Are We In The Midst Of A Huge Political Realignment?

wallyj84

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Interesting video from the Hill about how at least right now, the Republican party or at least some Senators and the Prez are doing more to lookout for the working class than the Democrats.

They bring up the way some Republican Senators are talking about sending Americans a check to cover expenses and they're comparing it to the relief bill passed by the House which was lacking to say the least.

What do you guys think?
 
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...[...]...Interesting video from the Hill about how at least right now, the Republican party or at least some Senators and the Prez are doing more to lookout for the working class than the Democrats. They bring up the way some Republican Senators are talking about sending Americans a check to cover expenses and they're comparing it to the relief bill passed by the House which was lacking to say the least. What do you guys think?
Hate to say it; but, based on the continual lack of empathy for anyone not in the 1 percent, it appears to be nothing more than a desperate PR campaign and vote buying. I’m sure Trump will use it to crow about his magnanimity.
 

wallyj84

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Hate to say it; but, based on the continual lack of empathy for anyone not in the 1 percent, it appears to be nothing more than a desperate PR campaign and vote buying. I’m sure Trump will use it to crow about his magnanimity.

I think you're right, but there is probably also fear about the economic consequences if they don't do it. This virus has already fucked up the economy and it is probably only going to get worse.

I feel like the Democrats, the establishment at least, are not really comprehending how bad things might get or how many Americans are living. They are out of touch and only know how to take half measures
 
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I think you're right, but there is probably also fear about the economic consequences if they don't do it. This virus has already fucked up the economy and it is probably only going to get worse.

I feel like the Democrats, the establishment at least, are not really comprehending how bad things might get or how many Americans are living. They are out of touch and only know how to take half measures
Half measures that will come back at great expense to those that they are deigning to help. Nothing is given that won’t be required to be returned at a greater cost by the recipient.
 
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b.c.

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Hate to say it; but, based on the continual lack of empathy for anyone not in the 1 percent, it appears to be nothing more than a desperate PR campaign and vote buying. I’m sure Trump will use it to crow about his magnanimity.

I gotta agree, CSam. I was giving this some thought just last night, in that, in a way this pandemic will make many more Americans in some ways, similar to America's poor. I do not say this in celebration of it (quite the contrary as we will ALL suffer) but merely as an apprehensive OBSERVATION.

Many more Americans will find themselves having to make do, unable to obtain not only "wants" but "needs" short of cash, resources, and medical help. Trump calls the coronavirus the "hidden enemy." Seems to me the poor must've had to deal with various "hidden enemies" all their lives. And in the face of that reality, a whole LOT of selfish assed right winged notions seem to be going right out of the window.

But it CERTAINLY isn't due to some "political realignment" whereby the party of hate, that has been working to cut food, healthcare, assistance, and support from the neediest of Americans while giving massive tax breaks to the wealthy, and who've TOO long denied the reality of this pandemic, has suddenly actually FOUND either a soul or their humanity.

Lest we forget, the paid sick leave benefits Democrats have originally crafted in the House version of the bill was CUT BACK in the Senate (that is, after McConnell and company decided to return from their weekend off).

Republicans, White House Gut Paid Sick Leave In Coronavirus Bill | HuffPost

Millions of American workers are left out of the coronavirus paid leave bill

So, yeah, they may be managing to come around OF NECESSITY.

Right-wing pundits' shameless pivot: It was a "hoax," but now it's an "emergency" | Salon.com


But the notion that they're a changed party that'll "do more to help the middle class" is yet another Republican narrative. (as in "alternate reality.")

Small government Republicans scramble to adopt leftist ideas as America grapples with the coronavirus crisis – Raw Story

They say there are no atheists in foxholes. It might be more true to say that in a crisis, everybody becomes a leftist.

While modern-day Republicans have a long history of corporate socialism, they have never supported redistribution of wealth down the income ladder, beyond negligible tax cuts or credits. Now faced with a once-in-a-hundred -years catastrophe, at least half caused by ... Trump’s seemingly willful mishandling, Republicans rushed to Twitter to herald the federal government as a white knight ready to rescue the economy for the little guy, even as stock markets have seen their worst days in modern trading. And for that, they’ve received bipartisan praise.

