If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
So far, the Trump administration has taken responsible action to protect American lives and livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
First, the administration passed a coronavirus stimulus package, where qualifying taxpayers receive up to $1,200 each with an additional $500 for children.
The administration also approved the Paycheck Protection Program, a small business loan that essentially acts as a grant and protects worker paychecks.
These stimulus programs protect workers and the livelihoods of American citizens without infringing their rights.
But now…
“The Squad,” led by Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, has introduced new legislation that sounds too good to be true.
And guess what — it is.
Under the guise of “rent cancellation,” the Squad’s new bill would literally give the federal government the ability to take away Americans’ property rights.
Unlike the previous stimulus measures that benefited everyone, this new bill benefits a few at the expense of many.
More details on this attempt at government expansion below:
Read the full Emergency Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Legislationthat has been proposed by Ilhan Omar here.
The bill, if passed, would cancel all rent and mortage payments.
The catch?
It doesn't matter if your income has or hasn't been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To make matters worse, the bill also allows the purchase of private rental properties.
That's right: government entities would be able to undermine private landlords and mortage companies.
If this sounds like socialism, it's because it is.
The Western Journal has more details on how this legislation disguised as rent cancellation actually harms private property rights while growing the government:
“The bill would constitute a full payment forgiveness, with no accumulation of debt for renters or homeowners and no negative impact on their credit rating or rental history,” a news release from Omar’s office says.
Furthermore, a fund would be created “to fully finance the purchase of private rental properties by non-profits, public housing authorities, cooperatives, community land trusts, and states or local governments — in order to increase the availability of affordable housing during this downturn,” the news release says.
This means private property owners would be undermined and the power of government entities would be greatly increased.
Landlords and mortgage companies could apply for lost income to a relief fund that would be established for this purpose. Only primary residences would qualify, not investment properties or vacation homes.
It is no surprise that Omar’s fellow radical House “squad” members — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts — co-sponsored the bill, along with three other progressive Democrats.
The “squad” is determined to take maximum advantage of the suffering caused by the pandemic in order to create a large, socialist bureaucracy.
If this kind of bureaucracy were enabled, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to tear down, even when the pandemic ends.
If Omar and the progressives cared to solve the immediate problems we face, they would push for homeowners and renters to be allowed to go back to work so they can make their rent and mortgage payments without government assistance. If citizens are working, they do not need help from self-important lawmakers.
Reopening the economy is a speedier and more complete cure to the emerging housing problems sparked by mandated economic lockdowns to fight the pandemic.
Instead, this bill would punch a hole in the Constitution.
Landlords would not be allowed to take any adverse action against renters; if they did, they could be subject to fines, and ultimately they could lose their property. The federal government would have expanded powers to outright seize private property if the landlord did not follow these draconian rules.
Landlords would be forced to permit tenants to live rent-free, and if they applied for relief funds, their property would become compromised.
For five years, landlords who receive funds could not raise the rent or discriminate against tenants based on their credit scores or criminal histories.
Most galling and alarming of all: In order to receive relief funds, landlords would be forced to give their tenants a 10 percent equity stake in their property.
This means, in essence, that the bill would allow tenants to be akin to co-owners; tenants would be granted powers and a profit stake over property that did not belong to them.
The Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act would be a stake driven right into the heart of the engine of American capitalism: property rights.
Landlords would no longer benefit from the fruit of their labor. Instead, the fruit of their labor would be managed by the government and redistributed to their tenants.
We shouldn't be surprised at this brazen attempt by leftists to seize government power.
This would single handedly transform the entirety of the housing market nationwide, essentially nationalizing the market and giving more power to the federal government.
This bill is not a solution to the unfolding housing crisis!
This is why President Trump and Republicans are pushing for the SAFE reopening of the U.S. economy.
As if this proposal wasn't radical enough, AOC is pushing for landlords to freeze rents for 5 years.
That's right... FIVE years.
And she's encouraging constituents to avoid paying rent by participating in a "rent strike."
New York's Real Deal has more:
“As we know here in New York, we have to fight with Democrats to make sure things get accomplished,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “Here in the state of New York, we have a Democratic governor, a Democratic state legislature and a Democratic City Council, and we are still struggling to cancel rent.”
The congresswoman also urged viewers to support a bill that her Minnesota colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar introduced earlier this month to cancel rent and mortgage payments.
The bill would offer total forgiveness on rent and mortgage payments, starting April 1 until 30 days after the end of the federal state of emergency.
The measure would also create a landlord and lender relief fund to make up for the lost rent and mortgages. But landlords who apply for relief must agree to freeze rents for five years, abide by “just cause” eviction rules (a controversial measure pushed by tenant advocates in New York), offer vacant units to public housing tenants receiving rental assistance and follow other fair housing rules.
Tenant organizers are threatening to launch a rent strike May 1 if Cuomo does not cancel rent. The governor has said a 90-day ban on evictions for non-payment of rent has taken care of the issue for now and that he is considering options for what to do when it expires in mid-June.
Rather than growing the government and putting power in the hands of politicians, perhaps the Squad should open a textbook and learn more about the free market.
Thanks to President Trump's policies, we enjoyed the healthiest economy on record with the lowest unemployment rates ever prior to the COVID-19 pandemic from China.
Americans are wise to trust the president's leadership during this time!
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