Naw, it’s okay. We understand. It was far more important to pack the Supreme Court with religious nut-jobs than it was to help out small businesses and the little people who populate this country.
While there’s no denying that substantial portions of CARES Act funding went to undeserving corporate America — thanks in no small part to the current administration’s gutting of oversight provisions and wholesale firing of inspectors general — it behooves us to acknowledge that restaurants and food establishments have always been notoriously prone to failure. Much of this normal culling was merely accelerated by the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
The real crime of it all is how readily and cheerfully middle-class, white collar Americans have accepted the ruling class’s transformation of the nation into a disgraceful, third-rate service-sector economy. Meanwhile, that so-called global economy turns a blind eye to addressing our most pressing, truly global crisis, climate change — one of the most complex problems humanity has ever confronted and, in my opinion, what also represents the developed world’s next “moon shot,” if only it could embrace the inherent value of the basic and social sciences with as much enthusiasm as it does finding new ways to market $7 lattes with a minimum investment in human capital.
There wouldn’t have been enough money. Shutting down the economy was the biggest problem. More should have gone in to stopping and controlling the spread like actually encouraging masks, getting money for hospitals and first responders, etc.
The current crisis is revealing something basic about the class structure of the US. There has been a massive effort for generations to convince everyone that there is something called the “middle class” which is somehow different from the “working class.” But when a crisis comes, you see that the status of the middle class is actually quite insecure; many people in the middle class are just one pay check away from standing in line at a food bank. This process is very clear in my field, higher education. For a while, getting a PhD was almost a guaranteed ticket to a good academic job—as a tenured professor—with good pay and lots of job security. Then during the Great Recession, colleges and universities realized that they could stop hiring in the tenure stream; instead they could hire contract faculty, who earn less, teach more, and have fewer benefits and no job security. So in the last ten or twelve years there has been a tremendous shift in employment in the academic world, and a general move of academic workers out of the middle class into low paid and insecure jobs.
It’s not just eateries that were shut down and went out of business, but theatres and concert venues. My own two music groups, a concert band and a combo that sang and played at a rest home were likewise closed down. We all miss our ability to come together to make music for ours and the listeners pleasure.
Mitch is on vacation having rammed the Supreme Court right winger down the throat of the USA, he has no plans to help the American people, he plans to shut down the government.
Don’t worry, most small business people staunchly support the GOP and the anti-socialist stand. They don’t really want big government meddling in the capitalism of Main Street. They will just blame the Democrats that tried to stop the spread of the virus for their troubles. See, for the GOP it’s a win-win! They get to do nothing, and the enemy gets the blame.
Mnuchin is sitting on billions of relief funds that he’s going to return to the general fund so the new administration will have to go through the whole appropriations process again. I’m so ashamed I was a Republican for over 40 years. The scum that call themselves Republicans or Conservatives these days need to crawl back under their rocks.
A pity Nancy loaded the House bill with all that political crap that has nothing to do with Covid.
And the immense slush fund for State and local governments. Under the Heroes Act $417 Billion in funding is a giveaway with no spending rules. Even Brookings acknowledges that the proposed funding exceeds the projected revenue losses.
$225 Billion for schools, but only $5 Billion is allocated for air quality, upgraded bathrooms and other hygiene issues. Schools that
And why does this bill include massive permanent revisions to voting and ballot rules across the nation?
LookingGlass Premium Member over 3 years ago
No need to worry! “Good” things always happen to those that wait!!
Patjade over 3 years ago
Except blame Democrats who tried to help.
Monster Hesh over 3 years ago
It’s all cool, Wall Street’s up. (Narrator: “Wall Street was not up.”)
Melki Premium Member over 3 years ago
Naw, it’s okay. We understand. It was far more important to pack the Supreme Court with religious nut-jobs than it was to help out small businesses and the little people who populate this country.
Andrew Sleeth over 3 years ago
While there’s no denying that substantial portions of CARES Act funding went to undeserving corporate America — thanks in no small part to the current administration’s gutting of oversight provisions and wholesale firing of inspectors general — it behooves us to acknowledge that restaurants and food establishments have always been notoriously prone to failure. Much of this normal culling was merely accelerated by the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
The real crime of it all is how readily and cheerfully middle-class, white collar Americans have accepted the ruling class’s transformation of the nation into a disgraceful, third-rate service-sector economy. Meanwhile, that so-called global economy turns a blind eye to addressing our most pressing, truly global crisis, climate change — one of the most complex problems humanity has ever confronted and, in my opinion, what also represents the developed world’s next “moon shot,” if only it could embrace the inherent value of the basic and social sciences with as much enthusiasm as it does finding new ways to market $7 lattes with a minimum investment in human capital.
mourdac Premium Member over 3 years ago
The strip would be very crowded with the 250,000+ people who have died with Republicans allowing Hair Groppingfuror to neglect the pandemic.
