January 23Jan 23 4 hours ago, JohnSnowsHair said:I've tried to diversify so I have a few properties, but I'm considering buying property abroad.The wife is a dual citizen. We will eventually inherit some property in Europe as it stands.Given that, any EU countries you would lean towards? Still looking longingly at Portugal but I was still thinking medium term, this BS may accelerate my timeline.Portugal is pretty good choice. Cost of living is still relatively cheap, especially outside of Lisbon. Nice warm climate, low crime and friendly people. Good place to live if you’re retired. Language barrier can be difficult, as English isn’t as widespread as in many other European countries.
January 23Jan 23 I have several friends who have either moved to Portugal or spend their winters there. They all really like it and I have as well the many times I’ve visited. Lisbon is one popular spot and the other is the south coast. Not really much to dislike. They don’t have the best food or wine in Europe but both are solid and they aren’t the best with English but again good enough and not a problem. I’ve always thought we’d buy a place in the US SE to spend winters but my wife and I are now talking Portugal as an option. She retires in two years so the time for us to make a move is now.
January 23Jan 23 14 hours ago, JohnSnowsHair said:I mean, that's just demonstrably false.Yes, the morons who ride and die with Trump deserve all the derision they receive.But there's splash damage that hits reluctant Trump voters. Especially the prideful ones.You aren't converting the diehards and idiots. But every election is won and lost at the margins whether you like it or not.Accept the fact that 30-40% of voters are irredeemable. "On all sides" if it does ya.Elections are about motivating that base, and appealing as much as possible to the center. Again, whether you like it or not.Every time the Dems lurched to the left they've lost nationally. Their winning national candidates the last 30 years have been two generational politicians in Clinton and Obama, and an old man who beat a worse old man who sucks.Both generational politicians managed to expand the base through either triangulation that appeals to the centrists or activating voters who bought into their ability to change things. And the latter avenue is a harder path.Losing the middle has handicapped the Dems. And you CANNOT WIN AT THE GAME REPUBLICANS PLAY because your base is not the same.It's gratifying to play that game if you're a committed leftists, but it's stupid politics.I think you're confusing policy with tone here. I'm not in favor of going hard left when it comes to policy proposals, I'm in favor of going antagonistic when it comes to tone. What I'm tired of, and what gains Democrats absolutely nothing, is the conciliatory messages of "bringing the country together".We're a long way off from Clinton and even Obama. We're a radically different country then we were even 20+ years ago when Obama came on the scene. Now the country's looking for authenticity out of a politician, not unity. The whole "let's role up our sleeves and work together" messages read as bullsheet because they are bullsheet. One side is working towards building a better country (whether you agree with every policy they propose, their goal is to improve the country as they see it) and the other is working towards destroying it. That's not a dichotomy that's compatible with building a better country together.Policy-wise, the far left can be brought into the fold with a tent pole populist proposal (say universal healthcare) and aside from that, a Dem candidate doesn't have to bend to the whims of their left flank (on policy) as long as he (has to be a he) makes everything else about demonizing and attacking the right and making it extremely clear that Republicans (all Republicans, not just the politicians) are the enemy of America.If a Dem candidate is attacking and actually leveling with the American people instead of tossing out platitudes about joy and hope that land like they were heavily tested on a focus group of moms, that's their appeal to the middle. Tone is their appeal. Policy should always be secondary, if not outright ignored, as often as possible. But in order to steer the media into ignoring policy, you better be attacking, starting public fights and creating new stories for them to focus on.
January 23Jan 23 1 minute ago, Mike030270 said:Political crimes? Like what? Trump's accusations don't have a good track record.
January 23Jan 23 9 hours ago, Frankfurteagle89 said:Portugal is pretty good choice. Cost of living is still relatively cheap, especially outside of Lisbon. Nice warm climate, low crime and friendly people. Good place to live if you’re retired. Language barrier can be difficult, as English isn’t as widespread as in many other European countries.I've heard there are some good ex pat communities there though. Portugal is a great option because you can get residency if you're an American with decent income. Then you can get citizenship after living there for 5 years which gives you an EU passport. Belize is another good option because English is the official language, low crime and low cost of living. Same deal as Portugal, you can get residency as an American with decent income. It's sad that I've had to start researching this, but this country has turned into a total ish hole.
