Save our Families/Save our Economy/Save Small Businesses/ Save Hope

Unrepresentative Policy of the Week: Extend Unemployment Benefits

It has likely escaped no one's notice, that we, in America, are in the midst of a surging pandemic, which has rapidly spiraled out of control, and continues to claim hundreds to thousands of lives every day! There seems to be no plan for weathering, let alone adapting to this catastrophe as each day Donald Trump shows how profoundly unprepared and incapable he is to handle to the greatest public health crisis of our time. With train-wreck in front of us, it may have escaped some of our attention, that a new, entirely preventable, human tragedy is fast approaching, in the form of expiring unemployment benefits. On August 1st, the supplemental unemployment income, provided through the CARES act,  that has been (barely) keeping the economy afloat expires, and with it, millions of people will suddenly be forced to live on greatly reduced income, or without any income at all. Of course when it rains it pours, and this travesty coincides with the expiration of a federal eviction moratorium. Not only will people have no income and no safe job prospects, many will also have no roof over their heads. Such looming large scale suffering seems to barely trouble Trump and the Republicans in the Senate, who have waited for months without passing any legislation, and are only now, haphazardly, and half-heartedly attempting to address the crisis. As Republicans scramble, and bicker, the American people are clear what they desperately want Congress to do: How long should Congress extend the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits that is part of the CARES act? Extended at least 1 month (est. cost $260 B): 75% Extended at least 4 months (est. cost $520 B): 61% Allow to expire: 25% The American people aren't just being greedy or lazy, as some Republicans have tried to suggest. Extending unemployment benefits is good economics and public health, stimulating the economy, while preventing the unchecked spread of COVID-19. The Republican party fever dreams of forcing people back to work by removing benefits won't save the economy, and it won't magically create jobs. The only thing accomplished by this insane power ploy is that many more lives will be lost and many more people will suffer through no fault of their own. We must work quickly to block this disastrous decision and keep our people safe, and secure. Unfortunately, as we at DSOT have constantly pointed out, securing any significant concessions from Democrats, let alone Republicans is a massive uphill effort, requiring a sustainable and growing movement. But critical junctures like these are just the moments when people power can force even the sociopathic Republicans to make concessions, if we keep the focus and pressure on critical issues like this! If we are to emerge from beyond COVID-19 as a nation not in ruin, but in rebirth, getting not just economic prosperity for all Americans, but the time to flourish as humans and create a more socially conscious society, it's going to take an enduring collective movement of commensurate size and power, to the forces of economic oppression, ignorance and bigotry we face! The first step in doing that is realizing that putting our people first is actually not just better for them, but for "the economy" too! To create that better future will require the stamina to outlast the powers that be, and convince them that there is no choice but to change or lose everything. Don’t miss this chance as the gears of history are turning quickly to change our country for the better, join us every Tuesday, in growing solidarity and power until we take back our democracy from amoral special interests, and greedy politicians: Don't Shop on Tuesdays!