Wednesday, April 08, 2020

Cooperation Vs Coercion



Last week’s column described how Americans have largely cooperated with government-imposed shutdowns so far. Now I’m wondering how long they’ll continue doing so. I’m concerned about that for several reasons, the biggest of which is: how soon can federal relief money get into the hands of people who are living on the edge? Many if not most Americans live paycheck to paycheck and they have to eat.


While those checks comprise a big part of the trillions headed for needy Americans newly out of work, there are snags. Small businesses are promised loans enabling them to keep paying employees through the crisis so they won’t have to be laid off. The loans, if guidelines are followed, will not have to be paid back. But — and it’s a big but — what are the guidelines? Banks are leery because they remember being subsequently investigated for not vetting loan applicants closely enough during the TARP crisis in 2008/2009.


Locally, Norway Savings Bank has emailed its account holders about its participation in the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) which is funneling the $349 billion authorized as part of the $2 trillion overall COVID-19 relief package. Small businesses can apply as of April 3rd and self-employed people may apply beginning April 10th. That’s good news, and came faster than I feared it might.


Monday I spoke to a small businessman running a retail business in western Maine with about a half-dozen employees. He has so far avoided furloughing anybody but cannot hold out indefinitely, so he called Norway Savings Bank and is waiting to hear back. The bank official he spoke to, with whom it seemed he was personally acquainted, indicated he was swamped with requests. That’s no shock, but how long will it take to process applications? How soon before money is in the hands of the newly unemployed?


Several times over the past few years I’ve written of America’s widening political divide, and it’s a frequent topic on my “Left & Right” community TV show — and that was all before the Corona Crisis. For the most part, those on both sides of the divide have cooperated, but there’s growing tension in spite of our shared danger. It’s in evidence during the daily COVID-19 press conferences which are frequently interrupted by snarky questions from left-wing reporters and angry answers from President Trump.


Though I’m not a golfer, I was miffed when Maine Governor Janet Mills closed golf courses. What’s the point? Golfers can easily maintain social distancing while playing and skip socializing in the clubhouse after. How is that any different from people going out for walks in the neighborhood? What is accomplished by the ban other than pissing off golfers? Tuesday I read in the Portland Press Herald that: “The City of Portland is closing two parking lots adjacent to the popular Back Cove Trail Tuesday to cut down on the number of people using the 3.6-mile path around the cove amid the coronavirus outbreak.”


The same day I read a legal notice in the Conway Daily Sun for arriving summer people in my town of Lovell. Lovell selectmen are telling those people they must: “…immediately self-quarantine for 14 days unless when engaging in Essential Services as defined in Executive Order 19 FY 19/20.”


Okay. I don’t like the tone, but it’s consistent with what most states are requiring of out-of-state visitors and property owners. But then the notice states: “A violation of this order may be charged as a Class E misdemeanor subject to a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine.” Thus the tone gets even more authoritarian, but it doesn’t stop there.


It continues with: “This order may be enforced by local government officials pursuant to their authority to regulate the operation or occupancy of buildings.” So, their authority to regulate how structures are built through Planning Boards and Code Enforcement Officers is now extended to enforcing when and how out-of-state property owners may leave their buildings? It goes on still fiurther:”The Selectmen will be monitoring visitors coming into the Town of Lovell and enforcing this Executive Order to protect public health and safety,” 


There’s no police force in Lovell. Will the selectmen be asking the county sheriff, the state police, or town constables to arrest violators? What about people who grocery shop in North Conway, NH? That’s out of state. Must they quarantine themselves after putting their groceries away. Instead of threatening to arrest people, how about just asking them to cooperate? That’s what has worked across the nation up to now.


Which brings me to another point. Am I the only one worried about the increasing power of government to encroach on our basic civil liberties in the name of public health? How easily will they relinquish power when the virus goes away?

27 comments:

Brian said...

I asked Tom once for an example of "snarky questions" from the press and he, nor anybody else, could do so. That's because it is just an excuse for Trump's obnoxious behavior with the reporters.

The last thread's comments also proved that Trump apologists were unable to defend Trump's horrendous handling of this situation in the all important early months, so moving on....I too am worried about the increasing power of government on our civil liberties, especially with a dictator wanna-be in the White House. It's good that we agree on something.

Jared James Bristol said...

No snarky remarks? How about the entire press corps squawking and screaming every time the President finishes an answer like the most ill-behaved kindergarten of horrors? Should the loudest and most obnixious be recognized? And it doubles when he says "that's it, thank you" as he leaves. I would boot anyone who does not patiently and silently raise a hand or who keeps on asking over and over. One question...done. A little decorum, no? I'd agree that Trump ought to shut that down immediately. I'd venture bedlam begets snarkiness. An example? How about when Jim Acosta physically resisted having the mic removed by the young female aid? Or when these so-called journalist are quick to pounce on some wording or tone of Trump's answer? "Snarky" could be called "rude and disrespectful" just as well.

Brian said...

I wasn't talking about press conferences from years ago, I was asking for examples concerning Covid-19 press conferences. Still waiting for an example.

As for the press respecting the president, respect has to be earned.

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

Anonymous said...

Bye-bye Bri-Bri.

Brian said...

A wimp hiding behind "anon" trying to secure their "safe-place"?

CaptDMO said...

