As we continue to see prices rise, one becomes suspicious of any and all reasons associated with those hikes. We've long heard the adage of what something is worth is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Are there good reasons? Or are we simply paying for the 2020 pandemic?
Last week when the gas prices were held hostage to the hackers, my first thought was is this real? What better way to send prices soaring than to claim you were held hostage. Nope, i'm not a conspiracy theory nut, but everything becomes suspect when prices fly off the charts.
It isn't just lumber or gas, we are seeing all sorts of increases at a time when article after article talks about how much money folks squirreled away during the pandemic. Lots of businesses got hurt and many were shut down and gone for good (or bad). Now as we reopen, are we going to pay for the sins of being locked down? Is everyone going to try and recover it with higher prices? whether warranted or not?
The worst part of the increases is the fear of inflation could drive us back into the open and unwelcoming arms of trump and a GOP that has lost their minds. Sorry, but what they have become is disgusting on too many levels to even try and comprehend.
You made some very good points about the lockdown which, in my opinion, was unnecessary. The surviving businesses will make us pay the price. My hope,as opposed to your fear, is that the Biden response to this mess will drive us to elect someone with policies and determination of Trump - hopefully someone with more tact and decorum and fewer mean tweets.
I think a lot of the price increases were because there was little to no demand during the pandemic but consumers are waking up.
Interesting theory about faking the hacking but I think federal investigators would spill the beans. That would probably be considered fraud.
As to the lockdowns, businesses were screwed either way. This study found that most consumers would have stayed home anyway. Forcing businesses to close probably saved many of them money because they didn’t have the expense of staying open with no customers.
I for one stocked-up on a few things at Costco in late February, prior to lockdowns: it seemed like a good idea, and ended-up being ~4-5 months before I ever went back.
Lockdowns didn't really last all that long, at least in regards to businesses that were essential - like Home Depot, and take-out dining. As you pointed out, it sounds more that the mills made a strategic decision to try to limit their potential losses/surplus stock, and that ended-up being the "wrong" move (though that's subjective).
Curtis i have read enough of your comments to know you are articulate and well meaning as most of my friends are on the right are. We disagree on policies and parties but i can live with that, no problem. I think we need at least two parties of strong conviction but both need be committed to working towards ends that makes us a better country for all...that takes compromise. Something no one is willing to do anymore.
With that out of the way, i and not interested in reliving the lock down fight, let's talk about the GOP going forward. It would be awesome if they could get behind a sane conservative politician who had true conservative values. That wouldn't be trump. He's no more a republican that i am socialist. He's never given a rat's behind about the working stiff other than to use him as part of the con. And man is he good at it.
The right needed to bail on him to move forward but they knew he would take his ball and run. He knows he owns them lock, stock and barrel and any hope of him passing the torch is a fools dream. If he ever lets it go it would be to one of his idiot sons or worse yet his daughter who is a whole other discussion.
It's the conundrum of all times...they can't win without him and by clinging to him we all lose one way or the other.
I can't argue about your opinions and feelings toward Trump, his family and his supporters. I just see more evidence every day that Biden's policies are failing. It's less of a conundrum for me because there might be a glimmer of hope without a democrat administration and Congress.
A military that's focused on national defense instead of social experiment. Something a little closer to a balanced budget. Fewer unnecessary regulations to stifle the growth and competitive position of USA industry. Border control and merit based immigration. Standing up to China on trade and currency. Legislation that makes sense instead of granting liberals their wish list. Prosecution of looters, arsonists and violent rioters nationwide instead of the few hundred rowdy protesters who caused some Congress critters to wet their panties and causing maybe $50,000 in damage. Total repeal of Obamcare.
Whether you recognize it or not, it is better to have more soldiers that want to serve regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Balanced budgets are nice, I suppose. A budget in general would be good, but it's best to recognize that government needs remain flexible and budget plans often need to be altered ok the fly.
I always hear "regulations", without much/any definition of which are unneeded or a hindrance. Which do you have in mind?
We have border control, though investment needs be made in some areas. Immigration reform would be a good idea, though I have a suspicion what I prefer you'd despise.
Legislation that makes sense is subjective: what makes sense to one makes none to another, and vice versa.
