$1,200 for 9 weeks? I think not...

Hello, again and welcome to Policy! In this class, we use Rhetoric and Argument to agree on a common good. In Rhetoric, we learned how to persuade with ethos, pathos, and logos, and in Argument, we learned how arguments are sustained to find and shape the nation. But in Policy, to agree on a common good, you have to know what it takes to make a policy good. So, the mission of this Action project was to propose legislation and write a persuasive letter to a legislator and mail it. And since we had to write it about a bill that is not passed yet, I decided to write it on the Emergency Money For The People Act and mail it to Congressman Danny K. Davis.

Who can live off of $1,200 for 9 weeks?

COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that impacts all our lives and for some their way of life. Whether it is the boredom from sheltering in place or fear of the unknown, we are all deeply affected by this pandemic. The total impact of COVID-19 is still unknown and in March, Congress attempted to address Americans' financial woes by passing a stimulus bill. This stimulus bill made it possible to provide Americans direct economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stimulus checks were one-time payments of $1,200 per adult - or $2,400 for married couples filing jointly - and an additional $500 per child. But my question is, what household can live off of $1,200 for 9 weeks?

A one-time $1,200 check barely covers the basic needs of a single adult and a $2400 check fails to meet the needs of married couples. It’s not fair to only get a single $1,200 stimulus check when prices have gone up drastically. For example, in the United States, health-related items and household necessities have doubled or tripled in price. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical mask prices have gone up 319%, whereas hand sanitizer increased by 73% and disinfectants have gone up more than 32%. This increase in demand has forced many people to overshop or hoard and make their own products. At this time health-related and household products are necessities and it saddens me to know that people are being overcharged and under assisted by their government. It is so important that the government sign the Emergency Money for the People Act bill which would extend stimulus payment for six months.

To date, over 20 million people have not received their stimulus checks and unemployment checks are delayed and not stretching from month to month. The Emergency Money for the People Act would eliminate a lot of financial issues for those affected by COVID-19. With this bill, individuals who make less than $130,000 a year, would receive $2,000 a month. If this bill passes, people would be able to get health-related items such as medical masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and groceries. 

I am sure that my opponents will make excuses or argue that the one-time stimulus check was a generous gesture. but one-time payments do not last long enough to meet basic needs. COVID-19 is more than just a global health crisis, it is also a financial crisis that impacts individuals, families, and corporations and I'd argue that the Emergency Money for People Act would help ease the financial strain felt by this pandemic.

Thank you so much for reading.

- Savannah