Dr. Duke Show

Last week Congress unanimously passed the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion stimulus plan that directly gives money to everyday Americans, as well as loan guarantees for small businesses and big businesses. But it did not go far enough for some of the most left of center Democrats, who wanted more pork, and of course, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was among them. From her fearmongering to her cries for free everything, you would think it was an ordinary day in her life, and for the most part, you would be correct, because politicians know a good crisis should never be put to waste.

The historic stimulus package that will deal out more than $2 trillion has officially been passed by the Senate, after a 96-0 vote, and by the House of Representatives in a voice vote. This means that money is coming your way if you are an everyday American who makes less than six figures. But in the midst of all the coronavirus chaos, the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) turned the big 8-0, which means if she was in Italy and contracted the virus, she would be left to her own devices. Pelosi usually is left to her own devices and the result this week has been much politicking in a litany wish list of items to be porked (yes, porked) into the stimulus package. Check it out for yourself.

Dumb, greedy little bastards is what they are thinking of you. After the performance so far this week of the Democrats in the Senate and the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, it is clear the politicians think of everyday Americans as what was previously stated. By taking hostage of financial relief for Americans in this trying time, the politicians showed that politics truly is all for me and none for thee. Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff for President Barack Obama, said it best, that “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Politicians are not letting him down. Of course they are letting down the American people, but details, details.

It is here, it is staying, and we will likely all get it. So what can we do in the meantime as a response to the coronavirus? As is always true in life, you have a choice to make. While you do not have complete control, what remains is control of whether recommendations are completely ignored or if they are taken seriously. Find yourself being smart by washing your hands, using hand sanitizer, and practicing the phrase of 2020: social distancing. Make sure you test positive for how you respond to the coronavirus. Embrace the opportunity to interact differently and develop deeper relationships. With your thoughts and actions toward others, be a good steward, and comfort those who are scared, especially the young who do not know what is happening, and the elderly who are the most vulnerable. Reach out and be a light in what may be a dark time for them. If everyone tests positive in the response to the coronavirus, the outlook will be that much brighter.

As the country is nearing shutdown by the hour, people continue to panic over the spread of COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus. The medical and political ramifications will be left up to more qualified individuals. This discussion is about the rest of us, everyday people who need to use common sense, for the health of each other and the rest of the nation. Without being preachy, as the current state of affairs proceeds, make sure to be pragmatically prepared, practical, precautious, preventative, prudential, and patient. All of us together will persevere. Make sure to be positive, just not for coronavirus itself. And please do not panic.