Tampa Bay Rants and Raves is a weekly airing of national and local politics, sports, lifestyles and nostalgia items from a very politically incorrect viewpoint. As always, beware - some of what is printed here should not be taken literally.

Student loans could factor big in the midterms

We’ve heard endlessly about how the Supreme Court’s pro-life decision and the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago will affect the midterm elections. May we offer up another item that will play large in November – Biden’s proposed get out of jail free card to people with student loan obligations. The proposal, so far panned on both sides of the aisle, calls for a $10,000 forgiveness for any obligation of a person with an income of under $125,000. The problem is other people with incomes under $125,000 will be paying for this $300 billion largesse. So it’s not debt forgiveness, but debt transfer to you and me. It’s just another attempt by Biden to buy votes and much worse, an abject lesson on avoiding responsibility for our actions. There’s no surprise that many Democratic candidates in November are walking away from this as fast as they can. Meanwhile, Republicans can scarcely conceal their glee in having this talking point for the working stiff who’s paying the tab for others’ irresponsibility.

Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

Related to our lead article, while we doubt it will happen, we can abide by Gov. DeSantis’ suggestion that colleges take the hit for “tuition relief”. They certainly benefited more from the loans than Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer.

Let’s see if we understand this – if we don’t support Joe Biden, then we (which according to polls is better than half of America) are a threat to democracy.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged a sizeable campaign contribution to the Charlie Crist for Governor Campaign. Need we know more?

Idle thought: Again this election cycle, our party of choice has nominated such a displeasing individual (actually two) on our ballot that we will not be accused of voting a straight party ticket in November.

Wish we had thought of this years ago – an app on your kid’s phone (which most likely you’re paying for) that locks their phone if they don’t return a call from you within an hour.

A follow up to last month’s 20^th Century Presidential luncheon – three 19^th Century Presidents with whom we would like to do lunch. In alphabetical (and chronological) order: Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.

Encouraging employment news from the 5:05 Newsletter: A new report is predicting a 0% unemployment rate by the year 2026, as every American will be working for the IRS and be hard at work auditing other American citizens who work for the IRS.

This week in1916 (Sept. 6) the first American supermarket, a Piggly Wiggly, opens in Memphis, Tennessee.

Sports, media and other stuff:

Lee Thomas was part of the Clearwater scene for nearly a decade as the well-respected General Manager of the Philadelphia Phils – this following a successful career as a left handed power hitter in the majors. Lee passed away last week at age 87.

The runaway train that is the quest for a USF football stadium continues – for a team that has won seven games in the past three years - your tuition and tax dollars being foolishly spent.

Related; Here’s how Florida teams stack up in the first seasonal poll: Miami (17); UCF (29); Florida (36); FSU (43); Florida Atlantic (100); USF (114); and Florida International (127) out of the 131 ranked teams. More on this below.

If you wanted a baseball quiniela that would have made you rich, you would have bet that on Sept. 1 the Orioles would be two games out of the playoffs and that the major leagues’ winningest pitcher (17) would be the Braves’ Kyle Wright.

Love the guy, but we find the choice of MLB commentator Mark DeRosa to manage Team USA in the World Baseball Classic a bit curious – along with Ken Griffey, Jr. and Andy Pettitte, both coaching novices, as part of his staff.

You have to wonder about the sagacity of credit card marketing folks when you receive multiple offers to apply for a card you already have.

Pick Six

The top six ranked college football programs going into the season are (1) Alabama (marking the 15^th year in a row they have been ranked #1 at least one week). Following the Tide is Ohio State (2); reigning national champ Georgia (3); numbers 4 and 5 Clemson and Notre Dame; at #6 is former FSU coach Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M Aggies. Why are these six teams significant? Because since the college playoffs began, no team outside the pre-season top six has ever won the national championship. So, if you’re a betting person, obtain whatever odds you can get and take the above half dozen against the field.

UP NEXT: Belleair Road; 2 days, 2 great shows; Juneteenth

090422/664

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