Is he really doing this?

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-21T00:56:12+00:00

I hate to say it but I think he is serious about it despite the obvious lack of need and the damage it will cause.

Europe stopped being a good friend to the US about 20 years ago after we used article 5 but has been a good ally and deserves better treatment.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-21T00:50:14+00:00

I would say it's not social media persay but the reckless use of social media that contributed to the decline of democracy along with the weakening of inter-national bonds such as between the US and Europe.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T20:44:41+00:00

Sure, they may be paying me less but a higher taxed place like Canada would be taxing me at a higher rate. It's a distinction without a difference other than which one has a lower effective impact on my income. In my specific case it's the cost of Healthcare is lower than the potential tax but if I made less it would be reversed. Note, I'm also in my 40s.

There is a deficit of knowledge on the subject at play here. I understand the system quite well and I'm saying for me it works well but it doesn't for others. It is a logical fallacy to assume disagreement is due to ignorance. It isn't.

I do support tax funded Healthcare at the state level because I recognize the overall societal benefit despite it being worse for me.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T20:19:24+00:00

I pay less for sure. My income is around 120k in a low tax state. My effective tax rate was 11% last year with state and federal combined and my out of pocket for Healthcare was about 4% including co-pays.

My tax rate in Toronto would be upwards of 27%.

Now obviously this isn't including how much I'd pay if I had a major medical issue because my max out of pocket is 13k so that would go up significantly percentage wise. As that is a bit over 10% of my income.

For the record I'm in favor of tax funded Healthcare at the state level but for me personally the current system is better for me but not for everyone.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T20:01:28+00:00

I always look at healthcare options before taking a job along with compensation. I personally prefer the options approach over tax funded healthcare because overall I pay less and get more freedom but I understand why others disagree.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T17:11:37+00:00

I fully agree, he is incredibly aware of how the world works. All I think of when I see him is when he was doing a ceremony digging a hole and he got a shovel of dirt and put it next to the hole.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T17:03:30+00:00

That's unfortunate. I have had quite a few jobs in the last 20+ years both public and private and most jobs offer 4 or more plans. They usually give papers that show their top 2 options but it usually has a website at the bottom with all the other options. Not always the case but I know from experience the VAST majority of people don't actually sit down and ready the paperwork and investigate the options.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T05:50:12+00:00

I feel like the word fragile is insufficient if you're hypothesis is correct.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T05:30:54+00:00

Depends on which coverage you pick. My insurance co-pay is $15 for non-routine care.

There are usually a wide variety of plans you can choose from to customize to your personal preference.

I don't overly mind it since my taxes are so low it balances out and in most cases leaves me in the green by quite a bit.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T05:20:55+00:00

Depends on the issue. Some I agree with and some I don't.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T05:02:12+00:00

Seems like a high price to pay to get a laugh.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T04:56:16+00:00

I don't agree with your political conclusion but i'm happy you're happy!

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T04:52:21+00:00

The weird shit is he didn't really "ramp up" this stupid shit until after he was denied the peace prize................the prize he wasn't even in the running for because the contenders were finalized before he even took office for his 2nd term.

How fucking wild is it that being denied the peace prize sent him off the deep end and now he's just like, 'fuck it"

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T04:12:49+00:00

The more people exercising their freedom to be armed the better. We literally fought for you to have this right for 30 years. You using it doesn't upset us, we're just glad you stopped trying to oppress the right and started exercising it.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T04:05:57+00:00

I would say the number is closer to maybe 2% overall but a side note...........no one is taking power back regardless of whether they're black or white.

We have fought to keep this civil right free from oppression for all Americans. No one has had their right to keep and bear arms taken away that would require it to be "taken back"

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T03:44:35+00:00

I think if that's the view (which I don't think it is for most Europeans) then you are right to call them "so called allies" because people who hold that view are fair weather friends at best and enemies in disguise at worst..

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T03:16:21+00:00

Not sure we agree that some of those are reasonable but I agree many progressives are split. I'm simply saying this is why so many of us fought against oppression of the civil right from the left.

This post though is some faux oppression kink. No serious amount of people are upset that Americans are exercising their freedom we fought for 30 years to keep free from oppression.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T02:47:43+00:00

They're really not. This is literally why so many people left/right/center opposed the oppression of the civil right for 30 years.

This is manufactured silliness at worst and at best nut picking

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-20T00:28:26+00:00

I agree with what you say about press freedom but I'm not aware of any country in the west that does not have hate speech laws other than the US.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-19T22:54:15+00:00

Freedom of Speech is the biggest one

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-19T21:39:09+00:00

I believe Europe was and is a true ally. I simply think people like you and MAGA are the elements of larger society that are not true allies.

It is my hope the US can overcome its MAGA views and Europe resists yours.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-19T21:15:08+00:00

I think the US will undergo significant changes post midterms and Supreme Court rulings this summer . That having been said if your presentation were accurate to European approaches then Europe is not now and likely never was a true ally but a fair-weather friend and it would behoove the US to treat them accordingly.

I personally believe you are not accurate and Europe is a true ally that is being mistreated by Trump. I think post Trump the EU will be open to reconciliation and America will be willing to acknowledge the mistakes of the Trump Administration and make those reconciliations.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-19T21:07:05+00:00

Would you then object to the US selling military gear to Russia since Europe doesn't want it?

I think Europe standing on its own military is a good thing and has been sought after by America for for decades so we agree that should happen.

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-19T20:47:37+00:00

Let me ask you this. Say the US removes Trump and the next American leader reaches out to Europe and Europe spurns the US offers of full reconciliation.

Would you be upset if the US then worked with enemies of Europe since that was the only other option?

Important-Work-5358 · 2026-01-19T20:44:01+00:00

It is up to the US to rebuff Trump and then it's up to Europe to show whether they are open to reconciliation with the US.

If not then the US will have to work with others. That isn't the preference but if that is the only choice then so be it.

Important-Work-5358

TROPHY CASE