Biden’s stimulus plan $1.9T

[Cuz]

Whats your take on this. Seems like now republicans want to lower the income criteria for eligibility under Biden but it was fine under Trump...
The 1400$ checks looks as if to pass , but less people getting them. The 75k threshold has dropped to 50k now, republicans wanted 40k. Keep in mind this was based off 2019 tax returns for the second stimulus correct me if wrong, the first checks seems to be based off the 2018 returns now what sense does that make to all of the sudden lower eligibility?
Not on board with that myself. Disappointed with both sides

[Hughinn]

Whats your take on this. Seems like now republicans want to lower the income criteria for eligibility under Biden but it was fine under Trump...
The 1400$ checks looks as if to pass , but less people getting them. The 75k threshold has dropped to 50k now, republicans wanted 40k. Keep in mind this was based off 2019 tax returns for the second stimulus correct me if wrong, the first checks seems to be based off the 2018 returns now what sense does that make to all of the sudden lower eligibility?
Not on board with that myself. Disappointed with both sides

With a higher price tag, it has far less going into the pockets of everyday american citizens, and more money for special interests.

Win for wall street, losses for main street.

I'm not sure what else anybody expected though.

I haven't got any of the stimulus money anyway. Because I make too much according to them.

And I'm a blue collar guy

[The Deadlifting Dog]

I personally think that it should be something like a family making $100,000 gets the full amount.
Then it tapers off up until say $200,000.

$100,000 may seem like a lot of money to someone in say Iowa but in NJ a family making $100,000 isn't affluent by any measure.
(This is by no way a jab at Iowa.)

By no means should we be sending free money to families making $500,000.

I have no idea why they would lower the threshold now.
(I will say that most Republican states are lower cost so I can see why the Republicans would think the lower threshold is fine. But I disagree with them.)

[Cuz]

I personally think that it should be something like a family making $100,000 gets the full amount.
Then it tapers off up until say $200,000.

$100,000 may seem like a lot of money to someone in say Iowa but in NJ a family making $100,000 isn't affluent by any measure.
(This is by no way a jab at Iowa.)

By no means should we be sending free money to families making $500,000.

I have no idea why they would lower the threshold now.
(I will say that most Republican states are lower cost so I can see why the Republicans would think the lower threshold is fine. But I disagree with them.)

I can agree there is way too many variables thats a good point. 100,000 grand in new york is pocket change. I live in a very very poor southern state, to show u how poor according to google the avg median household income in the countty i live in is or was 39,xxx dollars. Its very poor demographic.

Im like you tho why did they all the sudden lower it now? Makes no sense why republicans want this in fact it pisses me off if anything they should cut money from foreign aid or the smithsonian museum or whatever.

[Hughinn]

I didn't get a dime. And I work a job where I get greasy every day and pull on wrenches. And my wife doesn't work.

And I made too much to get the first stimulus.

I ain't a wealthy at all. I just work hard.

Lowering it didn't make any sense at all in my opinion

[tootallshorty]

Buy cryptocurrency! The $ will be worth nothing one day. I totally agree with giving people stimulus payments but why such low thresholds? Like Hughinn said..."Win for wall street, losses for main street". The amount of money being completely wasted in these bills is astronomical.

[Honkey_Kong]

Whats your take on this. Seems like now republicans want to lower the income criteria for eligibility under Biden but it was fine under Trump...
The 1400$ checks looks as if to pass , but less people getting them. The 75k threshold has dropped to 50k now, republicans wanted 40k. Keep in mind this was based off 2019 tax returns for the second stimulus correct me if wrong, the first checks seems to be based off the 2018 returns now what sense does that make to all of the sudden lower eligibility?
Not on board with that myself. Disappointed with both sides

This is how it works:

Republicucks believe it's them getting their money back from the government, when Trump is the one handing out the stimulus checks. It's redistribution of wealth, when a Democrat is doing literally the same thing.

The sheep of both parties will cry foul for every wrong thing the leaders of the other party do, but then either make excuses for it or turn their heads when it's their guys doing the same exact thing.

Look at this plandemic shit. How many of these republicans were calling COVID fake a few months ago? And how many of them are now throwing tantrums, because they're not the first in line to get the shot?

[wango]

With a higher price tag, it has far less going into the pockets of everyday american citizens, and more money for special interests.

Win for wall street, losses for main street.

