Smart cookie!

@girlwithsmiles I have studied both history and economics the patterns are the same when certain policies are enacted. Right now the state of California where I live has a bad choice as governor. He wants power and is determined to be the next president so he plays games instead of taking the right course and working towards secession taking Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Hawaii with us. Doing this we could encourage other states to follow suit and connect through treaties with Canada and Mexico creating a North American Union that would utterly end the power of the far right in the US within the next generation. California and New York leaving alone would destroy the ability of the other states to operate financially leaving them in the same condition that Russia, North Korea and Iran are in right now...

@Lizard_of_Ahaz That’s a lot to take in. I hope the far right’s power does get hobbled, they seem to gave too much of it. But financial instability that leads to some communist like state is not sounding good either.

@girlwithsmiles Those states would become fascist states because of their ideology and nothing makes a fascist state more powerless than bankruptcy...

@Lizard_of_Ahaz Scary times then.

@girlwithsmiles Times I predicted coming in 1972....

@Lizard_of_Ahaz I really hope your prediction is right, as it would mean no more foreign expeditions by a very powerful military.
A serious question; why would Hawaii choose to join remnants of a broken Union? I see them going independent before that, perhaps leasing Pearl Harbour to whomever "get's the best deal" as some turd likes to boast.

@puff Because the states I mention have about a third of the total military power of the US and more production capacity that the rest of the country combined. Hawaii requires an onshore industrial base to survive and Guam would come to the West coast by default. With those states in a union they would result in the second largest economy in the world, far larger that the rest of the country combined. One of California's contributions to defense is General Atomics which in partnership with Saab just invented an AWACS command and control drone...

@Lizard_of_Ahaz But with no federal government, who would be in charge of this military? After a hopefully non violent succession, would the populace be willing to maintain a large military? What happens to the 37 trillion debt? Can't see Guam remaining either nor what is it, Costa Rica is also part of the states?
And the big question, if it broke out quickly, how would all those posted o/s react?

@puff The central government would be created by the states who leave Fascist states by Default California would need to be the capital and create a federal income tax to replace the defunct system. It would of course be lower taxes on the poor and working class that the present system and higher on the top 10%. This would also cover the costs of a national healthcare system and cover both Social Security and VA benefits giving us a majority support from the military.

@Lizard_of_Ahaz So you would accept veterans from those other states who wished to move there for benefits?
I'm still interested in the o/s people eg if shit hits fan, your platoon brothers in arms o/s could well fight each other.. Lots in Rammstein, Poland, Sth Korea, Japan so how would those commanders react and the host nations who, at the start, will have to guess who comes out on top and what gets formed after. What will countries like Australia do? Pick sides or leave to your own devices? Places like Pine Gap? federal agencies like CIA, FBI, HS and all the other alphabet agencies, what will they do? Prison populations?
Whatever happens, it won't be as smooth as your ideal, nothing ever is. Seeing big protests in Los Angeles today and Trump getting national guard in Washington. A big loss of face regarding Ukraine with the big meeting coming very soon. Think it will be a different world next month.
Gotta love the Houthi's, as soon as idf entered Gaza, rain some more missiles at Israel. Go your good things, the only ones who understand "Never again shall the world stand idly by........."

@puff The cost would be negligible and many would be happy to join the reserves if they came from outside the new borders. Also it would draw in many of the active duty personnel from around the country leaving the far right-wing staffed largely by incompetents. One should never bind the mouths of the kine who tread the grain... Also those red states would suffer from brain drain leaving their part of the country still run by poorly educated pissants making their economies even worse...

@Lizard_of_Ahaz Economies? The economies will be war torn ones and that debt will mean other countries who bought US treasury bonds won't be paid which means............................no idea how they would handle it but many would never do business with the US again if they default on historic loans. Won't be any refinancing or economic growth to fix what has been destroyed by war.
Someone better take out the billionaires because sure as shit they will be using AI and making drone armies to ensure their high status in the human shit heap. The threat of nuclear war is so great now, makes the Cuban missile crisis look like happy days.
I think Australia would go right feral aka mad max when it happens, a default on interest payments. We are so beholden to everything USA, especially the dollar, we will collapse when you do. News articles today preparing us eg What would Australia's role be in WW III? from this Aussie, it sure as shit won't be defending US hegemony, but I think all here already knew that. It won't be defending our current government system, not fighting for them cunts either.
If a group breaks away and is 100% a sovereign Australia, free to seek our own destiny in whatever new world we find ourselves in, that I can support.

They are building a lot here at military training grounds, Shoal water bay a big one near me, one I exercised in many times as well, is having major construction, I know some who work there. So I fear the "neocons", whatever you want to call them, cunning plan is to pull the US out of Europe and transfer all the jar heads down here instead, ready for China. But I honestly think, the money just won't be there. Most o my countrymen will cheer this, the influence of all things USA here is mind blowing eg the big debate now regarding recognising Palestine has nothing to do with principals or morals, not about what we stand for as Australians. The debate is all about "We might upset relations with the US if we do it" So pathetic, not a proud Aussie.

@puff When you understand nothing about the US you really should stop making assumptions on us it only makes you look foolish...

@Lizard_of_Ahaz Yeah you're right, it will all go down as you say.

