Tag Archives: Coronavirus

Don’t fall for the inflation fear-mongering

Congress is back in session this week and negotiations over President Biden’s Build Back Better Act continue. House Democrats are waiting for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to release its cost estimate for the package and then, hopefully, a vote will be held immediately after, as soon as this Friday. There are still obstacles in the Senate, however. Some Senators, most notably Joe Manchin, claim to … Continue reading Don’t fall for the inflation fear-mongering »

Let’s make The American Rescue Package’s anti-poverty impact permanent

Jonathan Meyer

Congress just passed a long-awaited package designed to be a rescue plan for workers, families, and businesses struggling through the dual economic and public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This sweeping package demonstrates the undeniable power of the federal government to significantly reduce poverty when it decides to, and raises two questions: Why should we wait for once-in-a-generation global catastrophes to use the … Continue reading Let’s make The American Rescue Package’s anti-poverty impact permanent »

COVID- 19 Relief Cannot Be a Short-Term Fix

Unsplash | Bp Miller

In a major report this year, global anti-poverty charity Oxfam estimates that the poor could take over a decade to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, their wealthier counterparts have already recovered – and then some – after just nine months of the pandemic. COVID undoubtedly played a role in expediting the increasing wage inequality in our country, with U.S. Billionaires … Continue reading COVID- 19 Relief Cannot Be a Short-Term Fix »

Too little, too late: A breakdown of the HEALS Act

On Monday, Senate Republicans released the details of the HEALS Act, their version of a  fourth coronavirus relief package – a version that offers too little, too late. The bill is a pathetic and morally bankrupt response to the numerous crises currently plaguing Americans. Below, we go over what’s in the bill, including exclusions that are desperately needed in the next recovery package, and where … Continue reading Too little, too late: A breakdown of the HEALS Act »

Big corporations are Preying on the Small Business Loan Program

Since the program’s launch, countless small businesses across the country discovered that the government loans they were promised to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis were handed over to wealthy corporations before they ever saw a dime.  Those small businesses are the backbone of the American dream, offering immigrants and low income Americans a path to financial independence and success. But without critical aid, the … Continue reading Big corporations are Preying on the Small Business Loan Program »

American Homes are at Risk. We Need a Tenants Bailout Now.

One of the largest looming catastrophes of the COVID-19 crisis is right in American homes. This April, nearly a third of renters weren’t able to pay their rent, and with many hourly and low-wage Americans still out of work, many are wondering how they will afford groceries, medicine, and other necessities – never mind the rent.  The beginning of May marks the second rent or … Continue reading American Homes are at Risk. We Need a Tenants Bailout Now. »

Member Dispatch: We Need Solidarity in Philly and Beyond

The owner of the shuttered Hahneman hospital in my hometown of Philadelphia wants to charge the city a mind-boggling $400,000 per month in rent for its use in adding to the supply of hospital beds. This man, Joel Freedman, is a great example of CEO’s who should remember the words of a young president taking office: “Ask not what your country can do for you. … Continue reading Member Dispatch: We Need Solidarity in Philly and Beyond »

Quarantining the Economy Is the Only Way to Save It

With great distress, each and every person in America is watching public health and economic catastrophes unfolding daily. As a country, we are terrified by the way the COVID-19 virus kills both people and economies, and, as with people, economies with preexisting conditions are at greater risk. It’s become clear, in a mere matter of weeks, that addressing this issue will take time and thought … Continue reading Quarantining the Economy Is the Only Way to Save It »

A COVID-19 Economy: I’m Not Worried About the 1%. I’m Terrified for the Bottom 50%.

As I write this, I am eating lunch in my New York City office, near the Flatiron building in Manhattan.  A lot of people have offices in this neighborhood, like FanDuel and Credit Suisse. As I often do as part of my regular office day, I went to a branch of Dig Inn that normally has over a dozen workers making lunches assembly line style. … Continue reading A COVID-19 Economy: I’m Not Worried About the 1%. I’m Terrified for the Bottom 50%. »

How Can the US Contain Coronavirus and Rescue the Economy? Start with Helping Low-Income Workers.

This week, as the Coronavirus pandemic spread in the US and stock market volatility sparked flashing red alarms for the national economy, the Trump administration floated several proposals for stimulating the markets and staving off a recession. The problem is that none of the proposals thus far adequately address the needs of the most vulnerable group amid this pandemic – low-income workers.  Right now, 6 … Continue reading How Can the US Contain Coronavirus and Rescue the Economy? Start with Helping Low-Income Workers. »