"...and he, nor anybody else, could do so"
It's not that we can't, it's just that I don't waste any intellectual time on the ineducable, disingenuous,or insane.
Because...history

Brian said...

And yet, because of history, nobody has given any examples of snarky questions concerning the corona virus.

Tom McLaughlin said...

You nailed it again Captain.

Brian said...

And yet....

Brian said...

Going back to the last thread I now recognize the "wimp" as Jared, who's attempt at making points I have now responded to.

Kafir said...

Comrade Brian,

Cecilia Vega, ABC: “Why do you keep calling this the Chinese virus?”
President Trump: “Because it comes from China.”

The video puts the snarkiness into context. Google it.

Yamiche Alcindor, Jake Tapper, Jim Acosta and many others have also been wise asses for asking gotcha questions. Instead of pulling together, they’re acting as though this pandemic will FINALLY be the silver bullet to oust President Trump. Not gonna happen.

On day 2 of Bernie’s announcemnt to get out of the presidential race and funnel campaign contributions to his buds in the Muslim Brotherhood, I’m guessing AOC is despondent. What a beautiful thing!

Brian said...

I just watched the clip, not sure where you are seeing "snark". It was a valid question. At this point in time who cares where the virus originated? How does that help the thousands upon thousands now contracting the virus because of Trump's pathetic handling of the situation? It is a weak attempt at distraction and blame shifting. Anyway, if that's the best example of reporter's being snarky, you sure don't have much.

I'm unclear what your point is with your Bernie ramblings. If anything, his pulling out is bad news for Trump.

Kafir said...

“Do you [Trump] have any investments in hydroxychloroquine?” -Jim Acosta, CNN

Brian said...

We do know that his mutual funds include the company that makes hydroxychloroquine, but it seems pretty insignificant. But there are no grounds to complain about questions like this when Trump refuses to release his taxes. Who knows where his money comes from? Certainly not a snarky question, but one with some merit. You are really stretching here to find some "snark".

Brian said...

Maybe we will see the return of comrade Bernie if the Biden sexual assault claims stick..

Kafir said...

Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful if Bernie made a comeback?! Here’s an article that disses both the incompetence of the Leftist media and socialism at the same time:

https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2020/04/02/our-super-smart-elite-shines-during-this-pandemic-n2566111

Brian said...

Yes, it would be great. It is interesting that one of the few polls that predicted Trump's win in 2016 (LA Times/USC) are calling for a larger margin of victory for Bernie than most the other polls. They also predict Biden would handily beat Trump.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-6250.html

Kafir said...

The polls have very little value. We’ll just need to wait and see.

Unknown said...

I am not familiar with this group but it seems most of folks are quite simple minded. They are unable to defend their positions. Among us, at least some one is able to think critically and unbiased. Wow!

Brian said...

President Donald Trump said he would refuse to sign the $2.2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package if it contained funding for the United States Postal Service.

Huh?

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-rejects-bailout-that-included-aid-to-usps-report-says-2020-4

CaptDMO said...

Upon returning...I "missed" it the first time around.
Interesting juxtaposition in the photo of two Asian men, under different circumstances, in the war against an invasive enemy of the people.
The one from Saigon in 68 became a great bit of propaganda for the
useful idiots in the US.

Brian said...

Speaking of "Useful Idiots", that is the name of a great podcast by Matt Taibbi.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL0ooGQ0asg4upSXzZA1Oinn3ALqVCndA

Brian said...

How sweet that Trump, the pretend "Christian", wished us a happy crucifixion day. As it was people like Trump that wanted Christ dead to begin with, I suppose he would be happy.

Anyway, Happy Easter to all!

Brian said...

We all know how ballistic Trump supporters would have been had Obama ever pulled a bratty little dictator move like ignorantly claiming, “When somebody’s the president of the United States, the authority is total. And that is the way it’s gonna be"

But the actions of this clown have not angered his supporters (well, maybe privately) but they sure have silenced them, which I'm digging.

Unknown said...

The German national newspaper "Daily" published an article entitled "Trump's Scapegoat", saying that since the emergence of a new crown epidemic in the United States, Trump has regarded China and the US Democratic Party as scapegoats, and is now spreading his anger to the WHO. Bring serious consequences. In the current crisis, WHO should receive extensive funding from all walks of life. Trump's move will shake WHO's foundation. Trump does not seem to care about the international response, but only cares about his image and the successful re-election of the general election.

Unknown said...

Please open this link; you can see how “well” Trump handled with COVID-19 situations for U.S..

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

France did not handle COVID-19 well either but French President Emmanuel Macron’s primetime address Monday, in which he apologized for the country’s failings in handling the coronavirus crisis.

https://deadline.com/2020/04/french-president-emmanuel-macrons-coronavirus-tv-address-draws-record-shattering-35m-viewers-1202908516/

Unknown said...

Great post Tom. It’s rare to see this type of reporting in any main stream media. I don’t know about Maine, but NH has 1.36 Million residents. Currently with 48 deaths. Of those 48 we don’t know who dies WITH corona or OF corona. Or as Tom said, died and just listed as Corona. 2017-18 flu season, NH had 64 deaths (~17 weeks). US, in 2018 80,0000 flu deaths. Just math. One question. Did the non Covid flu that we see yearly just disappear? Did Covid magically eliminate the flue?