First, I would like to thank local newspapers like this one, that give folks like me a chance to be heard. Yes, I could engage with and post this on social media, but as we have seen in recent years; lies, conspiracy theories, posts for social unrest, and provocation can and are being posted to manipulate vulnerable minds. Therefore, my chosen media is my local newspaper because I know I can trust the editor to keep me from crossing the line. So, thank you, Mr./Ms Editor. And now, on to my letter.
These days, we are bombarded with so much information it's hard to retain what’s relative and pertinent to our lives. Social media has made us shallow thinkers, I'm afraid, and shortened our attention spans. So that we don’t forget, I revisit here the accomplishments of the Biden Administration that will have long lasting, positive effects for our state, country and the average American.
I remind you that President Biden and the Democratic majority in Congress inherited a country on the edge of economic collapse due to the inept management of the biggest pandemic we had seen in over a century. Goods were sitting on docks, Americans were dying by the thousands every day from covid, medical supplies and access to vaccines and testing were sporadic and undependable. A full-blown depression was waiting in the wings.
While we’ve had to pay an incalculable price for unprecedented disruption to our lives, all things considered, and despite the higher cost of groceries, our economy has recovered remarkably well under the Biden Administration. Our unemployment rate is 3.7 %, GDP is 4.25%, and job growth is 7.06%.
In less than two years, President Biden with the support of Congressional Democrats accomplished some remarkable feats. For one thing, he had the courage to finally untangle America from a 20 year-long war in Afghanistan. He immediately went to work on getting the covid epidemic under control. He got ARPA passed, which likely kept our country from spiraling into a depression. (Mississippi's portion was $1.8 billion)
After decades of Congressional inaction, he finally got a desperately needed infrastructure bill passed, known as the Infrastructure and Jobs Act. He finally got meaningful gun legislation passed in Congress. Most recently, he has successfully gotten the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act, which addresses climate change, reduces our deficit, caps the out of pocket expense of drugs for seniors, and finally allows Medicare to negotiate the cost of drugs. It also caps the cost of insulin at $35 for Medicare recipients. And he’s got his sights on reducing insulin costs for the rest of us.
And climate change? Just look at drone footage over Florida. We will finally have the funds to address climate change in a meaningful way by making huge corporations pay their fair share in taxes, thanks to President Biden’s leadership. FINALLY.
All of these pieces of legislation are a tremendous boost for our country and our state. Yet, most of the time, all Mississippi Republican Congressional delegations voted AGAINST these bills. The exception is our lone Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson.
So, I ask you, why does Mississippi keep electing individuals who consistently vote against the best interest of this state? While they are shouting about “government waste,” our government leaders happily accept three to nine bucks for every dollar we send to Washington. Why? I think it's due to gross mismanagement by our elected leaders. Most recently, we’ve been treated to a front row seat on a $77 million theft of taxpayers’ money meant for the poorest among us.
Election Day is November 8. Let’s think before we vote this time, folks.
The people of Mississippi are more important than allegiance to a political party. It's time to send that message loud and clear to those seeking to represent us.
Camille Wright, Northsider, Brandon.
