OPINION: Joe Biden is succeeding
By DAVID BROOKS
Joe Biden came to the White House at a pivotal moment in American history. We had become a country dividing into two nations, one highly educated and affluent and the other left behind. The economic gaps further inflamed cultural and social gaps, creating an atmosphere of intense polarization, cultural hostility, alienation, bitterness and resentment.
As president, Biden had mostly economic levers to try to bridge this cold civil war. He championed three gigantic pieces of legislation to create a more equal, more just and more united society: the Covid stimulus bill, the infrastructure bill and what became Build Back Better, to invest in human infrastructure.
All of these bills were written to funnel money to the parts of the country that were less educated, less affluent, left behind. Adam Hersh, a visiting economist at the Economic Policy Institute, projects that more than 80 percent of the new jobs created by the infrastructure plan will not require a college degree.
BOLD ENDEAVORS
These gigantic proposals were bold endeavors. Some thought them too bold. Economist Larry Summers thought the stimulus package, for example, was too big. It could overstimulate the economy and lead to inflation.
https://labortribune.com/opinion-joe-biden-is-succeeding/
Scrivener7
(50,949 posts)dutch777
(3,019 posts)in 2022 is true, I am not sure where that leaves us or the programs Biden, Pelosi, Schumer et. al. worked so hard to pass. I also question whether the money will really get to areas "left behind" or meaningfully re-engage the disaffected. If it does, it will likely be too late for the 2022 mid terms and maybe not even be of effect in 2024 to the point of raising Dem election chances. I am very afraid it is too little, too late and too temporary. Which is a worrying place for progressive ideals, the Dems and the country. And oh, would I love to be wrong!
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,261 posts)underpants
(182,806 posts)Reading later thanks.