By Ana Kasparian, opinion contributor — 03/15/20 08:00 PM EDT

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the view of The Hill

As we find ourselves in the midst of a terrifying pandemic — which already claimed the lives of thousands across the globe and severely crippled financial markets — members of Congress scramble to offer Americans some degree of economic relief.

The "New York Times" listed all the ways in which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hopes to stimulate an economy and help those who are most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19:

“The legislation...will include enhanced unemployment benefits, free virus testing, aid for food assistance programs and federal funds for Medicaid. The package also ensures 14 days of paid sick leave, as well as tax credits to help small — and medium-size businesses fulfill that mandate.”

It’s fascinating to see the same lawmakers who vociferously attacked single-payer health care as “too expensive” advocate for billions of dollars in emergency funding. That’s the way we do things here in the United States. We ignore wounds until they become so infected that the government ends up spending astronomical amounts to stop them from killing us. But what if we treated the wound at the first sign of bleeding?

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/487687-coronavirus-fears-lead-to-americans-demanding-government-intervention-in

although Krystal Ball is making a dash for her crown.

Never heard of regressive left, sounds like a convoluted term.

Regressive left" (also formulated as "regressive liberals" and "regressive leftists) is a neologism and political epithet, used to describe a section of left-wing politics who are accused of holding views, such as tolerating Islamism[1] or opposition to free speech,[2] that conflict with liberal principles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regressive_left

I will absolutely not stand in your way at all, not that my opinion matters at all, nor do I have ANY control over what other posters do or do not do.

cheers

That's it.

I don't take anything The Young Turks say seriously. They're not journalists, they're Youtube reactionists that engage in false reporting, Russian talking points, and pro-Bernie propaganda.

Link to tweet

We may ask them to go do some volunteer work in exchange,”

https://thefederalist.com/2020/03/18/mark-cuban-shows-the-business-world-how-to-lead-through-coronavirus-panic/

True and loyal Democrat's like Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. Lifelong keeper of the flame of the Democratic Party.

No rule against bashing non-democrats and others.

To bad Cuban doesn't own ALL the stadiums, then this might have an impact. Right now it comes off as "who has the bestest boss?"

isn't that "depending on billionaires"?

Yang came up with this...and Romney of all people suggested sending money directly to Americans some weeks ago...so count me unimpressed.

I hope Congress passes something that actually helps average Americans and not just the large companies.

That really is the question, in matters of legislation and government. What someone says is of little importance. What he achieves is important.

That was my question. If the answer is no, then to put it bluntly, Sanders has simply run his mouth once more. There is no reason anyone should care, or even notice. Attaching importance to such futile posturing betrays a lack of sense and serious intent. You may forgive those who do not see destruction of the 'Democratic Party Establishment' as a goal devoutly to be wished for failing to see as any achievement attacks on the center-left coalition which is the only mass vehicle available to our people for checking the worst excesses of rightist reaction and obscurantism.

Medicare for All, it is but one. I do not forgive anything for those who oppose it. I support those like Warren who join the fight and live and work to make it a reality.

Sanders might try sharing goals with others, and working with them as routine behavior. It would likely achieve more for people than his usual course of attacking the 'Democratic Establishment' as interchangeable with Republicans at their worst. It is obvious to any onlooker Sanders directs much more of his formidable stocks of bile at Democrats than at Republicans. In many instances these Democrats, while perhaps more towards the center than Sanders, are far from actually being on the right, and in fact are regarded by the right as double-dyed leftists. It is an unfortunate fact that progress for our society and succor for its unfortunate and overworked has enemies on the left as well as on the right. It would be better if all fire from the left could be turned onto the right, but so long the man who postures as the leading leftist in the Senate insists on taking the 'Democratic Establishment' as his chief target, that cannot happen.

"Your attitude is noticed! Oh yes, it is noticed!"

Sanders has the advantage as does Warren for representing policy by large measures that Americans, not merely Democrats support. There is no denying it, except for the willful to rationalize away. I will never be in that camp.

Have a great evening.