No Republican bills have actually been introduced yet and the GOP’s nonspecific proposals come days after multiple Democrats in the House introduced emergency universal basic income packages. Still, Republicans have had a field day basking in a counterfactual narrative about outflanking Democrats from the left."
Have Trump and the GOP outflanked Dems on coronavirus relief plans? Not yet | Salon.com

""Paid sick leave is a good idea," Alexander said. "We do it in my office, the federal government now does it, and many businesses do it. But if the federal government wants to require it, the federal government should pay for it."

To be sure, Republicans aren't suggesting the government cover sick leave costs for the benefit of the people receiving it. As Alexander makes clear, they just want the government to cover it to help business.


... now, as Democrats quietly introduce aid packages that are objectively more far-reaching and substantive — including a universal basic income plans put forth by Sens. Bernie Sanders, Michael Bennet, Cory Booker and Sherrod Brown that would send as much as $4,000 to nearly every adult and child in the United States this year — Republicans want to get in on the action.

After all, this is an election year, and it is clear the global economy will be in a tailspin..."

MEANWHILE:


Here's who voted against the COVID-19 bill in the Senate

Anti-Gay Views Caused Andy Biggs to Vote Against Coronavirus Stimulus


 
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What do you guys think?

I think there's an acceptance in Washington that we're in a dire situation and congress is working to take steps to blunt the economic fallout from this as best they can.

It doesn't benefit members of any socioeconomic strata to have the US economy drive off a cliff.
 

wallyj84

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I think there's an acceptance in Washington that we're in a dire situation and congress is working to take steps to blunt the economic fallout from this as best they can.

It doesn't benefit members of any socioeconomic strata to have the US economy drive off a cliff.

I agree with you, but don't you think it is odd though that the Republican party, or at least some members of it are the ones pushing for the most extreme actions? I mean cash bailout to citizens is pretty extreme for the GOP.
 

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I agree with you, but don't you think it is odd though that the Republican party, or at least some members of it are the ones pushing for the most extreme actions? I mean cash bailout to citizens is pretty extreme for the GOP.

Not exactly. They're working off a list given to them by the President. The president spelled out options he would support and sign a bill for and asked them to choose from among those. The president's council of advisors met earlier in the week and came up with the list.

If we weren't in a crisis, yes, I would be surprised to see some of these measures come out of the GOP. But in a crisis situation, a lot of political axis stuff drops out the window in favor of addressing the emergency at hand. What you want to do matters less than what you have to do.
 
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I agree with you, but don't you think it is odd though that the Republican party, or at least some members of it are the ones pushing for the most extreme actions? I mean cash bailout to citizens is pretty extreme for the GOP.

It’s an election year and their leader is quite afraid of losing and going to prison. Everything is on the table. Otherwise it would be all about debt debt debt and personal responsibility.
 

phonehome

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Here is what I see might be happening

For 30 plus years now the disciples of Ronald "government is the problem" Reagan have beloved that other than the Pentagon and in the last 10 or so years ICE the Federal government should do NOTHING

There is no need for "regulation" that the "private sector" and "market forces" would take care of it

If Ford pinto's and later Crown Vic's turn into fireballs on a regular basis, or Explorer's roll over at the drop of a hat killing thousands well people will just quit buying them and ford will quit making them.

If Boeing makes this plane that wants to fly itself into the ground and you might need Chuck Yeager or Sully in the left seat to save the day, well airlines will just quit buying it

No need for bothersome "regulators" like the NTSB

None of them would ever be stupid enough to use a payday lender or get conned into a mortgage or other loan they could not afford so no need for the CFPB

None of them would ever be stupid enough to get conned by Bernie Madoff or ENRON and anyone who did, well they just got what they deserved for not being able to "see that coming" so no need for the SEC

I have written about this in other threads, IMO to be a modern day TEA Partier or Trumpian which are as far as I am concerned one in the same you have to be born with the "fuck you I got mine" gene and it can not be "recessive'

When they were against the ACA or even doing ANYTHING on that it all came from "fuck you I got mine"

When it comes to unemployment insurance, or ANYTHING that is in the broadest sense of the word a "safety net program" which they deride as "Welfare" it is "fuck you I got mine"

They will NEVER be unemployed

They will ALWAYS have insurance or otherwise be able to pay for healthcare

They will NEVER be foreclosed on or evicted or otherwise potentially "homeless"

They will NEVER need anything like "foodstamps"

Now for the most part do I have mine? Well yes i do but I have always wanted these things to exist if on the chance how ever slight that some how some way by some unforeseen set of circumstances and events that maybe just maybe I would not "have mine" and I might just need these things

