Having been an employee and employer I’m pro both. Though I think I’m the outlier. Seen a lot of workers and employers get screwed, I can see why one would be loyal to one side. I had an employer steal my 401K $$, people are just mean no matter what side of the desk they sit on.
Not an anarcho-capitalist or “austrian economist” doesn’t mean you’re anti-capitalist.
Media publishers and broadcasters have ensured that those messages are conflated, of course.
Well you got me there as I have no clue what any of that means. That was a small excerpt you quoted to another user per a specific convo. I usually back away when the political speak starts as I have nothing to contribute.
I don’t see being pro worker as being loyal to one side. A worker is always more exploited than an employer by definition.
I agree it’s expedient and unhelpful to blame a ‘side’ when market conditions are tough.
I’m not sure I’ll ever say anything that you won’t find qualms with. You win my friend, hope all goes well with you and your business.
I’m in Canada. Everyone here affected is getting $500 a week. Thankfully the stimulus is going back into the economy. It boggles my mind that $1200 was doled out in the US months ago while large corps got hefty bailouts while ejecting their workers and still paying execs bonuses. Ah, read one of your previous statements. It’s good to hear there is stimulus reaching gig workers.
1 Like
I’m not. I moved back from being in the US for 20 years and haven’t found werk since I’ve been back. So I believe I don’t qualify.
And had I stayed in the US I wouldn’t get aid either, being a legal alien.
Fucked either way.
Interesting. Here is my copy/paste from a similar subject (more or less)
UK: Life as per normal as far as I know
US: Some cats got a US$1,200 cheque. For some people that means they can eat this week. For others, that is a new toy. How long is that expected to last?
AU: Wage subsidies and Unemployment benefit doubled with basically no means testing. So if you were on the dole before, it got doubled with a virus payment, new to the dole, you get it no questions asked, and twice as much as normal.
NZ: Wage subsidies. If you are one of the people who were working / could get subsidies; lucky you or 80% income. Some people who have a one income family, dropped to 80% of income. For everyone else, absolutely nothing. Unemployment means testing threshold is essentially minimum wage… so a lot of people are suffering / not able to get any support.
So all depends obviously, bottom line is people are in various circumstances.
I am in one of the groups above, and know people in all of them.
Some cats are struggling… some at breaking point… some are doing ok… some are even getting new toys…
2 Likes
speaking for AU, yes, it was a surprisingly good response also expect some of the measures will get extended past September(?) but of course plenty of holes: I know several people who get nothing at all
In regards to the original topic, here in Aus as per the other thread, due to the weakened dollar the price of all Elektrons went up, by something ridiculous like 30%. But now selling in the 2nd hand market, savvy kids are selling at the inflated prices and essentially getting their money back in full. So buying a 2nd hand Elektron will now cost you the original, brand new price. It’s a terrible time to buy gear here. I personally sold some stuff at a fair un-inflated price, and the watched as the guy immediately relisted the device at inflated price, he even used my damn photos
I can’t see myself buying any brand new Elektron equipment as a result for the foreseeable future. You basically have to scope the second hand listings for lucky bargains on specific things you’re after, which, tbh, I pretty much have a pause on atm
Check with social assistance. I have a friend with addiction problems and his income jumped $300-500 month. (Can’t remember the exact number, he’s probably making $1300-ish a month.) How long have you been back? If you’ve been working at all this tax season, you might be ok. For social assistance, I believe your bank account has to be dry.
Thank you, you too of course. The pandemic has both closed and opened some doors for me (I’m both a sole trader - working mostly small, young businesses and trader and part-time employed by a large multinational).
I hope my replies are taken as they’re meant: never as an attack. I’m just stating how my view differs. I find it interesting when people with different experiences/views meet and brilliant when they can converse and test their own thoughts.
2 Likes
Been back literally JUST over a year. But I haven’t been able to get werk. So I think I’m like a non entity. Paid a bunch into the US system but was not eligible. Haven’t paid into Canada yet since I’ve been back, so not eligible. Living in the US didn’t really pay off 
I didn’t really exist in the US and I don’t exist here. I have no home.
All good my friend! Had a shit weekend that hasn’t given up quite yet. Life loves to pile on. I guess thats what makes us stronger on the other end. Thanks for the reply and kind words.
1 Like
3 Likes
Lots of differing opinions here and I can say I’m happy we always seem to keep it pretty civilized. I think we are all processing this in different ways and don’t know what the future holds. I respect everyone’s opinions and many times they force me to look at things differently. Thanks for that.
2 Likes
AGREE.
less is more
1 Like
the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least
6 Likes
That could be just depression. 
We have a winner.
I’ve seen the reverse in UK apart from some odd exceptions. A lot of free stuff given away too, which is nice.