If it takes giving the rich even more money to save lives, give it to them. Everything in our country is tied to giving them as much as possible. For once I would like them to say "no, we have enough. Use it for the folks who really need it." Ha.
3
So, now with a National Emergency declared, there appears to be a boatload of federal funds available, "but we want you to do us a favor."
1
Trump can't manufacture test kits or masks. All he can do is suspend, or ease, the federal regulations that make it difficult to make or sell test kits and masks. He's done that now. Should he have done that earlier? Probably so. He may be playing catch-up football now, but it seems to me that he's now, belatedly or not, taking the coronavirus seriously. Frankly, I don't know what else he could do.
@Commenter Then WHY is Trump sleazily attempting to blame Obama for his OWN abysmal failure to take action or even admit the virus was REAL???
The ONLY thing Trump takes seriously is his own insatiable EGO!
8
Trust me on this one:
"Is it too much to ask why are there not an adequate number of test kits and effective masks in the US?"
If more test kits and masks were being purchased, more of them would have been manufactured. They weren't; now they are, and so more are being manufactured.
Should Trump have acted sooner to encourage manufacturers of test kits and masks? Almost certainly so. But they real "blame" should be assigned to the non-buyers of those test kits and masks. If those buyers had been more plentiful, more test kits and masks would have been manufactured and sold.
@Commenter Deep thoughts........the non-buyer that takes the blame for not ordering an buying kits is the Federal Government. Who is the Executive of the Federal Government? Now you have your answer for who failed to buy test kits.
7
"Republicans need to recognize virus testing [is] a safety measure for all residents."
Capitalists being eager to make a buck, more test kits would have been produced if more test kits were being purchased. They weren't; now they are. Should Trump have pointed this out sooner? Yes.
But the simple fact remains that more people want to be tested than there are test kits. Some people tested will be sick. Others won't be. Each test kit used means one less test kit available. Should test kits be used on whoever asks for one? Or should trained medical professionals help to decide who gets tested and who doesn't? I vote for the latter, though I agree that doctors shouldn't charge -- or should charge much less -- for their work in deciding who gets tested and who doesn't.
How long has the coronavirus threatened to become the pandemic it now is? Months and months. Is it too much to ask why are there not an adequate number of test kits and effective masks in the US? Surely this reflects, accurately, on the competence of the current Administration. Right-wing extremism is not only cruel, but it is also murderous.
6
By products of Coronavirus Emergency:
The world's 6.5 billion people will get extra long holidays staying home away from labor and office works. These extra time they will enjoy watching TV, doing yard work and home cleaning and fighting with their family members mostly wives and children. Of course they will enjoy more in their beds with their second half. Rough estimate suggest that at least 250 million more babies will be born in the year 2021. Many hospitals, businesses and pharmacies are planning and preparing for these extra loads. On the otherside, at least 2 million more couples will decide to take divorce.
"Do [the Republicans] really want to lose both the House and the Senate?"
I doubt it. But keep in mind that people in many states feel different from you. In most states, the number of reported cases of coronavirus disease is very low -- zero in some states. Yet workers in those states -- even healthy workers -- are being told to stay home. Some employers are paying wages to those workers, but most are not.
1
I've learned what "postponed" means, at least for two SF businesses.
1. For a SF cultural institution, it means your postponed event will be rescheduled. If you can't attend on the "rescheduled" date, no problem: You just need to come in, in person, and exchange your ticket for a credit. Can't come in in person? Tough luck for you.
2. For a SF dentist: "Postponed" means "cancelled."
It took a medical crisis to enact the same employee provisions that the entire industrialized world takes as a matter of course. The Republican resistance to this kind of common-sense legislation for American workers has been endemic. Look at Kevin McCarthy in the House. Billions in corporate welfare, OK! Paid sick leave for workers, TOO EXPENSIVE! Are these Republicans crazy? Do they really want to lose both the House and the Senate? Their cruelty is unprecedented. Thank goodness for Nancy Pelosi. She is the only adult in the room.
10
Did you really?
"During the Ebola crisis I relied on one Barack Obama."
I don't recall that any events were cancelled or postponed then, or that any businesses were closed -- do you?
2
While the virus kills your grandparents, the Republican "leadership" works to kill Social Security.
9
The "Ebola crisis" was much different. Hardly any Ebola cases were reported in the US, and no businesses or government offices were closed.
"During the Ebola crisis I relied on one Barack Obama. He rewarded my confidence by doing a great job."
3
Whether one is for or against Trump, no one can argue that wherever he is involved, chaos always seems to erupt, confusion, name-calling, posturing.... a fear that he has no idea what to do next.
6
Naturally the GOP is fighting paid sick leave that MIGHT allow SOME ordinary workers to stay home unnecessarily at the cost of some economic activity and added government debt. Of course, they already borrowed a trillion dollars to give corporations and the wealthy a tax break and you can bet they will borrow more to give flagging industries like the airlines a boost (as they should). This is a crisis that can be reacted to or proactively attacked. The latter will involve increasing the debt and short term harm to the economy. The former will result in deaths and economic chaos for who knows how long.
4
Not all businesses are suffering:
I read that the Boston Marathon and the Masters golf tournament have been "postponed" (whatever that means), and that the Louvre is closed indefinitely. But grocery stores are doing a land office business, based on my visit yesterday to my local Trader Joe's. The lines were much longer at the checkout counter, and the shelves were largely empty. I've heard that's also true at other grocery stores, and that certain items -- isopropyl alcohol and toilet paper, for example -- are not available at all. I've heard reports of price gouging, but I've not seen that at all. Trader Joe's is charging the same price as they always have.
Flu shot or not?
I earlier reported that ALL flu shots use "dead" viruses, incapable of causing the flu. Not so. Most use "dead" viruses, bome vaccines use one "live" gene. The choice of vaccine depends on the age and state of health of the recipient.
One fact is indisputably true, however: getting a flu shot is wise. The CDC recommends it for everyone 6 months or older. It reduces greatly the odds of getting the flu, which obviously decreases the odds of dying from the flu. At the moment, roughly half of Americans don't get a flu shot.
Call me skeptical if you like:
"Noticing Trump's utter incompetence doesn't mean we're rooting for the virus. It just means we're observing reality."
I can't help but notice that roughly half of Americans don't bother to get an annual flu shot, even though flu kills many times as many Americans each year as COVID-19. Flu shots aren't fool-proof, but they do reduce the odds of getting flu by 40-60%. The precautions being taken by Americans now (including by me) will help reduce not only the number of COVID-19 cases, but also the number of flu deaths.
That's this year, and I suspect that NEXT year many more people will get a flu shot.
1
I think the American flag on the trader's jacket sleeve should be up-side-down.
4
Republicans need to recognize virus testing isn't a perk given to an individual. It's a safety measure for all residents.
10
Read the letters from Trump supporters here and weep. It is truly sad we have such suspicious and grinchy people among us. Are they real people?
As our country is teetering on the brink, they are crying out about Democratic over reach to pass the House relief bill.
This disease may be a greater threat to us than coronavirus.
9
Banning travelers from continental Europe -- except US citizens, permanent residents and their families -- is like closing one of several barn doors after the horses have long fled. It's unnecessary and insufficient, and just makes Trump look more incompetent, which is no easy task.
