Wilbur Ross says unpaid federal workers shouldn't need food banks, they can just get a loan

originally posted by: lSkrewloosel
a reply to: headorheart

Plus one of the key questions is "how much do you earn

Answer. Well nothing at the moment.

Loan declined

Some banks are aware they are furloughed and still making the loans...

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: narrator

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: JAGStorm
www.cnbc.com... BLrFC5lo0MuYBJWEFO-1CJc6PUSQTQ

Regardless of what you think of the shutdown. Regardless of what you think of people's finances, do you think it is appropriate
for a commerce secretary to make a statement like this.

Should a billionaire really comment on people that are getting food from food banks?

Sometimes I feel like these politicians are so far removed from normal people they might as well be aliens from another world.

Under that standard, should a billionaire comment on anything? What he said is true... him being a billionaire is irrelevant.

So, you think furloughed employees, who haven't been paid for weeks, should take out loans instead of getting food from shelters, food banks, etc?

I agree with you on the notion that him being a billionaire is irrelevant, as some billionaires are very smart. However, what he said in this instance is ridiculous. These folks have to feed their families, and seeing as they haven't been paid in weeks (similar to not having a job), they are fully entitled to use food banks and shelters.

Yes. They are called bridge loans. People do them all the time (and businesses). The government will reopen and the employees will receive their back pay in a lump sum. This is pretty much guaranteed. Once they receive the back pay, they pay off their bridge loan.

This is called sound financial management. Nothing controversial about it.

A food bank is for people who really have nothing. No savings. No job. Barely a home. Few if any government workers should be in that predicament after a month of furlough. If so, they are seriously bad at managing their financing.

What if they are in that situation though?

I'd argue the exact opposite of you. The government is going to reopen and they will get their back pay in a lump sum, soon (hopefully). Therefore, they shouldn't get a loan because that lump sum payment is going to have to go towards rent, mortgage, car, insurance, etc that they have had to dip into savings for multiple monthly payments now. Why increase their debt when they can rely on food banks to do exactly what they were designed to do, provide food for people who can't afford it?

There's zero reason for them to get a loan and increase their debt for just another week or two (hopefully).
If it drags on for months (like some people seem to want), then I would change my argument.

originally posted by: narrator

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: narrator

originally posted by: Edumakated

originally posted by: JAGStorm
www.cnbc.com... BLrFC5lo0MuYBJWEFO-1CJc6PUSQTQ

Regardless of what you think of the shutdown. Regardless of what you think of people's finances, do you think it is appropriate
for a commerce secretary to make a statement like this.

Should a billionaire really comment on people that are getting food from food banks?

Sometimes I feel like these politicians are so far removed from normal people they might as well be aliens from another world.

Under that standard, should a billionaire comment on anything? What he said is true... him being a billionaire is irrelevant.

So, you think furloughed employees, who haven't been paid for weeks, should take out loans instead of getting food from shelters, food banks, etc?

I agree with you on the notion that him being a billionaire is irrelevant, as some billionaires are very smart. However, what he said in this instance is ridiculous. These folks have to feed their families, and seeing as they haven't been paid in weeks (similar to not having a job), they are fully entitled to use food banks and shelters.

Yes. They are called bridge loans. People do them all the time (and businesses). The government will reopen and the employees will receive their back pay in a lump sum. This is pretty much guaranteed. Once they receive the back pay, they pay off their bridge loan.

This is called sound financial management. Nothing controversial about it.

A food bank is for people who really have nothing. No savings. No job. Barely a home. Few if any government workers should be in that predicament after a month of furlough. If so, they are seriously bad at managing their financing.

What if they are in that situation though?

I'd argue the exact opposite of you. The government is going to reopen and they will get their back pay in a lump sum, soon (hopefully). Therefore, they shouldn't get a loan because that lump sum payment is going to have to go towards rent, mortgage, car, insurance, etc that they have had to dip into savings for multiple monthly payments now. Why increase their debt when they can rely on food banks to do exactly what they were designed to do, provide food for people who can't afford it?

There's zero reason for them to get a loan and increase their debt for just another week or two (hopefully).
If it drags on for months (like some people seem to want), then I would change my argument.

