Sanders Calls for 'Unprecedented Legislative Response' to Coronavirus Crisis--Not Corporate Bailouts

[Uncle Joe]

Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising the alarm over the Senate economic stimulus bill being drawn up to combat the domestic effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, warning that the legislation is being unduly influenced by lobbyists and business interests—not the American people.

"Now is not the time to allow large corporations to take advantage of this horrific crisis by ripping off U.S. taxpayers and profiteering off of the pandemic," the Vermont senator said in a statement Sunday.

The $1 trillion stimulus bill is being drafted in the Senate and the chamber's leadership aims to vote on the legislation on Monday. Reportedly included in the bill are a number of provisions assisting industries affected by the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak—huge bailouts that Sanders said were too much to ask the American taxpayer for in a time of crisis.

According to Sanders:

Just in the last few days, we've seen numerous examples of lobbyists and their agents fighting for special favors: the airline industry is asking for $50 billion, the private space industry is asking for $5 billion, the hotel industry wants $150 billion, the National Association of Manufacturers wants $1.4 trillion, the International Council of Shopping Centers wants a guarantee of up to $1 trillion, Adidas wants to sneak in a long-sought provision allowing people to use pretax money to pay for gym memberships and fitness equipment—even when many gyms and retail stores are closed nationwide, and corporate pork producers are using the coronavirus to push Congress to expedite guest worker visas, even at a time when international travel and immigration is largely shut down.

(snip)

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/22/sanders-calls-unprecedented-legislative-response-coronavirus-crisis-not-corporate

[we can do it]

1. From his house? Why isn't BS in DC?

[Me.]

2. So Then, Why Isn't He In DC Working On This

instead of Vermont?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Has he come back to the Senate from Vermont yet?

[robbedvoter]

4. Is he in the senate or makes those calls from some other place?

[George II]

6. He left Washington late on Wednesday afternoon to "assess". Meanwhile most Senators stuck around...

...until Friday afternoon or even Saturday afternoon.

Leaders Dick Durban and Chuck Schumer were there on Saturday, speaking on the floor of the Senate.

[George II]

5. Don't talk about it, DO IT!!! Let's see some action, okay? Of course he has to throw in....

.....his "corporate" BS.

Guess who's manufacturing respirators? Guess who's manufacturing masks? CORPORATIONS!!

[Thekaspervote]

7. Exactly!!

[NYC Liberal]

15. That would require work. And, *gasp*, potentially compromise.

But nobody wants to work with him because it's always "my way or the highway."

[George II]

19. I'm just fucking TIRED of seeing all these lectures from a politician with virtually no action....

....being done about it from him.

All he does is fire these missiles from an undisclosed location.

[still_one]

28. +++

[mr_lebowski]

23. He's not complaining about money being given to CORPORATIONS

who are making masks and respirators.

Or are they in the list and I'm just missing it?

I have no problem with him raising the alarm about what these Corporations are asking for from home or anywhere else.

He doesn't need to be at the Senate to point out what unreasonable shit they're asking for.

This is unfair criticism, and he's making good points.

MHO.

[George II]

29. He has never been specific, he just bashes "corporations" along with "corporate Democrats"....

Of course there's also "Wall Street" (on which he has more than $1 million invested) and the "fossil fuel industry", neither of which he shies away from personally supporting.

[mr_lebowski]

33. The OP has a specific list of which industries are asking for how much, coming from Sanders

Medical Equipment companies are not in the list.

[George II]

50. Yes, according to him, but that's not from the bill.

[mr_lebowski]

51. All due respect ... whatever, man (nt)

[Cha]

64. Of course.. Excellent point, George. Not a time for "buzzwords".

[Blue_true]

71. Senator Sanders talks a lot about what is wrong. Other people have been the ones to make it better.

[mcar]

8. Maybe he should be in DC, working with the Democrats

who are fighting for a better package.

[NCProgressive]

9. If corporations go under, what happens to their employees?

[Uncle Joe]

13. They will find new jobs with other corporations, capitalism anyone?

In the meantime according to some proposals including Bernie's those employees should be getting direct pay from the U.S. government until this crisis subsides.

