US economy thread (4 Viewers)

[beer 30]

There are many businesses that have to undergo scenario planning and preparation for these tariffs only to have them paused and then reinstated a few weeks later and then paused and then reinstated….

It seems terribly inefficient for US businesses.

I don’t think the tariffs are a good idea, but I’d rather we go forward with them than to keep bouncing back and forth. Let the businesses and the market adjust.

Bro, my company has business on both sides of the border. We all roll up under the same corporate umbrella but we treat CAN & USA as separate companies. We transfer equipment back & forth enough that this is impactful. Working on a move now that was going to cost us $400k in tariffs on Tuesday that now won't. We also have a manufacturing facility in CAN that supplies about 70% of the product we consume internally in the US. This week we can ship, next week, who knows? It's frustrating as hell and I don't see it changing any time soon.

 

[Stoneworker]

I was speaking about broad-based manufacturing, not specific segments. Also, the CHIPS and BEAD programs weren't really intended to bring manufacturing writ large back to the USA. They were intended to lessen the dependence on foreign made components for critical national security (military and economic) reasons. Huawei and ZTE were likely lower cost than Qualcomm, etc. but there was national security risks. These acts sought to break some of the supply chain links that led to China.

There are reasons other than bottom line economics for making such requirements.

Doesn't matter. It's all industrial policy. And once that seal is broken, what becomes "strategic" is entirely subjective

OK, I get that.

But blanket tariffs as as industrial policy is WAAAAAAY more destructive and affects orders of magnitude more commerce than tax breaks for setting up semiconductor plants, or the prohibition on certain sectors using certain items built outside the US.

In practical terms, tariffs are no different than economic sanctions. Trade-based tools used to achieve certain outcomes deemed broadly beneficial to the interests of the country.

Am I supporter of the current policy? Not really (although some of the apparent end goals are laudable)

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

 

[The Z Machine]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

 

[The Duff Man]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

As one example of this.

Potash is a key ingredient for fertilizer. With planting season coming up the industry has been begging for an exemption.

The US can only produce about 10% of their domestic needs and get most of the rest from Canada.

 

[Stoneworker]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

 

[The Z Machine]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

As someone that works for a company that has factories in like 10 different countries, there is no upside for us in the manipulation and flip flopping on tariffs. The only thing that we could do is raise prices across the board and hope we don't crater our market share. Then if tariffs are removed or don't come, we pocket the increased margin while the customer has less buying power due to inflation.

 

[tommyGunZ]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

 

[opensourcebeer]

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

It feels like a rug pull.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

We are getting off topic. The tariff back and forth is a pain but the core of the US economy is a bull and I think negative sentiment outweighs reality currently.

And if we do get a recession, we were kind of overdue for one. Recession is unfortunately a necessary part of capitalism. It's time. If not now, then soon.

 

[The Z Machine]

We are getting off topic. The tariff back and forth is a pain but the core of the US economy is a bull and I think negative sentiment outweighs reality currently.

And if we do get a recession, we were kind of overdue for one. Recession is unfortunately a necessary part of capitalism. It's time. If not now, then soon.

How are tariffs and their effect on the economy off topic?

 

[SFBayDuck]

We are getting off topic. The tariff back and forth is a pain but the core of the US economy is a bull and I think negative sentiment outweighs reality currently.

And if we do get a recession, we were kind of overdue for one. Recession is unfortunately a necessary part of capitalism. It's time. If not now, then soon.

How are tariffs and their effect on the economy off topic?

They aren’t.

 

[Stoneworker]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

 

[The Z Machine]

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Cool bro. Enjoy the guac.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

We are getting off topic. The tariff back and forth is a pain but the core of the US economy is a bull and I think negative sentiment outweighs reality currently.

And if we do get a recession, we were kind of overdue for one. Recession is unfortunately a necessary part of capitalism. It's time. If not now, then soon.

This is true. It's been true for 6-7 years. This is what the dems focused on and had their lunch handed to them. Objectivity is out and subjectivity/anecdotes are in.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you squint and actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Ummmm.....Buffett just did an interview about he and his group are struggling with navigation of this as it's worse than they planned for.

