Biden / Harris Focused Discussion

[Edge-]

https://www.advocate.com/commentary/...snt-everything

Sinema is losing quite a few allies with her schtick, thankfully. Losing her boosters in the more progressive LGBTQ+ community is gonna hit her brand hard. Hopefully when she's back up for election we can get someone with a bit less Marie Antoinette energy in there.

[Benggaul]

But I just cringe every time I read/hear people talking about the Democrats "using their majority control" because it grossly misrepresents just how much that control is, which is by the skin of their teeth.

Which is, as I said before, exacerbated by their being a "big tent" party having to cater to pretty much EVERYONE who isn't far-right.

[beanman12345]

Hardcore Trumpsters still concern trolling I see.

[Edge-]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/polit...owa/index.html

Man do I hope they can get HR1 through and it supercedes all these state-level attempts at disenfranchisement. Seriously, we're in the midst of a pandemic and Republicans are focused on..."election security" despite still, decades later, failing to show any evidence that voter fraud is a serious problem.

[kaid]

Could someone clarify something about this latest unemployment extension? My google-fu is failing me.

It's saying that the +$300 federal benefit is being extended through September, but I only have 1 week left of unemployment benefits currently.

Is the bill extending my possible weeks on unemployment? Or just the +$300 benefit, or both?

My confusion lies in the fact that unemployment is a state by state thing, isn't it? Is this bill forcing states to extend benefits, and then adding the bonus? The whole thing is kinda confusing.

This is supplemental benefits it is specifically designed to assist those whose normal amount of unemployment has run out. So you will get the full federal benefits just make sure you are filing every week as normal.

[Omega10]

I don't have faith in them... I didn't have much faith under Obama either. I don't have much faith in long term serving politicians like Pelosi and Schumer. Maybe Schumer a little more, but that's only because he's in NY and NY moderates have been losing seats only to be replaced by progressives, so if he wants to keep his seat he has to at least pretend to support the policies.

I have admitted that Biden is more left than Obama was at least.

Getting moderate democrats to replace republicans, and progressive democrats to replace moderate ones, is a decent long run strategy that has a decent chance of working. In the meantime, bills like the one that just passed is a good vehicle that will both move the country forward as well as give the country a good reason to replace republicans with democrats. Plus quite a bit of what is in that bill is quite progressive.

Both Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer have changed, and quite a bit recently. It seems that the republican response to the original Trump impeachment trial left a bitter taste in their mouth (it might have been the Supreme Court nominees), and I bet that both of them are very happily celebrating their victory over Senator McConnell. Whatever the reason, they did good for us as progressives in their first major test under President Biden. Let's celebrate a bit

And never forget - Senator Manchin >>>>>>>>>>>>>> any republican Senator. He is most definitely NOT the enemy, and allowing him to save face so he can go back to his voters is important. His recent interview in support of President Biden and the bill that was passed with whatever station it was on was a huge contribution to the democratic side, and his giving the go ahead for forcing filibusters to be actually filibustered is a HUGE bonus. Let's give credit where credit is due.

[Endus]

It's weird, some people think that because it failed once it's dead forever.

And I see similar arguments from the Jimmy Dore, "FORCE THE VOTE" crowd which makes me wonder...did they think by forcing a vote they'd kill M4A forever? >.>

Honestly, with how quickly this push rose up after the election, I'm getting real strong bad-faith vibes. So many people shitting on any bills that improve things, because those bills don't fix everything in a single fell swoop. Or more accurately, doesn't fix the one issue they're going to pull out because it gives them an excuse to refuse to support all the other good elements in that bill.

It's so completely unreasonable and unthinking that it's real hard to take them seriously.

In any real policy discussion, these kinds of negotiations are constants. You're always pushing for $15 minimum wage. Doesn't get into this bill right now? Then we're pushing for it to be in the next one. And that'll continue until they get the $15 minimum wage.

And that's when they start pushing for $18. Or tying it to cost-of-living permanently so it automatically updates itself. Or a UBI. And so forth. These discussions aren't one-off efforts, and a failure to achieve success in one moment does not mean the fight is over. It just means the fight continues. Which shouldn't be surprising, because it was gonna continue regardless.

[Omega10]

Honestly, with how quickly this push rose up after the election, I'm getting real strong bad-faith vibes. So many people shitting on any bills that improve things, because those bills don't fix everything in a single fell swoop. Or more accurately, doesn't fix the one issue they're going to pull out because it gives them an excuse to refuse to support all the other good elements in that bill.

It's so completely unreasonable and unthinking that it's real hard to take them seriously.

In any real policy discussion, these kinds of negotiations are constants. You're always pushing for $15 minimum wage. Doesn't get into this bill right now? Then we're pushing for it to be in the next one. And that'll continue until they get the $15 minimum wage.

And that's when they start pushing for $18. Or tying it to cost-of-living permanently so it automatically updates itself. Or a UBI. And so forth. These discussions aren't one-off efforts, and a failure to achieve success in one moment does not mean the fight is over. It just means the fight continues. Which shouldn't be surprising, because it was gonna continue regardless.