But right wingers like Mr. Velvet and the recently departed Mr. Bill they just could not imagine that possibility EVER happening to them, no way no how THEY would ALWAYS "have their's"

But now a few, maybe more than few, are going to see that NO they no longer "have their's"

But when the time comes

They will be the first and biggest hogs at the trough cashing those 1000 dollars, at least applying for if not getting any and all "bailout money" they have even a chance at getting

We saw it after Katrina when they took upwards of a 100 grand of "road home money" and turned their 20 to 40 year old non descript 1500 sq ft ranch that was slightly damaged by a foot or two of water for three or fours hours, 10 or 20 grand tops had it been a "normal insurance claim" took the money and all that "free labor" from all those "volunteers" that were here for YEARS, many only after Sandy happened and ended up with "McMansions" worth closer to half a million,

"Cash for Clunkers" they were right there dragging in some POS that they found sitting in some guys back yard or back 40

A year later they were all "TEA Partiers" 8 years after all that they were all Trumpian's and whining about "those people' all getting "free stuff"
 

tanstaafl16

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Hate to say it; but, based on the continual lack of empathy for anyone not in the 1 percent, it appears to be nothing more than a desperate PR campaign and vote buying. I’m sure Trump will use it to crow about his magnanimity.

Trump is a scumbag, pass it on
 

Thikn2velvet1

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Here is what I see might be happening

For 30 plus years now the disciples of Ronald "government is the problem" Reagan have beloved that other than the Pentagon and in the last 10 or so years ICE the Federal government should do NOTHING

There is no need for "regulation" that the "private sector" and "market forces" would take care of it

If Ford pinto's and later Crown Vic's turn into fireballs on a regular basis, or Explorer's roll over at the drop of a hat killing thousands well people will just quit buying them and ford will quit making them.

If Boeing makes this plane that wants to fly itself into the ground and you might need Chuck Yeager or Sully in the left seat to save the day, well airlines will just quit buying it

No need for bothersome "regulators" like the NTSB

None of them would ever be stupid enough to use a payday lender or get conned into a mortgage or other loan they could not afford so no need for the CFPB

None of them would ever be stupid enough to get conned by Bernie Madoff or ENRON and anyone who did, well they just got what they deserved for not being able to "see that coming" so no need for the SEC

I have written about this in other threads, IMO to be a modern day TEA Partier or Trumpian which are as far as I am concerned one in the same you have to be born with the "fuck you I got mine" gene and it can not be "recessive'

When they were against the ACA or even doing ANYTHING on that it all came from "fuck you I got mine"

When it comes to unemployment insurance, or ANYTHING that is in the broadest sense of the word a "safety net program" which they deride as "Welfare" it is "fuck you I got mine"

They will NEVER be unemployed

They will ALWAYS have insurance or otherwise be able to pay for healthcare

They will NEVER be foreclosed on or evicted or otherwise potentially "homeless"

They will NEVER need anything like "foodstamps"

Now for the most part do I have mine? Well yes i do but I have always wanted these things to exist if on the chance how ever slight that some how some way by some unforeseen set of circumstances and events that maybe just maybe I would not "have mine" and I might just need these things

But right wingers like Mr. Velvet and the recently departed Mr. Bill they just could not imagine that possibility EVER happening to them, no way no how THEY would ALWAYS "have their's"

But now a few, maybe more than few, are going to see that NO they no longer "have their's"

But when the time comes

They will be the first and biggest hogs at the trough cashing those 1000 dollars, at least applying for if not getting any and all "bailout money" they have even a chance at getting

We saw it after Katrina when they took upwards of a 100 grand of "road home money" and turned their 20 to 40 year old non descript 1500 sq ft ranch that was slightly damaged by a foot or two of water for three or fours hours, 10 or 20 grand tops had it been a "normal insurance claim" took the money and all that "free labor" from all those "volunteers" that were here for YEARS, many only after Sandy happened and ended up with "McMansions" worth closer to half a million,

"Cash for Clunkers" they were right there dragging in some POS that they found sitting in some guys back yard or back 40

A year later they were all "TEA Partiers" 8 years after all that they were all Trumpian's and whining about "those people' all getting "free stuff"

The question really is how much are we willing to spend to try and insulate everyone from any and all risk.
 
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phonehome

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The question really is how much are we willing to spend to try and insulate everyone from any and all risk.

You do realize that that "everyone" INCLUDES YOU right ??

Just by the way you ask the question it comes across that you think, still think that there is zero chance that you will ever be part of that "everyone"