American Politics XIII: (Un)Lucky For Some

[Ifreann]

Yeah, "gay" is just "straight trying to be cool".

They aren’t self identifying as gay or bi or lesbian but as other things like pansexual or heteroflexible and other such things.

When you say your a hetroflex you can claim LGBT+ status without actually ever having to be in a relationship with a same sex partner.

Whereas to be really gay you have to be in a gay relationship?

It’s an increase in these that’s making up the majority plus a massive amount of trendyness.

Keep in mind that Gen Z is still fucking young and they can’t make up their minds on really anything.

Keep in mind that human sexuality isn't something where we can observe naturally occurring categories. We can't differentiate between being straight, being bi, and being gay in the same way we can differentiate between alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. There are no attraction molecules that we can examine under a microscope. Teenagers and young adults in the US today are developing an understanding of their own sexual orientation using a more detailed vocabulary than was available when you or I were their age, that does not mean that they are being insincere and chasing trends.

[Umeria]

Okay, so the Senate has just passed their major climate, health and tax bill. It was 50-50 vote with VP Harris casting the tie-breaker.

However, the bill was changed in the some ways. First, Republicans were able to remove a $35 cap on out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance. They left alone that cap for Medicare, however. Seven Republicans did join the Democrats to keep that cap in place but it wasn't enough to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Then you had the parliamentarian who ruled that a measure that was in the bill to force drug companies to offer rebates if prescription prices outpaced inflation was not totally in line with the rules for budget reconciliation. She did said though that it could apply to Medicare patients but not those with private insurers. She was also the one that ruled the $35 cap for out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance as well that required a 60-vote threshold.

The carried interest tax loophole was not included thanks to Sinema but a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks was introduced instead. This would bring in much more money. However, it wouldn't take effect until 2023 so expect a lot of companies to do buybacks now (seems to defeat the purpose of passing such a thing).

Finally, Seven Democrats voted for a GOP Amendment that would shield businesses that rely on capital investment from private equity groups from the 15 percent corporate minimum tax. It would have been paid for by a one-year extension of the cap on state and local tax deductions (SALT). They were these Senators, four of whom are seeking re-election in a tough political environment (boldened):

Catherine Cortez Masto
Maggie Hassan
Mark Kelly
Jon Ossoff
Jacky Rosen
Raphael Warnock
Kyrsten Sinema

This would have likely tanked the bill in the House and it drew the ire of Democrats that accuse Sinema of backing away from a deal she agreed with Schumer. However, thanks to Senator Warner, he proposed an amendment that would replace the SALT cap extension with a different tax provision raising revenue. It passed with Harris being the tie-breaking vote. Had this succeeded, it likely would have resulted in several Democrats from NJ, CA, and NY in the House voting against the bill.

It now goes to the House, where it's expected to pass.

So, um... what's still in the bill?

[Ifreann]

Okay, so the Senate has just passed their major climate, health and tax bill. It was 50-50 vote with VP Harris casting the tie-breaker.

However, the bill was changed in the some ways. First, Republicans were able to remove a $35 cap on out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance. They left alone that cap for Medicare, however. Seven Republicans did join the Democrats to keep that cap in place but it wasn't enough to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Then you had the parliamentarian who ruled that a measure that was in the bill to force drug companies to offer rebates if prescription prices outpaced inflation was not totally in line with the rules for budget reconciliation. She did said though that it could apply to Medicare patients but not those with private insurers. She was also the one that ruled the $35 cap for out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance as well that required a 60-vote threshold.

The carried interest tax loophole was not included thanks to Sinema but a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks was introduced instead. This would bring in much more money. However, it wouldn't take effect until 2023 so expect a lot of companies to do buybacks now (seems to defeat the purpose of passing such a thing).

