So, the corporatists seem to have won

[Craig234]

Democratic Party - 96% and Biden - pass a large agenda the country needs. Bernie in charge of budget committee. Initial plan: $10 trillion. Very difficult because it needs every Democrat.

Wealthy interests like No Labels: block their agenda. They need every vote, we'll get our members to block.

Round 1 negotiations: Plan reduced to $6 trillion.

Manchin: "No, I'm against more than $4 trillion."

Round 2 negotiations: OK, plan reduced to $3.5 trillion.

Plutocracy caucus: Hm, we do want $1 trillion of that, so we can' just block it. Hey, we really like you progressives. Really! Good idea! We're all for you. But would you mind a little teensy favor? Just indulge us. For politics, we'd like to try to pass a few bits of the plan in a bi-partisan way, but we'll support the rest of the bill only by Democrats. Really, we will! Trust us!

Democrats' mistake #1: Well, ok, but only if you keep your promise.

Plutocracy caucus: Yay! OK we have the $1 trillion bill done. Now by the way, we have some concerns on the other part. Can we delay it, take longer? We just want to get it right, but no reason to wait to pass the $1 trillion.

Progressives: Uh, no.

Democrats' mistake #2: Pelosi says ok, plutocrats, I'll bring just your bill up, breaking my promise for months like you.

Progressives: Uh, no.

Plutocrats: stomp feet. Attack progressives. Keep demanding passing only the $1 trillion bill. Leaked communication from No Labels thanking Senima for her "heroic efforts" to block the bill and pull of the two-bill scheme.

Progressive: OK, plan reduced to $1.75 trillion.

Plutocrats: "We have concerns."

Democrats' mistake #3: After holding strong for months, progressives have now agreed to a plan where the House passes the $1.75 trillion bill, and the $1 trillion bill - but without any guarantee, as agreed, the Senate will pass both; setting up the risk for the Senate to only pass the $1 trillion bill, which Biden said he won't sign alone, but could break that promise like everyone else has.

So it looks like the progressive ultimatum of both or nothing, is over; and we may or may not still get both, if King Joe and Queen Kyrsten just happen to say they can. But there's a risk they won't, and it looks like they won at this point. The result of Democrats not having enough seats.

It'll still be the best year this century for policy. But a fraction of what's needed, and pales to the harm done by Republicans. Over $50 trillion taken, under $1 trillion/year back to the American people.

 

[Phys251]

Democratic Party - 96% and Biden - pass a large agenda the country needs. Bernie in charge of budget committee. Initial plan: $10 trillion. Very difficult because it needs every Democrat.

Wealthy interests like No Labels: block their agenda. They need every vote, we'll get our members to block.

Round 1 negotiations: Plan reduced to $6 trillion.

Manchin: "No, I'm against more than $4 trillion."

Round 2 negotiations: OK, plan reduced to $3.5 trillion.

Plutocracy caucus: Hm, we do want $1 trillion of that, so we can' just block it. Hey, we really like you progressives. Really! Good idea! We're all for you. But would you mind a little teensy favor? Just indulge us. For politics, we'd like to try to pass a few bits of the plan in a bi-partisan way, but we'll support the rest of the bill only by Democrats. Really, we will! Trust us!

Democrats' mistake #1: Well, ok, but only if you keep your promise.

Plutocracy caucus: Yay! OK we have the $1 trillion bill done. Now by the way, we have some concerns on the other part. Can we delay it, take longer? We just want to get it right, but no reason to wait to pass the $1 trillion.

Progressives: Uh, no.

Democrats' mistake #2: Pelosi says ok, plutocrats, I'll bring just your bill up, breaking my promise for months like you.

Progressives: Uh, no.

Plutocrats: stomp feet. Attack progressives. Keep demanding passing only the $1 trillion bill.