I'm not sure what else anybody expected though.

I haven't got any of the stimulus money anyway. Because I make too much according to them.

And I'm a blue collar guy

That’s why you invest in Wall Street imo. If that’s the current game, then join in or lose out.

Not a big fan of all of this stimulus stuff, always learned to plan for a rainy day. But get it.

Saw an article that if the mega rich pitched in to give EVERYONE 3K, they’d still make profits from this year and no losses. Perhaps it’s time to tax the hell out of them, if they don’t see the humane need to voluntarily pitch in and help a nation that helped make them that money in the first place.

[Cuz]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/unbelieva...150352758.html

Never thought I would ever agree with Bernie but ill be damn, he absolutely nailed it!

[Cuz]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox...ck-promise.amp


Well shit thats not a good sign is it? He almost looks robotic in the way he turns and walks away from the podium eek. So I kindly ask your thoughts on why he did this ?

[almostgone]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox...ck-promise.amp


Well shit thats not a good sign is it? He almost looks robotic in the way he turns and walks away from the podium eek. So I kindly ask your thoughts on why he did this ?

I'll comment, brother Cuz, but it's a general type comment and not a comment on party politics. I think President Biden is pushing it off on Congress to handle, so there's a group to point a finger at since things are already behind schedule.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/...-stimulus-bill


It's a technique used by politicians for ages. I'm sure you've seen it in the past as well.Basically, I refer to it as "Teflon ass"....when things don't go as promised or planned, you can't stick shit on them.

[jstone]

these stimulous checks are fucking rediculous theres no reason to hand out yet another check. i wish there was a way to opt out of them this money is going to cost you way more then you receive. i lost my job to the pandemic, and currently make 40% of what i made prior to the pandemic. the only reason i even qualified for the stimulus checks so far was taking extended time off from work in 2018, and 2019. if i had not taken the time off i wouldn't qualify.

if people hadnt been allowed to rape the pua fund people who lost there jobs would be able to get by and we wouldn't need these rediculous stimulus checks. i know of someone who has not worked in 20 years and is collecting government benefits this whole time. she filed for pua and was given almost 10k.

i was able to get unemployment until i found a new job, but so many people stay on it rather than work because it was paying to much. im not sure what its paying now but when i got it i was making less than i was at work. i had an interview and took the job paying 14 dollars and hour because i liked the schedule, and saw the company had a huge upside. 14 dollars an hour barely paid my bills, but it paid them. after 6 months im at 20 dollars and hour which is still about 40 to 50% of what i was making previously. in the next year i have a chance to be over 100k.

they need to stop all these hand outs and i mean all of them. the billions that go to other countries need to immediately stop. now make some incentives on going back to work, and if the job you take is much lower money then you were making and you can show it then they can step up and help those people. quit giving hand outs to the lazy fucks doing nothing. if you dont help yourself were not helping you either. to many people have gone soft looking for free money, and thats not directed to anybody here. all i have seen post have posted about there work at least once over the years. on top of that all of us here choose to do something hard as a hobby, we consider what we do fun. this mentality leads to hardworkers.

[Cuz]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/joh...600-pages-read

The house will pass it no problem, Biden would sign it no problem, but the senate is probably going to block this bill. I dont see it happening. Biden isn’t gonna unify the government anymore than Trump did. Not happenin folks, there wont be anymore stimulus. All the GOP is gonna do is delay and block any such bill. So much for that

Lets throw a little more salt on the wound shall we? Income caps now under Prez Biden are set at 80k instead of 100k like trump hmm ok but the bill is the same price , right? Little more money to go overseas perhaps?

[kelkel]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox...ck-promise.amp


Well shit thats not a good sign is it? He almost looks robotic in the way he turns and walks away from the podium eek.

To me, and I've said this for a while, he walks as if he's had a stroke. Small baby type steps.

[almostgone]

To me, and I've said this for a while, he walks as if he's had a stroke. Small baby type steps.

Same here. Looked like a stroke or peripheral neuropathy.

[Honkey_Kong]

Same here. Looked like a stroke or peripheral neuropathy.

Let's hope that he's just tired. That being said, if he has something and there is anything that can be done for him, he has access to it. A lot of people don't.

