When Non-Experts Exhibit Their Non-Expertise

They’re calling Harris a communist. We’ve never seen this before. pic.twitter.com/QslhRe1y5I

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 19, 2024

I still say the age cohort who knows that "communist" is supposed to mean, is shrinking rapidly.  And even among them, the word is a shibboleth.  Few people have any clue what it refers to.

While everyone else is in Chicago, @lawofruby is covering the GA Election Board meeting that could roil the election. https://t.co/S65vHDuTH9

— emptywheel (mouthy bitch) (@emptywheel) August 19, 2024

Except it won't "roil the election," because these clowns have already been told their actions and suggestions violate state and federal election law. Their roles are purely ministerial, not legislative. They can't change the rules to suit themselves, especially when it comes to vote tabulation and certification. They won't "disrupt" anything, as they'll be slapped down by the courts if they try to challenge election results. The courts can move very rapidly in these circumstances when they have to.

“What are these ‘clear rules of the road’ or the thresholds that determine when a price or profit level becomes ‘excessive’? The memo doesn’t say, and the campaign did not answer questions I sent seeking clarification.” https://t.co/bzP4Q5qVp3

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 16, 2024

Yeah, that's not the keystone at all. Not even close.

Imagine if people had spoken with @ZephyrTeachout before running to press parroting Trump's "Price fixing"? https://t.co/iShOZOWsSU

— emptywheel (mouthy bitch) (@emptywheel) August 19, 2024

A lot of thoughts on price gouging.

First, 42 states have laws against price gouging that have worked well for decades.

Harris' price gouging proposal would close the loophole that allows big corporations to price gouge in state 1 and sell in state 2 and get away with it.

— Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) August 19, 2024

Second, price gouging laws are poor man's antitrust.

Big price hikes not driven by cost is exploitation of gross power accumulation--the long term way to solve systemic price gouging = competition policy. In the short term, we've allowed these Goliaths & people need protection.

— Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) August 19, 2024

(And by the way, 42 is a low number--even New Hampshire and Montana have other ways to bring price gouging cases, they just do it under a general unfair business practices law).

— Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) August 19, 2024

I'm not saying that's the last word on the issue, but which one gives you more insight into the issue?