President Joe Biden did a big address yesterday evening about the pandemic and the economic crisis he’s inheriting. As Donald Trump literally sits around, doing absolutely nothing but wallowing in self-pity, Biden is being held to the standard of “get everything right and fix everything starting on 12:01 pm on January 20th.” Biden has been in government for decades so he knows how all of this works, so he’s proposing a huge $1.9 trillion pandemic/economic stimulus package, and that was a big part of his speech last night:
Among Biden’s proposals in the package: $1400 economic relief checks, which combined with the $600 checks Congress passed weeks ago will total $2000 in the hands of taxpayers immediately. There’s so much to be done about the pandemic and the vaccine rollout as well. We’re still in the hard pandemic winter, and this week has seen the coronavirus death toll skyrocket, with more than 4000 people dying a day from the virus and hundreds of thousands of new infections in recent weeks. A core component of Biden’s proposed package will involve vaccine production and distribution, focused on getting as many people their first corona vaccine ASAP and having faith that a ramped up production schedule will produce the “second shot” in time. Biden wants more vaccine distribution centers and he’s being urged to authorize the military to help coordinate vaccine distribution and vaccinations.
Biden also wants to expand unemployment benefits and paid sick leave and he wants to raise the federal minimum wage. He also has a complicated scheme to help schools reopen, but I think so much of the education crisis is just going to be dependent on vaccines.
As for the inauguration and everything around it, the Biden Inaugural Committee has needed to change and modify their plans a million times already. According to WaPo, “the only in-person events will be the swearing-in, a troop review and a military escort from the Capitol to the White House afterward.” The actual swearing-in ceremony will be as “normal” as possible, with VIPs on the dais seated with social-distancing protocols. There won’t be a Congressional lunch feting the new president, nor will there be the regular in-person balls and parties hosted by various groups and donors.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
I do not envy Biden right now. He and KH are entering their terms with DC looking like a war zone and the nation a mess while battling a pandemic.
They are up for it! No team better.
Anyone complaining about $1400 cheques instead of $2000 can just take a pause and remember the past four years before hammering the new admin that IS going to fix everything– slowly and correctly.
SO many people I follow on twitter were complaining about that yesterday. I was so shocked. To me it was clear, when you say “600 isn’t enough they need 2000 dollar checks” it meant another 1400, but they claim he said 2000 dollar checks and they want a 2000 dollar check. To be clear, these are all liberals. All Biden voters. I don’t have the energy to fight with liberals too but I did have to mute a few long term mutuals.
This is literally why liberals lose all the time. Effing purity tests and in-fighting. Stop and think for 2 seconds!!! So annoying!
+1
I was astounded at the outcry. Biden hasn’t even taken the oath of office yet and he’s being criticized and yelled at for “not doing enough.” Where was all this vitriol when the Orange 🤡 sat on ass doing nothing.
Right? $1400 is way better than $0, which is what the GOP wants to give out.
I have grown to have so much respect for Biden. When he spoke about decency, about honour and truth, I actually wept; I want to live in a world which upholds his kind of decency. I want to live in a world where emotions are not prioritised, where truth and facts trump feelings. I admire what he is actively trying to achieve. He and Kamala Harris will have an uphill battle with the fantasists and narcissists on the right, but I do believe that he will eventually prevail. Less than a week to go before sanity is established.
Lots of love to my American sisters from this Brit: I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers at this tumultuous time.
Biden is a peacemaker and a builder of bridges. Everyone who has worked with him has spoken very highly of him. The day he spoke and condemned Trump for what happened I felt a sense of calm. And he understand his role as POTUS. I am tired of the chaos and an autocrat being in the WH. I am tired of a first lady who cares nothing about the American people and has made no sign to hide it. I am tired of a autocrat who has helped nepotism flourish in the highest office of the land and made no signs to even hide it. Good riddance. It will take YEARS to dig our way out of the manure pile he piled onto the American people – you know, the ones he is supposed to assist and protect at all costs.