Finally, Seven Democrats voted for a GOP Amendment that would shield businesses that rely on capital investment from private equity groups from the 15 percent corporate minimum tax. It would have been paid for by a one-year extension of the cap on state and local tax deductions (SALT). They were these Senators, four of whom are seeking re-election in a tough political environment (boldened):

Catherine Cortez Masto
Maggie Hassan
Mark Kelly
Jon Ossoff
Jacky Rosen
Raphael Warnock
Kyrsten Sinema

This would have likely tanked the bill in the House and it drew the ire of Democrats that accuse Sinema of backing away from a deal she agreed with Schumer. However, thanks to Senator Warner, he proposed an amendment that would replace the SALT cap extension with a different tax provision raising revenue. It passed with Harris being the tie-breaking vote. Had this succeeded, it likely would have resulted in several Democrats from NJ, CA, and NY in the House voting against the bill.

It now goes to the House, where it's expected to pass.

So, um... what's still in the bill?

I'm guessing more money for police and the military somehow.

[San Lumen]

Okay, so the Senate has just passed their major climate, health and tax bill. It was 50-50 vote with VP Harris casting the tie-breaker.

However, the bill was changed in the some ways. First, Republicans were able to remove a $35 cap on out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance. They left alone that cap for Medicare, however. Seven Republicans did join the Democrats to keep that cap in place but it wasn't enough to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Then you had the parliamentarian who ruled that a measure that was in the bill to force drug companies to offer rebates if prescription prices outpaced inflation was not totally in line with the rules for budget reconciliation. She did said though that it could apply to Medicare patients but not those with private insurers. She was also the one that ruled the $35 cap for out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance as well that required a 60-vote threshold.

The carried interest tax loophole was not included thanks to Sinema but a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks was introduced instead. This would bring in much more money. However, it wouldn't take effect until 2023 so expect a lot of companies to do buybacks now (seems to defeat the purpose of passing such a thing).

Finally, Seven Democrats voted for a GOP Amendment that would shield businesses that rely on capital investment from private equity groups from the 15 percent corporate minimum tax. It would have been paid for by a one-year extension of the cap on state and local tax deductions (SALT). They were these Senators, four of whom are seeking re-election in a tough political environment (boldened):

Catherine Cortez Masto
Maggie Hassan
Mark Kelly
Jon Ossoff
Jacky Rosen
Raphael Warnock
Kyrsten Sinema

This would have likely tanked the bill in the House and it drew the ire of Democrats that accuse Sinema of backing away from a deal she agreed with Schumer. However, thanks to Senator Warner, he proposed an amendment that would replace the SALT cap extension with a different tax provision raising revenue. It passed with Harris being the tie-breaking vote. Had this succeeded, it likely would have resulted in several Democrats from NJ, CA, and NY in the House voting against the bill.

It now goes to the House, where it's expected to pass.

I get why the parliamentarian exists but i also dont like that someone totally unelected gets to decide what can and cannot be in a bill.

[Trendyperson]

Okay, so the Senate has just passed their major climate, health and tax bill. It was 50-50 vote with VP Harris casting the tie-breaker.

However, the bill was changed in the some ways. First, Republicans were able to remove a $35 cap on out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance. They left alone that cap for Medicare, however. Seven Republicans did join the Democrats to keep that cap in place but it wasn't enough to meet the 60-vote threshold.

Then you had the parliamentarian who ruled that a measure that was in the bill to force drug companies to offer rebates if prescription prices outpaced inflation was not totally in line with the rules for budget reconciliation. She did said though that it could apply to Medicare patients but not those with private insurers. She was also the one that ruled the $35 cap for out-of-pocket spending on insulin for patients enrolled in private insurance as well that required a 60-vote threshold.

The carried interest tax loophole was not included thanks to Sinema but a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks was introduced instead. This would bring in much more money. However, it wouldn't take effect until 2023 so expect a lot of companies to do buybacks now (seems to defeat the purpose of passing such a thing).

