RECOVERY IS CERTAIN, BUT IS IT “V” OR “U” SHAPED? GUEST COLUMN BY DR. CHARLES TRZCINKA
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENT
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY APRIL 15, 2020) — The health aspects of COVID-19 have dominated the concerns and coverage, but eventually the virus will be conquered. No harm, no foul, except for the untidy fact that, while it’s relatively easy to shut down the world’s No. 1 economy, reviving it presents more challenges than a Gordian knot. The long-term effects on the market, capital, and finance lie beyond the crystal balls of even the most talented economists.
Speaking of which, THE PLANET presents a guest column by our good friend Dr. Charles Trzcinka, professor at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business. Dr. Trzcinka is considered one of the country’s leading authorities on financial markets and economics. He’s also a Pittsfield native. THE PLANET asked Chuck for his views with respect to the virus and the economy. Here’s what he wrote:
RECOVERY IS CERTAIN, BUT IS IT “V” OR “U” SHAPED? THAT IS THE QUESTION
BY DR. CHARLES TRZCINKA / Special to PLANET VALENTI FINANCIAL
Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
Until we know when and how the COVID-19 public-health crisis will be resolved, economists can hardly begin to predict the depth and the end of the recession that is now under way. Still, there is every reason to anticipate that this downturn will be far deeper and longer than that of 2008. Even with all-out efforts by central banks and dramatic government spending increases to soften the blow, asset markets in advanced economies have cratered, and capital has been pouring out of emerging markets at a breathtaking pace. A deep economic slump and poor financial market performance are unavoidable. The key questions now are how bad the recession will be and how long it will last. The current debate is whether the recovery will be V-shaped or U-shaped. If it’s U-shaped, how long with the bottom extend?
The problem is that we are experiencing not just a demand shock but also a massive supply shock. Propping up demand may contribute to flattening the contagion curve by helping people stay locked down, but there is a limit to how much it can help the economy if, say, 20-30% of the workforce is in self-isolation for much of the next two years. The US public-health response has been poor owing to a combination of incompetence and neglect at many levels of governance, including the highest.
Certainly I can imagine a more optimistic scenario. With extensive testing, randomly by metropolitan area, we could determine who is sick, who is healthy, and who is already immune and thus able to return to work. Such knowledge would be invaluable in opening some parts of the U.S. but keep others in lockdown. But, again, owing to several layers of mismanagement and misplaced priorities stretching back many years, the America is still woefully short of adequate testing capacity. Even without a vaccine, the economy could return to normal relatively quickly if effective treatments can be swiftly implemented. Certainly the economic incentive to develop these treatments is huge and should not be destroyed by government.
Absent widespread testing and an effective treatment, it will be difficult to persuade businesses to invest and hire, especially when they are anticipating higher tax bills when it’s all over. And it is possible that stock-market losses so far have been less than those of 2008 only because everyone remembers how values shot back up during the recovery. Scientists will know a lot more about our microscopic enemy in a few months. With the virus now racing across the US, American researchers will have direct access to data and patients, rather than having to rely only on Chinese data from Hubei province. Only after the invasion is beaten back will it be possible to put a price tag on the economic cost of doing so.
“Just because we’re dressed in blue doesn’t mean we’re presiding over a funeral” — MLB umpire Emmett Ashford
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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The debt ratio is much higher than past recessions. Last week, the U.S. national debt surpassed +$24 trillion. Total U.S. debt includes household, business, state and local governments, financial institutions, and the federal government: +$77 trillion! Go to: https://usdebtclock.org/
U.S. Congress and President Trump are no different than when Napoleon ran the printing press to finance his doomed European empire centuries ago.
Supply side economics from the 1980’s through today led to a “guns and butter” fiscal policy paid for by future generations and foreign governments. It is unsustainable!
Even if the U.S. economy recovers from this newest economic recession, eventually no one will buy our country’s future debts, especially because everyone else is and will be in deep debts.
FDR borrowed a lot of money in the great depression in the 1930’s, but he also knew that the underclass needed money, too. It is called “Keynesian economics”. The circle is now complete because we have a huge underclass once again, and if we don’t give them money, then they will only inherit tens of trillions of dollars in debts that mostly went to Wall Street.
The last revolution in the federal government was the “Reagan Revolution” with the absurd belief that the underclass would rise to meet the supply line. It produced economic growth, but also financial bubbles that burst into big recessions. For over the last 4 decades, the “have nots” made little marginal gains and huge losses, while the wealthy made huge gains.
My prescription is to have a new 21st Century economic revolution where we have universal income, universal healthcare, strong social insurance programs, home ownership programs, mandatory pension plans, and well funded public schools and universities.
In closing, it should not be government “Of Wall Street, For Wall Street, and By Wall Street!
– Jonathan Melle
Get a job sir, and contribute, then maybe I’ll listen to your sales pitch. Universal income my ass. I say if you don’t work and are able to,, then you don’t eat. P.S. if you can wipe your ass you can work.
I spent years of my adult life look for a living wage job. It never happened for me. My dad was a Pittsfield (Mass.) area politician when I was 20 years old in the Spring of 1996 until I was nearly 25 years old on July 1, 2000. My dad and I were treated unfairly back then. I was blacklisted from employment. However, I served my country Honorably in the U.S. Army, and now I am a proud 100% disabled Veteran. I am very thankfully our great country honors me. Otherwise, I would be poor and at risk of homelessness. I might not have a job, but I do have peace of mind. I hope to always be a good person who cares about everyone in our otherwise inequitable society. If I had the job of U.S. President, I would work to diminish our country’s huge underclass by administering social programs to end poverty in America. Don’t worry because I will never occupy the Oval Office. But, there is no higher office than that of the Citizen who defends the People!
We knowwww ! Welcome to the black list ! When people call you not-working, just accept it. At least you can spell. Onomatopoeia.
Over the last month, millions of American workers lost their jobs and health insurance due to the coronavirus. I feel sorry for all of the displaced workers and their families. Hundreds of thousands of people in our country have been infected by coronavirus. Tens of thousands of Americans have died from coronavirus. I am fortunate to be alive and healthy. I hope all of blogger Dan Valenti’s blog posters and/or readers stay alive and healthy, too. I hope the coronavirus pandemic ends quickly. I hope people will get their jobs and health insurance back soon.
Go to the food pantry and help out. Grocery stores are looking for help. You’re just a lazy person who thinks he’s to good to work, period.
JM-stop comparing yourself to those who lost work recently. You have nothing in common with them. They work, you don’t-end of story. It’s not because you can’t work, you choose not to. I will 100% guarantee a place like Wal Mart would hire you to greet customers or gathering shopping carts in the parking lot. You could show the store management your military training, by being able to gather more shopping carts more efficiently and in less time.
The problem-you choose not to work. And please spare me with your “military disability.” I too have been classified as disabled (wounded). I work with a guy who lost both legs to an IED, his vehicle ran over. The key, we BOTH WORK. As I’ve told you before, some professional help, medication, and a healthy life style, not only makes you feel better about yourself, but can make you a productive citizen.
Which brings me to you. Why have you never worked in NH? Your certainly not “blacklisted,” there. And if you are, buddy look hard in the mirror. It’s YOU!!
Now, to your universal income/health care, what about a wife/husband? Why just stop there JM? Why not have the Govt find you a bride? You want them to do everything else for you?
