Washington drops 2nd stimulus despite economic chaos
Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Chicago
Long-running negotiations on a badly-needed second stimulus package have been called off in the United States.
Democrats and Republicans refused to find common ground even though the average American has not seen coronavirus lockdown-related economic assistance since extra unemployment insurance ran out on August first.
The sticking point continues to be the Republican's refusal to grant more funding for local and state governments. The primary economic pillar of far right neoliberal economic ideology is to slash the size of government at all levels, and Republicans indicate that coronavirus is not going to change anything.
Nearly seven full months after a national emergency was declared, many Americans have been vocal about the need for something beyond just a one-time $1,200 payment from March. President Donald Trump just called for a similar direct aid injection, but Democratic leaders refuse to approve any stand-alone payment, demanding that their entire aid package be approved.
With the election just a month away, both parties appear likely to share the blame for continuing the economic chaos. After the election, the so-called “lame duck Congress” rarely accomplishes anything significant, meaning economic aid for the average American might not arrive until February 2021.
Many Americans wonder if Washington is trying to help Wall Street by seemingly aiming to impoverish Main Street.
There is widespread agreement that a second federal fiscal aid package was the only thing which could end the unprecedented economic chaos caused by the Great Lockdown, but it appears that election year politics trumps all other concerns in Washington.
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