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Editorial
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Commentary
Billions For Boeing, Pennies For The People
BY JULIANNE MALVEAUX, NNPA Newswire Contributor
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The development of the $2.2 tril- lion stimulus package was ex- tremely flawed. The Republican bullies in the Sen- ate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, wrote the bill with absolutely no Demo- cratic input, then suggested that Democrats amend their legislation.
The first draft of the bill, unsurprisingly, was a goody grab for corporations with much less for individuals. Ini- tially, the Republican Senate would have given Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin a slush fund of $500 billion to assist troubled industries with absolutely no oversight.
The last version of the bill does include both monitoring and an inspector general to look for fraud and abuse. Re- publicans would have doled the money out to their cronies. But the Dems, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stood their ground. The stimulus leg- islation is better than the 2008-2009 bailout legislation; it is gratifying to see that the Senate rose above partisanship to get this done.
Republicans even con- ceded that Mr. Trump, his grafter family, other cabinet heads and senior leaders, along with their families, can- not benefit from this stimulus legislation. It is unfathomable that this provision has to be put in writing, but 45, a hotel owner, pushed hard for hotels and cruise ships to get bailout benefits, but some in Congress have apparently peeped 45’s whole card.
It takes extreme hubris for our nation’s chief executive of- ficer, who has used the United States Treasury as a piggy bank, to be as self-serving as 45 is. Good for Democrats for recognizing the pattern of dou- ble-dealings makes it clear that written prohibition of these shady practices is necessary.
Michigan Congressman Justin Amash, an independ- ent who used to be Republi- can, tweeted, “This bipartisan deal is a raw deal for the peo- ple. It does far too little for those who need the most help while providing hundreds of
billions in corporate welfare, massively growing govern- ment, inhibiting economic adaptation, and widening the gap between the rich and the poor.” The legislation is likely to be hundreds, if not thou- sands, of pages long. And it’s got lots of fine print.
For example, $17 billion in loan funds are set aside for “businesses deemed critical to maintaining national security. While Boeing isn’t mentioned by name, the Washington Post quoted a confidential source who says this money is partly set aside for Boeing.
This is the same Boeing that manufactured faulty, crashing planes. And they’ve imperiously said they will take assistance only on their terms. Some think the federal govern- ment should take an equity stake in companies that get bailout funds. Boeing’s CEO said he wasn’t interested in such a deal. If the feds wanted to play hardball, they’d force Boeing into bankruptcy, since bankruptcy doesn’t mean the cessation of operations, it means the restructuring of debt.
Meanwhile, there’s no helpful fine print for ordinary people. Sure, people will get $1,200 checks, plus $500 per child. That’s better than noth- ing, but compared to Boeing’s billions, it’s pennies. The abil- ity to get unemployment in- surance for extra weeks will also be helpful for those who lose their jobs.
More food stamp funds will be available. But there is some confusion over whether gig workers will get the benefit. Instead, it seems that those
who have good jobs will get great benefits, while those who have part-time jobs, gig jobs, or are unemployed won’t get much. As Congressman Amash says, this stimulus package will widen the wealth gap.
Inequality is at the very foundation of our economic system, so it isn’t surprising that the Coronavirus stimulus package reflects the biases that are hard-wired into our sys- tem.
We need committed, vocal, progressive members of Con- gress (Maxine Waters, Bar- bara Lee, Ayana Pressley, Bobby Scott, AOC, and oth- ers) to shine a bright light on this inequality, and to either modify the legislation or de- velop legislation to address some of these inequalities.
On March 23, Congress- woman Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced HR 6379, the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, that provides protections for workers and families mostly because the stimulus package does not. And there is a rush to pass the stimulus quickly as more and more people are out of work.
Stimulate the economy if you will, but don’t ignore the people on the bottom. If we are injecting $2.2 trillion into our lagging economy, make sure that some of it trickles down to the poor.
Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, media contributor and educator. Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.julian- nemal-veaux.com.
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Farewell To Rubin Padgett
oday, we join the communities of Tampa-Hillsbor-
ough County and the State of Florida in mourning the death of the late Rubin Padgett, Sr., Pioneer, Ground- breaker, Leader Emeritus. During days when to be Black and speak out were unheard of, Rubin Padgett’s voice, though never loud, was strong and clear, like a lion’s roar.
His place of business set high marks not only for Black establishments, but for professional excellence across the color-line. And when he entered the realm of politics, he stepped out big.
Supportive and leading roles of such organizations as the Florida Sentinel Bulletin Editorial Board, the Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League, the NAACP, the Tampa Housing Authority Board, Padgett went on to serve as the first African American Hillsborough County Board Commissioner, serving two illustrious terms. He was responsible for many changes in the community, state and nation such as the construction of three li- braries in his district (Palm River, Belmont Heights, and Thonotosassa).
Serving on the Tampa Housing Authority Board for twenty years, the Hillsborough County Aviation Author- ity, Padgett was a trustee on the boards of Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida.
He was appointed to the State Licensure Board of Nursing Home Administrators by Governor Reuben Askew, and reappointed by Governor Bob Graham. Rubin was also appointed to the Federal Healthcare Association by President Jimmy Carter. Padgett also helped formulate the Federal Bill of Rights for nursing home patients.
During the many years as a BOCC member, Padgett helped secure communities and institutions such as the University of South Florida, Sun City Center, the con- struction of the Tampa International Airport, the found- ing of the University Community Hospital, and the expansion of the Hillsborough County Health Depart- ment.
A lion among men and women who was never afraid to laugh, and whose winding stories were legendary, no doubt, Rubin Padgett will sit well on the Heavenly County Commission. But even now, we miss his smile, wisdom, and guidance.
T
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