Having Leverage

For John, BLUF:  There is little doubt in my mind that the House Speaker, Nancy the Ripper, is leveraging whatever she can to drive the Progressive Democratic Party Agenda.  The question is, how much freedom do ordinary Americans lose in the progess?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The Real Reason Dems Stalled on the Paycheck Protection Program

From PJ Media, by Writer Tyler O'Neil, 21 April 2020.

Here is the lede plus one:

In an interview with CNN on Monday evening, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tried to flip the script on the Paycheck Protection Program.  After it became clear the program to help small businesses during the coronavirus crisis would run out of money quickly, Pelosi and her fellow Democrats stalled.  Well, on CNN on Monday, she suggested it was all the Republicans' fault.

"When the Secretary [Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin] came and asked me for $250 billion — a quarter of a trillion dollars in 24 hours — I said, 'Well we want to see the data on how that is spent but also we want to make sure — as long as we are going to the floor — that we do so in a way that makes sure that everyone can participate in the program," she told Anderson Cooper.

"They said, no, no, no.  Until about 100 hours ago, they said no.  And now they've said yes," Pelosi said.

Uh huh.  It was totally those dastardly Republicans who extended the House of Representatives vacation.  It was totally those dastardly Republicans who blocked the legislation to add $250 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program, right?

Poor Nancy is struggling with a bad case of projection. See, while she was enjoying her fancy designer ice cream, millions of Americans were losing their livelihoods.

So why did Democrats delay?  Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) explained it rather succinctly in a virtual press conference.  "I think what you're hearing from all of us on the call is that we have real concerns about giving away leverage now without getting some of the priorities that we need," she said.

This is, in essence, extortion.  This is why President Trump and the Republicans need to win back the House and the Senate.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Way Forward

For John, BLUF:  There seems to be a number of different views on at the way forward from here with regard to Winnie the Flu.  Fortunately, Heritage has stepped up to give us a first cut, one I like.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Heritage Coronavirus Commission Releases 5-Step Plan to Reopen America

From Pajama Media, by Opinion Writer Tyler O'Neil, 10 April 2020.

Here is the lede plus two:

On Thursday, the Heritage Foundation's National Coronavirus Recovery Commission met for the first time.  At the meeting, seventeen experts hammered out a general five-phase plan to "save lives and livelihoods" by defeating the coronavirus and jumpstarting the economy.  Vice President Mike Pence acknowledged the commission's work.

In order to slow the spread of the virus, President Donald Trump has urged Americans to stay home, practice social distancing, and avoid going into the office if their work is not "essential."  State and local leaders have issued various orders, and businesses have moved to remote work or laying off employees.  Unemployment has skyrocketed, Americans are having trouble paying rent, and millions are hoping America can reopen sooner rather than later.  President Trump originally said he hoped to reopen the country by Easter, but that seems too ambitious.

"Good public health policy is good economic policy, and vice versa," Kay Coles James, president of the Heritage Foundation, said in a statement.  "If the economy fails, there will be severe, long-term health consequences; and if the health care system fails, there will be severe, long-term economic consequences.  A nation decimated by the disease cannot have a functioning economy, and a catastrophic loss of jobs wreaks horrific damage on both mental and physical health."

Here are the five top level issues, per Heritage:

1. Regional reopening
2. Expand mitigation
3. Build the science
4. Launch an economic recovery
5. Prepare for future pandemics

It may seem obvious to you, but in our Nation's Capitol, with its usual degree of logrolling, this is a good way of getting most everyone on the same sheet of music.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff