CNBC: Democrats set to cut free community college, climate program from Biden’s economic plan as they trim price tag (UP: paid family leave too)

[Chikor]

Yeah, we can rightfully be mad at Manchin and Sinema, but you're lying to yourself if you think removing them would fix this fucked up system. They're not the only Democrats tied closely to corporate interests, though I'm sure a lot of Dems are happy they're the one being so brazen/blamed for it.

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Yeah, I think there are at least 15 more Democratic senators that will gladly grab all the attention, money and career bosting that comes from being a Democratic senator obstructing progressive legislation.

As long as the carrot is this big and the stick against doing this is non-existent, this will not change, and I don't think you can get a big enough Democratic majority for that to not be an issue. Like they have won bigger majorities in the not so distant past.

 

[Cipherr]

And now when these two infrastructure deals do pass, if they do, which are still massive achievements and the largest investment in the public sector in ~55 years, the first reversal of the conservative stranglehold on the public sector since most of our parents were born in the 1960s, they're not enough, they're disappointments, they're nothing to write home about, they're reduced to "But no college loan forgiveness? or "but only $1400?" It's frustrating, and I get worked by the playbook as much as anybody, you get the government that voters deserve.

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This is what vexes me. The whole damn thing annoys me, but its the way all the positive progress fucking vanishes in the eyes of so many on the left when something isn't achieved somewhere. Now despite everything in this economic plan that WILL still go through, apparently its already "nothing" to some people. Same thing happened with that last large bill that passed. Literally had people in the thread going "This means nothing" as others mentioned how much it helps them.

I just hope the reality wins against the narrative. We DO need those fucking seats. And yes, winning them would matter. Period.

At some point you aren't being a trendy realist, you are just being unbearably cynical. And its not a good look.

 

[General Zod]

Sigh. We're never going to fix climate change, are we? If the Democrats won't, who will? Republicans? Hah, pigs will fly.

Mother Earth is fucked and it's all thanks to a precious few idiots in a world of billions.

 

[spyroflame0487]

Almost two *trillion* dollars and they can't offer a few years of free college and some green energy mandates? What the hell is even in the rest of it?

 

[Alternade]

People came out in record numbers during a pandemic to hand the Democrats every lever of power available and they still cannot get shit done. I want to say they deserve to get obliterated in the midterms but I know that means a hellish 2 years and a very viable path for Trump or someone even worse if possible in 2024.

I'm just fucking sick of it all. We vote and it doesn't mean shit. We sit it out and we concede all the "progress" we've ever made on the left. It just feels hopeless as a millennial. All these old fucks that will be long dead when the shit rolls down on us just screwing us over for decades. And the country is too apathetic for any kind of revolution so we're stuck here until the bottom falls out completely

 

[UnpopularBlargh]

We need more seats but like always democrats/liberals will just not vote next time ceding control to the Republicans who will do nothing and actively make things worse. Cue the endless cycle.

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People did vote.

 

[Beer Monkey]

Dems are going to get absolutely slaughtered in 2022, and likely 2024. And the cycle continues....

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If the voters are too dumb to realize the only solution is more Dems in the Senate and not less, they'll be getting what they ask for when the GOP establishes permanent minority rule.

 

[Trafalgar Law]

Man it's weird and from an outside perspective
It always seems like the dems at times are the ones who try and make it work when the republican enter power but the republicans go full scorched earth when they're even a minority and dems in control

 

[Thordinson]

Absolutely awful.

Did they ever reverse Trump's tax cut?

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Nope.

Last I saw, they plan wasn't to reverse them fully but to bump up the rates.

Excuse my ignorance, but I thought states already had free community college? I know TN was the first to do it so I just figured others followed suit.

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They aren't in Texas. It depends on the state. Though, they seem to be moving in that direction.

This is what vexes me. The whole damn thing annoys me, but its the way all the positive progress fucking vanishes in the eyes of so many on the left when something isn't achieved somewhere. Now despite everything in this economic plan that WILL still go through, apparently its already "nothing" to some people. Same thing happened with that last large bill that passed. Literally had people in the thread going "This means nothing" as others mentioned how much it helps them.