The bottom line is NO. I don’t want universal anything. Get off your ass and get a job. See what it’s like when you work for a living (not just getting a non-taxable monthly check) and having your esteemed hero’s (Pelosi, Chuck, Tyer-19) take large chunks (taxes) of that to support: The Kennedy Center, illegal immigrants, welfare rats, and on and on. You’d be singing a different tune.
Also, answer me this one ??? (feel free to step in TSC), when President Trump shut down all flights to/from China, Joe Biden (and other D’s) are on record calling Trump “xenophobic and racist.” So Biden, for fear of offending anyone would have kept those flights coming and going. So, was the President wrong or right?
Nothing you say can justify the Trump response. You believe Trump is the answer to all the people not like you.
Hard to see how anyone can give this post a thumbs down.
I am glad you answered your critic. I knew your dad and he was a fine man
I, too, has a long and good relationship with Bob Melle.
Hi JM. I never understand why your comments trigger everyone so much. I truly can’t figure it out. Maybe the Lovely Linda stuff but nothing else is particularly offensive. Most of the time you seem like a reasonable person to me.
Hey Willie Tellit. See if you answer this honestly. When was the last time you created an updated resume’, submitted it, competed with numerous applicants, often into the hundreds or more, sat down if you’re lucky with a condescending 20 something personnel clerk who like a trained monkey retorts,” we’ll keep it on file” ? it ain’t an automatic even with minimum wage jobs.
Jonathan is right about the debt being created, its a big number. But its like a 5’6″ 400 lb guy who has good blood pressure and cholesterol and adds 50lbs to weather a storm. People are buying this debt –including China– and interest rates aren’t exactly going up. We are benefiting from what the debt is being used for (checks, PPP,etc. ) “Wall Street” is only benefiting in that prices are rising, Wall St firms are not getting the cash.
President Trump just pulled off another brilliant chess move.This weekend he commented several times that he is about to make the toughest decision in his life. Indicating that he was about to restart the economy. Immediately the liberals and press said you don’t have that authority. Only State Governors have that right. Trump knows that if he opened it sooner rather than later the liberals will be all over him saying we told you so. And if he waited they would have criticized him for ruining the economy. As soon as the liberal Governors thought he was serious they got off their asses yesterday and are assuming the responsibility for restarting their states. They took the bait hook line and sinker. Now the President can sit back and enjoy the show. And when they totally blow the restart as all career bureaucrats do they will come running for Trump to rescue them just as they have the last couple weeks. I’m sure by that time he will have a well thought out rescue plan and show the country what a truly unique leader he is.
If you think Trump is brilliant, relax and give your seeing eye dog a good head rub.
There is nothing about Trump that is brilliant.
Not even the color of his hair?
It will be W shaped
It will be [eggplant] shaped.
RN, that would not surprise me.
Nice article. An 18 month recovery sounds awful, but Mr. T is the expert…let’s hope for an antidote sooner than later.
In Massachusetts, new cases are stabilizing. If not for Sunday’s oddball tally, we could have counted five days of decline in new cases.
April 5 764
April 6 1337
April 7 1375
April 8 1588
April 9 2151
April 10 2033
April 11 1886
April 12 2615
April 13 1392
April 14 1296
ICU admissions are down, the Predicted Surge hasn’t happened. Maybe it’s delayed; or maybe the models were wrong. Only time will tell…
They are not stabilizing at all. They are increasing but the testing is being slowed. They are done in batches. So daily counts as are off as is trending. When you see those increases, it just means they tested more that day.
A good number to see (which they don’t show) is total change in testing for the day.
The numbers aren’t real. They BHS has turned away dozens of people that should be tested.
They are only testing if
You are a first responder
Family member of a first responder
An essential employee who might contaminate others
Would require hospitalization
Their new mandate is, don’t test if you don’t think the person will need hospitalization.
This is all about a false flattening of the curve. Look on the Eagle’s website, our numbers are beginning to meet the States numbers per capita, if we can show our numbers are peaking, they can jump start the summer tourist season. Our entire economy is tourist based. We are fucked if the curve doesn’t flatten, the lawsuits against BHS are going to crush it. Expect more legislation to protect BHS management
This was brought up in the last post, but maybe you didn’t see it – what exactly is your motivation here? You keep claiming BHS numbers are intentionally low.
First, the numbers above represent the entire state. Berkshire County represents a very small fraction of those numbers.
What good would it do to downplay the seriousness of the crisis by underreporting at BHS? We cannot independently open the local economy without following state guidance. Why would there be a conspiracy to risk everyone’s health by making it look like the situation is much better than it is?
As a side note, your posts sound very much like the “voice” of another poster, one we actually haven’t seen much of lately and one whose posts I generally enjoy very much (So I won’t bother to say who). It’s quite curious.
And notice how Blare often blasts RN and PR
I thought you said Baker protected health care providers from torts related to Corona? I think BHS is awful and that option has nothing to do with current events.
I disagree with the wise CT about our health care system being the most advanced – it is not. It is the most expensive but the US is at the bottom of the western world in outcomes for many common diseases.
Bakers protection has a start date it is not backwards past March 2nd
Oooh. Thanks for clarifying. Everything in the USA feels like CYA.
Keep in mind that my salary doesn’t depend on how good my guesses are. My guess is as good as yours…
It’s interesting and well informed. I heard once that if you line up economists around the earth you could do that without getting two that agree. I think that is more an expression of the complexity of subject than anything else …
Trumps evening coronvirus update is now a political commercial as to how he stopped the virus.His voters want to consume this inappropriate use of our airwaves to inform his supporters of the message they will use to win in November…..He is a dangerous sick puppy.I know most of you agree with his strategy and you all like the new I dont dye my hair blonde for the wise statesman look……The real question becomes do you like Trump as a blonde or a gray?
More hatred.
Supply chain broken, couldn’t get the orange dye.
Trump had no hatred for Obama when he spent 2 year flying around the world telling all that his president was a illegal president not a born citizen of our country.Trump had nothing but love when he said John McCain was not a military war hero.You all supported him. Please inform us why you support Trump derangement.
My partner though there was something wrong with the tv when he saw frumpies hair today.
Wouldn’t it be glorious if we recovered from Wuhan Coronavirus and Trump Derangement Syndrome in the same year? Imagine the possibilities..
Get used to saying President Biden. Only that will only embolden all the jack hats around here.
I wish Joe all the best. I hope and pray that someone in his family pulls the plug on this fiasco of running for President and they focus on his health instead.
Kermit-really? Joe Biden can’t string a meaningful thought together. The D’s were easy on him during the debates. Do you think Trump will be? Not to mention, Biden has tied himself together at the political-hips of Barry. Once Trump starts hitting Biden with all of Barry’s lack of accomplishments: his billion dollar giveaway to Iran, his failed foreign policy, and not to mention his war on the police, Biden will fold like a cheap suit. And if you think Barry liked the police, reread the “beer summit,” that’s how it all started.
I actually feel bad for Biden. I think Trump will crush him in debates. Biden is past his prime and cannot think on his feet. You guys really want him leading the country? Or is this his secret way, to backdoor a woman (Kamala Harris) into the presidency?
Buffona Joe never had a prime.
I am not a Biden fan at all. I just think with the economy and corona the incumbent will lose. The jack hats I am referring too are the local swells.
