I am driving home from the Big City listening to the 5:00 news.

I’m in a rental and forgot my phone cord so NPR will have to do.

My views are a-political

But I choose Maine Public Radio

Because if you pointed a gun to my head I’d lean left and say:

“Let’s redistribute wealth to the marginalized many

Who made it for the few.”

In this 15-minute update are two subsequent stories of statewide funds for use.

First up an appeal from the VA housing program seeking money for a shortage anew.

In order to house hundreds of additional veterans — a 3 million dollars ask is up for review.

The producers play a recording of the Executive Director’s plea:

There is stress in her voice — strain, pain, embarrassment(?) as she hesitantly

Asks for quite a bit more than the $750k her organization normally receives.

She says “It’s simple mathematics,”

But acknowledges it’s a “difficult request.”

Is it though?

Isn’t this a worthy goal -

Putting war-torn men + women in safe and comfortable homes?

Seems like a no-brainer to invest.

The piece ends without resolution,

Just a hope and a prayer that the powers that be can find a solution

In their hearts + treasure chests.

With barely a breath in between, the reporter breezes to what’s next:

The story that strikes hard against the former

And leaves me feeling perplexed.

Some (very large) local businesses

Have been offered new incentives:

A transaction to provide transportation

In the form of employee carpools.

Not a bad idea, I suppose, to help workers more efficiently get to you

Good for economics, morale, and the environment - it’s true

But I wonder: don’t these companies have spare profits they could better use?

Several million has already been distributed in grants

To help these people get to work

But the story finishes with a line about the existing surplus

And I can’t help but think: What the fuck?

Somewhere there’s a bank account with an extra —

GET THIS: $3 million

Earmarked for industry institutions;

Already assigned to another capitalist mission.

Now I’m no mathematician

And have zero aspirations to be a politician

But isn’t it funny

That we can “find the money”

For big companies

And not the people who build them?

Allow me to unbury the lede here

The irony is cloudy, but the priorities are clear:

Corporations receive tax credits and government handouts

As rich men in suits collect profits

And process these lobbied benefits

From leather chairs in cushy home offices

While America’s bravest stand on the streets

Waiting for houses

So they can soundly sleep

But at least they can ride to their minimum wage jobs

On state-subsidized buses.

RICHELLE

MUSINGS

CREATURES

MULTIPLICITY

SUMMER

Virtues: iI

Virtues: i

Winter Essentials

It’s not in the budget

Hinges