[Demsrule86]

16. And this is why most people don't support Sanders or his views...our economy would be destroyed.

[Uncle Joe]

21. and this is why many people do support Bernie or his views, in today's modern America

we have a myopic view of what the economy is, with corporate welfare reigning supreme over the best interests of the actual people, of course that's true in good times as well as bad.

[George II]

34. Not as many as support Biden, and as we're seeing not as many as have in the past....

If things continue as they appear, he'll do much worse than his first time.

[Demsrule86]

61. Exactly, Sanders would have allowed the banks and autos to fail in 2008...that is all I need to know

about whether I would ever support him in a primary...and the answer is never.

[Demsrule86]

60. Sanders is being destroyed in the primary...

You need an economy and you need jobs. This is why I won't vote for candidates like Sanders ever in Primary. I am pragmatic and believe in regulated capitalism and want leaders who understand the importance of a good economy.

[mr_lebowski]

25. Why would paying the workers directly destroy the economy?

It's the same bailout.

Pay the corporations directly the f****** executives will line their pockets and give the workers as little as possible.

Let the executives take the pay cuts, they're the 'captains of the ship', and they're the ones responsible for not having set aside funds for emergencies like this.

Personally I like Bernie's plan better.

[Demsrule86]

58. It is not about paying the workers...it is the irrational hatred of all business.

The economy would be destroyed. People need jobs.

[mr_lebowski]

62. Agreed. What we should all be looking for is LOANS with strict rules about payback ...

And no executive bonuses or stock buyback, under threat of CRIMINAL penalties, where executives will be accountable, and their own personal fortunes are at risk. And considerable worker pay protections, including insurance payments for one year for everyone laid off.

Only then ... am I cool with these trillions being handed out.

And I don't think that's going to happen under Cheetolini and The Turtle.

[NCProgressive]

24. "Other corporations" cannot be created overnight

especially when they require a serious infrastructure like auto manufacturers and airlines.

It is the height of lunacy to think that by making existing corporations go under, new ones would pop-up like mushrooms.

This demonstrates that Bernie's policy is not rooted in any empathy for workers but is a reflection of his personal hatred of successful companies and rich people who start and manage them.

I see no reason not to bail out corporations with strings attached like Obama did -- loans at above market rates collateralized by a substantial stock in the companies. It will save millions of jobs for "working people" who Sanders seems to champion for.

[mr_lebowski]

26. Methinks that part of the post was sarcastic and you missed it ...

Also, remember the bank bailouts? And those were done with a Dem House and Senate.

It was executive bonuses all around.

You think Trump and a Repub-controlled Senate is going to make an Obama-like policy (Dems controlling both Houses at that time as well)?

C'mon now.

[NCProgressive]

31. No ... the post I was responding to stated

that employees will be paid directly but corporations would be let go under. Now, if the corporations go under, who pays the corporation's creditors, vendors, landlords, non-salaried people like dealers?

It is naïveté packaged inside populism with ZERO economic thinking behind it.

[mr_lebowski]

40. I'll let the person you're responding to reply ...

My take was that the 'go work for other corporations' was not a serious suggestion but I could be wrong.

We COULD help the corporations ... but also the workers directly.

The most important thing in my view is that they're not helped for free ... they need to give up stock and these need to be LOANS that need to be paid back.

If corporations can't be responsible enough with their money and savings to survive major slowdowns such that the taxpayers have to bail them out, then maybe they are a flawed business model.

Us regular folks are expected to do just that ... on a LOT LESS.

Maybe there's really NOT enough money in these businesses to pay the top people hundreds of 1000's or millions/year.

Maybe they need to be taught that lesson the hard way.

[NCProgressive]

43. I'm not holding my breath for a cogent and succinct, economics driven response.

[The Magistrate]

35. So Proclaimations By Sanders, Sir, Make Even Less Difference Now

Bean breeze, nothing more.

[The Magistrate]

32. True, Sir

Loans with strict conditions, and a receiver's oversight, would be an excellent way to handle the aim, combined with direct payments to people out of work or on short hours. The objection by business types to the latter makes little sense to me --- the money paid to people out of work or on short hours will wind up in their coffers anyway. People will spend it, and someone will profit every time they do, all along the line. 'Relief' programs don't subsidize people, they subsidize businesses people patronize with the funds 'relief' provides people.




