This isn't just a Joe Manchin problem, it is a systemic problem. The population of West Virginia is short of 1.8 million: about 0.5% of U.S. population.Their Senator wields disproportionate power - not only over what West Virginia wants (and needs) but over what the majority of the country wants. You don't even need to figure in the greed and corruption of the Manchin family to see that this is not just.
I agree. For example, for tiny states such as WV to have the same number of Senators as CA is just WRONG! We need to revise the Constitution. For Manchin and Sinema to hold up important legislation that would help millions is a travesty.
I think that getting rid of the filibuster would go a long way towards solving the problem of disproportionate representation of the small states (though it would not address the Manchin/Sinema problem).
Imagine if there were 50 votes to reform or abolish the filibuster and Dems were able to pass the Freedom To Vote Act (or better yet its H.R.1/S.1 predecessor that was filibustered), the PRO Act, the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, criminal justice reform, gun safety legislation, and more. I suspect Dems would be so mobilized that they likely could win enough seats to render the likes of Manchin and Sinema as virtually irrelevant.
There is so much good we can do - if even a handful of Republicans could take the holdouts spot from them. They could be power wielding senators again. Valuable to democrats and the president but true to their trickle down souls.
Daniel: I not only agree but also would add that, for some time, CongressionalScholar Norm Ornstein has pressed for a Senate filibuster rule change that, in my view, would provide an opening for the Senate to emerge as the deliberative body our Founders had sought to establish. This rule change that likely would pass (it only would need support from 50 Senators) would involve replacing the 60-vote threshold required to end debate with a 41-vote threshold to continue debate, thus shifting the burden from the majority to the minority, 41 of whom would have to be present speaking nonstop about the issue at hand, to sustain a filibuster. Frankly, I can’t imagine any Senator (as stated, we only need support from 50) who could mount a credible opposition in defiance of this rule change.
I think if President Biden or Senator Klobuchar and Senator Warnock could endorse this idea along with other senators it could work. It protects a determined minority without disabling majority rule. Please share your ideas with them. They need a scrum with Norm Ornstein to save democracy
It has been proposed that the most populated states be given 3 senators. Of course that will never go anywhere in a country where saying the word "filibuster" cripples the entire process.
It would never go anywhere because small states benefit from being over represented so they would never agree to it. And, while three Senators would help, frankly even that would not do.the trick. West Virginia would have two Senators and California three? Still way off.
Considering the repeated failed attempts since last May to get the U.S. Senate to pass H.R.51, a bill that would make the District of Columbia a state and finally give more than 700,000 residents voting representation in Congress, I am resigned to the fact that only the people’s continued engagement, energy, caring, and work can make a difference.
Unfortunately that would only effect the presidency. As can be seen, the senate at this point can derail everything constantly: again, a single idiotic word is uttered and the entire process screeches to a halt. This gives one single person - right now a senator from KY - the ultimate power over the legislative and budgetary process. I do not believe that the founders would have approved. That said, the Electoral College MUST BE abolished. It is ridiculous and, if one reads Article 2 section 1 of the Constitution, makes no sense.
That’s irrelevant right now. We have to make major strides for the environment now—NOW, now—as well as secure the trust and enthusiasm of voters for 2022 so we remain in power (and hopefully not dependent on Manchin or Sinema).
Half of my family is from W.VA.. My Democratic Grandmother must be jumping out of her grave! Manchin is for Himself, not the people. His daughter a pharmaceutical Big Boss & his son a Coal man. He is a Corporate money person who bought desperate West Virginians.
Vicki, I suggest you begin organizing and mobilizing your West Virginia family, along with their neighbors and friends. Put pressure on Manchin. Make sure he knows his political future won't extend beyond 2024 if he continues like this.
Maybe you can channel the long arm of grandma, organize a “Grandma’s Prayers” group. You and others can spend some time each week calling on others to light up Manchin’s phone & mail (not email, I think because it’s not officially recorded) and finding creative ways to get media attention in your area about how badly Manchin is harming the people he represents.
I’m kind of tired of all the self serving elected officials. Enriching themselves, their families and “friends” with zero fear of legal retribution. The system has been gamed, and the American people’s only choice is to vote them out. Unfortunately, anyone who runs against these established clowns usually can’t compete to the financial backers of the democrat or republican parties. We must find a way to get big money out of politics, or the workers of American will continue to be taken advantage of by the corporations who fund our elected officials campaigns.
