Quote by MorePleasin

There's something off when the richest guy makes $1000 for a fart's worth of time, and is not willing to pay a little extra via a reasonable progressive income tax. How many problems could be addressed if the ultra-rich would hand over at least 50% of their annual income as they once did (from about 1915 up to the early 80's). They would still be the richest, having many millions in after-tax income. That money might help everyone to be a little less grumpy, a little more comfortable, a little more invested in solving problems and learning new things ... .like the way it was, at a time most conservatives dream about returning to.

Totally agree that income inequality has become ridiculous for CEO's, athletes, etc. While "conservatives" might wish to return to a time when the income inequality gap was not quite so wide, in day to day reality Republicans typically legislate for lower corporate taxes (Trump), tax breaks for the rich (Trump again) and I would argue either protect the status quo or block attempts to fix it (e.g. student loan forgiveness.) I don't think the Dems are blameless either but what do you expect when US elections are bought and paid for by the excessively rich?

In Canada a luxury tax is being imposed on big ticket items (e.g. corporate jets) but the revenues are not huge given the volumes are low. It appalls me that G7 nations don't all have progressive tax regimes, as OP notes: the rich will still be rich.

It's OK to laugh.

I haven't played a video game in years and my player is some ancient Nintendo. I've played Halo, probably the original version with others. Meh.

Years ago I was a master of the arcade game "Defender" which was a relatively early version of what video/computer games can do now. Reportedly the game was also used by the US air force to train pilots. I loved it and keep thinking i should buy the arcade machine.

I bought a multi-pak of games once that included "Asteroids" with infinitely superior graphics to the original. As a bonus the original Asteroids, a vastly inferior program was included. I nearly always played the old version. Mostly, if a game lets me blow stuff up I like it.

definitely

It used to be hard rock but I turned my home gym into a tranquility space (lighting, wood, stone, bamboo plants) and I only work out in silence now.

From a Canadian perspective watching all this, the Democrats were an abysmal failure. Having said that I do think the results expose the true nature of America: its not any where close to the world's greatest democracy. Instead its rife with hate, racism and greed. It always has been, just ask anyone who belongs to a marginalized group of Americans. Your government and supreme court have been sold to a few rich cronies, a direct result of a system that ultimately allows a tiny number of Americans to decide who runs for office and ultimately runs the USA. American campaign financing rules pretty much ensure this will always be the case.

My view is perhaps distorted by the Canadian news lens but I was stunned that nearly all I ever saw from Democrats was bashing Trump's character. Stupid strategy, his character is well known and he still managed to get nearly 50% of the vote in 3 elections; they needed to articulate policy much better. The one thing that astonished me is I didn't hear a single Dem point to Trump's previous admin as the cause of inflation. All that money that got handed out in the US and other countries during the pandemic is what caused inflation. The same payouts and inflation occurred in most countries. Its Economics 101.

Biden should have been replaced much sooner and as offensive as it sounds there are a huge number of Americans who will not vote for a woman president and certainly not a black woman. Looks like the Dems lost every swing state which suggests a major failure of the campaigns in those states. The Dems consistently self-destruct, often because they can't keep members under one, contiguous policy umbrella due to their divergent opinions. While I personally feel that is exactly how government should work, (diverse opinions being considered within policy discussion) its tends to not work very well at election time.

I'd be curious if Americans see a different perspective based on the various US media outlets. I'm assuming the news coverage in the US was more focused on the issues.

With control of the House and Senate its going to be an ugly 4 years and given Trump is a fat old guy we may see a President Vance.

As an interesting side note we have a federal election coming in Canada and the current polls show the Conservative leader well ahead. The leader, Poilievre and the party seem to be a slightly watered down version of MAGA. If he gets in I'm moving to New Zealand.

Yes, I've discovered some women seem to find black silk pyjama bottoms and an erection quite provocative. It was a bad idea at the grocery store though.

Did you ever accidentally expose yourself to a large group of people?

Watching all this from Canada is a combination clown show and a bit scary. That the most powerful nation on earth is going to be run by an old geezer (either one) is a bit startling. Having said that I don't see that Biden's mental health is anywhere near as alarming as Trump's mental health. The problem with Trump is he says so much crazy bullshit its hard to tell what's crazy and what's just his usual packet of lies.

If I was an American I would ask myself who do I want:

a) the old guy who will surround himself with a team of reasonably decent, principled advisors

or

b) the old guy who will surround himself with a team of ass-kissing sychophants who will do his every bidding without question

Obviously we can argue relative merits back and forth but when I see something like the below I just don't see how anyone can seriously vote for Trump.

Fact check: Trump falsely claims Democratic states are passing laws allowing people to execute babies after birth (yahoo.com) Canada

Quote by TonyaL

It's been quite awhile. Missing my friends and really wanted to pop in and say hi. Resting today after receiving some injections yesterday. Life is busy as always. My littley is almost double digits and keeps me so busy. We have a dance comp this weekend that we are excited to get away for. She will be performing 2 contemporary solos, 2 trios (1 tap and 1 lyrical), and 1 production routine. Her recital is in 2 weeks which she will be doing 10 dance over 3 shows. Her production in all 3 shows, 2 solos, tap trio, contemporary trio, ballet, jazz, hip hop, acro, lyrical, That will be a really busy 2 days. Last month she completely changed her hair and looks like a teenager on me. Im.not ready for this. M⁰y grandsons are all growing too fast as well. They are 1, almost 3, and 4. The oldest is playing teeball and the middle one is learning how to ride and wants a dirt bike for his birthday. What's going on with everyone here. It would take me more forever to read everything I've missed over the last several months. I hope everyone is doing well. Please don't be afraid to drop me a line now and then. I'd really love to hear from you. Hugs to all my favorite lushies here at rumpies

Hey TonyaL!