Democrats' mistake #3: After holding strong for months, progressives have now agreed to a plan where the House passed the yet again compromised $1.75 trillion bill, and the $1 trillion bill - but without any guarantee, as agreed, the Senate will pass both; setting up the risk for the Senate to only pass the $1 trillion bill, which Biden said he won't sign alone, but could break that promise like everyone else has.

So it looks like the progressive ultimatum of both or nothing, is over; and we may or may not still get both, if King Joe and Queen Kyrsten just happen to say they can. But there's a risk they won't, and it looks like they won at this point. The result of Democrats not having enough seats.

It'll still be the best year this century for policy. But a fraction of what's needed, and pales to the harm done by Republicans. Over $50 trillion taken, under $1 trillion/year back to the American people.

10% of 10 trillion is an infinitely greater percent than zero.

 

[Redress]

Bernie in charge of budget committee

Well there is your problem right there...

 

[Craig234]

Well there is your problem right there...

Ya, that's my problem like Scully piloting the jet was a problem and Dr. Fauci helping on the Covid crisis was a problem.

 

[element94]

10% of 10 trillion is an infinitely greater percent than zero.

What are they going to do with the other 9 trillion?

 

[Phys251]

What are they going to do with the other 9 trillion?

No dollar amount matters here other the one that is signed by the President.

 

[element94]

No dollar amount matters here other the one that is signed by the President.

Sock it away for a rainy day.

 

[aociswundumho]

Ya, that's my problem like Scully piloting the jet was a problem and Dr. Fauci helping on the Covid crisis was a problem.

Except Bernie was a total failure in the private sector. By his mid-30s he was broke and stealing electricity from his landlord.

Even after he weaseled his way into the federal government and was receiving a 6 figure salary, for decades he still had very low net worth, because he was too stupid to manage his own money.

The only skill Bernie Sanders possesses is figuring how to live off of the taxpayer for most of his life.

 

[Phys251]

Sock it away for a rainy day.

Huh?

 

[Redress]

Ya, that's my problem like Scully piloting the jet was a problem and Dr. Fauci helping on the Covid crisis was a problem.

What do you have against Scully and Fauci?

 

[element94]

Huh?

It's certainly not being spent on infrastructure.

 

[Craig234]

What do you have against Scully and Fauci?

The point went over your head. Scully was not a problem. Fauci was not. Bernie is not.

 

[Phys251]

It's certainly not being spent on infrastructure.

Thanks for the obvious.

 

[beancounter]

Let's not pull punches. The remaining $9T will find it way into tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate welfare.

 

[Craig234]

Let's not pull punches. The remaining $9T will find it way into tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate welfare.

No, the $9T is ALREADY in the hands of the wealthy and corporations, and it will stay there instead of being taxed and spent on the American people.

 

[beancounter]

No, the $9T is ALREADY in the hands of the wealthy and corporations, and it will stay there instead of being taxed and spent on the American people.

Six and one half dozen of the other.

 

[element94]

Thanks for the obvious.

Oh, and they definitely can't go after prescription drug prices, or unburden seniors' dental and vision woes. Just venting.

 

[Razoo]

Some of the nine trillion will find its' way to larger subsides to fossil fuel giants? How much does Manchin coal receive?

Joe is definitely and Kyrsten are tax dollar leeches ...........

Yes over the years trillions in tax dollar subsidies have funneled their way into fossil fuel subsidies but
that is okay no matter that it's polluting like no tomorrow.

 

[Ikari]

10% of 10 trillion is an infinitely greater percent than zero.

There are a few folk who can't understand that though. that 1 trillion > 0. But who am I to comment on the mathematic abilities of others, lol.

 

[Integrityrespec]

Bernies no problem if you are a socialist or a marxist or in Bernies case a communist who vacations in Moscow.

 

[Razoo]

Let's not pull punches. The remaining $9T will find it way into tax breaks for the wealthy and corporate welfare.

standing ovation ...........

