Byron York’s latest column distorts reality for GOP

Byron York (“How Pelosi’s TDS hurt America,” TimesStandard, Dec. 11, Page A4), like the Trumpist die-hards still at it on Facebook, repeats the big lie that financial relief for small businesses and hungry families facing threats of eviction has been stalled by the very party that prepared a comprehensive package, passed many weeks ago by the House, to continue payroll support and unemployment compensation.

York distorts reality and expects us to ignore the intransigence in the Republican Senate. Self- described “Grim Reaper” Mitch McConnell, throughout this grim year, has forced drastic reductions in relief to individuals and local communities while giving billions to Boeing and other megacorporations. McConnell (“McConnell signals no GOP support for emerging COVID-19 deal,” Times- Standard, Dec. 11, Page A5) now refuses to allow passage of the bipartisan compromise aid package. In McConnell’s view, the more pressing need is to enact liability shields for large businesses so that no injured worker, nursing home resident, hospital patient, or medical provider can seek recompense for personal harm due to negligence or malfeasance. Republicans’ self-serving alliance with big-business clearly contrasts with Democrats’ commitment to people.

In the December issue of AARP BULLETIN, Elaine Ryan comments on industry responses to the snowballing suffering and deaths in our nation’s nursing homes: “Remarkably, while people were perishing in nursing homes, the biggest efforts by industry bigwigs was making sure they weren’t held liable for those deaths.”

Finding our way forward requires clear- eyed understanding of reality and of who our allies are.

Chip Sharpe, Bayside