Curb Your Enthusiasm

The WashEx tells us that the new tax bill is losing the PR battle for hearts and minds:

Two new polls suggest the Republican tax bill is horribly unpopular

Republicans’ sales effort on their tax plan has fallen far short and the public mostly disapproves of their planned tax cut, two polls released Tuesday show.

A Quinnipiac poll found that just 29 percent of voters approve of the plan, while 53 percent disapprove.

Similarly, a Gallup poll showed 29 percent of Americans favoring the tax cut and 56 percent disapproving.

President Trump and the congressional GOP still have the support of Republicans, according to the new polling. But Democrats and independents strongly oppose the tax cuts. The plan has little support among women and minorities.

On the other hand... 

Although support for the tax cut isn’t that much lower than it was for Ronald Reagan’s tax reform in 1986, Gallup noted, the opposition is much bigger and much more engaged.

Hmm, Gallup was a bit less charitable:

Americans' current approval of the proposed tax changes is slightly lower than the 39% approval Gallup found the last time Congress took on a major overhaul of the federal tax code. That was in 1986, with President Ronald Reagan spearheading the legislation. However, the big difference between the two efforts is that far fewer Americans opposed the 1986 tax bill than oppose the proposals being debated today, 34% vs. 56%, respectively. More than a quarter of Americans in September 1986, just prior to final passage of that plan, expressed no opinion about it -- roughly twice today's level.

39% support for the Reagan era bipartisan effort vs. 29% now?

 

Well, if the economy hums, jobs are created and wages rise Trump will get the credit, and considering his anti-regulatory zeal he will deserve some of it.

 

SECOND THOUGHTS: Per the WaPo, House Republicans are puzzling over how to mitigate the impact of the disallowance of the state and local income tax deduction.

Comments

[BlueOx]

If you want to make things really simple, ask the average middle class earner two questions:

"Do you currently itemize deductions?"

"Are your total itemized deductions currently less that $24K?"

It you answer yes to both, you will be getting a tax cut. And you won't have to go through the headache of itemizing.

Of course, other factors can affect individual results, but it's pretty simple for most people.

[Old Lurker]

TB: "rather than melting off the pounds, or turning yourself into Mr. America."

What...you mean if I give Mrs. L one of those exercise machines you see on TV this time of the year, neither she nor I will look like the actors shown using them?

Damn.

[GUS]

Clarice.....Beasts is our own ENERGIZER BUNNY. I was thinking of Beasts the other night, and it occurred to me that Beasts shoots from the hip. He's not afraid to brag or to criticize on himself.
He has shared some PERSONAL stuff over the years.
And if I may say so, Beasts seems to be a naughty guy, with some really good principles too.

[GUS]

Beasts, do you think you could handle a wife now?

[Old Lurker]

"Beasts shoots from the hip"

Close anyway.

[Tom Bowler]

TK,

P.S. to my 11:12AM: Sorry if I'm telling you a lot of stuff you already know.

[henry]

Gus, Sharapova or Renee Richards last night?

[Threadkiller]

Thanks to all for the advice! Does anyone have thoughts on shedding the pounds more rapidly through fasting prior to embarking on the sensible diet?

[Tom Bowler]

What...you mean if I give Mrs. L one of those exercise machines you see on TV this time of the year, neither she nor I will look like the actors shown using them?

Depends on the actors, OL. And then there's the serious downside of Mrs. L looking like Mr. America.

[henry]

TK, the Plant Paradox does consider a fast at the start. I skipped that. But the switch to zero carbs had quick impact. water weight at first, then recovered belt notches by week 2.

[henry]

hirono, mccaskill, gillebrand, hassan all ask Franken to exit.

coordinated?

[henry]

Add Murray to the no more Franken list.

[henry]

Kamela Harris now joining the mob on Franken.

[narcisoyea]

Well fi e, whatever, when it mattered in 2008, tweeden didn't speak up, maybe we're arguing over price.

[Marlene]

We just returned from the Sarasota County office building,where we applied for Florida licenses. The woman who processed our information looked really mean. We had her laughing by the time we were done. We told her how impressed we were by how efficient the process was and told her that the town office in Maine doesn't have a computer. It was nice to see her smile.