7
People who are not sick are getting hours cut back in Service Industry. My daughter asked me for help with her rent as she has 0 hours next week her employer is a 5 star hotel in FL. States need to expand unemployment for 6 months or until this is over. These service workers are not being paid.
8
@Colleen Sorry to hear your daughter is suffering financially even though she's not sick. In CA and elsewhere, some employers are paying workers told to say home; others are not. Sounds like your daughter's employer is in the second category.
2
Stop worrying about the Wall Street investor and provide funds to the Main Street worker living paycheck to paycheck.
All this will do is make billionaire banks more billions.
20
@Bobby Ebert - Well said. And don't raid or bankrupt Social Security and Medicare either. Give the states some flexibility, (with the requisite responsibility later) to use Medicaid.
If this doesn't blow up, we are all OK. If it does, look for torches and pitchforks everywhere.
4
Extraordinary crisis situations like the one caused by the Coronavirus outbreak demand extraordinary effort on the part of leaders in delivering relief to the people and that necessitates concerted united action beyond the partisan considerations. The joint Congressional/White House resolve to offer rescue package to the distressed sectors of economy and society is really commendable.
3
Sure, Trump would like to cancel California and Washington. Well California, Oregon and Washington would like to cancel Trump, too.
The Covid19 genie is already out of the bottle, Orange bud. It is in every state, merrily spreading all over the country in communities oblivious to its presence. In a matter of weeks every state will be like Washington and California. A travel ban on the west coast isn’t going to fix the problem. Smart science and medicine just might.
8
Trump has long claimed that the Democratic Party would like the economy to tank, since a strong economy improves Trump's odds in the November election.
Recent polling suggests that that is happening. It shows that Democrats take the coronavirus crisis much more seriously than Republicans do, especially in states where no one has taken ill from the virus.
Be careful! It's one thing to wish that the economy will tank. It's quite another to wish that one's neighbor will get sick and die. I'm seeing unrestrained glee.
I also question whether Joe Biden will strike voters as a more effective leader than Trump. I agree that Trump should be doing more (though I certainly don't rely on Donald Trump in this crisis -- or on any other politician), but the voters' choice won't be between Trump and some yet-to-be-identified Democratic opponent; the choice will be "Trump or Biden?" Trump can and should react more forcefully than he has, but the question for voters will remain: "Trump or Biden?" I doubt that most voters will prefer Biden.
1
@Commenter We have seen who Trump is in the last 3 years.
We have also seen who Joe Biden is in the last 40 years.
If a person wanted decency, humanity, a caring President, a President that obeys the law, a Person that can make friends with other nations.
Who would that be, Trump or Biden?
We have to finally tell it like it is. Trump is mentally ill, we saw that on TV the other day. He needs mental health treatment.
8
@Commenter During the Ebola crisis I relied on one Barack Obama. He rewarded my confidence by doing a great job.
Perhaps you've forgotten about that. Perhaps you worked hard to forget.
For some reason you think that we Democrats taking the virus seriously indicates that we are doing so with unrestrained glee. So I guess living in denial with Trump, Hannity & Limbaugh is to be preferred.
Listen up pal. Noticing Trump's utter incompetence doesn't mean we're rooting for the virus. It just means we're observing reality. You might want to try taking a look.
BTW our wishes have no actual impact on the course of the epidemic. But spreading denial could clearly make it easier for the virus.
So I call you out as a virus enabler.
2
@Walt Sisikin it would be Bernie... If Bernie's policies were in place, this would be a much more controlled situation. If the least among us does not have healthcare, none of us are safe. Things like the coronavirus don't care who you are.
Besides, Bernie fights for people he doesn't know.
We have seen the opposite with Joe. He fights with someone he doesn't know. Both Trump and Biden have dementia.
#WeNeedBernie
"Mr. Trump himself may have been exposed to the virus..." My favorite statement of the day. Karma would be dying from the virus, because "It’s going to work out fine".
For whom? This time the rich won't be safe in their gated communities and mac-mansions. Sometimes there is justice to greed and avarice, not to mention continual dishonesty to citizens.
10
Once again Trump first does virtually nothing, then next he babbles incoherent nonsense and when he finally does act it is stupid and counterproductive.
The travel ban from Europe doesn't accomplish much except further distancing the US from its former allies and helping to tank the stock market. Putting a science denier in charge of the US response to a medical problem was particularly stupid, even for him.
Really America, you wanted a fool to run your country like a king? Well you have one and I hope that you can live with the results.
16
So, once again, Nancy Pelosi got the job done! She’s the leader. She’s the manager. Not the cowardly liar in the White House.
22
Competence, compassion, integrity--thy name is Nancy Pelosi!
18
All these aid packages must be short term only for the duration of the virum. We must not let the Democrats and Pelosi try to sneak in permanent changes to employee situations. If there was no sick leave before the visus there should be no sick leave after the virus. Things should return to Status Quo Ante.
2
@Judy Weller. Sick leave is a good public health measure anytime. Or, do you think that there's a difference in whether your waiter is sick with seasonal flu rather than with Covid-19?
Seasonal flu sickens millions and kills tens of thousands every year. If paid sick leave can help minimize the spread of Covid-19, it can do the same for the flu, too.
2
@Judy Weller Sick leave is un-American!
So glad to see that you're focussed on the important stuff.
4
Two words Greed and Fear driving the market...
Just watching Morning Joe segment, the main concern Italy turning to Greece and EU banks won't be able to hold.
The Con man is playing fast and loose with Global Economy.
They're also saying, it's time for him to isolate himself if not quarantine all together.
Everyone ignores him anyway, so just poof and disappear for now and shut up in a midst of collapsing stock market.
Justine Trudeau and his wife isolated themselves for at least two weeks...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/world/americas/trudeau-wife-coronavirus.html
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Wife of Canada’s Leader, Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will remain in isolation for the next two weeks.
That's what normal people do, who don't live under fear not to be re-elected and potentially facing real Justice!
9
I would rethink on a personal level, what "powerful man" means, after the weird behavior of a dumb person at the highest level. This dude refusing to take coronavirus test means he does not care about the safety of people around him other than his bizarre ego. Secret service agents, staffers who might not want to get sick, but because of their responsibility, feel compelled to stick with him. I condemn such behavior, super weird!!!
6
Trump foolishly barred entry from any European country while giving Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland a free pass—even though the virus is spreading there. There’s no ban on travel from African nations, either, no ban on travel from Israel, where the virus has a foothold. More alarmingly, there’s no mention of COVID-19 on the website of the United States Surgeon General, and nothing to be found under the heading “Priorities”.
https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/index.html
U.S. citizens returning from Europe are not being screened at airports. This is the most incompetent administration, ever.
10
BHO “Stimulus” II. That “emergency” measure included a large number of hoary leftist spending ideas which were silly when proposed and did nothing to improve the economy once enacted. Because no good crisis should ever go to waste.
So, now, the Pelosi proposal for crisis is to do precisely the things she’s been advocating before the crisis. Leftists are simply using a virus to secure passage of things they have always supported which have nothing to do with either the virus or the economy.
