Real shit. So much of leftist commentary is driven by people in New York and LA despite the fact that the people who are actually hurt by conservative policies generally live in red states. https://twitter.com/_zeets/status/1307350097596948481

There’s a reason for us to support federal progressivism bc our state governments are so awful

For example, I know people are hurt everywhere by the lack of additional unemployment funds, but in Tennessee you get about $250 a week after taxes nowadays. Also if you were at your MAXIMUM ALLOTTED BENEFITS, you’re running out right now. It’s insanity.

Rent in Nashville is comparable to much much larger cities, so if Fiona and I were on unemployment (we are both employed again right now, and are extremely fortunate for that), our rent would be about 70% of our unemployment income

Many of my friends are being forced off unemployment and taking limited hourly jobs to scrape just above unemployment right now. If they can make $300/week working at a job, that’s better than unemployment and it’s only 4% better than minimum wage which is 7.25 here

But to do that they’re risking their health and financial ruin if they get sick, all because our garbage state government set unemployment so low, all to guarantee a cheap labor force with no bargaining power for the companies coming here for the low taxes.

So the big companies come here to exploit the low corporate and property taxes, utilize the extremely underpaid workforce, and give nothing back. Meanwhile, there’s a 10% sales tax here.

And let me tell you, paying $110 dollars for $100 worth of groceries is a lot more daunting when you’re on unemployment. Oh and that’s the case because there’s no state income tax here, which the $100,000+ earners love. Let’s just shove the burden of funding our gov’t to the poor

OH ALSO- many here believe the solution to all the unemployment and poverty in Nashville right now is to re-open all the tourist attractions. The bars on broadway are open, and the bachelorette parties have returned. There are party buses packed with people.

And our COVID numbers are rising, because of course they are.

Not sure if a lot of people know this, but Nashville’s industries are extremely rooted in live entertainment and party culture. There are an insane amount of people employed in the entertainment and service industries. Fiona and I are two of them, and we’re two of the lucky ones

So we have to reopen, but reopening just kicks the can down the road and compounds our problems. Every day we’re increasing our COVID numbers we’re extending the amount of time we’ll be without the regular production of the service and entertainment industries. So.