 

[gianmarco]

Canada pulling US liquor off the shelves.

That's $1B of sales gone.

Ontario video

 

[the moops]

Canada pulling US liquor off the shelves.

That's $1B of sales gone.

Ontario video

Did Canada already pay for these bottles? I don't know how liquor sales works so maybe thats a dumb question

 

[gianmarco]

Canada pulling US liquor off the shelves.

That's $1B of sales gone.

Ontario video

Did Canada already pay for these bottles? I don't know how liquor sales works so maybe thats a dumb question

It seems like whatever is purchased by bars and restaurants is there, but they won't restock. I'm guessing they won't sell them now either out of principle but can be sold at a later date.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

We are getting off topic. The tariff back and forth is a pain but the core of the US economy is a bull and I think negative sentiment outweighs reality currently.

And if we do get a recession, we were kind of overdue for one. Recession is unfortunately a necessary part of capitalism. It's time. If not now, then soon.

How are tariffs and their effect on the economy off topic?

At the time I posted that there was another post (possibly two) that strayed much further into the political realm, that have since been deleted. Those are what I was referring to.

 

[dkp993]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you squint and actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Ummmm.....Buffett just did an interview about he and his group are struggling with navigation of this as it's worse than they planned for.

Not sure that address Stone’s point. Regardless of how they feel about how it’s going, they planned for it and made adjustments. That’s the point.

 

[Mitchie]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you squint and actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Ummmm.....Buffett just did an interview about he and his group are struggling with navigation of this as it's worse than they planned for.

Not sure that address Stone’s point. Regardless of how they feel about how it’s going, they planned for it and made adjustments. That’s the point.

Ok so Buffet's a genius, how about the rest of us?

 

[stbugs]

would never buy a new car unless I were extremely wealthy. I mean, sure, someone has to buy them new and take the depreciation. But it certainly won't be me.

Me neither! I'm 52 and have purchased at least 10 cars in my lifetime. Never ever bought brand new and never ever will.

We’re almost 50 and have purchased 7 vehicles total, two new. We still have 3 of them (son #2 still drives our 07 highlander). We drove the odyssey 14 years and will drive our Grand Highlander at least a decade (probably 15 years). We’re not extremely wealthy by any stretch but buying new and keeping them a long time can be a good way to go.

I’m around you guys and have bought a mixture of used and new. Keep them all for a long time although I did sell a couple early for kid situations, but bought used to start. Currently have 1 bought new Jeep that has 10 more payments and was bought right before prices jumped so it was a great deal. Other 3 (oldest bought slightly used CRV so he’s on his own) are new and now 13 years old, 2 years used and now 10 years old and FIL gifted to oldest and now 14 years old. I’m selling the 14 year old car for my son and I’ll need another. Looking at used pickup trucks now to assist with the crazy amount of moving we’ll be doing the next few years. I was hoping to wait until my wife’s Jeep was paid off and it’ll be close.

The 10 year old car is a Lexus RX that runs great with low ish miles, so after getting a pickup, should only need one more in a couple years but my middle son will be out of college by then so maybe I can just help him get another. His Highlander will be close to 200k so maybe a little sketchy, but has been reliable so far.

Cars are effing expensive nowadays so buying used seems even smarter now.

 

[dkp993]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you squint and actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Ummmm.....Buffett just did an interview about he and his group are struggling with navigation of this as it's worse than they planned for.

Not sure that address Stone’s point. Regardless of how they feel about how it’s going, they planned for it and made adjustments. That’s the point.

Ok so Buffet's a genius, how about the rest of us?

Ah, we’re not… Well at least I’m certainly not.

 

[-OZ-]

Cars are effing expensive nowadays so buying used seems even smarter now.

properly maintained cars last a long time, so buying new can make sense. But you need to assess total costs per year. We probably pay a bit more per year by buying the 2025 grand Highlander but the combination of practicality and driving experience makes it a good purchase for us. And yes, we needed the SUV or a newer mini van.