 

[Razoo]

Bernies no problem if you are a socialist or a marxist or in Bernies case a communist who vacations in Moscow.

you say some of the dumbest ..........

 

[phoenix2020]

There are a few folk who can't understand that though. that 1 trillion > 0. But who am I to comment on the mathematic abilities of others, lol.

Worse, $1T is something to build on. This is quite literally the basic process of life: accomplish something, build on it to accomplish the next thing, and then the next, and then the next, until you eventually have everything you want. I find it shocking that the OP does not understand this basic concept but perhaps it explains the entitlement-attitude: I wonder if he has ever earned something on the strength of steady, continuous effort over a long period of time. Imagine this mindset applied to other aspects of life. "I'm going to need a commitment of marriage before we go out for a coffee date." "I'm going to need an agreement in writing that I will be the CEO, before I take this entry level position." It's bonkers.

In the D's shoes, I would have gotten infrastructure out the door ASAP - the immediate first thing after getting vaccine availability scaled out. Pass it by May so that the money starts flowing before we head into winter and construction stops across much of the country. What a wonderful way to win a bunch of hearts and minds. Then, I would have pushed to secure borders and increase immigration and refugee intake (with funding for screening) a couple of months later - they'd take the wind from the sails of the Republicans on immigration and yet another "win" that this time brings a bunch of the "enemy of my enemy" independents on board who now think "hey these Democrats aren't pandering to one of their factions, but seem to be solving problems all of America cares about." With three big sources of credibility under their belt (COVID, infrastructure, immigration) now they could push for say a $300B paid leave program. Pay for it with taxes on the obscenely rich, get it out and win the hearts of every new parent for the next 4+ years. Then go to student debt, then China, then prescription drug prices... and on and on and on.

That is what I was hoping for from this administration and Congress - a good bill every 2 months that builds off the last one and creates confidence and support for the next one. Instead, what I've gotten is "uh let us do everything we want or we'll take our ball and go home." It's deflating and makes me want to sit out voting in the midterms.

 

[Integrityrespec]

you say some of the dumbest ..........

Truth hurts you, huh.

 

[Integrityrespec]

Worse, $1T is something to build on. This is quite literally the basic process of life: accomplish something, build on it to accomplish the next thing, and then the next, and then the next, until you eventually have everything you want. I find it shocking that the OP does not understand this basic concept but perhaps it explains the entitlement-attitude: I wonder if he has ever earned something on the strength of steady, continuous effort over a long period of time. Imagine this mindset applied to other aspects of life. "I'm going to need a commitment of marriage before we go out for a coffee date." "I'm going to need an agreement in writing that I will be the CEO, before I take this entry level position." It's bonkers.

In the D's shoes, I would have gotten infrastructure out the door ASAP - the immediate first thing after getting vaccine availability scaled out. Pass it by May so that the money starts flowing before we head into winter and construction stops across much of the country. What a wonderful way to win a bunch of hearts and minds. Then, I would have pushed to secure borders and increase immigration and refugee intake (with funding for screening) a couple of months later - they'd take the wind from the sails of the Republicans on immigration and yet another "win" that this time brings a bunch of the "enemy of my enemy" independents on board who now think "hey these Democrats aren't pandering to one of their factions, but seem to be solving problems all of America cares about." With three big sources of credibility under their belt (COVID, infrastructure, immigration) now they could push for say a $300B paid leave program. Pay for it with taxes on the obscenely rich, get it out and win the hearts of every new parent for the next 4+ years. Then go to student debt, then China, then prescription drug prices... and on and on and on.

That is what I was hoping for from this administration and Congress - a good bill every 2 months that builds off the last one and creates confidence and support for the next one. Instead, what I've gotten is "uh let us do everything we want or we'll take our ball and go home." It's deflating and makes me want to sit out voting in the midterms.

They aren't really interested in helping people. They are interested in maintaining power by controlling the votes of people who are totally dependent on the government and in particular the democrats. Votes, bought and paid for.