The correct economic response, if you’re a governmental official, is to run around waving your hands, looking like you’re doing something, as that’s what the people seem to expect, simple souls that they are, while simultaneously doing no harm, until the economy fixes itself, which it will, certainly as, if not more, quickly than it would have absent increased Medicaid spending or other handouts, freebies, and giveaways.
1
@Michael
How is sick leave, paid testing for the virus, food for children who would typically receive it in school except that now their schools are closed, and paid health care for the sick a "leftist" coup? You appear to believe that incompetents like Trump & Co. who do nothing but "wave their hands around" are the best way to govern. Sorry, but markets don't save lives and aren't enough in a health or climate crisis. Why actually do need a functioning government. Lord knows, we pay enough for this dysfunctional Republican pretend one.
7
Is there any doubt now that our country needs a Blue Tsunami in November? Overwhelming incompetence allied with unmatched fealty to a raging Narcissist is a recipe for disaster. Enough! Enough!
9
Ms. Pelosi is showing real leadership when the White House is sowing discord and misdirection, and the Senate Majority clings to his empty, divisive rhetoric.
Thank god for the Democratic Party, which is working hard for all Americans, even though their partners across the aisle continue to engage in partisan bickering while people die.
11
"Free testing" can't be the be-all and end-all. What of the people who test positive? What's the next step? Who pays for the care they will need? Are hospitals equipped to handle the number of people who will potentially need hospitalization? Are there enough respirators? Health care workers? Free testing is only the first step. We need to see the entire progression of how a realistic medical plan will be implemented and paid for.
5
A comprehensive plan from the House, obstructed by the Senate and ignored by a clueless president. What could go wrong?
6
Hang tough House Democrats and get paid sick leave for all Americans now as well as approving the billions of dollars more needed for CDC. It is shameful that senate Republicans don't value the health and wellbeing of Americans who have no paid sick leave today and do not understand that the main way to curtail the panedemic is for sick people to stay home.
We in U.S. should have paid sick leave and paid vacation leave for all workers required like EU. Our country will be healthier if sick workers stayed home and did not infect fellow employees, customers and clients. Not just corona virus but annual season flu that often kills 50,000 in U.S. and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands every flu season.
Do the right thing for our country, and hang tough House and Senate Democrats. Trump and the senate Repubs days are coming to an end in November.
5
I though that the CDC isn't providing the tests was so the stock market wouldn't crash. Now I see there were two reasons: (1) so the people wouldn't know how many infected people there were so the airlines, and hotel industry and the stock markets wouldn't crash and (2) to save health insurance companies and Medicaid and Medicare money on testing and treatment.
When this debacle is over, the GOP is done. Donald Trump is done. Businessmen and entertainers as politicians are done.
9
Maybe it's time that any tax money used to bailout or stimulate the financial system or stock market should be taken from a special fund that is paid into by the market itself. Individuals who pay payroll, federal, state and other taxes would know that their tax dollars are not being spent to prop up the stock market gamblers.
6
Small businesses that could not take advantage of the US Tax Code perks that practically zeroed out taxes owed by the likes of Amazon, GE, oil and gas drillers, banks and the like must be the only topic of conversation for financial relief.
TARP bailed out banks without any requirement to help people with mortgages. The GOP at that time thought banks would "do the right thing" and help people underwater because of the calamity in the home mortgage market created by greedy banks.
BIG LAUGH AND SAD JOKE.... Nearly 400,000 people lost their homes in bankruptcy. Bailed out banks did nothing.
Big Business can take a haircut this time around. Working people must demand from their DC representatives that any financial assistance be there for working people and small businesses.
Anything else will be a travesty for the common good, for sound government, for common sense and in our very trust that government's core purpose is the general welfare of its citizens...NOT Big Business.
NOT ONE PENNY FOR SHALE, OIL/GAS, BANKS, AIRLINES, AUTO INDUSTRY, OR ANY OTHER TAX CODE MANIPULATING COMPANY THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM CRONY SOCIALISTIC CAPITALISM. NO MORE CORPORATE SOCIALISM.
Small business and working people must be the only subjects for assistance during this pandemic.
7
Only one elected governmetal official in our divided limited different power constitutional republic of united states can and should speak to and for us all.
In the early times of the COVID - 19 pandemic Americans need and deserve a President of the United States who is competent, empathetic, honest and transparent.
Nothing that Congress can do to pass legislation to address the loooming socioeconomic consequences of COVID- 19 can calm and reassure a reasonably desperate and fearful nation. The fact that neither Mitch McConnell nor Donald Trump are directly involved in these negotiations is a a very good sign.
Moreover, since this COVID-19 threat to the one and only biological DNA genetic evolutionary fit human race doesn't discriminate on the basis of gender, color aka race, ethnicity, national origin, faith, education, economics and politics, America will need international allies and friends.
7
The speed that this administration threw out a $1.5 Trillion dollar stimulus package to protect the banks tells me that they care more about the economy than they care about our citizens. This House plan should be passed unanimously. It will allow everyone to stay home for a few weeks to slow the impact of the Corona Virus spread and flatten the curve. Without it people will still go to work and go about their business and this could spiral out of control quickly.
11
The Democrats haven't forgotten how Obama and Biden staved off another Great Depression in 2009. This is that playbook, and it's going to be highly effective. It will go forward because too many Republicans grok that opposition would be suicidal politically. That is unfortunately their only calculation. The political dynamics of the crisis have effectively positioned Nancy Pelosi as our acting President. Thank God! More will be needed, but this is an adept, pragmatic and well-conceived beginning.
12
Republicans think that a disaster is an excuse to cut taxes, spending, and regulations, but that actually helping average Americans is always too expensive.
The economy is not driven by supply. It is driven by demand. If people have to stay home without pay, they are not going to have money to shop to drive demand.
Businesses expand when they sell more than they have, i.e. when demand is larger than supply.
If supply is larger than demand, they must reduce prices or reduce demand. Tax cuts for businesses do not increase demand, so they do not increase investment in supply. Tax cuts chase paper profits. They do not go into the real economy.
On the other hand, when you put more money in the hands of most people, consumers have more money to spend, they buy more, and businesses find money to invest. It is far easier to find investors when you have rising demand, than if you have a tax cut.
Republicans and the centrist Democrats who would rather compromise with them than their own base, keep applying Supply Side Economics, even though it has never, ever worked. Slashing taxes for the rich has NEVER created more than a short bubble in growth, and NEVER raised revenue.
40 years of Supply Side Economics has actually cut avg GDP growth (after inflation) by 1/3 since 1980. It has cut productivity growth. It has stagnated real wages. It has even reduced capital utilization by 10%. Corporate news ignores these facts, but they are easy to find or calculate.
Increase demand now.
8
@McGloin No "centrist" Democrats supported Trump's tax cuts. Maybe a couple supported Bush's.
Try dealing with actual reality.
We Democrats don't believe in supply side economics. We have never believed in it or supported it.
Stop lying!
Leave that to Trump.
3
Democrats wasted over three weeks after Trump asked for additional funding, putting together a bill that took care of their special interests and their campaign contributors. They could have passed a bill much quicker. Obviously Democrats don’t consider that we have an emergency. In early February, Biden even criticized Trump’s ban on Asian travel as unneeded and overreacting.
1
@Rock Winchester
Surely you jest. Trump did and does nothing but lie. No one trusts the Republican response.
