Politics

[Brent in Az]

Federal laws like Davis-Bacon act and extra paperwork are the reason for Federal projects costing more. We bid and charge X times more for Federal projects than private sector projects.

Some extra paperwork is certainly a viable reason to bend over the taxpayers.

 

[PARA45]

 

[rookhawk]

Easiest way to deal with the anchor baby loophole is to tax it. Make it a tax in exchange for citizenship. Failure to pay the tax leads to asset forfeiture and/or expulsion for failing to satisfy offer-acceptance-valuable consideration. $10m bucks just like the Trump citizenship fast-track option.

 

[Red Leg]

All you TDSers out there please don’t even try to gaslight me about Powell. That short, recorded video exchange at the Fed construction site between Trump and Powell was priceless. Tells me all I need to know about Powell confirming suspicions I’ve had for a long time after watching Powell desperately trying to help get Biden re-elected/then Harris elected. BTW, while on economics, haven’t heard much from or about the ole “Transitory temporary inflation” Biden/Dem hack Janet Yellen lately???

Same interest goes for the recorded, documented FACT that Trump called for release of the Epstein files… followed by a BHO appointed judge blocking the release. Go ahead, try to spin it all you want. Only gaslighted idiots infected with incurable TDS, would try to spin it or believe the opposite. All this is simply more proof TDS is certainly a mental disorder.

This has nothing to do with being critical of Trump, but everything to do about using one's brain for a little critical thinking.

It is grand jury testimony. Neither the president nor DOJ the authority over its release. Should the DOJ ask for an emergency intercession by SCOTUS they would likely lose 9-0. Obviously, the President and DOJ fully realize this.

Before a grand jury, there is no adversarial vetting of witnesses. Victims are guaranteed anonymity. The only one in this case to speak out publicly was obviously disturbed and successfully sued by Alan Derschowitz for defamation. Because it is so easy to unintentionally defame the innocent in such a speculative process, grand jury proceedings are held secret by Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

It is likely worth noting that Epstein died during the height of the "Me Too" movement. His estate was managed by a Victim's Compensation Program and claims required very little in the way of substantiation. 135 claimants eventually shared 125 mil. They may all have deserved every penny, some may have, perhaps none did. One would assume that information could also be released to the detriment of any number of innocent people as well as actual villains.

I have note here before that I am convinced the Epstein case is little more than a conspiracy fable that we watched blossom in plain view - largely breathlessly embroidered by the MAGA movement. I assume because they thought they would ensnare the globalist liberal elite in some sort of deviant scandal. You have to admit it is a little rich that two of the loudest proponents of the pedo-cabal, Dan Bongino and Kash Pattel, have been left looking the most uncomfortable.

The unfortunate thing for the republicans, and Trump specifically, is that by allowing, even encouraging, this speculative hysteria when it seemed to be hurting democrats, it has now boomeranged back on him personally and the administration.

The bad thing about conspiracy beliefs, is that it is impossible to prove them wrong to people that have embraced them (witness our discussion here a few pages back). There is a logical fallacy where the absence of evidence for or against a claim is taken as proof of the claim's truth. In the context of conspiracy theories, proponents often argue that the lack of evidence (e.g., suppressed documents, missing records, or official denials) is itself evidence of a cover-up or conspiracy. Those who have taken a philosophy 101 class would recognize "argumentum ad ignorantiam."

 

[Red Leg]

Some extra paperwork is certainly a viable reason to bend over the taxpayers.

I am sure all of us would benefit from your experience in bidding and managing government contracts and programs. Please share how you did it differently and at less cost. With those savings, I am sure you were wildly successful.

 

[rookhawk]

This has nothing to do with being critical of Trump, but everything to do about using one's brain for a little critical thinking.

It is grand jury testimony. Neither the president nor DOJ the authority over its release. Should the DOJ ask for an emergency intercession by SCOTUS they would likely lose 9-0.

Before a grand jury, there is no adversarial vetting of witnesses. Victims are guaranteed anonymity. The only one to speak out publicly was obviously disturbed and successfully sued by Alan Derschowitz for defamation. Because it is so easy to unintentionally defame the innocent in such a speculative process, grand jury proceedings are held secret by Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

It is likely worth noting that Epstein died during the height of the "Me Too" movement. His estate was managed by a Victim's Compensation Program and claims required very little in the way of substantiation. 135 claimants eventually shared 125 mil. They may all have deserved every penny, some may have, perhaps none did. One would assume that information could also be released to the detriment of any number of innocent people as well as actual villains.

