I'm bumping this thread as there's a lot of noise in the meme thread about minimum wage, or more specifically how during the lockdown and people not working there is stimulus efforts by the US Gov't to send money to citizens. Personally, I hate cluttering memes with discussion, and that topic already has been touched upon a bit in this thread. So....BUMP
How are other countries addressing the lock downs? I'm assuming Europe and Australia are under a similar 'stay at home' order such that only essential workers (a grey term) are allowed out. As such, many Americans are going onto unemployment = highest unemployment in decades, many say another Great Depression is upon us. However, along those lines, our US gov't is also sending $600 to citizens to help them through the lockdowns. There is talk of more funding in following stimulus bills, either for Small Businesses (SBAssoc) or another round of direct-to-citizens, coming. Does this help? How much is enough, or too much?
The conservative noise I hear questions "If you pay someone $600 to stay home and sit on their couch, how much do you have to pay them to get them back to work?" A question I find funny, and sad, for missing the point. The $600 is a one-off (or 2-3 off) stimulus check, not a "Basic Income" (sorry, I'm forgetting the correct term here) that is equivalent to ongoing welfare. And, I can see that if it were extended as a Basic Income, wages would be FORCED to go up = something liberals have pushed for a lot, and it hasn't always helped those who got it. Moreover, it would drive up the cost of domestic products and services which then negates the effect increased income. I'm spinning a bit here into a separate question to our forum on Basic Income and it's effect, and would appreciate any thoughts on it.
In a bit of a twist for this stimulus check, we have the Fed Gov't approving funds and distributing direct to citizens (I got mine direct deposited as they had my 2020 taxes on record). I don't know the details of how it is working - do those without jobs still get one? Should they? In that train of thought, you have the Governor of California indicating he will use some of the stimulus money (from the Fed? From Cali state taxes?) to give stimulus to illegal immigrants. How do you view this aspect? It seems, not all Californians are in favor:
Newsom sued over coronavirus aid plan for California immigrants who lack legal status
A conservative group
has sued California Gov. Gavin Newsom to block his allocation of $75 million to provide financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic to immigrants in the country illegally who don’t qualify for unemployment insurance.
The nonprofit Center for American Liberty filed an emergency petition with the California Supreme Court requesting a stay on the
governor’s action, arguing state and federal laws bar unemployment benefits to those without legal status and that providing the money to nonprofit groups represents an improper gift of taxpayer funds.
...
“This is taxpayer money that may only be appropriated by the legislative branch. This is not a slush fund for the governor to spend as he sees fit,” Harmeet K. Dhillon, a San Francisco attorney and chief executive officer for the Center for American Liberty, said in a written statement Thursday. “At a time when law-abiding Californians are crushed by unemployment, housing issues, business closures and massive limitations on our normal lives, Governor Newsom is doing an end-run around the legal guardrails in place.”
...
Newsom
announced on April 16 that the state was providing the $75 million, to be supplemented with $50 million from nonprofit groups, to provide $500 to each immigrant without legal status and up to $1,000 per household.
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Additionally, there are comments in the meme thread periodically which are rants against the evil landlords. Those with such opinions may be heartened to hear
‘The Squad’ Proposes Bill Allowing Feds To Literally Cancel Property Rights During Pandemic
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has introduced a radical measure that would dismantle Americans’ property rights.
If enacted, the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act would come dangerously close to the socialist dream of stripping people of the right to control their property and would allow for another massive government expansion.
This bill, introduced April 17, would cancel all rent and mortgage payments, regardless of income or employment, for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The bill would constitute a full payment forgiveness, with no accumulation of debt for renters or homeowners and no negative impact on their credit rating or rental history,” a news release from Omar’s office says.
Furthermore, a fund would be created “to fully finance the purchase of private rental properties by non-profits, public housing authorities, cooperatives, community land trusts, and states or local governments — in order to increase the availability of affordable housing during this downturn,” the news release says.
This means private property owners would be undermined and the power of government entities would be greatly increased.
Landlords and mortgage companies could apply for lost income to a relief fund that would be established for this purpose. Only primary residences would qualify, not investment properties or vacation homes
Do the CEPS members view this as a good thing in a time of crisis, or opening a Socialist Pandora's box?
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All this because I want more memes. Less talk, more memes.
