Portage_Bay
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2015
- Messages
- 2,670
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Pacific Myst
- Vessel Make
- West Bay 4500
Queston on Govt Checks
With apologies toTF’s non US members. The Govt Checks is a US thing.
The far bigger question is what will you do with your Govt Check?
Politics aside. The corona virus / covid-19 response and outfall could prove to be an over reaction or a correct reaction that prevented massive deaths. The economic result could be devastating or just another speed bump on first world economies. We won’t know until we can see it in the rear view mirror if ever. But for some, right now, it’s tough going. Really tough going.
One thing that is clear to me is that we are either “in this together” or “each out for himself”. I without doubt fall into the we’re in this together category. So, my govt check if and when I receive it will be donated to those who actually need it. Like all of us here I either have a boat or am seriously considering owning a boat. It’s a toy. Nothing more than an expensive toy. Yes I take it seriously, the responsible operation, the safety of all aboard, the maintenance. But I don’t make a living with it. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. You can have the damned stained worn out T-shirt. Running a work boat is work. Hard work. My current boat is a toy. That means I have disposable income to chose to spend on my toy.
So the gov’t check is not critical to me. Lest any of you think I’m wealthy, I’m not. Lower to mid level middle class. My boat is older and needs a lot of TLC. It’s a stretch for my budget. But, I don’t NEED it.
As soon as my check arrives it will go out the door to those truly in need. Maybe the local food bank. Maybe the charity that is supporting medical first responders in need of PPE or simply meals as they work double shift 7 days a week. Maybe massive tips to those just scratching by. I mean the servers who used to hustle to put my meal and drinks on the table but now are doing curb side take out at a much reduced level. Maybe kids graduating this June into a job market with near zero opportunities.
That check, at most $1200, and at today’s local diesel price of $1.23 would buy me 975 gal of diesel. Oh how I’d love to get that in my tanks. But, really? If I can’t afford 975 gal of fuel at 3 X that price the boat should be put up for sale. Can my barber, an independent shop owner, who’s been out of work for 5.5 weeks and looking at another 4+ weeks survive? I doubt it.
We’re either all in this together or we’re selfish. I know which path I choose. Which path do you choose?
With apologies toTF’s non US members. The Govt Checks is a US thing.
The far bigger question is what will you do with your Govt Check?
Politics aside. The corona virus / covid-19 response and outfall could prove to be an over reaction or a correct reaction that prevented massive deaths. The economic result could be devastating or just another speed bump on first world economies. We won’t know until we can see it in the rear view mirror if ever. But for some, right now, it’s tough going. Really tough going.
One thing that is clear to me is that we are either “in this together” or “each out for himself”. I without doubt fall into the we’re in this together category. So, my govt check if and when I receive it will be donated to those who actually need it. Like all of us here I either have a boat or am seriously considering owning a boat. It’s a toy. Nothing more than an expensive toy. Yes I take it seriously, the responsible operation, the safety of all aboard, the maintenance. But I don’t make a living with it. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. You can have the damned stained worn out T-shirt. Running a work boat is work. Hard work. My current boat is a toy. That means I have disposable income to chose to spend on my toy.
So the gov’t check is not critical to me. Lest any of you think I’m wealthy, I’m not. Lower to mid level middle class. My boat is older and needs a lot of TLC. It’s a stretch for my budget. But, I don’t NEED it.
As soon as my check arrives it will go out the door to those truly in need. Maybe the local food bank. Maybe the charity that is supporting medical first responders in need of PPE or simply meals as they work double shift 7 days a week. Maybe massive tips to those just scratching by. I mean the servers who used to hustle to put my meal and drinks on the table but now are doing curb side take out at a much reduced level. Maybe kids graduating this June into a job market with near zero opportunities.
That check, at most $1200, and at today’s local diesel price of $1.23 would buy me 975 gal of diesel. Oh how I’d love to get that in my tanks. But, really? If I can’t afford 975 gal of fuel at 3 X that price the boat should be put up for sale. Can my barber, an independent shop owner, who’s been out of work for 5.5 weeks and looking at another 4+ weeks survive? I doubt it.
We’re either all in this together or we’re selfish. I know which path I choose. Which path do you choose?