I just hope the reality wins against the narrative. We DO need those fucking seats. And yes, winning them would matter. Period.

At some point you aren't being a trendy realist, you are just being unbearably cynical. And its not a good look.

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It's progress. It's completely fine to ask for more of our politicians especially when they promised more.

And now when these two infrastructure deals do pass, if they do, which are still massive achievements and the largest investment in the public sector in ~55 years, the first reversal of the conservative stranglehold on the public sector since most of our parents were born in the 1960s, they're not enough, they're disappointments, they're nothing to write home about, they're reduced to "But no college loan forgiveness? or "but only $1400?" It's frustrating, and I get worked by the playbook as much as anybody, you get the government that voters deserve.

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They aren't enough and are disappointments. That doesn't mean they aren't a good thing.

 

[Maxim726x]

Just to keep things in perspective- The '3.5 trillion' was over *ten years*.

In that same time span, the US government will spend between 6-8 trillion on the military alone.

We can use that money to kill people, but not help our own citizens. There were a lot of missed opportunities in the messaging battle, to be sure, but ultimately Manchin (and possibly Sinema) were never going to play ball.

What's worse, Manchin isn't going to budge on getting rid of the filibuster for the voting rights act either. What a despicable piece of shit.

 

[Deleted member 69501]

Death by a thousand pieces... Rip

 

[RedgraveZX]

You know, I've never been that religious of a person but these last few months have made me hope that there's a Hell for people like Manchin and Sinema.

 

[Dyle]

Man it's weird and from an outside perspective
It always seems like the dems at times are the ones who try and make it work when the republican enter power but the republicans go full scorched earth when they're even a minority and dems in control

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Republicans don't do anything, they just watch everything burn and stir the coals a bit as necessary

Democrats have already passed several times more major legislation in 9 months than Republicans did in 2 years

 

[Charpunk]

Of course they are going to cut climate plans. It's joe manchin.

 

[Cipherr]

It's progress. It's completely fine to ask for more of our politicians especially when they promised more.

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Asking for more is fine. Thats not what usually happens. Theres a big difference between asking for more and outright calling things in this economic plan that will pass "Nothing". Saying that "They just maintained the status quo" considering whats been passed in the previous 9 months is not "asking for more of our politicians" its outright being dishonest. Theres a difference. I don't have a problem with us all wanting CC to pass. We all wanted that. I hate it being a segway into defeatist hyperbole from "Nothing changed at all" to "Whelp there goes the midterms" (even though data doesn't suggest this at all). But honestly Im upset enough about this getting cut, Im not gonna rant for the 10th time about the way the media and people view this stuff. Its more exhaustion than its worth.

 

[HououinKyouma]

If the voters are too dumb to realize the only solution is more Dems in the Senate and not less, they'll be getting what they ask for when the GOP establishes permanent minority rule.

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Oh trust me, I agree. Voters are fickle to a fault.

 

[Beren]

The way Congress works is completely broken.

 

[Deleted member 2109]

Expected.

Now to try and keep the house and elect enough democrats to make Machin and Sinema meaningless.

 

[Chirotera]

I'm so glad we elected Manchin President. And who needs climate programs? A solid infrastructure will help people leave coastal cities as they sink, and allow people to feel wildfires and excessive heat. Everyone wins.

 

[Wrapped in Black]

In dire need of another viable party. Not Republicans and woke Republicans.

 

[Desi]

Asking for more is fine. Thats not what usually happens. Theres a big difference between asking for more and outright calling things in this economic plan that will pass "Nothing". Saying that "They just maintained the status quo" considering whats been passed in the previous 9 months is not "asking for more of our politicians" its outright being dishonest. Theres a difference. I don't have a problem with us all wanting CC to pass. We all wanted that. I hate it being a segway into defeatist hyperbole from "Nothing changed at all" to "Whelp there goes the midterms" (even though data doesn't suggest this at all). But its really not worth the energy. But honestly Im upset enough about this getting cut, Im not gonna rant for the 10th time about the way the media and people view this stuff. Its more exhaustion than its worth.

