Political Posts

[Gregmal]

It’s all good and we do have a decent core of the “both sides” stuff in terms of OGs…I’m just particularly taken back, and amused by, the fact that there are indeed a bunch whom feel like they’ve endured hardships for having their relatively meaningless opinions challenged. Can you imagine? 

[Marco Van Basten]

11 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Obama was Martin Luther King Lite!  He was a great orator (no beep, beep, bong, bing, bongs from him), extremely charismatic, essentially an honest, decent person.  But the expectations were far, far higher than the results.  Not talking about the problems after 9/11, depths of the GFC, etc...but that regardless of partisan politics, he didn't get enough done based on the expectations thrust upon him.  The race politics had less to do with him and more to do with his opponents and supporters...the guy's half black and half white...why on earth would he be racist to white people?  With Trump, there's very obvious reasons why he has some racist (ok bigoted) perspectives...he's a WASP who never understood how anyone could be better than him

 

Trump is the anti-thesis of Obama.  For the better part of his life and his tenure as President, he's been a horrible human being and person, essentially a life-time grifter, who talked, lied, cheated his way into office and then did everything he could to stay there.  But he is a maverick when it comes to policy...he doesn't care about how things get done, as long as he gets what he wants.  Frankly an overachiever based on the expectations set by his opponents and his duplicitous, narcissistic tendencies!  

 

Cheers!

Obama destroyed health insurance market place in the United States, so yes he did a lot of damage.   

[Parsad]

8 hours ago, Gregmal said:

lol totally! The poor board was dominated only by two people… During a period in which, during half of it(ok 4 years to be exact)…there was little to no politics here at all!
 

Make no mention of the incredibly left leaning natural tendency of many on this board, and the overwhelming chorus of non contributors that only seem to jump in for the “good fight” as well. How many folks, quality ones, latest example being @james22 get run out of here for either being conservative or not bearish enough…they only do so too cuz of cubs and I…meanwhile, so tormented, I suppose, is this poor board, that despite the burden, more people seem to follow or care about what I say than either Sanjeev or Viking..wtf, so weird! You were even one of them til Trump took over your peace of mind.
 

Or that when I was off here in early 2021, folks collectively engaged in “peaceful protest”(not the kind that involves burning down cities thank goodness) with a bring Gregmal back movement…the first and only of its kind in COBF history. What did I do to get the ban? Called then NYC governor and liberal hero Cuomo a disgusting liar and creep. As with most things again, I was just way ahead of yall there too… go figure. 
 

Anyway, I hope you poor souls can endure. It’s just too much having to constantly be dominated by two people who hold different views. One day this board will be great again when it’s 100% composed of left leaning people with the same views!

 

I think your ego may be getting the better of you Greg.  The first callback for a poster on here was Ericopoly about 5-7 years before you ever joined.  Eric was a brilliant investor but once in a while would get overexcited.  When he came back from his ban, he was a better person for it, and so was I!  We became good friends and he remained a brilliant investor...and the overexcitement never appeared again.  Eric easily made more money for investors on this board than anyone else in history...you aren't even close!

 

I don't run this board because I want people to listen to me...I run it because I have lots of friends on here, I enjoy the banter (good and bad) and feel some responsibility to the members on here.  That being said, to suggest you've added more value than Viking is again your ego stroking itself!

 

If I wanted, I could kick out everyone on here except my closest friends...I certainly don't need the money from the ads or memberships.  It was always a board for me to meet up with friends and like-minded investors.  It's why I'm not shilling conferences, books, speaking engagements, podcasts or the like.  It was never the purpose of the site and never will be.

 

Now in terms of the makeup of the board...I would say 80% of people are centrists...with the remaining being left or right leaning.  Most people just want government to do their job without being assholes or extremists.  It's a pretty simple mandate, but gets complicated by all of the special interests, graft, lobbying and egos.  Unfortunately, this board does the same thing at times.  I just try to get people to post without being assholes or extremists!  Cheers! 

[Parsad]

6 hours ago, Sweet said:

Many thinks it’s divisive that conservatives are allowed a speak at all.  Must be tough hearing opposing views when it’s been left wing talking points dominating the internet for decades.

 

Nobody thinks that except for the extremists...and that happens on both sides of the aisle.  People just don't see why different speakers have to be assholes about things...again both sides of the aisle.  

 

If politicians simply say what they want to say, without being dicks or deep dives into subversive rants, no one has a problem with that.  Cheers!

