I traditionally have a thread heading to the election, here we go.
Get out the popcorn for this one.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to formally announce next week he is running for president in 2024, NBC News reported Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The governor's official entry into the Republican primary field will put him head-to-head with former President Donald Trump, the party's current frontrunner for the nomination. Trump has already spent months treating DeSantis as his primary campaign rival, thrashing him with torrents of criticism over his gubernatorial record, his political skills and his personality.
Why are you complacent and letting Biden be your candidate? I just said in another post that if Trump is as dangerous as you think, why arent you making noise to have Biden replaced by a better candidate? I actually do think this will happen. Almost anyone else woukd have a much better chance beating Trump. But if not and Trump wins, the Trump alarmists will be to blame for not acting.
If the Squad is an embarrassment to the silent moral majority, they should be held accountable to stand up to them.
This is a fair question.
The noise I make about Trump is how he got there in the first place mostly because of his childish antics and his great lie that he won the election but understand at this point it is a moot question.
Same with Biden, I would have liked a challenger to win. But given at the time most Democrats were okay with his agenda, competence and integrity, and that he was the sitting President and leader of the party it's more understandable to me how he got there in the first place. I'm not baffled and shaking my head that he's the nominee.
I do think in the interim there have been some shifts. First the economy is a sticking point. Many of us, myself included can't say "yes" when asked the infamous question "are you better off than you were four years ago?". Most of us are not and felt the sting of inflation especially here in Florida where we've risen by some metrics to be deemed those expensive state to live.
The other issue is Gaza. Support for the Palestinians are highest amongst Democrats. Biden is following the long-standing American policy of support of Israel. While I do support a free Palestine and a two nation area there, I think some of the college protesters don't understand that they are supporting an organization who clearly has said their mission to kill and destroy all the Jewish people. They don't care about death of Palestinians (they've long used them as shields) since they all are going to Paradise and send children with bombs to kill themselves and others. I think Israel knows this and thus their harsh response and demands that Hamas no longer exist and have the power to do that.
I don't think the squad are an embarrassment to Democrats. Their rise to prominence and their pushback against Trump his first four years was something Democrats enjoyed happening. At this point while a thorn in their side in their steadfast refusal to compromise, like the Freedom Caucus many Democrats at least believe in principal a lot of what they stand for.
Many of the Squad are up for election. They are poised to continue to make noise, but also aren't without people standing up against them.
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Members of Congress' young progressive bloc are now grappling with one career-threatening problem or another, including personal controversies, criminal investigations and serious primary challenges.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Tweety said:
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I do think in the interim there have been some shifts. First the economy is a sticking point. Many of us, myself included can't say "yes" when asked the infamous question "are you better off than you were four years ago?". Most of us are not and felt the sting of inflation especially here in Florida where we've risen by some metrics to be deemed those expensive state to live.
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We are better off in some very tangible ways. 4 years ago we were experiencing Trump's version of "strong leadership". That means that Trump was busy telling lies, pointing fingers and dividing people. 4 years ago there were refrigerator trucks in large urban areas for the bodies of Americans while we waited for covid to magically go away like Trump said.
We seem to want to forget about the obvious example of Trump's failure and incompetence. Imagine how the US response might have been had our president not shaken up the CDC and had not disbanded our pandemic preparedness team, the Global Health Security and Biodefense unit, in 2018.
It's difficult to find anything in Biden's 4 years in the white house to counterbalance that level of Trumpian incompetence we saw in the pandemic.
Why do you suppose that Florida is among the states experiencing the highest and fastest growing inflation?
We are better off in some very tangible ways. 4 years ago we were experiencing Trump's version of "strong leadership". That means that Trump was busy telling lies, pointing fingers and dividing people. 4 years ago there were refrigerator trucks in large urban areas for the bodies of Americans while we waited for covid to magically go away like Trump said.
We seem to want to forget about the obvious example of Trump's failure and incompetence. Imagine how the US response might have been had our president not shaken up the CDC and had not disbanded our pandemic preparedness team, the Global Health Security and Biodefense unit, in 2018.
It's difficult to find anything in Biden's 4 years in the white house to counterbalance that level of Trumpian incompetence we saw in the pandemic.
Why do you suppose that Florida is among the states experiencing the highest and fastest growing inflation?
I'm talking individually which is what people feel. Individually I am not better off than I was four years ago. Inflation has eaten into my disposable income.
As far as Florida goes, it's probably complicated, but my simple observations is that it's a growing state and the more people, the more demand, the high the prices. We've seen prices rise particularly in areas of housing, insurance both home and house. The homeowners insurance is considered in "crisis" mode. For me personally why I can't say my life is better is directly related to both extreme increases in flood, homeowners (2 policies) and car insurance. The car insurance rises are baffling to me. Compared to just two years ago my costs have doubled even with shopping around. I'm not sure why food prices are so high but Miami apparently ranks as the city with the most expensive grocery bill in the state. It all might be related to providers having to pay higher prices for insurance and rents. Eating out now is a luxury to me that I have dramatically cut back on.