[wango]

Honestly it looks a lot how I walk these days, particularly when I’m walking on unfamiliar terrain & particularly more when it’s outside. I shorten my stride length & watch my foot placement to improve my balance. What’s really slowed it down when coupled with those things, is the mask. It really takes away from my peripheral vision in a downward direction, so I walk even slower, am even more careful with my foot placement and am looking down frequently.

When we go to the outdoor market every Sunday, I look very much like Joe, I can only imagine myself in 15 more years, yikes. On a smooth familiar sidewalk when I take my walks, I can open up my stride and thankfully I feel years younger.

[wango]

LMAO. Was just hanging a hook for a bird feeder outside and I was using a small step ladder. Now I know why my wife pleads with me not to use a ladder when she’s not home. I looked up and just about completely lost my balance, thank God was holding onto a low tree branch. Then went to cut some plastic lining off of a wire to hang the feeder with. Was using a razor blade, but was too lazy to get my reading glasses from inside. Oops, missed the wire, but got my thumb.

Summing up, didn’t fall and break my neck nor did I need to get stitches. I guess that makes it a successful day.

[< <Samson> >]

[QUOTE=Cuz;7544108]https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fox...ck-promise.amp


We’re talking about JB, right?

I don’t feel like watching any pointless vids atm(porn is way more entertaining)

I been listening to him talk here & there - old dude seems off, way off - the whole current presidency seems darn near artificial

Never been a trump guy, or anyone else guy for that matter - but, our current economical & political stand is just off its rocker - if it seemed odd before, it’s just straight weird af now

As far as the “stimulus” shit goes - being on the receiving end, I’m doing fine - our whole business is sorta working, so we’re getting by - sorta. . . But, more than ever I can’t predict the next quarter. Forecasting is straight out the window. We’re riding a month to month wave right now. . . No work for a week, we’re busy af for 2 days

I am as not sure about what’s going to happen financially as I don’t know wtf is in my own head


It’s like the US hemorrhaged, then recovered - sorta, for the moment at least - kinda

[Hughinn]

91% of almost 2,000,000,000,000. Two trillion dollars has nothing to do with covid-19 pandemic or helping distressed american citizens.

It passes with strictly and soley democrat party support.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hou...egislative-win

Behold the biggest lobbyist and special interests payoff in american history. And likely the largest single transfer of wealth in human history from the poor and working class to the excessively wealthy.

This is the biggest slap in the face to the working class of american citizens. As the democrat party ramps up importing a new working class while celebrating thier success at marginalizing the existing.

Democracy has died, not to a cry or even a whimper. But to thunderous applause.

Saddening.

[Cuz]

Not a single republican vote. Gonna need the check for gas prices

[The Deadlifting Dog]

Seems the Republicans are out of touch with the voters...

While Republicans argued the plan, whose final cost was estimated at $1.856 trillion, was bloated and unaffordable, polls indicate that it has widespread support, with 70 percent of Americans favoring the package, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday.

The measure will provide $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments and $10 billion for critical state infrastructure projects; $14 billion for the distribution of a vaccine, and $130 billion to primary and secondary schools. The bill also includes $30 billion for transit agencies, $45 billion in rental, utility and mortgage assistance, and billions more for small businesses and live performance venues.

It would provide another round direct payments to American taxpayers, sending checks of up to $1,400 to individuals making $80,000 or less, single parents earning $120,000 or less and couples with household income of no more than $160,000.

Federal unemployment payments of $300 per week would be extended through Sept. 6, and up to $10,200 of jobless aid from last year would be tax-free for households with incomes below $150,000. It would also provide a benefit of $300 per child for those age 5 and younger — and $250 per child ages 6 to 17, increasing the value of the so-called child tax credit.

The legislation also contains a substantial, though temporary, expansion of health care subsidies that could slash monthly insurance payments for those purchasing coverage under the Affordable Care Act. And for six months, it would fully cover COBRA health care costs for people who have lost a job or had their hours cut and who buy coverage from their former employer.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03...joe-biden-news

Sure there is pork in it...
There was also pork in the previous administration's 2 trillion dollar bailout.

[Hughinn]

Not a single republican vote. Gonna need the check for gas prices

The irony of it was, as we watched the bill progress, payouts of benefits to american citizens went down from the 2000$ originally promised, to 1400$. While the pork and payouts to democrat party interests kept increasing.
Right along with gas and energy prices.