I'm just back on Lush after a long absence myself. Life just gets crazy busy sometimes and I don't even have kids. I got tired just reading the list of all those activities!

Hey everyone! Nearly always the same faces here; I'm not sure if that's a reflection of this fine establishment or you are just a bunch of rummies. Drinking and writing do have a long history together.

So, I GOTTA tell you this, even though it will probably make me sound like a jerk:

So I was talking to this really pretty girl with every single one of those nefarious intentions you are imagining. Then I used a flirty line from a story I'm working on and it WORKED! lol like worked really, really well. I'm hysterical. Second date is Friday. Life is good. Cheers!

(The women are all smirking; she was a step ahead of me wasn't she?)

Congrats everyone! My apologies as I'm recently back from a long absence from Lush and regret I have not read the entries. But I will!

Great to see some familiar top writers and also a few names that look newer, at least to me. Great to see the ongoing writing quality here.!

Quote by RowanThorn

Well, 90% of all stock is owned by the richest 10%. The other 10% is owned by the richest 50-90 percentile.

So I know who would get fucked now. Also I only bank with federally insured credit unions so my money is protected.

So, the rich will lose their shirts and the poor are relatively safe as those federal insurances cap out after about 200k per account. So the stock market crashing will most dramatically impact the richest people who’s entire fortune is kept in the tax have that is the stock market. And since it’s overvalued anyway we’ll succeed in wealth distribution pretty much immediately.

Where is that stat from? I'd bet more than 10% of stock is owned by institutions such as insurance companies and pension funds. I never understand folks who bash the stock market; if you have even a basic understanding of math its pretty easy to avoid losing your shirt. And if there was no stock market where would companies get the funds to grow and expand and therefore provide millions of jobs?

Quote by NishasWorld

Just five? Lightweight! I have at least ten likely to never see the light of day. 🤣😘X

lol How are we counting? My unlikely to see the light of day pile/unfinished pile may be in the 100's. That would be a funny thread: who has the most unfinished stories?

I am also procrastinating. Or substituting as I prefer to call it. Its such a nice day I will be substituting a bicycle ride for the urgent need to clean my garage.

Afternoon all, coffee for me please. Somehow I seem to be working on 5 stories at once. I suppose I should be thrilled at the industriousness. Perhaps I'll finish one at some point.

Maybe it needs a visual.

Our sex tape is on Tik Tok. Trending.

I can't believe I didn't find this as a topic already. Share your fav pizza toast recipe

LYF's PURRFECT PIZZA TOAST

Lightly toast a slice of whole wheat bread

Drizzle a little olive oil over BOTH sides of the bread spread with a knife if needed

Spread a thin layer of you fav pasta sauce on the bread

Add shredded mozzarella cheese

Sprinkle with fresh oregano

Add your fav toppings: mini-pepperoni, green & red peppers, red onion

Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top

Bake or broil for 8-10 minutes at 375F (can do on BBQ also)

(Experiment with toppings but cut your toppings smaller than a regular size pizza)

None of my recipes have measurements, I just wing it. Seems to turn out OK.

Moisturize

BBQ Arctic char with lemon, butter a few spices with grilled veggies and wild rice. Then I had three ice cream bars for dessert. lol

just thinking, an awful lot of people have disappeared from Lush since Liz posted this....

I'm not a huge fan of strip clubs mostly because the guys behave like idiots. I have had exactly one lap dance from a stripper that was great and in the bar at the time there weren't a lot of rules so there may have been some touching involved. I did date a stripper for about 3 or 4 months. I highly recommend it.

What's going to happen when China has as many aircraft carriers as the US?

Afternoon all. Actually got up before noon today, feels kinda funny. I noticed I seem to have earned a DECADENT badge. Took me 10 years to earn that here. I'm a little put out given I felt I had achieved legendary status as a decadent reprobate with a single act long before I joined Lush. (Said act is alleged to appear in one of my stories.)

What badge comes after Decadent?

Grey Goose and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice please.

Congrats to the winners, I thought MC1982's piece was excellent!

Thanx to Kimmi and fam too! Great idea!

I am so perfectly chill at the moment.

Quote by Magical_felix

What a stupid asshole

I'm kind of surprised that DJT stock is not being investigated already for stock fraud. The share price is completely untethered from reality. I'm very curious to see how much cash the doofus gets to pocket before the stock is delisted.

Quote by Vampire_vixen

Wendy's chili DOES use uneaten hamburger meat. Perfectly safe. Nothing wrong with that. Urban legends aside, you must realize teenagers are behind the scenes. If one spills a box of frozen hamburger patties or even french fries on the floor, you better believe it aint headed to the dumpster.

The really scary part is: what do you think happens at upscale restaurants?

I don't have a problem with surge pricing in itself, I'll shop with my feet. Its been going on for years in the gasoline industry. It basic supply and demand economics. It does feel a bit gougy but I won't be eating there anyway.

I boxed when I was a kid but can't say I was at a very high level. I gave it up when I discovered girls. I have a few tricks up my sleeve and have surprised a bully or too.

Banks. Mine keeps messing up investment instructions requiring multiple followups. Recently I had to show the bank how to fill out THEIR paperwork. FFS.

Foghat

just comfy layers and my fuzzy slippers with the bear cub heads on the top.