16 hours ago, CallumWK said:

I doubt someone who lives hand to mouth in Thailand knows many well off people in the US

People who prosper don't have to be wealthy in the USA.

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Personally, it think the numbers are BS, as I stated, it's one of the easiest 'disability' to claim state & federal benefits. Stats show that, and as I stated, personal knowledge of chickie friend doing just that, for free housing, food & medical for her & 2 kids. Here's the kicker, I lived with her for a couple years, and made $50k a year (salary) at the time. Of course, not on record as member of household, as would have negated the freebies.

Adding to the scam, her mother owned the house the govt was paying the rent on, also illegal.

From AI ...

I got 2 denials, and had to appear in court for judication for my disability benefits, examined by 2 docs, (1 Soc Sec approved), with Xrays, MRI to prove injury & disability. She didn't require anything, except a doc to state she's nutter, and not much of a stretch.

That's why mental is used, apparently 25 - 35% of the time, as can't be disproven. So we're to believe, not only at that many got mental, but a whole bunch use it as an easy way for free bennies.

You believe what you want, I'll believe what I know and experienced.

I am amused by the proposition a statistical sample of one you provide, establishes your case for everyone to be scamming the system.

11 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

He is from Victoria. They are weird. They are obsessed with aerial ping pong.

Silver USD 120/oz.

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Silver USD 120/oz.

Thats nice.

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Everyone I know over there, is prospering. Working at and earning a good life, or happily retired. Don't know anyone having financial problems, or concerned about the future economy.

Just because you do not know anyone having financial problems or are concerned about the future of the economy does not mean no one is experiencing it.

4 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Just because you do not know anyone having financial problems or are concerned about the future of the economy does not mean no one is experiencing it.

Reading comprehension ... once again.

Never stated or implied, 'no one is experiencing it'. But one poster stated 75%, really, and 25% of that number, having nice income, as I posted.

Certainly some are struggling, but live with your choices. People struggled back in the 70s, 80s & 90s also, BUT, most I knew, because they mismanaged the income they did have. Many with more income than myself, but were 'struggling' to make ends meet. Because they were living beyond their means.

That's not real struggling, that stupidity. Or some simply made bad choice early on, and now have to live with them. Did you really need 2 or 3 kids before you bought a house ?

There's always ones, truly struggling, that got dealt a bad hand, and no matter what, can't seem to get ahead. I never minded paying taxes for those that truly need it.

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Reading comprehension ... once again.

Never stated or implied, 'no one is experiencing it'. But one poster stated 75%, really, and 25% of that number, having nice income, as I posted.

Certainly some are struggling, but live with your choices. People struggled back in the 70s, 80s & 90s also, BUT, most I knew, because they mismanaged the income they did have. Many with more income than myself, but were 'struggling' to make ends meet. Because they were living beyond their means.

That's not real struggling, that stupidity. Or some simply made bad choice early on, and now have to live with them. Did you really need 2 or 3 kids before you bought a house ?

There's always ones, truly struggling, that got dealt a bad hand, and no matter what, can't seem to get ahead. I never minded paying taxes for those that truly need it.

Whatever. Personally, I am not experiencing any financial difficulty, but there are others that are. I feel for them. Not everyone has the "smarts"to know how to plan financially for their future. Fortunately, I learned how from my parents and have passed this on to my children. For those being born poor, it's not easy.

America, like most of the world, has changed a lot since you and I were growing up. We are living in extremely trying times. You are quite naive if you do not understand that.

15 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Whatever. Personally, I am not experiencing any financial difficulty, but there are others that are. I feel for them. Not everyone has the "smarts"to know how to plan financially for their future. Fortunately, I learned how from my parents and have passed this on to my children. For those being born, it is not easy.

America, like most of the world, has changed a lot since you and I were growing up. We are living extremely trying times. You are quite naive if you do not understand that.

I disagree with the 'trying times' part, as I think the opposite. With new technologies, the opportunities for added income streams, or different ways to generate income far exceed what was available in my day.

