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Be that as it may, the fundamental fact of the situation is that money does not grow on trees and unemployment benefits don't really work if you have double dig
by m0zg 6y ago
Be that as it may, the fundamental fact of the situation is that money does not grow on trees and unemployment benefits don't really work if you have double digit percentage of the unemployed. It especially doesn't work if, by closing the factory, you're putting all of its supply chain out of work as well. Also, in order for there to be stuff, someone has to make stuff.
- mikeyouse 6y agoSadly, this is a uniquely American failing. If you can't provide supports for people during a once-in-a-generation pandemic but have no problem taking out $20 Trillion in debt during normal times, things are seriously broken.
- m0zg 6y agoI think you will soon discover that it's not a "uniquely American failing", but a fact of life that applies everywhere. I don't see how it's even up for debate that you can't stop the economy for six months and avoid severe repercussions, including deaths, for years to come, and that the government can't just will the stuff (food, goods) into existence with no work required from the population.
- SpicyLemonZest 6y agoAll rich countries can support people for a bit, and the US is doing that, although the mechanisms that it's using I agree are not exactly ideal. In the long term, you can't subvert the fundamental fact that the economy is what allows people to obtain goods and services. If a country cuts production in half for a year, it won't be able to provide the standard of living to which its citizens are accustomed, no matter what financial wizardry is involved.