Georgia Runoff Hopeful Jon Ossoff Questions $600 Stimulus Checks: 'Really?'

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Democrat Senate candidate Jon Ossoff suggested the value of the second round of stimulus checks is not enough and took aim at incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue as he challenges for the seat in the Georgia runoffs.

Ossoff, who has previously sought to weaponize the issue of stimulus against his opponent, questioned the $600 payments and reflected on the financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's been 8 months," he tweeted, with the last COVID-19 relief package, the CARES Act, which included the first round of $1,200 stimulus checks, having been passed at the end of March. "$600? Really?"

Link to tweet

?s=20

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/georgia-runoff-hopeful-jon-ossoff-questions-dollar600-stimulus-checks-really/ar-BB1c6Soc?li=BBnb7Kz

[mvd]

1. K&R

When I first heard of Ossoff, I wanted him to win but wasn’t overly impressed. I am very impressed with him now. Also love the way he debated Perdue so well that Perdue ran away.

[Doremus]

2. Oh my. This sounds too much like AOC. Can't have that. nt

[mcar]

7. No, it doesn't

Read it again and see who he's criticizing.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

11. It's ABSOLUTELY socialism he's talking about.

So why isn't he getting grief? Because he's a guy? Because he's white? Because he's from a swing state? Inquiring minds want to know why "it's time to distance ourselves from socialism" doesn't apply here.

[EX500rider]

14. The govt giving u money is not socialism..the govt owning the means of production is. nt

[reACTIONary]

18. +100! Thanks! nt

[Mr.Bill]

16. Because we need him to get elected. n/t

[reACTIONary]

20. Concern for the general wealfare, health and safety...

... of the people is NOT socialism. Such concern is explicitly expressed in the preamble to the constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution ...

So America was a socialist country right from the git-go? Never had anything to do with that radical capitalist nonsense?

[George II]

22. Not socialism whatsoever. Why bring in his gender or race? That's ridiculous.

[mcar]

23. He's not criticizing Democrats

That is what I said. Why are you responding to me otherwise?

[Magoo48]

19. Criticize here, criticize there. Fts. What it is a fuckin' insult.

[George II]

21. Well, he's not criticizing Pelosi, Schumer, or other Democratic leadership, only republicans.

So there's that!

[mcar]

24. My point exactly

People trying to both sides this, or claim sexism, apparently didn't read my post.

[JI7]

9. He sounds like Jon Ossoff and what he has already been saying this whole time

in going after Republicans on this issue.

He has always said we are in this mess because Republicans control the Senate.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. And It's Not Stimulative!

A large fraction of the recipients will be spending this money on bills extant and in arrears.
That's not new money generating demand.
The means limit is too low to create excess funds to satisfy pent-up demand for those not needing the money.
Too many people absolutely need this money and it won't be used to stimulate new buying.
The $600 is too low, and the income cap is as well.
For the family of 4 with an $80,000 household income, its likely a boon.
$600 for about 240,000,000 people is only $144 billion. 2/3rds of 1% of GDP, with a good chunk of it already accounted for in existing bills.
It's not a macroeconomic stimulus.

[mvd]

4. I see what you mean

They are more for survival at my income. I will likely use the $600 to pay off bills I got behind on.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. I Edited

To add some numbers. I think it makes it even clearer.

[mathematic]

10. I don't buy this reasoning

For this to not be a stimulus in the way you describe, the debt burden on the people behind on their bills would have to go down in aggregate. I don't see how people who are behind on their bills will be lowering their debt in a way longer than for the immediate couple weeks.

What I mean is that say the people you're referring to collectively owe $500 billion and will get $100 billion of the money. Will they collectively owe $400 billion after they get their $600? I don't think they will. I think they'll owe more than $500 billion in a month.

Another way to look at this money is not as an economic stimulus meant to kick start an economy suffering from low demand but rather monetary policy (helicopter money) to avoid huge economic dislocations associated with people unable to pay their bills for a few months (fingers crossed, I suppose, on that point). You know, avoid private sector defaults with easy money, except the private sector defaults are at the individual level and it's totally free money, not just no-interest loans.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. You're Actually Agreeing With Me

You're making a different point to the same net result.
The only difference is that you believe demand is not down, when in fact, all industrial indicators suggest it is.
And, for those short on funds, even retail demand is down a pinch.
It's fair that it's not tragic, because so many jobs were considered essential, 70+% of people never saw a huge reduction in income.
But then, $1,200 in pent-up demand for those not NEEDING the money isn't a giant stimulus, but it's not nothing.
We agree on this more than you seem to think.

[Caliman73]

26. 100% correct. Republicans tout it as "stimulus"

It will be nothing of the sort. That money has already been spent and accounted for. People will still be in arrears.

[MoonlitKnight]

6. It's like trying to fill a sinkhole with a pebble.

[Budi]

8. Good move because the GA GOP will now claim credit & use it as a weapon in the runoff

He had to counter what's coming in RW ads.

Smart thing to do Mr Ossoff.

The ONLY reason McConnell & repubs settled on this bill was because losing the GA runoff became a threat to the GOP.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

12. Kick Perdue's corrupt ass out! ...

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dufor2020runoff

A few questions: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=14520874

and answers: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=14520972

[liskddksil]

15. Add that Perdue and Loeffler are defunding our police officers and firefighters

because they demanded that state and local funds be removed from the bill. Make them own it.

[Cha]

25. Rt.. TY!

[mopinko]

27. that aint- get right money. it's just-hang on money.

[Wednesdays]

28. K&R. nt