Arrested in Iran

[AbleGuy]

Yep, it's all about perspective. How much whining have we heard recently about the economy? And yet by any measure our economy is the best in the world. By far.

True.

But ultimately, an appreciatively good life is not measured in dollars ( or total accumulated material wealth) alone.

Hence, some of the 1st world whining perhaps.

 

[Gravelette]

^^^Seems to be asking too much of people to understand that. They can't even figure who's going to put money into their pocket much less actually make their lives better.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

If вв путин takes over Ukraine, the effect on the price of gasoline will not be the most important result several years from now.

I'll take devil's advocate on this one, no fan of Putin, and I want Ukraine back to 2014 borders and sovereign, but devil's advocate nonetheless, ok?

Since the dawn of history, Ukraine and Russia have been intertwined. All the way up to the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was really a Russian possession at the very least.

The last 30 years, Russia has been expanding it's natural gas and oil pipelines into Europe, some through the sea, some through Ukraine. Ukraine has the biggest single Nuclear power generator in Europe at Zappazorhia (sp?) And is the largest wheat producer in the region. AND they have the coveted warm water ports that Russia desperately needs...

Bearing in mind, I want Putin out of Ukraine, returned to 2014 borders, or at least 2016 borders, and I wouldn't mind it if Ukraine made it 10 miles into Russia as a DMZ...

Putin didnt squabble much when Latvia, Estonia and other countries went into NATO. Not even Finland, which was so NATO concordant (training, weapons, mindset) that it was practically a given. He didnt flinch much at any of those other nations joining.

Some would argue that after the Budapest Memorandum in '94, we could be seen as the instigators who kept prompting Urkaine to join NATO in the first place, which has always been a known redline for Russia.

But how would it really affect us day to day, if Putin did "take over" Ukraine?

 

[ThundahBeagle]

^^^Seems to be asking too much of people to understand that. They can't even figure who's going to put money into their pocket much less actually make their lives better.

No defender of the current administration here, but how was everything going 2016 to 2020 vs 2021 to last month? Just talking money, since that is what you mentioned.

Respectfully:

I for one am making more money face value now than I was 2016 to 2020, but that is IN SPITE of the 2021 to 2024 administration, certainly not BECAUSE of it. My house cost me TWICE as much as it would have just 4 years ago, not counting the higher rates. That is an incredible market upswing the likes of which may never have been seen before, pricing new home buyers out of the market and into their mothers basement or above dad's garage.

So, while my numerical face value salary has gone up maybe 18% this past year (thanks to the Teamsters, actually!), my housing costs have doubled.

Looking at things pragmatically, my money is worth less now than it was 5 and 6 years ago.

 

[rruff]

No defender of the current administration here, but how was everything going 2016 to 2020 vs 2021 to last month? Just talking money, since that is what you mentioned.