January 23Jan 23 8 hours ago, DrPhilly said:I have several friends who have either moved to Portugal or spend their winters there. They all really like it and I have as well the many times I’ve visited. Lisbon is one popular spot and the other is the south coast. Not really much to dislike. They don’t have the best food or wine in Europe but both are solid and they aren’t the best with English but again good enough and not a problem. I’ve always thought we’d buy a place in the US SE to spend winters but my wife and I are now talking Portugal as an option. She retires in two years so the time for us to make a move is now.Went to the Phillies series in London a few years ago then flew to Portugal (1 week in Albufeira 1 week in Lisbon). My long term plans after the kids graduate college include moving to Portugal. Beautiful country with a great history and wonderful people. This was in a window at a bar we were at in Lisbon
January 23Jan 23 @vikas83 This is why I disagree with you about fighting the admin, especially when it comes to Universities. They lose pretty often.
January 23Jan 23 1 hour ago, VanHammersly said:I think you're confusing policy with tone here. I'm not in favor of going hard left when it comes to policy proposals, I'm in favor of going antagonistic when it comes to tone. What I'm tired of, and what gains Democrats absolutely nothing, is the conciliatory messages of "bringing the country together".We're a long way off from Clinton and even Obama. We're a radically different country then we were even 20+ years ago when Obama came on the scene. Now the country's looking for authenticity out of a politician, not unity. The whole "let's role up our sleeves and work together" messages read as bullsheet because they are bullsheet. One side is working towards building a better country (whether you agree with every policy they propose, their goal is to improve the country as they see it) and the other is working towards destroying it. That's not a dichotomy that's compatible with building a better country together.Policy-wise, the far left can be brought into the fold with a tent pole populist proposal (say universal healthcare) and aside from that, a Dem candidate doesn't have to bend to the whims of their left flank (on policy) as long as he (has to be a he) makes everything else about demonizing and attacking the right and making it extremely clear that Republicans (all Republicans, not just the politicians) are the enemy of America.If a Dem candidate is attacking and actually leveling with the American people instead of tossing out platitudes about joy and hope that land like they were heavily tested on a focus group of moms, that's their appeal to the middle. Tone is their appeal. Policy should always be secondary, if not outright ignored, as often as possible. But in order to steer the media into ignoring policy, you better be attacking, starting public fights and creating new stories for them to focus on.Where do you see this strategy taking the country? What happens? Play it out for us.
January 23Jan 23 40 minutes ago, VanHammersly said:@vikas83 This is why I disagree with you about fighting the admin, especially when it comes to Universities. They lose pretty often.The problem is 2 fold. First, the courts are too slow. By the time JPM wins, the stock will be down another 10-15%, and Dimon will be getting heat from shareholders. Universities don't have to answer to shareholders and a stock market. Second, if he wins this, Trump's next move will be to send the regulators after him. So if you win, you lose.The cost benefit analysis is easy. Just pay, keep your head down, and try to ride out 3 more years.
January 23Jan 23 9 hours ago, DrPhilly said:I have several friends who have either moved to Portugal or spend their winters there. They all really like it and I have as well the many times I’ve visited. Lisbon is one popular spot and the other is the south coast. Not really much to dislike. They don’t have the best food or wine in Europe but both are solid and they aren’t the best with English but again good enough and not a problem. I’ve always thought we’d buy a place in the US SE to spend winters but my wife and I are now talking Portugal as an option. She retires in two years so the time for us to make a move is now.Move to Portugal and find a mistress in the SE US
January 23Jan 23 22 minutes ago, toolg said:InsaneHe's such a f'ing Karen. Couldn't get the manager to comp the appetizers so now he's salty as F, ordering completely off menu and everything on the side.
January 23Jan 23 2 hours ago, toolg said:InsaneWhat would be the point ?Apparently the rest of the NATO countries forces hang back from the front line anyway.Sorry but he's an utter creature. Excrement in human form.
January 23Jan 23 2 hours ago, toolg said:InsaneHow does he not know we invoked it after 9/11 and they responded?
January 23Jan 23 2 hours ago, toolg said:InsaneUsually people get wiser with age, but Trump is the exact opposite.Then again, he never had a chance to wise up, as he doesn’t have enough brain capacity to accomplish that feat.
January 23Jan 23 3 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:How does he not know we invoked it after 9/11 and they responded?How did he not know that injecting bleach into yourself wouldn’t cure Covid?
January 23Jan 23 3 minutes ago, Frankfurteagle89 said:How did he not know that injecting bleach into yourself wouldn’t cure Covid?Touche
January 23Jan 23 4 hours ago, DrPhilly said:Where do you see this strategy taking the country? What happens? Play it out for us.This strategy gives the Dems a way to appeal to their base without flying off the handle on the policy sheet and, on top of that, it lets Dems do what Reps have been doing for decades, attacking not just the political actors on the other side but the entire idea of being a Republican. But of course, it's extremely personality based, it couldn't be done by most Dems because most Dems are boring nerds who no one wants to listen to.Where does it take the country? I have no idea dude. We're almost certainly F'd either way. But I'd guess a Dem president could buy us more time.
Create an account or sign in to comment