3
@Rock Winchester Lies. All you got is lies.
Yeah, paid sick leave is just so corrupt, so taking care of the special interests.
Where's Trump's plan? Where's McConnell's plan?
The House will soon pass Pelosi's plan.
Right now she's negotiating with Mnuchin, trying to get the Republicans to accept paid sick leave & free testing and treatment. The Republicans don't want that sort of 'socialistic' nonsense.
If they remain obdurate then the House will pass its bill and defy the Republicans to block it. They won't dare.
BTW what happened to the concept that we Dems were hyping the virus? Do you really think we're gonna forget about all of Trump's efforts to downplay it?
1
Can’t the house democrats take control of testing somehow? It’s slightly helpful that the test are free (but is the doctor’s visit to get the okay to have the test?) but if there are no tests to be had...
3
@Night In South Korea they have drive-through testing. I bet we'd have that now if Obama was still president.
History has recorded that Republicans wasted precious time in these negotiations trying to slip in an anti-abortion clause. Still trying to legislate their beliefs while the ship is sinking.
And we are now seeing what the Republican version of gutted government can do. We do need a social safety net. A decent, generous society provides for its citizens and it DOES require a government. Republicans, where are the magical market solutions now that we need society-wide action? You've gutted the healthcare system for greed and now we will all suffer.
I hope we can reshape a more just society from this.
22
@Flaco -- not to worry:
'Prez' can fix all that, and More! with just a sweep of his Sharpie: Problems? Solved!
Maga?
Right.
2
I guess nothing happens until Mr. Market says there's a problem with Trump's performance.
The Dems started down the road to a good bill, providing help to those who would need it most in dealing with COVID-19, but the WH and Rs aren't having it, shouting all the while that the Dems are playing politics when the Rs are clearly doing nothing but political maneuvering to make sure this crisis redounds to the benefit of their masters.
So at this point we have: "enhanced unemployment benefits, free virus testing, aid for food assistance programs and federal funds for Medicaid. The package also ensures 14 days of paid sick leave, as well as tax credits to help small- and medium-size businesses fulfill that mandate. Language was still being drafted for provisions related to family and medical leave..."
Should help. Not enough.
Stay strong, Dems, and don't let them steal our tax money again.
18
They’ll make,” a deal”. It won’t be enough.
Second Act coming up.
2
as usual, it takes a strong woman to get serious work done! Go, Nancy, go!
28
We need a comprehensive financial package to help senior citizens and retired people, too. We don't have paycheck, but depend on social security and stock market performance to draw monthly income. Please don't leave us behind.
18
Why are we waiting of the free hand of the market to provide free testing?
4
@Rob Brown
It worked. We got what we paid for.
2
@Rob Brown We have to demand the names of those at CDC who actively prevented both coronavirus testing and the independent commercial lab development of tests. There was intense, senseless administrative blocking of testing: so Donald Trump and his administration wouldn't have to admit that the nation is in crisis. Blame where blame is due!
In that context, we now have commercial labs rebelling against CDC and Health and Human Resources prohibitions, to develop coronavirus tests on their own. Mayo Clinic, for example, has been ignoring the CDC prohibition on developing independent tests, even when the CDC version turned out to be inoperable.
1
We do not need to be offering tax breaks to the petrol-chemical industry or bailing out the Stock Market. The market is dropping because no one has faith in what the government is doing. They should be investing that 1.5 trillion in our country, not the market. Paid sick leave, forgiving mortgages, producing free testing kits, etc. Australia is even contemplating giving poor people $750 to help them over the Corona hump.
19
@Ken Sayers
Yes, exactly. The Federal Reserve is authorized to directly help American citizens, but instead they always help global investors. The Federal reserve keeps taking money out of our treasury (money that belongs to all citizens together) and giving it to global corporation (many not headquartered in the USA) with shareholders from all over the world, not just here.
The Right is all about the USA, except then they are giving OUR money to investors from other countries.
If you help Americans they can pay their debts and buy things, and that money bails out the corporations indirectly.
If you help the banks directly, that does not "trickle down" to the rest of us.
Trickle Up works. Trickle Down is just a lie.
Trump proves that the Right is just a bunch of lying con men. Can Centrist Democrats stop helping them win yet?
6
Same as 2008/2009...
1
@McGloin, I have never seen a trickle-up. Whenever I notice it, it is always gushing, with "OUR" money.
The Republican myth that we don't need a strong social safety net and a competent, professional government along with taxes to pay for it has just been destroyed.
Remember this as we head into the fall election. We cannot allow the Republican "Swift Boating" of Joe Biden to steal another election.
3 years of sacrificing our health, retirement and planet so a handful of Republican Kleptocrats can monetize our government for their own personal gain has done irreparable damage. The last two Republican administrations have been epic failures for not just the American people but the entire world.
34
@HL
The primaries are driven by Democratic Party loyalists, but a private club that rejects independents can't win the general election.
The general election is driven by independents. Right leaning independents want Trump.
Left independents want Bernie because Bernie is INEPENDENT.
I'l vote for Biden in the general, but the Democratic Party is making a big mistake by backing someone that keeps refusing to actually oppose Republican policy.
The Republican party has spent DECADES, not just 3 years "sacrificing our health, retirement, and planet so a handful of Republican [and other] Kleptocrats can monetize our government for their own personal gain."
Biden and other centrist Democrats keep helping THEM, by spending just as many decades telling us "there is no money," and "we can't get that done in the current political environment." Republicans never say that about their policies. Republicans never call their base of white supremacist terrorists and terrorist sympathizers "extreme," or ask for less.
Meanwhile Biden is yelling at, cursing at, and threatening to beat up voters as if he wants to be min-Trump. Mini Trump can't beat Trump.
I'll vote for Biden over Trump, but I predicted in 2015 that Hillary could never be elected (because of herr record, not her gender) and I don't see how Biden beats Trump.
Biden is the Republican swiftboating of Bernie, helped along by the Leadership of the Democratic Party.
Bernie would win independents and the electoral college.
2
@McGloin Utter nonsense. The massive spending that the Obama administration made available to expand medicaid and the ACA was attacked by Republicans at the State and Federal level.
The Federal Judges who oppose citizens United and the right of women to choose were appointed by centrist democrats.
The Democrats won the house with center right, center left and a few left wing Democrats in 2018. The Senate is up for grabs and so is the House. Bernie can't even get 40% of Democrats. The idea that center right independents will vote for him is ridiculous.
4
@McGloin I'm so tired of you Bernie Bros. If Obama was still president he'd be handling this a million times better than Trump.
You speak of 'swiftboating of Bernie'. That is a total lie.
Stop lying! You'll never be as good at is as Trump is, no matter how much you practice.
Stop lying!
No pay toll tax cut and back door killing of paid benefit.
Medicare should distribute vaccines jointly with replace the agencies.
SSA should distribute payments
Let gop voters realize, who actually helps then and what governments agencies do the work.
4
Nancy Pelosi is the most effective politician we have in this crisis — calmly going about the business of doing what needs to be done to protect people and the nation at large. A true professional and leader, acting responsibly and without recrimination. We should all be thankful to have her working on our behalf at this critical moment in history.
