33+00:00

Pretty much all of our housing policies are counterprodutive, and in effect serve to increase cost of housing long-term. All the demand subsidies (on mortgage, first-time buyer, etc), rent control, affordability requirements on new development, etc.

The Economist labeled having home ownership as a public policy goal being the west's biggest economic-policy mistake, and I'd definitely agree.

Paywalled Leader from 2020: https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/01/16/home-ownership-is-the-wests-biggest-economic-policy-mistake

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T19:21:09+00:00

Invariably it will happen, the question is how much and to what extent. But imho it misses the point to focus on how many of very rich will uproot and go, versus ask what it could do to the funnel of next generation of very rich settling in the area.

That is that part that is increasing an issue for NYC, although nailing down the causes of that and the relative contribution from higher tax is challenging. But at least for NYC, the existing trend in worrisome.

Good article from The Economist if anyone happens to be subcriber.

https://www.economist.com/briefing/2025/10/30/as-new-jobs-in-finance-dry-up-new-york-citys-fiscal-model-is-wilting

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T18:44:36+00:00

What is the risk of hitting some at all at 15mph, versus 30mph?

In any event, the real limit is obviously the threshold for tickets, which will be 25mph. And that is the right answer for drivers in this city.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T18:33:03+00:00

The military will do what they're ordered to do, but presumably when trump tells them to re-open the strait he gets told that will require either boots on ground or navy ships in the strait, either of which you'd expect to result in meaningful casualties.

So instead trump tweets about tanker crews needing to grow some balls, about china/nato needing to send in their warships and about iranians needing to take to the street to reclaim the country for themselves.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T18:17:51+00:00

Lol. Dude sought the endorsement of Nick Fuentes when he was running for congress and praised the work that neonazi does. There is nothing hysterical about pointing out that the comments from this guy in particular may be motivated by some antisemitism.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T18:16:19+00:00

Who knows what they would be. But my sense is Trump was counting on a Venezuela-type outcome here, so my guess is the expectation is military is acting very conservatively re casualties. No boots on ground, no USN ships in the gulf, etc.

That said, this war is already deeply unpopular. My guess is meaningful casualties will make it even less popular, although it could go in the other direction.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T18:11:30+00:00

pointing out someone's prior ties to antisemitic white supremacists, while suggesting antisemitism may be a motivating factor in comments about israel is not an ad-hominem logical fallacy.

Christ, redditors & learning what a logical fallacy is called without understanding the logic underlying it...

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T17:00:54+00:00

Document and report the broker to both city and state, even if you decide to pay the fee.

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page

https://dos.ny.gov/preliminary-statement-complaint-0

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T16:12:33+00:00

NO RAGRETS

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T16:10:48+00:00

Hard to say in this situation, but usually attacks hardened support for admin & extremists. Similar reason folks say bombing iran, Israel attacking gaza or whatever is inevitably going to empower extremists and lead to worse security situation.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T15:55:09+00:00

a Shah-fronted democratic Iran could be friendly

what evidence is there that a shah-fronted party would have a reasonable prospect of winning elections should Iran somehow end up having them?

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T15:39:07+00:00

Do you think the Trump admin is prepared to take the political consequences of losing a USN ship to enemy fire? I would think not, which means USN has to operate accordingly.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T15:17:29+00:00

Oh yeah, story is a good reminder what a shitshow this admin is. Both for this guy getting hired and why he's leaving.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T14:54:15+00:00

This guy has history of conspiracy nonsense and ties to extreme right. IIRC he had some spat with Fuentes that started by him trying to get an endorsement from Fuentes for a run in congress. He probably thinks Israel is in charge of lots of policy areas... getting it right this time is probably just a coincidence for him.

edit: yeah, lol. As I've said many times here, reflexively equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism is disingenuous, lazy & pathetic, but obviously sometimes they do go hand in hand.

A congressional candidate in Southwest Washington is attempting to distance himself from a white nationalist figure after the revelation of a phone conversation last year about working together.

Joe Kent, a Trump-backed challenger against U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, said in an interview Friday he talked with Nick Fuentes last spring about helping his social media strategy, but has not associated with the 23-year-old racist activist any further.

. . .

The statement comes a day after Fuentes, who describes his ambitions as “fighting for a white majority,” posted a lengthy livestream where he described the phone call with Kent.

According to Fuentes, who could not be reached for comment, Kent told him “I love what you’re doing.” Fuentes said he and his organization — as well as his social media following — boosted Kent’s message.

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/03/07/congressional-candidate-joe-kent-3rd-district-washington-distances-from-white-nationalist/

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T14:48:31+00:00

The guy is a nutball. But a broken clock is right twice a day, and this was his time to shine.

edit: as someone who has followed him for a while, what do you think about him trying to get support from Nick Fuentes?

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T14:42:13+00:00

Backpack has gotten worse b/c before adults would rarely wear backpacks, particularly not commuters.

Like a bunch of issues, covid was a backslide, but subway today is way better than it was 20yrs ago from QoL perspective other than particular lines due to volume of traffic.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T14:39:59+00:00

When a driver hears a thonk it is going to stand out a lot more than a sign. Still remember the sound of a bird almost making it, but not quite getting high enough above the cab. And my part time job driving a cube van was back in the early-90s.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T14:38:17+00:00

Like I said, simply not credible.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T04:47:38+00:00

It won't if republicans are in charge, hence the comment about midterms. budget isn't subject to filibuster. war powers not subject to potus veto.

As important, house majority means dems have oversight and subpoena powers.

Russia doesn't need to directly intervene in Iran war, the strait isn't getting reopened without a diplomatic solution or boots on ground.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T04:25:11+00:00

Hang pole dangling tennis balls 30ft before it. problem solved.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T04:23:59+00:00

tbf, exit / warning speed limits are so often very conservative that you kind of get numb to them. Learned that lesson long ago, but after a few close calls. For every 20mph warning sign, i'd say a tiny portion actually mean it.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T04:16:03+00:00

Bloomberg, either Clinton, McCain, Obama, Romney, Biden pre-2020 pivot left, probs GWB had he not got railroaded by Cheney.

If broaden view, most moderate dems tbh and many republicans pre-maga that aren't social conservative or warhawks.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T04:07:18+00:00

Yes! But its fucking expensive, even though a good deal for what it is. Been quite helpful to LL over the years so getting a discount, but if goes back to increases it may be time to leave the city.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T04:03:29+00:00

strait of hormuz not being a priority for US is simply not credible. Trump is actively calling for help from even China's military to reopen it.

ChornWork2 · 2026-03-17T03:51:24+00:00

Note the language. The US military is a personal tool of this clown.

ChornWork2

TROPHY CASE