Biden and Harris have such a monumental task before them. Seems Republicans get a free pass and f**k everything up, and then the Dems have to come behind, clean up the mess. And in two years, the Rethugs will gain more seats in Congress cause of ignorant voters and the cycle begins again. Wash, rinse, repeat seems to be the way politics work.
Let’s not give up hope about the House yet – look what voter turnout and engagement were able to do in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and especially the big flip of Georgia. There are so many more people active and engaged and volunteering, we just need good turnout and we can hold onto it.
You see that blue banner in the photo? The one that says ‘Biden Harris Inauguration’. It’s hanging right outside the 3rd floor residence of the White House where Trump is. Every day until January 20 that is the first and last thing he sees. That banner should be hanging everywhere in DC. Line Trump’s entire escape route with it. Don’t forget the Palm Springs airport and the roads to Mar a Lago. I’m sure the residents there will happily assist.
1. AOC tweeted the complaint about getting 1400, not 2000.00. Internally, the Dems need to get aligned.
2. I’m surprised by the change in unemployment benefits from 300 to 400 per week. Dems have been requesting to go back to the 600 per week. I don’t understand why he didn’t go back to 600.00. 600.00 per week = a 40 hour work week @ 15.00/hr (gross). Anyone earning 15.00/wk or less is not making enough to cover expenses while unemployed. The state unemployment check is usually less than 100/wk.
3. I am 100% on board with raising the minimum wage to $15 but I think it’s going to slow the economic recovery because employers aren’t going to hire people back as fast (or as many people) if they have slow openings and smaller revenue due to the pandemic. I haven’t read the details, so maybe the wage increase goes into effect in a year and not immediately? Minimum wage in Texas is 7.25. If business who have been closed and are behind on their bills are able to open back up they won’t hire as many people at the higher wage.
Complex issues – I’m so glad it’s Biden-Harris in charge and am hoping this is a first step until they can look at the tax cuts for the rich and military spending.
I adore AOC but I don’t understand the issue with a $1,400 check. We were gunning for $2,000 checks and already got $600, this makes up the difference. I say this as someone who is eligible but not in great need for it, though, so perhaps I shouldn’t speak for others who desperately need that money.
Covid is blowing up in schools in Florida, but parents need to work, so the kids get sent to school. (And the schools are fudging the infection rate. Teachers that can are retiring or taking LOA to protect themselves. There is no Union, so no strkes possible. This situation is untenable)
Biden needs to close the schools and non-essential jobs AND continue these payments until the pandemic is under control. Otherwise, this payment isn’t that helpful.
I have a lot of confidence that the vaccine rollout and general way we’ve “handled” the virus will improve vastly under Biden. Right now we’re operating with basically no leadership, and he and Harris are not just leaders, but good ones! Thank god we have an all Blue Congress now to approve things that are this important.
I think getting the military involved in vaccine distribution would make so much sense. Please do that.
Im all for this but make no mistake. This will be a huge dent on the state treasury. It’s a gamble but i hope that the american economy will heal through this.
Huge dent is right. First thing came to mind: who is going to pay for all this aid? One guess.
We don’t have a choice. The current occupant of the White House added a significant chunk to the national debt with the tax cuts for the wealthy, and they didn’t even help the economy. Yes, Dems and President Bide. are going to have to add to that deficit. There’s no way out of it.
This is exactly why balance is important—constantly cutting taxes for the wealthy and pretending it will “trickle down” isn’t enough when we’re headed for another recession.
That shouldn’t be the focus right now. We will never pay off these debts anyway. Right now should be about helping people in need and getting COVID under control.
All of the GOP are going to cry that we can’t afford this, but they are the ones who voted yes on an equally huge tax credit for the wealthy, that they had no way to pay for, and which of course as it has throughout history, did not trickle down to anyone else.
People are going to put this money right back into the economy – food, rent, mortgage, bills, needed repairs, etc. I hope it also helps more businesses stay afloat.
Just a reminder that if you can, please donate to your local foodbank. Even a couple of dollars goes a long way with them, and they are still getting slammed.