The Republican'ts in Congress have decided to make the stimulus package ours. Three senators make up the entirety off crossover votes for the bill. Early reactions to Obama's plan to rescue homeowners trapped in "underwater" mortgages indicate the same degree of bipartisanship can be expected on that measure.
Listen to the radio. Watch C-SPAN. Read the letters to the editor in your local paper. Republicans are united. They've made the plan Obama's and the Democrats' and hung their hopes on its failure. Only in total economic devastation do they see any hope of political resurrection.
It is safe to assume that their allies in the business world are, to the extent they can afford it, willing to go along with this plan to regain ascendancy by destroying what remains of our way of life. There is little realistic hope that the giants of industry and finance will be going out of their way for workers and homeowners.
So it's up to us.
Drag, huh? We Democrats and progressives are going to have to shoulder the burden and save this country and its economy on our own. How in the name of purple hulled peas are we supposed to do that?
The biggest problem we face right now is frozen money. Banks won't lend, firms won't hire, people can't buy. So we, the people are going to have to thaw out what dough we can. With no economic credentials and a broke son of a joke myself, here are my thoughts.
If you are a business owner, large or small, get something rolling. Buy some raw stock, start a new project, anything you can. Meet with your employees and discuss what realistic sacrifices people can tolerate with the aim of hiring or retaining at least one person. Bet on people. They won't let you down.
Even as an individual, in the smallest ways, you can help get the cash swirling again.
GF and I have been stumbling through renovating our house since we moved in. Yesterday, after a close and painful look at our finances, we called in our friend Todd to hang a couple of doors, float some sheetrock and lay a floor. We can scarcely afford it, but Todd has a crew of several good, hardworking employees who need to be kept on the job.
Whatever your circumstances, there may be something you need help with that you can afford, even if it's only temporary. That guy who's always coming around asking to cut your grass? Take him up on it, at least once. Your friend who started the business organizing people's houses? Try her.
HIRE SOMEONE. FOR SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
God knows you can't afford it, but try. Unfreeze what dough you can, so that others can also.
I was struck by Blank Frank's diary, All right, I'm asking: What CAN I do for my country? last night, a straight-ahead, honest plea for ideas of how one person can turn this Titanic around. The postings there showed a lot of thought and good will, but seemed tilted to volunteer and non-profit endeavors.
I would very much like to hear kossacks' thoughts on how individuals, groups and businesses can un-molasses the economy from the ground up, one person, one frozen dollar at a time.
Remember the proud creed that got us here: YES WE CAN.