Fox News is watched by 100% of the Planet.Brainwashing is not overcome by yourself.You watch it and you get angry at very thoughtful Americans you call Socialist.The word socialist is there for political reasons as they understand you cant see most of us all worked for the government or under a government contract.Or to put it another way,the white man is not getting a fair shake because of democrats. Keep Trump and those wealthy people in power and one day you might see that they are not on your side.Trump wants to send the congress home so that you dont get another stimulus check.
TSC
No group “watches 100%” of anything.
I feel pretty confident im right about the drive time radio Fox news connection Trump supporters view Fox at 100%.You may be right but if I was to bet 100 bucks tomorrow Iwould feel pretty good about that bet.
I don’t watch Fox. I was curious about Wallace on Fox criticizing Trump. I wish all over our papers and networks were more balanced. I can’t stand Rachel Maddow either to be fair but I almost never watch tv news. It’s funny as I hate the shouting but some of my typing here might be like shouting! Oi vey.
pop a top again tsc
Not seeing a Biden victory. Too old and showing signs of mental decline. Now an old sexual allegation is surfacing. My guess at this point is Trump wins, the Democrats win both the Senate and the House, impeachment proceedings and trials abound. Trump is impeached again and is found innocent again.
So much hatred
Trumps derangement wont get better.
I think the model your using on the TDS is even worse than the WHO’s on the Covid -19.
Limbaugh on fire yesterday talking about what Ol’ Eddie here says all the time: them “journalists” ain’t nothing of the kind.
Essentially the PR wing of the Dimocratic Party, if not actually in charge of it.
Very predictable: If Trump is for it, they’re against it; if Trump’s against it, they’re for it. Very simple, if not facile.
But who else can force the Dims to go running to learn something about the US Constitution? Whether they know what they’re talking about is another story, but at least they know what it is.
P.S. Does anyone really care about Jonathan Melle? And he doesn’t even live here anymore?
You wouldn’t know who he is or where he is if he used a false name like yourself. I may have in your gutless opinion but at least he puts his name with them..
Begs the question I asked.
I enjoy reading JM’s post. Don’t agree with him much but his comments are mostly thoughtful and well expressed (and he signs his real name).
We love and prefer actual names, though we understand and support people’s right to post anonymously. It’s a version of what we find when talking with local officials, Suits, names: Here’s the info, but on no condition may you attribute it to me.
I care about him and that’s why I respond to his diatribes. He chooses to be a victim and I try to get him to see the other way of looking at things, and become a victor instead. The key ingredient missing in his “give everybody a free ride” spiels is free will.
Fewer people have died from this ChiCom-19 virus … than the number of Polar Bears Al Gore predicted would die because of your morning commute.
Maybe that is because polar bears have better access to testing and ventilators than people in America do.
JA,
It is amazing how some do put animals before humans. Dogs, cats being left fortunes , dog house with a/c along with nannies to look after them.
Interesting article. We were looking at US minimum wage, MA is almost twice the fed minimum wage and yet before during the boom economy so many businesses in the Berkshires couldn’t get workers. We were worried the House of Taco (Tacooooos) would shut as they told us they could not get workers to show up.
For little jobs I have wanted to try to hire someone occasionally — I would be quoted $50 an hour for basic household chores like raking leaves or house cleaning. Things that I might do in high school to make cash – but jobs for some reason kids never want to do anymore. So, maybe the down turn will benefit more people than we realize?
Also, I would not be surprised if many Berkshire businesses don’t have a lot of liquidity. I doubt many are paying their workers to stay home – they never did benefits or paid time off. Maybe the business owners need to sell the boat or plane or take some assets out but isn’t that what a rainy day fund is for? No one ever seems to plan for a downturn – I don’t understand that. My parents talked about the depression all the time and taught us about savings. Now everyone needs two late model cars and too much square feet in living space and their kids get $100 worth of stuff every time they go to Target. Maybe we need a mindset recession?
Many Pittsfield small business s will get compensation checks from the mayor from taxpayer money. They are probably being printed now. I heard they had to reset the die so her name could be put on the checks.
She needs a stamp with her profile. I’m still chuckling over the Hollywood Squares comment, so funny. If everyone gets the same check maybe it’s fair. The 30 million Stanley squired away could be useful now.
They were missing Paul Lynde in the center square.
GARY MARSHALL: Paul, how’s the rat race going?
LYND: The rats are wining!
We were warned in 2008 that should another major recession strike that few tools would be left to pull us out. I hope that’s true and it forces us to restructure society wherein debt is a luxury that is used far less than as of late.
Thought the Pittsfield version of Hollywood Squares (CC Meeting) was hysterical last night. Wow! Pathetic, but funny! Although, it is the first time in a long time I saw a hint of a smile from Pee Pee Petie. Don’t know if someone was texting funny comments to him but he was fighting to avoid cracking up laughing. Mayor Linda Crayola must have cooked up some gassy food for dinner because she kept lifting her butt cheeks like she was farting up a storm. Moonbeam seemed to be having a tea party, Persip looked like he wanted to jump, Morandi was in slow motion like he smoked something, there needs to be a well-being check on Maffucio he sounded very weak, Yuki was in La-La Land they had to keep reminding her she was suppose to talk, Connell looked like he was in his P.J.’s lying in bed, yet I give both him and Morandi a thumbs up once again for asking questions. Mayor Crayola Linda’s new adopted son Morales seems to have caught onto the blame game, just spend money and lets blame Turocy. Bowtie Kerwood seemed much more comfortable lying to us in his private room. Was so glad that Chief Mikey Winn was able to attend and get off line in time to read his book. He did state on Facebook that he is “very worried” as he is running out of books to read. Chief don’t worry about traffic enforcement, crime in the City or protecting his officers. Biggest question of all, why was Gina Armstrong a no show during this pandemic?
Gina’s way to busy looking for smoking violations to be bothered by something trivial like a life threatening pandemic. When has the board of health ever addressed a public health issue not related to smoking, tattoos or body piercings. The Real Killers!
The Board, like so many of Pittsfield’s boards and commissions, has been notable for its inefficiency and ineptitude, also for its partisanship and politics.
Haha! That is an even funnier picture to me now.
Essential viewing, if you missed it, but also worth another look:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1249858152578920449
A classic! Trump 2020!
I suspect we will reach herd immunity before an available vaccine. There is just 0% chance people are going to sit in their homes until next year. I believe the public signed up for and for the most part has cooperated in flattening the curve, no one signed up for sitting home until Covid is completely eradicated.
H
If we achieve herd immunity — a realistic possibility — it will strongly suggest (if not prove) we should have let the virus take its course instead of shutting down the world’s No. 1 economy. As Dr. Trzcinka points out, there will be severe consequences from the decision to “shut ‘er down.”
No it wouldn’t. If you achieve herd immunity by killing tens of millions or hundreds of millions that’s not success.
It’s easy to second guess what happens when you are basically safe at home. If millions were dying you’d all complain we should have done more.
Mundane is the best you can hope for in a pandemic.
Holy exaggeration RN! Millions or hundreds of millions dead?
Death rate is way under a normal flu season! Get a grip!
Please keep in mind RN states millions or hundreds of millions dead. No wonder they continually state BHS is under reporting. While I certainly do not wish this on anyone after all is said and done you will see that the crisis was handled pretty much text book. feel free to go to youtube or the Hopkins website and look at the materials posted from Pandemic exercises that they have had in the past. while there certainly is room for improvement and lessons to be learned from this my fear is to many will get mired down in the politics of it all and will give little thought to any idea coming from the opposing political party. Simply look at the comments on here as a barometer of sorts.