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agreed. Not to harp again but left-leaning parties always have this issue. There is nothing that can be done because the party consists of a lot of interests.

 

[Protein]

US Senate system needs an overhaul.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Just to keep things in perspective- The '3.5 trillion' was over *ten years*.

In that same time span, the US government will spend between 6-8 trillion on the military alone.

We can use that money to kill people, but not help our own citizens. There were a lot of missed opportunities in the messaging battle, to be sure, but ultimately Manchin (and possibly Sinema) were never going to play ball.

What's worse, Manchin isn't going to budge on getting rid of the filibuster for the voting rights act either. What a despicable piece of shit.

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How insane is it that we spend 2x the amount of this bill on our military every year? And no one bats an eyes. Dems even vote to increase that spending recently.

 

[NinjaScooter]

Really feels like the end game for Dem leadership is to use anger towards Trump and the GOP to line their pockets and increase voter turn out so that they can just maintain a status quo. The hand wringing over the student loans thing was such a clear example of this. If the DNC gets crushed in 2022, or if Trump wins again in 2024, it just gives them another angle to raise money from and we're back in this same cycle. The people with the power have no real skin in the game.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Lmao they let us believe they'd actually do stuff.

 

[Futureman]

Extending the CTC a year would be $3600 in our family's pocket. If they can keep the 7% daycare cap that would be another $5k or something.

Smaller bill now and get two Senate pick ups next year and pass something significant at that point.

 

[Beer Monkey]

"I voted in a presidential election and one midterm and things didn't change enough!" is the new "I voted in a presidential election and things didn't change enough!"

 

[ViperVisor]

People overreacting don't remember the last dozen years?

This is how it works with 1 party that completely sucks. Liberal policy bill = no Republican votes. A balanced bill = no Republican votes. A bill where conservatives have to compromise a little = no Republican votes.

So it basically comes down to whatever compromise the outliers of the Democratic party want.

 

[TyrantII]

This is what vexes me. The whole damn thing annoys me, but its the way all the positive progress fucking vanishes in the eyes of so many on the left when something isn't achieved somewhere. Now despite everything in this economic plan that WILL still go through, apparently its already "nothing" to some people. Same thing happened with that last large bill that passed. Literally had people in the thread going "This means nothing" as others mentioned how much it helps them.

I just hope the reality wins against the narrative. We DO need those fucking seats. And yes, winning them would matter. Period.

At some point you aren't being a trendy realist, you are just being unbearably cynical. And its not a good look.

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Problem is, it's do or die for climate change. We literally can not afford to wait and get better numbers in Congress, even if that was possible.

2C is already baked in, and anything more is society crushing change. We have run out of time, and Manchin doesn't give a flying fuck.

 

[Thordinson]

Asking for more is fine. Thats not what usually happens. Theres a big difference between asking for more and outright calling things in this economic plan that will pass "Nothing". Saying that "They just maintained the status quo" considering whats been passed in the previous 9 months is not "asking for more of our politicians" its outright being dishonest. Theres a difference. I don't have a problem with us all wanting CC to pass. We all wanted that. I hate it being a segway into defeatist hyperbole from "Nothing changed at all" to "Whelp there goes the midterms" (even though data doesn't suggest this at all). But its really not worth the energy. But honestly Im upset enough about this getting cut, Im not gonna rant for the 10th time about the way the media and people view this stuff. Its more exhaustion than its worth.

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Some of what the administration has done is the status quo. Immigration, for example. Biden is still using Article 42.

I think one of the reasons people feel this way is because they were promised so much and they are watching it all disappear before their eyes. Their frustration is completely understandable.

"I voted in a presidential election and one midterm and things didn't change enough!" is the new "I voted in a presidential election and things didn't change enough!"

