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39
80-20 Dems
Too right, they all quick to label trumps supporters as cult members maga this, maga that, racists, fascists, but play the victim the second they get a tmy bit back. The weakeat one are straight to the 'report' button too. -
1,991
Thai tax tangle: Expats warned of new rules on overseas income
He couldn't really ask the hard questions because of Thailand "face." One has to remember he was interviewing someone quite "connected." He would know that he can't be seen to ask a question that takes the p*ss, or make him "squirm" even though that is one of the questions that should be asked. -
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80-20 Dems
Those Mayas that voted for Trump are getting exactly what they noted for... solid 2 weeks of action and some. The best has been the USAID fiasco.... exposing it to the world now too...only people not happy are the whiney cry babies like yourself, but that's been the same since Nov 5th 2016. -
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Pattaya Beach Wins Three Awards for Beauty and Eco-Friendliness
This is the Pattaya know! -
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Autogolpe (coup against the Constitution)
The purported objective of DOGE was to alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers by targeting "waste, fraud, and abuse." I contended that this initiative was destined for failure, as Musk and his associates seemed entirely unaware of the mechanisms behind federal government expenditures. While my previous assertions were accurate, I must acknowledge a misjudgment on my part. It should have been evident to me at that time, and is now abundantly clear, that the statements made by Musk and Trump regarding their actions are fundamentally misleading, including their professed motivations. The ignorance and disorder are indeed tangible, yet it is crucial to recognize the fundamental intent behind their actions. What is currently unfolding in America can be characterized as an attempted autogolpe. Readers from Latin America are likely familiar with this term. An autogolpe, or "self-coup," occurs when a legitimately elected leader exploits their authority to consolidate power, thereby dismantling legal and constitutional limitations. Are Musk and Trump endeavoring to execute an autogolpe in this context? Undoubtedly. Furthermore, they appear to have the unwavering support of every Republican member in both the House and the Senate. It is essential to evaluate their actions through this perspective. While it is valid to question whether a policy initiative aligns with its stated objectives, it is equally important to consider, "In what way does this action facilitate the autogolpe?" For instance, consider DOGE’s fixation on identifying methods to reduce the federal workforce. This focus lacks rationale as a priority when one understands the allocation of taxpayer funds. https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F75802ef1-94c9-4f27-bc11-4da729db1145_1630x1046.png?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email The size of the federal workforce remains unchanged from the era of Dwight Eisenhower. However, establishing "headcount reduction" as a policy objective serves to eliminate civil servants who uphold the law and the Constitution, replacing them with individuals loyal to Trump and Musk. Fortunately, the Trump Administration's initiative to encourage federal employees to accept buyouts seems to have failed. Many of the few employees who accepted this offer before a judge intervened were likely already considering departure. This "policy" is fundamentally aimed at displacing the most idealistic and dedicated workers. The unlawful closure of USAID by Musk and his associates should be viewed in this context. Musk evidently opposes the notion of aiding those in need, as evidenced by his disdain for the philanthropic efforts of MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. While he may perceive the agency as a "viper's nest of radical-left Marxists who despise America," it also serves the dual purpose of removing civil servants while appealing to Trump's base. A similar analysis applies to the manufactured outrage surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). It is unnecessary to emphasize that the attempted purge at the FBI, aimed at those who investigated the January 6 rioters or Trump himself, is a crucial component of the autogolpe. Equally alarming is the effort by Musk and his followers to take control of the Treasury payment system, granting significant authority to a 25-year-old who has been revealed to hold racist and eugenicist views. So, what actions should those of us who wish to preserve the essence of America take to prevent a descent into dictatorship? First, we must confront the reality. If the term "dictatorship" unsettles you, or if your immediate response is to question its appropriateness, you are part of the issue. The constitutional crisis is not a potential future event; it is actively unfolding as you read this. However, there is no need for despair. We are currently witnessing an attempted autogolpe, which has not yet succeeded. In fact, it appears that those orchestrating this autogolpe are encountering greater challenges than they anticipated. While many of America’s oligarchs may have largely acquiesced to the new regime, a significant portion of the populace has not. The initiative to encourage a large number of civil servants to self-deport seems, as previously mentioned, to have failed. The judiciary, which remains partially intact, is erecting obstacles to some of the ongoing power grabs. Employees at the FBI and other agencies are uniting in defense, as are federal unions. Whistleblowers, along with certain media outlets, have been shedding light on Musk’s attempts to dominate the digital landscape, and the actions of political appointees at the Treasury to obscure the reality of the situation indicate that they still fear the repercussions of public scrutiny. Although we have not yet witnessed the mass protests that confronted Trump during the early days of his first term, there is a noticeable increase in demonstrations against both Trump and Musk. It is imperative that more elected Democrats take a firm and vocal stance. The adversaries of democracy will continue to seek new methods to erode the rule of law. I must confess that I had not previously considered the federal payments system as a potential target until the revelations regarding Musk's actions came to light. Special acknowledgment is due to Nathan Tankus, an authority on the intricacies of monetary policy, who has emerged as a key figure in this discourse. Nevertheless, resistance to the autogolpe will impede its progress. I will elaborate shortly on the significance of this resistance. For those discussing or writing about the current events, it is crucial to avoid being sidetracked by Trump’s distracting antics. No, Trump is not poised to take control of Gaza, annex Canada, attempt to reclaim the Panama Canal, or seize Greenland. Rather, Trump’s peculiar declarations serve as a deliberate distraction from the ongoing autogolpe. Until recently, I believed that a needless trade war was imminent, given that tariffs have long been a fixation for Trump. However, his recent retreat regarding tariffs on Canada and Mexico indicates that I may have overestimated the situation. Did he capitulate, or was he misled into believing he achieved a victory? Ultimately, this distinction may be inconsequential. Presently, the trade dispute pales in comparison to the ongoing threat to democracy. On a positive note, there are numerous avenues through which a delayed autogolpe can transform into a thwarted autogolpe. The partnership between Musk and Trump, both of whom possess significant yet evidently fragile egos, may unravel. Musk’s interference at the Treasury and the attack on federal employees could result in some conspicuous failures. Voters might eventually come to see that Trump’s assertions of success are mere illusions and question his commitment to reducing grocery prices. Furthermore, at some juncture, the American populace may recognize that Russell Vought, the architect of the highly unpopular Project 2025, is indeed shaping policy. Source Paul Krugman@substack -
112
USAID: The Big Exposure Reveals...
I know. But they did not show the required clearances at this occasion. The fact that the President can does not mean that he actually did for this particular crew. But if you have evidence that they were in possession of these clearances at the moment they tried to get access, feel free to link it! 🙂 Musk’s DOGE crew lacked high-enough security clearance to access that information, so the two USAID security officials — John Vorhees and deputy Brian McGill — were legally obligated to deny access
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