Bruce St. James just started his new job at WLS-AM in Chicago after moving over from the Phoenix market on December 14th. He has barely settled into his new radio home before delivering a potentially controversial take on the next round of stimulus checks on Monday’s edition of The Bruce St. James Show. He encouraged people who do not need the money to donate it to charity.
St. James’ comment came after the House and the Senate reached a compromise on a 900 billion dollar package late Sunday that is expected to be signed by Donald Trump on Monday. According to CNN, a one time payment of six hundred dollars would be made to individuals making below a certain amount of money per year, while those drawing unemployment would receive an extra three hundred dollars per week on top of the benefits already received.
The extra three hundred dollars per week seem to be a sticking point for St. James.
“For a lot of people, the extra unemployment benefits are a better gig than working.”
He then offers anecdotal evidence to support his claim.
“I was at LAX this summer and I went to find a LYFT ride on the app and it said there were none available,” St. James said. “So I had to take an ancient form of transportation known as a cab. You just wave your hand and one appears like magic. I asked around and people said there was a shortage of LYFT and Uber drivers because they getting six hundred dollars per week at the time extra unemployment benefits. It was better money than they made with LYFT or Uber.”
According to multiple sources, there is a ride sharing shortage in California. However, that could be attributed to orders to reclassify drivers as employees instead of independent contractors or a variety of other factors.
St. James also takes issue with the differing impacts the stimulus package will have across the country. That’s when he urges listeners who can, to donate their stimulus checks to charity.
“Here in Chicago, six hundred dollars barely covers a month’s rent, but if you get an extra six hundred dollars in Tupelo, Mississippi, they will probably elect you as mayor. I’m not saying the stimulus package isn’t needed. It is. I feel sorry for the single mom trying to make ends meet or the person who was laid off and then started back to work and lost their job again because of this crap. They need help. But some people don’t and for those of you, Merry Christmas, you just got an extra six hundred dollars. I realize that some people need this new stimulus check to pay rent or put food on the table, but some people don’t. If you don’t need it, just donate it to charity.”
Louisiana pastor Tony Spell received criticism from the national media when he asked his congregation to donate their stimulus checks to the church in April. It remains to be seen if St. James’ comments will receive a similar backlash.
