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.