Read on Twitter
As many in the country look forward to a phased in return to what will be our new normal of everyday life, it has been interesting to watch the absolute circus that has been passed off as state governance during the coronavirus crisis.
From Michigan to New York, California to Virginia....even Georgia’s governor has had a turn in the hot seat. Not many governors have cloaked themselves in glory with their efforts under emergency declarations.
Some states have done better than others, less quick to take draconian measures that limited or curtailed personal freedoms, especially freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.
But so much of this crisis has been used as a platform for bailouts and cashing in, and for governors to erode freedom and embrace their inner authoritarians.
Now states are partnering with Facebook to remove coordination among groups of people to protest state actions.
Now states are partnering with Facebook to remove coordination among groups of people to protest state actions.
Facebook claims that is under the umbrella of misinformation and safety. This kind of alliance between tech and government is beyond Big Brother, and has far-reaching effects beyond our current crisis.
Small business, the lifeblood of our communities and towns, is being decimated during the lock down. But while those on Main Street struggle, Congress has bailed out the universities and colleges, not to mention corporations, under the PPP to the tune of hundreds of billions
While funding was running out and negotiations stalled to further fund the lending program, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did an interview on late night television showcasing her freezer full of expensive chocolate ice cream. Talk about tone deaf.
With over 22 million Americans out of work, and sectors of our economy wondering if there will ever be a recovery for them, the Speaker of the House laughing over the necessity of chocolate while playing political games with people’s livelihoods and businesses is beyond reckless
That is also how you get otherwise law-abiding people to break a government stay-at-home order to protest an overreaching executive in front of the state capitol. Even if it is from their cars.
The assumptions of those in power, continuing largess in the forms of grants and contracts, cannot go on forever. They may think it can, but like this virus has shown, reality rears an ugly head when you least expect it.
You don’t get to print trillions of dollars every time something bad happens, and not have any consequences from that either.
Crumbs and nonsense. That about sums up the government response to the middle class.
But hey, our Congress is home safe and protected, so that’s what’s important.
But hey, our Congress is home safe and protected, so that’s what’s important.
I expect the heavy hand of govt when we are in the midst of a crisis. I expect limits to our freedom in times of trouble.
But I also expect our leaders to be informed, especially in matters of public health, when enacting mandates and lock downs in the name of public health.
But I also expect our leaders to be informed, especially in matters of public health, when enacting mandates and lock downs in the name of public health.
I expect our leaders to be better informed than the 3,000 or so random people I follow on Twitter (though I’m not holding much hope for that one).
I expect communist governments like China to lie to their citizens and the rest of the world on a regular basis. About everything. Regular, non-communist governments aren’t that much better on the honesty scale.
I expect more from “corporate global partners” who have enjoyed every benefit and blessing of being an American company, propped up by our security and consumer dollars, who think they owe nothing to Americans first and foremost.
Some days are more disappointing than others.
Some days are more disappointing than others.
The regular order has been found lacking by many Americans. That Trump was elected president is one signal of the groundswell of discontent with the status quo....a lights and sirens kind of signal.
The coronavirus response is just the latest example of how badly the regular order has failed its people.
http://www.westsideconnect.com/opinion/let-them-eat-ice-cream/article_7a125988-8598-11ea-aa2d-cb4fe180190f.html">https://www.westsideconnect.com/opinion/l...
http://www.westsideconnect.com/opinion/let-them-eat-ice-cream/article_7a125988-8598-11ea-aa2d-cb4fe180190f.html">https://www.westsideconnect.com/opinion/l...
