H. L. Mencken defined puritanism as "the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." These rules reflect the haunting fear that someone, somewhere might get a benefit they don't desperately need. To prevent that, they're willing to ensure that millions won't get help, despite the fact that the "didn't need it" problem is easily fixed: tax the check amount back from wealthy.
The meta-political statement is, "Alright, we'll help you, a little, but we don't trust you."
Since this is a new Congress and a new administration, it's a bit like asking for a pre-nuptial agreement on the first date.
What should be done? Means-testing should be eliminated from emergency relief. Everyone should receive medical coverage, at least for the duration of the pandemic, as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Pramila Jayapal have proposed. We need to create jobs and steady incomes for everyone. We must boost the minimum wage. And our political conversation should carry a broader message, not of mutual fear and suspicion, but of mutual trust and support.
There's a lot of the federal deficit here in Washington, but not much talk about our national deficit of the soul. Until that changes, we will lack the political tools, the political vision, and the political will to meet the needs of the moment.
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