 

[Sparky Polastri]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you squint and actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Ummmm.....Buffett just did an interview about he and his group are struggling with navigation of this as it's worse than they planned for.

Not sure that address Stone’s point. Regardless of how they feel about how it’s going, they planned for it and made adjustments. That’s the point.

They TRIED to plan for it and are still struggling and that is their job and area of expertise. The flippant tone of the initial post was pretty comical. "Just plan for it. No big deal" is pretty off for the average Joe given the self professed struggles of the professionals not on the inside.

 

[TheAristocrat]

This is why zombie apocalypse movies are so dumb. We've planned for it. We'll be fine. So simple.

 

[Zigg]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

Absolutely some people will profit greatly from this. That’s probably the point. However, the people turning this into economic gold are the people who already have all the gold. Same as always. Same as any event/crisis.

Also as always, the crumb chasers bend over backwards applauding the sandwich eaters.

 

[Zeppelin]

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

It's the magnitude and breadth of disruption, also the capricious way they are applied. It's causing chaos.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." -Sun Tzu

Plenty of people are going to turn this situation into economic gold. That's where I'd prefer to spend my energy and not fruitlessly railing against policy makers.

I’d love for you to explain how the on again, off again nature of the administration’s tariff policy is an economic win for American companies.

I ask sincerely because I’m in government affairs for an international Fortune 500 company and for the past 6 weeks I’ve spent dozens of hours on calls with Republican consultants, supply chain directors, and strategic managers trying to figure how to best mitigate the damage from tariffs that are on, then off, then back on, then back off. Emergency meetings because of tweets.

It’s freaking insane and it’s wasting millions and millions of hours in businesses across America.

If you squint and actually read what I said, it was about finding oppty. There will be winners and losers, just like there is with every major industrial policy shift.

The "T" word has been in play for well over a year now. The smart people took it seriously from the jump, mapped out scenario plans for the two admins ahead of time, and strengthened their balance sheet to ride out uncertainty and pursue opportunities when they fully emerge (Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett, anyone?).

Would love to go into this further...but too busy reading investment proposals related to the avocado industry.

Ummmm.....Buffett just did an interview about he and his group are struggling with navigation of this as it's worse than they planned for.

Not sure that address Stone’s point. Regardless of how they feel about how it’s going, they planned for it and made adjustments. That’s the point.

Ok so Buffet's a genius, how about the rest of us?

And a multi-billionaire.

 

[waiver wire]

Canada pulling US liquor off the shelves.

That's $1B of sales gone.

Ontario video

Did Canada already pay for these bottles? I don't know how liquor sales works so maybe thats a dumb question

From what I remember from a news interview , the US booze is on consignment so no money has been paid to the US makers

 

[Gr00vus]

I was speaking about broad-based manufacturing, not specific segments. Also, the CHIPS and BEAD programs weren't really intended to bring manufacturing writ large back to the USA. They were intended to lessen the dependence on foreign made components for critical national security (military and economic) reasons. Huawei and ZTE were likely lower cost than Qualcomm, etc. but there was national security risks. These acts sought to break some of the supply chain links that led to China.

There are reasons other than bottom line economics for making such requirements.

Doesn't matter. It's all industrial policy. And once that seal is broken, what becomes "strategic" is entirely subjective

OK, I get that.

But blanket tariffs as as industrial policy is WAAAAAAY more destructive and affects orders of magnitude more commerce than tax breaks for setting up semiconductor plants, or the prohibition on certain sectors using certain items built outside the US.

In practical terms, tariffs are no different than economic sanctions. Trade-based tools used to achieve certain outcomes deemed broadly beneficial to the interests of the country.

Am I supporter of the current policy? Not really (although some of the apparent end goals are laudable)

It's just kind of humorous listening to all the tariff-bashers wail away as if it's something new or different than previous industrial policies. It's not.

Tarrifs and economic sanctions are not practically equivalent. Sanctions are a diplomatic tool, not an economic policy tool.

 

[Stoneworker]

Tarrifs and economic sanctions are not practically equivalent. Sanctions are a diplomatic tool, not an economic policy tool.