Millions are hospitalized every year from motor vehicle accidents, smoking, heart disease, obesity, the list goes on and on. We don’t mandate people not drive, stop smoking, stop eating fast food, etc. There is a discernible risk in just driving to work everyday, or having a drink, etc. Humans analyze cost/benefit all of the time, and some other worse than others. The general consensus from a lot of people (especially now in MI) is that they are willing to take the risk in order to keep food on the table and a roof over their head.
Something I feel like people are forgetting here and I will probably continue talking about it. We look at the job loss numbers, and they are staggering, but figure for the majority of job losses, people also lost their health insurance. How many people are going to die because they lost insurance and now cannot afford medication to manage chronic illness like Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer, etc? Someone needs to start thinking about that.
Tens or hundreds of millions dead? You have NO idea what you are talking about. Stop peddling bad information.
Can lemmings get herd immunity?
Not liberal lemmings, they still jump the cliff
At a time we need strong leaders all we’re getting are a bunch of wimps. Take a look at the top of the heap. After 2 years when no one is left standing Obama and Warren surfaced from their caves and pledge support for Joe Biden. How brave.
There’s no one left standing. Where else could they go? At least Warren ran the race and probably is looking for the VP slot. She has no shot. Mass. is a sure thing for Biden so he dosen’t need her.. As for Obama, he wasted his endorsement by waiting too long. This is like telling a boxer who KO’d his opponent, “I’m with you.” What a bunch of pansy- asses who jump on board after they know the winner.
CHUCK
I agree. The belated support from Obama for his VP comes off as the move of a fence sitter and wind tester. Warren no shot at VP. Maybe a cabinet position heading the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Our money is on Harris as Uncle Joe’s VP choice.
Any choice short of an Andrew Coomo/white/man/governor type, and Buffoona Joe has no chance.
Michelle Obama could come around the corner and surprise everyone.
MOOOOOchelle Sotero……. That will get Americans up to the polls fast
Dan
That’s a good one; however, I think pale face Warren would not be cheered by any tribe because she speaks with forked tongue. Harris may well be VP choice because of Obama and the huge number of Calif. electoral votes. Big mistake, that Biden is very capable of making. He’s going to carry Calif and all supporters of Harris even if she’s not on the ticket. Of this, there is no doubt. His only chance of winning is to carry mid-western states, and therein lies the hope of Minnesota’s Senator Amy Klobuchar. If advanced senility hasn’t gotten to Joe, Klobuchar should his choice for VP.
Joe Buffoon is one sirloin short of a stroke. His VP better be seen as able to step in sooner rather than later.
Amy already pegged as personally nasty to staff–and she ain’t no Hillary . . .
CHUCK
I agree. Harris will be a “waste” because of what you mention. Uncle Joe should have California locked up. Amy K in Minnesota is a better electoral choice. My feeling, though, is that he goes with Harris because of her color. Joe’s already strong with the vote, and he will be looking to bolster that. It could, however, be argued that even there, Harris is a “waste” because Joe is expected to get most of the black vote. His best choice, overall, is Amy K. He’s going to roll with Harris, however.
My money is on Amy K. Joe needs her mental sharpness. As you said, the African American vote will mostly go to Joe.
Guess who’s third in line to be president after sleepy Joe & his female VP? Nancy Pelosi, madwoman of the Democratic party! Ee gads, that thought gives me nightmares.
Klobuchar would be an awful president and she looks awful in a skirt.
Clinton for veep.
It’s hard to trust the data coming out of anywhere… NY added 3700 to the death toll who never tested positive for the virus-
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/nyregion/new-york-coronavirus-deaths.html
Right you are, Free Bird. Key word is “presumed” to have had the virus. Mortality rate same as seasonal flu. Hospitals empty, field hospitals closing. Medicare pays $13,000 per covid, $39,000 if patient put on vent.
The economy should never have been shut down, and needs to be opened immediately. RINO Guv Baker fooling with the numbers & will drag his feet in reopening. Ohio & Michigan seeing civil unrest, as citizens seeing thru the charade & want lockdowns lifted. Maybe Baker needs to see some civil unrest as well. Business owners should be parking their butts on his doorstep until he reopens the state!
Maybe the editor in chief of the Berkshire eagle will do another piece on the grocery store workers,hmm maybe not that was a complete disaster tossing them under the bus. I would be curious if he has all the papers sanitized or the paper delivery people tested?
AW
Good point. A lot of people have to handle physical newspapers before they nestle in the home mail boxes of the readership. How do you know the carrier is clean?
What’s in your wallet, or purse?
I’d be more concerned with currency Dan. It moves around without bounds and is never sanitized.
True dat. And I am supposed to believed the dinosaurs were wiped out by a effing meteorite? Where is the data? Where are the eye witnesses? It is all speculation and revisionist history. But there is a laboratory in Wuhan where the T-Rex is being cloned from some petrified penis cartilage and may be seen in a zoo in a couple of short years. No they did not stop with Dolly. If you have ever seen the Chinese BODIES Exhibition you know what I am saying is probably true. Those guys like to fool around with that stuff.
Trump is aware of the outrageous padding of NY’s mortality rates. Just an excuse by Cuomo to delay opening the state back up….
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/president-trump-calls-new-york-padding-coronavirus-numbers-presumed-deaths-heart-attacks-coronavirus-video/
Could it be Cuomo playing Democratic hardball, running up the numbers to make The President look bad?
Jon,how many times did your dad call the local radio shows contests on the taxpayer dime?
I don’t know. I hope you win the state lottery jackpot. Good luck!
April 15, 2020
Re: Open letter to blogger Dan Valenti
Hello Dan,
I love reading your awesome blog everyday. I think it is wonderful that you allow “Freedom of Speech”, unlike many news media web-sites.
I support the lovely Linda Tyer in politics. While I do not agree with all of her policies and decisions she makes as Mayor of Pittsfield (Mass.), I admire her compassion for all of the people, as well as her commitment to Human Rights for All. If I were a politician, I would model myself after her leadership!
I oppose Donald Trump in politics. I believe he is EVIL! He had neo-Nazis work for his presidential campaign and administration. He divides people by race. His disparages Peoples and Women with racist, sexist, and demeaning language. His immigration policies are inhumane. He is a moral hypocrite of the highest degree. His economic policies are inequitable. Senior Citizens are afraid of his plans to cut social insurance programs that give the elderly their dignity.
I do not see myself as a “Victim”! I explained to you and your blog followers that my dad was a politician decades ago. My dad told state politicians on Beacon Hill that they are wrong to pick on Berkshire County Government when Boston’s “Big Dig” was running multi-billion dollar cost overruns. They used retribution against my dad and me.
When I was a Soldier in the U.S. Army, another Soldier was sleep deprived and jackknifed a 5 ton military vehicle into a mother driving her son to an elementary school in Germany. In Germany, there was outrage that a negligent on duty American Soldier killed a German civilian mother and her son. That Soldier was court martialed and dishonorably discharged. A month later in a freezing mid-January 2001 winter, my Staff Sergeant ordered me to pull many consecutive 24 hour duty shifts against Army regulations. A Soldier in my platoon threatened me by holding a steel bar to my head. I reported the incident, but only I was punished for telling him to “go to Hell”. Then, my abusive Staff Sergeant ordered me to drive a 5 ton Army vehicle over civilian roads. I knew what happened a month earlier, I was freezing, threatened, and sleep deprived, and I refused to comply with his illegal order. I had a mental breakdown. I received an Honorable discharge based on a psychiatric condition. In the Summer of 2004, the then sitting U.S. President, George W. Bush, ordered my a hearing at the VA Central Office near the White House in Washington, D.C. 4 years later, in the Summer of 2008, I was granted service connection VA disability benefits. I am now a 100% service connected disabled Veteran.