"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[mr_lebowski]

47. So we are in agreement (see post 40) :) nt

[The Magistrate]

52. Broadly, Yes, We Are, Sir

I thought President Obama ought to have been far stricter with the banks. In fact, that was one instance where what would in effect be direct payment to people would have worked well --- aid to the banks being paid back in the form of credit to outstanding mortgage accounts.

[Uncle Joe]

37. No one is making existing corporations go under,

it's a natural occurrence of a capitalistic driven economy.

There will be new corporations that pop up driven by the profit motive, someone will need to create supply for the peoples' demand; if the government has propped up the people with the ability to dictate demand by paying them during this crisis.

However just helping marginal corporations stay afloat is too narrow a remedy for the malady, there simply won't be enough demand in allowing those businesses to flourish and millions to tens of millions of American will suffer greatly.

[NCProgressive]

38. lol

[Uncle Joe]

39. lol

[Demsrule86]

73. This is not a natural occurrence...it is a fucking emergency...you may want to live through a

depression, I do not...And again this is why I don't support Sanders...he would never be able to deal with the economy. His views are very rigid and anti-business. People need jobs.

[Uncle Joe]

77. Pandemics are a natural part of the human condition and as such are part and parcel

of any economy or a the very least any forward thinking, sensible political, economic leaders should keep it in consideration.

Corona virus is not the first and it won't be the last.

[Uncle Joe]

10. It's amazing how many people don't understand the concept

of working from home....especially nowadays considering the subject material of the OP.

[George II]

11. It's amazing how people don't understand the concept of "Action speaks louder than words"! Sanders..

...is a Senator, he can't "work from home", especially since the Senate will be in session at 2:00 PM this afternoon. I'm curious if he's going to be there this afternoon?

Even Joe Biden, who right now is a private citizen, has been doing more.

[Uncle Joe]

18. I haven't heard much of anything from Joe as of late in

dealing with this corona virus?

[George II]

45. If you haven't, then you haven't been reading the right sources. Common Dreams will never....

...say much positive about Biden, nor will Jacobin.

Even if he said nothing (which is FAR from the truth!) remember - he's a private citizen. He can't introduce anything in the Senate, he can't go to the floor of the Senate and debate with the republicans.

Why has the Sanders campaign and his supporters suddenly come up with this FALSE claim of "we haven't hear anything from Joe", "where's Joe", blah blah blah.

Did you miss this, among many other proposals and statements he's made since the last three primaries:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287678918

[George II]

54. There's also this:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287681381

All we've seen from Sanders is tweets saying "we can't....", "we have to.....", "we should.....", etc.

[Demsrule86]

14. The Senate is not working from home...just Sanders. I have no interest in any words from his lips

except...I concede and endorse Joe Biden.

[Uncle Joe]

53. Not Rand Paul

Washington (CNN)Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the third member of Congress and the first US senator to be diagnosed with Covid-19.

(snip)

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/politics/coronavirus-test-positive-lawmakers-list/index.html

Perhaps the Senate should be working from home, I see no reason as to why they would be any more immune to the Corona Virus than any other business or institution.

[Demsrule86]

56. He is sick...what is Sanders' excuse? Drop out and endorse...Sanders is dead to me at this point..

I won't forgive him for helping Trump by not conceding during a national emergency. We need to be able to turn to the General and Sanders supporters are still attacking Biden...don't kid yourself.

[MineralMan]

55. Senators can't "vote from home."

Why isn't Bernie at the Senate, Joe?

[Uncle Joe]

68. They can if they decide to.

I believe Bernie is doing what every conscientious American is doing reducing his and the public's' exposure to the corona virus.

The Senate knows what Bernie stands for what he supports and what he doesn't, they have telephones, Internet and all those wonderful features, if it came down to a vote, Bernie could be there in hours.

