The $1400 versus $2000 debate is tearing this nation apart. As such, to satisfy all parties, Congress needs to send every American a $3400 check.

On a serious note sending a $2,000 check would be politically advantageous (people want money!) and would serve as a stronger anti-poverty measure (direct cash payments work!). The White House should absolutely push for it.

Regardless of what you think of some of the legislation's provisions it's really important to understand that (especially!) the expanded UI, one-time $1200, and student loan forbearance *transformed lives*.

It wasn't just a stabilizer, even if it was intended as such. In the process is downright *transformed people's lives*. I know someone who was able to accrue enough of a personal safety net through the expanded UI to be able to go back to college after 10 years...

...without having to work 3+ extra shifts a week as they complete their undergrad. Being poor is extremely expensive in America! A $1400 check could legitimately transform a ton of lives, and a $2000 check would have an even greater impact.

Anyway, as everyone else does when they get a moderately popular tweet, I wanted to plug my recent article for @LabyrinthPol, a new journal I founded. I'm biased but I'm incredibly happy with how it came out and would seriously recommend reading it. https://www.labyrinthmag.org/post/what-s-a-progressive-anyway

But yeah, a big lesson from 2020 is that direct cash payments really do work as anti-poverty tools. Send people more checks! Great politics and great policy.

Also, before I forget: Wanted to elevate this horrific story. Even by the cruel standards of American healthcare the way the system treats people who need insulin to live is shockingly evil. https://twitter.com/ferguriffic/status/1349442862446993410