I'm so GenX, I still catch my breath over $1m. Today, we talk $billions. I'm falling over. Frankly? The math ain't mathing. Grateful for ONE thing in the RI state budget : the IG; which 8/10 Rhode Islanders support.

Interesting. It was pushed by legislators for tax purposes. It was pushed by taxpayers as freedom for recreation. Amsterdam is doing it right - there, MJ is controlled in bars, illegal otherwise. We are doing it wrong. Note: medicinal application is far different than rec.

“People who talk incessantly about ‘change’ are often dogmatically set in their ways. They want to change other people.” — Thomas Sowell

“Leftwing people find it very hard to get on with rightwing people, because they believe that they are evil. Whereas I have no problem getting on with leftwing people, because I simply believe that they are mistaken.” Sir Roger Scruton

I had no expectation that my replies to a humor post on the Monopoly game would garner a thousand interactions. I had no idea that more than a few people really don't understand the game isn't about the dangers of free-market capitalism, but the lack of it. I had no idea how many folks can't define "monopoly" or even "cartel" (Then again, I am happy to see that many others can.) What is most alarming, perhaps, is the vitriolic and ugly vehemence of those who insist on their misunderstanding to be truthful regarding basic economics 101. There is ... Little worse than a closed mind that can't say, "Oh, new info to learn, let me change my view." Every day of my life, I learn new things and change my viewpoints-- that's called growth. That's how we achieve self actualization with a flexible lens; that's how we become better. Twitter is a thought garden built next to a cesspool. Walk carefully and maybe avoid the wildlife. 😆

“I am so old that I can remember when other people’s achievements were considered to be an inspiration, rather than a grievance.” — Thomas Sowell

Sorry. I laughed out loud.

Judging from the onslaught of European tourist vids, they are impressed by Buc-ee's, Walmart, Costco, fast-food, big trucks, and free ice. It's clear these Europeans socialist citizens LOVE our consumer-choice-driven, free and open, capitalistic economy and culture. Given the contributions to Western civilization that Europe has made, I find this utterly fascinating. DSA members take note: you are very, very wrong.

Cute. If you've been in Europe or even the third world, you'll agree it's not wrong. I can get preachy and say maybe Americans should have a little gratitude? While this is comedy. The point still lands. 🇺🇸🗽

“America’s doctors” voted for nothing. A few hundred AMA House of Delegates members did. Fewer than 1 in 5 practicing physicians even belong to the AMA. The rest walked, and they walked for a reason. The AMA stopped representing physicians the year CPT royalties overtook membership dues. It now earns more than half its revenue licensing the billing-code monopoly to the same hospitals and insurers crushing independent practice. Dues are under 8%. It answers to whoever keeps the codes flowing. That has not been physicians for a long time. How do these reporters get it wrong so often? Did they ask any physicians their opinions before hitting send? @simonjlevien (author)

RI kids cannot participate. Make of that what we you will.

Timshel. Thou Mayest. It means you don't have to be a product or victim of your culture, your upbringing, your curses, your experience-- it means you have you have choice and you have control. It means you have agency. East of Eden is no beach read- it's a modern retell of Cain and Able. You can choose your legacy as a noose, or you can remove it. There's a great deal of freedom in this -- if only more people would seize it. Steinbeck showed us the harshest sides of humanity and instructed that circumstances don't dictate our lives. We make what we make- it's up to us. Timshel was Steinbeck's theme. One word to empower.

The @usdoegov posted this redline statement asking WHY blue states are refusing FREE private money toward education. This came up in RI legislature last night; a law was passed to prohibit participation. One collegue cited the money could go to religious schools. So what? It can go to ANY school, all schools. THIS federal measure is similar to a PELL GRANT, which no one has a problem with and most would like to see increased, and also doesn't dictate where the funds go. The difference (and it's a positive one) is that this is PRIVATE funds generously given and has NO tax payer burden, nor cost to cities, states. Imagine urban youth in RI being denied scholarship for school supplies from private funds? Well. We just did that. No no no. We have made a mistake in RI. I know everyone wants positive outcomes- and that sometimes comes from unique initiatives. Help me to understand-- bc I cannot understand. This is a DC Republican initiative that literally aligns w everything progressives love: "taxing the rich to help others." This is a space where two polar opposites come together for the same goal--- and RI was blind to it.

I’m on board with this assessment. From reading comes knowledge, critical thinking, informed opinion, multiple view points, theory of mind.. all good and necessary for a democracy. William S. Boroughs, that radical beatnik, warned us about eating from the long newspaper spoon. No one heeded- and now the media spoon has expanded to a shovel. There’s a generational contract where these youth will someday be charge. We owe it to prepare them better. (Grok confirmed from national agency statistics that the 13% figure is accurate).

Excellent work. I support this. I have heard first-hand accounts of billing errors, where rate payers could get no phone customer service, and when they even attempted an in-person visit, they were barred from the property. The end result was them paying or being cut-off. @USCongress is failing to enact even basic consumer protections. In our digital age, this impacts everyone, especially seniors, who cannot navigate chatbots, etc.. and worse, these AI "solutions" often lead to circles of frustation, no resolution. I will work with any RI legislator who seeks to bring forward more customer service and consumer protection law. I brought one of my own this year as well, and I will bring it back next year. (Senior savings protection act).

“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.” — Milton Friedman

"No veteran has made any sacrifice" Here is just the highlight reel: there were others King Phillips war The American Revolution War of 1812 Mexican American war Spanish American war World War I World War II Korean war Gulf war Afghanistan Iraq This man's statements are demonstratively false-- and eradicate the sacrifice of multi- millions of men and women who laid their lives down for democracy and freedom, not only for American citizens, but for global citizens. DISGUSTING. x.com/WallStreetApes/status/…