I think this election cycle, followed by this crises, has definitely changed the conversation, so anything is possible. But meanwhile in the present, trillions are being funneled to the rich and...
I think this election cycle, followed by this crises, has definitely changed the conversation, so anything is possible.
But meanwhile in the present, trillions are being funneled to the rich and their influence on government is no weaker than before.
Placing cash in the hands of Americans is a good start. If they want to mitigate the damage from this, they'll keep a UBI going for as long as it takes (longer would be nice) to incentivize people...
Placing cash in the hands of Americans is a good start. If they want to mitigate the damage from this, they'll keep a UBI going for as long as it takes (longer would be nice) to incentivize people to stay home and cover their basic needs. I wonder if a good long-term plan would be something like:
-After this initial quarantine period, encourage low risk individuals to return to work.
-Press businesses to implement social distancing protocols in the workplace until further notice.
-Expand Social Security to cover the high risk population. Not just the elderly, but people with other comorbidities. Encourage them to remain isolated while business operations begin returning to normal. Implement delivery services to these households.
-Ramp up testing.
-Continue to advise against large gatherings.
The fundamental problem here is that the worldwide unemployment rate has shot up overnight, and fiscal maneuvering will only do so much. Until people get back to work, liquidity will continue to dry up. The bug is already everywhere, and there seems to be (from what I've read) a substantial lag between infection and showing symptoms, so we won't see peak infection rates for a while in spite of being locked down. Many people don't show any symptoms at all, and if the low risk population can return to work they will have an opportunity to get ahead with wages + UBI while assuaging the downturn. Just my thoughts.
Yeah, I don't think anybody knows what's going on/what they're doing/what they should do. At our library, they've closed to the public, but we're still all here, even though the governor outlawed...
Yeah, I don't think anybody knows what's going on/what they're doing/what they should do. At our library, they've closed to the public, but we're still all here, even though the governor outlawed (is that even Constitutional?) gatherings of 10+ people. So I don't know. No one seems to know.
Once you get the ball rolling, it's easier to keep it going than that initial start or the ending of. Imagine trying to convince the public to cancel all of social security. Once you open...
Once you get the ball rolling, it's easier to keep it going than that initial start or the ending of.
Imagine trying to convince the public to cancel all of social security. Once you open Pandora's box, it's a bit hard to close.
It seems unlikely to me that after 3.5 years anyone is still "on the fence" about whether they'll vote again for Trump. I see no reason this, as opposed to any of the rest of his mountain of...
It seems unlikely to me that after 3.5 years anyone is still "on the fence" about whether they'll vote again for Trump. I see no reason this, as opposed to any of the rest of his mountain of errors, would be the one that suddenly convinces people he'd be a bad choice. Plus his approval numbers haven't been affected by any of this in a significant way.
I think you'd be surprised by the amount of voters who vote purely based on "is my life going good right now" despite whatever party they mostly align to between elections. America is only now in...
I think you'd be surprised by the amount of voters who vote purely based on "is my life going good right now" despite whatever party they mostly align to between elections.
America is only now in the past few days starting to experience much extensive quarantining, we'll have to watch those approval numbers over the next couple weeks as the economic ramifications of all these measures take hold.
It won't sway everyone, not even close, but a bad economy in an election year on its own is often enough to win. I can only imagine what a botched pandemic response leading to a million deaths and...
It won't sway everyone, not even close, but a bad economy in an election year on its own is often enough to win. I can only imagine what a botched pandemic response leading to a million deaths and a historic economic depression would do in an election year. Personally, I'm more concerned that a) Republicans have successfully suppressed voters to such an extent Democrats can never make a comeback without an extremely convincing win, or b) some internal force (Trump) or external force (Russia) will do something to undermine the result.
Oh, you can take that to the bank. Maybe it'll be multiplied by "job creation ability," or something -- and since the rich can create SO MANY more jobs, they'll get more.
Oh, you can take that to the bank. Maybe it'll be multiplied by "job creation ability," or something -- and since the rich can create SO MANY more jobs, they'll get more.
I'm not sure how a check from the federal government is going to make it so I can go out to restaurants or movie theaters again. You know, the industries that are going to go bankrupt overnight...
I'm not sure how a check from the federal government is going to make it so I can go out to restaurants or movie theaters again. You know, the industries that are going to go bankrupt overnight because of this.