Rioters, arsonists, and looters have to face State laws, and it's up to each State to decide how to go about that. Attempted insurrection of the US is inherently a Federal issue, as much as you ignore and delude yourself - that's exactly what the aim was and remains.
Oh, and the ACA is still really popular and the GOP had 2 years to remove it. They don't want to, they just said they did. But by all means, actually try to get people on your side and have a majority of people agree on it. That's the GOP's problem: they can't get a majority of people to agree with them, so they're not going to bother - and it sure seems like you're OK with illiberalism.
The study of economics is fascinating. As I see different economic trends taking place, the more I realize how much I don't know, despite having read quite a few books and articles from economists across the ideological spectrum. Since economics involves human factors, including the exercise of their agency, it is not an exact science, much like political science. So given what is happening right now with lumber prices, it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few months.
Since you mentioned tariffs David, maybe Congress can do something bipartisan as to reclaim most of the power it has in my opinion carelessly delegated to the executive branch, such as the power to unilaterally impose tariffs. Previous presidents have learned to use the power of tariff imposition sparingly, even if the tariffs themselves were misguided(Such as Bush 43 and Steel, among others). But former President Trump went on a tariff imposition spree, imposition such tax increases in such a ham-fisted, impulsive manner that clearly hurt our economy in many aspects. If anything, Trump showed that Congress delegating so much power to the executive branch, does have consequences. I have my doubts as to whether such a thing can happen in a very partisan, tribal political atmosphere of the present. But I do think that for the purposes of economic stability and sound economic judgment, that Congress reclaim some powers, regardless of who is President.
Speaking of wood, I'm going to be building a new deck in my backyard. I foolish kept neglecting to apply water seal and treatment to the lumber on deck I built years back, and so now much of the wood is rotted. Ugh. Oh well, you live and you learn.
You had way too much fun writing this, David. :)
Guilty as charged 😁
As we continue to see prices rise, one becomes suspicious of any and all reasons associated with those hikes. We've long heard the adage of what something is worth is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Are there good reasons? Or are we simply paying for the 2020 pandemic?
Last week when the gas prices were held hostage to the hackers, my first thought was is this real? What better way to send prices soaring than to claim you were held hostage. Nope, i'm not a conspiracy theory nut, but everything becomes suspect when prices fly off the charts.
It isn't just lumber or gas, we are seeing all sorts of increases at a time when article after article talks about how much money folks squirreled away during the pandemic. Lots of businesses got hurt and many were shut down and gone for good (or bad). Now as we reopen, are we going to pay for the sins of being locked down? Is everyone going to try and recover it with higher prices? whether warranted or not?
The worst part of the increases is the fear of inflation could drive us back into the open and unwelcoming arms of trump and a GOP that has lost their minds. Sorry, but what they have become is disgusting on too many levels to even try and comprehend.
You made some very good points about the lockdown which, in my opinion, was unnecessary. The surviving businesses will make us pay the price. My hope,as opposed to your fear, is that the Biden response to this mess will drive us to elect someone with policies and determination of Trump - hopefully someone with more tact and decorum and fewer mean tweets.
I think a lot of the price increases were because there was little to no demand during the pandemic but consumers are waking up.
Interesting theory about faking the hacking but I think federal investigators would spill the beans. That would probably be considered fraud.
As to the lockdowns, businesses were screwed either way. This study found that most consumers would have stayed home anyway. Forcing businesses to close probably saved many of them money because they didn’t have the expense of staying open with no customers.
https://www.nber.org/digest/aug20/consumers-fear-virus-outweighs-lockdowns-impact-business
I for one stocked-up on a few things at Costco in late February, prior to lockdowns: it seemed like a good idea, and ended-up being ~4-5 months before I ever went back.
Lockdowns didn't really last all that long, at least in regards to businesses that were essential - like Home Depot, and take-out dining. As you pointed out, it sounds more that the mills made a strategic decision to try to limit their potential losses/surplus stock, and that ended-up being the "wrong" move (though that's subjective).
Curtis i have read enough of your comments to know you are articulate and well meaning as most of my friends are on the right are. We disagree on policies and parties but i can live with that, no problem. I think we need at least two parties of strong conviction but both need be committed to working towards ends that makes us a better country for all...that takes compromise. Something no one is willing to do anymore.
