Posted on 03/30/2020 6:42:14 AM PDT by TheConservativeBanker
A few short weeks ago, the evil Wuhan Virus arrived on our shores and is now killing hundreds of Americans each and every day. Although the jury is still out, there are some possible indications that when all is said and done, American fatalities could end up well under those resulting from our annual Flu pandemic. That discussion is for another day.
The focus of this article isn’t on the direct medical effects of this scourge, rather its indirect effects as manifested in government response to it from local level through state and up to the Federal government. Some of these responses are unarguable…fast tracking contracting and acquisition authority to get more ventilators into the field, waiving certain drug test procedures to get possibly helpful medication out in to the public more quickly, even tasking the various State National Guard units to set up temporary hospital facilities. All of these responses appear to be beyond reproach.
Now come the restrictions on the behavior of us ordinary citizens. Depending on the State Governor involved, such restrictions can run the gamut from voluntary “social distancing,” to official limits on movements, gatherings and commercial activities…limits enforced by the threat of fines and/or improsonment. Even enumerated Constitutional rights are at risk; Witness the attempted closure of gun stores by Blue State politicos.
These limits are often couched in what might sound like reasonable terms, “All public activity is to cease with the exception of ‘essential services’ or ‘essential jobs.’” On its face, this might seem a reasonable response. Call me paranoid, but I do get very nervous when I hear governments use the descriptive, “reasonable” when referring to an increase of government power or additional limits on my rights. What bothers me in this particular case, is that these “reasonable” restrictions are being promoted as though in this situation, we must make a choice between the economy and the lives of our fellow Americans.
In this evaluation, the left defines “the economy,” as corpulent CEO’s who merely wish to add to their fortunes no matter the risk to their employees and customers. This meme goes something along the lines of “not one life lost to sustain corporate greed.” Like most things the Left gets involved in, their evaluation is exactly…backwards.
The CEO’s of large corporations and all the other folks at their income level are doing just fine during this troubled period. Government employees and other folks on salaries being floated by corporations big enough to allow for that, are also doing just fine. However, the folks who the left purports to care so much about, those hourly wage workers, many in service industries and making not a whole lot more than minimum wage…are surely not just fine.
These are the folks who are living paycheck to paycheck. These are the folks who if they miss an hour, day, week or month of work, they don’t get paid. These are the folks that for each day of government mandated idleness, lose a day’s wages…wages that they can ill afford to without. These are the folks who if they walk out their front door to drive to work in the morning and find 4 flat tires, are financially devastated for months afterwards.
To these people, their jobs are quite essential. The idea that their livelihoods can be taken away, perhaps never to return by government needs some sober contemplation. I understand the need for certain measures to fight this attack on America and Americans. However, I have real heartburn with an attitude demonstrated by some of my fellow American citizens and our elected representatives, that declares any American’s livelihood, “non-essential.” Food for thought.
Government should not have a say in what is an “essential job.”
I see your point and agree, for the most part. I will never consider Hollywood and what they produce “essential”. In fact, IMHO, we’d be a lot better off without the garbage they spew.
I, Pencil is an article written in 1958 by Leonard E. Read. The burden of the article is how diffuse are the inputs to make a simple item like a pencil. Of course a particular company - Eberhard Faber, in the example instance - made the pencil. But Mr. Faber did not simply speak the pencil into existence; the company has to have buildings housing machinery, and workers to operate the machines. But beyond that, the Eberhard Faber workers have to have food, shelter, and normal amenities - including those required by their families.And the same is true of the vendors who supply Eberhard Faber with the machinery they require, and all the obvious materials - wood, graphite, rubber, and the ferrule material and the enamel. All those vendors have their own equipment, workers, and supply chain. And in all cases the workers need food, shelter, and normal amenities. So although the pencil certainly does not exist without Eberhard Faber, society works together to make pencils - and everything else.
So, “You didn't build that? Somebody else made that happen?” Yes - but that “somebody else” was not government. The “somebody” was more like everybody - mostly very indirectly. It is not the government but society - as Thomas Paine points out in Common Sense, a very different thing - which makes the pencil.
And medical supplies, and groceries, and . . .
So true. All work is noble. Well, most work is. Lawyers, eh.
All the good movies and music have already been made.
Thanks to President Trump, the Democrat media is reaping profits. Their anti-Trump hatchet men and women will probably get bonuses and awards for their televised attacks at the daily briefings. So their paychecks are not in danger, while most of the workers in the country are locked in. What is fair about this?
Democrat candidate is not essential.
I mean a senile old man could do it and it produces nothing.
DemocRATs and the Media Maggots ARE nonessential.
I believe entertainers add value to the world. We all need a break; even Our Lord napped and visited with friends. But all must be within context: The Who was of immense value at The Concerts for New York as their performance of Won't Get Fooled Again helped raise the hopes of the nation/world/NYC. However, a bunch of movies stars singing Imagine nowadays isn't as 'important' as the women at a checkout counter.
The issue, is that many people look down at the guys cutting down lumber and the people providing them coffee while elevating Madonna. All within context.
I’m sure my boss would agree with the premise of the article. At this time of the morning, I’d normally be getting ready to leave for work in 30 minutes. Not today. Fact is, I’m not entirely sure WHEN I’m going to be allowed to return to work.
Not to mention the dictator governors and mayors are picking which businesses to shutdown. They have shutdown silly things like barbers and bike paths.
Hair cutting salons have been deemed as “non-essential”. Excuse me? If I don’t get my hair cut soon, I’m gonna start wearing a pony tail to resemble a hippie. Thank goodness they haven’t outlawed showering and shaving in the home.
“Government should not have a say in what is an “essential job.”
Government at all levels is run by Progressive cat-ladies. Vicious, spiteful and hungry for blood.
Internet Influencer?
Reality TV star?
Washed up Comedians attempting to remain in the public eye by faking COVID symtoms instead of admitting they have a bad case of the squirts?
So many...
Totally. Meter maids in New York are working today. They’re not directing traffic or stopping crimes. They are making sure the government collects its money.
Conclusion: it’s essential for the government to collect its money.
If it’s essential for the government to collect its money, it’s essential for every other business too.
I would think Blog writer at red state would qualify and non essential. I’ve done without it for years. Isn’t that the site that belongs to that fat eric ericson the NeverTrumper?
We should get back to work in most industries. I think many of the “mall” type stores can remain closed another two weeks, but most offices allow for social distancing.
Sorry but Journalism and actors have slipped from non-essential, to less than worthless, to providing as much value as a used tampon from an 80 year old hooker thats been thrown in an alley on a hot August night being gnawed upon by rats...or same value as Democraps!
I’ve got an interesting banking situation to explore this morning. I need to open a new business account and it’s urgent I do. I’m about to get proceeds from a real estate sale and don’t have an account in the name of the LLC that I own the property under.
Bank is drive up only now, waiting for it to open so I can call.
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