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global1

(25,167 posts)
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:01 AM Aug 2020

I'm Beginning To Realize Why The Repugs Are Stonewalling Another Covid Stimulus Bill.....

It is apparent to me that the first stimulus - at the urging of the Dems - kept the economy from totally caving. Any good numbers we're seeing with respect to the economy I have to attribute to the efforts of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in standing their ground and getting the compromises necessary to get the first stimulus plans passed.

It just makes sense - the money that was put into the hands of the American People went right back into the economy. It wasn't put in the bank. People spent the money on food, utilities, rent and other necessities of life. So I give credit to the Dems on this.

I think what is happening this time around and why the Repugs are stonewalling this current stimulus negotiation is that Trump sees an opportunity here. A new con that he can take advantage of.

If Congress can't come to any agreement (on purpose because of Repug stonewalling) - Trump - by Executive Order - puts out the plan. And with 'timing being everything' and what he and the Repugs learned from the first go round of the stimulus - is that any money that the American People get - will be put back into the economy and be spent. The result is that the effects of such will impact the economy right around the November election.

Enter Trump here. Now Trump gets the opportunity to take credit for any positive effects of this stimulus by Executive Order. I can hear him saying 'It is because I'm such a great and benevolent president that the economy is doing so well. If we left it up to the Dems - we'd be in trouble right now and if you re-elect me - the economy will 'rock and roll' going into next year.'

So my theory here is that the Repugs are dogging things on purpose - so that Trump can - by Executive Order - push some stimulus through - so that he can directly take credit for any positive results come November.

Any thoughts here?

33 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I'm Beginning To Realize Why The Repugs Are Stonewalling Another Covid Stimulus Bill..... (Original Post) global1 Aug 2020 OP
You might be right samsingh Aug 2020 #1
tRump has no power to appropriate money. Only Congress can do that. stopbush Aug 2020 #2
Exactly! But he's too stupid to know that...maybe fist slamming meadows is too Thekaspervote Aug 2020 #4
he doesn't need it to work - that part is optional 0rganism Aug 2020 #25
Powerful? You give him too much credit while giving too little to the Average Joe. stopbush Aug 2020 #26
hell, i'm not saying it's *his* plan 0rganism Aug 2020 #27
Besides he took credit for the first stimulus anyway. Srkdqltr Aug 2020 #3
He can't allocate funds by executive order zaj Aug 2020 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author zaj Aug 2020 #8
Very Hitler-like... Wounded Bear Aug 2020 #6
He has also talked about a vaccine coming out around the same time as the election. Arkansas Granny Aug 2020 #7
I don't think it is that complicated, it's about selfishness with the repugs. Hotler Aug 2020 #9
Or maybe they've given up on the election and want a collapse. tinrobot Aug 2020 #10
It's called "sadopopulism" zaj Aug 2020 #11
Even if Trump could do that, the virus isn't going anywhere. kickitup Aug 2020 #12
Do You Actually Believe He Can Deliver?!? modrepub Aug 2020 #13
Putin wants economy to collapse! And chaos! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #14
THIS !!! They want revenge, old school Russians still blame US for communism collapse uponit7771 Aug 2020 #22
Yup! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #23
I honestly don't think they are that smart. As with Republicans during the Depression... TreasonousBastard Aug 2020 #15
It's going to be too late; 40 million Americans are about to lose their homes/apartments BComplex Aug 2020 #16
Since he can't run on a good economy, he will run on a bad economy, Baked Potato Aug 2020 #17
May be early scorched earth? durablend Aug 2020 #18
Need some more money for Trump golf outings? Yeehah Aug 2020 #19
Interesting theory DIVINEprividence Aug 2020 #20
I read that he's going to use FEMA money. octoberlib Aug 2020 #32
Trump probably got a big bribe from the loan sharks McCamy Taylor Aug 2020 #21
They're trying to sell suspension of payroll taxes by executive order as stimulus. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Aug 2020 #24
And, it's only a temporary suspension and most firms will still need to later pay the tax.... machoneman Aug 2020 #28
Trump doesn't have the power to do anything he claims he can do. Demsrule86 Aug 2020 #29
It can wipe its blubbery ass with its "Executive Order". It has no power Atticus Aug 2020 #30
It's possible but he's also cutting SS and Medicare by suspending the octoberlib Aug 2020 #31
The downside is that there are numerous GOP congressionals.... rlegro Aug 2020 #33

stopbush

(24,376 posts)
2. tRump has no power to appropriate money. Only Congress can do that.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:05 AM
Aug 2020

He can try to shift money from one program to another, but he has largely failed when he’s tried that in the past.