[Parsad]

1 hour ago, Marco Van Basten said:

Obama destroyed health insurance market place in the United States, so yes he did a lot of damage.   

 

He didn't destroy health insurance, he implemented a plan that needed significant improvement, but also got coverage for 20-25M people who normally wouldn't have it.  

 

We have good health insurance in Canada...no fees really...yes, we have delays and are understaffed because of demographics, but everyone is covered.  How is that a bad thing and why can't the U.S. do the same?

 

Cheers!

[Parsad]

How long before Joe Rogan and MTG are outcast by the MAGA faithful?

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nicolle-wallace-says-trump-retaliate-000817534.html

 

Never thought it would happen!  But the odds are rising.  Cheers!

[Gregmal]

9 minutes ago, Parsad said:

I think your ego may be getting the better of you Greg.  The first callback for a poster on here was Ericopoly about 5-7 years before you ever joined.  Eric was a brilliant investor but once in a while would get overexcited.  When he came back from his ban, he was a better person for it, and so was I!  We became good friends and he remained a brilliant investor...and the overexcitement never appeared again.  Eric easily made more money for investors on this board than anyone else in history...you aren't even close!

Ok I stand corrected, twice its happened, prior to that 2008 or so... Eric was awesome and he was often right there in the mud with us, having these stupid, spirited debates. Thats good company to be in. 

 

Otherwise it was a lot of tongue in cheek. Those poor souls whom have to "endure" the hardships of choosing to read others! Oy vey! Frankly I have no clue why people care about anything I say. It's just surprising to me that despite the moaning, the numbers dont lie. 

 

12 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

Nobody thinks that except for the extremists...and that happens on both sides of the aisle.  People just don't see why different speakers have to be assholes about things...again both sides of the aisle.  

 

If politicians simply say what they want to say, without being dicks or deep dives into subversive rants, no one has a problem with that.  Cheers!

It's definitely different. A whole other class of nuisance gnat comes out for conservative posters here. God I remember around Jan 6 some jerk off, Doughisere or something suggest I get banned in response to the jan 6 protests lmfao. It's all good. We swat em away. 

[Parsad]

23 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Ok I stand corrected, twice its happened, prior to that 2008 or so... Eric was awesome and he was often right there in the mud with us, having these stupid, spirited debates. Thats good company to be in. 

 

Otherwise it was a lot of tongue in cheek. Those poor souls whom have to "endure" the hardships of choosing to read others! Oy vey! Frankly I have no clue why people care about anything I say. It's just surprising to me that despite the moaning, the numbers dont lie. 

 

 

I think people care about what you say because you are a good investor.  And I think those that are critical only hope that you would call out the bullshit on both sides with equal vigor.  That can also be said about others who are on the other side and should be doing the same.  Cheers!

[cubsfan]

48 minutes ago, Parsad said:

How long before Joe Rogan and MTG are outcast by the MAGA faithful?

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nicolle-wallace-says-trump-retaliate-000817534.html

 

Never thought it would happen!  But the odds are rising.  Cheers!

 

That's kind of a bullshit article, but appreciate reading it.

 

Those numbers quoted are not at all right, in that Homan and team have posted different numbers in terms of # of criminals rounded up in Chicago. It has been an amazingly successful 3-4 weeks here.  The number of gang members and criminals with outstanding orders of deportation are very large and are the first orders to be executed on.  It's very true that the local press keeps claiming their "fathers, sons and daughters" etc. are being "attacked".

 

Like yesterday when 2 19 year olds rammed an ICE SUV, and fled through the neighborhoods near the east side of Chicago - very working class immigrant area. The locals basically started a riot and it was reported all day long about them hounding these 2 young men.  It was announced this morning that both were Venezuelans with criminals records here illegally.  These idiots rammed an ICE figuring the community will protect them.  Imagine being that dumb - and now you are in detention and will be deported.

 

I wouldn't worry much about MTG. She's not in complete agreement with Trump, as she wants zero involvement in foreign conflicts - but she is 100% MAGA.

Edited October 15, 2025 by cubsfan

[LC]

8 hours ago, Sweet said:

Many thinks it’s divisive that conservatives are allowed a speak at all.  Must be tough hearing opposing views when it’s been left wing talking points dominating the internet for decades.

 

Coming from the guy who "muted" me because he didn't like my political opinions!

 

The irony writes itself, boys and girls!    

[Marco Van Basten]

1 hour ago, Parsad said:

 

He didn't destroy health insurance, he implemented a plan that needed significant improvement, but also got coverage for 20-25M people who normally wouldn't have it.  