I have note here before that I am convinced the Epstein case is little more than a conspiracy fable that we watched blossom in plain view - largely breathlessly embroidered by the MAGA movement. I assume because they thought they would ensnare the globalist liberal elite in some sort of deviant scandal. You have to admit it is a little rich that two of the loudest proponents of the pedo-cabal, Dan Bongino and Kash Pattel, have been left looking the most uncomfortable.

The unfortunate thing for the republicans, and Trump specifically, is that by allowing, even encouraging, this speculative hysteria when it seemed to be hurting democrats, it has now boomeranged back on him personally and the administration.

The bad thing about conspiracy beliefs, is that it is impossible to prove them wrong to people that have embraced them (witness our discussion here a few pages back). This is a logical fallacy where the absence of evidence for or against a claim is taken as proof of the claim's truth. In the context of conspiracy theories, proponents often argue that the lack of evidence (e.g., suppressed documents, missing records, or official denials) is itself evidence of a cover-up or conspiracy. Those who have taken a philosophy 101 class would recognize "argumentum ad ignorantiam."

I agree with what you said about GJ testimony, but I think you’re still missing the point about Epstein.

What was his profession, what was he doing, to whose benefit?

Why did the guy that owned the Limited, Abercrombie, and all those other clothing companies give him durable power of attorney and put all his assets in Epstein’s hands?

Somebody was financially backing Epstein and his meteoric rise for some purpose, perhaps a completely legal one, perhaps not. The people would like to know.

 

[Pheroze]

This has nothing to do with being critical of Trump, but everything to do about using one's brain for a little critical thinking.

It is grand jury testimony. Neither the president nor DOJ the authority over its release. Should the DOJ ask for an emergency intercession by SCOTUS they would likely lose 9-0. Obviously, the President and DOJ fully realize this.

Before a grand jury, there is no adversarial vetting of witnesses. Victims are guaranteed anonymity. The only one in this case to speak out publicly was obviously disturbed and successfully sued by Alan Derschowitz for defamation. Because it is so easy to unintentionally defame the innocent in such a speculative process, grand jury proceedings are held secret by Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

It is likely worth noting that Epstein died during the height of the "Me Too" movement. His estate was managed by a Victim's Compensation Program and claims required very little in the way of substantiation. 135 claimants eventually shared 125 mil. They may all have deserved every penny, some may have, perhaps none did. One would assume that information could also be released to the detriment of any number of innocent people as well as actual villains.

I have note here before that I am convinced the Epstein case is little more than a conspiracy fable that we watched blossom in plain view - largely breathlessly embroidered by the MAGA movement. I assume because they thought they would ensnare the globalist liberal elite in some sort of deviant scandal. You have to admit it is a little rich that two of the loudest proponents of the pedo-cabal, Dan Bongino and Kash Pattel, have been left looking the most uncomfortable.

The unfortunate thing for the republicans, and Trump specifically, is that by allowing, even encouraging, this speculative hysteria when it seemed to be hurting democrats, it has now boomeranged back on him personally and the administration.

The bad thing about conspiracy beliefs, is that it is impossible to prove them wrong to people that have embraced them (witness our discussion here a few pages back). There is a logical fallacy where the absence of evidence for or against a claim is taken as proof of the claim's truth. In the context of conspiracy theories, proponents often argue that the lack of evidence (e.g., suppressed documents, missing records, or official denials) is itself evidence of a cover-up or conspiracy. Those who have taken a philosophy 101 class would recognize "argumentum ad ignorantiam."

Whether something is true or not, the theory gains support with a little ignorance about legal procedure or theory. The politicians of today are quick to profit from this ignorance. It is worth noting that legal safeguards and procedure was developed when much of the world was controlled by monarchies and dictators. A few civilizations created legal structures to protect citizens. Now the first world is dominated by democracies and we are critical of those safeguards. Maybe one tyranny is being replaced by another? Maybe a long dead political theorist predicted such a tyranny?

 

[mdwest]

I am sure all of us would benefit from your experience in bidding and managing government contracts and programs. Please share how you did it differently and at less cost. With those savings, I am sure you were wildly successful.

I definitely find his statement curious..

I have worked at the executive level in the government services for a couple of decades at this point...

There were a few times back during the height of the Iran/Afghanistan conflicts where services providers to the USG could get away with fee rates of 10-12%.. I can remember 2 contracts specifically that were awarded around the 2012 time period that we celebrated wins on where we got 12% on the deal...

Mind you this is at the height of demand from the Fed Gov.. this is after the country had recovered from the economy crashing and staying compressed from 2008-2010.. both conflict theaters still had large numbers of troops present, etc.. and the govt is releasing contract after contract in rapid succession trying to get infrastructure rebuilt in both place.. so huge need for people and things.. and not a lot of people or things were available..