This is right on and, though political corruption has always existed, I feel it is reaching an "unsustainable" level. Something catastrophic will occur in our societal system that will precipitate either our demise or a radical change in our society. This seems to be what happens historically.
Completely, this is what happens when special interests buy a country and the citizens who perpetually foot the bill for the privileged are left out. French (Russian, Chinese, etc.) revolution all over again.
This corruption needs to be called out loudly. Democrats need to stop pussy footing around and get things done. Enough of Joe Manchin holding the party hostage.
Manchin has replaced Biden. He is the new Trump. Why can’t the Dems become more aggressive and pragmatic? Why can’t he be sanctioned? Right before our very eyes, Manchin has become the Trump of our party. By 2024, we will no longer be a Democracy. The Dems have it all and and are handing it over to the Fascists immoral Republicans by not taking charge.
Completely correct: the Democratic Party is a joke that does not even function. What better way to destroy this republic than have the only viable opposition - being so because the dems helped rig the system so that ONLY repubs and dems are ever viable candidates - be incapable of doing a single thing?
Um, Manchin is still better than most if not all of the Republicans. He’s definitely not Trump. Even if we pass the bills Manchin’s way, that will be way better than nothing. These are popular bills and absolutely the most important thing is for Dems to stay in power as long as possible.
Need to get rid of these munchkin types. Seeing perhaps a sea change through a movement to hold the line against the Wall Street Democrats, causing people to vote in what are being called “progressive democrats”, voting in real life Change that might make for dignified life and save the earth for our descendants
Joe Manchin is as corrupt and immoral a politician as you can get, and his sleaziness has certainly oozed onto his daughter, Heather Bresch, who was instrumental in hiking Epi-pen and most recently sold out W. Virginia middle class workers, whose company was moved overseas; in both cases she made millions.
I sincerely hope someone challenges him when he's up for reelection.
He certainly appears to reek of corruption! But until we can get the lobbyists banned we will always have this! A very sad commentary on our elected officials.
What a selfish SOB. Corrupt individuals like Manchin, eventually choke on foul air. To not support such a dynamic bill to improve our country in so many GOOD ways, is truly unconscionable .
What's the matter with so-called moderate Republicans? Where is Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkawski? Why are they so stonewalled by the likes of Mitch McConnell?
It would be great if senators and representatives were not allowed to vote on bills when their vote (yes or no) would benefit them or their family members. Maybe, call it the conflict of interest rule. But then how may congresspeople would still be eligible to vote?
Manchin just screwed everyone over, to put it bluntly. He is a menace to democracy, a selfish narci$$i$t, a 5th columnist who dares to call himself a Democrat. He cares absolutely nothing for the people of his state and for the general welfare of the country. He is anathema.
I’m a little surprised he hasn’t flipped and become a Republican, thus giving the GOP a 51-49 majority and among other things, making Mitch McConnell majority leader, again. Yeah, I’m full of happy thoughts today!
He won't flip because he would just be one in the majority of 51 Republicans and last on board. He has much more power with the Democratic caucus than he would were he to switch.
Manchin is correct. We do need to elect more liberals- starting with a massively funded primary opponent to Joe Manchin in WV. Let him know that, should he defeat the primary opponent, we will help to fund his Republican opponent.
Though I’m as opposed to Manchin’s politics as anyone on this list, let’s not lose sight of the fact that, contrary to Manchin, not one Republican supported Biden’s pandemic relief programs. In turn, adding insult to injury, Republicans took credit in their respective States for the pandemic relief they had opposed and now have filibustered a bill intended simply to avoid defaulting on debt partially incurred from allocating those pandemic relief funds.
Joe Manchin doesn't care about the people of West Virginia. He's there for the money and if he votes for the BBB bill he will lose millions. Joe Manchin is a piece of shit like all wealthy people in the Republican Party.
This isn't just a Joe Manchin problem, it is a systemic problem. The population of West Virginia is short of 1.8 million: about 0.5% of U.S. population.Their Senator wields disproportionate power - not only over what West Virginia wants (and needs) but over what the majority of the country wants. You don't even need to figure in the greed and corruption of the Manchin family to see that this is not just.
I agree. For example, for tiny states such as WV to have the same number of Senators as CA is just WRONG! We need to revise the Constitution. For Manchin and Sinema to hold up important legislation that would help millions is a travesty.
