For me it has basically bounced around the same range between 3.20 and 3.50 for the past few years. Lowest I have seen locally this year is $3.20. I think my prices have more to do with local stations gouging people since I can drive any direction, except into Washington, and pay less
‘I Didn’t Vote for This’: A Revolt Against DOGE Cuts, Deep in Trump Country
- Thread starter FreeAir84
- Start date
Yes, this thread strays into politics because politicians want to use our issues as currency for repaying political favors.
I wish it was different. I hate how the veneer of tribal politics makes it so hard to have serious discussions about very important topics impacting public land hunting. But, that’s how the swamp hogs view our issues so we have no choice but to engage.
I wish it was different. I hate how the veneer of tribal politics makes it so hard to have serious discussions about very important topics impacting public land hunting. But, that’s how the swamp hogs view our issues so we have no choice but to engage.
Elkmagnet
Well-known member
As a side note.
My favorite outdoor areas will now have a Qatar airforce base with fighter jets training over head.
That may be a political favor that gets the land transfer moving for Russ.
My favorite outdoor areas will now have a Qatar airforce base with fighter jets training over head.
That may be a political favor that gets the land transfer moving for Russ.
406dn
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This depends on how much you like the Cowboys. I actually have enjoyed some of their games.
Gulf of America
Well-known member
I actually think coke prices are at historic lows. Probably because the boats we're (illegally) bombing are supplying coke to Europe, not the US.
Nameless Range
Well-known member
Seeing Terry take a fair bit of flack on social media for taking part in the article in the OP, and thinking about this thread, I think if folks are to change their minds on things it is a tightrope to walk when communicating the outcomes of their decisions. I just don't know if "I told you so!" is the right tack to take with this kind of stuff, even though it was entirely predictable. Not saying I know the best way to go about it, but focusing on the current outcomes sans any blame of the electorate seems a better path to persuasion than proclamations of culpability.
westbranch
Well-known member
Overtime? The thing to remember is that it is a deduction, not a credit. Max savings for people not getting phased out is at 24% federal rate, so $6,000. And I think some people are overestimating the deduction since only the "half" of "time and a half" pay qualifies for the deduction. I was just looking at some payroll reports and saw someone getting paid $25/hr and has 800+ hours of overtime this year. Their paystub will report ~52k of regular pay and ~32k of overtime pay. Their deduction will be just under $11k assuming no other phaseouts and save about $2,500 fed taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if this person looks at their paystubs and thinks they will qualify for the full $25k.
And the overtime must be paid under FLSA (federal laws), not state laws or a collective bargaining agreement.
For Idaho residents it will be interesting to see if the state conforms to the OT deduction (and other OBBB changes) with the current budget issue.
cgasner1
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Well I looked at my pay stub this morning and let me put it to you this way I’m not over estimating shit I’ll be getting that 25k deduction
SAJ-99
Well-known member
I ask this honestly, what is the right tack? Humility, empathy, and self-reflection are not popular human qualities, particularly these days. Hence the saying, it is easer to fool people than convince them they have been fooled. Do these people want sympathy, and maybe a check? In many of these areas people affiliate with a political party stronger than a religion. My view, it seems these days most people just want to be stroked and told they are amazing. I say let the pain continue. Learning life lessons is often painful.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
From the article:
In March, Trump signed an executive order to increase logging on public lands. But DOGE cut many of the agency employees needed to administer the timber sales for logging, and for thinning and fire mitigation. If there’s no one to administer the sales, then private forestry contractors like the forester I spoke to can’t execute those projects.
This is a clear example of the people we elected not having a clue how the gov't actually operates on a day-to-day, week-to-week, project-to-project level. It's why I argue that it's not wise to metaphorically hire a plumber to do your electrical work. And that vilifying politicians and constantly thinking that bringing in new people, who have no idea how this works, is somehow better, leads to worse outcomes for us. Yes, lifetime politicians are a bit sleezy, often associated with some graft, and about as honest as a toddler with cookie crumbs on their lips, but at least they know what they're doing, and can, and do, get things accomplished if we press them hard enough.
In March, Trump signed an executive order to increase logging on public lands. But DOGE cut many of the agency employees needed to administer the timber sales for logging, and for thinning and fire mitigation. If there’s no one to administer the sales, then private forestry contractors like the forester I spoke to can’t execute those projects.