On June 7, 2007, I drove around a Manchester NH police officer and knocked over a traffic cone with my car to park in my car near my then downtown apartment. The county D.A.’s office indicted me on 2 felonies, along with 8 misdemeanors. I stood trial in January of 2010 in NH Superior Court in Nashua NH. The jury found me “not guilty” of the 2 felony indictments, but I was convicted of 2 misdemeanors: reckless conduct and disobeying a police officer. Last Summer 2019, the State of NH annulled my criminal record.
I have faced difficult circumstances in my life, but I take my mental health seriously. I follow evidenced based recovery mental health practices to live a rewarding life in my home, with my family, in my community, and in our great country that honors me.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Melle
Thanks, JONATHAN. We wish you and your family the best.
I wish you and your family the best, too, Dan. I also wish the best for all of the readers of your awesome blog. Those who pick on and dislike me are still treated kindly by good people like you and me.
Thanks, JM.
Liz Warren gives her endorsement to Biden today, but ominously adds that we will need to transform the country during a Biden presidency….we all know what Liz means….we will need to go far left socialist with big government controlling our every move and the far left having total control of all the money in the country which they will confiscate through high taxation using the excuse of this virus crisis to do it. Vote President Trump to keep our freedom and independence.
Speaking of socialists, did anyone get their socialist stimulus check?
It’s a measure taken for a virus, but this is the kind of thing that the far left wants people to believe should happen all the time. Government sending checks until the government breaks down and can no longer afford to do so. They don’t tell their followers that though. They just want to entice them with free money.
The hatred is palpable
still waiting for the fiat money
I got mine. Wasted money for many people who will blow it on drugs and gambling, even the kids portion. Nobody should get the money unless they lost their job under Corona.
If Trump opens up some states they are going to be mostly red states who agree to follow his lead. And when the virus explodes in the red states that open up, how many of his own supporters will he kill off? Be careful what you wish for Pat.
(no thumbs down will be accepted for this post due to its utter brilliance)
President Trump is too smart for that. He will follow the governor’s lead as to when they want to open up. He knows the game the far left is playing with this virus and sadly for many Democrat states it’s not all about protecting people from the virus. They have a political agenda of total government control and they want to make it permanent. They need to be watched just as with the warning from Liz today about her follower’s far left intentions for this country couldn’t be more clear. This virus came along (accidentally we are told) and it provides an opportunity for more government control.
Oh, OK.
Any updates on “the Homeless Hilton” and the spread of disease from there to South St/North Lenox?
Maybe have some “homeless” hookers walking the sidewalks of Rt 7/20 soon?
Make you want take out from Jae’s don’t it!!!!
Jaes is boozed to the public, they get paid $95 a day per person to provide food in-house for the patients and staff.
BHS back to testing only 10 a day it helps with the “count/rate” chart the DPH is putting out.
Pittsfield has over 300 cases of COVID alone. The rest of the county, about 230.
Well, for what it’s worth…
https://boston.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3859903/2020/04/covid-19-city-town-4-14-2020.pdf
BHSwas told the DPH was going to do a per capita listing
They have intentionally undercounted the county and in specific Pittsfield.
My motivation is so that people know the truth many of you act like everything is fine and we should open up the economy, everything is far from fine. All of a sudden the little city that was 4th in the world doesn’t look so bad. It’s all a lie.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/confirmed-covid-19-cases-in-ma-by-citytown-january-1-2020-april-14-2020/download
RN
Thanks. Even the possibility that there is a massive coverup should be taken seriously. Nearly all the anecdotal evidence that’s come my way from people “in the trenches” supports your contention, especially in Pittsfield. The lying emanating from City Hall tops the list.
and eventually the truth will come out and those people or organizations complicit in the obfuscation of facts will be badly tarnished. And we may discuss it all in detail if that time comes. Takes notes
Oh, you’re performing a public service, are you? Spreading bad info about the virus itself, spreading gossip about about conspiracies around every corner? No, you have other motivations. It is obvious and its why you have little credibility.
I didn’t mean to post twice..
No sweat, FREE. Maybe it’s a leftover from those Doublemint Twins commercials.
Elizabeth Pocahontas Warren demanding release of illegal aliens due to Chinese flu…..
https://www.newswars.com/sheriff-rips-elizabeth-warren-for-demanding-release-of-illegals-due-to-coronavirus/
If Pocahontas and any other D are so worried about the illegals, why doesn’t she donate a few million dollars of her own money? Lord knows she’s made a killing as a US Senator. She should offer to pay for the flights back to their homeland. WE DON”T WANT THEM this way. They have little to no education, little to no job skills, and we don’t know their true identity. They will flood the inner cities, or Pittsfield, and be involved in crime in no time.
Take some time and research gangs. Most Hispanic gangs started in CA, because they were sick of getting extorted and exploited by black gangs and white gangs. What do you think they’ll do in Pittsfield? No jobs, a failing school system that JIV can’t get out of fast enough, and a big demand for the drug trade. It spells disaster.
Liz has the coin. Time to pony up honey. Put your money (not mine) where your forked-tongue…I mean mouth is.
Let Lieawatha Warren put them all up at her place
The Baker administration is planning two more homeless “recovery centers” for the Berkshires, another one at a hotel in Pittsfield and one in Great Barrington for a total of five or six for the state. More may come online.
More sick homeless being shipped to the Berkshires. Why is that? “For a large city Pittsfield has done remarkably well in lowering its daily new case count.”
This is just a way for BHS to make mine while putting the community at risk again.
The new recovery center in the heart of Pittsfield will house “recovering” covid positive homeless. The one in great Barrington will do the same.
These homeless are all COVID positive and have additional problems including addiction “issues”, hepatitis,
RN, just curious, if you know. How are they transporting these patients to the hotels? Are they being brought in by ambulance, bus, Sheriffs vans or some other means? Thanks for all your honest input. Keep safe.
I have been watching pctv past mayoral speeches at inauguration, clearly Bianchi is head above heals as a speaker and just a tad better than the former Peter G overall. What the hell happened?
DGT
I agree about Dan’l B. Decent speaker, good man.
It depends. Most are brought by private ambulance. They have just started using the Sheriff’s vans but they had to be “upgraded” with a coating on the interior.
Your empathic position to keep the economy shut down so as to save the lives of millions of people is quite contrary to your disdain for people who are sick and homeless and in need of care. Have some compassion. Geez.
There’s no reason to bring homeless from across the state to the Berkshires for care. It’s dangerous and it has the potential to overwhelm our local hospitals.
They are bringing them here because they think we are doing a great job lowering the numbers, we are not. Our number are nearly 100% higher then they are showing.
Why not let the homeless stay in care facilities closer to where they existed? Why spend the extra money, risk exposure, and bring them to hotels where there are so few hospitals? They are unmonitored, can leave at any time. You mean to tell me there aren’t hotels in Springfield that are empty? Worcester? 9 new patients yesterday from the auburn area. They took them 10 exits to be here? Why?!?