[The Deadlifting Dog]

The irony of it was, as we watched the bill progress, payouts of benefits to american citizens went down from the 2000$ originally promised, to 1400$. While the pork and payouts to democrat party interests kept increasing.
Right along with gas and energy prices.

For all those who struggle with math...

$600 + $1400 = $2000

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bi...k-checks-2000/

The Bottom Line
In late December 2020, Democrats united with Trump to push Congressional Republicans to increase COVID-19 stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 per person. The universal call by those on the Left, at the time, was for a total of $2,000 per person. Ultimately, the $600 plan passed while the viability of $2,000 payments was still gaining traction. References to “$2,000 checks” made in January by Biden and by Georgia’s Democratic Senate candidates were to increase existing payments up to $2,000 — not to issue a new check for $2,000 in addition to the amount already approved.

[Cuz]

The irony of it was, as we watched the bill progress, payouts of benefits to american citizens went down from the 2000$ originally promised, to 1400$. While the pork and payouts to democrat party interests kept increasing.
Right along with gas and energy prices.

Trump wanted 2k checks and Mitch shot it down. Biden would probably sign a 2k check also, but Congress isnt gonna let it happen either way. We got 600, and now were getting the remaining 1400 in a completely different 2 trillion dollar package. Got to love politcians right hehe

[Hughinn]

For all those who struggle with math...

$600 + $1400 = $2000

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bi...k-checks-2000/

The Bottom Line
In late December 2020, Democrats united with Trump to push Congressional Republicans to increase COVID-19 stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 per person. The universal call by those on the Left, at the time, was for a total of $2,000 per person. Ultimately, the $600 plan passed while the viability of $2,000 payments was still gaining traction. References to “$2,000 checks” made in January by Biden and by Georgia’s Democratic Senate candidates were to increase existing payments up to $2,000 — not to issue a new check for $2,000 in addition to the amount already approved.

President-elect Joe Biden told Georgia voters on Monday that $2,000 stimulus checks would be sent out to Americans right away if the state voted for the Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in Tuesday's US Senate runoffs.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bus...y-2021-1%3famp

I think we all figure basic math.

But a 2k check was promised by the biden administration. Not a 1400$ and then count the 600 which was already in people's pockets.

All of it, mere chump change to the trillion dollars spent on DNC special interests though.

That's the establishment for you I guess.

[Hughinn]

Trump wanted 2k checks and Mitch shot it down. Biden would probably sign a 2k check also, but Congress isnt gonna let it happen either way. We got 600, and now were getting the remaining 1400 in a completely different 2 trillion dollar package. Got to love politcians right hehe

I think you're right. Biden would sign whatever he was told to. It's not likely he'd understand it anyway. He's utterly confused and perpetually lost.

https://youtu.be/QPJ6AAoBUTA

Politicians in general have robbed us

[Cuz]

Key elements of the stimulus bill include:

