Why the American Rescue Plan is a BFD

When Joe Biden was vice president, he congratulated then-President Barack Obama for signing into law the Affordable Care Act by famously whispering into his ear: This is a big fucking deal. Which was caught by a hot mic. Never letting a good gaff go to waste, Organizing for America, the activist wing of the Obama administration, made a t-shirt that said: Health Reform Is a BFD.

I still have that t-shirt and wear it proudly.

I hope some group comes up with a similar one for when President Biden signs into law the American Rescue Plan. Because it is a BFD, and it’s important that everyone knows why.

First of all, it is a bipartisan plan. Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents all support it, even though the do-nothing Republicans in the Senate did not. They are already trying to tear it down despite its popularity.

Maybe it’s the way the brain has evolved but for some reason, bad news attracts attention way more than good news. The Republicans’ attacks will make news. Saying it wasn’t bipartisan because of the do-nothing GOP will make news. The compromises with moderate Democrats on stripping the $15 an hour minimum wage and nixing the increase in unemployment benefits to $400 will make news.