Some could use a food bank. However, if I were in that situation, I wouldn't as I think that food bank is for people who are in more desperate situations and I wouldn't want to take away resources from those who need it more than I.

a reply to: Edumakated

Some could use a food bank. However, if I were in that situation, I wouldn't as I think that food bank is for people who are in more desperate situations and I wouldn't want to take away resources from those who need it more than I.

That's great for you, I think most workers would rather not use food banks and probably have to really swallow some pride to use them. These are people that haven't been looking for a handout, remember these are workers that have been faced with a difficult situation.
If they feel they need to go to a food bank, etc. do whatever it takes to stay afloat, I give them props to doing whatever it takes to keep their family afloat.

Taking out a loan of course is a choice, I'm sure they have considered it. There are also things to consider when taking out that loan, repayment, their credit, how much they will qualify for.

As to you other question, "should a billionaire comment on anything."

Sure but I think this topic is sensitive. I think he is rubbing salt in the wounds. There have been others too, like the Coast Guard being told to have garage sales or babysit, to make it through the shutdown. Not sure about you but I don't think having a garage sale would pay my bills. That's what i'm talking about.

I think empathy goes a long way. It would also have been one thing if he had just said, there are loans that might be available to affected workers, but putting the part in about food pantries and such is just demeaning to people that are already down.

originally posted by: headorheart
a reply to: JAGStorm

Ugh. The list of people I think are outrageously out of touch grows by the day.

Also, one does not just simply "get a loan". Even if they have good credit, getting a loan can affect people in a lot of ways.

This is what I'm talking about. It's not about him just being a billionaire. I have no ill will toward anyone just because they are rich. It's about him being so wealthy and out of touch that i'm sure he doesn't even realize he is out of touch.

I'm surprised he didn't say, just fire one of your servants and that'll save you some money!

a reply to: lSkrewloosel

The loans that I am referring to are set up by the banks and credit unions that the government workers use. These are INTEREST FREE LOANS. I'm not talking Payday loans. These are being setup especially for the Government Employees. The people issuing the loans know the status of the people seeking the loans. To me this is smart business. The banks and credit unions don't have to go through the costs of sending past due notices, or losing money by repossessing vehicles and foreclosing on homes. The people getting the loans have money for their expenses. It is a win win.

originally posted by: narrator

originally posted by: mikell
No issues locally they have several FREE safety nets. A local has paid the Coast Guard out of his pocket and it's a 0 interest loan. All rather hush hush. The CG people this is their vacation time because it's winter.

I think that's the point of the OP...Ross is saying that furloughed government employees should NOT be using free safety nets, like food banks, and instead should take out loans.

The height of insanity. These folks haven't been paid in weeks. It's perfectly acceptable for them to get food from food banks, shelters, etc.

Many of them are currently being paid what their jobs are worth - nothing.
That seems like a fair exchange of value.
Maybe they should go get another job.

For the percentage of those in the 800k that actually add some value, a loan might be a viable option, though I'd like to see some effort to make these loans zero interest.

originally posted by: JIMC5499
a reply to: lSkrewloosel

The loans that I am referring to are set up by the banks and credit unions that the government workers use. These are INTEREST FREE LOANS. I'm not talking Payday loans. These are being setup especially for the Government Employees. The people issuing the loans know the status of the people seeking the loans. To me this is smart business. The banks and credit unions don't have to go through the costs of sending past due notices, or losing money by repossessing vehicles and foreclosing on homes. The people getting the loans have money for their expenses. It is a win win.

#1 do you think every worker qualifies?
#2 do all states offer it (answer is no)
#3 have you actually read about some of the loans?

"Launch Federal Credit Union is issuing zero-percent interest rate loans of up to $3,000 to employees of the federal government."
www.cnbc.com...

I'm not sure about you, but where I live 3K wouldn't even touch mortgage costs.

a reply to: UKTruth

Many of them are currently being paid what their jobs are worth - nothing. That seems like a fair exchange of value. Maybe they should go get another job.

My friends in the Coast Guard have saved many lives at sea (yes even civilian lives that might mock them now) If that isn't valuable/priceless at least worth a paycheck I don't know what it.

We donate to local food banks every paycheck.