Extending expanded unemployment benefits with a $300 weekly supplement through Labor Day (September 6, 2021), preventing benefits from expiring on March 31, 2021[66][3]
Most Democrats favored a higher amount (with the House passing a bill with a $400 weekly supplement) and some favored a longer duration (through early October); however, the Senate passed a scaled-back provision at the insistence of Senator Joe Manchin and other moderate Democratic holdouts.[66][67][68]
The bill provides that the first $10,200 in unemployment benefits are not taxable for households with incomes below $150,000, thus avoiding the risk of many workers incurring surprise tax liability.[69]
$1,400 direct payments to individuals.[3][67]
Under pressure from West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat, Biden agreed to have the direct payment start to phase out for high-income taxpayers, including some who received stimulus checks in previous stimulus rounds.[70][69] Under the Senate-passed bill, the stimulus benefit begins to phase out for taxpayers making $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for single parents, and $150,000 for couples; taxpayers making more than $80,000 for individuals, $120,000 for single parents, and $160,000 for households will not receive any payment.[66] House Democrats and Biden had favored less stringent caps (with the House-passed bill setting income caps $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples).[68]
Unlike in past rounds of stimulus payments, otherwise eligible adult dependents will receive payments,[69] including college students,[69] SSI recipients, and SSDI recipients.[71]
Emergency paid leave for over 100 million Americans[3]
The House- and Senate-passed bills provide a tax credit, through October 1, 2021, to employers who choose to offer paid sick leave and paid family leave benefits. However, the bills do not require employers to provide the benefit, as Biden initially proposed.[68]
Extends a 15% increase in food stamp benefits (the increase, passed in previous rounds of stimulus; was set to expire at the end of June 2021; the bill extends it through September 2021).[68]
Tax provisions
Expands the child tax credit[69] by allowing qualifying families to offset, for the 2021 tax year, $3,000 per child up to age 17 and $3,600 per child under age 6 for 2021,[69][68] up to a maximum of $8,000 in annual child care costs[3] The size of the benefit would diminish for Americans earning more than $75,000 per year. The proposal was backed by Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who introduced a similar bill four days earlier.[72]
Expands the earned income tax credit by removing the upper age limit and lowering the lower age limit to 19. The maximum benefit will also be increased to $1,502. These provisions are for 2021 only.[73]
Included in the Senate bill is an amendment that makes forgiven student loan debt tax-free, should Biden or Congress decide to cancel any debt.[74][75]
Grants to small businesses,[3] specifically:
$28.6 billion for a new grant program for restaurants and bars to meet payroll and other expenses. Individual businesses will be eligible for $5 million each.[76][68]
$15 billion for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (a long-term, low-interest loan program of the Small Business Administration); priority for some funds would go to "severely impacted small businesses with fewer than 10 workers."[68]
An additional $7 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, and an expansion of the eligibility criteria to some non-profit organizations previously excluded from the program.[68]
$3 billion for a payroll support program for aviation manufacturers. The industry itself will be responsible for funding half of the program, and the program will last six months.[76]
$1.25 billion in funding for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant for music halls and other concert venues[76][77]
$175 million for a Community Navigator Program to reach out to eligible businesses.[68]
$350 billion to help state, local, and tribal governments bridge budget shortfalls and mitigate the fiscal shock.[67][66][78]
Under both the House-passed bill and the Senate-passed bill, a total of $195 billion would be allocated among the states and the District of Columbia, and the tribes and territories would be allocated about $25 billion.[78]
The Senate bill would allocate $60 billion to counties and $10 billion for a Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund; by contrast, the House bill would allocate $65 billion to counties and $65 billion to municipalities.[78]
Education funding:
$130 billion for K-12 schools,[67][79] to safely reopen most schools within 100 days.[3]
The money for K-12 schools may be used to improve ventilation in school buildings, reduce class sizes to make social distancing possible, purchase personal protective equipment, and hire support staff.[79][69]
20% of the school money must be directed to programs to help counteract "learning loss" from students who missed school during the pandemic.[69]
Almost $40 billion for colleges and universities.[79]
At least half of the money to colleges and universities must go to emergency grants to students.[74]
Up to $25 billion[69] in aid to renters with unpaid debts to landlords;[3] utility assistance funding; homelessness prevention funding.[68]
The bill contains the following COVID-19 funding (including for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and contact tracing) and other healthcare-related funding:
$50 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for vaccine distribution and assistance.[66]
$47.8 billion on COVID-19 testing, mitigation, and transmission prevention, including diagnosis, tracing, and monitoring.[80]
$13.48 billion for Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare programs through September 30, 2023.[80]
$10 billion under the Defense Production Act for personal protective equipment and other medical gear, and for response to pathogens that could become future public health emergencies.[80]
$7.66 billion for workforce programs for state, local, and territorial public health departments and certain nonprofits, including funds to hire and train "case investigators, contact tracers, social support specialists, community health workers, public health nurses, disease intervention specialists, epidemiologists, program managers, laboratory personnel, informaticians, communication and policy experts, and any other positions as may be required to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19."[80]
$7.6 billion to community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers to combat COVID-19, including promotion, distribution, and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine; COVID-19 tracing and mitigation; COVID-19-related equipment; and COVID-19 outreach and education.[80]
$7.5 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, administration, and tracking,[80] including preparation of community vaccination centers and mobile vaccine units and acceleration of vaccine deployment.[3][80] The bill funds 100,000 public health workers for vaccination outreach and contact tracing.[3]
$6.05 billion for "expenses related to research, development, manufacturing, production and purchase of vaccines."[80]
$5.4 billion to the Indian Health Services.[80]
$3.5 billion in block grants to states, evenly split between the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program and the Substance Abuse Prevention Treatment Block Grant program.[80]
$1.75 billion for genomic sequencing, analytics, and disease surveillance.[80]
$1 billion to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for vaccine confidence programs to increase vaccination rates.[80]
Approximately $750 million on global health security to fight COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases.[80]
$500 million to the Food and Drug Administration to evaluate vaccine performance and facilitate vaccine oversight and manufacturing.[80]
$330 million for teaching health centers with graduate medical education programs.[80]
$500 million to the CDC for public health surveillance and analytics, including a modernization of the U.S. disease warning system to predict COVID-19 "hot spots" and emerging public health threats.[80]
$200 million for nursing loan repayment programs.[80]
$100 million for the Medical Reserve Corps.[80]
$100 million for a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program.[80]
$80 million for mental and behavioral health training.[80]
$86 billion for a rescue package/bailout for approximately 185 multiemployer pension funds (usually pension plans set up by a union and industry) that are close to insolvency. The pension funds collectively cover 10.7 million workers.[81][82]
Transportation provisions
$30.5 billion in grants to public transit and commuter rail agencies across the country to mitigate major decreases in ridership and fare revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes $6 billion to the MTA (the U.S.'s largest public transit agency) and $1.4 billion to the WMATA, VRE and MARC.)[83]
$15 billion for airlines and airline contractors for a third extension of Payroll Support Program (which would otherwise have expired at the end of March 2021). The extension will prevent the furlough of more than 27,000 aviation employees.[83]
$8 billion for U.S. airports.[83]
$2 billion for Amtrak.[83]
$10.4 billion for agriculture and USDA, of which:[84][85]
$4 billion (39% of total agricultural expenditures) and $1 billion (9.7% of total agricultural expenditures) goes to debt forgiveness and outreach/support, respectively, for socially disadvantaged farmers.[84] Experts identified the relief bill as the most important legislation for African-American farmers since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, benefiting many who were not fully compensated by the Pigford settlements.[85]
$3.6 billion (35% of total agricultural expenditures) for COVID-19 response (e.g., for agricultural and supply chain workers) and for the purchase and distribution of food.[84]
$800 million (7.7% of total agricultural expenditures) for Food for Peace.[84]
$500 million (4.8% of total agricultural expenditures) for USDA-administered Emergency Rural Development Grants for Rural Healthcare.[80][84]
$1.85 billion for cybersecurity funding as a response to the SolarWinds hack.[86]
$1 billion will go to the General Services Administration's Technology Modernization Fund which will help the federal government launch new cyber and information technology programs.
$650 million will go to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to improve its risk mitigation services.
$200 million will go to the U.S. Digital Service.

