This Politician Pays Attention to Singles

​I have to give Lisa Vita credit for this post.  For so long, politicians have been using the word “family” to emphasize the importance of what they do, especially Democrats.  If I had a nickel for every time President Joe Biden mentioned the importance of “working families,” I wouldn’t even need to work.
 
Fortunately, Bella’s offered up a lot of Tweets in which she responded to these progressives making mention of the fact that individuals should be included in their plans.  I think they do mean “people,” but why say “families” when they mean “people?”  Is there some kind of expectation that we’re not aware of?
 
Fortunately, thanks to Lisa, I had the opportunity to research Stephanie Schmidt.  Born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey (just a few feet from the New York suburb where I grew up, and also where I lived for a year for my life), Stephanie appears to be a model for single women – well, women.  Actually, people, no matter what the gender!  She’s traveled the world, interacted with political leaders, and owns her home in Little Silver, New Jersey.  In that last paragraph of the profile where the politicians typically mention the spouse/children, she discusses hobbies, including cooking for family and friends.  Sounds like she’s living a full live outside of work!
 
Most noteworthy are recent Tweets where she actually advocates for fellow singles, like this one:
 
This is 2021, not 1950. 50.2% of adults are single today vs. 22% in 1950. It’s time we stop reflexively legislating from a 1950s assumption of what the American family/household/lived experience looks like, particularly when it comes to economic & tax policy.
 
Amen!  I wrote a piece a few years ago about how politicians will eventually pay attention to singles due to the projected decline in marriage, although it may take a few generations for that to take effect.  My hope is that pioneers like Schmid will ultimately quicken that process.  After all, why does a married couple deserve $2,800 as opposed to $1,400 for an individual?  They’re already splitting things like rent and mortgage.  A single person doesn’t  get to “pay half rent” as “LovinLife” said.  So why should we get half the money? 
 
I’m only saddened that I found out about her campaign; I would have chipped in some money to help.  Definitely next time, though!