Finally, Seven Democrats voted for a GOP Amendment that would shield businesses that rely on capital investment from private equity groups from the 15 percent corporate minimum tax. It would have been paid for by a one-year extension of the cap on state and local tax deductions (SALT). They were these Senators, four of whom are seeking re-election in a tough political environment (boldened):

Catherine Cortez Masto
Maggie Hassan
Mark Kelly
Jon Ossoff
Jacky Rosen
Raphael Warnock
Kyrsten Sinema

This would have likely tanked the bill in the House and it drew the ire of Democrats that accuse Sinema of backing away from a deal she agreed with Schumer. However, thanks to Senator Warner, he proposed an amendment that would replace the SALT cap extension with a different tax provision raising revenue. It passed with Harris being the tie-breaking vote. Had this succeeded, it likely would have resulted in several Democrats from NJ, CA, and NY in the House voting against the bill.

It now goes to the House, where it's expected to pass.

I get why the parliamentarian exists but i also dont like that someone totally unelected gets to decide what can and cannot be in a bill.

The parliamentarian stuff is so stupid. So stupid.

[Prima Scriptura]

Even then LGBT people are only 5.6% of the adult population in 'Merica and only 15.9% of Gen Z adults. So while society is less straight than what most people think, most of it isn't LGBT.


Which estimates? I've seen from 2% to 20% but never above or below that.

It's based off a gallop poll from last year or early this year. Essentially self reporting has gone from 2% identifying in Generation X to 50% reporting in generation Z. Such a radical deviation in 2 generations begs the question of how much is it people feeling more comfortable, and how much of is it being "trendy"

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

[San Lumen]

It's based off a gallop poll from last year or early this year. Essentially self reporting has gone from 2% identifying in Generation X to 50% reporting in generation Z. Such a radical deviation in 2 generations begs the question of how much is it people feeling more comfortable, and how much of is it being "trendy"

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

I very much doubt its viewed as trendy.

[Trendyperson]

It's time for some trivia!

Who is the political character on my flag?

And, hey, you! No cheating! Answer below with a chance to win 30,000 Rick Scott is stupid Coins!

[Celritannia]

So you want these Democracy haters to win?

Correct AL, that is how it works.
Who are the Democracy Haters you are referring too?

People who support the Hungarian PM are democracy haters.

[Vassenor]

It's based off a gallop poll from last year or early this year. Essentially self reporting has gone from 2% identifying in Generation X to 50% reporting in generation Z. Such a radical deviation in 2 generations begs the question of how much is it people feeling more comfortable, and how much of is it being "trendy"

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

Guess being left handed is something people do because it's trendy too then.

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

Correct AL, that is how it works.
Who are the Democracy Haters you are referring too?

People who support the Hungarian PM are democracy haters.

smh use the correct phrases instead of these trendy neologisms
it's tyrants, oligarchs and autocrats

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

It's based off a gallop poll from last year or early this year. Essentially self reporting has gone from 2% identifying in Generation X to 50% reporting in generation Z. Such a radical deviation in 2 generations begs the question of how much is it people feeling more comfortable, and how much of is it being "trendy"

I’d say it’s mostly trendy in nature. Especially given that my own Generation (millennial) didn’t have such a large jump.

Plus many of these sexualities are just “straight people trying to be cool”

This misses the point so hard. No-one would become trans just for it being ‘trendy’, there is just too much derision that comes with it.

We are both millenials, and look at the shit we grew up with. Heteronormative, transphobic, queerphobic shit. I never knew what a nonbinary person was growing up. The terms me and my peers used to refer to LGBTQI+ people were mostly slurs.

What you are describing as a ‘trend’ is just more people daring to question their own gender and sexual identity in new and different ways. It’s still not ‘cool’ to do so, our society is still heteronormative. I feel like calling this a ‘trend’ deminishes the actual exploration of the self these people are doing, and they are inspiring me too. And with so much room on every spectrum, from gender to sexuality to polyamory, no wonder so many people don’t feel at home within the normative.

I think 50% is still a bit low tbh.

[Trendyperson]

It's time for some trivia!

Who is the political character on my flag?

And, hey, you! No cheating! Answer below with a chance to win 30,000 Rick Scott is stupid Coins!

Anyone wanna play?

[Port Caverton]

I’d say it’s mostly trendy in nature. Especially given that my own Generation (millennial) didn’t have such a large jump.