She was my preferred candidate, and I believe would be a great President. She has demonstrated the ability to actually get significant reform through an inhospitable Congress. She has the ability to make complicated matters comprehensible to people who have little or no background for the subject. If anyone could make a case for having been 'shut out by the establishment', it is Professor Warren. Sanders is indulged precisely because he is a futile bag of wind, in terms of measurable achievement. In comparison to her, Sanders is a little boy running alongside a locomotive crowing 'Choo-Choo-Choo!'

have been seen as electable and he wasn't. He lost badly.

As noted, sanders wanting something is nice but he needs to get other members of the party and Congress to buy in which is something that sanders has been weak on. sanders has zero significant legislative accomplishments in the real world because many of his suggestions are ignored and no one really buys the concept of a magical voter revolution that will force the GOP to be reasonable https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/18/give-bernie-sanders-his-due/

Link to tweet

And that Medicare needs improvement.

shouldn’t be the program to use for single payer, it should be Medicaid. It covers all drugs free of charge, all other medical expenses free of charge, and let’s you use the doctor you choose. It’s really great, I’ve had it for four years, thanks to President Barack Obama and New Mexico for expanding Medicaid. If I had my way, I’d let everyone have Medicaid who wanted it.

I implore Pelosi to not hold up the payments to each American. That would look terrible.

More needs to be done, though. Mandatory sick leave, unemployment help, and foreclosure halting among other things.

You think Pelosi is the one holding these bills up? You're looking on the wrong side of the aisle.

Never miss an opportunity to take a shot at Pelosi, I guess.

Medicaid has $0 dollar cost share for patients unlike Medicare. Also, the Medicare program's provider network is not suitable for children a fact that is rarely talked about with the M4All proponents. Additionally Medicaid has better pricing for services. I'm surprised no one is suggesting an income cap for those getting the cash payment. If we capped it to folks making less than $100K or $?? we could afford to give those at the lower income levels more than a $1000 or to extend it beyond a one time payment.

Thanks to Barack Obama, I’m insured under Medicaid. If I had a magic wand, I’d give everyone in the country Medicaid. No doctor’s bills, no prescription drug costs, I can basically choose my doctor, etc. It’s great!

It has extreme income requirements- at least here in PA. I have been on it for nearly two years since qualifying for SS disability due to chronic heart and back conditions. Come July, I automatically get moved to Medicare (it’s a requirement from SSDI) and face monthly costs between $144 (for minimal Part A) and $350 or more per month for Part C or whatever I need to cover the 20% of costs that Part A doesn’t cover for my yearly heart tests and multiple doctor’s visits, plus prescriptions and co-pays.
Why? Because PA’s maximum income for me to qualify for Medicaid is around $17k per year. I’m a 53 year old widower with a 15 year old daughter and I make a whopping $21k per year from SSDI. Needless to say, the quality of my life is going to take a significant downturn come July (and it ain’t exactly “caviar and champagne” now.) I had been under the impression that I’d be able to use Medicaid to cover the costs that Medicare won’t, but that’s not the case. Considering the medical costs that I am going to incur, I’d probably be better off to have SS pay me $5k less per year so I would still qualify for Medicaid - they won’t do that, of course. Just want to make it clear that Medicaid is great, but the income qualifications are horrendously restrictive. My elderly parents are even worse off, yet still don’t qualify for Medicaid.

I’m aware that currently there are income restrictions. But I still wish everyone could have it. It’s a great program.

I wonder if the Medicare for All tag is due to the "negative" connotation of Medicaid, you know, the poors? Those that can afford Medicare can get it and have fewer problems with it.

that said the cost is still there if the person is self pay . I was like wait a sec that’s not what I thought they said about corona virus testing . I don’t know if it has changed since then but there are so many loopholes people can fall through when it’s not ‘all’ .
Then maybe be out of work and can’t pay anyway .

I know commie thoughts that sanders supports but I have good private insurance and think it’s the way to go at least for this crisis if people can not stomach it permantly

Thanks for the thread BeckyDem.

through Congress. And once again, Sanders will be ignored in the Senate, which will pass some bill that can be passed.

This is why Bernie Sanders will not be the Democratic nominee. He continually proposes things that cannot happen, and will not listen to anyone who tells him they cannot happen.

Realism is essential in a President. Bernie Sanders is, and never has been, a realist.