 

We have good health insurance in Canada...no fees really...yes, we have delays and are understaffed because of demographics, but everyone is covered.  How is that a bad thing and why can't the U.S. do the same?

 

Cheers!

Actually he did.  I was able to buy a plan for $200 per month that would allow me to see any doctor or a hospital.  Today, these plans are NOT available for individuals and families.  For a business, this plan costs $15K for individual, and $40K for the family.  How is that affordable?

As for coverage for 20-25MM people, that was accomplished via a gigantic tax increase (additional 0.9% Medicare tax on wages, raising federal capital gains tax from 15% to 23.8%, individual tax rate from 35.0% to 39.6%, 3.8% tax on investment income.)  You give me a tax increase big enough and I will cover 100 Million.  By the way, what is good about some people paying $30 per month for the their health coverage because they choose to pursue their passion of doing nothing?  A lot of things do not work in the US: why does NYC spend $44k per year on educating kids in public schools when only $10K reaches the school?  May be Canada is more efficient and does not have 40% of the population on the dole like NYC?  Singapore does a good job too.

 

The point is he made a bad situation much worse.  

[Gregmal]

Yea it was stunning being a young and healthy mid 20s dude trying to run and business and finding out that I was gonna get fucked with a big ass fine if I CHOSE not to have any health insurance! Imagine that? If I chose to take the risk of not being insured the government would fine me…

[adesigar]

1 hour ago, Parsad said:

 

He didn't destroy health insurance, he implemented a plan that needed significant improvement, but also got coverage for 20-25M people who normally wouldn't have it.  

 

We have good health insurance in Canada...no fees really...yes, we have delays and are understaffed because of demographics, but everyone is covered.  How is that a bad thing and why can't the U.S. do the same?

 

Cheers!

 

I have a friend in Canada. In the last 5 years his wife and daughter both had serious medical conditions but getting an appointment with a specialist was nearly a 6 months wait and the doctors were terrible. He decided to take them to India and got them treated. 
 

I’ve also personally had bad experiences with doctors in Europe. The quality of doctors in Europe sucked compared to the doctors in the USA.

 

[dwy000]

37 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Yea it was stunning being a young and healthy mid 20s dude trying to run and business and finding out that I was gonna get fucked with a big ass fine if I CHOSE not to have any health insurance! Imagine that? If I chose to take the risk of not being insured the government would fine me…

Like any type of insurance, nobody wants to pay for it when they dont need it but want max coverage when they do.  The whole point of it is to even out costs across a broad population.  The only reason anyone over 50 or with a pre existing condition can afford health insurance is because of those young people paying in. You pay in when youre young and receive the benefits of that when youre older.  If they charged people over 65 the full cost of private insurance (unsubsidized) only a small fraction of the population could ever afford healthcare.  Hence Medicare funded by taxes.

 

I get hating it - especially if youre young or healthy or have no existing condition.  But what's the alternative?  People have complained for 20 years about the ACA (for good reason!), but nobody on either side has offered any kind of alternative.  

 

Ironically the govt shutdown hinges quite a bit on this and its going to be very interesting if the GOP get their way.  Most of those beneficiaries are in red states and there's going to be a meltdown if people cant afford to go to the hospital. Or hospitals close. 

 

[Parsad]

4 hours ago, Marco Van Basten said:

Actually he did.  I was able to buy a plan for $200 per month that would allow me to see any doctor or a hospital.  Today, these plans are NOT available for individuals and families.  For a business, this plan costs $15K for individual, and $40K for the family.  How is that affordable?

As for coverage for 20-25MM people, that was accomplished via a gigantic tax increase (additional 0.9% Medicare tax on wages, raising federal capital gains tax from 15% to 23.8%, individual tax rate from 35.0% to 39.6%, 3.8% tax on investment income.)  You give me a tax increase big enough and I will cover 100 Million.  By the way, what is good about some people paying $30 per month for the their health coverage because they choose to pursue their passion of doing nothing?  A lot of things do not work in the US: why does NYC spend $44k per year on educating kids in public schools when only $10K reaches the school?  May be Canada is more efficient and does not have 40% of the population on the dole like NYC?  Singapore does a good job too.

 

The point is he made a bad situation much worse.  

 

Tax rates are considerably higher in Canada, thus why we have universal healthcare including coverage for pre-existing conditions.  You guys don't want to pay higher taxes to cover everyone.