This is true. My problem is that we should be sending this money to the people who actually need it. My income isn't going anywhere during all this, so sending me $1,000 "to help the economy" is...
This is true. My problem is that we should be sending this money to the people who actually need it. My income isn't going anywhere during all this, so sending me $1,000 "to help the economy" is pointless since I can't go spend it on the luxury things that normally drive the economy.
I think this election cycle, followed by this crises, has definitely changed the conversation, so anything is possible.
But meanwhile in the present, trillions are being funneled to the rich and their influence on government is no weaker than before.
We're still a long way from sanity.
I really hope so, but I'm not holding my breath either. If it does happen, though, I'll take the W.
Placing cash in the hands of Americans is a good start. If they want to mitigate the damage from this, they'll keep a UBI going for as long as it takes (longer would be nice) to incentivize people to stay home and cover their basic needs. I wonder if a good long-term plan would be something like:
-After this initial quarantine period, encourage low risk individuals to return to work.
-Press businesses to implement social distancing protocols in the workplace until further notice.
-Expand Social Security to cover the high risk population. Not just the elderly, but people with other comorbidities. Encourage them to remain isolated while business operations begin returning to normal. Implement delivery services to these households.
-Ramp up testing.
-Continue to advise against large gatherings.
The fundamental problem here is that the worldwide unemployment rate has shot up overnight, and fiscal maneuvering will only do so much. Until people get back to work, liquidity will continue to dry up. The bug is already everywhere, and there seems to be (from what I've read) a substantial lag between infection and showing symptoms, so we won't see peak infection rates for a while in spite of being locked down. Many people don't show any symptoms at all, and if the low risk population can return to work they will have an opportunity to get ahead with wages + UBI while assuaging the downturn. Just my thoughts.
Yeah, I don't think anybody knows what's going on/what they're doing/what they should do. At our library, they've closed to the public, but we're still all here, even though the governor outlawed (is that even Constitutional?) gatherings of 10+ people. So I don't know. No one seems to know.
We are seeing massive ideological changes right before our eyes. This is... interesting.
And, most likely, very temporary.
Once you get the ball rolling, it's easier to keep it going than that initial start or the ending of.
Imagine trying to convince the public to cancel all of social security. Once you open Pandora's box, it's a bit hard to close.
Looks like this proposal is gaining some real steam.... will it happen? I don't know. I don't trust anything anymore.
I'm just waiting to see how they fuck it up and only benefit the rich, personally.
It seems unlikely to me that after 3.5 years anyone is still "on the fence" about whether they'll vote again for Trump. I see no reason this, as opposed to any of the rest of his mountain of errors, would be the one that suddenly convinces people he'd be a bad choice. Plus his approval numbers haven't been affected by any of this in a significant way.
I think you'd be surprised by the amount of voters who vote purely based on "is my life going good right now" despite whatever party they mostly align to between elections.
America is only now in the past few days starting to experience much extensive quarantining, we'll have to watch those approval numbers over the next couple weeks as the economic ramifications of all these measures take hold.
I see your point. Still, I'm not holding my breath.
It won't sway everyone, not even close, but a bad economy in an election year on its own is often enough to win. I can only imagine what a botched pandemic response leading to a million deaths and a historic economic depression would do in an election year. Personally, I'm more concerned that a) Republicans have successfully suppressed voters to such an extent Democrats can never make a comeback without an extremely convincing win, or b) some internal force (Trump) or external force (Russia) will do something to undermine the result.
Oh, you can take that to the bank. Maybe it'll be multiplied by "job creation ability," or something -- and since the rich can create SO MANY more jobs, they'll get more.
Some more related discussion in this thread: https://tild.es/mtl
Thanks! I was torn b/w commenting there and starting my own topic.
I'm not sure how a check from the federal government is going to make it so I can go out to restaurants or movie theaters again. You know, the industries that are going to go bankrupt overnight because of this.
If you work at one of those places, it might be enough to almost make ends meet when rent and utilities are due, maybe even feed yourself.
This is true. My problem is that we should be sending this money to the people who actually need it. My income isn't going anywhere during all this, so sending me $1,000 "to help the economy" is pointless since I can't go spend it on the luxury things that normally drive the economy.
This is very true -- and I know I'd spend that 1K directly to pay down debt, not to create value in the economy.