Letter: Struggle should lead to equity

Thanks for Madeline McMillen’s inspirational story, helping others even though her own challenges could provide plenty of excuses to do nothing. (“Prairie High School sophomore’s heart beats for kids in need,” The Columbian, Dec. 25). This is the good news people always crave, and like Madeline, we, too, have the power to create good news. The pandemic has put the spotlight on America’s inequities, where before the pandemic, 40 percent of Americans were a $400 problem away from financial crisis. Now hunger, homelessness, unemployment or low-paying jobs, and lack of health care ravage American families, all amidst the pandemic’s threat of sickness and death. Since we live in a democracy, we can ask those who represent us, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, to turn all of this around. First passing the relief package, then moving on to end hunger, homelessness, lack of health insurance, and living wage work for all in the world’s richest country. Like Ms. McMillen, we can’t stop after one year, but continue to follow up with our members of Congress, until America has equity for all.