Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans in Congress seem to get it.

The American people – at least most of us – don’t want a $1,000 more or less hand out.

What we really want is for Congress, state lawmakers and local officials to get their hands out of our pockets.

Give us a tax holiday on all taxes – sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes, accommodations taxes, food taxes, etc. – until we get this corona virus under control and we can put everybody back to work.

In the latest insanity from our nation’s capital, Republican Senators propose relieving taxes on small businesses and providing cash payments to individuals.

Why not tax relief for all people and assistance for those who can’t afford to eat and pay for their needed medications?

The Democrats have produced a separate bill in response. That legislation is being filed.

You can bet it will be filled with economic land mines.

The Republican bill would have:

• Given $1,200 cash to individuals with incomes under $75,000. These payments would be lower for individuals with incomes up to $91,000 or $198,000 for joint taxpayers.

Can you imagine the millions it will cost to figure out who gets what and mail checks?

Does the Treasury Department have nothing else to do? If not, let’s send them home. The Washington swamp is swimming with too many bureaucrats as it is.

We agree that 2 of their proposals make sense.

• Tax return due dates delayed to July 15. Estimated taxes due October 15.

• Employers can defer Social Security tax deposits for employees (6.2% tax on wages) and pay in 2021 and 2022.

Those make sense because they protect uneven cash flow and employee paychecks and allow hard-hit businesses to continue operating.

If you agree, please let your legislators know. If you disagree, please let us know at JerryBellune@yahoo.com .

If public officials really want to help, they could start with a holiday on all taxes.