Charity in Crisis

Two days ago, I complained that CoViD-19 would cobble people with fewer opportunities and wondered why there wasn’t more support for them. A reader, my son, pointed out that I missed the charity of several individuals.

Zion Williams, the rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans, pledged to cover the salaries of the Smoothie King Center for the length of the initial NBA shutdown for coronavirus. Williams attributed his work to the values instilled by his mother, according to USA Today.

The USA Today article also reported that Kevin Love from the Cavaliers and Giannis Antetokounpo of the Bucks each donated $100,000 to help workers in their respective arenas. The Mavericks, Cavaliers, Warriors, and Hawks also are helping the arena employees.

“Nearly every NBA and NHL franchise has pledged to take care of in-game and stadium employees in some manner, though it’s worth noting players took the lead,” reports Forbes magazine.

“Actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are donating $1 million to two food banks to help older adults and low-income families during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak,” according to The Hill.

Politicians are getting into the act. “As the U.S. is scrambling to deal with the forced shuttering of restaurants, bars, theaters, and other businesses, even some fiscally conservative Republicans agree that giving money directly to people might be the best response,” reported Adam Harris in The Atlantic several days before the House passed a bill that could inject $1 trillion into the economy.

The New York Times reported a few hours ago: “Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the economic relief plan included payments of $1,000 for American adults and $500 per child sent within three weeks. It is not clear if Americans of every income bracket will be eligible for the payments or how they will be disbursed to those who do not have bank accounts. The Trump administration has proposed sending $500 billion directly to Americans in two waves.”

Will the payments help the average American family? Somewhat. But not much. The average American family, which has a net worth of $59,000, earns around $57,000. Most American families live paycheck to paycheck. Yet the expected federal payment is better than nothing, which is what many in the top 10% are doing to help in this crisis. For example, are the top executives of major corporations waving their salaries, many of which were excessive during good times, and passing the savings to their employees?  

Finally, who or what receives the remaining $500 billion? Will it amount to a bailout similar to what happened in 2008 when most of the banking and investment executives kept their jobs and some even earned bonuses?

You may call me cynical, but I have my doubts that a Republican Senate will pass a bill favorable to those individual families most in need. They didn’t with the tax-cut bill our President pats himself on the back for, which only made the rich richer.

Zion Williams is being charitable, meaning that he gets nothing in return for his good deed. Can the same be said from the Trump Administration which has done too little, too late during this crisis, especially for the underserved in this nation? Or is he looking to play the “savior” in order to get re-elected in November? I pick door number two.

It’s about time the top 10% step up and do their patriotic duty since it was this country that enabled them to amass their wealth. And regardless of what BS they may say, not a one of them did it on their own. Not a one.