[Prayer Warrior]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

https://www.businessinsider.com/lowe...ctures-2019-10

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lowes-layoffs-2019-retailer-spent-billions-on-share-buybacks-zero-on-severance-for-laid-off-workers/

Many changes to whip employees into shape including:

• Laying off long time employees (some who worked there more than a decade) with no notice, severance, and offering them the chance to apply for a lower paying position.

• Eliminating the allowance/bonuses, which was previously promised as a permanent upgrade! Ha! Fooled em.

• "Labor activists contend Lowe's executives are treating the rank-and-file poorly while lining their own and investors' pockets through share repurchases and cash dividends." If paycuts need to be made they should be made they should be made to the rank and file and easily replaceable workers. Not executive bonuses which are richly deserved.

Lowe's executives have been under extreme pressure from Home Depot. These executives discovered a way to relieve the stress Home Depot has put on them by going where the money is. The money is in salaries paid to low level employees..

Earlier, I mentioned that Lowe's was making moves to boost stock. Lowe's has continued this trend by continuing to order employees to come to work despite an ongoing global pandemic.

Now, during this time of crisis, it is more imperative than ever for Lowe's executives to make moves to relieve stress. What if their gardener brings in the virus? Will they be able to find a private school exclusive enough to exclude their kids from the infected riffraff, etc. Executives found a golden opportunity to relieve stress by being a jump ahead of their competitors at Home Depot by continuing to open. With brilliant moves like these it's no wonder these people get paid the big bucks.

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/v74j9j/lowes-employees-say-open-during-coronavirus-for-profit

Hardware chain Lowe's, which has over 2,000 stores and 300,000 employees, is operating with normal opening hours, and trying to capitalize on a crisis as competitors such as Target and Home Depot take more steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple Lowe's employees. This is despite at least one confirmed case of Lowe's staff contracting the coronavirus.


The news shows how some companies continue to place both employees and customers in situations that could increase the number of coronavirus infections, and comes as states around the country order or prepare to order all non-essential businesses to close.


"I'm pretty sure they are knowledgeably putting lives at risk for profit," a Lowe's source said.


Motherboard spoke to five Lowe's employees, and granted them anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press.


While competitors like Home Depot and Target have limited their opening hours in response to the coronavirus epidemic in order to give employees more time to disinfect the store, Lowe's employees told Motherboard that the company is operating normally, and even sees the safety precautions competitors are taking as an opportunity to do more business.


"Our store manager told us it was 'our time to shine' since they [Home Depot] were closed at 6pm," one Lowe's employee told Motherboard. "Now the stores are extremely busy since [Home Depot] closes at 6pm and us at 10pm. Our customer count has doubled since we are getting all of their customers as well," they added.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

Earlier, I mentioned that Lowe's was making moves to boost stock.

Executives found a golden opportunity to relieve stress by being a jump ahead of their competitors at Home Depot by continuing to open. With brilliant moves like these it's no wonder these people get paid the big bucks.

Good observations, Prayer Warrior. This is a really stressful time for those who run these large corporations. If employees fall to the illness, will there be people to replace them? If stock holders get impatient, like those who hold Lowes stock, will they kick out the current management? And, will there be golden parachutes big enough to maintain the good life?

Anyone who thinks the "little people" have all the problems just doesn't understand.

[MitzaLizalor]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

There have always been studies about poor people and their problems.

There's a lot of criticism directed towards people who help others in these days of narcissism and obsession over neutral details.

EXAMPLES:
–•-neutral detail—Obsessing over the pattern of carpets in a room where international monetary policy is under discussion. Very common with people holding ridiculous positions on subjects they know nothing about. Examples follow.
–•-narcissism—Unwarranted admiration of one's own opinions whether they make sense or not. Usually they don't. Valid opinions are based on facts and criticism is encouraged to test them out.

