Merv's Politically Incorrect Audio Blog

The public transport systems are not that good anymore. In Amsterdam, after the completion of the Noord-Zuidlijn the municipality of Amsterdam and public transport companies cut off or changed many handy routes. All in favour of getting people on a multi-million project that was almost a disaster. Without return on investment that metro line can embarrass the municipality of Amsterdam.

Recently in the weekend of the Harry Styles concert in Amsterdam, the NS failed so hard that people were either disgusted or shocked. Guess what happened a day after the huge fail? The NS announced price hikes and decreased compensation in case of delays or other issues. It is hard to believe, simply awful.

I am going back to cycling on my mountainbike again. I love biking. The worst part of cycling are the phone users, ear phone wearers, electronic bicycles next to the wannabe Lance Amstrongs. After cycling through Amsterdam for years, I expect an accident behind every blind corner. Dodging idiots and tourists on a daily basis does that...

 

Yeah i rarely go to Amsterdam and i live in a small town so my perspective is a bit different.

 

Assuming this is the off the rails political thread. My prediction is a 60% probability Biden is not the Dem nominee.

 

and if Trump isn't the republican nominee then could we actually have a decent choice this time??? probably not...

 

You guys are too hopeful

 

Why do you think Biden won’t be the nominee? And if not him, who can consolidate a large enough base of support to get the nom?

 

Because he's dead/critically ill or because he's primaried? I think there's zero chance anyone serious challenges him for the nomination, but I suppose the former is possible.

 

You virgins...this shit is still too early. Talk to me once we are hitting primary season.

The "death" of DeSantis campaign is too early, we haven't even hit the first debate yet. Not like I'm voting for DeSantis in the FL Primaries anyhow.....

 

would be a catastrophically sad, virgin-esque choice to vote for desantis, thank u for your service

 

Are folks writing off DeSantis? Maybe it's because I'm a Floridian, but I kinda just assume that if Trump doesn't get the Rebulican nomination for some reason, it's DeSantis' for the taking. After those two, it's Pence and Haley, neither of whom are polling very well. And DeSantis has been on a roll lately, taking bold positions on legislation and policies to position himself for a presidential run. C'mon - being tough on Disney? Terrible for Florida, but great for raising his national profile.

I'm also with @caute - too early to say Biden's a lock, but it's more likely a function of health than any legitimate primary challenger. It isn't going to be Harris or Buttigieg, and maybe Bernie, Warren or some upstart progressive will run, but that will be to push the party platform to the left a bit, rather than a legitimate presidential campaign. Some billionaire is bound to put their name in the hat, but like, read the room - that strategy only works in the other party.

Anyway, my $0.02.

 

It's way too early to make any solid predictions on the Republican side, I wouldn't at all count out DeSantis at this stage, but you don't challenge an incumbent President in a primary outside of some serious extenuating circumstances, so I don't think there's anywhere near the same level of uncertainty on the other side. Just thinking historically, I think the last really close primary challenge to a sitting president was Reagan almost beating Ford, but Ford had never been elected President (or VP) and was tainted by Nixon, yet still eked it out. It's very hard to see any serious candidate challenging Biden rather than waiting til 2028.

 

I nominate Connor Roy.

 

I'm gonna vote for this guy...

 

I always tell people that the best fiscal conservatives/libertarians have these beliefs:

• Privatize Social Security/Medicare and most of these government Ponzi schemes.
• Repeal the 16th amendment.
• Shut down so many government departments that I do not think should federalize (Dept of Education).

Of course when I say these comments (the SS/Medicare one) to the stereotypical boomer here in FL they all start becoming defensive saying "They pay into Social Security/Medicare and they are entitled to it." I'm like why the government can handle other people's monies for retirement when they can't keep run a budget! And I also advised I never consent to the government taking money from my paycheck. In my eyes the SS/Medicare payroll deductions are in violation of the 16th amendment (since they aren't considered Federal Income Tax) and I do believe it deserves to be heard by SCOTUS IMO.

Too bad W couldn't get Social Security privatized back in the late 2000s, it was needed then and more than needed now. Then again, the GOP will not talk about it since they know their base of older voters love those government programs (I mean I am in the land of FL).

 

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Lots of things can happen between now and primary time.

Unless they keep him out of the public eye and with no speeches for the next year, appearances may be detrimental. Cognitive decline is not something people will vote for.

As for someone strong enough. Well, that is a challenge. Yet someone will be supported by the powers of the party and folks will fall in line.