Our nation’s economy is jogging along with a relatively low unemployment rate, but is that truly worth celebrating? The whole world has been progressively getting back to work as pandemic restrictions lift, so the current 4.1% figure doesn’t seem particularly impressive when viewed in light of that global context.
The administration has added 16 million jobs, but at what cost? These aren’t the industrious, innovative jobs that sustain a powerful economy. Instead, they’re largely low-wage, benefit-poor positions that don’t provide a living wage for workers. The focus on quantity over quality shines a less than favorable light on the job market’s true circumstance.
Yes, the stock market has reached new highs, but let’s remember that this isn’t an indicator of the economy’s health as it affects ‘the average American’. This only enriches the wealthy, leaving the majority behind in a perpetual struggle for financial stability.
The current administration touts the American Rescue Act as a feat of economic prowess, but is it truly a triumph? Handing out $1,400 checks might seem like a financial lifeline on the surface, but isn’t this just a stopgap solution to deeper systemic problems? It’s like placing a band-aid on a gaping wound and pretend everything is fine.
Their so-called ‘child poverty reduction’ must also be closely examined. They’ve simply expanded the child tax credit, a move that may temporarily mask the symptoms of poverty without addressing its root causes – a lack of quality education and sustainable, well-paying jobs for parents.
The $14 billion supposedly ‘dedicated’ to tackling COVID-19 seems noble on the surface. However, considering the enormity of the pandemic’s splash and the amount squandered on other sectors, one wonders if this whopping amount couldn’t have been directed with more discretion and prudence.
Certainly, forgiving loans to small businesses might seem commendable, but aren’t these the same businesses that have been pushed to the brink of extinction by harsh restrictions? It’s more an attempt to correct a self-inflicted wound than a genuine political achievement.
The cap on insulin at $38 for certain seniors may sound like a groundbreaking leap, but it entirely misses the mark. Drug pricing, in general, is still a catastrophe, leaving countless of Americans choose between their medicines and basic necessities. This should be seen as an embarrassing concession rather than a major victory.
The administration’s cap of $2,000 on Medicare out-of-pocket prescription drugs, looks great on paper until you realize it’s a drop in the ocean. How about focusing on the larger issue, the inflated prices of prescription drugs in America?
Meanwhile, our government’s attempt to take on prescription prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate seems like a weak half-measure. It’s notable that other countries don’t wrestle with this issue because their governments are committed to do what’s best for the people, not the pharmaceutical industry.
The CHIPS and Science Act, aiming to reduce dependence on China for chips, does little more than scratching the surface. National security concerns are much better addressed by a comprehensive approach to fair trade and diplomatic negotiation, rather than addressing a single industry in a vacuum.
Expanded veteran benefits and care under the Pact Act are commendable gestures for those who fought for our country. However, this often feels like a smokescreen for the many failings and broken promises that continue to haunt our returning soldiers.
Touting the Infrastructure Bill as a major win, the current administration overlooks its many limitations. The focus on creating union jobs overlooks the fact that not everyone is cut out for or interested in these roles, and it reflects a narrow-minded focus on their own special interests.
Stating that infrastructure improvements will occur across all 50 states is nothing more than a trite political promise. Actions speak louder than words, and so far, all we’ve heard is words. Could this be a case of over promising and under delivering?
Yes, under this administration, changes are happening, yet the real question is: are they for the better? Instead of providing a handup to the American people, it seems as if we’re getting a handout. What happened to the spirit of self-reliance and responsibility that once defined our nation?
All in all, the current administration’s policies seem designed more to put on a show than to address America’s deep-seated problems. American citizens are smarter than to fall for such empty grandstanding. It’s time to demand more from those we entrust with leading our nation.