Help can’t wait any longer

It is too late to turn back now. President Trump so far is refusing to sign a $900 billion aid package, delaying much-needed, long-awaited help for people and businesses. This bill is the culmination of months of on-and-off negotiations that took far too long for those who are struggling. Without the President’s signature, millions of Americans have seen their unemployment benefits come to an end. As Trump delays, small businesses are seeing money dry up in the Payroll Protection Program. Vaccines won’t be shipped as quickly, and the federal government may shut down if the President doesn’t grab a pen. Trump says he wants larger stimulus checks for individuals, $2000 rather than $600. And he wants the pork pulled from the massive spending bill. He may be right on both counts. Perhaps the checks should be bigger, and there shouldn’t be all that wasteful spending. But if Trump had a problem with the negotiations, he could have participated in them long ago. Instead, he was largely absent. This bill isn’t perfect. It has many flaws. But help is needed now. Too many Americans need a lifeline from foreclosures, hunger, homelessness, even suicide. They have already waited far too long for their federal government to lend a hand.