This is a clear example of the people we elected not having a clue how the gov't actually operates on a day-to-day, week-to-week, project-to-project level. It's why I argue that it's not wise to metaphorically hire a plumber to do your electrical work. And that vilifying politicians and constantly thinking that bringing in new people, who have no idea how this works, is somehow better, leads to worse outcomes for us. Yes, lifetime politicians are a bit sleezy, often associated with some graft, and about as honest as a toddler with cookie crumbs on their lips, but at least they know what they're doing, and can, and do, get things accomplished if we press them hard enough.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
For the people you are alluding to, there is no lesson to be learned. It's an experience to be endured, it may test their faith in their politics, but they will simply endure until they can blame the other tribe.
westbranch
Well-known member
Can't beat that. Any of it paid under a CBA?
And obligatory gif when talking about deductions:
Agreed.
To add: it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the local/state government would not have better line-of-sight to manage things like this in a much better and more efficient manner than the feds have.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
While I initially bristled at your comment, because it's horsehit, in this instance, I can't disagree.
Gerald Martin
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Folks trying to make the argument that Trump voters shouldn’t be complaining about his policies because they should have known what they were getting should probably consider what that kind of logic would mean if Harris had won and the shoe were on the other foot.
Do I like what the Trump administration has done to public land management? Not at all. Did I like what the Biden/Harris administration did with their lack of security for our borders? Even less. Those lax border policies were directly related to my daughter nearly loosing her life at the hands of a criminal who has committed numerous felonies while being here in the US illegally. Yet, it never occurred to me to blame Biden/Harris voters for her assault.
Anyone looking at our past and current options for executive leadership and thinking there aren’t going to be serious failures of good governance for the benefit of Americans if either candidate were elected is delusional.
The only way I can see that we don’t get the metaphorical shaft with either party in power is to stay active and engaged in advocacy for good policy regardless of which party personality is in office.
Do I like what the Trump administration has done to public land management? Not at all. Did I like what the Biden/Harris administration did with their lack of security for our borders? Even less. Those lax border policies were directly related to my daughter nearly loosing her life at the hands of a criminal who has committed numerous felonies while being here in the US illegally. Yet, it never occurred to me to blame Biden/Harris voters for her assault.
Anyone looking at our past and current options for executive leadership and thinking there aren’t going to be serious failures of good governance for the benefit of Americans if either candidate were elected is delusional.
The only way I can see that we don’t get the metaphorical shaft with either party in power is to stay active and engaged in advocacy for good policy regardless of which party personality is in office.
Matthew57
Well-known member
That passage from the article stuck out big time to me as well. I agree in general with your assessment about experience/qualifications. However, there's another section in the article which immediately follows:
In addition, the U.S. no longer has the infrastructure to process the increased timber mandated by the executive order, and the government doesn’t appear to be investing in resurrecting it.
My thinking when I read that was it highlights a broader problem with the country. I'm reminded of the recent stories we've seen about timber producers being shut down. It seems to me like this is more of a generational failure, perhaps one that was allowed to happen by the political class.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
We are all a product of our experiences. I have several friends that are either orchardists or in the orchardist support industry, who not only have to contend with market volatility and natural weather events limiting their livelihoods but now also labor shortages. One had to sell the family farm this year. Another made zero money and is buying Christmas gifts on an operating loan hoping he can make it one more year.
Our complete lack of a coherent legal immigration policy/plan which led to more illegal immigration is a far bigger concern for me than who's walking across the Sonoran Desert. You can't automate picking cherries.
Laszlo Cravensworth
Well-known member
The Biden administration had reduced border crossings from the peak by something like 80% by the time he left office. Congressional gridlock is the real problem here though.
Gerald Martin
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Picking cherries is always automated when it comes to politics.
Strong border security first to make it more difficult to come illegally than legally. Concurrently, update the work visa process to allow for seasonal labor/ jobs that are not being filled by American workers.
It’s not rocket science. Those folks walking actually the desert aren’t coming to pick cherries. They want a shot at the American dream. That’s fine with me but we should know who they are.
Forkyfinder
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Amid Trump crackdown, illegal border crossings plunge to levels not seen in decades
Over the past 25 years, the only time monthly apprehensions came close to the level recorded in February was in April 2017.
www.cbsnews.com
Which peak? The one after Jan 2021?
