I was reading a suggestion by Merlin196357 in a diary about a threat to the Supreme Court,about how Oregon might possibly allow citizens to sue coal producers and generators. And that is all well and good, copycatting Texas’ awful anti-abortion law ‘deputizing’ citizens to go vigilante to sue any woman, or anyone who helps one, get an abortion after 6 weeks. Having Oregonians sue for damages cause by coal emissions. To make another example that might force the Supreme Court to step in against a bad state law.
But it occurred to me that creating difficulties for the coal industry is the one strategy that Democrats are not using as leverage against Joe Manchin.Perhaps what we really need are Democratic caucuses, and individuals in Congress to bring the party to go to war on coal. To start making moves towards making it a top priority. Even if leadership is resistant, for members of congress to start going vigilante on shutting down coal, writing up bills to stifle the industry and its peripherals. To start stripping out funding and tax breaks for the industry. To begin to allow ways for citizen groups and states to sue for health hazards. From standalone bills to poison pills. There are probably many ways to take steps towards shutting this noxious industry down.And doing it because it’s time for Joe Manchin to face consequences for his sabotage against the party he belongs to.
What if, for instance, the progressive caucus, where dozens of members sworn to their jobs, are allowed to launch assaults on that industry every chance they get over the next couple of years? They’ve been thwarted when bills they have been trying to pass for years are almost ready to become law except for Joe Manchin. Is there any other way they can threaten payback? What needs to be demanded is that leadership step aside and allow groups in the party to self-organize and go after coal. Everywhere. Every way they can. Start planning, strategize short-and long-term policies to do away with coal much sooner than later.
I think if nothing else the progressive caucus should do this after caving on passing the infrastructure bill without the BBB at the same time. All other leverage vanished once the bipartisan infrastructure was passed. But if most of the party at large wants to push back, with little to lose now, they could make it clear that unless he comes back to the table to deal in good faith, they can be ready to start shutting down the coal industry step by step. If Manchin flips and goes independent promise him it will be even worse then.
Consider pharmaceuticals too, specifically anything that creates his family's wealth. This is obviously part of Senator Sinema’s donor base. It’s hundreds against a couple of Senators holding up everything. We have a handful of Senators who could add their weight too if all focused on the same goals. Let congresspersons go vigilante on him. Encourage dozens of them to. We have people in the House and Senate who could put plenty of pressure on coal. So could the executive branch. Maybe the DOJ? Let Manchin know if he walks away from the party he will lose his investments. And the further the faster Democrats will move. Go your own way. But, this is the only way I see consequences for Manchin. And the same for Sinema and whomever her most vulnerable donors are.
Make it real threat until it's done. Like the GOP crusade against Roe. V.Wade. Just do it, and do it, and do it. Get legislation if need be to specifically hurt coal. Everywhere. Especially in his state. Create deep consequences for him.
This threatens his entire state because of his actions. It could threaten his reelection if it brings the hammer down on a top industry in his state.There’s lots of ways to go against it if Dems want to be creative and have a special dispensation to do so on coal. No one will want to work with him after that. Do it no matter what, however long it takes. Unless he turns his yacht around to come play ball with the entire party. Now.
Pass voting rights, Senator. Pass the BBB. Or perhaps be sorry you ever crossed a united Democratic party. If we can convince Democratic leadership to step aside, or better yet to back it up and let those whose reelection plans are being damaged by Manchin and Co. to self-organize.
It’s the only thing I can think of which might make him reconsider.