(2020-08-09). Trump Scuttles Economic Stimulus Negotiations. What Next? globalresearch.ca Today, August 7, 2020 negotiations on an economic stimulus package between US House Democrats and the White House broke down and broke off. What's behind it? | In recent days the Democrats' leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer, reportedly reduced …
(2020-08-09). Covid-19 and the "Greater Economic Depression" Exceeding the 1930s: Unemployment Armageddon. globalresearch.ca The COVID-19 crisis at a time of deteriorating economic conditions caused what in hindsight may be known as a Greater Depression — exceeding the worst of the 1930s. | For 20 straight weeks, new claims for unemployment insurance exceeded one million….
(2020-08-09). Restoring Free Speech and Freedom from Big Brother. dissidentvoice.org 
Read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, and Part VII. One of the greatest obstacles to greater distribution of wealth and power, and therefore to an equitable society, is control of — and controls on — speech and the media. Most films, television, newspapers, Internet suppliers and other mass …
(2020-08-09). Economy Creates 1.8 Million Jobs in July, Production Workers' Wages Fall. zcomm.org There is no evidence that generous unemployment benefits are making it difficult to find workers…
(2020-08-09). Trump's Order To Bypass Congress On COVID-19 Relief Faces Likely Legal Challenges. popularresistance.org Washington, DC – President Trump on Saturday said he was bypassing Congress and taking unilateral action to provide financial relief to Americans struggling during the coronavirus crisis, despite uncertainty about his legal authority to do so. | Following the breakdown of talks on Capitol Hill to reach a bipartisan deal, Trump signed four orders that he said would extend enhanced federal unemployment benefits, defer some employees' payroll taxes, continue a temporary ban on evictions and reduce the burden of student loans.
(2020-08-09). Study: Return To Work Not Affected By $600 Unemployment Boost. popularresistance.org There's no relationship between expanded Unemployment Compensation payments and individuals' likelihood of returning to work, according to two recent studies. One, by researchers at Yale University, finds that more generous UC payments are not related to lower rates of return to work. Another shows employers saw no overall decline in the number of applicants per job vacancy as a result of the increased payments. | The findings refute the assertion by some pundits and politicians from both parties who claim the additional $600 weekly payment to laid-off workers established by Congress in March is a "disincentive t…
(2020-08-08). Trump Scuttles Economic Stimulus Negotiations What Next? zcomm.org The McConnell-Trump strategy is not to bail out state and local governments. It's about making the high urban population centers—located largely in 'blue' states—to bear the brunt of the continuing economic crisis…
(2020-08-08). White House, Congress combine to cut off supplemental unemployment benefits. wsws.org Driven by social interests irreconcilably opposed to those of the working class, congressional leaders from both parties adjourned Friday without restoring jobless pay.
(2020-08-08). General Strike: The Eviction Crisis Escalates. popularresistance.org With an estimated 17 to 40 million people at risk of losing their homes by the end of September, and with the failure of the federal government to pass an eviction moratorium or an unemployment benefits extension, the greatest eviction and foreclosure crisis since the Great Depression is now upon us. In some states in the Southeast, as many as 60% of renters are at risk of being evicted, and people of color are likely to be hit disproportionately hard. The Census Bureau's Household Pulse survey in July, for example, highlighted that 42% of Black renters felt little to no confidence in their ability to pay rent th…
(2020-08-08). Trump Scuttles Economic Stimulus Negotiations. popularresistance.org In recent days, the Democrats' leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer, reportedly reduced the cost of their original 'Heroes Act' proposals by $1 trillion. Instead of the original cost of $3T in the Heroes Act passed last June, they were willing to agree to a reduced package of $2 trillion. Never mind the attempt to reach a compromise on some middle ground. The White House, through his assigned negotiator, staffer Mark Meadows, Trump rejected the Democrats' offer. Meadows reportedly slammed the table (a two-bit amateur negotiating tactic) and walked out of negotiations with Pelosi-Shumer in a huff.
(2020-08-08). Trump Signs Executive Orders on Coronavirus Relief for Americans. sputniknews.com Earlier, Trump said he instructed the administration to start drafting an Executive Order on unemployment benefits and other aid for jobless Americans after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a new coronavirus relief bill.
(2020-08-08). Trump Holds Press Briefing in Bedminster, New Jersey – Video. sputniknews.com The US president is expected to sign a series of executive orders to grant, among others, unemployment benefits, after lawmakers failed to produce a new COVID-19 relief bill.
