What happened to the Republican commitment to fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets?

[MajorRewrite]

How much do you expect the national debt to decrease during Trump’s administration?

The national debt is currently increasing at an annualized rate of $2 trillion per year.

 

[Wilson23]

How big is the reduction in the federal workforce?

Much more than could ever be a good idea.

How much fraud has been uncovered? Oh, dementedcrap fraud at that?
How many bloated programs are being rolled back?

Pretty much nothing, actually. No fraud, and no "bloated" programs, have been discovered since Trump took office.

 

[Wilson23]

Massive struggles are on the horizon, the likes of which have not been seen since WW I.

Maybe, but those stuggles will not include anything you might call a workers' revolution, nor even any serious attempt at one, nor even a resurgence of unions.

 

[AlexBailey]

How much energy is used to make ethanol? Take from Peter to pay Paul. That's why we use catalytic converters.

It's the equivalence of using Chinese made solar farms (panels) where China's manufacturing process pollutes the planet faster than we using said solar devices drops our CO2 (carbos) emissions.

Wrong.

Modern ethanol production produces more energy than goes into making it.

The energy return on energy investment to produce solar panels is ~ 25:1

If your sources tell you otherwise it’s a good indication that your info sources are bullshit rightwing propaganda.

 

[briancamdudetenger2018]

What struggles? The working class hasn't fought back since the 1970s.

wasnt usa almost bankupt in the 1970s

 

[icanhelp1]

Wrong.

Modern ethanol production produces more energy than goes into making it.

From what I’ve read you have a valid argument. 1 unit input equates to 3 units output. I found that interesting. It’s been years since I’ve actually did any research on ethanol. Just curious, are farmers able to make a profit on ethanol production?

The energy return on energy investment to produce solar panels is ~ 25:1

If your sources tell you otherwise it’s a good indication that your info sources are bullshit rightwing propaganda.

I’m not talking about energy output per unit I’m more interested in the amount of real pollution created in the manufacturing process.

 

[Chadrone]

Wrong.

Modern ethanol production produces more energy than goes into making it.

The energy return on energy investment to produce solar panels is ~ 25:1

If your sources tell you otherwise it’s a good indication that your info sources are bullshit rightwing propaganda.

Meanwhile that reality isn't actually turning out.....


If what you said was true everyone would be on that shit, but everyone who's not getting a government check for it? Fucking hates it.

There is a Democrat in the "green energy" woodshed......

 

[Chadrone]

From what I’ve read you have a valid argument. 1 unit input equates to 3 units output. I found that interesting. It’s been years since I’ve actually did any research on ethanol. Just curious, are farmers able to make a profit on ethanol production?

Not without the government welfare they can't......

I’m not talking about energy output per unit I’m more interested in the amount of real pollution created in the manufacturing process.

Shhhhhhhhh.......the food comes from the back of the store comrade, don't question that.

 

[AlexBailey]

From what I’ve read you have a valid argument. 1 unit input equates to 3 units output. I found that interesting. It’s been years since I’ve actually did any research on ethanol. Just curious, are farmers able to make a profit on ethanol production?

That’s why they grow for ethanol, no? It’s actually controversial because in some cases it’s more profitable than growing food crops.

I’m not talking about energy output per unit I’m more interested in the amount of real pollution created in the manufacturing process.

Since we’re talking energy production it’s fair to compare the real pollution output of various sources, no? Hydro and wind are cleaner, fossil fuels? No.

 

[icanhelp1]

That’s why they grow for ethanol, no? It’s actually controversial because in some cases it’s more profitable than growing food crops.



Since we’re talking energy production it’s fair to compare the real pollution output of various sources, no? Hydro and wind are cleaner, fossil fuels? No.

The real step forward in my opinion is nuclear, hopefully cold fusion.

My point was if China's manufacturing process of solar devices creates more pollution than the use of let's say solar panels reduce on our side of the planet, welp, we live on one planet. Sooner or later the over-pollution of one side of the planet will reach our atmosphere eventually.

 

[icanhelp1]

Not without the government welfare they can't......

Are corn farmers subsidized for corn crops to produce ethanol. I'm not a farmer.

Shhhhhhhhh.......the food comes from the back of the store comrade, don't question that.

 

[Chadrone]

The real step forward in my opinion is nuclear, hopefully cold fusion.

Yup. Even the modern nukes we have now would be a significant upgrade.

But how can you scam folks with efficient and cheap? It's too good for the government to get behind.

My point was if China's manufacturing process of solar devices creates more pollution than the use of let's say solar panels reduce on our side of the planet, welp, we live on one planet. Sooner or later the over-pollution of one side of the planet will reach our atmosphere eventually.

