On April 22, 2020

Bail out Main Street, not Wall Street

Dear Editor,

First, a little history: 2008 saw the worst financial crisis in this country since the Great Depression. In response to the economic devastation, congress enacted the Troubled Asset Relief Program to bail out America’s big banks, to the tune of $700 billion. Today, with the coronavirus pandemic hitting small businesses harder than anybody else, it is Main Street, not Wall Street that needs the bail out.

Small businesses are the backbone of this country. In Vermont they make up 99% of our businesses and before this crisis, employed almost 60% of the state’s workforce. Covid-19 has brought us to our knees. We are not going to survive this pandemic without further government action. Congress’s initial attempts to help support small businesses were designed to essentially put the small business economy on life support. Hopefully it will provide some short-term relief to some. However, even that is unclear with the programs being massively underfunded and the money that does exist being mired in bureaucratic delays. In fact, the White House announced that the Payroll Protection Program – the program designed for small businesses to retain their employees – is out of money. Unfortunately, these programs will not help the majority of small businesses as they aren’t workable for most and exclude many businesses in need.

Last month, workers filed for unemployment in previously inconceivable numbers. Mass unemployment will devastate our economy for decades to come, cause unnecessary suffering and further endanger lives.

But this bleak future is not inevitable. By restoring and maintaining Main Street jobs, Congress can avert mass unemployment and refocus our disaster response on the pandemic. We need added and expansive federal action to protect Main Street jobs, workers, and businesses while they hibernate and/or adapt to save lives during the pandemic. Small businesses need grants, not loans. We need expanded and immediate cash flow to be able to keep our businesses going. And our workers need improved unemployment insurance, income support, and safety protections.

I want to be clear that Vermont’s Congressmen get this. Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders and Congressman Welch understand the importance of small businesses and the struggles we face. I am confident that they are doing everything in their power to advocate for main street businesses and workers. Sadly, I am not as confident about many of their colleagues in DC who seem to be more beholden to large corporations than to their own constituents. Legislators who seem more concerned about protecting their future campaign contributions than their hometown businesses. This letter is for them.

Our small business economy faces extinction without direct subsidies to Covid-19 impacted businesses. Tens of millions of jobs are at stake — along with people’s health care, sick leave, retirement, and other important benefits that are needed now more than ever. It is not an exaggeration to say that the vast majority of small businesses will not survive without the right  government action. It is time for Congress to take action to help the American people, not just American corporations and campaign coffers.

Eliza Cain, Middlesex

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Before school budget talks turn to slashing expenses

November 20, 2024
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the owner and publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister paper of the Mountain Times.  With 2024-25 education property tax rate hikes well into double digits last year, it’s little doubt school boards will be primed for holding costs to a minimum for their upcoming budgets. Already…

Keep pets safe this trapping season

November 20, 2024
Dear Editor, The recreational trapping season in Vermont begins on the fourth Saturday of October each year and lasts through March 31st. For some animals, like otters and beavers, this season lasts for five long months. There are no limits on the number of animals a trapper may kill or on the number of traps…

‘You belong here’

November 20, 2024
Dear Editor, A Latin teacher from junior high school once told me that the word “trivia” comes from roots, meaning three roads. The idea was that people would come together where roads meet to exchange small pieces of information — trivia. Here in Vermont, we certainly swap news on street corners, and I’ve had my…

Welcoming new Americans will strengthen Vt’s economy

November 20, 2024
By Mike Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer As Vermont’s Treasurer, I am committed to growing Vermont’s economy and building a more inclusive future for our state. To keep our economy on a positive track, we must address our demographic challenges and grow our workforce. I regularly hear from employers about the difficulty of finding workers —…