(2020-08-08). Italy approves new post pandemic aid package. yenisafak.com The new stimulus measures are the third tranche of a government plan aimed at supporting Italy's fragile economy brought to its knees by the strict lockdown imposed nationwide to stem the spread of coronavirus.In total, the three emergency decrees approved by the Italian government since March released funding to the tune of ‚Ǩ100 billion. | "The new decree aims at supporting workers, businesses, and local institutions," Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said at a press conference on Friday evening, detailing the new measures.The package includes an 18-week extension of public funding for workers un…
(2020-08-08). Progressive Groups Express Outrage at Senate Republicans and Trump for Walking Away from COVID-19 Stimulus Negotiations. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-08-07). Headlines for August 7, 2020. democracynow.org Study Predicts U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Could Reach 300,000 by December, Georgia High Schoolers Suspended for Sharing Images of Unmasked Students in Crowded Halls, India's COVID-19 Cases Top 2 Million as WHO Warns of Worsening Outbreaks in Africa, Peru's Health System in Collapse as COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 20,000, Congressional Talks on New Coronavirus Stimulus on Brink of Collapse, "Make Billionaires Pay Act" Would Tax Richest 0.001% to Fund Healthcare for Millions, Police Fire Tear Gas at Anti-Government Protesters as Anger Rages over Beirut Blast, New York Attorney General Files Suit to Dissolve NRA over Ex…
(2020-08-07). 'It's okay when it comes out of Chuck Schumer's mouth?' Democrat senator says schools must reopen or economy suffers. rt.com 
Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a compromise on a Covid-19 economic relief bill, but one comment from Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) about schools needing to reopen has some seeing hypocrisy on the left. | Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Schumer addressed the press after failed negotiations with Republicans on a potential relief bill. While many of their complaints about Republicans refusing to continue robust unemployment and other government programs was to be expected, one comment from Schumer went viral as it didn't seem to match the outrage shown to President Donald Trump when he mentioned…
(2020-08-07). Revisiting the Idea of Pigou Wealth Tax in the Time of Covid-19. counterpunch.org 
Arthur Cecil Pigou (1877-1959), a British economist, is well known for his contributions to welfare economics. One of the most prolific writers of his time, Pigou wrote over a dozen books and more than 100 articles and pamphlets dealing with both theoretical and practical aspects of welfare economics. His writings cover a wide range of
(2020-08-07). Haven't We All Known Guys Who Were Exactly like Donald Trump? counterpunch.org 
Although it gives me no pleasure to report this, while growing up in the shady suburban confines of Southern California, in the Sixties, I probably knew half a dozen guys who—other than being middle or lower middle-class rather wealthy, and shorter rather than taller—were otherwise exactly like President Trump. I'm also certain that I never
(2020-08-07). Millions Face Long Term Unemployment and Homelessness. sputniknews.com On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Ted Rall. He's an award-winning columnist and political cartoonist and you can check out his work at www.rall.com.
(2020-08-07). Washington DC deadlocked as 30 million have their unemployment benefits cut. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – Talks between Democrats and Republicans about extending economic aid remained deadlocked as of Thursday morning, August 6. In May, Democrats passed their HEROES act to extend the $600 additional unemployment benefit, known as FPUC, or Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, as well as other economic aid for renters, state and local government, and others. But Republican senators and the Trump administration did nothing, hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic would go away, and the economy would recover in short order. The Republicans have also been hampered by divisions in the Senate, where a large…
(2020-08-07). New US unemployment claims top 1 million for 20th straight week. wsws.org Indifferent to the plight of millions of jobless workers and their families, senators from both parties adjourned Thursday with no agreement on extending expired unemployment benefits.
(2020-08-07). Time for an Emergency Charity Stimulus. counterpunch.org We are living through a time of unprecedented challenges: a major public health crisis and a deepening recession. Congress has already authorized trillions in stimulus funds. But millions of Americans are still relying on the support of local nonprofits such as food banks and human services. These nonprofits are going to need major infusions of
(2020-08-07). Consequences Of Inadequate Action By Congress. popularresistance.org Without federal aid to state and local governments, millions of jobs in the public sector will be lost by the end of 2021, severely impacting Black workers, women, and veterans, who are disproportionately employed in these jobs. Additional jobs will be lost—in both the private and public sectors—if Congress fails to reinstate the $600 weekly unemployment benefit that expired last week. EPI experts weigh in on what could happen if Congress fails to act to prevent further economic shock. | (1) The coronavirus shock was historically large—and the bounceback has already likely stalled. (2) UI claims…
(2020-08-07). Trump Promises to 'Act Under My Authority' if Congress Won't Pass Economic Stimulus Bill. sputniknews.com US President Donald Trump has vowed to use his executive powers to get an economic stimulus bill into legislation if congressional Democrats and Republicans fail to reach an agreement in the near future.
