On “Captain Pathetic”
He represents the second smallest state economy in the nation, it has the worst infrastructure, only four states people are less educated, is third worst in employment and only three have worse healthcare. You would think Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) would be supportive of measures that would provide some relief to his constituents impoverished circumstances and opportunities to “re-imagine” how West Virginia could prosper again. You’d be wrong.

The esteemed Senator and one of the most prominent “moderates” in the Democratic Senate Caucus, felt it necessary yesterday to hold a “no-questions” press conference. Claiming he needed to clarify his position on the current reconciliation bill he is blocking, he spent fifteen minutes blowing more smoke. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the legislative process where ideas and dreams get a reality check. If that were the substance of Manchin’s remarks, I’d accept his current position. But Manchin spent the fifteen minutes in front of the camera’s spewing an outright lie and trying pathetically to obscure the truth. He’s sold out to big money, he has a huge conflict of interest, he’s upset with the pressure coming down on him politically and he needs to get his “bi-partisan” physical infrastructure bill passed.

Bernie Sanders called him out on the lie, immediately. Manchin contended that the Build Back Better proposal would fuel inflation. That would be true if it wasn’t funded. While Manchin’s refusal to allow any significant taxation of the super-wealthy required a shift in how its provisions will be financed, it is paid for. In contrast, Manchin’s physical infrastructure bill is NOT. So, if inflation is caused by legislation (and some of the best economic minds in the nation say Build Back Better will actually suppress inflation) it is Manchin’s bill that we can blame.

Manchin then muddies the water more by contending that the financing of Build Back Better is a gimmick and will actually cost as much as double “IF CONTINUED OUT INTO THE FUTURE”. The fact is that the provisions do have sunsets on them. A future Congress will have to decide if they need to be extended. That’s the way ALL legislation is.

Then there’s his opposition to the proposals’ efforts to transition to a sustainable planet. Manchin, who made a half million dollars last year, from a coal company he and his family control, has a huge self interest in blocking any reduction in coal use, even if the proposal pours mega-dollars into transitioning the people of his State to emerging jobs with a future. Screw reality and screw them!

In politics, it’s often useful to turn what a politician says inside out, to get at the real truth. Clearly Manchin felt he had to speak out on his continued opposition to the proposal. Particularly since the President and his Democratic colleagues are saying he’s now on board. Imagine Manchin’s wealthy donors and fellow coal barons confronting him and yelling “WTF you doing?”

Then there’s his demand that HIS infrastructure bill be uncoupled from the reconciliation bill and be enacted. That says the demands from the Progressive wing, that both pieces pass together, is a problem for Captain Pathetic. He wants his bill, but doesn’t like it that he’s been cornered on what the President and his fellow Democrats want. Poor Joe.

As one Senator commented, “he could have put it in an email”. They’ve been contending with Manchin’s self-interest and mealy-mouthed diversions for months now. Everyone knows where he’s coming from and who he is. The only question is “what’s his price”? On that important question, the most pathetic Senator in the United States, offered absolutely no clarity at all.

ihg 11-2-2021
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