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It's understandable why people feel slighted by this especially minorities. They've been told that their time is coming soon and every time, they get let down.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Really feels like the end game for Dem leadership is to use anger towards Trump and the GOP to line their pockets and increase voter turn out so that they can just maintain a status quo. The hand wringing over the student loans thing was such a clear example of this. If the DNC gets crushed in 2022, or if Trump wins again in 2024, it just gives them another angle to raise money from and we're back in this same cycle. The people with the power have no real skin in the game.

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Democrats weaponize identity politics.

I mean, we just had a thread about conservative strategy based around lying and playing into fear, but Democrats absolutely fear monger, especially when they need your money.

 

[Sulik2]

US Senate system needs an overhaul.

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We need to just end the Union, we are a failed state at this point. Try and divide the country up into regional nations before we fall into civil war or total collapse. Any hope I had when the Dems took control in 2020 is just gone, they had an 18 month window to try and get stuff done and prevent the GOP from rigging the country and are just face planting. This country is doomed. We should just accept reality and start the division process now.

 

[JonaB1986]

God forbid poor people have access to education. Of course it's one of the go to cuts to deal with these DINO's.

 

[Anton Sugar]

"I voted in a presidential election and one midterm and things didn't change enough!" is the new "I voted in a presidential election and things didn't change enough!"

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Bro, do you think this is the first time we've fucking voted?

 

[Kernel]

people worked their fucking asses off to get the Democrats elected last year. They are going to be massacred come midterms. It just takes the wind out of your sails.

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That's the idea.

People have to get out and vote regardless. Need to fix the Senate.

 

[Xyer]

Voting continues to be pointless. Woo.

 

[Mobius 1]

It's almost like there is a death wish in the American gestalt to hand power back to Republicans and turn this country into a theological hellhole.

 

[zero_suit]

people worked their fucking asses off to get the Democrats elected last year. They are going to be massacred come midterms. It just takes the wind out of your sails.

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They never learn.

 

[Musubi]

Just scrap the whole plan at this point. Its been so gutted there is barely anything left

 

[BobLoblaw]

We were never going to get everything. I'm surprised that people around here were disillusioned enough to believe that anyway. If you want everything, then make sure we have at least 50 Dem Senators that you can count on. So rather than complaining about those two idiots, what are you personally going to do to support Dem Senate candidates next year?

 

[Kyrios]

Dems are gonna get fucking rocked next year.

 

[Desi]

I hope this gets through and we take another angle for climate change and education. Keep the ball rolling and legislation coming out.

 

[Thordinson]

We were never going to get everything. I'm surprised that people around here were disillusioned enough to believe that anyway. If you want everything, then make sure we have at least 50 Dem Senators that you can count on. So rather than complaining about those two idiots, what are you personally going to do to support Dem Senate candidates next year?

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Nothing most likely. My Senators aren't up for reelection.

I'd rather help people on the ground with my efforts.

 

[NinjaScooter]

Climate change is never going to be meaningfully addressed in any capacity. Death is not enough to overcome party lines anymore.

 

[PrivateWHudson]

But we'll be happy to look closer at people making some extra money through cash apps.

 

[Saganator]

Wish we could just cut the shitty states that hold everyone else back out of the union. Sorry to the non idiots in those states but this has gotten so old. Same BS my entire adult life

 

[JABEE]

None of these fucks give a single damn about any of our lives. None of them. There is no best deal. There is no good faith. America would burn before any power or comfort was relinquished to the people. Voting isn't going to change shit.

 

[Musubi]

Difficult not to be a complete nihilist these days.

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Yup.

 

[J-Skee]

Take solace in this- One fucking asshole did all of this. One. Person.

The majority of the party (and it's leaders) wanted everything in this bill and then some.

To think, we were one Susan Collins-less Maine away from making it happen. That should harden your resolve, my friend.

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At the same time, it's absolutely insane that it only takes one person to do this & screw everyone over for their own pockets.

 

[Everybody Lies]

Democrats can't get anything done

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Can't or choose not to?

Every single day they show us that they are little more than the other side of the same coin.