(2020-08-07). US Has Lost 12,881,000 Jobs Since February. Lowest-Paid Workers Are Hit Hardest. truthout.org The July employment report showed the economy adding another 1,761,000 jobs in July. This follows gains of 2,725,000 in May, and 4,791,000 in June, leaving the economy down 12,881,000 jobs from its February level. | The unemployment rate fell from 11.1 percent to 10.2 percent, while the employment to population ratio (EPOP) rose from 54.6 percent to 55.1 percent. These gains likely overstate the true improvement from June, since the Bureau of Labor Statistics has largely fixed a misclassification p…
(2020-08-07). As Economic Bounceback Deflates, Lawmakers Must Act Now to Reinstate the $600 Unemployment Boost. commondreams.org "Federal policymakers need to act now to reinstate the $600 unemployment insurance benefits to the 30+ million workers who are desperately trying to make ends meet," writes Gould in response to Friday's latest job numbers. "And, those benefits are supporting a huge amount of spending, which means, with it, the loss of about five million jobs." (Photo: Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/unemployment_3_1.jpg …
(2020-08-06). Progress in the Age of COVID-19. progressive.org America's inequality crisis—now made much worse by our "leaders" mishandling the pandemic—cannot be met by small-ball political tinkering and legalistic tweaks to failed systems.
(2020-08-06). Florida governor admits state unemployment system purposefully designed to pay out "least number of claims" wsws.org Republican governor Ron DeSantis had previously claimed nearly all applicants had been paid and blamed jobless workers for incorrectly filling out forms.
(2020-08-06). Study: Billionaires That Donated to Gates-Buffet Giving Pledge Now Richer Than Ever. mintpressnews.com As the assets of the billionaire class in the US swell to $3.5 trillion amid the pandemic, a new study of philanthropic giving reveals that many of America's wealthiest are using charitable donations to stay rich and get richer.
(2020-08-06). New Sanders Bill Would Tax "Obscene" Pandemic Windfall of Billionaires. truthout.org Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to introduce legislation Thursday that would heavily tax the "obscene wealth gains" America's billionaires have accumulated during the Covid-19 crisis to help fund the U.S. recovery from the pandemic and resulting economic collapse. | In a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, Sanders said "if we taxed 60 percent of the windfall gains these billionaires made from March 18th until August 3rd, we could raise over $420 billion." | "That's enough revenue to allow Medicare to pay…
(2020-08-06). Taxing the Rich. Imposing A "Pigou Wealth Tax" in the Time of COVID-19. globalresearch.ca Arthur Cecil Pigou (1877-1959), a British economist, is well known for his contributions to welfare economics. One of the most prolific writers of his time, Pigou wrote over a dozen books and more than 100 articles and pamphlets dealing with …
(2020-08-06). Sen. Sanders' Bill Would Tax Billionaires' Pandemic Wealth Gains to Fund Healthcare. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-08-06). The Complete Dysfunction of the GOP Is on Full Display. thenation.com The Complete Dysfunction of the GOP Is on Full Display…
(2020-08-05). After a lifetime of discrimination older women slip into poverty. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-08-05). An Economic Survival Package, not a Stimulus Package. zcomm.org This is really a question of life and death. Tens of millions of workers have serious health conditions that mean they would be at considerable danger if they became infected…
(2020-08-05). Millions of Americans to Suffer Severe Financial Hardship When Unemployment Aid Ends – Survey. sputniknews.com A new analysis has found that 5.4 million Americans are expected to have issues paying their bills by the end of August, following the July 31 expiration of the supplemental $600 unemployment insurance benefits provided by the US' Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
(2020-08-05). Mitch McConnell's GOP Is Destroying America. commondreams.org "For the bulk of this crisis, McConnell called the Senate back into session only to confirm more of Trump's extremist judges and advance a $740 billion defense spending bill," writes Reich. "Throughout it all, McConnell has insisted his priority is to shield businesses from Covid-related lawsuits by customers and employees who have contracted the virus." (Image: Inequality Media) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/how_gop_are_destroying_america.jpg …
(2020-08-05). House Speaker Pelosi signals readiness to cut unemployment benefits. wsws.org Congress continues to quibble over a new bill as the crisis deepens for millions of workers and their families.