http://www.arnoldkling.com/blog/lockdown-socialism-will-collapse/
This link recommended by Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution.
I like the term Arnold Kling has coined, lockdown socialism, because I think it perfectly captures the mind set of many Americans who seem to want more government control of their lives on the premise that the pandemic is a really bad thing.
The same thing happened after 9/11. There was so much public demand for perfect safety from terrorists that government started patting down citizens and rifling through luggage in airports. We could do the same or similar for Covid-19, possibly, too, at the airports.
Yes, once the Tea Party sickens and dies, social distancing will be easier.
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Darn those individualists! Don’t they know that liberty is overrated?
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“Easier”
AND more enjoyable…..
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Actually the Tea Party sold its soul with the so-called tax “cut”.
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Nancy appears to be having a Snarky Monday episode. Kinda like it.
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…”on the premise that the pandemic is a really bad thing.”
So you, in all of your scientific brilliance and economic savvy, don’t believe the pandemic is a really bad thing? Tell that to the families of the 40,000+ people who have died in this country. OR the ones who are on ventilators. Or those that are hospitalized waiting to possibly end up on a ventilator. Or just stuck at home quarantined because they are too sick to do anything.
Or to the health care workers and first responders struggling to take care of those above. With limited supplies and resources to do their jobs properly.
Or better yet, to those who have lost their jobs, either permanently or temporarily, and are hoping to scrape by on $1,200. Or the businesses that have had to shut down and won’t return when we get to some sense of new normal.
Naw, it’s not a really bad thing. It’s just a stubbed toe on the way to the fridge at 3 am.
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RE: “So you, in all of your scientific brilliance and economic savvy, don’t believe the pandemic is a really bad thing?”
I believe that shallow thinking is a waste of time.
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? Really, than you are wasting a LOT of time….
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What is rarely mentioned is that the deaths have occurred in 6 weeks. Seasonal flu takes a year to reach that status.
In addition, COVID 19 is contagious for 5-10 days before symptoms, mild or not. Seasonal flu is about 24-72 hours.
COVID damages the lungs.
This is a serious disease which has no vaccine and no proven treatment or cure.
All that in consideration, saying that people want government control of their lives is bull poop.
What they want is a government that is prepared for a pandemic, which it wasn’t. A government with a plan going forward that includes all the assistance it can muster so states can concentrate on medical care rather than buying trash bags for PPE’s and other critical equipment in a market In which they have to outbid other sick and dying Americans.
In other words a government that tells the truth, takes responsibility and doesn’t blame other people and organizations for shortcomings
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RE: “All that in consideration, saying that people want government control of their lives is bull poop.”
Anyone who wants lockdown socialism as the link describes it wants government control of their lives.
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That list is a cute oversimplification of complex issues.
People don’t want this. Unfortunately to keep people from homelessness and starvation we have to do it.
We’ll see how many favored companies get money they don’t need, then see if they squawk.
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@Len
Scandal is already brewing because large corporations gobbled up the lion’s share of the money for small business.
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Are those the big corporate restaurant chains with thousands of employees?
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And Trump’s hotels. And Kushner’s real estate management groups. G-d only knows what Wilbur Ross secured. And let us not forget the forgettable, Betsy DeVos.
And Shake Shack, which is paltry when compared to McDonald’s and Burger King, gave back their $10 million. Ruth’s Chris, not so much. (And I do love me some Ruth’s Chris)
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