Key to note.. depending on the "service" being offered.. standard margins in the US range from 10-20% when dealing with private sector contracts... So pulling 12% on a public sector contract puts you snugly against the bottom of the "average" shared among US services providers...

Today... we typically get somewhere between 6-8%... and we're happy to get that.. the government is still very much in "LPTA" mode (Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable).. meaning they straight up tell you that whoever provides the lowest price to the government is who gets the work.. they dont care about value add or that Company A might be 5% more expensive, but offers 20% better quality than Company B... If Company B is 5% cheaper and 20% lower quality, as long as they can get the job done to the minimum standard, Company B wins the work.. We are, and have been in, a period of "made by the lowest bidder" methodology that US Govt contracting companies find success in....


Thats not to say that $300 toilet seats didnt happen at one time..

But.. I will say, that they are a very rare occurrence these days.. and if they do happen, as often as not its actually a mistake on either the govts part or the contractors..

Because there will be hell to pay, jail sentences to serve, and careers lost if proven otherwise...

And if you expect to go into a govt bid with wages and margins set at typical public sector rates and actually win work.. good luck to you.. youre very likely going to be shuttering your doors soon...

You make money in government contracting through volume... the trick is to sell tens of millions in value at a low margin.. as opposed to selling hundreds of thousands with solid/market rate margins..

 

[fourfive8]

Right on cue. It’s not hard to elicit a rapid and predictable reaction from the Clinton/Obama/Biden apologists here! Never fails to entertain.

 

[Brent in Az]

I am sure all of us would benefit from your experience in bidding and managing government contracts and programs. Please share how you did it differently and at less cost. With those savings, I am sure you were wildly successful.

Over the years, Ive done a couple of projects for DMAFB. Though it was not nearly the magnitude of the $3.1b Federal Reserve slush project, there was some paperwork and red tape involved.
I added a fair and honest margin to my administrative costs, along with the extra time required for security clearance at the checkpoints, etc.
The other requirement was prevailing wages, in which, my guys already exceeded.
Other then that, my bid was based on the specifications of design and material parameters, and priced accordingly.
For the physical product I provided, I did not charge anymore then I would in the private sector.
I also bid on the millwork for the new Federal building in downtown Tucson some years ago. A very nice building my sister now works in, as she is in Federal probation.
Unfortunately, I lost that bid to another company.
Even though I don't have the experience in the broader range of D.C swamp contracts, I am not ignorant of what's involved.

 

[Brent in Az]

Right on cue. It’s not hard to elicit a rapid and predictable reaction from the Clinton/Obama/Biden apologists here! Never fails to entertain.

Yeah, the anti-Trump establishment types certainly like to stick up for one another.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Over the years, Ive done a couple of projects for DMAFB. Though it was not nearly the magnitude of the $3.1b Federal Reserve slush project, there was some paperwork and red tape involved.
I added a fair and honest margin to my administrative costs, along with the extra time required for security clearance at the checkpoints, etc.
The other requirement was prevailing wages, in which, my guys already exceeded.

So in the end you passed along the extra costs involved in the government contract to the customer. In fairness to Tanks, he's doing the same thing. Any for profit business results in the cost of the product/service being completely absorbed by the customer and then some if a profit is realized.

Government mismanagement of it's own projects and the increase in costs resulting are on the gov't, not the provider of the product/service.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

This has nothing to do with being critical of Trump, but everything to do about using one's brain for a little critical thinking.

It is grand jury testimony. Neither the president nor DOJ the authority over its release. Should the DOJ ask for an emergency intercession by SCOTUS they would likely lose 9-0. Obviously, the President and DOJ fully realize this.

Before a grand jury, there is no adversarial vetting of witnesses. Victims are guaranteed anonymity. The only one in this case to speak out publicly was obviously disturbed and successfully sued by Alan Derschowitz for defamation. Because it is so easy to unintentionally defame the innocent in such a speculative process, grand jury proceedings are held secret by Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

It is likely worth noting that Epstein died during the height of the "Me Too" movement. His estate was managed by a Victim's Compensation Program and claims required very little in the way of substantiation. 135 claimants eventually shared 125 mil. They may all have deserved every penny, some may have, perhaps none did. One would assume that information could also be released to the detriment of any number of innocent people as well as actual villains.

I have note here before that I am convinced the Epstein case is little more than a conspiracy fable that we watched blossom in plain view - largely breathlessly embroidered by the MAGA movement. I assume because they thought they would ensnare the globalist liberal elite in some sort of deviant scandal. You have to admit it is a little rich that two of the loudest proponents of the pedo-cabal, Dan Bongino and Kash Pattel, have been left looking the most uncomfortable.

