caulfield12

Response to Orrin Hatch: Great job, guys! You want to put tariffs on Chinese goods but forgot to research the fact US steel and aluminum originate from (allied) countries like Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, Mexico, South Korea and Brazil. The US is stlll a net exporter of steel, it’s aluminum that's the bigger issue. Good job crashing the stock market and starting a trade war with no benefits. You just made everything like cars, ships, buildings, soda cans, racquets/baseball bats, foil wrap and airplanes significantly more expensive. Watch China effectively create a “double tax” on GM and Ford imports here, as you’ve already exacerbated cost-push inflation before our goods have even departed American shores. Good luck American farmers in the Heartland whose agricultural exports will take the biggest initial hit. Beijing has an array of high-profile targets for retaliation including suppliers of soybeans, the biggest American export to China. A curb on purchases could hurt farm state voters who supported Trump. "We've clearly heard from the Chinese" that soybeans "are definitely one of the largest things that could be targeted," said Jake Parker, vice president for China operations for the U.S.-China Business Council. Source: yahoo news Oh, by the way, those steel and aluminum jobs aren't coming back. While American steelworkers have lost 75% of their jobs from 1962 to 2005, a major study by the American Economic Assn. showed that much of this had been due to improved production technology as output per worker rose fivefold. “Thus, EVEN IF trade protectionism eventually leads to increased domestic production, increases in employment may be far less than many hoped,” a report from the highly-regarded Eonomist Magazine reported. “There are less workers needed and such threatening talk as this will not ameliorate the situation. Any new plant will have mostly robotics to do 85-90% of the jobs.”[/b] But can the robots vote or buy Trump’s Chinese-produced (racist) “American Dreamer” hats for $50? Won’t that pretty much wipe out that poor WI woman’s $1.50 extra per week Paul Ryan promised? Great cabinet, $5000 chairs are too cheap for Dr. Ben, flying coach/economy is beneath their collective dignity... Speaking of VA Chief Shulkin’s $120,000+ UK boondoggle. “The travelers’ expenses in some cases were inadequately explained or poorly documented, investigators found.A member of the security team’s expense voucher included “an inexplicable $3,825 overpayment for airport parking and a $2,718 overpayment for lodging.” The report mentions another unusual expense: VA had official “Trip Book” itineraries printed for the entourage, 15 copies at a cost of $100 each. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/opinion/...col-left-region Taxpayers, You’ve Been Scammed First of all, even if the process were to work as advertised, it would take a long time — probably decades. Even the most optimistic analyses suggest that there would be little effect on wages for the first few years, which means that for now what looks like a tax break for the wealthy is, in fact, a tax break for the wealthy. Second, the story relies on a long chain of events with multiple weak links. For example, corporations with monopoly power won’t see lower taxes as a reason to invest more; they’ll just take the money. Meanwhile, there’s growing evidence that big employers are using their power to suppress wages; cutting their taxes won’t change that fact. So even in the long run we shouldn’t expect a lot of trickle-down. But wait — weren’t there a lot of stories about companies using the tax cut to give their workers bonuses? Yes, there were — but only because the news media let themselves get played. Most of those bonuses would have happened anyway: In an economy with low unemployment, there are always some companies deciding to pay a bit more to attract workers. But companies had every incentive to pretend that the tax cut was responsible, if only to curry favor with the Trump administration. And in any case the bonus hype was out of all proportion to the reality. So far, we’ve seen about $6 billion in bonuses versus more than $170 billion in stock buybacks, that is, handing money to wealthy stockholders. And money spent on buybacks is money that isn’t being invested in plants and equipment, the supposed point of the tax cut.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 1, 2018 -> 12:48 PM) utility infielder (3B) who hit like 6-7 homers in spring training ...Wilson Betemit ? Right...

If Robert is going to be out for an extended period of time, Hahn should hire 24 hour bodyguards to keep Eloy, Rutherford and Collins from suffering similar fates over the remainder of ST.