Plus many of these sexualities are just “straight people trying to be cool”

This misses the point so hard. No-one would become trans just for it being ‘trendy’, there is just too much derision that comes with it.

We are both millenials, and look at the shit we grew up with. Heteronormative, transphobic, queerphobic shit. I never knew what a nonbinary person was growing up. The terms me and my peers used to refer to LGBTQI+ people were mostly slurs.

What you are describing as a ‘trend’ is just more people daring to question their own gender and sexual identity in new and different ways. It’s still not ‘cool’ to do so, our society is still heteronormative. I feel like calling this a ‘trend’ deminishes the actual exploration of the self these people are doing, and they are inspiring me too. And with so much room on every spectrum, from gender to sexuality to polyamory, no wonder so many people don’t feel at home within the normative.

I think 50% is still a bit low tbh.

This is the hottest take I have seen on this website

[Necroghastia]

It's based off a gallop poll from last year or early this year. Essentially self reporting has gone from 2% identifying in Generation X to 50% reporting in generation Z. Such a radical deviation in 2 generations begs the question of how much is it people feeling more comfortable, and how much of is it being "trendy"

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

Definitely, huh? You sure? I suppose there's some rock solid studies or other evidence you can show, then.

[Trendyperson]

It's time for some trivia!

Who is the political character on my flag?

And, hey, you! No cheating! Answer below with a chance to win 30,000 Rick Scott is stupid Coins!

Anyone wanna play?

[Stellar Colonies]

Is a Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual Identity More Common Today? (Psychology Today)

According to that bar graph, a huuuge chunk of those identifying as LGB (excluding T and the other stuff) amongst Gen Z are selecting "bisexual", although it probably isn't the full picture due to those parentheses.

Anecdotally, I wouldn't be surprised if it were indicative of what's going on, though. A lot of those people selecting "bisexual" are probably more or less straight with some slight leanings over into that category, prompting them to select that.

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

Is a Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual Identity More Common Today? (Psychology Today)

(Image)

According to that bar graph, a huuuge chunk of those identifying as LGB (excluding T and the other stuff) amongst Gen Z are selecting "bisexual", although it probably isn't the full picture due to those parentheses.

Anecdotally, I wouldn't be surprised if it were indicative of what's going on, though.

aren't basically all humans on this sliding scale of bisexuality anyway

[Stellar Colonies]

Is a Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual Identity More Common Today? (Psychology Today)

(Image)

According to that bar graph, a huuuge chunk of those identifying as LGB (excluding T and the other stuff) amongst Gen Z are selecting "bisexual", although it probably isn't the full picture due to those parentheses.

Anecdotally, I wouldn't be surprised if it were indicative of what's going on, though.

aren't basically all humans on this sliding scale of bisexuality anyway

Theoretically.

This sort of thing probably has something to do with it as well.

[Alcala-Cordel]

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

Guess being left handed is something people do because it's trendy too then.

Left-handedness has increased so much in these past couple decades (as people stopped being punished for it). Young people must be left-handed because they want attention, clearly.

It might not be any of our business, but regardless we really need to spend an unreasonable amount of time complaining about it.

[Yerachmeal]

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

I very much doubt its viewed as trendy.

You are right, it;s not seen as trendy, coming from someone in gen z. I just see it as a personal choice.

[Prima Scriptura]

It’s definitely because gen z views it as “trendy”.

I very much doubt its viewed as trendy.

Yes, it is viewed as trendy. It’s considered homophobic to identify as exclusively heterosexual among gen z

[Port Caverton]

I very much doubt its viewed as trendy.

Yes, it is viewed as trendy. It’s considered homophobic to identify as exclusively heterosexual among gen z

https://youtu.be/exLXfpnzvbY

[Tinhampton]

According to the BBC, the main focus of the Inflation Reduction Act is "Climate change." Ignore the fact that it is literally called the Inflation Reduction Act.

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

I very much doubt its viewed as trendy.

Yes, it is viewed as trendy. It’s considered homophobic to identify as exclusively heterosexual among gen z

Have you maybe considered that the company you are keeping is fatally warping your worldview?