Can’t find it just now but thought I read something this morn, maybe in the Eagle, that said Covid deaths at Williamstown Commons was “about 13”. What the hell does that mean? Somebody leaving a little wiggle room in case someone had different figures?
williamstown is a covid-19 hotspot
here is town by town cases, that were tested/reported
https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/coronavirus-in-massachusetts-see-how-many-covid-19-cases-have-been-reported-in-your-city-or-town.html
That would make half of the new homeless “recovery centers.” The Beautiful Berkshire = The State’s Dumping Grounds. You can bet there were sweeteners for “certain people” to agree to more of this.
Will Hotel on North be participating in the community love? It would be a shame to let this cultural mecca sit idle all summer.
Pictures and videos of this pandemic may sell well at some point. Park your vehicle in a prime spot and start filming. We may be able to make the next Woodstock-like movie juxtaposing the politicians with the zombie apocalypse right in the heart of cultural Pittsfield’s Artscape.
Dan, maybe you could contact our Reps/Senators and ask them about this? Smitty, Tricia BIG butt, hiding Hinds…….
Don’t forget to ask the woman/political wench hiding out somewhere in Pittsfield, she’s on good terms with the Governor, she said so…………..She might be on the lam with a guy named Barry. He’s often seen at Cumbys on 1st St about 2-3 AM.
Whose dimwit idea was this? Who approved it? Was our Reps/Senators even consulted?
When this pandemic is over, where will these wonderful people be turned out to pasture? Tanglewood, Jacobs Pillow, …….
We have the same complaint about Bloomington, Indiana. This city provides all sorts of services and has about 300 or so homeless who are aggressive in the summer. When the students show up in the fall, the homeless disappear. There is nothing like a couple of thousand frat boys to keep the homeless from being a big problem.
Hotel on North?
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. COVID was circulating freely for at least 2 months before the Chinese (and WHO) acknowledged human to human transmission. Interesting read here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/14/state-department-cables-warned-safety-issues-wuhan-lab-studying-bat-coronaviruses/
No one wants to hear from you after what you said to that husband. Fuck off
Which husband would that be? You are insane. I really do hope you are not a nurse.
While most people in the state are distracted by the coronavirus, your rotten Democratic lawmakers are submitting bills to allow mail-in voting – the most easily corruptible form of voting as no ID is required, there is no supervision of who is voting/sending in ballots, and, like absentee ballots, can be easily “misplaced.”
https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/coronavirus-pandemic-prompts-massachusetts-lawmakers-to-file-vote-by-mail-bill.html
Nancy Pelosi is also trying to prevent more aid to small businesses to retain their workers. Pelosi doesn’t want to help small businesses. The far left media covers this up though by focusing all their news today on President Trump denying money to WHO and what a big meany he is for doing that while totally ignoring Pelosi refusing to help American workers keep their jobs. They don’t want Americans to keep their jobs, but instead to have people dependent on big government by losing their jobs. Why else would Nancy Pelosi refuse to help small businesses?
Why does the Donald want all his supporters to get sick?
You’re getting Donald Trump confused with Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi is the one who had a big rally in Chinatown to show she had no fear of the virus on February 24th almost a month after President Trump initiated the China travel ban on January 31st. Nancy did the same stupid thing they did in Italy by initiating a “Hug a Chinese Person Day” because they believed China that this virus was no big deal. Nancy Pelosi then has the nerve to blame President Trump for the virus when it’s putting their faith in a Communist regime that is the problem.
Pelousey is a treasonous seditious traitor
She never even paid back fleecing the public for her stinky tuna (not the one between her legs), that she underpacked cans with water and made big $$$$. That would be STARKIST FOLKS!!! Her connections , made the payout/reparations minniscule compared to what $he reaped in ill-gotten wealth.
Ole Nick is waiting for her and it can’t happen too soon.
I think you have probably spent enough time in charm school to work for Trumps team. Pat seems to know him personally and could probably get you into his cabinet or perhaps even be made a judge.
I’ve never seen, nor heard the President say this. Please cite your source.
Bend over MA residents; Speaker DeLeo wants to advance his transportation bill which increases the state’s gas tax by $600 million. Hit us again, Speaker! Also waiting in the wings – a “climate change bill,” contents unknown!
https://www.massfiscal.org/massfiscal-responds-deleo-support-gas-diesel-tax
They don’t want Americans to even drive cars as the Green New Deal would get rid of private vehicles putting everyone on public transportation except for the special people, of course, who would keep their own vehicles and private jets. Far left weather channels and news media are getting so excited that, according to them, the water seems cleaner and the air clearer while Americans are in quarantine from the dangerous virus.
More thievery by the crooks on Beacon Hill. Naturally, the entire Berkshire delegation will vote as a bloc, “Yes.” Those are their orders, after all.
“You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out”
~ W. Buffet
Corona Virus exposes fraud
Three sets of accounting books:
1. Regulators
2. Investors
3. Managers
Are the numbers for Corona deaths specific to novel strain or just Corona in genny.
Anybody else of the opinion that the Cuomo brothers are just plain nutz?
Little bro Freddo has covid, but breaks quarantine, goes out & about & gets accosted by a biker dude. Then, Freddo whines about how much he dislikes his TV gig.
Big bro Andrew, who is clueless about running his state, panics over the pandemic, has a hissy fit & demands Trump send him 40,000 ventilators. Now, after receiving 1,000 – he realizes he has more than enough & is giving them away.
Maybe they were both dropped on their heads as babies.
News flash! Andrew has a brainstorm at today’s NY press conference! Masks should be worn!
Someone please tell the Guv that most of the country has been wearing them for the past 3 weeks.
And this guy wants to run for prez?? God help us!
April 15, 2020
Re: Open letter to Patrick Fennell
Hello Pat,
Berkshire County’s State Representatives Smitty Pignatelli and John Barrett III are still arguing for an increase in the state gas tax and other related transportation taxes over one month after they wrongly voted for the bill. On March 4, 2020, Beacon Hill had a rainy day or slush fund of nearly $3.5 billion after the last two fiscal years of billion dollar surpluses. It made no financial sense back then. Today, the tables have turned, and now Beacon Hill is looking at a +14% and dropping loss in state government revenues, which currently totals a nearly $4.5 billion budget deficit.
Hundreds of thousands of working people in Massachusetts lost their jobs and health insurance due to the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, the demand for social services programs is hugely increasing, which will lead to a big strain on state and local budgets. In brief, the state and local governments and economies are on the brink of financial collapse. There is no way out of this economic and financial crisis for Massachusetts without a federal bailout.
John Barrett III used to run the Pittsfield (Mass.) unemployment office! He should listen to the following quote:
“There have been hundreds of thousands of unemployment claims just in the past several weeks. That’s putting enormous pressure on state service,” UMass Dartmouth Public Policy Professor Michael Goodman said, citing a report that indicates the state could run out of money to pay jobless benefits within weeks.
The unemployment rate in Massachusetts is skyrocketing up to almost 18 percent with some economists warning it could get even worse in the coming months.
The gas tax increase issue went from one extreme to another in a matter of less than a month and a half. But one thing is clear, Smitty Pignatelli and John Barrett III are not concerned to reality! A 5 cents per gallon of gas increase, et al, won’t help anything at all without the state’s Congressional delegation ensuring that state and local governments are bailed out. Pignatelli and Barrett should be calling on “PAC-man” Richie Neal, “Maryland” Senator Ed Markey, and Senator Elizabeth Warren to pass a bailout bill for Massachusetts instead of arguing for a useless increase in the gas tax and other related taxes.
