Random Thoughts Thread

[Hobie-wan]

Some is right but not all. Texas would then have a federal income tax for its own infrastructure. The state is also has some natural resources to export. The biggest issue would still be what to do with what is already established.

Even if we got a pass on things that were built here that were funded by federal tax money, easily movable things like military vehicles and computers and such they'd want back or to have them be paid for. Same with Scotland. There would be a huge immediate deficit in the larger entity's favor for things built with federal level funds.

[Jmustang1968]

Some is right but not all. Texas would then have a federal income tax for its own infrastructure. The state is also has some natural resources to export. The biggest issue would still be what to do with what is already established.

Even if we got a pass on things that were built here that were funded by federal tax money, easily movable things like military vehicles and computers and such they'd want back or to have them be paid for. Same with Scotland. There would be a huge immediate deficit in the larger entity's favor for things built with federal level funds.

How all that would be handled is the murky or impossible part. Too intertwined.

Couldnt be bigger than the US deficit we already have lol

[Flake]

Worse yet, the what about currency? Using Scotland as our case study, what are they going to use for money? The pound sterling. Nope. The Euro? Good luck with that, see you in a few years.

So let's say it's the Scottish Dollar or something made up like that. I can't think of any of the major powers that wouldn't be on the UK's side in devaluing that currency. So we're talking thousands of Scotch Dollars for a loaf of bread - and it seems that London is pissed off enough about this referendum that they would be THAT petty.

We'd see the Scottish turning to Ireland for financial aid. If that farcical yet horrifying notion isn't enough to scare Scotland off this idea, I don't know what is.

Couldnt be bigger than the US deficit we already have lol

@Jmustang - yeah, about that deficit. We Texans own some of that. We could expect a bill to be presented to Austin the day after the map was redrawn.

[Jmustang1968]

Couldnt be bigger than the US deficit we already have lol

@Jmustang - yeah, about that deficit. We Texans own some of that. We could expect a bill to be presented to Austin the day after the map was redrawn.

Not sure how the legalities all that would shake out. I'm not sure if they could pin a portion on a seceding state or not. I guess that would depend on how amicable the split was... and if it would be honored. The federal government incurred it.

[Erik_Twice]

I see no future in dividing humanity more than it is and I find nationalism to be extremely silly.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Couldnt be bigger than the US deficit we already have lol

Deficits only really matter if (1) they are "crowding out" private investment, (2) they are denominated in a foreign currency, or (3) there are inflationary concerns. It is very doubtful that, if Texas seceded, creditors would allow it to borrow money denominated in "Texas" dollars (which would be perfectly rational since the new Texas government would have no credit history). Moreover - and to account for risk - it would probably have to pay exorbitant interest rates on its sovereign debt. Accordingly, Texas would probably be facing a debt crisis shortly after it came into existence unless it raised taxes significantly or insituted severe austerity measures (both of which would probably be anathema to those most in favor of seceding from the Union).

Secondly, trade - even in the best circumstances - is impeded significantly by international borders. (This fact is well-documented in economic literature studying trade with Canada and well-known to anyone who has tried shipping something to or from Canada recently.) Texas' current trading partners are the other 49 states; so, seceding from the Union would be disastrous for Texas's economy. Any such depression/recession would be sever and exacerbated by Texas's inability to borrow on favorable terms.

[Jmustang1968]

Im not saying it will or should happen lol. But, in the long run it could work. The short term is the tough part.

[Hobie-wan]

Started playing Stalker Clear Sky last week. Then this article today. Got me thinking about how cool a visit to Pripyat would be again.

[fastbilly1]

There is a very good chance that I am buying a fire engine this weekend. We bought a COE cab a couple months ago for a steal, and now we found a compatible engine with a crushed cab for sale for a song. So mating the two, and stripping/selling/scrapping out the parts we dont need (like the busted cab), we should have a fully drivable 70s style fire engine for almost no cost to us but time and fuel cost. We will be removing the pump and most of the containers on the back and converting it into car hauler with a gooseneck, and so we can all drive it instead of just my father inlaw (he has a Class A license). But for atleast a year it will be a fire engine at the farm.

And bonus to getting the fire engine is we can finally merge our Peterbilt and International. They were supposed to be merged together years ago, the Peterbilts cab is plush but the engine has a hole in it bigger than my head, while the International has a trashed cab, but is a perfect match for the body. Sadly we have not had a crane long enough to make the swap. With having two projects now, we can justify renting a crane for the week and do both.

[TSTR]

@Hobie - I read that article too, some fascinating stuff. I've always been interested in ghost towns. Would love to check these places out.

@fast - I think you may be achieving the dream of every 5 year old boy everywhere.