Just two weeks until we see how Trump and Biden compare in a debate without an audience and with no time to meet with advisors during the event. I wonder if Joe will take some of those miracle drugs that make the signs of dementia disappear for an hour or so? Maybe Trump should try to find a remedy for his penchant for associative looseness and word salad when he doesn't have a script.
Many people, are better off than they were 4 years ago; I know I am. 4 years ago I was having to wear a mask everywhere. I was working at vaccine clinics with protesters calling me a baby killer. Businesses were closed, people lost work. Many goods just weren't available. My local post office was swamped with trying to deliver Amazon, because that was the main way to shop. And we lived with the threat that the whackadoodle in the White House might start a nuclear conflagration because somebody hurt his feelings.
During the Biden administration more than 14 million jobs have been created. Those people, such as my son, are better off. Inflation is easing, wages are up. There is construction going on everywhere. Shops are reopening and expanding. My husband's very expensive insulin is capped at $35 a month. Financial markets have reached all-time highs. My retirement funds are appreciating, and my house has increased in value. I've been able to pay off all loans and credit cards. The border is open, so tourism has returned. And cruise ships are docking in Seattle, bringing in a lot of business to retailers near the pier.
The moderates should have demanded that the GOP elevate a conservative rather than a crazy guy who has a right wing extremist agenda. Instead, Trumpism consumed the entire republican political party.
Pretty impressive for a mentally ill person in cognitive decline.
Many people, are better off than they were 4 years ago; I know I am. 4 years ago I was having to wear a mask everywhere. I was working at vaccine clinics with protesters calling me a baby killer. Businesses were closed, people lost work. Many goods just weren't available. My local post office was swamped with trying to deliver Amazon, because that was the main way to shop. And we lived with the threat that the whackadoodle in the White House might start a nuclear conflagration because somebody hurt his feelings.
During the Biden administration more than 14 million jobs have been created. Those people, such as my son, are better off. Inflation is easing, wages are up. There is construction going on everywhere. Shops are reopening and expanding. My husband's very expensive insulin is capped at $35 a month. Financial markets have reached all-time highs. My retirement funds are appreciating, and my house has increased in value. I've been able to pay off all loans and credit cards. The border is open, so tourism has returned. And cruise ships are docking in Seattle, bringing in a lot of business to retailers near the pier.
There are some good signs for the economy, for sure.
However, many of those things were happening under Trump. Unemployment is back to where it was under Trump. I bet you thought he was doing a fine job until the pandemic came along, right?
The vaccines happened under Trump too. Vaccines that many Democrats first said they wouldn't trust, but actually gave Biden an extraordinary start to getting our world back to normal.
Many of those millions of "jobs created" are actually jobs that came back. Also a high % of them are low paying part-time jobs.
Kudos to Biden for getting insulin prices capped.
Inflation...now that's a big bugaboo, isn't it? And most of the money of Biden's big spending bill hasn't been spent. That means billions more money to be printed and pumped out into the world. Inflation is going to be around for a bit, unless a Republican congress comes in and does something.
BTW, I did 12ish months of vaccines, in several states. Including 4 in Florida. Occasional complaints from a those being forced to get it. But, can count on one hand the number of protesters I saw. Never heard of any of us being called baby killers.
Just two weeks until we see how Trump and Biden compare in a debate without an audience and with no time to meet with advisors during the event. I wonder if Joe will take some of those miracle drugs that make the signs of dementia disappear for an hour or so? Maybe Trump should try to find a remedy for his penchant for associative looseness and word salad when he doesn't have a script.
The noise I make about Trump is how he got there in the first place mostly because of his childish antics and his great lie that he won the election but understand at this point it is a moot question.
Same with Biden, I would have liked a challenger to win. But given at the time most Democrats were okay with his agenda, competence and integrity, and that he was the sitting President and leader of the party it's more understandable to me how he got there in the first place. I'm not baffled and shaking my head that he's the nominee.
I do think in the interim there have been some shifts. First the economy is a sticking point. Many of us, myself included can't say "yes" when asked the infamous question "are you better off than you were four years ago?". Most of us are not and felt the sting of inflation especially here in Florida where we've risen by some metrics to be deemed those expensive state to live.
The other issue is Gaza. Support for the Palestinians are highest amongst Democrats. Biden is following the long-standing American policy of support of Israel. While I do support a free Palestine and a two nation area there, I think some of the college protesters don't understand that they are supporting an organization who clearly has said their mission to kill and destroy all the Jewish people. They don't care about death of Palestinians (they've long used them as shields) since they all are going to Paradise and send children with bombs to kill themselves and others. I think Israel knows this and thus their harsh response and demands that Hamas no longer exist and have the power to do that.
I don't think the squad are an embarrassment to Democrats. Their rise to prominence and their pushback against Trump his first four years was something Democrats enjoyed happening. At this point while a thorn in their side in their steadfast refusal to compromise, like the Freedom Caucus many Democrats at least believe in principal a lot of what they stand for.
