Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4980 – March 28, 2026, 05:29:06 pm Quote from: ElwoodBlues1 – on March 27, 2026, 06:45:16 pmQuote from: tonyo – on March 27, 2026, 05:04:46 pmIt's worth reading about (and there's a few good articles) what cutting the fuel excise now would do. The net effect would be to send inflation northward at an alarming rate, and lead to far greater pain for a much longer time. Economic times now are very different to those that prevailed when the excise was cut during Covid.Of course, that doesn't stop opportunistic populist w***ers like Hanson, Joyce et al who claim that it shows the Government doesn't care about struggling Australians. Cheap punchlines with little or no credibility in terms of actual decision-making. Medium to Long term maybe but short term which it would be in this case imho I don't agree and it would have a deflationary effect by lowering transport costs which in turn should reduce items like supermarket goods. Treasurer Chalmers is planning on cutting the exemptions for EVs with regards FBT and import tariffs plus introduce a EV road users tax which should send EV sales plummeting and Motorists back to ICE vehicles and continuing demand for petrol which given events in Iran he might want to rethink.20c a liter cut in excise is laughable mate, if someones sailing that close to the wind they may as well sell up.Netflix, 3 x bathroom homes, butlers kitchens, Sherman tanks to drop the kids to school and home Aircons and lights running 24/7…It’s wont be pretty but we need a shake up, people need to learn to prioritise, same as the housing bubble needs to be burst, it’ll hurt those of us that own our homes but our kids and grandkids will thank us.Seperately, I was asked by a mate if I’m going to introduce a fuel surcharge (I’m a tradie) my answer is no.At this point in time a fuel surcharge will just drive the CPI (somewhat) needlessly, hurting everyone.It may need to happen but for now I’m holding my prices.My daily drive is usually a 100km return unless I’m doing more run around. I also didn’t take the covid payments because I didn’t need them. Sometimes we need to think beyond our own hip pocket imho. Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4981 – March 28, 2026, 05:53:52 pm I read an article in the last 2 or 3 days that stated our petrol prices and petrol taxes are among the lowest compared to other countries with similar economies. Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4982 – March 28, 2026, 06:11:16 pm Quote from: PaulP – on March 28, 2026, 05:53:52 pmI read an article in the last 2 or 3 days that stated our petrol prices and petrol taxes are among the lowest compared to other countries with similar economies. Previous to recent events Thailands fuel prices were pretty much in synch with Australian prices per lt.Thai daily wage is about 300 baht a day (Aud$13), remind me about our cost of living crisis please… Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4983 – March 28, 2026, 07:26:24 pm Quote from: northernblue – on March 28, 2026, 06:11:16 pmPrevious to recent events Thailands fuel prices were pretty much in synch with Australian prices per lt.Thai daily wage is about 300 baht a day (Aud$13), remind me about our cost of living crisis please…I don't know much about Thailand, so I can't really comment, but I'd hazard a guess that much like other similar countries, they must try to get by with less, with an attendant lower standard of living. At any rate, here is the article I mentioned, dated 25th March 2026 :https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/fuel-excise-tax-australia-explainer/0kc4vxc2m Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4984 – March 28, 2026, 08:25:04 pm Just got back from Cambodia. Their petrol was about 3,300 Riel <$1.20. It is now 7,200 >$2.50. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4985 – March 31, 2026, 11:03:32 am Taco's recent press conference was notable for his rambling sidebar about how he did away with the ceremonial pens used for signing bills or orders. He claimed that the original pens cost $1K each but he had them replaced them with "Sharpies" after calling the manufacturer, Newell Brands, and asking them to make "Sharpies" with his signature and the facade of the White House. Taco claimed the Newell Brands offered them gratis, but he insisted on paying $5 each. Within 24 hours Newell Brands denied ever having a conversation with Taco about providing the personalised "Sharpies". Is he delusional or a pathological liar? Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4986 – March 31, 2026, 11:25:02 am Quote from: DJC – on March 31, 2026, 11:03:32 amTaco's recent press conference was notable for his rambling sidebar about how he did away with the ceremonial pens used for signing bills or orders. He claimed that the original pens cost $1K each but he had them replaced them with "Sharpies" after calling the manufacturer, Newell Brands, and asking them to make "Sharpies" with his signature and the facade of the White House. Taco claimed the Newell Brands offered them gratis, but he insisted on paying $5 each. Within 24 hours Newell Brands denied ever having a conversation with Taco about providing the personalised "Sharpies". Is he delusional or a pathological liar?It's one of those situations where both options can be correct Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4987 – March 31, 2026, 11:40:15 am Quote from: DJC – on March 31, 2026, 11:03:32 amTaco's recent press conference was notable for his rambling sidebar about how he did away with the ceremonial pens used for signing bills or orders. He claimed that the original pens cost $1K each but he had them replaced them with "Sharpies" after calling the manufacturer, Newell Brands, and asking them to make "Sharpies" with his signature and the facade of the White House. Taco claimed the Newell Brands offered them gratis, but he insisted on paying $5 each. Within 24 hours Newell Brands denied ever having a conversation with Taco about providing the personalised "Sharpies". Is he delusional or a pathological liar?Both. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4988 – March 31, 2026, 11:43:46 am Quote from: Lods – on March 31, 2026, 11:25:02 amIt's one of those situations where both options can be correct Very true!It's also one of those frequent occasions when Taco departs from the topic under discussion and rambles about something irrelevant, like the disastrous ballroom. His coping mechanism when he can't remember what he's supposed to say.And he's flanked by Rubio and Hegseth grinning like village idiots but ever alert to give him a nudge when he dozes off. Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4989 – March 31, 2026, 11:47:04 am Don't forget the beautiful Gold Curtains. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4990 – April 02, 2026, 09:46:54 am In 1986, Harry Frankfurt wrote an essay entitled On Bullsh1t. It was later published as a book with the same title (around the early 2000's IIRC). The main thesis of the book is Frankfurt's distinction between Liars and Bullsh1ters. The former knows what the truth is, but they deliberately tell you something different, in order to deceive, for a whole bunch of reasons. The latter in fact do not what the truth is, nor what is a lie, and nor do they care. They will simply tell you anything to achieve their aim - the concept of truth or falsity does not cross their mind and is simply not part of the equation. Frankfurt considers Bullsh1ters to be more problematic and more dangerous than Liars.It is an open question IMO, which camp Trump falls into. At this point, I'm leaning towards thinking he is in fact a Bullsh1ter, or maybe some blend of both. Quote Selected Last Edit: April 02, 2026, 09:49:44 am by PaulP
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4991 – April 02, 2026, 09:51:49 am https://prospect.org/2025/09/05/2025-09-05-trump-joy-of-bullcrap/Turns out Harry Frankfurt thinks Trump is both. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4992 – April 02, 2026, 09:54:44 am It's a blend.I think he believes a lot of his own BS...and there is also a touch of ADHD and cognitive decline.He's a complicated character Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4993 – April 02, 2026, 01:43:24 pm I think RedTrump is so deeply entrenched as a liar that he has become proficient at leading people believe he is just bullcrapt!ng or taking the piss, which he thinks can then get him out of being held to accountability! Quote Selected
Re: Trumpled (Alternative Leading) Reply #4994 – April 02, 2026, 01:54:30 pm He looked a bit tired to-dayI think he needs a papa nap. Quote Selected