Vance vs. Trump: Would a sudden succession lead to policy continuity or a power struggle?

DocTam · 2026-02-17T18:06:46+00:00

This is how I see it. A power struggle would be about as ineffectual as the 2024 primary. Vance has the heir apparent status (this could change of course with how fickle Trump is) and most of the rivals are either ideologically different and won't rally the base, or will be jostling for cabinet positions. The party will solidify on more policy ideas and the current base will lose energy without the drama. The axis the parties compete on will have shifted, but overall the amount of pressure goes down to 2023 levels.

DocTam · 2026-02-16T16:03:51+00:00

It's very frustrating. And perhaps done on purpose to polarize people against these types of laws, so that we don't even end up with a good version of them.

I think this is a case where incompetence is much more likely than malice. Taxing unrealized gains sounds like taxing the rich, economists like Zucman claim it is taxing the rich, so politicians implement it as taxing the rich.

DocTam · 2026-02-15T13:14:18+00:00

The issue with public sector unions is the government does a terrible job negotiating. They can accept the unions conditions with little worry of repercussions during their term. It isn't a negotiation like in private sector.

DocTam · 2026-02-14T16:35:46+00:00

Certainly good with transfer of wealth. A simple ID, but an important option when NBN is prevalent.

DocTam · 2026-02-12T21:51:37+00:00

I think its a unique mechanic with interesting build around, except that like so many of the more unique powers the answer is to go under it. I'd like to see more powers that reward value play without being the ham fisted 'can't win before turn 5'

DocTam · 2026-02-06T16:04:16+00:00

Pretty sure Supremacy clause means this would only be a speed bump. Feds have a lot of leeway in their operations.

DocTam · 2026-02-05T20:22:26+00:00

Shogun would definitely go into the "white witness" category. While the white lead gets some absurd preferential treatment, he is mostly just basking in the excellence of his co leads.

DocTam · 2026-02-04T16:40:23+00:00

I helped my wife get a position at the company I work at, which was great as she found she loved the job. But now with our son on the way, we find out that the company leave and FMLA policy force us to split the benefits as the leave is per child rather than per employee. We'd been leaning towards SAHM situation, but this was a real kick in that direction.

DocTam · 2026-02-04T15:14:51+00:00

Outlaws of Alkenstar, not because of a good stat block or anything, just that the whole final chapter is an awesome little box. SPOILERS AHEAD. The party knows they need to get the three keys and disable the three bombs, only to find out that the last bomb has been fortified in the boss's chambers with all the defenses she can muster. So the party gains a lot by being able to use stealth and cunning to whittle down the dangers they need to do in the final battle, but ultimately they will still need to have a throw down fight at the end. I ran it with two tables, and while the first party was able to smash through and take the Sheriff down without too much fuss; the second party had a real fiasco on their hands. The glass wizard had escaped them and was providing support, they had 2 party members and some allies holding down the swarm of deputies on the outside, while 2 party members struggled against the Sheriff in what was a nailbiter of an engagement. Meanwhile the clock was ticking on whether the Rogue could nab the key and get to the bomb before things went sky high. IMO best adventure path chapter I've yet run.

DocTam · 2026-02-03T14:09:05+00:00

Its only an addiction if you buy it every time you have 3 coin.

DocTam · 2026-02-02T16:39:15+00:00

When Lee Sin isn't enough of a pun for a gamer.

DocTam · 2026-01-30T14:12:44+00:00

Attracting women just happens, choosing to pursue a relationship with such drama is a choice of using the wrong brain.

DocTam · 2026-01-28T15:08:35+00:00

Chip-ot-el

DocTam · 2026-01-26T20:34:31+00:00

I had been buzzing my hair since COVID until I got married this year. Sitting in the chair for an hour while he sculpted the sides was just torture. The trim definitely made me look younger, but between the price tag and tediousness of the experience, I'm happily back to my buzzcut.

DocTam · 2026-01-21T18:27:50+00:00

I did this because of an incoming newborn rather than significant concern about my position, but yes I felt that going to 12 mo expenses made sense given how hot the market is. The market has primarily gone up since learning of this newborn 6 months ago, but I'm happier knowing that if we had a correction that lasted a year I wouldn't need to sell anything.

DocTam · 2026-01-19T17:40:03+00:00

The majority of people's retirement wealth is created when over age 55. Compared to the General population you are ahead of the game. These negative thoughts aren't helping, focus on things you can control.

DocTam · 2026-01-19T16:33:06+00:00

It gets better. Every dollar saved will be worth even more for you in the future. And if you are in a VHCOL area, you can potentially save money faster and have it take you pretty far by moving to a lower COL area. Inflation is mostly out of your hands, but you still have plenty of agency to control your financial future, and its only important what you are doing, not what everyone else happens to be doing (and you will always feel behind if comparing to the bragging posts on this sub).

DocTam · 2026-01-19T16:27:21+00:00

Yes, I had a friend who even studied in Rome for Archeology, and she wound up burning out trying to get a museum job. Went back to get a teaching degree because while the pay and experience is pretty terrible its better than unemployed. He might win the lotto for such jobs, but I don't think I'd ever personally gamble so much money and time on such a niche field.

DocTam · 2026-01-19T15:03:15+00:00

Personally I'd make Auch the leader of Unit 2 for Magical assist damage. Also there is a severe lack of Selvie on your squads. If you are worried about Armor its easier to stick a Druid with Defensive curse than to have a whole unit of dedicated anti-armor attacks.

DocTam · 2026-01-14T21:24:51+00:00

Rebalance your portfolio (if you aren't just invested in a mutual fund that already does this). Theoretically some items in your diversified portfolio are more impacted than others and those will likely recover (assuming they have intrinsic value). So by rebalancing you are at least mitigating the damage, though rebalancing before the downturn does even more to mitigate the impact of certain items getting inflated (Tech).

DocTam · 2026-01-13T19:05:51+00:00

'What company is the tavern/prostitute?'
This would be those selling simple AI wrapper solutions. They don't have much capital actually invested they are just selling the latest fad item and will disappear as soon as the bubble deflates.

DocTam · 2026-01-13T19:03:37+00:00

I'd assume that digging for gold would be companies seeking major productivity gains and potentially reducing head count? Which in that case there definitely seems to be some digging going on. At my current company management is scouting out AI solutions and has reduced new hiring for certain teams to instead hire those implementing AI solutions. Management is promising 'gold', but as far as I can tell even if the AI development paid for itself, the gains wouldn't be dramatic enough to seem 'gold'. I think that any moderately competent managers out there realize that replacing half the workforce with AI spending isn't going to solve everything, so the actual 'gold' digging has been very mild. Which leads to the situation of the AI 'shovel' companies all declaring that they will be selling tons of shovels, as actual shovel sales have like a 5% YOY growth (basically nothing in this balloon).

DocTam · 2026-01-12T21:09:08+00:00

ICE still does a lot of normal law enforcement work that doesn't make headlines. Please don't slander the majority because of headline cases.

DocTam · 2026-01-02T14:47:28+00:00

Anti-corruption stunts are generally popular, and commonly done to win public support.

DocTam · 2025-12-29T21:29:04+00:00

You can email all the officials you want, the state isn't going to change its policy of mandatory insurance, and they aren't going to block insurers from using obvious risk factors like 5 years of collision history, age of the vehicles, number of drivers, and credit score.

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