And since so many are taking advantage of that, even opens more unskilled opportunities, as many, don't have time to maintain their houses. Simple tasks anyone can learn, and start a business with little money, and can make nice income servicing the middle class.

Glad you acknowledge, a lot of that 'struggling' is mismanagement of funds, and really does come down to common sense. Don't try to keep up with the Jones if you can't afford to.

Live for the moment, but damn, start building some equity. I'm a paper idiot, and my parents worked when they only had to, so no help from them, or advice passed on.

Finances was pretty easy to figure out at a young age for me. Didn't really expect to live long, but I knew building equity was a good idea, while enjoying myself.

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I disagree with the 'trying times' part, as I think the opposite. With new technologies, the opportunities for added income streams, or different ways to generate income far exceed what was available in my day.

And since so many are taking advantage of that, even opens more unskilled opportunities, as many, don't have time to maintain their houses. Simple tasks anyone can learn, and start a business with little money, and can make nice income servicing the middle class.

Glad you acknowledge, a lot of that 'struggling' is mismanagement of funds, and really does come down to common sense. Don't try to keep up with the Jones if you can't afford to.

Live for the moment, but damn, start building some equity. I'm a paper idiot, and my parents worked when they only had to, so no help from them, or advice passed on.

Finances was pretty easy to figure out at a young age for me. Didn't really expect to live long, but I knew building equity was a good idea, while enjoying myself.

Yes, today there are many more opportunities available for generating income. However, along with them come the scammers and hackers. There have been quite a few cases reported of accounts being hacked and funds stolen never to be seen again. Unfortunately, not every business or entity has good security measures in place.

32 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Reading comprehension ... once again.

Never stated or implied, 'no one is experiencing it'. But one poster stated 75%, really, and 25% of that number, having nice income, as I posted.

Certainly some are struggling, but live with your choices. People struggled back in the 70s, 80s & 90s also, BUT, most I knew, because they mismanaged the income they did have. Many with more income than myself, but were 'struggling' to make ends meet. Because they were living beyond their means.

That's not real struggling, that stupidity. Or some simply made bad choice early on, and now have to live with them. Did you really need 2 or 3 kids before you bought a house ?

There's always ones, truly struggling, that got dealt a bad hand, and no matter what, can't seem to get ahead. I never minded paying taxes for those that truly need it.

Back in 1970 , I had a house mortgage. 4 bedroom home and bungalow. I had it paid off before I turned 30. I was not a high earner.

Now, the average Australian or American does not get their mortgage paid off before they hit 60.

In 1960, the ratio of pay between a CEO and a shop floor worker was 25:1. Now, it is about 280:1.

3 or 4 Americans combined are wealthier than 165 million Americans. Those 3 or 4 people get tax cuts.

I don't know what mental era you are living in. I am pretty sure it is not this one.

So the trade deficit has soared to an eye watering 94%, despite the massive tariffs. Is this another MAGA win?

'Trade deficit soared 94% in November'

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/29/trade-balance-soared-94percent-in-november-and-was-higher-than-a-year-ago-despite-tariff-efforts.html

It used to be that Americans paid the same for aluminium as Europeans and Japan, but the price has skyrocketed after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on imports, making this essential metal (what a coincidence!) 50% more expensive for Americans.

'US Aluminum Premium Tops $1 a Pound for First Time'

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-29/us-aluminum-premium-tops-1-a-pound-for-first-time

29 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

So the trade deficit has soared to an eye watering 94%, despite the massive tariffs. Is this another MAGA win?

'Trade deficit soared 94% in November'

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/29/trade-balance-soared-94percent-in-november-and-was-higher-than-a-year-ago-despite-tariff-efforts.html

Good point made by former Under Secretary of State Stengel. A drop in exports of $8 BILLION in one month is massive for the sectors that rely on exports. And that's just exports to the EU!

https://x.com/stengel/status/2016971831857516788?s=20

I can't imagine what's going through the minds of young people in the process of starting a career and a family, hearing the president saying he will make sure it's gonna be as expensive as possible to buy a house to live in!😆