Narcissism interrupts that process by overblowing neutral detail (such as carpet or suit fabrics or just about anything other than the actual topic) and concentrating on that. Making it the big issue. Persuading 1,000,000 other narcissists to go on marches through the CBD around 5 p.m. weekdays. To inflate cultural appropriation of carpet patterns beyond their significance (none) so that real issues are never addressed at all. They think. What actually happens is that decisions are taken elsewhere instead. But they're too busy obsessing to notice.

Under the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal dynasties, carpet weaving was transformed from a minor craft based on patterns passed down from generation to generation into a statewide industry with patterns created in court workshops … In Ottoman Turkey, weaving patterns and techniques changed in the early sixteenth century after conquests in Persia and Egypt. Anatolia had been known for carpets with stylized animal and geometric designs, but with these new cultural contacts, carpets designed around a central medallion and with flowing saz-style vegetation came into vogue.

[ATTACH]28918[/ATTACH]

In the light of this new information, how valid are Christine Lagarde's views on economic theory? Here are some samples of the carpet.

Luke 18: 25-30 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Clearly here Jesus has surprised His disciples. They were professionals, employers, Luke was a physician; what was their response? If it's difficult for the rich to be saved, they wondered, who on earth can be? Jesus reassured them that even if it were impossible, God could do it. After all, without Him no-one ever could be saved. Having to deal with inane objections from narcissistic types when dealing with problems (and numbers) beyond their comprehension is a burden the riff-raff do not share. Quite apart from carpet in that scene are irrelevant books on the table. Stress inducers would pounce on those at once. They're a bit difficult to see:

"Wow! Just wow! Who in Somalia buys 20th century art? Savaged by imperialism, where will they find the resources to squander on German expressionism or avant-garde architecture? Yet here where their plight could be solved forever the hallmark of running pig dog swine capitalist sensibilities is arrogantly displayed!" the narcissist will suggest, plotting a street sit-in for 3:30 p.m. to midnight, Fridays.

More neutral details are there to horrify obsessive airheads – how many more can you see? But whether or not this pair are plutocrats themselves, they can make things better or worse for the world's job creators. Pray that what they decide eases liquidity and bolsters hedge funds to support les grand fromages who endure so much nonsense on our behalf.

[LW1997 (On Moderation)]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

We all need to be rich like Joel Osteen told us.

[Prayer Warrior]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-ceo-gets-210-days-in-jail-for-having-13k-files-of-infant-child-rape-bestiality

Utah tech CEO Douglas Saltsman has pleaded guilty to having more than 13k files of child porn and having videos of himself having sexual intercourse with several unconscious women, but is this the time for punitive and Draconian measures or the time to show Christian love and forgiveness?




Unemployment is on the rise now more than ever, and we won't help these numbers by jailing tech CEOs.





He looks sad to me, he's probably very sorry for what he did. Yes, it was wrong, but it's times like these to move forward and not backwards. "Credit for the time served up to this point is 148, that leaves an outstanding balance to be served. Upon completing the total of 210 days he may be released to Adult Probation & Parole and Supervision."


These tech CEOs are fast learners, so 62 extra days in jail is probably enough time for him to learn the error of his ways.


Unfortunately, we have petitions online trying to attack the judge in this case. Don't liberals believe in rehabilitation?

https://www.change.org/p/the-state-of-utah-and-its-residents-recall-judge-douglas-hogan?source_location=topic_page

Especially now during this time of pandemic we need to look into alternative punishment measures. Campaigner for Trump team and advisor to Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, Paul Manafort for example was sentenced to house arrest rather than a prison for example:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paul-manafort-released-prison-home-confinement-covid-19-coronavirus-concerns/

Surely house arrest is more suitable and fair punishment during these tough times. You put them in jail now it could kill them.


This Corona virus situation is the perfect opportunity for judges to exercise their discretion. The wealthy with strong legal defenses can stay in their mansions (which under lockdown they'd be doing anyway) and others should serve their time in jail.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

Utah tech CEO Douglas Saltsman has pleaded guilty to having more than 13k files of child porn and having videos of himself having sexual intercourse with several unconscious women, but is this the time for punitive and Draconian measures or the time to show Christian love and forgiveness?