[Jane]

Iggy,

Tell that to the one that left me when I was 7.

Porch, We are both entitled to our opinion. There are a ton of screwed up straight families. and a hell of a lot of screwed up single parent families too. Whether you are a good parent has nothing to do with your sexuality,

[GUS]

Marlene, I sure hope you didn't give her a tip.

[Marlene]

Ha,Gus. She seemed frustrated that the office is understaffed at what is a busy time of year,especially with dealing with all the annoying snowbirds. :)

[Captain Hate]

Murray and Kabbalah? Rocket surgeons against Creepy Al.

[Porchlight]

Jane, I agree on those stipulations. But nothing replaces the lack of a mother or father. You can be the most loving two-mommy couple in the world and you've still denied your kids their dad.

[GUS]

Jane, my natural Father committed suicide when I was 10 months old. He LEFT us. Sometimes, Fathers are HUMAN and make the same mistakes that us little children NEVER WOULD MAKE. My Mom subsequently remarried a few years later. My 2 younger bros ensued. One of the best things that could ever have happened, despite the previous tragedy. My DAD passed away 4plus years ago. He had a different last name than me. So do my 2 little brothers. I MISS HIM IMMENSELY, and my 2 brothers have been bragged about here at JOM for YEARS. A good loving Mother AND Father though not exclusive.

[henry]

CNBC @CNBC
1m

Trump: Government shutdown 'could happen' Saturday
=====================================
popcorn time.

[GUS]

THE DEMOCRAT/COMMIE/TARDS ARE SHUTTING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT...THE SKY IS FALLING......SHUT DOWN THE WWII MEMORIAL IMMMMMMEDIATELY.

KARMA IS A BITCH.

[Jim Eagle]

marlene,

Did you apply for homesteading? Welcome to Florida. Getting a DL in Florida is a breeze compared to California & Maryland. Funny anecdote:

We had a lawyer who was transferring from Maryland to California. He had heard all the horror stories about they will find one tiny mistake and make you apply all over again and return for the eyetest and photo etc.
So, he studied every syllable in the application process manual, go all his paperwork done, checked it and was convinced he would nail it the first time.

Goes to the San Francisco MV bureau and stands in a line of about 30 other people. Watches as every other one is told they didn't have all the documents and had to leave and come back. Big smile on his face since he knew he had everything covered but he didn't. Some trivial annotation on the application was his undoing. Took him 3 tries to get his California DL.

[Tom R]

No URL but a lot of chatter on social media that there is a flurry of activity by a significant amount of law enforcement in the DC area this morning.

[Dave (in MA)]

Re: JimNorCal from the previous page,

[narcisoyea]

How is the cold jib.

Yet it appears illegals don't have to abide by any of that.

[MMeridan]

As to mixing fasting with medications and weight loss, I think the expert on this is Dr. Jason Fung. He is in Toronto, but you can work with his Intensive Dietary Management Group via Skype. There are many of his videos on YouTube. The bottom line is you can fast and all your metabolic syndrome issues will lower, but you need to work with a doctor to be safe. And, to not feel crappy you need to drink water and take a lot of electrolytes, especially salt. There is a functional medicine doctor in Pittsburgh, Dr. William Cole who also blogs and podcasts. The website I have seen people mention ( diet doctor.com) with Dr. Eenfelt is also full of great ideas to get carbs out of your life and improve your health. Finally, the podcasts by Jimmy Moore and Two Keto Dudes are full of inspiring ideas of how to correct health issues with diet, mostly getting carbs out and adding "good" fat back into your diet. You will LOVE how sharp your brain feels and the energy you'll have. By the way, magnesium is also an electrolyte and there is a book about how important salt is called, "The Salt Fix" by Dr. James Nicolantonio. Hope you feel better soon!

[Buckeye]

Goes to the San Francisco MV bureau and stands in a line of about 30 other people. Watches as every other one is told they didn't have all the documents and had to leave and come back. Big smile on his face since he knew he had everything covered but he didn't. Some trivial annotation on the application was his undoing. Took him 3 tries to get his California DL.

He obviously didn't check the box marked "illegal alien".

