Politics Thread

[Caf]

They're coming back to the trough in a month. You can bet your $1,200 on that.

After Three Coronavirus Stimulus Packages, Congress Is Already Prepping Phase Four - WSJ

[smileyy]

I can't imagine what else we're supposed to do.

We're either going to end up with a socialist state or a fascist state by the time this is all done.

[Juice]

I can't imagine what else we're supposed to do.

We're either going to end up with a socialist state or a fascist state by the time this is all done.

We are allowing aspects of both to happen. There is no way we can pay for what Congress just passed. We couldn't pay for Congress has passed over the past few decades. We are squeezing the middle class. Everyone will either be rich or poor. Nothing in between. Small businesses will not survive this mess, only huge companies.

And we are allowing governors to pass authoritarian measures without any checks from the people or the judiciary. People are being confined to their homes. People are not allowed to work and provide for their families as their business go under, their jobs are furloughed, or simply fired from. People are being asked not to travel to other states and I'm sure travel will be restricted very shortly between states. People are just sitting by and just taking it.

I know I'm being very doom and gloom but I can't wait until the next "crisis" happens again in this country and the politicians use the tools and bullshit they used during this to grab more power.

[Caf]

We are allowing aspects of both to happen. There is no way we can pay for what Congress just passed. We couldn't pay for Congress has passed over the past few decades. We are squeezing the middle class. Everyone will either be rich or poor. Nothing in between. Small businesses will not survive this mess, only huge companies.

And we are allowing governors to pass authoritarian measures without any checks from the people or the judiciary. People are being confined to their homes. People are not allowed to work and provide for their families as their business go under, their jobs are furloughed, or simply fired from. People are being asked not to travel to other states and I'm sure travel will be restricted very shortly between states. People are just sitting by and just taking it.

I know I'm being very doom and gloom but I can't wait until the next "crisis" happens again in this country and the politicians use the tools and bullshit they used during this to grab more power.

I'm 1000% with you on all of this except the bolded. I think there is solid rationale for closing businesses, especially for the workers. If the government is going to take these precautions they need to compensate people for staying home though. The alternative scenario is people are financially motivated to put their's, their families, and society's, health at risk and this reality is very biased towards the poor and working class. You know much more about the legal side of this, so I'll defer to you on that.

We as a society hold the stock market and maintaining status quo above all else. In times like this, in the market all correlations go to 1. Well the same thing happens in our leadership - they are all the same, even the people's champ DJT. We are lead by sociopaths on both sides of the aisle. The business bailout and loan program is some of the dumbest bull I have ever seen. A business who cannot afford to keep their employees with a super cheap government loan stands little chance to stay solvent so we'll lose that money and those jobs. Conversely, a business who can afford to keep employees will have the loan forgiven regardless of whether or not they really needed it. The government is not getting our money back in any scenario. Just light the money on fire next time - maybe the heat will help kill the virus.

[Juice]

I'm 1000% with you on all of this except the bolded. I think there is solid rationale for closing businesses, especially for the workers. If the government is going to take these precautions they need to compensate people for staying home though. The alternative scenario is people are financially motivated to put their's, their families, and society's, health at risk and this reality is very biased towards the poor and working class. You know much more about the legal side of this, so I'll defer to you on that.

We as a society hold the stock market and maintaining status quo above all else. In times like this, in the market all correlations go to 1. Well the same thing happens in our leadership - they are all the same, even the people's champ DJT. We are lead by sociopaths on both sides of the aisle. The business bailout and loan program is some of the dumbest bull I have ever seen. A business who cannot afford to keep their employees with a super cheap government loan stands little chance to stay solvent so we'll lose that money and those jobs. Conversely, a business who can afford to keep employees will have the loan forgiven regardless of whether or not they really needed it. The government is not getting our money back in any scenario. Just light the money on fire next time - maybe the heat will help kill the virus.

You make a good point. Either way, it's a bad situation for low income or middle class people because either their health or their income is sacrificed. 200,000 people combined from Macy's and the GAP lost their jobs yesterday. I just don't like all the deferring to politicians who know as little about this stuff as we do and also will be getting their paychecks regardless of how bad this gets.

[smileyy]

I forget, have I mentioned that we need suspensions of rent, mortgagees (even for landlords), and utility and student loan payment. That way government relief to people can mostly be covering food.

[Mrs. Garrett]

I forget, have I mentioned that we need suspensions of rent, mortgagees (even for landlords), and utility and student loan payment. That way government relief to people can mostly be covering food.

This makes too much sense for politicians to actually do it.

[noteggs]

I know I'm being very doom and gloom but I can't wait until the next "crisis" happens again in this country and the politicians use the tools and bullshit they used during this to grab more power.

I know I originally said it probably was a good time for a stimulus although I’ve never done so in the past. After some time, reading stuff here and elsewhere, think I may have bought into the hysteria.

Just like Rahm Emanuel once said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” This is exactly what happened and the best way to describe what we just witnessed. Normally we have a little time to contemplate without looming fear hanging over our heads to see how ridiculous the spending was/is. Well done politicians on getting this one past me!

[Caf]

America can withstand low oil prices more than Saudi Arabia but US shale firm's have breakevens in the upper $40 low $50 range. Some have already announced Capex cutbacks and it's been 12 hours.

U.S. Shale Driller Whiting Petroleum Files For Bankruptcy

[smileyy]

Private health care: "How much will you pay to stay alive? Oh, infinity dollars? Well, guess what we'll be charging you..."