The unfortunate thing for the republicans, and Trump specifically, is that by allowing, even encouraging, this speculative hysteria when it seemed to be hurting democrats, it has now boomeranged back on him personally and the administration.

The bad thing about conspiracy beliefs, is that it is impossible to prove them wrong to people that have embraced them (witness our discussion here a few pages back). There is a logical fallacy where the absence of evidence for or against a claim is taken as proof of the claim's truth. In the context of conspiracy theories, proponents often argue that the lack of evidence (e.g., suppressed documents, missing records, or official denials) is itself evidence of a cover-up or conspiracy. Those who have taken a philosophy 101 class would recognize "argumentum ad ignorantiam."

I won't disagree with anything in your post. Furthermore I won't suggest I know anything more than most anyone else on this forum regarding Epstein island.

What I do know is that in fact I'm quite confident I'm ignorant to most everything there is to know about what happened. What I also know is that so far is only Epstein and Maxwell have been held accountable. Epstein held himself accountable if you believe he hung himself or by someone else if you don't. Maxwell is in prison and thus held accountable by our system of justice.

Do you believe these are the only two who bear accountability? I don't, and I don't believe I have to be characterized as a conspiracy nut to hold that opinion.

 

[Brent in Az]

So in the end you passed along the extra costs involved in the government contract to the customer. In fairness to Tanks, he's doing the same thing. Any for profit business results in the cost of the product/service being completely absorbed by the customer and then some if a profit is realized.

Government mismanagement of it's own projects and the increase in costs resulting are on the gov't, not the provider of the product/service.

Dont try and run this thing in circles, and turn it into something its not.
Unlike many government contractors, I do not price gouge, nor inflate prices into the stratosphere simply because its the federal government and contractors, suppliers, etc, can get away with it.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Dont try and run this thing in circles, and turn it into something its not.
Unlike many government contractors, I do not price gouge, nor inflate prices into the stratosphere simply because its the federal government and contractors, suppliers, etc, can get away with it.

I wasn't suggesting you did. I was merely arguing that Tanks hasn't either. I've been on government contracts in past work life. I didn't run them, but I didn't have to in order to see how our gov't can screw itself with it's excessive bureaucracy and quite often through scope creep once the project started.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I agree with what you said about GJ testimony, but I think you’re still missing the point about Epstein.

What was his profession, what was he doing, to whose benefit?

Why did the guy that owned the Limited, Abercrombie, and all those other clothing companies give him durable power of attorney and put all his assets in Epstein’s hands?

Somebody was financially backing Epstein and his meteoric rise for some purpose, perhaps a completely legal one, perhaps not. The people would like to know.

Experts were curious on how Epstein made his money. His clients made average returns.

And he performed on a level of a Chimp throwing a dart at a board.

 

[Brent in Az]

I wasn't suggesting you did. I was merely arguing that Tanks hasn't either. I've been on government contracts in past work life. I didn't run them, but I didn't have to in order to see how our gov't can screw itself with it's excessive bureaucracy and quite often through scope creep once the project started.

The Federal government is it's own worst enemy, and the bureaucracy that wastes tax dollars.
Im not implying that everyone takes advantage of that, but there are many that do.
Construction change orders. That's where a lot of money is made.
Those that defend the bureaucracy, are typically the ones riding on the gravy train.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

The Federal government is it's own worst enemy, and the bureaucracy that wastes tax dollars.
Im not implying that everyone takes advantage of that, but there are many that do.
Construction change orders. That's where a lot of money is made.

I agree, but I won't make or even suggest anyone's business was doing that without having the proof. Perhaps I misunderstood your post, but it seemed to me you were at least suggesting Tanks has.

 

[Brent in Az]

I agree, but I won't make or even suggest anyone's business was doing that without having the proof. Perhaps I misunderstood your post, but it seemed to me you were at least suggesting Tanks has.

I was simply responding to a comment he made over my criticism of the new federal reserve building, and it's costs.
Trump seems to be fully aware what's going on, and the overly bloated costs attached to that project.

 

[Red Leg]

Dont try and run this thing in circles, and turn it into something its not.
Unlike many government contractors, I do not price gouge, nor inflate prices into the stratosphere simply because its the federal government and contractors, suppliers, etc, can get away with it.

You did exactly what @Tanks described.

Unlike your company most corporations doing government work are public. Their margins are reported quarterly. For instance a typical defense contractor, you know the guys with the thousand dollar hammers, run around 12%.