Think long-term

It appears that in response to the current COVID-19 crisis, and the resulting financial crisis that is forming, the federal government intends to distribute money in the form of checks directly to many U.S. citizens.

While this action may be beneficial and even necessary in the short term, I suggest that a more long-term solution is also called for. This would harken back to the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Depression when federal moneys were spent to fund public works projects. These projects did at least two things: they put people to work (and in that put money in people’s pockets) but at the same time benefited the country by providing long term results as witnessed by the construction of Grand Coulee Dam.

Today, I suggest, money could be spent, for example, on similar infrastructure projects such as is needed to replace many old and in some cases dangerous bridges across our country. Money could also be spent to see that low-income persons were given needed medical, dental and eye care with the cost for this care being paid directly by the federal government to the care providers. People receive needed care and the providers are given needed work and income.

Jim Schmitz

Spokane