Best wishes,
Jonathan [Melle]
Testing at boston homeless shelter shows 37% are asymptomatic covid-19 carriers (146 of 397)
https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/coronavirus-spread-testing-shows-stunning-asymptomatic-covid-19-rate-at-boston-homeless-shelter.html
So will our mayor test the St. Joe population as a precaution? So that they don’t wander all over town spreading a virus? Not likely, but we will be taking note of such actions or inactions.
What’s with the troglodyte foot traffic past the Athenaeum down Bartlett Ave.? Is there a troggy home down that way?
We already got us plenty of me, me, me in here. So why not some me, me, Melle?
In late February Nancy Pelosi was encouraging large groups of people to gather in Chinatown to show she had no fear of the virus yet she puts down President Trump for not acting sooner to stop the spread of the virus. It was shortly after Nancy visited Chinatown that California began to have many cases of the virus.
https://thepostmillennial.com/watch-nancy-pelosi-urged-people-to-congregate-in-chinatown-in-late-february
You have hatred oozing out of your veins Pat. Please tell me you live alone and far away from impressionable children.
The hatred in this country is being directed toward President Trump and his supporters by the far left and the media that is in bed with them. Most of our media is far left and can’t be trusted to tell the truth. Our American media is controlled by the far left and is also being used by China just like WHO has been used to take down the economy of not only this country, but the entire world to usher in this new socialist/communist world order.
and you have just reinforced my point.
Thank you
The Democrats’ plan to win the election……mail-in voting! In CA alone, 30,000 duplicate votes cast…..
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/15/exclusive-california-state-election-official-confirms-double-voting-by-mail-in-super-tuesday-primary/
I love Trumps derangement.
Stooge is the Face of pctv. Take it from there.
Did the DPW here say he knows the c virus can live in the water but isn’t worried about it right now? Well,if that is correct, shouldn’t he look at the project going forward that’s also costing a fortune to the taxpayer? What does he mean not right now? Is he making sure the project gets started then react from there? This was an incredible statement.
Chug a lug, chug a lug.
TSC
Well, I doubt that you actually love it. Assuming that he is “deranged,” wouldn’t that make you feel the opposite? Can you specify what “deranged” means to you? Thanks. THE PLANET appreciates your contributions.
In the case of Trump you got to love that his point of view is always oppositional to whatever is on the table.I believe that is deranged thinking.I am loving how he can pull this off with the admiring eyes of his supporters.No matter what he says ,it is repeated right here word for word .
Your hatred for the president is so obvious. It is beyond reason.
RN, thanks for responding to my question about how they are transporting the homeless to the Berkshires from other parts of the State. That explains why Haddad’s offered to sanitize the Sheriff’s vans. What is bothering me about this issue is why Mayor Crayola requested and the CC approved freeing up $300,000 of Pittsfield taxpayers monies to support this pandemic. Is this money being utilized for sick folks from outside of our City? Why is Gov. Baker not sending money to Pittsfield NOW to support these sick people? It bothers me that our elected officials just free up cash with no questions asked, except for Connell and Morandi. Meanwhile the City is a absolute mess and this money could be used to fix potholes, broken water mains, signage, etc.. As another note, the stimulus checks arrived to many yesterday. Went to Walmart last evening to pick up a prescription. The store was overcrowded, almost to a point of a mob scene, groceries carts overflowing and the majority were not utilizing any gloves or masks, not paying any attention to arrows on the floors or social distancing 6 feet at the registers. Thought our absent Health Department was suppose to be monitoring these stores. It was actually scary there, so be careful out there.
Everyone needs to wear a mask. They can easily be made from cutting up cotton t-shirts and using a couple of rubber bands. I only go into stores now if the parking lot is not that full. It’s not convenient, but it will prevent the virus from spreading.
Masks are largely a waste with 6 foot rule.
No way you can keep the 6 foot rule in some of these stores so for that reason It’s important to wear a mask.
Donald does not think so. How dare you question his intelligence?
Not really. You can walk right by a corona infected person, and you won’t get it unless the person sneezes in your face, or coughs in it. This whole thing is a massive overreaction. And why did all the experts saw masks were not required for weeks?????
Because they were so afraid we would take away masks from health care workers. They didn’t stop to think that we could make our own masks and they didn’t have to be of professional quality since we are not in a hospital ward full of virus patients, but just trying to do our shopping.
Not if the person is ugly.
In simple terms,China has paid the U S A back for the great economy. Worst numbers since the Great Recession. Miserably unemployed and social infighting coming to an area of your choice soon. Wouldn’t want to be a cop or politician.
And the Chinese bastard communists (not the Chinese people) unleashed this on purpose.
Yah. But they tried it out on their own people first to see if it worked…. right?
Yup
Stooge should wear a mask when doing-his patronizing show. Either that or a paper bag over the head.
You mean it is NOT a mask?
And the rest gets pissed away on booze, tobacco, and scratch tickets all deemed essential by Baker and the average Joe will have spent it all by the weekend. Round two will be worse when the paper checks arrive.
The city has for the past generation become a dumping ground for the “armies of the night” the rest of the State doesn’t want. It started with the greatest concentration of group homes per capita in the Northeast, perhaps the U.S. Then came drug addicts, which in turn brought drug dealers. Gangs then followed. The big prison built on Petricca land brought in the criminals along with there families, whom the taxpayers supports with a ponderous list of bennies. And on and on and on … Now it’s the homeless. With each of these deals, there’s usually a “sweetener” — not for The Kapanskis but for the politicians. The sugar comes in the form of “free” grant money. Thus, whenever you hear of Pittsfield winning a grant, assume, until they show you the fine print that says otherwise, that city “leaders” just agreed to hammer in another nail in the muni coffin.
Those GOBSIGs that ran Hillcrest years ago let the McGhee Unit contract with New York State medicaid, and shipped hundreds of crack addicts to hang out at Hillcrest and “rehab”, where they network with each other, including the local crack heads, and many of them never left. That was the beginning of the end of PIttsfield as a relatively safe community.
Perhaps there is a leper colony in Hawaii we could move here? In the name of diversity?
I agree and is there any real reason the taxpayers should not use this opportunity to revolt and not pay their taxes until promised sensible reform? If one thousand home owners refused to pay what could they do? Take everybody’s house? They did not take Araces house.
When Sean Hannity goes to Times Square and Rush along with Tucker and and Laura Ingraham join him for 1 week doing some back slapping and hand shaking and it ends with Jared and Ivanka out with the people.Then we can go back to work.Don Jr and Eric can do interviews on the street.
They all need to go to a red state that opens up the economy. Sooner the better.
People are demanding to go back to work in many areas, but the Governors in their states are saying “That would kill people”. I heard a governor very coldly say that this morning. No compassion in his voice for the people who are scared for their economic future at all. This will be a fight between the states and the people. The people wanting their jobs and many of these Democrat states not caring if the economy and jobs go down the tubes because they want government dependence. This virus will be and is being used to achieve the goals of the far left. This will be a fight for this country. President Trump needs to leave it up to the states because you can already hear the far left using the virus to blame President Trump if he opens up too soon and people begin to get sick or die. Leave it to the governors and the people will need to fight it out in each state to save this country.
If I am reading between the lines of your comments Pat you seem to be advocating for some sort of civil war. Too much Hannity and Limbaugh and you might get your wish.
