Friday, May 1, 2020

Some Americans pay; others receive

Americans live in two separate and unequal worlds
And the bailouts reflect this. In early March, the Fed kept cash flowing -- and limited losses for some billion-dollar hedge funds that made wrong-way bets with borrowed money. For some, what could be called the Fed’s triumph of efficiency could also be interpreted as rewarding rich gamblers. Neighborhood business owners, many of whom did the right thing by closing their doors to help stop the spread of the virus, have had to white-knuckle it for weeks. Some of the 1.7 million applicants approved for PPP loans describe bureaucratic runarounds. Those like Robyn Shultz sweat it out, waiting for the Treasury Department to calm the confusion and for Congress’s additional resources to arrive. “I was told I was caller number 1,403, and it would be around a three-hour wait,” said one applicant. “I stayed on the line for several hours before it went dead. I never ended up connecting with anyone.” Many small businesses say they are angry that bigger companies have gotten PPP loans and they haven’t. On April 19, several small businesses filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles against four lenders -- Wells Fargo & Co., Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and US Bancorp -- accusing them of approving big loans first. Many big businesses have access to money but took PPP ‘loans’ because they are free. “I really have no faith,” Shultz said. “I have no faith in the system. In this government. In this leadership.” Again, it is socialism for the rich.


Investors opened IRAs at a record level in the first quarter
Millennials, the Fidelity report noted, accounted for a majority of the new IRAs, with contributions among that group increasing 41% over last year, while the amount they contributed increased 64%. Among female millennials, the number of IRAs increased 20% from a year earlier. Surprisingly, market swings did not hold investors back from moving money into their accounts. Hardship loans averaging $10,550 were up slightly before the virus hit on a mass scale. The CARES Act allows more flexible withdrawals so future rates will be higher. Investors did not make big changes to their portfolio asset allocations even with market downturns. Most investors seem to be “staying the course” as John Bogle Vanguard found used to advise. Impatience leads to losses.

State revenues are negative
No sales tax and huge unemployment comp bills spells higher taxes or cuts in local services. Not enough tests, lack of personal protective equipment24 million newly unemployed, not enough ventilators, tens of thousands of shuttered business. Our GOP Senators have said they don’t want to help our states out. They are busy helping their friends in high places who will pay for their next election. Trump will give cash-rich oil companies direct access to our Treasury. That means our federal income taxes will go up to pay off the federal deficit. Some blue states have had to buy their own medical equipment at gouged prices. The feds have just come and taken it. Jared, Trump son-in-law says of the fed supplies:  “it's supposed to be our stockpile,” not the states.’ So with less coming in and more going out and the GOP advocating bankruptcy, we taxpayers will be asked to step up and pay more. Many wealthy people have already moved out of the states, so they won’t be paying their fair share. Don’t pay their taxes.



**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—do we really want ‘low-IQMobster?

If it takes a village, the village idiot is in charge: “metrics up here” (his head)


Idiot: virus will “be eradicated” by November



Trump tells post office to raise price for Amazon or lose $10 B: he hates Jeff’s Post.
Trump’s Agi buys crops it then destroys: Hey, Sonny, food pantries near empty

LA Lakers take $4.6 Million in small biz money: millionaires don’t need $1200!
Gamblers get Fed bail out: We reward poor management: we pay their tax later.


SCAMS/SPINS:
Trump and Biden have conflict with China: China banks hold their loans = leverage
Trump tried his cures—shoots up ‘disinfectant’ and UV rays—lives: proof of devil?
Immunity? no evidence recovery prevents second C-19 infection we need national testing
Is it fake? Check the source, Google message wording, ask a real authority, ask your kids.
Trump watches too much TV: bogus cures, theories, fake news, non-science, nonsense, BS radio

They sent you money by ‘mistake’ scam: Never return free money without court order.
Too much crazy conspiracy even for Fox: 2 black women prez ‘advisors’ dumped
Did you get the Idiot’s letter? “Every citizen should take tremendous pride …”in me!
FL hiding the C-19 death toll: GOP stopped ME report actual deaths
C-19 insurance scams: some sort of COVID-19 coverage: it is fake coverage

Merrill Lynch, Eagle Strategies, Cozad Asset caught selling high-cost fund shares.
Tony Russell Joseph Batts Damien Askew Rudolph Sanders caught tax prep scam


Jobs
Would a new New Deal infrastructure bill create more jobs quicker than relief checks?
Trump tweets all night; Biden sleeps: Joe, you need to counter with facts, just the facts!
Gym, ESPN, insurance, magazines, prepaids, event: collect all your refunds non-services



Who owns your account now?
Some Americans would avoid health care even if had virus: fear costs: health bankruptcy
FamilyinTouch: ways to stay in touch with family friends business: costs/convenience

NJ gives property taxpayers 1 month grace: May 1 to June 1: take home after June 1.

Miracle:
Saudis to stop flogging but will still cut you into little pieces when not looking
Navy admits mistake: Crozier goes back to USS Roosevelt after saving lives.
Dem’s Dream Team: Andrew-Michelle?


Google Meet free with your account: stay in touch for free.
World tour without people: stay at home means some fantastic AP pics

IAN
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