[Demsrule86]

12. From his house...just blasting the bill ...not doing anything really...more talk talk and talk.

[comradebillyboy]

44. He only knows how to oppose. He is incapable of being

constructive or helpful. His only skill is throwing stones from the sidelines.

[Demsrule86]

57. That's it.

[W_HAMILTON]

17. But will there be musical guests tho?

[msongs]

20. good for him. he should endorse liz warren's 8 steps manifesto nt

[The Magistrate]

22. No One Cares What He Says, Sir

People care what he does, and he does nothing except strengthen the hand of the Republican party.

He is hardly leading on this, Professor Warren is as usual way ahead of him, and she is far from alone, you may be sure. She actually has allies, and people pay some attention to her.

Useless as teats on a boar hog....





"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[comradebillyboy]

48. "Useless as teats on a boar hog"....

As always. Bernie stands on the sidelines and complains about the folks actually working on the problem. He doesn't know how to do anything else. Even the stinking Republicans are more productive.

[jmowreader]

27. Sorry Bernie, your anti-corporate act won't work here

In legal terms, what we are going through is a “force majeure” - an occurrence beyond the control of either party in a contract. Businesses aren’t at risk of failure because of bad investments, embezzlement or corruption, but because the 21st Century Bubonic Plague hit.

“You’re incorporated? Fuck you, I hate corporations; you deserve everything that happens to you” is not what we should be doing - and it is most definitely not what Sanders should be advocating.

We need tight controls over bailout funds to ensure none of the money goes to stock buybacks and executive bonuses...but helping companies get back on their feet is the right thing to do.

[The Magistrate]

63. Well Said, Sir

Incorporation is, at bottom, simply how investment is pooled beyond the means of a single individual or family. Like fire 'a good servant but a bad master', yet there is nothing inherently pernicious in the concept.

[jmowreader]

65. It also offers a lot of protection to an honest businessman

The nice thing about the corporate veil: if you get a malicious and deep-pocketed customer who decides to sue you for no good reason, incorporation (in many but not all cases - there is a process by which the corporate veil can be pierced, but you must have really screwed up to have that happen) keeps this person from taking your house and other personal assets.

And a nice compliment from The Magistrate? I'm verklempt. Thank you, sir.

[MineralMan]

30. Bernie: Your call for action would be more effective from the Senate.

I understand that you are in Vermont, rather than in DC. There's stuff going on in the Senate, Senator Sanders. Perhaps you should be there.

[beastie boy]

36. You're a US Senator, Bernie: stop talking and do your job. Don't dream it, Be it!

[NCProgressive]

41. Doesn't commondreams realize that it is all over for Sanders?

The tribe has spoken ...

[Magoo48]

46. Does this mean you support corporate bailouts?

[NCProgressive]

49. I support them the same way President Obama did

The "bailout" shall be a debt at above market rates collateralized by equity and control in those corporations.

"The people" (that would be you and I and other august members of taxpayers of America) made money from the past bailouts -- as much as 107 billion dollars between 2008 and 2013.

[Magoo48]

42. Yes indeed. It should go without saying, yet, isn't said Nearly enough.

[Gothmog]

79. How do you hold a round table on COVID 19 with no medical experts?

Link to tweet

[BeckyDem]

59. Thank you, Bernie.

[BlueIdaho]

66. Put your ass where your mouth is...

If you want to promote legislative fixes you need to be sitting with the decision makers - not back home in Vermont.

[comradebillyboy]

67. Where is Bernie?????

Certainly not doing his job in the Senate.

[BeckyDem]

69. Harvard College Students for Bernie @Harvard4Bernie: In one month, the fed will have lent out the

Link to tweet

[Uncle Joe]

70. Thanks for the addition BeckyDem.

[Demsrule86]

72. Sure let all the companies fail...who needs jobs?

[Demsrule86]

74. The usual...'unprecedented'...what does that even mean...no details...nothing useful.

[Hekate]

75. Fine. But where is he when the Senate is negotiating and voting?

[RandySF]

76. Why is he in Vermont instead of DC?

[Gothmog]

78. #WhereIsBernie is trending on twitter

Link to tweet

[NBachers]

80. Is the legislator in the Legislature legislating his 'Unprecedented Legislative Response'?