42
@Sam Dooley, she is calmly going about the business of accepting the bail-out of the corporations that helped cause this mess. and bailing out the stock market??? She is part of the DNC Cabal that is trying to destroy Bernie.
3
@Ken Sayers destroying Bernie? It seems that he is destroying himself as to how the voting is going. yeah take away health insurance from those who have it and like it and push them into voting for Trump. Yeah praise Cuba and push that into the GOP side. BERNIE did it to himself. We rightly may not want to go to war with Cuba but we see what a failure it has been. We want to keep some blue collar workers votes but take their good health insurance away from teamsters, auto workers etc.
1
@Ken Sayers,
Bernie is a distant thought right now.
2
Isn't it funny how nobody wants government interference into business and call it socialism if it occurs but are perfectly willing to accept money from the government and consider it a part of capitalism when their businesses are in financial trouble.
45
@Steve
Good point. The technical term for the phenomenon is: Privatise the profits and socialise the losses
7
@Steve
Adam Smith studied market economies before "capitalism" was a word. "Capitalism" is not in the Constitution.
Markets do not require capitalism. They existed before capitalism.
Capitalism is the constant demand from the owners of capital that government interfere in markets on their behalf.
Even the corporation itself is a government interference in markets on behalf of the owners of capital. Without a corporation, the owners of capital are directly responsible for what their businesses do. The corporation shields shareholders from the actions of the their business. That is an interference in the markets and the law.
And if the responsibilities of the corporations do not flow to their shareholders, than the rights of shareholders should not flow to the corporation. But corrupt Rght-WIng judges keep slowly turning corporations into citizens, by giving them the Constitutional Rights of human citizens.
Capitalists continuously demand special treatment from the government, including tax breaks, subsidies, bailouts (including $9,000 from EVERY US citizen out of our treasury for global banks during the Fed's QEII program), and even wars for oil and other resources, our troops die for.
We don't need "free" markets that are easy to manipulate.
We need FAIR markets carefully regulated to keep them from being manipulated by the mega-rich.
According to the Constitution, we are not a capitalist country. We are a democratic Constitutional Republic, that regulates markets.
4
@Steve Corporate Socialism is the worst kind of socialism. Yet they have most of the country thinking it is a dirty word and hide behind words like bailout. I don't know the last time anybody got a bailout instead of a foreclosure notice. It would be nice if people understood more acutely when the old "bait and switch" hustle was on.
2
If disaster is somehow avoided, it will be in spite of President Trump whose sole interest is to avoid taking any blame. Any credit should go to state and local governments, businesses who put public safety about profits and selfless public servants. Of particular note is Dr. Anthony Fauci of the CDC, who in the face of what must be tremendous pressure to sugar coat the federal government's failings and downplay the danger of the virus, has done his best to tell Congress and the public the facts.
30
The stock market is driven as much by psychology as it is by financial machinations. The combination of a lack of faith in the president's leadership during a crisis, and the inability of our fragmented health care system to respond to and manage a large scale public health problem is the real culprit. Rugged individualism doesn't work so well under these circumstances.
15
@Kathleen Don't know, I sure like my personal health insurance and know how poorly VA health care and Medicare has been robbed blind by fraud. Don't want any of that only Medicare For All garbage. people flock here for our healthcare but don't seem to be to Cuba, Venezuela and other like places. How is China, Italy, France and others healthcare handling this? We actually have little rugged individualism healthcare as most are covered by group polices through work.
@JDSept. Our healthcare is great ... for those who can afford it. You haven't addressed those people who don't have insurance through their work. No sane system would tie a person's healthcare to their job. You mentioned Italy and France. At the end of this crisis, take a poll and see how many of them would like to see their country switch to the US system? I'll bet the answer is close to zero.
Time to step up, be Brave, and to do the right thing, America. And join the rest of the Civlized World:
Medicare for all.
If not now -- when?
9
@Willy P The Italian healthcare system is severely stressed. I disagree that your medicare for all would solve the challenges we face combating the virus. Northwell Health has been excellent in NY providing care.
4
@brian gasser -- who said anything about M4A solving all of our problems?
Just the 87,000,000 un- and under-insured's.
Love Thy Neighbor?
Medicare for ALL.
11
@Willy P
Most of the world that has universal health care doesn't have a single payer system.
1
It took a new lethal virus to some think about the majority!!
3
Thankfully, we do have a national leader in Washington. Her name is Nancy Pelosi.
60
@John Grillo Nancy is the biggest menace to American there is. She would bankrupt the country to enact permanently her left wing agenda. Aid provided today should be short term for the duration of the virus and then we can revert to status quo ante.
1
@Judy Weller
The country has already been bankrupted by a three trillion debt due to the advantages to the wealthy in the last tax bill. Get informed before calling people out for things they are not responsible for.
2
@Judy Weller Well, a solid majority of American voters put her in charge of the House.
Don't worry about we Dems bankrupting the country. We're gonna repeal the Republican tax cuts.
After the election we will enact our common sense solutions which you choose to call a left-wing agenda.
3
It takes the fear of death to make a Republican thoughtful?
7
Mr. Trump said he could conceivably ban domestic travel to regions of the United States where the coronavirus becomes “too hot.”" -- Unless, of course, that hot spot turns out to be Mar-a-Lago.
17
@Donna Birdwell
Or his UK golf courses.
2
"The president claimed that anyone who wanted to board a flight to the United States must first test negative for the virus, although there is no such policy. And he said a rally that he had been planning in Tampa, Fla., was “all sold out,” even though the idea of scheduling it was scrapped before it was ever announced."
Well, we all know that Donnie has a firm grip on the facts and that he only speaks the truth.
And I am the King of Siam.
The "dear leader" of the Cult of Trump has no clothes, no credibility, no competence and no leadership skills.
November 3, 2020 is coming. Get the pink slip ready.
13
Those senators should be made to wipe down their own desks. Maybe they would then begin to empathize with ordinary Americans facing this crisis in their daily lives. They are shortly going to see the ugly reality that they are facing the same threats as the rest of us. Will it take colleagues dying before they see the folly of their foot dragging?
18
@Jammer they are not facing the same threat as us. If the time comes where all our respirators are being used to save lives, there will have to be some rationing of their use. Senators/President will be at the front of the line, desk wipers will be pushed to the back.
1
so....if you are quarantined you can get unemployment assistance that you have to go into an office to apply for?
5
@dk
The details are being worked on in the White House.
1
@dk No. Sign up online and if you can't do that then we'll find a way.
Nay sayers like you can go fly kites.
Is it about a test-free testing?
Thank you Madame Speaker and Members of the House. At least one component of the government is functioning.
20
This article shows how hopelessly lost we are as a country. Our leaders only concern during a once in a hundred years health crisis is keeping the stock prices propped up. How about an emergency spending bill to fund viral cure medicines and corona test kits. It’s clear the top five percent are panicked they will lose a few cents of their billions and that is the focus of the people they paid to get into office. This is the most inappropriate response to any crisis since Nero played his fiddle. Disgraceful
12
@Mike They past an 8.3 billion bill days back. Where YOU been? Seems a lot to me.
1
The crisis has demonstrated how incredibly backward the United States is compared with the civilized world. It has now plan of action, no test kits to speak of and a so-called president who is ignorant beyond words. No wonder we, and I say this loosely, are the laughingstock of the world. We deserve to be.