If he had, he would have sailed right through:)

[Matt -deplore me if you must]

We are in the People's Republic of California so we sat down and immediately looked at the changes. Not much.A couple of thousand less maybe. Winning!

[Jim Eagle]

narc,

Cold much better. My doctor golf partner suggested I put a humidifier next to my bed and its cold vapor. Seems to have worked. Still have a cough but feeling much better.

Whenever I need to lose weight I find the fastest way is no booze or any kind of alcohol. No sugar, lots of chicken, fish and stseak. Salads and fruit. No pasta or processed carbs. I can take off 20# in a week.

Its the vodka martini and glass of wine you have to give up. But the results are almost immediate.

[henry]

The Franken must quit parade continues.

[Tom R]

Found a link to what I mentioned earlier. Apparently its gang related. That's a good thing but the redditors on The Donald were hoping it was Swamp related.

http://wjla.com/news/local/fbi-confirms-court-authorized-law-enforcement-activities-in-dc-area-wednesday-morning

[henry]

Tom R, pretty clear Sessions is focused on MS13 and opiate distribution, not the swamp. (Desires of many including me aside).

[narcisoyea]

O suspected it was something in the house, or maybe in the air.

[exdemocrat]

The Franken pile-on is all about Moore, imo

[exdemocrat]

and fwiw, my closest friend these days is a gay man, and not only do i agree 100% with Ig and Joan but so does he

[David, Internet Deplorable]

TK,

I agree with all of the above, but I would add that any exercise you do should be with the goal of increasing your strength, rather than melting off the pounds, or turning yourself into Mr. America.

Ooh! ooh! I've got this. My wife and I wanted to do something for our health. However, strength training requires expensive equipment or going to the gym, neither of which we were excited by. So, Carol (my lovely and talented wife) found something called "convict conditioning." It is a book, written by a man who supposedly spent years in prison and learned all the secrets of exercising from the hard-boiled cons who had been in prison forever.

Yeah, it's a total eye-roller, but the program itself is really good. It is based on six types of calisthenics. The "convict conditioning" thing comes in because you have to be able to do the exercises in a space the size of a prison cell and using no equipment other than a pull-up bar. It has an excellent progression, going from very easy exercises to very difficult ones. The emphasis in the program is on strength and balance, but you achieve that using just regular exercises (what the experts call "bodyweight conditioning").

Now, if the convict conditioning schtick is a bit too hokey for your taste (although at only $8 or so for the Kindle edition, it is worth buying just to take a look at), the other possibility is a book called "Overcoming Gravity 2 ed" that is a mostly gymnastics based book that covers much of the same ground. It is significantly more expensive than the CC book, but is amazing in its depth and breadth of coverage. But it is like $45 dollars, and available only in a paper bound version.

Whatever you use, another excellent resource is the bodyweight fitness reddit, located at

https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/

They have an extremely informative FAQ (frequently asked questions) page that has, among other things, suggested modifications to the CC routines to make them better.

Anyone considering an exercise regimen should look at this stuff carefully, as it has some real advantages to traditional strength training, in my opinion.

David

[exdemocrat]

and also, while i cannot comment on men without moms, my extensive (albeit sub BOE level) field-testing of grown women long ago confirmed for me the immense impact of positive father-daughter parenting, or the lack thereof

[BlueOx]

Some have touted Idiot Amy Klobuchar as a potential presidential candidate.

She's a real profile in leadership remaining silent while her Senate sisters make their "courageous" stand against Wiggly Fingers.

Even the libs on the Star Tribune message boards are pointing this out.

[Jim Eagle]

If you want a cheaper way of exercise for strength, toning and fitness get a TRX suspension system. You can hard attach to a beam in your basement or use the door device. Your body weight is all the weights you need. I have one installed in my fitness area which is duplicate to all the devices including bike, rowing machine and medicine balls, steps, jump boxes etc. my PT uses at her place.

But the TRX is really all you will need.

https://www.trxtraining.com/#/

[Jane]

exdem,

I agree it's about Moore - however they cannot investigate somoene for something they did before they got into office unless they change the rules, and if they change the rules 99% of them are probably screwed.

