Welcome to the only Joe Manchin-themed article to be featured on Daily Kos in months! In case you forgot who this wallflower Senator is, he’s a little-known centrist from West Virginia. Ha.
Sen Bernie Sanders and Joe Manchin exchanged statements today on Sen Manchin’s never-ending (but vague) criticism of the Build Back Better agenda. Sen Sanders called for some specificity, asking that Manchin outline exactly what he doesn’t like in the proposal with specific amounts.
Bernie points out that as a member of the Senate, sure, Sen Manchin should get some compromise on areas he objects to…so what are they?
Sen Manchin offered the following response:
Senator Sanders believes America should be moving towards an entitlement society, while I believe we should have a compassionate and rewarding society.
Awesome, Sen Manchin, so helpful. We will go comb through the bill to add extra compassion and try to ferret out the entitlement. As an added bonus, we’ll try to identify any moxxie in the legislation, and ensure all “cromulence” is stricken from the bill in honor of Homer Simpson.
This was all very silly on Manchin’s part, but in reflecting on his opinion, I find that as a progressive I might be willing to meet him half way on this issue of an entitlement society. I think a lot of progressive would join me.
I don’t want to live in a society where coal companies are entitled to pump out as much CO2 as they want, lining their pockets while we watch our cities burn to the ground.
I don’t want to live in a society where the wealthiest nation in the history of mankind generates trillions in wealth every year, but is entitled to stand by and do nothing while twelve million U.S. children suffer food insecurity, and millions more life in poverty. Where 30% of our college students experience food insecurity.
I don’t want to live in a society where corporations are entitled to pay historically low tax rates, and where billionaires are entitled to stash billions overseas in secret accounts, while American commuters wonder if they should drive over that aging bridge this afternoon, or take the train, or drink the water in their own homes.
I don’t want to live in a society where pharmaceutical companies are entitled to set whatever prices they like on life-saving medications, and don’t have to negotiate those prices with anyone.
I don’t want to live in a society where the top 1% are entitled to horde 40% of the nation’s wealth, while middle class Americans have to fight tooth and nail for a living wage.
And I really, really, really, really, really do not want to live in a society where 81 million voters participate in a free and fair election and unite behind an agenda, and where a single Senator is entitled to overrule those voters and obstruct for vague and non-specific reasons. WE KNEW WHAT WE WERE VOTING FOR, SENATOR.
But I do want to live in a society where our elderly are dignity and health, where they don’t have to suffer their teeth slowly rotting away. I want our society to reward our elders for their contributions to our society.
I do want to live in a society where our kids are entitled to a quality education, including free college, a necessity in the 21st century world. I want our society to reward these kids for their willingness to learn and expand their skill sets.
I do want to live in a society where America’s women have equal access to the work force and opportunity, and where anyone, regardless of gender, is able to take paid time off to care for a child or family member. I want our society to reward their efforts in raising and caring for the next generation of American workers.
Here’s the deal — I’ve read every single one of Sen Manchin’s op-eds during this process. I’ve watched and read most of his public statements.
Let’s be honest, he is not really opposed to granting new entitlements. Everything that Joe Manchin has criticized is entirely about preserving the entitlements currently enjoyed by a tiny fraction of our society at the expense of others. He’s entitled, and he doesn’t want to give that up. That’s what this is about.
Joe Manchin claims he doesn’t want us to encourage an entitlement society. I agree. That’s why I want him to stop being so god damned entitled.
Sign on to the Build Back Better legislation, Senator. It’s time. Embrace democracy and give the voters what they voted for.
Side note response to everything Bernie said in his briefing: “a-effing-men.”