In these last few weeks, we have started seeing an interesting struggle for how to deal with Coronavirus. Do we continue to trust our leaders and self-quarantine? Or, do we do this another way and get back to real life again?
Peggy Noonan has been one of my favorite columnists for a long time. I don’t agree with everything she writes, but she always makes me think. Noonan has a fascinating piece in the Wall Street Journal. “Scenes From The Class Struggle in Lockdown.”
She writes that we have to find a way to live “with this thing.” She says we need to find a way to ease up and manage by using masks, social distancing and hand washing. “We have to enter each day armored up,” she says.
Noonan also writes how Coronavirus has created a class divide between the “overclass” and the regular people—or the educated who have influence and those that live everyday trying to make a living.
The overclass, she writes, will not lose their jobs because of the pandemic. These are people like the scientists, the politicians, the doctors… the mid-day TV anchors.
The mid-day TV anchors? Ouch, Peggy!
Well, this morning anchor—I’m not a midday one—has been thinking a lot over the last few days. Yes, I was one of those that believed shutting down everything was the answer. Now, I’m starting to question it.
During a conversation with a Republican friend, I was asked my thoughts on a guaranteed income for every American? It’s an idea being floated in some circles. I told him I liked the idea. Not permanently, but for a time. We both agreed this shutdown has been handled horribly. No one had an option. Now, the economy is suffering. Badly. Historic unemployment. Bankruptcies looming.
Americans need relief, and they need it NOW. During the pandemic, I’ve learned the U.S. government has a really big printing press. It can print a lot of money when it needs to. So, print it. Fix this.
Yes, there will be consequences like deficits and inflation. We will deal with these things later on. Right now though, printing some money and giving it away to folks who are scared and in need sounds smart. Just do it.
Noonan continues that the difference between “the overclass” and the regular folk us that the working class know hardship and adversity that “the overclass” does not.
So maybe, just maybe, we let them have a go at this. The “overclass” has sure made a mess of this. From this midday—uh, morning anchor—I say let’s see a new approach. “The overclass” seems to have overreached. The regular folks might just fix it. They fix things everyday.
Excellent essay Russell. One of the biggest obstacles I see in keeping America a great nation is its total lack of long term planning. Long term goals is why China was slowly on its way to becoming the world’s economic power all at the expense of the United States. (China’s 100 year plan). I believe many of our political leaders may have finally woken up to this. But on the person to person level the “overclass” has always managed to survive better because they save, they invest, they plan for their long term future. While the “underclass” continues to live paycheck to paycheck without a dime saved for a rainy day. Help them on the short term by providing more stimulus checks or a [temporary] guaranteed minimum income? Yes. I agree we need that now. But it would be tossing money to the wind unless we educate all American children NOW as to how to save, invest, learn to live within ones own means, learn how to budget ones income, plan for the future, learn the principles of credit and debit and investing. We will have totally failed our “underclass” unless we turn our national mindset around concerning money and finance. Unless you truly believe the “underclass” is better off in the long term continuing and growing their dependence upon Big Government to take care of their basic needs.
Love your blogging and always looking forward to more.
Vincent… sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I want to thank you for following my blog. You were the first, by the way. When I started doing this, I didn’t promote it. Just a little hobby. I always wondered how you found it? Ha! Anyway, I do appreciate it and your comment as well. Take care.