“Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.”
― Horace Mann
As we pass the anniversary of the start of the COVID Pandemic here in the U.S. we find so many families struggling to make it day to day. Late rent notices start coming in the mail. People start having to choose which bill they are going to try to pay this month and which ones they are not. The unemployment rates get higher and higher and Americans find themselves having to work 2 or 3 part time jobs just to make half of what they did before. Across the Country families are worried because they can’t find a place to get Grandma the COVID vaccine. On Main Streets in every state small businesses are closing their doors for good because they can’t keep up with the bills and rent. In so many hospitals across the Country people are suffering and dying from COVID still. It’s been one year since this Pandemic has hit our country and we are all looking for help!
Thankfully, help is on the way.
On March 11th of 2021 President Joe Biden signed the stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan. The plan will include:
- $1,400 stimulus checks for people making less than $75,000 annually and married couples making less than $150,000.
- An increase in child tax credits in 2021 of $3,600 for children up to 5 yrs old and up to $3,000 for children 6–17 yrs old.
- $128.6 billion to help K-12 schools reopen.
- $25 billion in aid to restaurants.
- $300-per-week supplemental unemployment benefit will continue. Federal income taxes will be waived on the first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits for households earning less than $150,000.
- $19 billion in emergency rental assistance, $100 million to housing counseling programs and $5 billion to help the homeless
- $7.25 billion to small businesses for Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- $7.5 billion for vaccine distribution.
- Increased subsidies for Americans getting health care through the Affordable Care Act.
- An extension, through September, of the 15% increased federal SNAP benefits.
- $7.2 billion to ensure that all students have internet access for remote learning.
- $350 billion in state and local aid.
This package will be well needed relief for a majority of families, businesses, schools, healthcare systems, local and state governments, the unemployed, and many other Americans. We have Democrats to thank for it…JUST the Democrats! That’s because not ONE single Republican in the House or the Senate voted for the Relief Package. Among these Republicans is Florida’s Senator, Marco Rubio.
I recently spoke with Allen Ellison, who is running against Rubio for U.S. Senate in Florida. When asked what he thought about the recent vote on The American Rescue Plan and the Republicans Unanimous vote against it I got this fiery response, “Marco Rubio and the rest of the Republican leadership in the United States Senate voted "no" on the relief bill because they do not believe in the idea that we have a moral duty to care for one another and that no American citizen should be left behind, that includes all Americans, Democrats, Independents and Republicans. We are struggling during this social, financial and health crisis in our nation. Republicans in leadership have turned their backs on the American people time and time again. They have consistently proven that they are not the party of the people.
When Americans have needed real leadership on the issues that mattered the most, issues that have made direct impact, it was the Democrats that stepped up and proved why we are the party of and for the people. Democrats were there on the Cares Act because we cared enough. Democrats were there on the Heroes Act because we are the true heroes of this nation.Democrats were there to push for mask mandates because we are the true patriots of this nation looking out for everyone. Patriotism means looking out for and defending citizens of your country and that is what wearing a masks does. It defends against threats both foreign and domestic.
When Americans needed a sigh of relief, Democrats were there to fight for it and passed the COVID-19 Relief Bill, while Republicans completely disregarded the needs of the people. There is a clear and concise contrast between who works for the people and who doesn’t. Democrats, we are for the people. It’s really that simple!”
Democratic leadership has been their, not just for those who have voted for them but for ALL Americans. When we, as a people and a Country, have needed them most, Republicans have turned their backs on us ALL! Indeed, it is just that simple!