Mike Barnhill
Ashland
Dear Editor:
There are more than a few ways for Republican and Democrat representatives in the Senate to look at President Biden's relief bill as being fair and workable. The Republicans are, as usual, attempting to view the bill from a "want vs. need" position with balancing the budget in mind. Of course, when Trump was president, the balancing of the budget wasn't a priority. What will the final relief fund look like if passed?
First, and most important in my view, is the eradication of COVID-19 by using $400 billion of the fund. This being the final solution to solving America's getting back to a normal economy. As a matter of fact, perhaps more should be devoted to this part of the relief plan. Why? Because it reminds me of asking a fire department, "how many gallons of water will it take to put this fire out?" The answer shouldn't be an exact number of gallons, but instead saying, "as much as it takes!"
Second, with all due respect to the small business owners of America, $440 billion may be a bit out of line to use here. The reasons are numerous. Businesses that were on the brink of bankruptcy and failure may just gain a second wind then fail again. Plus the greed of some owners who will inflate their earnings per year to gain more fund monies. This amount of money may be adjustable and also warranted.
Third, $1 trillion to assist families needing direct financial support is a good idea but is it enough? The real question though is how do you share the money with so many needy and still accomplish your goal? To explain my view, I remember a story decades ago read in an economic class that said: "John D. Rockefeller Jr., at that time the richest man in the United States, was accosted by an agitator as Rockefeller walked into an elevator of a high rise building where he resided. The agitator complained that Rockefeller, while the richest man in America, wouldn't share his wealth with the needy. Rockefeller answered the man's demand by tossing him a dime saying, 'Here's your equal share buddy.'"
In summary, a version of President Biden's relief plan will be voted on and passed. I only hope the money isn't needlessly wasted or misused, as more than a few federal government relief plans in the past have been.