A brief look at whats in the bill. The news media refers it to Bidens relief plan, does that mean he wrote it all himself? Lol

[Hughinn]

House Democrats consider coronavirus-recovery “essential” spending:

$1.5 million earmarked for the Seaway International Bridge, which connects New York to Canada. Senate Leader Chuck Schumer hails from New York.
$50 million for “family planning” – going to non-profits, i.e. Planned Parenthood, or public entities, including for “services for adolescents[.]”
$852 million for AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Vista, and the National Senior Service Corps – the Corporation for National and Community Service – civic volunteer agencies. This includes $9 million for the AmeriCorp inspector general to conduct oversight and audits of the largess. AmeriCorps received a $1.1 billion FY2020 appropriation.

People of goodwill can debate each of these goals, but is it truly emergency spending or funding related to Covid-19?

For example, what is the public purpose for a hike in the minimum wage to $15 per hour – which the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says will cost the economy 1.4 million jobs?

Certainly, the coronavirus stimulus bill does provide $473 billion in payments to individuals, $75 billion in cash for vaccines, $26 billion to restaurants, $15 billion to help fund airline payrolls, and another $7.2 billion in Paycheck Protection Program funding for small businesses.


However, The Wall Street Journal editorial board estimated that only $825 billion was directly related to Covid-19 relief and $1 trillion was “expansions of progressive programs, pork, and unrelated policy changes.”

For example, separately, auditors found that $470 million in the bill doubles the budgets of The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment of the Arts and the Humanities.