15
@James Murphy
I take issue with your sweeping statement. It’s not so much about capability but about lack of foresight and readiness within this administration. There are many examples that show a contempt for serious consideration of important issues by this president.
2
@James Murphy laughing so hard how many are working to get here? We might need walls to keep people out but not to keep people in. How's that medical system in Italy, France and China working for YOU? How many Italians wish they came here 6 months ago.
1
@JDSept What silly nonsense. If you think there's a ton of Italians or French folks who want to move here that just shows how out of touch with reality you are.
As for the Italian system...they're about ten days ahead of us on virus spread. What will our system look like in ten days?
The fact that you group the French system with the Chinese shows how utterly clueless you are.
Generally speaking the French system is working very well for the French people. Will it withstand this virus? All depends.
If you keep your eyes open you might just learn something.
No assistance with medical bills? Pointless.
5
@Geno They call that insurance. Been around a long while. Many have it. They need assistance last year and previous years with the flu?
Joni Ernst embodies Republican hypocrisy by complaining about a bill seeking relief for workers by complaining that it was thrown together overnight where thoroughness was required: look at Trump's most recent decision to ban flights from Europe for a month, for one example. This is rudderless administration governed only by hatred -- of democrats, of workers, of anyone who isn't white.
15
It's ironic that in the past Trump used to create his own crises such as the caravan going through Mexico. Then thousands of people at the border so he went to court and luckily got a stay to allow him to deny entry to asylum seekers to enter the country but stay in Mexico before their cases are heard. Now he got a real crisis and he's unprepared. He has no control over this because he did not create it. The constant collapse of the stock market took away his bragging rights. And the coronavirus might very well shut down his ubiquitous rallies where he tells humongous lies. It appears for the foreseeable future we won't be subjected to lies coming out of Trump's rallies because many states are now forbidding large crowds of people to congregate. It took a virus to grant us a respite from incessant lies.
8
@Wayne
I disagree. By his own actions he has created the crisis in our response, or lack thereof, to the threat of this pandemic. Every expert expected it but Trump ignored the danger and ordered his administration to do likewise.
2
“ Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, started the day criticizing Ms. Pelosi’s plan as an “ideological wish list” and indicating that the Senate had no intention of moving ahead with it.“
I hope the Grim Reaper does his job. We have a full blown crises yet he plays games.
Blocking gun control and election security bills is horrible enough. The virus bill is too urgent to delay.
14
@Javaforce
He’s merely waiting for word from Trump that he will accept the dictates of Speaker Pelosi. She seems to have our President at a disadvantage.
4
It's time for a few more right-wing propaganda rallies to tell us that while we're losing our livelihoods and savings ("It's only money and you'll get tons more later and it will be beautiful...") and our lives ("Those folks were sick and were going to die anyway and they were costing us lots of money") that we are really winning! There is nothing more reliable than Republican lies.
13
It only took a pandemic, a stock market free fall, and Nancy Pelosi's dogged persistence to bring America somewhat close to where Europe and Canada have been for decades with sick leave policies. Who knew staying at home when ill prevents the spread of contagious diseases? Thank you, Nancy Pelosi!
17
In many ways, we already have the nation's first woman President.
Thank God!
21
Democrats are leading
Joe Biden laid out a comprehensive plan in a speech that reminded us what a PRESIDENT looks like
Meanwhile ...Republicans are whining about trying to insert handouts for billionaires into legislation and some nonsense about abortion to block progress, trying to confirm a few more unqualified nominees, and then take a vacation. And Impeached is non stop lie-tweeting about Obama and how great HIS epidemic response is and how everyone is getting beautiful tests that do not exist.
Senate Republicans admitted Impeached was guilty at the no witnesses, no documents, impeachment "trial" but said "wait for the election"
We may not survive that long
9
@John
Joe Biden can't lay out a comprehensive sentence.
2
@John
Do you suppose that was their strategy all along?
1
@Matt
Donald Trump can't even read a teleprompter. Very sad!!!!!
3
According to the Gallup poll eighty some percent of Republicans feel that Trump is doing just fine. They find him quite decisive. The same group that mocked Obama's misstatement about ACA and "keeping your insurance" finds nothing wrong with their leader lying about Covid 19 test kits. They must feel he's doing this for the good of the country,
7
Leadership, that is what it is all about. Trump is doubling down with a Hail Mary that the crisis will fade and he will then be able to return to his hoax mantra. Not only is leadership missing but so is outrage. Trump was exposed. He should be in quarantine. Is he above the law, again? The NBA leads with cancellation of the season. Where are are the corporate leaders demanding a war like footing to meet this crisis head on. Persistent complacency from all levels of authority should frighten us. In less civilized times there would be mobs forming with pitchforks. Today, I ask what would Jimmy Stewart be doing as Mr. smith goes to Washington?
4
This is why civility, courtesy, mutual respect, decorum are important vitally important in politics. Times like these everyone must come together and work together.
However, Trump and the Reps have destroyed the relationship. NOW they want the Dems to come to the table?!
After Trump’s victory laps, name calling, disparaging personal attacks out of the blue, incessant lying, vitriolic contempt for those on the other side of the aisle who dared to confront his corruption?
And not only are Dems expected to come to the table, but even if they do for the good of the country, after the dust settles, will Trump acknowledge this?
No, he will take full credit for it and then simultaneously, criticize the Dems, painting them as bad guys once again.
This is why you can’t poison the relationship. This is why you need to be a gracious winner.
.
5
@SMcStormy
You mean come together like the Mueller investigation? Like RussiaGate? Like UkraineGate? Like impeachment? Is that what you mean about "work together"?
@SMcStormy
Being a gracious winner is good.
But, Democrats need to stop being so gracious about losing.
Tee Right is against political equality for all citizens, even though the 14th Amendment makes everyone born here or naturalized and equal citizen under the law. The Right would just tax you to pay for their test kits, and let the rest of us die.
You don't think so? Who is arming, training, and calling for "civli war," commits 90% of hate crimes, and 70% of mass murders? The Right. Do you really think that the people who keep saying "kill all the liberals, " and the"the government is the enemy" is above letting you die of the Coraona virus.
Democracy depends on reasonable people debating and voting to make policy through negotiations LEADING to compromise.
The Right rejects reason (science, facts, math, and logic), and are trying to replace debate and voting with political terrorism. xTrump literally stands on stage and says, "someone should beat that guy up." That is a direct attack on our gConstituition and the Democrats refuse to impeach him for it!
Those that reject reason and keep sabotaging the Constitutional framework for debate, by refusing debate on nominees, shutting down the government, refusing to consider legislation, and by supporting a president that breaks the law and violates the Constitution on TV, are not "reasonable people with whom we happen to disagree. They refuse to compromise at all.
The Right are SELF-DESCRIBED enemies of our Republic.
2
@Matt/Trump’s name calling, marginalizing Gold Star families, racist rhetoric, video of him bragging about sexually assaulting women with impunity, disparagement and open contempt for his political opponents all started **WAY** before any of those things.
To address your other items...
Senior members of Trump’s campaign met with Russian agents in Trump’s hotel with him *in-the-building* and I would hope that this sort of thing would be understood as absolutely justifying the FBI’s investigation into it, regardless of what transpired.
