@Shop-et-al wrote:
What will the two or three generations after us will be able to do with overwhelming national debt, a possible sense of never-ending crisis, and a possible sense of 'why did they do this to us?'
@Sandy Shopper wrote:
So the Dems came down a trillion dollars and the Repubs didn't do anything.
@ wrote:
Well, I’m of two minds. Was it ignorant malevolence, or malevolent ignorance?
re: incentivizing laziness:@ wrote:
Republicans, however, have shown no sign of understanding any of this. The policy proposals being floated by White House aides and advisers are almost surreal in their disconnect from reality. Cutting payroll taxes on workers who can’t work? Letting businesspeople deduct the full cost of three-martini lunches they can’t eat?
They don’t even seem to understand the mechanics of how unemployment checks are paid out. They proposed continuing benefits for a brief period while negotiations continue — but this literally can’t be done, because the state offices that disburse unemployment aid couldn’t handle the necessary reprogramming.
I'm willing to believe they are both that dumb and malevolent at the same time.@ wrote:
This would be a bizarre claim even if unemployment benefits really were reducing the incentive to seek work. After all, there are more than 30 million workers receiving benefits, but only 5 million job openings. No matter how harshly you treat the unemployed, they can’t take jobs that don’t exist.
@shoptastic wrote:
They should have at least gone piecemeal. If they wish to debate over the finer details of unemployment, liability, the stupid FBI building (lol), etc., they can do that later. At least rush another $1,200/$2,400/$500 out to those in desperate need right now.
@shoptastic wrote:
We should also understand that proper nutrition is important to bolster the immune system (important for COVID, but also the upcoming flu season). People are out of money...hungry...worried about rent.
@panama18 wrote:
No leverage for what though? The Democrat wish list has no place in the deal at all.
@shoptastic wrote:
Yes. We have/will. But, that is not enough. Private charitable giving likely won't be enough to fill those holes, as I said,... Private charity cannot begin to cover what we're talking about in that sort of scenario.
@bgriffin wrote:
@panama18 wrote:
No leverage for what though? The Democrat wish list has no place in the deal at all.
Oh, that's a hot take if there ever was one. There are things Democrats want that are a stretch to be related, but it's the Republicans who are adding things like $2 Billion for a new FBI building that the FBI doesn't want or need it just happens to be close to Trump's hotel and he wants the business it brings. Or the billion for some new wiz bang aeroplane or tank or whatever the military wants. The Republicans didn't offer all of those things you mentioned. They offered $200 a week for unemployment, and the stimulus check, and they want companies to be free from liability if someone catches Covid.
@walesmaven wrote:
Trump just issued a bunch of executive orders this afternoon that ignore the fact that the "power of the purse" belongs exclusively to congress, per the constitution. In addition, by existing law, states cannot pay unemployment insurance except with congressional approval. So Trump telling them to use some more federal $$$ to do so does not make it legal for them to use that money. Oy vey!
@walesmaven wrote:
Trump just issued a bunch of executive orders this afternoon that ignore the fact that the "power of the purse" belongs exclusively to congress, per the constitution. In addition, by existing law, states cannot pay unemployment insurance except with congressional approval. So Trump telling them to use some more federal $$$ to do so does not make it legal for them to use that money. Oy vey!