Topics

The problem is that it is not financially sustainable to both provide the healthcare for people 65+ that leads to longer lifespans AND fund those additional years in retirement at the same time that population growth is slowing.  The lifespan increase combined with slowing population growth combine to lower the ratio of elderly benefit recipients to taxpayers funding the benefits. At some point either you have to lower the benefits or raise the age to receive the benefits.  You can't possibly "tax the rich" enough to avoid that choice.  The third choice is to borrow more money to pay for the benefits but that has consequences in inflation.  When social security was conceived, the life expectancy was much different.  From Bing AI/Copilot: It was never envisioned for people to be collecting social security for decades which is not unusual now.  It also wasn't envisioned for the birth rate to slow or so many labor tasks to be replaced by machines and other technology.  When Social Security was enacted, elevators still had operators. Steven would work for weed AND peanuts but not just peanuts!

you seem to be under the impression that TB can influence Axl into releasing music. I don't think anyone can tell Axl what to do, especially when it comes to new music. in a way, they are just a reflection of what Axl wants. it's like this cause this is how Axl prefers it to be. Gn'R sells nostalgia, and as long as they play SCOM and the hits, they're pretty much good to go. they don't need to release new music, though I would love it if they do of course. it's not the main product they are selling and hasn't been for quite a while now.

Would be great, but I don't see that as a real option. Beta is basically Axl's surrogate mother, and Nando is, well, her son. They've lived with him in his own house - they're not going anywhere. The only hope I'd see in this would be if Slash/Duff interfered a little bit and tried suggesting something to Axl every now and then. Some incentive on their part could set at least some things in motion. 

I think Axl is pretty happy with Team Brazil, they seem to facilitate everything he wants to do. I don't see them leaving anytime soon unless Fernando needs to go because of the lawsuit.

Lucky us! I was listening last summer's Paris show IEM sound on youtube and it's pretty cool. And that Whiskey '86 show...what a treat! I wish that Axl could see that the band needs a real manager or a management team and let's hope when CD era comes to an end TB is going home for good.