Unemployment is on the rise now more than ever, and we won't help these numbers by jailing tech CEOs. .... The wealthy with strong legal defenses can stay in their mansions (which under lockdown they'd be doing anyway) and others should serve their time in jail.

Thank you for bringing this story to our attention, Brother Prayer.

I agree. What will we accomplish in this country if our richest and smartest people are behind bars? These are the very ones we need to guide us to a higher economic plateau.

It's time to ask whether the mischief this brilliant man got himself into is so serious we need to harm our country over it. Let's have some perspective here.

[WWJDnow]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

In Utah, if a girl isn't married off by age 11 to some old Mormon leader or another, she's considered an old maid. While I don't approve of any kind of pornography, this sort of thing is business as usual there. The Bible tells me "judge not, lest you yourself be judged." So who are we to judge them if their customs are different?

We should all be focused on the real crime here, which is Obamagate.

[Prayer Warrior]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/us-billionaires-saw-fortunes-grow-by-565-billion-coronavirus-lockdown-began

"US billionaires' wealth has increased by 19% since coronavirus lockdown"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-finance-202/2020/06/05/the-finance-202-billionaires-are-giving-a-tenth-of-a-percent-of-their-wealth-to-coronavirus-pandemic-relief/5ed98e8388e0fa32f8232f1a/

"Billionaires are giving a tenth of a percent of their wealth to coronavirus pandemic"


Trickle down economics at its finest. People may not think 0.1% is a lot, but from a billionaire that could be tens of millions or hundreds of millions of dollars. Far more than a normal person could donate. Not to mention the billionaires deserve this extra money for all the added stress they're going through.



This just goes to show why we can't have an added tax on the upper class. If we did they would probably leave the country, and then not only would we not get tax revenue from them but we can say goodbye to those generous 0.1% donations. When billionaires win we all win.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

When billionaires win we all win.

The Coronavirus is a teaching moment it there ever was one. We're learning that the very wealthy 1% are afraid to go out to restaurants and bars.

Most recessions recover when people start spending on cars and appliances. The rich are still buying a few of these but the entertainment venues they enjoy are laying off workers and closing.

We need to be praying that the super rich soon feel confident going out for entertainment. Right now their stress levels are high.

Let's all continue to pray for them.

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2020/06/23/881662948/why-reopening-isnt-enough-to-save-the-economy

[Prayer Warrior]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

https://twitter.com/jstein_wapo/status/1282700135844261889

Kudlow today on some key WH priorities for phase 4:

-- Payroll tax holiday


-- "Unemployment reforms" (WH wants to knock down $600 plus-up)


-- Return to work bonuses


-- PPP extension (?)


-- Targeted/direct form of stimulus checks


-- Capital gains holiday

https://twitter.com/lhfang/status/1282688023096782849

Mick Mulvaney says if we have another stimulus, it should include indexing the capital gains tax for inflation. That would be a $2 trillion tax cut over ten years, 86% of which would go to the top 1 percent of ultra rich Americans

I'm glad Republicans are addressing the important issue of capital gains tax. Anyone can go to a 9/5 job. Investing in the stock market takes careful long term planning and frugality.


For starters, we need the super rich to have faith in our economy to start investing again so we can all have jobs. The best way to do that is through a capital gains tax cut.


On top of that, everyday Americans are learning it's not so smart to live paycheck to paycheck. They need to save and invest for hard times. Though they were never properly motivated until now due to excessive capital gains taxes and generous unemployment benefits that let them live like kings. Now everyone will invest and become rich instead of spending money on upgrading their cellphone every year, Starbucks, etc.


Extra unemployment benefits and stimulus checks just motivates Americans to not work and become lazy and to not save for a rainy day fund when they get laid off so it is wise to cut those payments. Thank goodness we have Republicans considering these important stress relieving measures during these unprecedented times.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

A capital gains tax holiday--that would Make America Great Again for sure.

And, I think it would have broad support across the U.S. Today if you would survey average people walking the street and asked, "Should wealthy people pay capital gains on their stock market profits?" over whelmingly they would say NO. They understand the disappointment investors feel when their profits disappear with taxes.

