We are at war.
Our enemy, a tiny virus, has already killed more Americans than were killed in the First World War. More than were killed fighting fascism in Europe during World War II. More than the total lost in Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, and Afghanistan combined. We have lost 158,000 Americans so far in this fight, yet our leaders dither.
We are in a health crisis, a financial crisis, a human rights crisis and a looming mental health crisis, yet our congressional leaders wring their hands and wait.
Are they waiting for the skies to open? For seagulls to rescue us? Or perhaps for someone else to stand up and accept the blame?
Inaction in a crisis is cowardly.
Sen. Romney and Sen. Lee, it is time to stand up and fight for the protections and relief that your constituents need. Push Sen. McConnell (after delaying 81 painful days) to finally bring the House-passed Heroes Act to a vote. Include immediate protections from eviction, continue the enhanced unemployment and food subsidies and invest in mental health and trauma recovery.
Also please include investment in global pandemic relief. (It is, after all, a world war that cannot be won within our own borders).
McConnell’s Coronavirus Response Additional Supplemental Appropriations Act is cruelly insufficient; too little and already too late.
Yes, it is scary to increase our debt, to take out another mortgage on the family house to rescue the family business. And yes, we will all be paying it off for a generation. But if we cower and do nothing, we will lose even more. We are in a war.
Senators, please stand and fight for us. Choosing to not fight during war is worse than cowardice, it is treason.
William E. Cosgrove, M.D., Cottonwood Heights
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