[sbw]

OL humor goes after the low hanging fruit.

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

Another good one gone after great service to his nation.

https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=3982

"Navajo Code Talker, Marine Veteran George B. Willie Sr. remembered for heroic service to the nation"

[exdemocrat]

No, Jane, but they think it adds credibility to their anti-Moore agitprop - and they are clearly terrified of him winning

[Rocco]

I grew up without a father who never gave my mother a dime so she had to work 60-70 hrs a week for 27 cents an hour and tips. My grandmother was kind enough to let us move in with her when I was two and she basically raised my sister and I. Never having a male role model in my life, I can now see in retrospect, how I spent most of my life trying to figure out what a man is supposed to be. If you ask me, a boy needs a father.

[Beasts of England]

'And if I may say so, Beasts seems to be a naughty guy, with some really good principles too.'

I certainly accept that assessment, GUS.

[henry]

They still have Menendez and his young girls to sort out. Start your hashtags. ;)

[Marlene]

Jack,we're going thru the process,step by step. I have no problem with changing residency and living here six months. I told hubby if the SHTF, I want to be in the cabin in the woods. :)

[Old Lurker]

sbw "OL humor goes after the low hanging fruit."

A squirrel always goes where the nuts are.

[Beasts of England]

I had 'getting married' on my to do list for 2017, GUS. Thought I found a keeper about mid-year, but she was a big time drinker - and I can't handle that. And that should sound really odd coming from me, having heard about all the druggies I've loved and dated, but the heavy drinking thing is a huge turnoff. It tends to be really sloppy - requiring me to be the adult - and that ain't right...

[Tom Bowler]

Ooh! ooh! I've got this. My wife and I wanted to do something for our health. However, strength training requires expensive equipment or going to the gym, neither of which we were excited by. So, Carol (my lovely and talented wife) found something called "convict conditioning."

David, I have that book! The Kindle version. LOL. I didn't want to recommend to TK, though, on the assumption that he's new enough to the idea of regular strength training that a trainer would be a better way to introduce him to it.

Glad you brought it up though. The starting exercises are easy enough that just about anybody can do them. For instance, one of the core exercises is the push up. There are 10 techniques for doing them starting with the easiest where you stand near a wall and do your push ups by pushing yourself away from the wall. If you work your way all the way up to the hardest you'll be doing one arm push ups. I have no plans to get there.

[Janet 🚬]

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2017/12/06/president-trump-speech-on-israel-and-jerusalem-100pm-livestream/#more-143058

It just ended, but videos at the link.

[mike in houston]

Tweets

Jake Tapper:
There should be an opposite of the TIME person of the year — the converse. And these folks and all who enable predators should be so recognized.

Stephen Miller:
We call that The Oscars, Jake

[Account Deleted]

I've done 21 and 40 day green juice only fasts....56 pounds and 80 pounds respectively. And my strength through yoga improved...no weights required.

Good luck TK.

[Jane]

Rocco, IMO you are everything a man should be. Of course I grew up without a father too - so who knows.

[David, Internet Deplorable]

Tom,

My wife and I used to go to a personal trainer. She had a huge variety of exercises that we would do, a different set every session. One of the things I really like about the CC program is that, since there are only six core exercises, it is very easy to track your progress as you move up through the progressions. When I started, I could only do five of the squats, a single set. Today, I am doing three sets of ten squats on an exercise two tiers higher. There is clear and indisputable progress, and it really is a huge inducement to keep going.

I remember reading one proponent of strength training (many of the principles of which apply to these calisthenics) saying that if you are interested in exercise, you should start right now, because the fastest gains you will see are in the first six months of your exercising. After that, things slow down.

David

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

FOX 5 DC‏Verified account @fox5dc

#BREAKING: Multi-agency law enforcement activity reported in DC area. Story developing... http://www.fox5dc.com/news/multi-agency-law-enforcement-activity-reported-in-dc-area …

=========================

Maybe that WAS the Bat Signal!!

[Extraneus]

What if....what if Comey flipped and TOLD Trump & Sessons and @GenFlynn about Strzok's role in the FBI as the political fixer for Obama/Holder and once Holder left, for Lynch?