There is a lot of pent up demand to move things forward. Other than people treating the "other wing of the democratic party" as if they were republicans, I think the debates and back and forth are positive.

Sanders/AOC vs Manchin/Sinema are mostly treating each other with respect, often through intermediaries. As long as the respect remains intact, the future for the democratic party remains quite bright.

Trump fading away will possibly allow this kind of respect to also fade away. It is important for the two wings to develop good relations now while the memory of Trump is still fresh.

[Benggaul]

Trump fading away will possibly allow this kind of respect to also fade away. It is important for the two wings to develop good relations now while the memory of Trump is still fresh.

Oh I imagine everyone will be stepping in Trump for quite some time yet. The stench will likely never completely wash out.

[Elegiac]

Honestly, with how quickly this push rose up after the election, I'm getting real strong bad-faith vibes. So many people shitting on any bills that improve things, because those bills don't fix everything in a single fell swoop. Or more accurately, doesn't fix the one issue they're going to pull out because it gives them an excuse to refuse to support all the other good elements in that bill.

It's so completely unreasonable and unthinking that it's real hard to take them seriously.

In any real policy discussion, these kinds of negotiations are constants. You're always pushing for $15 minimum wage. Doesn't get into this bill right now? Then we're pushing for it to be in the next one. And that'll continue until they get the $15 minimum wage.

And that's when they start pushing for $18. Or tying it to cost-of-living permanently so it automatically updates itself. Or a UBI. And so forth. These discussions aren't one-off efforts, and a failure to achieve success in one moment does not mean the fight is over. It just means the fight continues. Which shouldn't be surprising, because it was gonna continue regardless.

Regardless on my own feelings on the minimum wage or universal healthcare; yes, there are distinct bad faith vibes because there is also a culture of online ragemongering in leftist spaces furnished by people like Jimmy Dore and Vaush - the analogue to grifters like Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens on the right.

Fun fact, Candace Owens used to run a progressive blog until she figured out there was more money to be had being exactly the sort of person Malcolm X described.

[Omega10]

Oh I imagine everyone will be stepping in Trump for quite some time yet. The stench will likely never completely wash out.

We must never forget Trump.

We must never forget what he did to this country and its reputation. We must never forget that he is personally responsible for a very large percentage of the 500k+ dead. And we must never forget that the republican party stood behind him 100% - dropping all the way down to around 90% at the end.

There must never be another Trump.

[Bodakane]

This bill isn't progress. Its good, but it won't even get us to pre covid.

We went backwards with Trump and the one thing in that original bill that could gain some ground was the $15 mw. Yes, we need the stimulus, but its a no brainer move, that again, helps point us back to March 2020, nothing more...not get there mind you, but point us in the direction. Again, that's not a bad thing, but this isn't some towering piece of legislation, regardless of the dollar amount. It is an attempt to make up some of the massive ground lost just in Covid, which again was a self inflected wound.

Its like Babysitter1 gave a toddler a loaded gun, then celebrating when Babysitter2, took away three of the bullets. I mean, yes its better, but its not celebratory better. Especially when you find out West Virgina stopped the new baby sitter from taking the gun away and the Repubs negotiated down to 3 bullets being taken instead of 5.

Its ok to be upset about that. Nor does it make me some terrible person who just wants to watch the world burn.

[Omega10]

This bill isn't progress. Its good, but it won't even get us to pre covid.

We went backwards with Trump and the one thing in that original bill that could gain some ground was the $15 mw. Yes, we need the stimulus, but its a no brainer move, that again, helps point us back to March 2020, nothing more...not get there mind you, but point us in the direction. Again, that's not a bad thing, but this isn't some towering piece of legislation, regardless of the dollar amount. It is an attempt to make up some of the massive ground lost just in Covid, which again was a self inflected wound.

Its like Babysitter1 gave a toddler a loaded gun, then celebrating when Babysitter2, took away three of the bullets. I mean, yes its better, but its not celebratory better. Especially when you find out West Virgina stopped the new baby sitter from taking the gun away and the Repubs negotiated down to 3 bullets being taken instead of 5.

Its ok to be upset about that. Nor does it make me some terrible person who just wants to watch the world burn.

Yeah but some of the provisions in the bill are a HUGE more forward.

https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/child...202258109.html

Title: Thanks To The COVID-19 Relief Bill, Parents Could Soon Be Getting Regular Checks

Excerpt:

American families would receive regular payments that would add up to as much as $3,600 per child per year from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill the House is set to pass on Tuesday.

The bill would send $1,400 stimulus checks to the vast majority of households. But there would be more checks after that ― a series of payments to parents of minor children, for the rest of the year, thanks to Democratic changes to the child tax credit.

Instead of just lowering family tax bills or providing a refund, the legislation tells the IRS to pay the benefit in advance, on a “periodic” basis. Households with children would start receiving the regular payments, worth hundreds of dollars, starting sometime after July 1.