The electric car charged by the coal plant......LOL "ZeRo EmisshhhuNZ!"

Are corn farmers subsidized for corn crops to produce ethanol. I'm not a farmer.

I'm not a corn or soy grower but just as someone who keeps an eye on that sector of the economy it seems to me that not all, but a large majority in one way or another are, and those that aren't but still sell to that market only get to do so because the government created that market so even then it's kind of a 2nd hand "we're forcing people to buy this from you" subsidy.

Which is lucrative to the farmer who just wants to do a thing and get a check. But if you're that kind of person, you probably shouldn't be a farmer.....so what the fuck are we doing here in America??? Trump looked like he was about to end it, but seems to be pussing out.

 

[icanhelp1]

Yup. Even the modern nukes we have now would be a significant upgrade.

But how can you scam folks with efficient and cheap? It's too good for the government to get behind.



The electric car charged by the coal plant......LOL "ZeRo EmisshhhuNZ!"



Reality is it depends, not all, but in one way or another some are and those that aren't but sell to that market only get to do so because the government created that market.

Without the "environmental" regulations ethanol would still be a specialty race fuel, food grade solvent and medical/lab supply item that is a mere micro-fraction of what the ethanol market is today in terms of volume and price. It's an artificially created market/demand....a scam and the house of cards was comming down, but Trump pussed out.

Trump's all in with nuclear. He's charged Zeldin with cutting some and streamlining other regulations to fast track corporate use of small modular power plants which could supply energy to the grid.

 

[Chadrone]

Trump's all in with nuclear. He's charged Zeldin with cutting some and streamlining other regulations to fast track corporate use of small modular power plants which could supply energy to the grid.

Sweet, but can he get congress to make effective changes??? We'll see...I doubt it, Congress is a cesspool.

 

[Holy_Seduction]

Maybe, but those stuggles will not include anything you might call a workers' revolution, nor even any serious attempt at one, nor even a resurgence of unions.

This isn’t simple skepticism. You’re articulating an identifiable political stance that actively denies the revolutionary potential of the working class in the very face of Capitalism’s ongoing and ever-deepening objective crises.

This is the position of the privileged petty-bourgeoisie. It includes such organizations and their leadership as the bankrupt DSA [Democratic Socialists of America], the Jacobin [magazine], trade union bureaucracy [UAW officials, AFT officials, etc., etc.], plus academicians, NGO professionals and career politicians in ‘reformist’ parties. All are implacable enemies of the proletariat.

This reactionary, counterrevolutionary social layer is identified by social function and class consciousness. It is tied materially and ideologically to the capitalist state and corporate interests. Its pessimism about revolution is not an intellectual error; it’s an instinctive class reflex.

Its social position and what wealth it has is dependent on the existing capitalist setup.

Any genuine, independent movement of the international working class to seize power and expropriate the oligarchy is a direct threat to its status, funding, and career prospects.

A workers’ rising would sweep away the institutional structures through which you exercise political influence. That accounts for your counterrevolutionary pessimism.

It also explains the consistent and very well documented demobilization and derailment of all independent working-class action. Working class opposition is channeled back into safe, dead-end strategies — elect Democrats, accept sellout contracts, etc. The counterrevolutionary cynicism is political cover for sellouts and betrayals.

Your position will ultimately fail. It directs energy against working class revolutionary consciousness. That rear-guard action attempts to hold back a tidal wave generated by capitalist crisis itself. You’re fighting the wrong battle.

Moreover, class struggle is erupting anyway! Workers at GM Factory Zero are denouncing the UAW and seeking new organizations. Teachers are striking against their union’s deals. This movement is and will continue to render the naysayers increasingly irrelevant and expose them as the class enemies that they are.

Lastly, the petty bourgeoisie has no solution to war, inequality or fascism. The best it can do is to somewhat manage the descent into barbarism.

In contrast, Marxist revolutionary optimism offers a rational and progressive path forward that corresponds to the material needs of humanity and the developing consciousness of the global working class.

 

[AlexBailey]

The real step forward in my opinion is nuclear, hopefully cold fusion.

My point was if China's manufacturing process of solar devices creates more pollution than the use of let's say solar panels reduce on our side of the planet, welp, we live on one planet. Sooner or later the over-pollution of one side of the planet will reach our atmosphere eventually.

Nuclear would/will be a great solution once we can figure out how to mine, transport, operate, and store the material safely. Meanwhile it’s still a danger and expense to us and all future generations.

Private industry can’t afford all of the protections and cleanups required and they won’t last as long as the expenses.