Conservatives In Congress Fight To Impose Their Own Will On The American Public

"Bipartisanship" by Nancy Ohanian

Yesterday, we took a look at how some of the paid-off corrupt Democrats in Congress are slyly working to undermine Biden's domestic agenda on behalf of their special interest campaign contributors. Yesterday we looked specifically how Kathleen Rice (New Dem-NY), Lou Correa (Blue Dog-CA), Kurt Schrader (Blue Dog-OR), Scott Peters (New Dem-CA) and Stephanie Murphy (Blue Dog-FL) are working to undermine a reduction in the price of prescription drugs, not just to deny cheaper prices to consumers on behalf of their Big PhRMA contributors but to also make the plan fiscally untenable.

After I wrote that post, I saw the extensive new polling Data for Progress did on the Build Back Better plan in a dozen crucial midterms states-- Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. They wrote that in all twelve states surveyed Build Back Better is supported by a majority of likely voters. In no state surveyed is it supported by less than a +15 point margin (Montana), with the margin of support being significantly higher in all the other states. Even West Virginia, which voted overwhelmingly for Trump and whose senator, Joe Manchin, is one of the most intractable roadblocks, the margin is +43 points! These were the other key take-aways:

• Majorities of voters in all twelve states agree that investments in caregiving can promote economic growth. Agreement with this ranges from 78 percent in Pennsylvania to 64 percent in Montana.

• Voters support the climate provisions of the Build Back Better plan in all twelve states surveyed, with support ranging from 51 percent in Montana to 74 percent in Oregon for having the United States get 80% of its power by 2030 from emission free sources

• Investing $400 billion in long-term care is popular with likely voters even when they are provided messaging both for and against. In every state surveyed, support ranges from 54 percent in Montana to 74 percent in Oregon.

• A majority of voters in all twelve states support creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers like farmworkers. Support ranges from sixty-two percent of voters in Montana to 80 percent of voters in Oregon.

Let's take a look at North Carolina, a state Trump carried both times. Last year he won 2,758,775 (49.93%) to 2,684,292 (48.59%). Likely voters were asked if they support Biden's Build Back Better plan. 72% said yes and 22% were opposed-- a massive 50 point gap in favor. Even among likely Republican voters. 55% approved and just 37% were against it. They then tested support for some of the better-known individual provisions of the package. Again, majorities supported each and every provision. Look at this:

Despite incessant conservative caterwauling, nice strong majorities also support how the $3.5 trillion investment should be paid for-- just the way AOC's evening gown suggested the other night:

• Higher income tax for the wealthy +61%

• Increased corporate tax rate +42%

• Increased capital gains on rich people +61%

• Closing loopholes on wealth business owners +58%

• IRS enforcement +53%

Writing for Jacobin Magazine the other day, Michael Lighty noted that "Nearly 70 percent of older Americans currently have no form of dental insurance. Coverage for routine oral health services, including cleanings and cavities, much less extensive procedures like root canals, have never been part of traditional Medicare. The good news is that could change under the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation proposal in Congress, the outline of which the House recently passed. The plan would expand Medicare to include dental coverage as well as vision and hearing, and also lower the eligibility age to sixty. While it may not be Medicare for All, there’s a reason Bernie Sanders-- currently chair of the Senate Budget Committee-- has been championing the plan. It would be a huge victory in the fight for Medicare for All."

It's a wildly popular idea but two members of the Senate are standing in the way: Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). West Virginia voters back the whole plan Manchin is threatening to derail or shrink into nothing. 68% back it and just 25% oppose it. Even West Virginia Republicans are for it-- 56% to 34%. And when it comes specifically to expanding Medicare coverage-- something conservatives like Manchin are working furiously to shut down-- 82% favor it and just 12% oppose it-- a 70% margin!

It was an even stronger margin in Arizona where 85% support expanding Medicare and just 10% oppose it. And yet Sinema-- in her own insane little world-- is doing all she can to wreck the plan.