Russia DID interfere with our election so extensively and entirely in Trump’s benefit that it is at least arguable they played a part in Trump being elected. First, they hacked the DNC servers and released this information via Wikileaks during the DNC convention. They also used entire teams of their version of the NSA to systematically troll social media.
And finally, the Mueller investigation revealed that Trump, members of both his administration and top members of his campaign team engaged in corruption so frequently and to such an extent that it resulted in 34 people and 3 companies who were either indicted, convicted or guilty pleas taken. He also definitively said that he *couldn’t clear Trump of wrongdoing* ONLY because policy wouldn’t allow an investigation of a sitting President.
So, none of that was unfair, inappropriate or unjustified.
But again, Trump was doing his toxic behavior long before any of that.
.
2
If they choke off Social Security and Medicare funding, and don’t provide free virus testing for everyone in the USA, then there will be a general strike here to the extent that nobody has ever seen before. Provide relief for Wall St., but let workers get infected and die? The philosophy of our government: protect the wealth of the 0.01% of the people, the rest of us- let them eat cake.
4
@Robert M. Koretsky: Unless I'm mistaken, virus testing will be free. Whether treatment (if needed) is covered by insurance is another matter and dependent upon whether a person has employee coverage or Medicare/Medicaid. Those most in jeopardy are independent contractors and part-time workers without health insurance. Medicare/Medicaid is covering treatment (subject to co-pays), but Trump mistakenly claimed the other night that employers had agreed to cover treatment; they have not.
1
So hard for Republicans to accept truth and fact over politics long ago abandoned. This reality affects the forever Trumpers, high probability many in house and senate get infected then permanent recess. Have to do package before that happens
2
@Tom
So hard for centrist Democrats to let go of Republican policies like Supply Side Economics, "free trade," wars based on lies, deregulation of investment banks, and the idea that a social safety net is too expensive and coddles the lazy.
The definition of centrist Democrats is good people doing nothing, while evil does its work.
Compared to the Right the Left IS MODERATE.
Until centrists team up with the base of their own party to outnumber the Right,we will keep going backwards, not forward.
Read your Constitution and its Amendments. Political equality for all, Justice, debate, promoting the General welfare. and voting are Left values. The Constitution is a Left document, and the Right opposes most of it.
Stop helping Republicans destroy the Constitution.
Help the Left implement it to protect it.
1
@McGloin Stop lying! No Democrat supports Supply Side Economics. Not one!
If you have to tell lies to support your position it's time to re-examine your position.
Stop lying! Trump's lies are quite enough.
1
Sounds like a much more targeted response aimed at those most effected by the virus than the ill-conceived payroll tax holiday offered by this administration.
Given the ineptness of the current administration on getting test kits out in the field, free testing may not mean much if tests are not available.
8
I hope the people who voted for Trump remember this in November, though I'm not optimistic.
15
@Kristin
Unfortunately, Dunning-Kruger Nation admires the Dunning-Krugerism in their 'tremendous' leader.
That's the problem with Dunning-Krugerites; they never realize they don't know anything because their own lack of knowledge and misplaced overconfidence completely prevents them from seeing their own and others' incompetence and ignorance.
You're right to be pessimistic.
The good news is that we outnumber them.
6
@Kristin take a gander at Yahoo news comments on Biden's speech. It's mostly tRump fans supporting him. ignorance is bliss...
The World has gone mad. It is hard to watch global health and financial panic and finger pointing to the nth degree. I would have hoped that things would be better than what we are watching unfold. China is now attempting to blame the United States for coronavirus and has reminded us that they manufacture 80% of our pharmaceuticals and could cripple us any time they want during this pandemic. I am positive the US will get through this and when it does, we must be sure we bring back the manufacturing of our essentials to the United States.
4
@NYChap Of course, finger pointing solves no problems. But if it upsets you so, you should be incensed at the rights's absurd claims that the virus came from a Chinese laboratory. That's a favorite of Senator Cotton of Arkansas, which he was spreading almost a month ago on national television.
2
@NYChap Sure, because we are doing such a good job internally of creating and administering COVID-19 testing ...
1
Under no circumstances should tax cuts be part of the stimulus.
Payroll tax cuts completely destabilize Social Security and Medicare and are essentially a poison pill; no thanks, reckless Republicans and Individual #1.
And it was the reckless 2017 Trump-GOP tax cuts for the rich that helped inflate the stock market bubble that just exploded AND that undermined the nation's finances.
Trump and the Republicans never, ever want to pay for anything or let the government do anything except go to war; the GOP can't seem to grasp the concept of public safety and helping to protect the public.
Thank goodness for the Democratic party that is unaffected by the Pachyderm Spongiform Encephalopathy tax-cut virus.
104
@Socrates:
"Pachyderm Spongiform Encephalopathy tax-cut virus."
Good god and goddesses, Socrates, you have really outdone yourself this time! Do you think Rep. Katie Porter can bludgeon Dr. Redfield into paying for the test? (She was [phenomenal, by the way).
Of course, your economic assessment is spot on too.
4
So tired of the ubiquitous stock photos of Wall Street traders aghast in the blue glow of their monitors that riddle the news right now. Where are the photos and stories of our service workers about to lose their jobs and housing?
So tired of our government reflexively trying to mollify Wall Street first and foremost. It's all our money so why are we supporting a government so keen on giving it to those that are deserving of it the least? Where is the bailout for our 401Ks? Where will be the bailout for the millions that will be billed tens of thousands for upcoming medical care?
24
@Casual Observer and of course the closing of day in front of the bell - all jolly as the stock market crashes. The perfect image of all that is wrong in this country.
1
It is up to Congress to be the adults here and take the lead on economic relief measures. Senate Republicans need to get on board with government support of our citizens affected by this. Yes, a little "socialism" may be involved, hard as that may be to hear.
9
A falling stock market is an appropriate recognition of the reality that there is going to less economic activity for a while. It is not itself a bad thing and in itself does not cause real suffering. Effective capitalism requires periodic stresses culling the herd of non-resilient enterprises.
There are some actions that the government can and should take to lesson the suffering of common people dependent of the absent economic activity to eat and keep food and shelter. Contractors and service staff in hospitality are particularly vulnerable. Many people in Washington will try to load their pet project on aid wagon. They should be told to take a hike.
3
Speaker Pelosi is a true leader and her clarity of purpose is admirable.
First help those directly in need and see how things progress before further considered action.
The Fed pumped over a trillion Dollars yesterday into the economy, today the Dow will rebound let’s see how that works before rushing to help Corporate America.
People first and Corporations are not people
49
@Carsafrica legally, people are corporations, unfortunately, and quite purposefully. However, I would agree that living beings shouldn't be treated as corpprations.
1
@Carsafrica -- "People first and Corporations are not people."
Souless corporations are 'not people'?
Then why on Earth do we allow them to purchase OUR Lawmakers? There oughtta be a Law.
2
How happy do liberals think Sen Rand Paul is about this? The people of Kentucky voted Sens. Paul and McConnell in as GOP stalwarts, because they pledged to the people of Kentucky to do absolutely nothing while in office, except to make sure nothing gets done.
