In Support of Reopening for Business
I realize that a contagious disease pandemic is nasty stuff. Death is a byproduct of the Wuhan Virus and I truly feel the sadness of surviving families. These folks can’t even be near giving last hugs or anything that is comforting. It is a horrid circumstance.
Recently, some, and I am among them, began stating the facts about other causes of death. Heart Disease, Cancer, auto accidents, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, etc., and none bring the country to a full stop on its knees. The expression that life goes on seems lost and forgotten. If ever there is a time when death took a holiday it must have been while I was sleeping. Terrible as this virus may be, it can be boiled down to another in the million ways a human can die. Sickness is always regrettable and death more so. But what about the death of a Nation, it’s society and businesses that provide dignity and livelihood. I vote to reopen for business. My sense of it is that the finest, those self reliant creative entrepreneurs, who start businesses and create jobs and add to the neighborhoods in which we live are dying. I have many of those fine talented hard working people in my practice and some will never make it back and be forced to close or restructure under Bankruptcy laws. And by the way, Biden made those laws more difficult to use and while doing so made them more beneficial to big businesses like the Credit Card companies. He’s such an old bumbling crooked politician in bed with China that I can’t stand it. God Forbid he becomes President. Sorry for the injection of politics here but this has become political and the Nancy Pelosi led factions are failing all but those who hate Trump. It is my observation that they are enjoying this while pretending they care. Yeah right, care from a walled in Pacific Heights mansion surrounded by armed guards with freezer's full of ice cream...elitism is not a friend to us. But my point stands, let business open again and save lives by being alive in contrast to this virtual death of huddling afraid masses sheltered in place with police telling us where we can gather, attend or visit. Sure, the precautions are wise but mankind has survived worse and the Rights we cherish are the legacy that must be protected. How simple it could be to never restore the infringements that are coming from the Left who favor bee hives to Freedom. Temporary can often become permanent and a precedent set is often recalled to oppress again. Little by little like the frog being cooked we lose our Freedom and the Rights given us by the founding documents.
I say to all authoritarians using that authority to imprison good hard working people who don’t require a nanny, let my people go! Go back to work. Personally, I think Trump has put together some good ideas but far from perfect. I also hate the indebtedness being embraced. Yes this is a dangerous period that might warrant some outlandish spending, after all it is an emergency situation. My problem is that the spending has long been in deficits and become the National disease. Nothing new here, just the speed that all in DC agreed to it. The Dems and Repubs alike love OPM. I give neither party quarter on that. But killing off the economy and the very people that created it is just plain nuts. Not one of my clients, who applied early, has received a penny of the PPP Loan money. Two people I know received the stimulus checks...typical inefficiency of government. If business doesn’t reopen soon, we will have a Depression and how many deaths will follow. Poorness kills, stress kills and minority communities will suffer most. We need some adult thinkers here and though Trump’s on the right track it’s still too polite for me. Forget about reelection and popularity. Just reopen for business and the virus will pass. What the hell is the point in saving even 100,000 lives if what is left is so diminished as to kill the host.
Now for tough love...I have always advised my clients to set aside reserve accounts. If never spent, this becomes a good source for other times, but the capital it provides in times of emergency is painfully obvious now. It’s not too late to begin a reserve account set aside discipline. Once business reopens start with 1% of gross and add to the discipline as business returns to better levels. If you don’t make it to the reopening and have no cash and the “help” from the government never reached you or was inadequate, I feel badly for you. Life does go on and you can always try again. I'll help you.To those who survive to reopen successfully, I’m proud of you all. The Country depends on you as the hard working fast thinking entrepreneurs you are. Thank you! Good luck to all. Call anytime.