Blaidd Drwg Premium Member over 3 years ago
Think nothing of it, because that’s what you did…nothing.
Denver Reader Premium Member over 3 years ago
There wouldn’t have been enough money. Shutting down the economy was the biggest problem. More should have gone in to stopping and controlling the spread like actually encouraging masks, getting money for hospitals and first responders, etc.
MaryBethJavorek1 over 3 years ago
Did they make sure that Kanye and Ivanka businesses get enough when they were having troubles?/s
jvo over 3 years ago
Those who seek to save the economy over the people in it are destined to lose both.
But it was never about either, the really, REALLY rich have increased their wealth and power…..
Mission Accomplished!Alberta Oil Premium Member over 3 years ago
Republicans are masters at delayed remorse. Next time for sure.. trust us.
Michael G. over 3 years ago
The party of “NO” is in for a karmic ass-kicking.
lonecat over 3 years ago
The current crisis is revealing something basic about the class structure of the US. There has been a massive effort for generations to convince everyone that there is something called the “middle class” which is somehow different from the “working class.” But when a crisis comes, you see that the status of the middle class is actually quite insecure; many people in the middle class are just one pay check away from standing in line at a food bank. This process is very clear in my field, higher education. For a while, getting a PhD was almost a guaranteed ticket to a good academic job—as a tenured professor—with good pay and lots of job security. Then during the Great Recession, colleges and universities realized that they could stop hiring in the tenure stream; instead they could hire contract faculty, who earn less, teach more, and have fewer benefits and no job security. So in the last ten or twelve years there has been a tremendous shift in employment in the academic world, and a general move of academic workers out of the middle class into low paid and insecure jobs.
preacherman over 3 years ago
It’s not just eateries that were shut down and went out of business, but theatres and concert venues. My own two music groups, a concert band and a combo that sang and played at a rest home were likewise closed down. We all miss our ability to come together to make music for ours and the listeners pleasure.
Radish the wordsmith over 3 years ago
Greedy uncaring Republicans gave all the PPP money to their rich billionaire friends so they could get kickbacks to get reelected.
Radish the wordsmith over 3 years ago
Mitch is on vacation having rammed the Supreme Court right winger down the throat of the USA, he has no plans to help the American people, he plans to shut down the government.
Bookworm over 3 years ago
There was. You didn’t. However, we lead the world in new infections, in deaths, and there’s no sign of abatement. Job well done, eh? /s
Brian G Premium Member over 3 years ago
Don’t worry, most small business people staunchly support the GOP and the anti-socialist stand. They don’t really want big government meddling in the capitalism of Main Street. They will just blame the Democrats that tried to stop the spread of the virus for their troubles. See, for the GOP it’s a win-win! They get to do nothing, and the enemy gets the blame.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 3 years ago
Thanks to all who didn’t rise to the troll’s bait. Perhaps without constant reinforcement it’ll finally go away for good.
rmfrye Premium Member over 3 years ago
Mnuchin is sitting on billions of relief funds that he’s going to return to the general fund so the new administration will have to go through the whole appropriations process again. I’m so ashamed I was a Republican for over 40 years. The scum that call themselves Republicans or Conservatives these days need to crawl back under their rocks.
comixbomix over 3 years ago
Aw, I think you’ve done quite enough…But not nearly as much as you’ve undone.
Ivan Araque over 3 years ago
And leave that bag to the People? Hehe…
Andylit Premium Member over 3 years ago
A pity Nancy loaded the House bill with all that political crap that has nothing to do with Covid.
And the immense slush fund for State and local governments. Under the Heroes Act $417 Billion in funding is a giveaway with no spending rules. Even Brookings acknowledges that the proposed funding exceeds the projected revenue losses.
$225 Billion for schools, but only $5 Billion is allocated for air quality, upgraded bathrooms and other hygiene issues. Schools that
And why does this bill include massive permanent revisions to voting and ballot rules across the nation?
moosemin over 3 years ago
Well, you could cut taxes for the Wealthy Elite, and wait for the “trickle-down” effect to take hold!
JenSolo02 over 3 years ago
Just DON’t blame schools.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 3 years ago
You forgot the tombstone reading: Theaters.
The Love of Money is . . . over 3 years ago
Maybe have spent almost ALL the money on only the Red States and MY WALL. This rest I could have just pissed away. What was I thinking . . . . ./s
wildthing over 3 years ago
…to make more money off of this.