 

Canada has plenty of people on the dole...this is almost unavoidable for developed countries with broad social programs.  But we choose to provide and cover the basic necessities of life for all of our citizens.  Do we cover more than we need to in terms of programs that could be trimmed or eliminated...yes.  But I would rather the government care for the vulnerable and less privileged than let their fates dangle in the wind.  Cheers!

[Parsad]

3 hours ago, adesigar said:

 

I have a friend in Canada. In the last 5 years his wife and daughter both had serious medical conditions but getting an appointment with a specialist was nearly a 6 months wait and the doctors were terrible. He decided to take them to India and got them treated. 
 

I’ve also personally had bad experiences with doctors in Europe. The quality of doctors in Europe sucked compared to the doctors in the USA.

 

 

This has less to do with Canada's healthcare system and more to do with demographics.  India has a young workforce where the young well outnumber the old and the number of people entering middle class is increasing.  Canada is an aging population where the number of taxpaying citizens relative to retired citizens has declined dramatically over the last 30 years...not dissimilar to the U.S., Japan and Europe...thus the large influx of immigrant workers.  Cheers!

[moatrep]

It will be much better to bring young people from diferent countries than from only one, but there is a net of people riging the game with false scolarships around the world. All good with those countries getting new migrants but they should not be replaced by other culture, they have to diversify the migrants by nationality or they risk to lose their own identity. Also to make it fair for all the world. It's a win win if the politicians step on this caos. You cannot have like Canada 45 percent of new permanent residents  from only one country (If it goes to 20 percent it will be the logical proportion by world population logic). This countries mentioned can attract young people from all around the world if the rules are not prey for game.

Edited October 16, 2025 by moatrep

[Sweet]

8 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Nobody thinks that except for the extremists...and that happens on both sides of the aisle.  People just don't see why different speakers have to be assholes about things...again both sides of the aisle.  

 

If politicians simply say what they want to say, without being dicks or deep dives into subversive rants, no one has a problem with that.  Cheers!

It’s tongue in cheek, but many hate hearing the opposing take.  You’re actually somewhat of an exception, many in your position would have just banned a load of people.

[LC]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/media/pentagon-press-hegseth-restrictions-journalists-fox

 

Just another day in Trumpistan! 

 

Our Trump-branded freedom is so great again, his supporters can finally spew racist bullshit and nazi symbols without guilt!

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/15/capitol-police-investigating-swastika-in-gop-congressional-office-00609704

 

 

[LC]

What's another 20B between friends?

 

Make Argentina Great Again!

https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-argentina-bailout

[cubsfan]

15 minutes ago, LC said:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/media/pentagon-press-hegseth-restrictions-journalists-fox

 

Just another day in Trumpistan! 

 

Our Trump-branded freedom is so great again, his supporters can finally spew racist bullshit and nazi symbols without guilt!

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/15/capitol-police-investigating-swastika-in-gop-congressional-office-00609704

 

LOL - better than flying the Pride Flag in Kabul and teaching gender queers studies to Afghans....might as well spit in their face.

 

No more Bullshit tolerated in the Pentagon.

[LC]

Good to know you care more about the religious sensibilities of Afghans than the constitutional rights of Americans!  

[cubsfan]

11 minutes ago, LC said:

Good to know you care more about the religious sensibilities of Afghans than the constitutional rights of Americans!  

 

Ya' gotta admit - that was one brilliant Biden foreign policy.

 

Let's jam the worst of America's ridiculous progressive values down the throat of a traditional Islamic society - gender queer theory.   Makes as much sense as the current "Queers for Palestine" Movement.

 

It's like pissing on your neighbors lawn.

[John Hjorth]

Gentlemen @LC and Mike [ @cubsfan ],

 

Now please stop ruining the overall CofB&F board sentiment, and the sentiment in this topic!, ref. your above posts.

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Please get back to investing, which is what the Corner of Berkshire and Fairfax is all about!

[cubsfan]

14 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

Gentlemen @LC and Mike [ @cubsfan ],

 

Now please stop ruining the overall CofB&F board sentiment, and the sentiment in this topic!, ref. your above posts.

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Please get back to investing, which is what the Corner of Berkshire and Fairfax is all about!

 

John, John, John - why does the man that has hundreds of posts in the politics thread now claim to be "offended"??

 

Are you threatened that your anti-Trump feels are looking silly?

 

The politics playpen was set aside for such exchanges just so @LC and others can have a little fun hammering Cubs.

 

Must be a European thing - thin skin. Try the American Way - Freedom of Expression.