In Sissela Bok’s seminal work, “Lying: Moral Choice in Private and Public Life,” she makes a distinction about lying. Commission is lying when a person knowingly gives false information. Omission is lying when a person knowingly omits information.
This distinction is relevant to letters to the editor I read about President Biden. Writers commit both commission and omission. Some give false information that Biden lost the election. Others claim Biden has failed because of covid or gas prices.
They both overlook the American Rescue Plan, $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill signed by Joe Biden. Through the ARP, Biden extended unemployment benefits by $300 weekly and made a $1,400 direct payment to individuals.
Biden gave emergency paid leave to over 100 million Americans and a 15 percent increase in food stamp benefits.
Biden expanded the child tax credit by $2,000 per child and made thousands of grants to small businesses.
Biden gave $350 billion to help state, local and tribal governments with budget shortfalls, and $130 billion for K-12 schools to safely reopen.
Biden gave $21.6 billion for rental assistance, $10 billion for homeowners and $86 billion to bailout 185 multiemployer pension funds.
Has Biden defeated the virus? No, but he has given billions of dollars for covid-19 vaccines and testing, and much more to help Americans during the pandemic.
Ken W. White
Marysville
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