$200 million in the bill to The Institute of Museum and Library Services (FY2019 budget: $230 million). This agency is so small that it doesn’t even employ an inspector general.
$270 million funds the National Endowment of the Arts and the Humanities (FY2019 budget: $253 million) – In 2017, our study showed eighty-percent of all non-profit grant making flowed to well-heeled organizations with over $1 million in assets.
A quick spotlight on agencies and entities receiving “coronavirus recovery” money in the bill includes:

$350 billion to bailout the 50 States and the District of Columbia. The allocation formula uses the unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2020. Therefore, states like New York and California –who had strict economic lockdown policies and high unemployment – will get bailout money. States like Florida and South Dakota – who were open for business – will get less.
$128.5 billion to fund K-12 education. The CBO determined that most of the money in education will be distributed in 2022 through 2028, when the pandemic is over.
$86 billion to save nearly 200 pension plans insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. There are no reforms mandated while these badly managed pensions are bailed-out. Many of these pension plans are co-managed by unions.
$50 billion goes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A portion of these funds is earmarked to reimburse up to $7,000 for funeral and burial costs related to Covid-19 deaths.
$39.6 billion to higher education. This amount is three times the money – $12.5 billion – that higher ed received with the massive CARES Act funding from last March.
$1.5 billion for Amtrak – the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. In FY2020, Congress appropriated $3 billion for Amtrak ($2 billion in annual appropriations, plus an additional $1 billion in the CARES Act COVID relief bill). In the three years before the pandemic, AMTRAK lost $392 million – even after a $5 billion taxpayer subsidy (FY2017-FY2019).

Note the extensive list of benefitting organizations recevieng millions in taxpayers money all have one thing in common: they're democrat party donors.

Coincidence? I think not.

[David LoPan]

Not reading everything this thread, but my 2 cents are why can't they just pass a bill with 10 pages that go directly to American Citizens? Have some as direct one-time payments and then some to help with the unemployed without all the pork spending? Hell, I am still trying to get my unemployment that started back in November but someone used fraud and was getting my unemployment benefits while I was working.

When I see Congress spending trillions on this shit I think one thing, inflation. I am not a "prepper" type person but I can say I have gold bars, ammo, two freezers full of meat, and wet wipes. Mice seem to get into the TP so why stock up on that.

[charger69]

Not reading everything this thread, but my 2 cents are why can't they just pass a bill with 10 pages that go directly to American Citizens? Have some as direct one-time payments and then some to help with the unemployed without all the pork spending? Hell, I am still trying to get my unemployment that started back in November but someone used fraud and was getting my unemployment benefits while I was working.

When I see Congress spending trillions on this shit I think one thing, inflation. I am not a "prepper" type person but I can say I have gold bars, ammo, two freezers full of meat, and wet wipes. Mice seem to get into the TP so why stock up on that.

You are missing the two most important items. Gear and booze. LOL


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[David LoPan]

You are missing the two most important items. Gear and booze. LOL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

was about to order some new gear, have a full liquor cabinet ( i don't drink the liquor), and a lot of beer-making supplies as well.

[Honkey_Kong]

I personally think that it should be something like a family making $100,000 gets the full amount.
Then it tapers off up until say $200,000.

$100,000 may seem like a lot of money to someone in say Iowa but in NJ a family making $100,000 isn't affluent by any measure.
(This is by no way a jab at Iowa.)

By no means should we be sending free money to families making $500,000.

I have no idea why they would lower the threshold now.
(I will say that most Republican states are lower cost so I can see why the Republicans would think the lower threshold is fine. But I disagree with them.)

Yeah, in Socal, $100k doesn't go very far.

[Honkey_Kong]

Not reading everything this thread, but my 2 cents are why can't they just pass a bill with 10 pages that go directly to American Citizens? Have some as direct one-time payments and then some to help with the unemployed without all the pork spending? Hell, I am still trying to get my unemployment that started back in November but someone used fraud and was getting my unemployment benefits while I was working.

When I see Congress spending trillions on this shit I think one thing, inflation. I am not a "prepper" type person but I can say I have gold bars, ammo, two freezers full of meat, and wet wipes. Mice seem to get into the TP so why stock up on that.

Congress always takes care of the lobbyists and campaign financers first. Government is corrupt regardless of which side of the uniparty is running the show. If there is anything left at the end, they'll throw a bone to the public.

As far as being a "prepper" goes. It's not crazy to have food, water, medical supplies, fuel, extra blankets etc. on hand. Look at what happened last year? You couldn't even buy a roll of schitte tickets. Disasters (man-made and natural) have always happened and will always happen in the future. I actually think people who still refuse to prep are the nutcases. It's always better to have and not need than to need and not have.