The fighting would be what we are seeing with people gathering in mass numbers (wearing masks hopefully) to protest in each state if they think it’s time for their state to reopen. I do NOT advocate violence of any kind.
April 16, 2020
Re: Open letter to Patrick Fennell
Hello Pat,
Democratic Party U.S. House leaders recently said they will extend their 3 week recess that was supposed to end on Monday, April 20, 2020 by another 2 weeks until Monday, May 4, 2020. Congressman Hoyer’s office actually said in a letter to representatives they won’t be required to return “absent an emergency.”
Are they insane? We are in an emergency! Tens of thousands of Americans are dying, and over half a million Americans are sick with coronavirus. Millions of American workers have lost their jobs and health insurance at a time of a health crisis we don’t yet fully understand.
What World does Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Hoyer, and the many other out of touch U.S. House Democrats live in? Obviously, it is not the real World!
Best wishes,
Jonathan Melle
—–
“House won’t return to Washington before May 4 [2020]”
Members of the House of Representatives will not return to Washington, D.C., before May 4, House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer said Monday.
Lawmakers in the lower chamber were expected to return from their districts on April 20 after an extended absence due to the global COVID-19 pandemic but Hoyer’s office said in a letter to representatives they won’t be required to return “absent an emergency.”
The letter said lawmakers will receive sufficient notice if they’re required to return to the Capitol to vote on additional coronavirus aid legislation before that date.
&
“National Security State Left US Defenseless Against Coronavirus”
Responsibility for pandemic preparation was privatized under the Obama and Trump administrations. It’s time to face down the national security state that wasted trillions on imperial wars and abandoned Americans to fight coronavirus alone.
Source: Progressive Review – April 16, 2020
JM,
Great post. They are called leaders for a reason and real leaders are supposed to lead by example .Lead , Follow or get the hell out of the way! The politicians are mostly the same in that power and money is their quest. Why would someone spend millions to get a position that pays $174,000 per year?
https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2020/04/16/boston-homeless-care-covid-19-update
The ‘surprising’ number of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in Boston’s homeless shelters has advocates scrambling
“We did have a surge, but the surge was primarily because we had an opportunity to do universal testing at one of the shelters.”
BHS is not testing as much as they could so it looks like we are past our surge.
Good thing we learned to social distance now. Looks like we will be doing it for sometime to come according to a study .
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/intermittent-social-distancing-may-be-needed-through-2022-to-manage-covid-19/
Crime will sky rocket this year. Hope the City is prepared.
Will the monies from the Schools be put into free cash and distributed to lower the tax rate?
April 16, 2020
Re: Open letter to Patrick Fennell – #2
Hello Pat,
To recap the past week’s political news, Beacon Hill lawmakers are still arguing to tax workers and small businesses with their proposed 5 cents per gallon of gas increase and other transportation tax hikes. This is despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts workers have lost their jobs and health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, within a few weeks from now, the state will run out of money to pay unemployment claims.
U.S. Congress lengthened their 3 week recess to a 5 week recess that won’t end until May 4th, 2020. Congressman Hoyer’s office actually said in a letter to federal representatives they won’t be required to return “absent an emergency.”
I told my parents this afternoon about the 5 week paid Spring vacation the U.S. House of Representatives are taking and how they said they would only reconvene if there was an emergency. My mother replied that they are wrong because we are in an emergency. Tens of thousands of Americans have died and are continuing to died of corornavirus. Over 600,000 and counting Americans are sick with coronavirus. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and health insurance during this public health crisis we still do not fully understand.
I told my parents that this week’s political events are prime examples of why common people dislike politicians. We all felt that politicians take care of themselves first, while the people they are supposed to be representing at the State House(s) and Capitol Hill are mere afterthoughts.
In my lifetime of nearly 45 years, I do not remember a time when politics has gotten so rotten. The U.S. economy is in a recession and our financial system is over $77 trillion in debts and it is on the brink of collapse. We are in a similar situation that we were when Hitler came to power in Germany in the early-1930s. The masses are dying, sick, and without work and health insurance, while the politicians want to raise the gas tax on the remaining workers and small businesses in Massachusetts, and the U.S. House of Representatives is on a 5 week Congressional recess. When we will ever learn?
Best wishes,
Jonathan [Melle]
https://nypost.com/2020/04/16/trump-says-us-reopening-can-happen-without-mass-testing/
Reopening can only start happening with a downward trend in new cases of COVID. So there’s a huge incentive to the city and BHS to try and mask the trend downward.
Stockbridge Williamstown and Great Barrington have highest rates of infection in the Berkshires per 100,000k
New Yorkers.
I’m tired of this Fucking virus. I just wanna live. Wahhhh
I hate my fucking Chair!
Dr. Charles Trzcinka – “C. Trzcinka” posted:
Jonathan is right about the debt being created, its a big number. But its like a 5’6″ 400 lb guy who has good blood pressure and cholesterol and adds 50lbs to weather a storm. People are buying this debt –including China– and interest rates aren’t exactly going up. We are benefiting from what the debt is being used for (checks, PPP,etc. ) “Wall Street” is only benefiting in that prices are rising, Wall St firms are not getting the cash.
My response to Chuck – or Dr. Charles Trzcinka, who is a professor at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business. Dr. Trzcinka is considered one of the country’s leading authorities on financial markets and economics. He’s also a Pittsfield (Mass.) native.
Dear Dr. Trzcinka,
I enjoy reading your economic and financial essays on U.S. Government policies on Dan Valenti’s awesome blog. You are very knowledgeable about how federal government economic and financial public policies impact the people, small businesses, and Wall Street.
The U.S.A. and World is in more debt today (April 16, 2020) than ever before in history. Interest rates are either negative or near zero, which makes borrowing money cheap, but saving money very difficult for everyone except a few hedge fund managers. In short, everyone is really in debt except the billionaires who depend on the World to purchase their products and services.
I do not believe it is a sustainable economic and financial public policy for the World and the U.S. to keep borrowing trillions upon trillions of dollars at cut rate interest rates to keep the billionaires from paying more in taxes. When debts eventually become non-sellable and toxic, the World and U.S. won’t be able to induce buyers of debts anymore.
If one does a search on images.google.com and enters “u.s. wealth inequality chart” and the like, they will see that the billionaires are compounding their wealth, while the working and underclass is either cutting even or losing wealth over the past 4 decades.
In closing, if the masses are not able to build wealth at a middle class or higher level, then their children and grandchildren will inherit nothing but the trillions upon trillions of dollars of debts that primarily benefited the billionaires. I hate to say it, but those were the distressed economic conditions that enabled Hitler to rise to power in Germany in the early-1930s. When people are starving and desperate, they become prey for predatory demagogues like Hitler. We must not let that happen again in the 21st Century.
Best regards,
Jonathan Melle
Mr. Melle, pre Corona the US had an economy which would allow any able bodied adult, and that includes you, to earn enough money to have a nice house, two vehicles, and a family, but you might, might, have to have a skill, or a trade, or work 68 hours per week instead of 40. How do I know this? Because I did it, despite the GOBSIGs hating me too. By the way, there’s 168 hours in a week, so that leaves 100 hours to shit, shower and shave, as they say in the army and do other things. I wish you well sir, and I wish you would see what you could be, if you take your blinders off, and see the light. Even now, grocery stores and big box stores are hiring like crazy.