(03-23-2020, 06:59 PM)Eric the Green Wrote:(03-22-2020, 05:01 PM)Drakus79 Wrote: I think we're way past the point of it being the catalyst of this 4T. That's like saying the attack on pearl harbor in 1941 was the catalyst for the last 4T. We've been in this 4T since at least 2008 (maybe even as early as 9/11/2001).
I do agree that we have to be careful not to go too far with our reaction. A collapsed economy can cause way more deaths and hardships than this virus. We also have to be careful not to make too many of these changes permanent. There are many politicians who are eager to use this crisis to push forward their authoritarian agendas. That's the downside of too much solidarity.
The reverse may be what's needed, to some extent. The reaction by the financial markets is what is not necessary. The government has not yet responded to the crisis in a competent way. Republicans are blocking the solutions. But the remedies being proposed by Democrats show that a more collectivist approach is needed, and if we make this a more permanent part of our government policy, as it was before Reaganomics, that will be a great blessing, and a fulfillment of the 4T. On the other hand, apparently some authorities like William Barr are pushing for another kind of Patriot Act curtailing civil liberties. That kind of authoritarian agenda is not at all needed, and is an abuse of the crisis. It's what we might expect from the Trump administration. So is the Republican bailout of the rich, which McConnell is proposing and which delays the response that we need.
The relief bill was blocked by Democrats. They voted against it because they want to pass a 1400 page bill instead full of permanent socialist policies they've been trying to push through for years now. The Republican bill is much simpler and just a temporary relief package. IMO, they should have just passed the simpler short term Republican bill quickly so that people can get some sort of relief and then discussed a larger, more permanent bill later. Now's not the time to be wasting time arguing details.
Just cut out the pork that's holding this up and pass the damn bill so that more people don't lose their jobs and can pay their rent.