Koch Network Pushed 1 Billion cut to CDC, Now Attacks Shelter-In Policies

[G_j]

https://theintercept.com/2020/03/26/americans-for-prosperity-cdc-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR3rDPvK6kVm27dLxvb5inpvVn8c5BvlT4Wd0UQzd3psJaHQA7h-dRr_BI4


AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY, the pro-corporate pressure group founded and funded by billionaire industrialist Charles Koch, wants employees to return to work despite desperate pleas from public health officials that people should stay home as much as possible to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

As states began to order nonessential businesses to shut down last week, AFP released a statement calling for all businesses to remain open.

“Rather than blanket shutdowns, the government should allow businesses to continue to adapt and innovate to produce the goods and services Americans need, while continuing to do everything they can to protect the public health,” said Emily Seidel, chief executive of AFP, in a press release.

Some of the group’s state chapters have taken a similar tone. AFP Pennsylvania’s state director, as well as a regional director with the group, have taken to Twitter to lambast shelter-in-place policies. The Michigan chapter of AFP on Monday slammed Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, which closed down fitness centers, nail salons, amusement parks, casinos, and other businesses deemed nonessential, calling it the “wrong approach for our state.”

Whitmer’s order, variations of which are being implemented by state and local governments nationwide, contains exceptions for critical industries such as grocery stores, pharmacies, health care providers, financial services, transportation, child care, hazardous materials, and energy.

..more..

[CaptYossarian]

1. Now I'll be getting calls from the Americans For Plutocracy again

before the WI primary.

It was a peaceful couple of weeks.

[Brainfodder]

2. So, they told Trump to hold their BEERS?

"the pro-corporate pressure group"



I hope they trip and fall into a vat full of rats with no way out?
Yeah, I know there is a chance....

[SWBTATTReg]

3. How ironic, especially when the Koch ripoff artists own one of the largest paper producers in ...

this Country (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) and thus probably making a (literally) killing. I don't them stepping up to the plate and offering 100,000,000 rolls of paper goods out of the kindness of their hearts. Greedy capitalists, only interesting in keeping their factories going, at minimum wages of course.

[BeckyDem]

4. Will someone here let me know when CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or NBC cover this story?

You know, all those liberal media outlets.

[justhanginon]

5. Hope you join your brother sooner rather than later.

Be sure and tell him hello as you step off the down elevator to hell.

[Igel]

6. Don't know what that means.

I kneejerk in weird ways, and "If Koch wants it, I always know I don't want it" gives them too much power over my thinking and attitude.

I do know that two countries allowed private business to get involved in testing, and we hold them up as models. Two countries had really invasive procedures for halting the virus, involving massive government control and authority, and many hold them up as models. The US did neither, and it's in the worst shape of the five. Because it's government control wasn't all-powerful, splitting families, forcing tests, having hospitals-as-detention centers; and because it was too distrustful of citizens because you just can't give up power and you just can't trust people, even when you have the same goal (because *do* you *really* have exactly the same goal).