This is a toned down version of UBI for people with children.

This is a lot more than just getting us back to March 2020. And I give a LOT of credit to Speaker Pelosi for getting this through Congress with out even the least bit of resistance from republicans. And once Trump supporters start relying on these monthly checks, there will be no turning back. <Fingers Crossed>

Democrats did their homework to make this bill as applicable as possible.

Democrats’ proposal would significantly reduce child poverty — not only because of the expanded checks, but because they are getting rid of the income-based phase-in for the benefit. Americans won’t need to have any income in order to qualify.

The legislation originally called for monthly payments, but Democrats used the word “periodic” to avoid breaking obscure Senate budget rules. Periodic payments are somehow allowed, even though monthly payments might not have been.

The legislation only boosts the credit for one year, but Democrats have said they intend to follow up with another bill to make it permanent. They made the policy temporary partly because of its $100 billion annual cost.

I would call this a pretty significant achievement. And also a pretty good use of their one time per session reconciliation bill.

[Bodakane]

What? You don’t measure progress that way. Just because we were in a better place in 2019 doesn’t mean this bill isn’t progress. Unless you’re posting from 2019 of course. See we have to look at where we are NOW.

I’d agree with you, if we were recovering (recovering isn’t even the right word because we’re still literally in the thick of it) from a natural disaster or attack. But this was a self inflicted catastrophe and the big bill is just help with that. Again it’s good, but not this monumental achievement in legislation so many on here are acting like it is.

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah but some of the provisions in the bill are a HUGE more forward.

https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/child...202258109.html

Title: Thanks To The COVID-19 Relief Bill, Parents Could Soon Be Getting Regular Checks

Excerpt:



This is a toned down version of UBI for people with children.

This is a lot more than just getting us back to March 2020. And I give a LOT of credit to Speaker Pelosi for getting this through Congress with out even the least bit of resistance from republicans. And once Trump supporters start relying on these monthly checks, there will be no turning back. <Fingers Crossed>

Democrats did their homework to make this bill as applicable as possible.





I would call this a pretty significant achievement. And also a pretty good use of their one time per session reconciliation bill.

If those things are followed through with in the future, then yes it is better than I'm saying it is right now. I remain skeptical those other things you mentioned become permanent in future legislation.

[Flarelaine]

People never thought GA would go blue.

GA went blue through the growth of urban population as well as the registration of a great number of formerly non-voting black people. WV is nowhere near as urbanised and there is no untapped reserve of black voters.

[Themius]

They absolutely should correct that issue. But not by being as scummy as Republicans.

Also, there is no "bothsideism" here.


So, yes, you think Democrats should stoop as low as Republicans. Interesting.

Who is pretending that "everything your team's elected officials do is solid gold" when it comes to Democrats?

What is “scummy” action. Do detail it.

[beanman12345]

Yeah but some of the provisions in the bill are a HUGE more forward.

https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/child...202258109.html

Title: Thanks To The COVID-19 Relief Bill, Parents Could Soon Be Getting Regular Checks

Excerpt:



This is a toned down version of UBI for people with children.

This is a lot more than just getting us back to March 2020. And I give a LOT of credit to Speaker Pelosi for getting this through Congress with out even the least bit of resistance from republicans. And once Trump supporters start relying on these monthly checks, there will be no turning back. <Fingers Crossed>

Democrats did their homework to make this bill as applicable as possible.





I would call this a pretty significant achievement. And also a pretty good use of their one time per session reconciliation bill.

Lifting millions of children out of poverty is only a good thing. Now to keep fighting for everyone else.

[Milchshake]

Under Communism you still have to work. Sorry, Brooklyn podcasters. Sorry gamers.



"Kick the loafers out the of the factory. They ruin our machines! Soviet poster, 1966

[Themius]

Under Communism you still have to work. Sorry, Brooklyn podcasters. Sorry gamers.



"Kick the loafers out the of the factory. They ruin our machines! Soviet poster, 1966

Are you okay? You seem like an anti socialist but with no real arguments or reasons why.

[Edge-]

I’d agree with you, if we were recovering (recovering isn’t even the right word because we’re still literally in the thick of it) from a natural disaster or attack. But this was a self inflicted catastrophe and the big bill is just help with that. Again it’s good, but not this monumental achievement in legislation so many on here are acting like it is.

No, we're slowly moving out of the "thick of it". Cases are down (though numbers are a bit fucked with the storms still), deaths are down, vaccines are rolling out. Yeah, some states are opening up way too soon still, but we're moving towards the other side.

Beyond that, pandemics are natural disasters. And the response to them depends on how prepared a country is and how competent its leadership is. That the past year was a clown show doesn't change the fact that this bill objectively does a ton of good and packs a ton of good shit in it. It's a pretty big achievement, especially since it's functionally one party governing with little to no room for error.

Why folks are so determined to look for the L in this is beyond me.