We DON'T get picky about why they might need to benefit from them, the entire point of donating is to make sure someone doesn't effing go hungry because they can't afford to buy anything. That can be the old broad on the fixed SSI income with nothing left to her name after bills, or the guy between pay periods with not one granule of food in his cupboard for the next week. Hunger sucks, and so does the opinion of a billionaire who will never know hunger in the first place. What a silver spoon twatwaffle.

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: UKTruth

Many of them are currently being paid what their jobs are worth - nothing. That seems like a fair exchange of value. Maybe they should go get another job.

My friends in the Coast Guard have saved many lives at sea (yes even civilian lives that might mock them now) If that isn't valuable/priceless at least worth a paycheck I don't know what it.

The coast guard would not fall into the category of useless wasters that add no value that I was talking about.

The government employees being furloughed or working without pay receive unemployment benefits saying they are going to food banks is fake news.

originally posted by: Themaskedbeast
The government employees being furloughed or working without pay receive unemployment benefits saying they are going to food banks is fake news.

Not all furloughed workers are eligible for unemployment

a reply to: Themaskedbeast

Not all are eligible. Just like the loans.

If someone needs food, they should get food. Short of stealing, I'm not about to judge where they get it from.

a reply to: JAGStorm

The whole situation seems slightly mad to an outsider.

We all understand politicians of all sides throwing hissy fits and shutting government. What i don't understand is how that translates to government workers not getting paid. Politicians shouldn't be paid - it is down to them. But people that actually work for a living should still get paid.

This Wilbur Ross is simply reflecting the disconnect between the political elite and the people he is supposed to represent.

Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, that disconnect should be a sobering tbought.

originally posted by: headorheart
a reply to: Themaskedbeast

Not all are eligible. Just like the loans.

If someone needs food, they should get food. Short of stealing, I'm not about to judge where they get it from.

Man everything is upside down these days!!

Back in the day this is exactly what these services were used for. Temporary help for those down on their luck or situation!

There are tons and tons and tons of people that don't work, never worked and totally take advantage and abuse of all these programs and systems. Now there are actual WORKERs, again, I say actual workers that might need to use it and people are scoffing at that? What in the world have we come to?

“Let them eat cake” worked out so well last time.

a reply to: Themaskedbeast

The government employees being furloughed or working without pay receive unemployment benefits saying they are going to food banks is fake news.

You sure about workers getting unemployment? Like have a link sure??? I have applied for unemployment online in the past... It usually asks the last day you worked and the reason for separation...I don't think there was an option for working without pay... although they do ask about things like maybe if you expect to receive any back pay... That would red flag your account into denial, then you could appeal I suppose...


Also, and I know it varies state to state but the max unemployment here in Mi is $367 a week for 20 weeks... So 4 weeks into the shutdown they would have used 1/5 of their benefits...

Why don’t these furloughed workers just work another job until they are back at work? I have lost jobs before and I have had a new one by the time I got home that night. There are businesses begging for workers right now.

As a matter of fact it can be fun to do something different for awhile. I know my favorite job of all time was working in a pizza place. Great people and atmosphere.

originally posted by: UKTruth

originally posted by: narrator

originally posted by: mikell
No issues locally they have several FREE safety nets. A local has paid the Coast Guard out of his pocket and it's a 0 interest loan. All rather hush hush. The CG people this is their vacation time because it's winter.

I think that's the point of the OP...Ross is saying that furloughed government employees should NOT be using free safety nets, like food banks, and instead should take out loans.

The height of insanity. These folks haven't been paid in weeks. It's perfectly acceptable for them to get food from food banks, shelters, etc.

Many of them are currently being paid what their jobs are worth - nothing.
That seems like a fair exchange of value.
Maybe they should go get another job.

For the percentage of those in the 800k that actually add some value, a loan might be a viable option, though I'd like to see some effort to make these loans zero interest.

While I agree that 90ish% of the US government is useless, these people aren't worthless. It isn't their fault that they aren't working/aren't getting paid.

It appears that you live in the UK, and I'm not sure what it's like over the pond, but here in the US, there just aren't 800k jobs lying around waiting for someone to grab. If all of them were to just quit and try to find other work, this situation would be so much worse than it currently is.

So, I agree in principle that our government needs to be slashed down to bare bones, but that needs to happen in a much better fashion than this.

We aren't looking for a homeless crisis.