Robert Reich: It's no secret -- Joe Manchin represents the monied interests and nobody else

[Uncle Joe]

Robert Reich December 14, 2021

(snip)

Why is Manchin so obstinate? I once thought he was trying to protect West Virginia's coal mining industry and he worried that Build Back Better's climate provisions would hasten its demise. But West Virginia's coal industry employs only around 13,000 workers—less than 2 percent of the state's work force. Not even Manchin's personal financial interests in coal would be much diminished if BBB's climate measures were enacted.

Manchin's resistance becomes even more puzzling when you realize that West Virginia's biggest industry by far is health care, which employs more than 100,000 people (including many middle-class jobs). Build Back Better would make it easier for many West Virginians to get health care.

West Virginians do not have particularly good health. Of all the data I've come across about West Virginia, what strikes me most is that a quarter of West Virginians 65 and older have no natural teeth. That's the highest rate of tooth loss of any state in America. Why is this? Because West Virginians can't afford dental care. So they skip regular cleanings and exams, which are crucial for preventing infections and tooth loss.

Medicare does not cover dental care. Biden and progressives, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, tried to add dental benefits to the Build Back Better Act. But guess who opposes adding dental and other benefits for Medicare beneficiaries? West Virginia's own senior senator, Joe Manchin. He says adding a dental benefit will cost the federal government too much. Too much? Even when it comes to the health of his own constituents? By the way, this is the same Joe Manchin who has had no qualms about spending tens of billions more on the military.

(snip)

https://www.alternet.org/2021/12/joe-manchin-2656026343/

[CentralMass]

1. K&R

[msongs]

2. sorry Mr Reich, $$$ talks nt

[appalachiablue]

3. West Virginians and Health, more, Troy N. Miller:

Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are bankrupting, and even killing, West Virginians, especially senior citizens, people on fixed incomes and people with disabilities.

TheSeniorList.com reports that West Virginia is the 5th most expensive state for per capita prescription drug spending coming in at just under $2,000 per person per year. 90% of West Virginians are on a prescription drug or live in a household with someone who relies on a prescription drug.

About one out of 4 West Virginians is on Medicare, the average for the rest of the country is around one in 5 Americans, meaning that West Virginia would especially benefit from Medicare being able to negotiate lower drug prices on prescription drugs. These runaway drug prices can force tough - even potentially deadly- choices for people on fixed incomes.

AARP reports that as recently as 2017, 24% of West Virginia adults reported skipping a dose or rationing doses of their prescription drugs. Additionally, more than 35,000 children in West Virginia are being raised in households where grandparents are the primary caregivers.. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10832484
______________

- Maserati- driving Manchin confronted by climate protesters in parking garage, Nov. 4, 2021.

[Eyeball_Kid]

4. Manchin's on his way out. He's been overexposed

as a lackey for the billionaires. As his reputation evolves, his constituents will sour on him. He'll be known as the "I've got mine and to hell with you" Senator. And it will be based on fact, not a GOP propaganda campaign.

And you know what? Good riddance. Manchin's been a pain in the ass all year long.

[BlueJac]

5. I hope you are correct!

West Virginia deserves better than that!

[hedda_foil]

6. And when he's out, do you actually expect him to be replaced by a Democrat?

We have a 50-50 Senate. Manchin is an ass****, but if he were replaced by a Repuke, the Senate would flip and McConnell would be Majority Leader. Manchin is the majority maker right now, and even votes for Dem bills fairly often. We need more Dems in the Senate, not one fewer. If we had even a couple more, Manchin would lose most of his power.

[dpibel]

7. His term lasts through 2024

So he's not going to be replaced by anyone for a few years, if then.

IOW, by the time he's up for reelection, the likelihood of there still being a 50/50 Senate is slight.

[jalan48]

8. He's the walking definition of a Corporatist