Build Back Bust – “The Sunday Political Brunch" – December 26, 2021
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
Build Back Bust – “The Sunday Political Brunch" – December 26, 2021
“Build Back Better, Beaten” – For now the social-infrastructure bill known as, “Build Back Better” is dead in the water. Sen. Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia broke with his caucus to announce he could not support the bill. On many occasions, Manchin told me it was the price of the bill that was the most concern. What began as a $3 trillion dollar package, he got whittled to $1.75 trillion, but not the $1.5 trillion he might have ultimately settled for, even with inflation surging. “I cannot take that risk with a staggering debt of more than $29 trillion and inflation taxes that are real and harmful to every hard-working American at the gasoline pumps, grocery stores and utility bills with no end in sight,” Manchin said in a statement.
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“The Bill had No Energy” – The overall financial point aside, Manchin continues to express his other big concern. The repeated promises of President Biden and much of the Democratic caucus to phase out fossil fuels, in favor of a so-called Green New Deal, was the second punch. Manchin represents the nation’s second-largest coal-producing state, as well as one of its largest natural gas exporters. A lot of those provisions were stripped at Manchin’s request, but a proposed tax increase on natural gas lived on. Make no mistake, Manchin also supports the growth of wind and solar power, and clean energy technologies. “But to do so at a rate that is faster than technology or the markets allow will have catastrophic consequences on the American people like we have seen in both Texas and California in the past two years,” Manchin said.
“What Say You, Supporters?”—There are plenty of supporters of BBB, yes, even in West Virginia. Originally, all the social infrastructure was to be partnered with the road and highway funding of the physical infrastructure bill. But the bricks and mortar projects were separated out and passed in a $1.2 trillion stand-alone bill. “We really need the other half, which is the childcare, the elder care, the child tax credit. All those things enable people to get to work. You still can’t get to work if you don’t have any childcare,” said Gary Zuckett of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group. He and other advocates wanted the monthly Child Tax Credit continued, in addition to the annual credit. “It’s brought so many kids in West Virginia out of poverty,” he added. Many parents used the money for food, clothing and back-to-school supplies.
“Bette Back Bitter” – Some in Hollywood sure knows how to “step in it!’ Actor-singer Bette Midler was outraged by Manchin’s vote and took to Twitter to express her dismay. “What #Joe Manchin, who represents a population smaller than Brooklyn, has done to the rest of America, who wants to move forward, like his state, is horrible. He sold us out. He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate, and strung out,” Midler tweeted.
“Bette’s Backlash” – Later Midler issued an apology, well, sort of. She tweeted, “I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst. I’m just seeing red; #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens?” The backlash came full force. “When was the last time that you were here (in WV)? How many people have you met from WV? Enough with the stereotypes,” Debbie B. tweeted and was republished in the New York Post. Stephanie Hardy also replied to the tweet, according to the Post, saying “WTF,” adding, “You’ve lost a fan!”
“My Two Cents – You know I rarely opine here, as my job is to be analytical and crunch the numbers. But when Kate Nagle of www.GoLocal.Prov published her initial article on Facebook, I just had to weigh in, saying: “I’ve lived all over the U.S., including five years in Rhode Island and the last six years in West Virginia. I can tell you the people of the Mountain State are amongst the most kind and generous souls I’ve ever met coast-to-coast. And with three top-notch medical schools, and two world-class universities, there are a LOT of smart folks here! Yes, West Virginia has some glaring problems. The opioid crisis is the most heartbreaking and gut-wrenching issue I’ve covered in 45 years of broadcasting. But it’s a work in progress and will get fixed. The last thing we need is name-calling and stereotyping from a Hollywood “has been!” No, Bette, you are NOT, ‘the wind beneath our wings!’”
“Build Back, Back from The Dead?” – Despite the Manchin announcement, I don’t think this is over yet. I suspect it will come back again after the first of the year, and they will again try to appease West Virginia’s senior senator, by bringing down the price tag and stripping out more that is deemed anti-fossil fuel. Of course, the progressive left in the House may revolt and not concur. This is an odd political dance heading into 2022, with both chambers up for grabs. There are a lot of open jobs in American and many parents (especially single parents) would like to get back to work. The childcare subsidies in this bill might do that. Do Republicans really want to take the blame for blocking that in an election year? Look for some of the more popular items such as childcare, to be broken out into separate, stand-alone bills. Even the United Mine Workers of America wants Manchin to rethink his vote, as money to rebuild former coal communities is in there.
“And, Oh There was That!” – On Tuesday President Biden held a mid-afternoon news conference to again urge people to get vaccinated and get their booster shots. I support that. I’m hardly an anti-vaxer or anti-tester: I’ve been fully vaxed with a booster for three months, with 10 negative COVID tests. I’m all in. But what a weird image Tuesday as President Biden launched his latest pitch. He was coughing throughout much of the briefing, which I found concerning. In fairness, I have been coughing excessively for the past 10 months due to pneumonia and other non-COVID lung ailments. “I got my booster shot as soon as they were available. And just today, former President Trump announced he’s gotten his booster shot. It may be one of the few things he and I agree on. People with booster shots are highly protected.”
What are your opinions on “Build Back Better” and boosters? Just click the comment button and let us know!