They'd not only know how Strzok engineered letting Hillary & her aides walk....

Sorry, but this is absurd. I realize what's being reported about Strzok changing the language, but seriously, does anyone here think that Comey didn't know the legal difference between "gross negligence" and "extreme carelessness" or the ramifications of the change?

Strzok was allowed to "change the language" to protect Comey.

"Hey, I originally had it as gross negligence! But once Strzok changed it, there was no way I could justify recommending an indictment."

Gimme a f'n break.

[henry]

Does anyone think Franken doesn't resign tomorrow?

Really, how strong is Chuckie? Franken could stand up and point at Menendez, a perv chasing younger girls than Moore ever did.

It would be the funniest thing Franken ever did.

(I expect him to resign, but a guy can dream).

[Extraneus]

Chuck Grassley Demands FBI Produce All Strzok Text Messages As Part Of Trump Anti-Bias Probe

Since this will be the first - and so far only - glimpse inside the ideological motivations inside Mueller's prosecutorial team, the public will be greatly interested in finding what they reveal, especially those which show any direct communication between Strzok and Comey.

Who said the public would get to see them?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

Donald J. Trump Retweeted FEMA

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of California’s wildfires. I encourage everyone to heed the advice and orders of local and state officials. THANK YOU to all First Responders for your incredible work!

[Clarice Feldman]

Boe--Just a tip--if you want to find a woman who's not a drinker, don't pick them up in bars.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

zerohedge‏ @zerohedge
51s52 seconds ago

HATCH: AMT WILL NOT BE IN FINAL TAX BILL
2 replies 5 retweets 2 likes

[henry]

Miss M, did he say which AMT? individual or corporate?

[Buckeye]

Boe--Just a tip--if you want to find a woman who's not a drinker, don't pick them up in bars.

I actually met Mrs. Buckeye in a bar.

Got her number, but didn't get to "pick her up" until the next night:)

BTW, anyone who knows her will vouch that she is a very light drinker. One party animal in the family is enough.

[Tom Bowler]

David,

I'm encouraged to hear that the CC program is working for you. I belong to a gym where I've just started mixing in the CC exercises with work on the machines. Pull ups. I'm up to three sets of four imperfect pull ups. I once did 30 of them when I was much younger a quite bit lighter.

I don't have much hope of getting back to that level again, with the author cautioning that there is a limit to what you can expect when you're over 70. The good news, I'm not over 70. The bad news, I'm not under it either.

[exdemocrat]

just like this, Jane: https://www.commentarymagazine.com/politics-ideas/campaigns-elections/moore-fraken-democrats-hypocrisy/

[henry]

new thread

[Another Bob]

TomB and David, there’s a similar sounding book floating around - something like “Marine Corps 3x Fitness“ or some such. It was patterned after what deployed marines do, where there is little to no equipment available. Been a few years, but from memory was a decent program.

[Rocco]

Jane, I didn't want my kids to think about their father what I think about mine. I'll probably go to hell for the hatred I have for that bum. He called me shortly before he died to tell me he was dying and I told him that I hoped he'd rot in hell and I was going to piss on his grave...and I did!

[Tom R]

The Franken pile-on is all about Moore, imo

I disagree. The Trump Russian collusion fairytale has collapsed so now the Swamp is trying a different approach to destroy Trump. Once Franken is forced out, the leftwing media and DC Establishment will be nonstop painting the narrative that Trump is guilty of far worse sexual assaults than what Franken did.

[Tom Bowler]

Thanks, AB. Just googled "Marine Corps 3x Fitness." It looks like a good one so I just ordered it. About $7 on Amazon - free shipping. God, I love the internet!

[DebinGA]

TK, my hubs has lost 20 lbs since July by reading labels and limiting calories to 2000 or less a day. He's always been active and fit, but his consumption of sweets has plummeted now that he realizes their cal count. Re fasting, some suggest fasting one day a week, others not eating after 6 pm or before 10 a.m, which works well for me.

[Beasts of England]

Are you trying to get me to attend church, Clarice? :)

[JimNorCal]

"Dave (in MA) | December 06, 2017 at 12:20 PM"

Awesome. Just awesome.