Trump Again Shows He Doesn't Care About U.S. Workers

When Trump (and his Republican friends) passed the huge tax cut of 2017, most of the benefits of that tax cut went to the corporations and the richest Americans. Almost none of it went to American workers -- the people who needed it the most. It was a prime example of who Trump cares about (rich people), and who he doesn't (workers).

Sadly, the same seems to be true about the $2.2 trillion package to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus epidemic on the economy.

The bill as written originally by Republicans (with Trump's approval) was mainly a $500 billion giveaway to corporations, a loan program for small businesses, and a token $1000 to workers.

Democrats did their best to make the bill better. They forced oversight on the corporate slush fund, turned the small business loans into grants for those who kept workers on their payroll, beefed up unemployment insurance and extended it to workers who didn't previously qualify, and upped the token giveaway to people to $1200. It wasn't perfect, but it was a lot better than the original Republican bill.

But then Trump began to change it after signing it. The first thing he did was say he didn't have to abide by the oversight provision in the bill for the corporate slush fund. Now his Labor Department has instituted a rule that would let small businesses refuse to let workers have paid time off to take care of their families. In essence, he has fixed it so about 75% of workers won't get paid time off. These are the people who most needed help. But Trump doesn't care about workers. He only cares about himself and his rich friends.

Consider this part of an article on Alternet by Igor Deysh:

The Trump administration has quietly issued new guidance that will exempt many small businesses from having to provide some workers with paid leave during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department of Labor issued a temporary rule Wednesday that effectively exempted businesses with fewer than 50 workers from being required to provide 12 weeks of paid leave for workers whose children are suddenly at home from school or child care under the coronavirus stimulus package signed by President Donald Trump.

Democrats already agreed to exclude workers at large companies with more than 500 employees from being eligible for sick leave during negotiations with Republicans. As a result, more than 75% of American workers are employed by companies not required to provide them with sick leave during the pandemic.

The bill passed by Congress said businesses with fewer than 50 employees could be eligible for exemptions if they prevent the business from being able to function, The New York Times reported. The Trump administration’s guidance has effectively exempted these businesses entirely from having to provide paid leave to workers who have to take care of their families, though it still requires them to provide paid leave if employees themselves get sick.

These companies can refuse to provide paid leave if doing so would “cause the small business to cease operating,” if the worker’s absence would create a “substantial risk” or if there were not enough workers “able, willing and qualified” to fill in for them.

The Times noted that health care providers, first responders and some federal government employees can also be denied paid leave under the bill.