Can This Be? Our Uncaring Country?

Here any thin social safety net is called an "entitlement." Here tax breaks go to the wealthy. And when you're down and out, "You're on your own." At least half of Americans are at or near poverty.* But in the past two weeks, "the American Dream" temporarily appeared and with it, unexpected generosity. Not only has Congress agreed to extend sick leave and unemployment, restaurants are giving away meals. And evictions and mortgage foreclosures have been temporarily suspended. The key word is "temporarily." Beneath all the sudden generosity is the pervasive U.S. underbelly: the homeless, the poor. Those who don't file taxes will not receive the single $1200 check that will be sent to taxpayers (the $1200 "stimulus" for "every American" which was supposed to be $2400 until a few Republicans made sure there would not be a second $1200 check). Still, it's strange to see generosity in a country so devoid of any "handout." Of course, it's all about money, and soon, if the President and economists have their way, this plutocratic corporatocracy will fire-up again, in spite of how many lives this could cost.
*Poverty Rate USA