Distinction without a difference. Both tariffs and sanctions are tools used to shape trade and foreign policy.

Are you seriously trying to suggest that economic tariffs haven't already resulted in "diplomatic" concessions vis-a-vis Canada and Mexico?

 

[Instinctive]

Mexico had sent 25K troops to the border a couple years ago. 20K this time around, if they ever get to it. So far they haven't that I'm aware of. Canada agreed to work (again) they had already agreed to a couple years ago. If the math is matching here all these tariffs amount to 5K less troops at the Mexico border. I guess that could be a "consession", though I wouldn't use that word for it.

And all because they don't like the "best trade deal ever" they forged last time in office.

See now THIS is an excellent example of political, yes, economy related not really

 

[Sparky Polastri]

Mexico had sent 25K troops to the border a couple years ago. 20K this time around, if they ever get to it. So far they haven't that I'm aware of. Canada agreed to work (again) they had already agreed to a couple years ago. If the math is matching here all these tariffs amount to 5K less troops at the Mexico border. I guess that could be a "consession", though I wouldn't use that word for it.

And all because they don't like the "best trade deal ever" they forged last time in office.

See now THIS is an excellent example of political, yes, economy related not really

Along with 95% of the posts in this thread over the last 10ish pages. Is there a reason we are being selective? The comment was a response to a political post.

 

[Instinctive]

Mexico had sent 25K troops to the border a couple years ago. 20K this time around, if they ever get to it. So far they haven't that I'm aware of. Canada agreed to work (again) they had already agreed to a couple years ago. If the math is matching here all these tariffs amount to 5K less troops at the Mexico border. I guess that could be a "consession", though I wouldn't use that word for it.

And all because they don't like the "best trade deal ever" they forged last time in office.

See now THIS is an excellent example of political, yes, economy related not really

Along with 95% of the posts in this thread over the last 10ish pages. Is there a reason we are being selective? The comment was a response to a political post.

Don't be part of the problem. Be better than that.

Your post reads as "other people are jumping off the bridge why shouldn't I?"

 

[SFBayDuck]

It’s been fun, fellas. Another FFA thread about to bite the dust as this place slowly dies.

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

 

[rockaction]

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

I resent the use of the word "soon" as the temporal framing for this statement.

 

[dkp993]

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

I resent the use of the word "soon" as the temporal framing for this statement.

Sounds like it’s time for another music draft/rating/discussion thread. FFA’s only safe space it seems.

 

[rockaction]

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

I resent the use of the word "soon" as the temporal framing for this statement.

Sounds like it’s time for another music draft/rating/discussion thread. FFA’s only safe space it seems.

We have the tonic. We have the prophylactic of the Thumper Rule. Prevents things from getting messy.

 

[dkp993]

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

I resent the use of the word "soon" as the temporal framing for this statement.

Sounds like it’s time for another music draft/rating/discussion thread. FFA’s only safe space it seems.

We have the tonic. We have the prophylactic of the Thumper Rule. Prevents things from getting messy.

There’s only 6 music related threads on the first page of topics at the moment. Things go nuts around here when it drops below 7. Be wary my ifriend.

 

[Desert_Power]

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

I resent the use of the word "soon" as the temporal framing for this statement.

Sounds like it’s time for another music draft/rating/discussion thread. FFA’s only safe space it seems.

You guys could be doing anything in there.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

I resent the use of the word "soon" as the temporal framing for this statement.

Sounds like it’s time for another music draft/rating/discussion thread. FFA’s only safe space it seems.

You guys could be doing anything in there.

Don't forget knives. I ordered a sweet knife thanks to the FFA!

 

[fatness]

"Americans are missing their car payments at the highest rate in more than 30 years. According to Fitch Ratings, 6.56% of subprime auto borrowers were are at least 60 days past due on their loans in January, the most since the agency began collecting the data in 1994. The findings highlight the financial strain many Americans are feeling, as rising costs and high interest rates make it harder to keep up with their bills."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/car-payments-hit-highest-level-010955012.htm

 

[FreeBaGeL]

"Americans are missing their car payments at the highest rate in more than 30 years. According to Fitch Ratings, 6.56% of subprime auto borrowers were are at least 60 days past due on their loans in January, the most since the agency began collecting the data in 1994. The findings highlight the financial strain many Americans are feeling, as rising costs and high interest rates make it harder to keep up with their bills."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/car-payments-hit-highest-level-010955012.htm

Like credit card debt, this is somewhat misleading (though not to the same extent as cc debt).