American workers will see only a small portion of the massive windfall of money going to companies following corporate tax reform, according to a new analysis from JUST Capital. With the corporate tax rate dropping from 35% to 21%, many companies have announced plans to hike wages and give out bonuses. Yahoo Finance has compiled a list of names. This year, JUST Capital estimates that the Russell 1000 companies it follows will see $150 billion in tax-related income. Of the 90 of the largest publicly-traded companies that have announced plans an average of 6% of that tax-related income will go to workers, according to JUST Capital’s analysis. “Perhaps most concerning is if we assume that all proceeds not already earmarked for other uses actually flow to management and shareholders in the form of stock buybacks or direct distributions, then 58% of corporate spending will be running counter to the public’s definition of what is just,” the report said. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-wor...-163125120.html

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 09:40 PM) It was essentially the same as the DACA meeting where he agreed with passing a clean dream act and then with supporting whatever Congress came up with. Why do you think he has any idea what he's talking about and won't get his ear bent by senior White House staff yet again? There’s almost no one left for him to talk to?

Two posters both seeing "deluded" instead of "devolved," which wouldn't have made any sense paired with "rant." MUST BE FAKE NEWS!!!!! Let's check in with Seth Rich, who is now hiding out with Tupac and Jim Morrison somewhere in the Amazonian Rain Forest.

Expecting tax cuts to actually benefit the majority of American members of the lower and middle classes=DELUDED RANT That's not even getting into how any of those increases/bonuses are getting offset by rising health care costs caused by the complete chaos the Trump administration has attempted to cause in the insurance markets, so they could then turn around and blame it on ObamaCare/government instead of actually trying to FIX the things that weren't working, like the increases on families "in the middle" between $50-75,000 who got burned by increasing rates. But no...throw out the entire system because of those exceptions. Well, there are going to be JUST AS MANY if not more adversely affected by the Trump tax cuts whose stories we can read about every day...especially when lives are actually lost as a result, as if it's only about cold numbers or dueling political philosophies.

Obama didn't even go to Billy Graham's viewing, he's not patriotic/un-American!!!

QUOTE (Special K @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 08:56 PM) You're right in that Belle might be the last star they bought at peak value, which is sad. And they haven't really traded for any offensive stars either (sans Thome, if that even counts). But they have so much space on their payroll, and have also shown a commitment to the rebuild, which makes me think things might go differently this time around. Because frankly, they need to buy a star or two for this to work. Forgot about Thome, although he was injured, on the wrong side of 30 and getting pushed out by Ryan Howard. Freddy Garcia is about the only other example from the last 30 years, but definitely not a superstar. All-Star, competitive for a few Cy Youngs, sure.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 07:54 PM) Not the first person to lie their ass off for a job in politics and won't be the last. Only difference was that her boss was the worst of them all. Speaking of lies, Sean Spicer seems to have landed on his feet quite well...without too much damage. He always has a career simply appearing on late night comedy shows, at least while Trump is in office.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 07:19 PM) Why do you feel the need to bring up the Royals every time there is a debate? The Royals having no star players when they won the World Series has nothing to do with us signing Mike Moustakas in the second year of our rebuild. You're really all over the place trying to justify this move. Fine...since when have the White Sox ever been in the business of "buying" a couple of superstars at max peak value? Waiting for an answer. The Royals are relevant because they built their WS winner without any superstars. The Astros and Cubs are most definitely NOT an example of that. I'm perfectly happy to talk about any team, but the White Sox SEEM to be emulating at least one of their niches, which is building a SUPERPEN. That came into vogue with KC, the Indians, Yankees, etc. If you're talking NFL, it's the Patriots, Patriots, Patriots...etc. NBA, obviously Golden State. Who else should we be talking about as relevant comps, especially since we operate as a "mid market" franchise?

QUOTE (Nokona @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 07:03 PM) Cease really impressed me. If he can throw that hook for strikes and locate the heat he is gonna be something. And, of course, health...