With that out of the way, i and not interested in reliving the lock down fight, let's talk about the GOP going forward. It would be awesome if they could get behind a sane conservative politician who had true conservative values. That wouldn't be trump. He's no more a republican that i am socialist. He's never given a rat's behind about the working stiff other than to use him as part of the con. And man is he good at it.
The right needed to bail on him to move forward but they knew he would take his ball and run. He knows he owns them lock, stock and barrel and any hope of him passing the torch is a fools dream. If he ever lets it go it would be to one of his idiot sons or worse yet his daughter who is a whole other discussion.
It's the conundrum of all times...they can't win without him and by clinging to him we all lose one way or the other.
I can't argue about your opinions and feelings toward Trump, his family and his supporters. I just see more evidence every day that Biden's policies are failing. It's less of a conundrum for me because there might be a glimmer of hope without a democrat administration and Congress.
Hope for what, exactly?
A military that's focused on national defense instead of social experiment. Something a little closer to a balanced budget. Fewer unnecessary regulations to stifle the growth and competitive position of USA industry. Border control and merit based immigration. Standing up to China on trade and currency. Legislation that makes sense instead of granting liberals their wish list. Prosecution of looters, arsonists and violent rioters nationwide instead of the few hundred rowdy protesters who caused some Congress critters to wet their panties and causing maybe $50,000 in damage. Total repeal of Obamcare.
Whether you recognize it or not, it is better to have more soldiers that want to serve regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Balanced budgets are nice, I suppose. A budget in general would be good, but it's best to recognize that government needs remain flexible and budget plans often need to be altered ok the fly.
I always hear "regulations", without much/any definition of which are unneeded or a hindrance. Which do you have in mind?
We have border control, though investment needs be made in some areas. Immigration reform would be a good idea, though I have a suspicion what I prefer you'd despise.
Legislation that makes sense is subjective: what makes sense to one makes none to another, and vice versa.
Rioters, arsonists, and looters have to face State laws, and it's up to each State to decide how to go about that. Attempted insurrection of the US is inherently a Federal issue, as much as you ignore and delude yourself - that's exactly what the aim was and remains.
Oh, and the ACA is still really popular and the GOP had 2 years to remove it. They don't want to, they just said they did. But by all means, actually try to get people on your side and have a majority of people agree on it. That's the GOP's problem: they can't get a majority of people to agree with them, so they're not going to bother - and it sure seems like you're OK with illiberalism.
Are we talking about job creation? 'cause Democratic presidents have presided over 2/3 of all payroll jobs created since 1965.
Or is it some other metric?
Could be but that's pretty meaningless since the population has increased 65% since 1965. What's the statistic if you go back to 1850 or 1950?
Could be but that's pretty meaningless since the population has increased 65% since 1965. What's the statistic if you go back to 1850 or 1950?
The study of economics is fascinating. As I see different economic trends taking place, the more I realize how much I don't know, despite having read quite a few books and articles from economists across the ideological spectrum. Since economics involves human factors, including the exercise of their agency, it is not an exact science, much like political science. So given what is happening right now with lumber prices, it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few months.
Since you mentioned tariffs David, maybe Congress can do something bipartisan as to reclaim most of the power it has in my opinion carelessly delegated to the executive branch, such as the power to unilaterally impose tariffs. Previous presidents have learned to use the power of tariff imposition sparingly, even if the tariffs themselves were misguided(Such as Bush 43 and Steel, among others). But former President Trump went on a tariff imposition spree, imposition such tax increases in such a ham-fisted, impulsive manner that clearly hurt our economy in many aspects. If anything, Trump showed that Congress delegating so much power to the executive branch, does have consequences. I have my doubts as to whether such a thing can happen in a very partisan, tribal political atmosphere of the present. But I do think that for the purposes of economic stability and sound economic judgment, that Congress reclaim some powers, regardless of who is President.
Speaking of wood, I'm going to be building a new deck in my backyard. I foolish kept neglecting to apply water seal and treatment to the lumber on deck I built years back, and so now much of the wood is rotted. Ugh. Oh well, you live and you learn.