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babylonsister
babylonsister's Journal
babylonsister's Journal
October 1, 2021
The American Prospect
Manchin: One Mean Megalomaniac
by Harold Meyerson
September 30, 2021
snip//
Where to begin? How about his modest proposal to means-test all new programs and put spending caps on all existing programs? I presume that means means-testing the vision, hearing, and dental care that the government would cover under the proposed Medicare expansion, and putting spending caps, probably through means testing, on Medicare itself, not to mention Social Security. I presume that means means-testing eligibility for pre-K and putting spending caps on federal aid to educationthough once were means-testing pre-K, its hard to see why governments at all levels dont means-test K itself, not to mention K-12. By all means, lets have government focus exclusively on some of the poor, in a modest way that doesnt exceed properly modest spending caps, and let the rest of the public rely on the private sector for education and health coverage, which the private sector has done such a grand job of providing for all.
Even without his demand that the reconciliation bill, if enacted in some form, not take effect until all COVID funds are spent, establishing means-tested programs takes far longer than establishing universal programs. And even once theyre established, they often take years before most of those entitled to their benefits become aware of their eligibility and go through the invariably complicated process to qualify. Even then, these programs never reach all, or often most, of those who are eligible.
In short, Manchin wants to diminish not just the quantity of necessary social investments, but their quality as well.
To be sure, Manchin hasnt said he wont support a higher dollar figure than the $1.5 trillion hes proposing, and Biden and Chuck Schumer clearly regard his proposal as the starting point for their negotiations with him. That said, Manchins manifesto clearly cements his hard-won reputation as a megalomaniacal Ebenezer Scrooge.
As for the Silent Sinema, I suspect well hear from her only when her corporate donors tell her what to say.
Manchin: One Mean Megalomaniac
https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/manchin-one-mean-megalomaniac/The American Prospect
Manchin: One Mean Megalomaniac
by Harold Meyerson
September 30, 2021
snip//
Where to begin? How about his modest proposal to means-test all new programs and put spending caps on all existing programs? I presume that means means-testing the vision, hearing, and dental care that the government would cover under the proposed Medicare expansion, and putting spending caps, probably through means testing, on Medicare itself, not to mention Social Security. I presume that means means-testing eligibility for pre-K and putting spending caps on federal aid to educationthough once were means-testing pre-K, its hard to see why governments at all levels dont means-test K itself, not to mention K-12. By all means, lets have government focus exclusively on some of the poor, in a modest way that doesnt exceed properly modest spending caps, and let the rest of the public rely on the private sector for education and health coverage, which the private sector has done such a grand job of providing for all.
Even without his demand that the reconciliation bill, if enacted in some form, not take effect until all COVID funds are spent, establishing means-tested programs takes far longer than establishing universal programs. And even once theyre established, they often take years before most of those entitled to their benefits become aware of their eligibility and go through the invariably complicated process to qualify. Even then, these programs never reach all, or often most, of those who are eligible.
In short, Manchin wants to diminish not just the quantity of necessary social investments, but their quality as well.
To be sure, Manchin hasnt said he wont support a higher dollar figure than the $1.5 trillion hes proposing, and Biden and Chuck Schumer clearly regard his proposal as the starting point for their negotiations with him. That said, Manchins manifesto clearly cements his hard-won reputation as a megalomaniacal Ebenezer Scrooge.
As for the Silent Sinema, I suspect well hear from her only when her corporate donors tell her what to say.
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