The $600 unemployment benefit costs around $15-billion a week. Where would tRump come up with that amount of money thru an EO? He won’t.

0rganism

(23,855 posts)
25. he doesn't need it to work - that part is optional
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 12:43 PM
Aug 2020

if he gets the money allocated, he can brag endlessly and present himself as a conquering hero

if he fails to allocate the money, instead he can blame Democrats endlessly for his failure and causing Americans to suffer

either way, he can accumulate goodwill and sympathy for the executive branch

this is a powerful strategic play, we should not pretend otherwise

stopbush

(24,376 posts)
26. Powerful? You give him too much credit while giving too little to the Average Joe.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 01:09 PM
Aug 2020

Most of the country believes everything he says is a lie. His lies are dying quickly these days as the Ds and even the media are calling him on his bullshit.

0rganism

(23,855 posts)
27. hell, i'm not saying it's *his* plan
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 01:42 PM
Aug 2020

clearly Donald J Trump has as much aptitude for planning and foresight as a rabid baboon; his advisors, on the other hand, are not to be underestimated.

you can tell me all about ungiven credit due to "the Average Joe" when Trump's averaged approval ratings are sub-40% for 2 weeks straight.

i've seen "the media ... calling him on his bullshit". usually, the first thing they do is repeat the bullshit, amplifying and normalizing Trump's craptastic messages. even news media unsympathetic to the asshole play into his hands with their standard (and normally quite reasonable) journalistic practices. still, most will instantly go hog wild over any rumor of a Joe Biden gaffe while letting the president get away with bragging about his covid-19 response. (note: "falsely claims" is not the same as "lies" )

Response to zaj (Reply #5)

Wounded Bear

(58,437 posts)
6. Very Hitler-like...
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:19 AM
Aug 2020

One of the factors in Hitler's rise was an inability of their legislature to accomplish anything, largely because the minority NAZI party exploited rules to basically shut down any laws being passed, and block anything being done. German chancellors/presidents used a lot of "executive action" in order to get anything done.

Thus, when Hitler got in and essentially fired the legislature, nobody really cared because hell, they weren't doing anything anyway.

It's Authoritarianism 101. All part of the playbook. Repubs have been seeking one-party rule since Reagan, at least.

Arkansas Granny

(31,483 posts)
7. He has also talked about a vaccine coming out around the same time as the election.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:19 AM
Aug 2020

That and a stimulus, even if it's just for show, might be enough to keep the koolaid drinkers in line.

Hotler

(11,353 posts)
9. I don't think it is that complicated, it's about selfishness with the repugs.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:20 AM
Aug 2020

it drives them nuts knowing that tax dollars (their tax dollars) are being handed out to lower class people.

tinrobot

(10,848 posts)
10. Or maybe they've given up on the election and want a collapse.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:21 AM
Aug 2020

Perhaps they want to hand the Democrats a huge mess in January.

 

zaj

(3,433 posts)
11. It's called "sadopopulism"
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:22 AM
Aug 2020

Identify an “enemy”
Enacts policies that create pain in their own supporters
Blame the pain on the “enemies”
Presents themselves as the strongmen who can fight and defeat the enemies

kickitup

(355 posts)
12. Even if Trump could do that, the virus isn't going anywhere.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:23 AM
Aug 2020

I don't mean to be a negative Nancy, but what Trump and his base refuse to admit is that this virus isn't "going away." Fall will be brutal. The IMHE just updated its model and is predicting 130,000 more dead by December. The economy is NOT going to do well regardless of any measures put into place by either party.

modrepub

(3,467 posts)
13. Do You Actually Believe He Can Deliver?!?
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:32 AM
Aug 2020

Everything this administration touches turns to S#$T on a shingle. He's so scatter brained and narcasistic he's utterly incapable of doing anything that takes some type of concentration to accomplish. He surrounds himself with flattering boobs (both types I'll add) who are just as incapable if not more so than he is. In short, he couldn't fight his way out of a gasoline soaked paper bag with a flame thrower. The only reason this race is close is because a large part of the electorate is convinced no matter how bad things are, Democrats are worse.