The whole GOP was elected on the premise to shrink government and get government out of peoples' lives.
If the GOP votes to help workers, they will pay heavily at the polls, as this is totally against what Conservatives want for this country.
10
Let's hope for the best and deal with the worst. Let's do the next best right thing, as a wonderful writer once wrote. We can all do our part if we think about it, the most important one, being staying home. Here's hoping the government can put politics aside for what's best for the most of us.
3
Part of the package should include that our President get tested, considering that he has had contact, Ivana has had contact with people infected with Coronavirus. His being cavalier about not being tested in my mind shows he doesn't know what it means to be a leader, doesn't care about the health of those he comes in contact with.
Pelosi put together a reasonable, responsible package; one that is meant to help flatten the spread of the virus and benefit the most vulnerable - it will pass the House, but anyone who votes against (and there will be people who do) has no moral compass and should be voted out of office.
16
@Jon Creamer
Great post, but I take issue with one thing. He's not "our" President. He certainly isn't mine.
6
@Jon Creamer Right, what happened to "lead by example"?
During the depth of the financial crises when in March of 2009, 500k jobs were lost, which would eventually reach 8 million jobs losses by the end of 2009, and 5 million people losing their homes, the Republican refused to support any stimulus package to help the American worker. Help the banks sure but zero for the American workers and families.
NOT ONE single Republican in the House or Senate voted for Obama's Recovery Act. NOT ONE. This is why Democrats lose all the time. They can and will never be as cold hearted, politically ideological, and partisan as Republicans. Democrats win hearts and minds but Republican tactics seem to always win elections.
33
Time for us ALL to get behind Bernie Sanders. He is the only viable candidate who stands for New Deal-type, First World-type policies to combat the coming recession or depression. Biden will just write huge rubber checks to Wall Street, his masters.
4
While the Coronavirus appears to be the immediate cause of the rapid fall in global equity markets, this is indicative of severe structural economic problems. The US emerged from WWII as the world’s leading economic and military power. This began to change in the mid- 1970’s as US corporate profits began to stagnate/decline, a consequence of increased competition from rebuilt economies in Europe- mainly Germany (Marshall Plan), Japan/Korea (Korean and Vietnam wars) and more recently China. In response, large corporations and their functionaries in government: 1) enacted multiple tax cuts for the wealthy, 2) attacked labor and outsourced manufacturing jobs to Mexico, China and other low-wage platforms, 3) de-regulated finance, 4) reduced spending on education, infrastructure and capital investments, and 5) spent $ trillions on the Pentagon and war. Since the 2008 financial implosion, the FED has provided >$5 Trillion of ultra-cheap money, which along with Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, have been used by Wall St. for share buybacks, purchasing stock futures and to sustain [still] insolvent banks. The poster child for this- Boeing, which since 2013 has laid off >1000 engineers and spent ca. $43 billion on share buybacks rather than investing in development and manufacturing of new aircraft that are competitive with Airbus. As we are now seeing, the FED is attempting to resolve these structural economic problems with more money printing, which is not going to work.
19
Free virus testing, paid sick leave, enhanced unemployment benefits ! Whatever next ? Socialism that will be voted down in the Senate.
All these things are standard in Italy, have been for ages. So Pelosi is trying to get the US up to Italian standards.
Look at the number of Corona cases there and think what the numbers in the US will be in a couple of weeks.....
8
@Paul2
Republicans are all for SOCIALISM when they are taking a financial hit (that want to socialize losses), but demand that their profits be privatized and NEVER taxed.
Basically they want us to contribute to their losses, but do not want to pay to support society when they are winning.
That is just delusion.
They should explain how that is supposed to work, if we only put money in the communal pot when we are losing.
46
@Paul2 You evidently don't understand the need of the hour or the public-health implications of this crisis. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment, yet your contribution sounds so juvenile that it (almost) merits not being deigned with a response. You are conflating common-sense healthcare measures with some undefined notion of "socialism". Considering the large-scale failure of the Trump Administration to test coronavirus cases in sufficient number, it is only a question of time until this illness grows exponentially. Instead of whining about "socialism", maybe you should just keep quiet on matters which you evidently do not understand.
2
@Paul2 Your points are really mute. Would you rather people not get free testing? By the way free virus testing is no longer standard in Italy. How do I know? I live in the EU. Right now, in Italy, older people are no longer considered a priority and are not being tested and are left to die. Why? not enough testing kits and not enough hospital beds.
It is heartening to see that the House will do its job of bringing forward a bill that promotes percolate up economics and protects the working class. Mnuchin recognizes that a compromise is much better than no bill or one that gives more tax credits to corporations. At the end of the day Republican senators will agree as well.
The President should be told to be quiet and leave the communications on this issue to CDC/WHO professionals.
While CV testing is paid for under this bill, it should go further and assure that the "testing for all" philosophy followed by South Korea be adapted by the USA. That approach has proven to be effective and needs to be copied here. It may be too late here, but SK may announce (along with China) that CV has been contained there. (Based on WHO Situation Report #52)
Best of luck to all of us in the US in the next few critical weeks.
27
Hoping "cutting payroll taxes" isn't in there because that is the source of Social Security and Medicares.
64
Trump is in the process of cutting food stamps among other thing's that help the least fortunate of us. I believe Obama care is on the chopping block again, because that's what he does. Right now, not later, our government needs to give emergency food stamps to anyone who needs them. Some kid's only eat a decent meal at school and many schools are closed. It's the right thing to do. Many people will lose jobs and income during this crisis. If they can eat and pay the basics such as rent and utilities that will also help the economy. from nosediving. WE can do this. We must do this. Too many people going hungry.
22
Pelosi continues to teach a master class in leadership. The House bill is exactly what the country needs and it looks like McConnell is too scared to ignore it.
105
If there is a bright side to all of this, it will be that this crisis brings down Trump and McConnell.
89
Good time to raise taxes on billionaires. Have we seen one wealthy billionaire in NYC offer assistance to the NYC community in these difficult times.
76
@Ralph Petrillo
Bill Gates, Jack Ma, and Li Ka-Shing are reportedly committed to spending billions to help fight Coronavirus. Not all billionaires are "immoral," despite what Bernie Sanders would have you believe.
9
@dc
Name one billionaire in NYC helping anyone in this crisis
2
@Ralph Petrillo Give it a moment. I suspect even after the ton of money he lost in trying to purchase a presidency, Bloomberg still has a chance to shine. I will put a months pay on him donating money to fight this pandemic. He just seems to be that kind of guy.
Now, don't expect anything from the Trump family syndicate. They are only good at taking money away from poor people.
5
I hope Pelosi and the Democrats do not include payroll tax cuts in this package. Just another goal of the GOP to destroy Social Security via the back door. Instead, they should be rescinding the tax cuts to toe 1% and corporations which have contributed 1 trillion to the deficit, and ballooned the debt by about 3 trillion dollars.
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@HeartlandLiberal:
From this NH Independent's perspective, it would be surprising to see Speaker Pelosi fall for that con. She is smart, tactically brilliant, and above all compassionate with an eye as much on the future as the now.
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@HeartlandLiberal
Good luck getting that done. Don't you know that a key part of capitalism is the government giving big business money. It's socialism when it gives it to poor people.
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