Hours upon hours of pain and farts

You do see how that’s a terrible idea, right?

I’ve been using Valvoline, but I bring my own oil and filter, and they actually do use a torque wrench on everything I can tell. It’s $60 (with coupon) for my 6.7 that I also have them rotate my tires, I’m in and out in 30 min, and I don’t have to dispose of the oil. Just turn down the the other services, especially the air filter (that I typically replace while I’m waiting in line), and they’re not too bad. I just wish they’d do my fuel filters, but LiAbIlItY.

They easily could push more socially positive virtues, but it’s likely more profitable to push a divisive narrative, especially as someone else said, to keep us occupied fighting amongst ourselves, as opposed to unifying against the wealthy.

👍

They probably have a really good tax guy, especially if they’re making that much. Average is typically 15-30%, and it usually depends on how you go about your taxes. Depending on deductions, especially if you own a business, and the more you can pay a (high level) tax guy, the less you pay in taxes. It really do be like that.

Personal income, and even business income, absolutely agreed (my personal for the year was $10k or just shy of 10%, my corp tax was about $900, not bad at all). It’s the other nickel and dimeing CA is famous for. Fuel taxes, property taxes because home values are now sky high, DMV fees, and then all your municipal taxes, and then all your varied county/municipal sales taxes, and plenty of others I’m not thinking of right now, and of which added together are exorbitant compared to other states. Now, don’t get me wrong, you certainly get what you pay for in terms of great weather and good quality of life compared to other states, as well as many other benefits, but let’s not pretend for a second that California isn’t a fucking expensive place to live. I was born and raised here, I’ve lived elsewhere, and I am not leaving, but absolutely California is pricey.

In California, yes. Moreso because taxes keep rising but services keep dwindling.

Electrician here. One thing I will say, in times of inclement economic weather (like now), service plumber stay busy. People are likely not going to not fix a leak, blocked drain, or a heater/AC problem. People will run an extension cord if an outlet stops working or get creative if a light goes out. From what I’ve seen, many views plumbing as a more pertinent issue to resolve than electrical issues. But, as OP said, I’ll take electrical all day over dealing with poo.

Linemen for the power company will always stay busy regardless of the economy, and it pays stupid well. The guys in my town clear $200k with storm shifts.

Even better, you work for one of the wealthiest corporations in the world with virtually unlimited resources at your disposal, and you still get your asses handed to you by a handful of people with laptops.