SheltieLover

(57,073 posts)
23. Yup!
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 12:39 PM
Aug 2020


Imho, this mess is not due to dump's incompetence, although he is an idiot, this is by deiberate manipulation.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
15. I honestly don't think they are that smart. As with Republicans during the Depression...
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:35 AM
Aug 2020

Hoover and Rs in Congress just didn't get it. It was inconceivable to them that assisting the populace could help things.

They let the Hoovervilles stand, except for the one with the Bonus Soldiers, but didn't do shit to help the occupants. They were no better than they were in the depression of the 1890s when Coxey's Army marched on DC.

And then Hoover ordered Gen. MacArthur to take down the Bonus Soldiers camp, with two of them shot an killed on the first day. Major Patton had a great time running his tanks over the hovels and Eisenhower, MacArthur's adjutant, was reputed to have said the "dumb sonofabitch had no business going down there pitting the military against veterans." MacArthur, btw, had defied Hoover's orders not to attack the camp.

BComplex

(7,980 posts)
16. It's going to be too late; 40 million Americans are about to lose their homes/apartments
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 11:06 AM
Aug 2020

if the relief doesn't come pretty soon. Landlords are already evicting people. The 5th of the month is usually the grace period for rent due for the month, before fines or notices start coming out. Some places it's a 10-day grace period (1/3 of a month), but landlords aren't known for giving renters a free ride. They usually have mortgages to pay, and the bank doesn't like it when people miss their mortgage payments. It's a domino effect.

Baked Potato

(7,733 posts)
17. Since he can't run on a good economy, he will run on a bad economy,
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 11:27 AM
Aug 2020

and try to play God with his Law and Order bullshit. He needs to have people with nothing to lose to come out so he can beat them down. Democrats probably will fight him hard to stop this scenario.

durablend

(7,416 posts)
18. May be early scorched earth?
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 12:21 PM
Aug 2020

If he loses he leaves a mess that even Biden can't fix
If he wins he can finish the country off for his master (Putin)

 

DIVINEprividence

(443 posts)
20. Interesting theory
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 12:32 PM
Aug 2020

It is my understanding that only Congress can appropriate money. He may be able to extend eviction moratorium for example but not much else. I think they are in disarray and are dealing with a GOP circular firing squad

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,064 posts)
24. They're trying to sell suspension of payroll taxes by executive order as stimulus.
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 12:43 PM
Aug 2020

What fucking good would that do for people who aren't working?

machoneman

(3,951 posts)
28. And, it's only a temporary suspension and most firms will still need to later pay the tax....
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 01:49 PM
Aug 2020

thar was suspended anyway. The rules a somewhat convoluted but firms know that their share must be paid later or face stiff fines. Point is, the temporary suspension only affect the worker....or better said, those who do currently work as the suspension does nothing forthe unemployed.

Read this: https://money.yahoo.com/coronavirus-stimulus-trump-floats-executive-order-payroll-tax-162254700.html

O.K. some basic math. Even if the employer does suspend the 7.5% deduction and passes it through to the employee, it's a pittance. Further, let's say our example worker gets paid every 2 weeks. At a nominal $30,000 per year, that's 26 pay periods at $1,154 each. Twice a month approx. $2,300. That 7.5 % cut then equals about $173 per month. Not so hot, eh?

Further, unlike even that paltry, one-time lump sum of $1,200 given before, the $173 per month won't even cover but a small fraction or rent, food, utilities, etc.

So why do it? To make SS, Medicare and even Medicaid insolvent, a long-held Republiscum wet dream.

Atticus

(15,124 posts)
30. It can wipe its blubbery ass with its "Executive Order". It has no power
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 06:42 PM
Aug 2020

to appropriate a single cent.

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)
31. It's possible but he's also cutting SS and Medicare by suspending the
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 06:48 PM
Aug 2020

payroll tax which will launch a thousand Dem ads saying so. Mitch McConnell was against the payroll tax suspension and refused to include it in the last bill because he knew that ads would be run against Senators.

rlegro

(338 posts)
33. The downside is that there are numerous GOP congressionals....
Fri Aug 7, 2020, 10:02 PM
Aug 2020

... who stand to lose if Trump unleashes his usual nonsense. They will in many cases feel compelled to reassert congressional authority over spending, returning to the table with Democrats. The cypher in that case will be McConnell, who then will have to come clean and go with the flow or back Trump. He's a jerk, but he isn't in league with Trump at this point because Trump will likely be toast in November no matter what happens or doesn't happen before then.

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