To the editor:
My name is Keith Johnson and I live in Siler City. Congress must work to improve the coronavirus response package that was signed into law. This pandemic is devastating communities, and Congress should fight to ensure that every individual, worker, and family in our state gets the support they need. No exceptions.
With the economy slowing down and the virus continuing to spread, Congress must act to protect families, workers and low-income people from destitution. With the general election just around the corner, Congress must also take all necessary steps to ensure that our democracy is protected. Congress should prioritize a People’s Bailout that protects our democratic processes while protecting each other; makes health a top priority, for all people, with no exceptions; provides economic relief directly to the people; rescues worker and communities, not corporate executives; makes a down payment on a regenerative economy, while preventing future crises.
To go further, a truly people-first response would be sure to safeguard our economy by instituting nationwide voting by mail, as laid out in Senator Warren’s Election Plan. It would ensure that our health care system can meet the scope of the crisis. It would support families with monthly cash payments, and place a freeze on eliminating critical services for individuals and families, like housing and utilities. It would provide universal paid sick leave and expand unemployment insurance to help workers and small businesses. Finally, any bill that passes should make sure to place people before profits by preventing unaccountable corporate bailouts (like what happened in 2008) and prioritizing policies that include marginalized communities.
Congress should fight for me and my family — not corporations. Please join me in urging Congress to act by passing a People’s Bailout, by calling or writing your member of Congress.