12.17.20 Bee-otches of the Day: the DeVos family

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Names: the DeVos family

Age: various
Occupation: none
Last Seen: Grand Rapids
Bee-otched For: fucking up this city

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For nearly 50 years, Purple East is the first name people think of when it comes to head shops in Grand Rapids. 

People have long been supportive of the store, which moved to a bigger location downtown in the 2000s. And they deserved it, too, since they were one of the sponsors of The Howard Stern Show when it aired on WKLQ here in Grand Rapids. While the corporate elite in west Michigan ignored Stern, Purple East took Stern's show as an opportunity to get the word out regarding their business. 

However, a few years ago, Purple East made a giant mistake. They decided to expand their operations to four locations. They still had their flagship in downtown Grand Rapids while they ended up with three more smaller stores in Comstock Park, on Plainfield and in the shadow of Woodland Mall in Kentwood. Revenue remained flat. To makes matters worse, COVID-19 severely hurt their business. In April, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As a result of their troubles, Purple East closed all of their locations, except for their Plainfield store, which is a mere fraction of the size of their downtown GR shop.

So, what's happening to Purple East's former flagship? They're becoming a homeless shelter.

The City of Grand Rapids is using the former Purple East as an alternative to the tent cities that lined up Heartside Park. The city is currently renovating the store to house 100 men and women up to five months. It's nice that the park will be a lot nicer looking, but it's a sad state of affairs knowing that some people end up out on the streets because of sad circumstances. 

One current ad airing on local TV is one for a homeless organization - I believe it's Guiding Light Mission - that shows images of homeless people. While the grim images are shown, words appear on the screen talking about how Grand Rapids is one of the best places to live and how it's one of the best places to raise a family. 

Tragically, Grand Rapids is just like most other cities in America where there's a giant gap between the wealthy and the middle class. Downtown is loaded with buildings named after local billionaires: DeVos, Van Andel and Meijer, just to name a few. Yet, if you work hard and make what you think is a decent living, you know that the rent is too damn high.

As of this writing, President-elect Joe Biden hasn't made his final decision yet on who will be his next education secretary to replace Betsy DeVos. Honestly, I hope to God that it's somebody who has actually taught a class and knows how to treat teachers. In a meeting with her department recently, DeVos told her employees - who will remain when Biden takes over January 20 - to resist. 

"Be the resistance against forces that will derail you from doing what’s right for students. In everything you do, please put students first - always."

This, of course is coming from a fucking cunt who has NEVER taught a class in her life and only got her job because she and her husband forked over a ton of money to Drumpf's campaign. Thanks to Drumpf's oligarchy-led staff, we have businesses left and right being forced to fail, people filing unemployment in droves and missing out on rent and their mortgage. 

Look at other countries. Spain is paying workers a basic income. The Netherlands and Denmark are paying up to 90% of workers' salaries. The UK is almost the same with 80%. But here in America? One $1,200 check. Period. For most, it's not enough to put food on the table and pay the rent.

And yet, here's Miss Betsy in her mansion with no worries in this world. She would oppose somebody who makes way less than her to make an extra $1,200 per month, heaven forbid.

But, that's the logic of the DeVos clan. Jesus loves them, but not you because they have all the money on Earth. They love to buy out both Democrats and Republicans. Take a look at Grand Rapids mayor Rosalynn Bliss. As I've said before, I'm a supporter of strip clubs. In 2006, Grand Rapids' strip clubs were in danger of falling victim of a new ordinance banning nude dancing. The owner of one club, Parkway Tropics offered then-city commissioner Bliss to come over to prove that his club was a clean operation. She declined, and voted to pass the ordinance. It's sad because she's a supposed Democrat. It comes to show that just because there's a (D) after your name, it doesn't mean that you are in real life.

I feel sorry for this town. In 2020 alone, Grand Rapids has had 36 homicides, the most in this town's history. We had a massive riot downtown that was caused by a police department who harassed protesters. Our city is the most-depressed city in the country and it shows. Gee, I wonder why? Oh, yes! IT'S BECAUSE IT'S OVERRRUN BY WEALTHY ASSHOLES LIKE THE DEVOSES! 

Thankfully, Betsy will be out of a job soon, though she'll still have her billions made by her folks and Dick's 'rents as well. It makes me happy that I tend to be finicky with my money and I tend to avoid companies that are overly evil, period. So, if you want me to buy a car from Fox Motors, forget it. I've never attended a Griffins game and I definitely won't be calling my local scAmway rep soon.

You know, I might have to go up to Plainfield some time soon. My ex-"girlfriend" took my old bowl.

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