Question about the proposed economic stimulus
#1
This topic may be too political and if it is please delete it.


As I'm sure you've heard a $1 trillion dollar stimulus package is being proposed.  What is the point if people can't get out to spend it?  Yes, a lot of shopping occurs on line but a lot takes place in stores.  What is  the point of stimulating the economy if no one can get out to buy?

Not trying to start a flame war, just trying to understand.

Tom
Life is simple - Eat, Drink, Play with trains

Occupation: Professional Old Guy (The government pays me to be old.)
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#2
This could be a bit political, but we're all friends here and I'd conclude that it's about 99% about logic and only 1% political. and for sure, 100% rhetorical. However, the answer my friend is blowing in the wind.... Oh wait, that's from a Bob Dylan song, although an appropriate answer. Only those geniuses that come up with these ideas can answer your question for it is they who decided that it will work. Giving away money never works like it's suppose to, spending it on goods and services from our country should work if they spend it in the right places and the money they use doesn't put us deeper in debt.

You will remain confused, as will most all of us, so put it aside and think about doing some modeling. running trains or doing some trainspotting and don't worry about it. That's my plan....
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
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#3
In the county I live in the unemployment rate when from 3% to 35% overnight as the train, the casino and all places to eat in and bars were closed along with a lot of small shops. The money that is supposed to go to people so they can make the mortgage or rent payments as well as things like car payments and power bills and food the way I understand it.
Mike

Sent from my pocket calculator using two tin cans and a string
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#4
I agree with Mike, I think the idea is to help folks through with their bills and they still need to get out to buy groceries. 
I didn't think anything was wrong with the economy until this virus popped up and the economy should rebound when people quit panicking about it. 
No one wants this to spread, but my fear is they are just slowing it down and stretching it out. The longer it goes on, the more permanent the damage will be. 
I think the media has gone way overboard too. 
As for political, I actually feel sorry for the politicians and I never feel that way, but they are damned no matter what they do. 
Our state surgeon general  even canceled out primary election yesterday. (it was illegal but she did it any way).
Gun sales locally have gone out of this world, with long lines waiting to buy a firearm.

Charlie
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#5
It's hard not to agree to do the right thing, in this case, give cash to help those financially hurt by this panic. My concern is that things get changed as these types of things get put in place and invariably, a large amount of the money alloted goes to those that don't need it but will take it anyway, those that have some sort of advantage to get a bigger chunk of the pie, and those that are able to swindle the system. Lets hope they can avoid these kinds of things and get real help to those that need it and make other resources available as well. I remember years ago there was something that was causing food shortages or the ability to buy food and the government broke out their stash of stored goods to ease the situation. I can't remember what the situation was, nor when it happened, I just remember them distributing massive amounts of cheese and other staples that they had stored when they were trying to stabilize markets for those products.
Don (ezdays) Day
Board administrator and
founder of the CANYON STATE RAILROAD
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#6
Charlie I'm guessing you live in a big city area. No panic here. No lines at the gun stores as everybody already owns guns, the stores are still well stocked and the only lines right now are at the unemployment office. I agree with Don about his concern that some of the $$$ may go to those that don't need it.
Mike

Sent from my pocket calculator using two tin cans and a string
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#7
Mike, my nearest town has 4000 people, but I am 12 miles from Youngstown and 35 miles from Pittsburgh. 
It's all about how the local news reports it. 
Charlie
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#8
As of now in Ohio we can still go to the store.. However, our Kroger will deliver our on line order for a small fee. You can order on line from Wal-Mart and then go pick it up...


As far as the stimulus check.. The Summerset Ry can use that windfall for a much needed locomotive rebuild since the 711 (our SW1500 built 7-66) blew a cylinder... The real story? I want to buy a Atlas MP15DC -a ex CR.
Larry
Engineman

Summerset Ry

Make Safety your first thought, Not your last!  Safety First!
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#9
(03-17-2020, 02:39 PM)FiatFan Wrote: This topic may be too political and if it is please delete it.


As I'm sure you've heard a $1 trillion dollar stimulus package is being proposed.  What is the point if people can't get out to spend it?  Yes, a lot of shopping occurs on line but a lot takes place in stores.  What is  the point of stimulating the economy if no one can get out to buy?

Not trying to start a flame war, just trying to understand.

Tom

There is nothing to understand.  You explained it perfectly, including the complete lack of sense to the whole thing.

If the government had created jobs, instead of just issuing checks that are not backed by any money in any banks anywhere, it would have made sense.  Printing and passing out money doesn't really help anyone, but it does drive up costs and inflation.
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