Lacessit

One of the most amusing aspects of Americans railing against socialism is the fact they have a socialistic organization of 2.9 million people embedded in their society. It's known as the American military.

It's the same for a working stiff starting out in Australia these days. In 1973, I paid off my house mortgage in 18 months. It's a lifetime now. I don't know why American react to the term socialism, as if they are asked to chew scorpions. We have had socialist governments on and off since Federation. It's the reason my year's worth of cancer medication cost me $100, instead of the $70,000 it would have cost me in America.

The system is not fair, as it stands. Think about it. When you get a salary or wage, you are taxed on it. You don't get to deduct the cost of the food you put on the table, or the cost of running the car you drive. OTOH. the money multinational companies and their owners earn has all expenses deducted before a tax is levied on their net profit. That's why corporations have corporate boxes at sporting venues for top management, and it is deducted from their income as a legitimate business expense, labeled as advertising. If you want fair, put a tax on revenue instead. Revenue cannot be shuffled off to a tax shelter, or reduced by deducting expenses. Revenue does not have to be a big tax. IIRC a bean counter calculated for Australia, it only had to be 1% of revenue to achieve a balanced budget. Probably even less for America, with greater turnover. It's a win - win. The only losers are tax lawyers and tax accountants, who in reality are not productive members of society. Wouldn't you like to only pay tax of 1% on your income? I know I would.

In Trump's last Presidency, the tariffs he put on China were a disaster for American farmers. Just like removing illegal immigrants will be a disaster for food production. Somewhere on YouTube there's an Arkansas sweet potato farmer telling Americans to quit eating, if he has no illegals. Because the ones he employs are the only people who will pick his crops for $100 a day. Trump makes threats all the time. They usually rebound on him if he actually goes through with them.

It means the people who voted for him are not as bright as him.

On average, any person who breaks their hip after age 70 only has six months to live. Osteoporosis ( brittle bones ) is far more common in women than men, which explains why women are more prone to fractures after a fall.

The average person files their tax returns, and pays their taxes. Some may employ a tax accountant. OTOH, a billionaire has a platoon of lawyers and accountants shuffling money between companies under an umbrella aimed at creating losses, and minimizing tax. Sometimes legally, sometimes not. In 2016 and 2017, Trump paid $750 in federal tax. https://www.propublica.org/article/the-secret-irs-files-trove-of-never-before-seen-records-reveal-how-the-wealthiest-avoid-income-tax You seem to have difficulty in distinguishing between what is fair, and what is obscene.

Smart rabbits.

White bread contains emulsifiers such as vegetable oils, preservatives such as calcium propionate and potassium sorbate, and enzymes like amylase and protease. It does contain Vitamin C, which may or may not break down to furfural and furoic acid during baking.

A journalist with a vested interest in sensationalism, no medical background, interpreting unseen emails without bias. Yeah right, got it. You follow the science of a journalistic prostitute.

The long term side effects are the COVID itself, not the vaccine. As with disproportionate ICU admissions, the evidence is that side effects such as chronic fatigue and memory loss are more prevalent in those people who were unvaccinated when they had COVID, than those who were.

I will be taking my GF and her two grandchildren to KFC or MK restaurants for lunch, it's a special treat for them. The kids get a small cash gift afterwards. Christmas may not even be the date of Christ's birth, The date was deliberately chosen to coincide with pagan rituals by the Church, in the hope of recruiting more pagans to Christianity. It should be noted December 25 IS the starting date of the Saturnalia, a time of increased sexual freedom and indulgence. So bonk away.

When COVID first loomed on the horizon in Thailand, I was in the most vulnerable cohort. My GF is 23 years younger than me. I got myself vaccinated with what was available at the time, Sinovac and AZ. My GF refused to do so, thanks to Thai social media and her circle of friends. When we both developed COVID, I was over it in 2-3 days. Sore throat and runny nose, finish. OTOH, my much younger GF was very ill for 11-12 days. QED. IMO social media has a lot to answer for, when, in the name of free speech, it allows totally unqualified quacks and deranged wingnuts to spread misinformation which puts people's lives in danger.

I do.

About ten years ago. Thoeng has accommodation if visiting Phu Chi Fa.

Baan Rak Thai, about 20 km from Mae Hong Son. Nan Phu Chi Fa. Baan Pha Hi, near Doi Mae Salong. Phrae Phrao Phayao

My mistake, I thought the subject was vaccinations. Which one of my posts has a political reference?

I can see my post went straight through to the wicket-keeper. Looks like I am living rent-free in your head.

I just wish there was a vaccine that made people smarter, then Darwinian selection would really take off.

I thought we were clubbing together to get you a Fender Stratocaster. I want my money back.

I understand Dr, Stillwagon was predicting a major airline catastrophe, caused by aircraft staff having compulsory vaccinations. Airline safety continues to improve, except in Russia. I also understand during the height of the COVID pandemic, unvaccinated COVID patients were 6-7 times more likely to need ICU admission than vaccinated patients. Ho-hum, another anti-vaxxer thread. It reminds me of Einstein's comment about the Universe and human stupidity.

There are 7 companies currently producing biodegradable plastics, mostly based on polylactic acid. Correctly applied, taxes on non-biodegradable plastics should be used to clean up the mess they make. It's a matter of political will and absence of corruption to achieve that result. Our current economic models are flawed, when have you seen one that takes account of environmental costs? I have worked for a range of companies. They had one common factor - they all cheated when it came to their environmental licences.

Back on topic, there are some people here damaged by their childhood. Any psychiatrist will tell you there is a strong correlation between childhood abuse, and the development of sociopathic/psychopathic tendencies. It's a testament to the human spirit that posters here have fought their way back to normality. Winners.

Alcohol does remove inhibitions.

IMO the answers could lie in taxation, and consensus. Plastic waste has been found at the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Microplastics are in our bodies. Subsidize and incentivize biodegradable plastics, every step of the way. Tax the daylights out of any plastic which is not biodegradable. The Montreal Protocol of 1987 was agreed on by most nations, to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting chemicals, which were destroying the ozone layer. Its success can be measured by the fact the ozone layer is slowly recovering to pre-1980 levels. Consensus on limiting the use of fossil fuels is a much more difficult task, due to a rearguard action by fossil fuel companies. Like plastics, taxation may be the answer. Nations that drag their heels get left behind. I don't have a problem with people getting rich. When it is at a cost to the environment, it is time to say whoa.