A capital gains tax holiday would put President Trump in office for a second term.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

A capital gains tax holiday--that would Make America Great Again for sure.

And, I think it would have broad support across the U.S. Today if you would survey average people walking the street and asked, "Should wealthy people pay capital gains on their stock market profits?" over whelmingly they would say NO. They understand the disappointment investors feel when their profits disappear with taxes.

A capital gains tax holiday would put President Trump in office for a second term.

Obviously stock held in retirement accounts is taxed as income so it doesn't qualify for the capital gains holiday. Only stock held outside. You'd be shocked how many people own investments outside of retirement funds - many, many dozens of people.

Think about it - if you max out your tax advantaged retirement funds you can only save about $50k per year as an individual or $100k as a married couple. I know.

So obviously you're going to have to invest outside. That's the money that a capital gains holiday will protect. Just in time to cash out of the biggest low interest fueled debt financed stock buyback bull run in history and a looming COVID/unemployment/global warming Biden recession that will make blood run in the streets. I predict a bubble in private islands so get in there as soon as the holiday starts. Heh, holiday.

[MitzaLizalor]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

Anyone can go to a 9/5 job. Investing in the stock market takes careful long term planning and frugality.

From what I understand, those investments are not mere statistical anomalies (if they were there'd be bubbles galore) but considered votes of confidence in operations more or less likely to succeed. A manufacturer of square wheels is going nowhere fast, for instance, whereas suppliers of poison to Lucrezia Borgia would have a bright outlook. In the modern era, ever new and (never before used) unidentifiable means of assassination, although requiring ultra-heavyweight industrial infrastructure, would assure solid returns insofar as the "ever new" requirement could be sustained.

I'm not suggesting investments of that sort but clearly its personnel need to know what they're doing. Long term planning similarly needs to evaluate competence.

If one goes bust investing in the square wheels project: tough. Should've seen it coming. Electric transport options, however derided once long ago, would zoom ahead for material suppliers (weird metals stockholders or refiners or miners) just as much as for dealerships or recharging stations. And if that's where I'd invested, why should I be taxed twice?

A capital gains tax holiday--that would Make America Great Again for sure.

Maybe an asset I'd held—it wouldn't really matter what it was—suddenly increased in value. All I could do would be to buy an equivalent asset at its own inflated price. Or wait and buy something else later. Or not buy and not starve either. But say my asset fell out of bed CLUNK

Would I be reimbursed? Check out skid row, see what they say. Bit if no reward is offered for failed investment decisions, why should there be penalties for success?

.

[Prayer Warrior]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/07/christian-conservative-speaker-of-the-ohio-house-arrested-in-60-million-bribery-case/

Christian Conservative Speaker of the Ohio House arrested in $60 million bribery case


The criminal complaint accused Householder of creating an enterprise, Generation Now Ohio, to collect large sums of money for him and others involved in the conspiracy and to advocate for the bailout of the nuclear plants. Some of the money also was spent on Householder's political campaign, as well as on the campaigns of allies, the complaint said.


"The millions paid into the entity were akin to bags of cash," prosecutors said in the complaint. "Unlike campaign or PAC contributions, they were not regulated, not reported, not subject to public scrutiny – and the enterprise freely spent the bribe payments to further the enterprise’s political interests and to enrich themselves.”


the group's purpose was to protect the nuclear plant bailout and enrich Householder and the others.

I think anyone able to get 60 million from corporations must be working really hard. Is this really a bribe, or is it just a reward for a job well done? Christian Conservatives are under constant persecution, so who am I to judge if one needs some extra money to take care of his family?


We basically have bribery anyway, so it's understandable he didn't know the exact protocol on how to receive money. Is this really all that different from donating to Super Pacs?


I think this is a good opportunity to show Christian love and forgiveness.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: Pray for Less Stress Among the Super Rich

I think this is a good opportunity to show Christian love and forgiveness.

Good observation. There is so much rush to judgement these days. Let's reflect on the entire set of circumstances before we decide who is right and who is wrong.