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 06:03 PM) My opposing view is simple. Moustakas is not a star player and he would cost a draft pick and bonus pool money against the upcoming draft class as well as essentially dead money for 2018 that the team is paying him in a year they're not competing (not to mention the opportunity cost of getting Yolmer ABs). As far as I'm concerned, the contention window really begins to open with 2020 (unless things go really well this year and they sign Machado in the offseason), so you would essentially be paying him two of let's say five years for no return. Between now and 2020, both Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado, two of the top five 3Bs in MLB, become free agents. That doesn't even mention the possibility that the Sox could find a player either in their system or in the draft to fill the need before 2020. The argument to me is Moustakas vs. the field, and IMO the field will produce a more productive 3B option than Moustakas by 2020. How many "star" players have the White Sox EVER brought in during their Reinsdorf history, other than Albert Belle? Adam Dunn qualifies? Todd Frazier? Robertson certainly doesn't. Now they've brought in PLENTY of stars about 3-5 years after their peak career years, when they were already well on the decline. It has never fit with the SouthSide image, in fact, which has always been more of a "blue collar/lunchbucket" ideology, at least until now. (I GUESS they sort of tried with Alex Rodriguez and Tanaka, but it's hard to even argue that Tanaka has become a true star/ace that he was projected to be, and making an offer doesn't exactly establish goodwill unless you start signing more Abreu's and Luis Robert's that produce on the field. They TRIED to trade for Miguel Cabrera.) How many "star" players were on the 2005 Chicago White Sox, or 2014-15 Royals? Buehrle, Crede, Pods, Dye and Konerko were NOT stars. Hosmer, Perez, Moustakas, Cain, Morales....all "solid" players, but no stars in there. I guess Cain, if you go by WAR numbers and not actual hype, because he always flew under the radar.

WH is really in a complete free fall. Even the new Federal Reserve Board chair Powell is managing to freak out the markets. Trump at odds with pretty much the entire GOP caucus on guns...while Kelly is basically cleaning house, but Trump and Kelly absolutely can't stand each other. How can Jared even stay, now that he's been completely emasculated? Guess he's just waiting for Kelly to do something to get himself fired/resign so he can be back in the ascendancy...

Surprising that Iowa actually won a B10 tourney game. Maybe the first positive momentum in weeks with the Bohannon/Chris Street missed FT national news has carried over. Doesn't matter, they'll get pummeled the next game. But will at least manage to avoid a dreaded 20 loss season, that has almost never happened in my lifetime. And, as I speak, Illinois is only down 5, haha.

The Twins aren't relying on high draft picks, other than Buxton and Mauer in his final year...to contend. Gibson, but he's their #5 guy at best. And, for every Hansen, there are 20 Spencer Adams or Chris Becks.

Donald Jr., Kushner and Ivanka are next in the cross hairs...their biggest staffer is also quitting.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 04:49 PM) On the contrary, the alternate approach was utilized by the Obama administration. That administration saw the greatest disparity growth between the 1% and 99% than any administration in modern history. What did the stock market do from 2009-2017? Maybe Dems like Clinton and Obama should apologize for the growth that took place...? How well under the Bushes and Reagan? What happened in 1987, 2001-2002 and 2008? Republicans keep giving tax cuts to the rich and driving the stock market off a cliff. And you’re completely discounting the economic effects of millions of lower income working families getting health insurance for the first time.

Of course, now there is no money left over for critical infrastructure spending...but, priorities! Putting more actual disposable income in the hands of the bottom 60% would have lifted aggregate demand and growth much more effectively...and arguably, many of those without college degrees voted for Trump with the expectation he actual cared about flyover territory and would improve their economic and health care situations. Scant evidence to support that so far.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 04:18 PM) Charlie Tilson with a bunt single, which is really nice to see he is willing to use his legs already. He had a succesful suicide squeeze the other day as well...

Nice rally. Cease at 96-98 mph.

Moncada with a slow start...attacking him with outside fb’s and inside breaking stuff, opposite of normal approach. Saladino has been the hitting star of early spring. Gillaspie has had some good at bats. Basabe on defense and two big hits. Robert got his first hit yesterday. Cordell getting some attention, too. Sox with full starting lineup intact into the 6th.

Sigh. That’s the best obfuscation possible? Stone is certifiably nuts. He used to be in the mix, but his shelf life as a real player expired a long time ago. Nevertheless, Trump’s complete lack of organization gave perfect in’s for guys like Manafort, Flynn, Gates, Mooch, Papadopolous, Lewandowski, etc.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 09:54 AM) I turned down a job interview for significantly more money just because I didn't want to leave the situation I am in now. But that’s not an industry-specific trend...

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 09:40 AM) https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=...=&players=0 Nunez across two teams had a fWAR of 2.2, but also was not a part of qualified batters in the list above. Only 5 teams in the MLB last year accumulated 2 WAR at 3B. Where is this from, you just said 19 teams had a 2 WAR 3b? Even if they played off 3b for a portion, someone else could not be such a net negative that it drags all those teams down. Replacement level back ups or options #3-5 tend to do that...like Saladino last year.