Carrots and sticks: Biden should announce $3,000/month checks during a two-month lockdown.

[LaMouffette]

And if a governor refuses to enforce the lockdown and/or mask mandate, the residents in her/his state do not get the checks. Even Trump's literally die-hard followers would probably be open to the idea of a two-month paid vacation.

[hlthe2b]

1. And how is it you think that would be paid for? Do you think McTurtle will pass such a funding bill?

[In It to Win It]

2. Nope. DOA

[demmiblue]

3. Yeah, I don't get these types of posts. n/t

[LaMouffette]

6. He should propose it anyway and let McTurtle and the Republicans block it, just like

they're currently blocking the Heroes Act. Let them show, again, their true colors.

Then get on TV and tell the American people exactly why they are not going to get $3,000/month checks to help them out during this pandemic. When confronted with a precise figure like that, people seem to grasp the situation better, like when it came out that Tax-Dodger Trump only paid $750.00 in federal taxes.

[Buckeyeblue]

12. Call it a national defense issue and pull it from defense spending

It is a national defense issue. The longer it goes, the more vulnerable it makes us.

[lapfog_1]

4. unfortunately, Congress holds the purse strings

The President can propose legislation to allocate the funds for these checks, but the House and Senate have to vote on them.

It is critically important that we win both Georgia Senate races.

And pick up House seats in the 2022 midterms (traditionally won by the opposition party).

[intrepidity]

5. Did Congress have to approve Trump's use of Alt-funds for his wall?

I've forgotten and too lazy atm to go look....

[MineralMan]

7. Really? That's an idea that is DOA (Dead on Announcement)

So, Biden's not going to make any such announcement. He is a practical man, a person who proposes things that can be done.

Ain't happening.

[Baked Potato]

8. OMG! Give money straight to the people

so they can eat and subside during a health emergency!

How will we pay for it? Won’t pass Moscow Mitch so don’t even try.

Let them find some gigs.

Super

[mvd]

10. And why not start big

So if we have to compromise, we can maybe still be above the $1200 from before.

Good post. Past time to give help to people other than the rich and corporations.

[Baked Potato]

15. Exactly, it's only the beginning.

[genxlib]

9. Support spending should be more targeted

I understand the concept for giving it to everyone.

But the fact is that many of us don't need it. I have the ability (ie privilege) of working from home. My income is unaffected so I actually save money by staying home.

It doesn't make any sense to give people like me money that only drives up the deficit.

Even if you want to argue for it on the basis of stimulus affect, that really does not work if I have nothing to spend it on.

Give it to those directly impacted in the way of unemployment, rent relief, food assistance, etc.

[Laelth]

11. The bureaucracy necessary to determine eligibility ...

... costs more than just issuing a check to everyone who filed 2019 federal tax returns.

-Laelth

[KentuckyWoman]

14. replace income lost to 200x poverty level

supplement unemployment.

sending me $3000 is silly. i am retired

[mvd]

18. Many retired people can use the money

My dad worked for a long time at a decent salary (even worked with Fauci for a time when he was young). His social security benefit is still barely enough to support my mom.

[KentuckyWoman]

19. that is not covid related.

i feel for people who made good money, did not save well and now struggle. i never made good money so life now is not a whole lot different. Would I like some cash? sure. but i think we need to target working people who are really suffering.

[mvd]

20. I think it should go to more.

COVID is one of the circumstances that demands it, IMO. Never a better time. We’ve thrown money at corporations and the rich. Time for that to change.

It was my dad’s cancer costs that really hurt my family.

[Turin_C3PO]

16. It's better to give it to everyone.

Otherwise, it would be viewed as a kind of “welfare” and cause resentment amongst certain people.

[KentuckyWoman]

13. $100 ticket for maskless

we do it for seatbelts .....

[Turin_C3PO]

17. Good idea

but we gotta get the Senate for that to have a prayer of passing.

[bigtree]

21. I get that McConnell likely won't bite on that

...but let's not start talking like it's some huge amount which can't be prioritized into the budget.

They ALWAYS find ways to excuse 1% of Americans from paying their fair share. They always find money to funnel into wealthy business owners' pockets.