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Hekate

(96,038 posts)
21. Recommended reading: Andrew Yang's "The War on Normal People"
Tue Mar 17, 2020, 02:19 PM
Mar 2020

You know he recommends an automatic life-stipend for all adults, an allowance if you will. I have not yet read his book, but my husband has, with great appreciation. What I have to say is in the sphere of common knowledge, and things I learned at DU.

My husband and I are in our 70s and comfortably off, having worked our way up from blue-collar public-school childhoods in aspirational families. Our kids are not well off. They inherited a broken system -- not our fault and certainly not theirs. There is more scrambling going on than we knew. The fact that we are okay and don't need the money being talked about doesn't mean they don't.

You DUers know all know that most people in this country are one paycheck away from disaster. It's that bad. In fact, over the years we've gotten to know DUers who are just scraping by in their own lives. Other DUers are well off to various degrees -- all good Dems.

Back when Dubya got rid of the budget surplus left to him by Bill Clinton, things were sunnier. I took the money sent to us by Dubya and split it between Planned Parenthood and a local group dedicated to liberal causes.

Now? I'd split it between my adult kids, and hope.

As it is, I am wondering what to do about the cleaning ladies who come into my house every two weeks. They work hard for the money & I appreciate what they do. They are also in the category of workers in America with little or no safety net. I've decided I really need to lay them off for at least a month -- and I've decided to give them half-pay instead of no pay. I hope that's right.





Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I'm looking at a 25% pay cut sarisataka Mar 2020 #1
I'm an ed tech and hubby is self employed. Food is eventually going GreenPartyVoter Mar 2020 #7
I think my income will remain stable but my husband's is going to tank. femmedem Mar 2020 #2
Other: dont need it but will take it and give to someone I know who does GusBob Mar 2020 #3
Great choice - this is what I want to do as well. jmbar2 Mar 2020 #8
That is an excellent choice! csziggy Mar 2020 #47
Yes! Or donate to food banks OhNo-Really Mar 2020 #49
I've lost more than half my income because client is in lockdown in assisted care facility. MerryBlooms Mar 2020 #4
Are they proposing giving it to everyone? I thought they were just talking about workers? 50 Shades Of Blue Mar 2020 #5
I'm self employed,entire SS check goes to rent, I'll have nothing for food,gas, anything. BamaRefugee Mar 2020 #6
The check is in the mail....EMPTY PROMISE FarPoint Mar 2020 #9
Yes, a HOAX. Sugar Smack Mar 2020 #20
I don't need it , but... duforsure Mar 2020 #10
Have already offered to help with house payments for relatives lettucebe Mar 2020 #11
That's super sweet! MissB Mar 2020 #35
It would help me quite a bit. Turin_C3PO Mar 2020 #12
I need it unfortunately. hamsterjill Mar 2020 #13
Have my doubts we'll see anything soon.... Happy Hoosier Mar 2020 #14
It's a pittance, not near enough. Brainfodder Mar 2020 #15
I chose "it will help me a lot" musette_sf Mar 2020 #16
I'll be passing it on to the local food bank. Delmette2.0 Mar 2020 #17
My vote was to Pass... Talitha Mar 2020 #18
I think it's a HOAX. Sugar Smack Mar 2020 #19
Recommended reading: Andrew Yang's "The War on Normal People" Hekate Mar 2020 #21
That's a heartbreaking choice jmbar2 Mar 2020 #23
my thoughts are Skittles Mar 2020 #22
I'll take it, right now we have a fairly heavy debt load Amishman Mar 2020 #24
Same situation as you. nt ooky Mar 2020 #25
I don't really need it, but my unemployed 22 year old son needs it to pay rent... ARPad95 Mar 2020 #26
I don't see it as a "giveaway" Pachamama Mar 2020 #27
I am a little leery of the possibility of a lay off at my employer but Thomas Hurt Mar 2020 #28
I voted for first choice, kozar Mar 2020 #29
A big part of my income is from my rentals Rorey Mar 2020 #30
I'll donate it to charity. Something like Doctors Without Borders. lunatica Mar 2020 #31
I would really like to see people that do not need it, be ethical enough not to take it. I am LizBeth Mar 2020 #32
Reading the replies I want to amend what I said. Those talking passing it forward is wonderful. LizBeth Mar 2020 #33
We are feeling the same. redstatebluegirl Mar 2020 #34
is it a national fund? jmbar2 Mar 2020 #37
Trying to figure out the best way to give it away jmbar2 Mar 2020 #36
You might need it...this is all just starting... cbdo2007 Mar 2020 #38
My wife is out of work because of the Codeine Mar 2020 #39
Daily Kos just started a fund for workers hurt by the Coronavirus jmbar2 Mar 2020 #40
I will give to Democratic candidates that don't lie to us. gibraltar72 Mar 2020 #41
I will be leaving my office soon xmas74 Mar 2020 #42
I don't need it, but I know plenty of needy people I could give it to. HeartachesNhangovers Mar 2020 #43
My last paid day was Friday... Upthevibe Mar 2020 #44
So sorry to hear that jmbar2 Mar 2020 #45
Need another option for me... Wounded Bear Mar 2020 #46
You need it jmbar2 Mar 2020 #48
I know a lot of folks are in my situation or worse... Wounded Bear Mar 2020 #50
If I get money handmade34 Mar 2020 #51
If I receive it cilla4progress Mar 2020 #52
If there is a giveaway, Staph Mar 2020 #53
I live on SSDI and don't actually need it but if they offer, I'll take it. Kaleva Mar 2020 #54
my guess is they won't KT2000 Mar 2020 #55
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