I know enough. The USA believe they are the exceptional nation we should all be in awe of. The most powerful nation the world has seen. That's what you are told

But the rest of us? All we see is a dysfunctional melting pot of humanity run by mafia. The way they do business; bullying, stand over tactics, bribes and assassinations. They need their cut and i they don't get it, send the goon squad round. But the bosses got full of hubris with this unchallenged power, which contributed to their downfall. The members of the "big club and you're (us) not in it" all started skimming the profits though, infighting broke out and their business model started to fall apart. Need loyalty to run organised crime, a united front.

Kudo's to George Carlin, would love to hear his commentary in these times.

@puff Yes me too. I miss George Carlin’s input, he was a good educator.

@puff Once again you show your ignorance the US is an extremely diverse country.... far more diverse than any other in the world and yet even with those who are at this time trying to steer us in the wrong direction we have done far better than many others. Yes at this time ignorance has control but we haven't gone back to institutional slavery unlike some others... Our real issue right now is the problem we are having from the upper 1/10% who have control of the reins of power and are systematically looting this country while destroying everything they can get their greedy claws on.

@Lizard_of_Ahaz Want an example of American exceptionalism?

"US is an extremely diverse country.... far more diverse than any other in the world". "we have done far better"

Always the best, number one hey? Come to Australia, the gold coast and you will be in for a rude awakening.
It's an attitude and you most definitely have it. Maintaining that now false belief........we call that hubris.
Back when I was growing up, there was a lot of truth to this attitude, but not anymore.

@Lizard_of_Ahaz Here's a bit of analysis for you. Why is Trump meeting Putin?

Trump will offer Putin part of Alaska and also withdrawing the USA from NATO. Europe meanwhile will continue to distract Russia in Ukraine, Finland, Kaliningrad and elsewhere, keeping Europe and Russia from forming an alliance, can't let those two get closer again which is the whole reasoning behind NATO's (the USA's foreign legion) proxy Ukraine war. This is a psycho neocon plan ie pure logic.

They think Putin will jump at increasing the Russian federation land mass and wants NATO gone so will accept "the deal". This will cause tensions between Russia and China, putting a wedge in the BRICS leadership. Then the USA may concentrate on China, the one they now identify as the USA's biggest threat. Good plan, pure logic.

But the base assumptions this logic is based on are seriously flawed.

Putin is no megalomaniac, Russians refer to him as "servant of the people". His priority is not Ukraine nor even NATO, it is ceasing this corrupted USA hegemony so a multipolar world, based on the rule of law rather than USA dictated rules, selectively applied, may flourish. He is not playing risk like neocons in an age of empires making grand deals to divvy up the spoils. He is not into that at all. He knows if Russia makes a deal like this, others will be scared away from BRICS. He will not be playing this game.

Now, if I have worked this out, sure as shit so has Russia and the Chinese, they are well aware of the games these people play. They know Trump's psycho so they have to be very careful he does not lose too much face so they will let Trump have a "win" so he doesn't have a psycho fit and start nuking everyone. They will use Trump's vanity and give him something to boast about. What that will be is the question in my mind. Sensitive diplomacy the name of the game.

There will be no empire like deals. I actually think and hope a main focus will be arms control for the Kremlin, ensuring the nonproliferation treaty stays in force. I'm hoping this will be Trump's win as it will be a win for us all eg people get nominated for Nobel peace prizes who develop arms controls.

That's my 2 cents worth. @William_Mary be interested in your thoughts/ assessment.

@Lizard_of_Ahaz Damn, I thought you'd bite over my Alaska gift bollocks lol.

I've been stocking up, too. Recently I couldn't find the lotion I thought I'd bought so I stocked up again ... then I found it so now I have 13 jars of it! Food may eventually be slim pickens but I'll have soft skin for quite a while! lolz!

His followers may be stupid but they're also self-involved so I expect they won't be able to tolerate empty shelves as well as we do. When they turn, they'll turn hard.

This is what government for business interests rather than people interests look like. Our government just as bad, you even tariff us and Europe, doing it the hardest from Russian sanctions. I don't know any Australian who will buy your beef, banned due to biosecurity; we don't have cattle diseases on this little island of ours. But we kowtow to the empire, do as we are told. The USA own us, we are not a sovereign country.

@puff Australia has mighty tasty organic grass fed beef.

@silverotter11 Yes, a big export industry. I live near Rockhampton, "the Beef Capital". Big abattoirs here, 100% exported o/s, us locals see nothing and it's the prime meat. A lot goes to Japan I know.

@puff Where I live the farmers grow a lot of Timothy hay. It's prime hay, emerald green and it goes to Japan. A little bit to the race track over in Seattle, but most goes to Japan. Apparently the soil helps make the difference in the color, or something, but it's very nice looking hay.
Nutrional content is exactly the same if we get an unusual rain after harvest while it's still drying but it loses that emerald green color and the Japanese do not want it so the horses and cattle here in the U.S. get a treat.

The stupid sheep somehow think this is all "owning the libs" and go with it because America was founded as a Republic. That justifies what Trump is doing in their minds and they believe he will work it out in the end.

When I shopped this week, every single item had increased by at least 15% and usually more. It was crazy! What really pisses me off is the way the stores are being their typical opportunistic selves and increasing prices for items that aren't impacted by the tarrifs - they seem to be doing it for every item across the board. Stupid shits.

@DenoPenno They don't realize that they're a part of the con, but oh well they keep looking stupid!

@DenoPenno, @Lauren The corporations are expecting us to be just as stupid as magats!

@michelle666gar Well FAFO, right? I can't believe how many of them bent the knee so quickly ...

@Lauren They're all in a cult, we see how easily they bend for their religion and now to the twatwaffle.