It looks bad when compared to the delinquency rate of prior years, but the trick is that January and February is usually the peak. For instance the delinquency rate in 2024 was 4.83%. But the rate in January of 2024 was 6.31%.

Similar in 2019 which finished the year around the same levels of 2024.

The rate will most likely trend downwards heavily throughout the year, if prior years are any indication.

 

[Zeppelin]

I'm just keeping up with traffic. If it's an honest concern of yours, you have a lot of other posts to be board copping in here. Better get on it. My posts will certainly be political when responding to political posts. And really, all but the last sentence was just stating the facts of the tariffs. I certainly could have not made the last comment.

@Joe Bryant @FBG Moderator

Sorry but I'm going to do everything I can to keep this thread from being shut down and political talk will shut it down.

 

[TennesseeJed]

"Americans are missing their car payments at the highest rate in more than 30 years. According to Fitch Ratings, 6.56% of subprime auto borrowers were are at least 60 days past due on their loans in January, the most since the agency began collecting the data in 1994. The findings highlight the financial strain many Americans are feeling, as rising costs and high interest rates make it harder to keep up with their bills."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/car-payments-hit-highest-level-010955012.htm

Like credit card debt, this is somewhat misleading (though not to the same extent as cc debt).

It looks bad when compared to the delinquency rate of prior years, but the trick is that January and February is usually the peak. For instance the delinquency rate in 2024 was 4.83%. But the rate in January of 2024 was 6.31%.

Similar in 2019 which finished the year around the same levels of 2024.

The rate will most likely trend downwards heavily throughout the year, if prior years are any indication.

Isn't the challenge that its setting new highs?

Not that the trend itself is changing, but that the trend line as a whole has shifter upward.


For example - I can pretty accurately describe what the curve of auto sales will be in any given year - the seasonal fluctuations rarely change - but if the entire curve shifts downward (or upward) that is newsworthy.

 

[Joe Bryant]

It’s been fun, fellas. Another FFA thread about to bite the dust as this place slowly dies.

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

Can you elaborate more on what you mean?

Slowly dies?

 

[djmich]

It’s been fun, fellas. Another FFA thread about to bite the dust as this place slowly dies.

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

Minus yoga pants and other assorted things we like of course .

 

[BeTheMatch]

It’s been fun, fellas. Another FFA thread about to bite the dust as this place slowly dies.

This place will soon be nothing but lists of **** old dudes like.

Can you elaborate more on what you mean?

Slowly dies?

Not speaking for Duck, but I think it's several things.

We're all literally slowly dying, first of all.
Secondly, more and more people have left or have been forced to leave, so that leaves, I'm guessing, a much smaller group around here.
And that in turn leads to a lot of bad blood and/or annoyance with each other that has built up over the years.

And ultimately, the current political climate in this country has basically forced everyone to choose tribes. You guys banned the Politics forum because of this, but it still leaks into all these different posts where people are keeping score and consulting their notebooks and know which tribe everyone is on.

And that just leads to a lot of strife.

I still love the place and hope I die before it does, but this board is very emblematic of a real-life circle of friends and what happens over time. We get crankier the older we get, some friends die, others move on, others are sick of each other. We can't talk about certain topics. We have to tiptoe around certain people.

It takes a lot of work to maintain it. And a lot of people just decide it's not worth it.

And to be clear, none of that is a criticism of FBG. It's just how it is.

 

[FBG Moderator]

I'm just keeping up with traffic. If it's an honest concern of yours, you have a lot of other posts to be board copping in here. Better get on it.

Please don't.

 

[FBG Moderator]

Don't be part of the problem. Be better than that.

Your post reads as "other people are jumping off the bridge why shouldn't I?"

This.