Many of the Squad are up for election. They are poised to continue to make noise, but also aren't without people standing up against them.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Tweety said:
I'm talking individually which is what people feel. Individually I am not better off than I was four years ago. Inflation has eaten into my disposable income.
As far as Florida goes, it's probably complicated, but my simple observations is that it's a growing state and the more people, the more demand, the high the prices. We've seen prices rise particularly in areas of housing, insurance both home and house. The homeowners insurance is considered in "crisis" mode. For me personally why I can't say my life is better is directly related to both extreme increases in flood, homeowners (2 policies) and car insurance. The car insurance rises are baffling to me. Compared to just two years ago my costs have doubled even with shopping around. I'm not sure why food prices are so high but Miami apparently ranks as the city with the most expensive grocery bill in the state. It all might be related to providers having to pay higher prices for insurance and rents. Eating out now is a luxury to me that I have dramatically cut back on.
I do think that the average working class American's experience with this inflationary cycle is exactly why Trump is a bad idea.
As you've seen higher prices for all of those things haven't you also seen wages rise in your region? I thought I read something about nursing wages being up around 10 or 11% in Florida.
The insurance situation in Florida is just a mess. Are there any ideas floating around to give the residents some relief? Insurers think Florida is risky business. How do you fix that?
I would think having an open support for a terrorist group is embarrassing?
Or maybe it's just some people did something....
Don't know what your second sentence means, but I believe in their eyes they are supporting the Palestinians and their suffering but not necessarily the terrorist group that attacked Israel.
I do think that the average working class American's experience with this inflationary cycle is exactly why Trump is a bad idea.
As you've seen higher prices for all of those things haven't you also seen wages rise in your region? I thought I read something about nursing wages being up around 10 or 11% in Florida.
The insurance situation in Florida is just a mess. Are there any ideas floating around to give the residents some relief? Insurers think Florida is risky business. How do you fix that?
That's fair because wages are the highest in Florida than they've ever been and they've risen since the covid pandemic. Before the pandemic voters voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 and it's now I think $12 and set to go up $1 a year until it hits $15.
Still, I'm not sure for some like those that have seen rents go up $500 or more a month, or insurances rise sky high, the wage increases have kept up. At least in my case they haven't.
As for nurses, the demand for nurses in the state remains high and is expected to remain above the national average, so it makes sense that wages are rising. Still while we live in one of the most expensive states, our pay is below the national average.
Lots of ideas being tossed around about the insurance situation and I get that in a hurricane prone area that suffers billion dollar losses when a storm hits insurers balk. One problems that people and roofers have committed fraud by replacing billions of dollars of roofing at the cost to insurance companies. You have a leak in your roof? Get a new roof and charge the insurance companies.
When my insurance company went bankrupt I had to go on the state run program. Even that went up $700 last time I renewed. They have a program to try and get us off their insurance but in two years they haven't been able to find me any that meets their pricing metric (if it's within 25% of what I pay now, I have to take that offer).
To their credit DeSantis and the lawmakers, are trying in some respects.
With all that being said, my situation isn't all that dire compared to four years ago, thanks in no small part to me working overtime. I just finished two months of working overtime weekly and am doing just fine. But the answer to the question "are you better off than you were four years ago"? The answer remains no I am not.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,379 Posts
This is a fair question.
The noise I make about Trump is how he got there in the first place mostly because of his childish antics and his great lie that he won the election but understand at this point it is a moot question.
Same with Biden, I would have liked a challenger to win. But given at the time most Democrats were okay with his agenda, competence and integrity, and that he was the sitting President and leader of the party it's more understandable to me how he got there in the first place. I'm not baffled and shaking my head that he's the nominee.
I do think in the interim there have been some shifts. First the economy is a sticking point. Many of us, myself included can't say "yes" when asked the infamous question "are you better off than you were four years ago?". Most of us are not and felt the sting of inflation especially here in Florida where we've risen by some metrics to be deemed those expensive state to live.
The other issue is Gaza. Support for the Palestinians are highest amongst Democrats. Biden is following the long-standing American policy of support of Israel. While I do support a free Palestine and a two nation area there, I think some of the college protesters don't understand that they are supporting an organization who clearly has said their mission to kill and destroy all the Jewish people. They don't care about death of Palestinians (they've long used them as shields) since they all are going to Paradise and send children with bombs to kill themselves and others. I think Israel knows this and thus their harsh response and demands that Hamas no longer exist and have the power to do that.
I don't think the squad are an embarrassment to Democrats. Their rise to prominence and their pushback against Trump his first four years was something Democrats enjoyed happening. At this point while a thorn in their side in their steadfast refusal to compromise, like the Freedom Caucus many Democrats at least believe in principal a lot of what they stand for.
Many of the Squad are up for election. They are poised to continue to make noise, but also aren't without people standing up against them.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/04/squad-at-a-crossroads-00139318