I think that getting rid of the filibuster would go a long way towards solving the problem of disproportionate representation of the small states (though it would not address the Manchin/Sinema problem).
Imagine if there were 50 votes to reform or abolish the filibuster and Dems were able to pass the Freedom To Vote Act (or better yet its H.R.1/S.1 predecessor that was filibustered), the PRO Act, the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, criminal justice reform, gun safety legislation, and more. I suspect Dems would be so mobilized that they likely could win enough seats to render the likes of Manchin and Sinema as virtually irrelevant.
There is so much good we can do - if even a handful of Republicans could take the holdouts spot from them. They could be power wielding senators again. Valuable to democrats and the president but true to their trickle down souls.
Daniel: I not only agree but also would add that, for some time, CongressionalScholar Norm Ornstein has pressed for a Senate filibuster rule change that, in my view, would provide an opening for the Senate to emerge as the deliberative body our Founders had sought to establish. This rule change that likely would pass (it only would need support from 50 Senators) would involve replacing the 60-vote threshold required to end debate with a 41-vote threshold to continue debate, thus shifting the burden from the majority to the minority, 41 of whom would have to be present speaking nonstop about the issue at hand, to sustain a filibuster. Frankly, I can’t imagine any Senator (as stated, we only need support from 50) who could mount a credible opposition in defiance of this rule change.
I think if President Biden or Senator Klobuchar and Senator Warnock could endorse this idea along with other senators it could work. It protects a determined minority without disabling majority rule. Please share your ideas with them. They need a scrum with Norm Ornstein to save democracy
It has been proposed that the most populated states be given 3 senators. Of course that will never go anywhere in a country where saying the word "filibuster" cripples the entire process.
It would never go anywhere because small states benefit from being over represented so they would never agree to it. And, while three Senators would help, frankly even that would not do.the trick. West Virginia would have two Senators and California three? Still way off.
Considering the repeated failed attempts since last May to get the U.S. Senate to pass H.R.51, a bill that would make the District of Columbia a state and finally give more than 700,000 residents voting representation in Congress, I am resigned to the fact that only the people’s continued engagement, energy, caring, and work can make a difference.
Wouldn't getting rid of the Electoral College eliminate much of this lop-sidedness?
Unfortunately that would only effect the presidency. As can be seen, the senate at this point can derail everything constantly: again, a single idiotic word is uttered and the entire process screeches to a halt. This gives one single person - right now a senator from KY - the ultimate power over the legislative and budgetary process. I do not believe that the founders would have approved. That said, the Electoral College MUST BE abolished. It is ridiculous and, if one reads Article 2 section 1 of the Constitution, makes no sense.
I agree
Knowing that is WONDERFUL. Do you also help if at all possible. Using YOUR talents. Then bless your heart.
That’s irrelevant right now. We have to make major strides for the environment now—NOW, now—as well as secure the trust and enthusiasm of voters for 2022 so we remain in power (and hopefully not dependent on Manchin or Sinema).
Right on!
DC statehood. Statehood for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands if they want it..
Can you help there. It is terribly important we do what we each can. Ideas above. Love, Bernie's Grandma Dorothy
Half of my family is from W.VA.. My Democratic Grandmother must be jumping out of her grave! Manchin is for Himself, not the people. His daughter a pharmaceutical Big Boss & his son a Coal man. He is a Corporate money person who bought desperate West Virginians.
Vicki, I suggest you begin organizing and mobilizing your West Virginia family, along with their neighbors and friends. Put pressure on Manchin. Make sure he knows his political future won't extend beyond 2024 if he continues like this.
Maybe you can channel the long arm of grandma, organize a “Grandma’s Prayers” group. You and others can spend some time each week calling on others to light up Manchin’s phone & mail (not email, I think because it’s not officially recorded) and finding creative ways to get media attention in your area about how badly Manchin is harming the people he represents.
Now this is what needs to be done. Letters and phone calls and going to his office. People don’t realize texts don’t hold water.
Most are dead now or relocated out of state.
I’m kind of tired of all the self serving elected officials. Enriching themselves, their families and “friends” with zero fear of legal retribution. The system has been gamed, and the American people’s only choice is to vote them out. Unfortunately, anyone who runs against these established clowns usually can’t compete to the financial backers of the democrat or republican parties. We must find a way to get big money out of politics, or the workers of American will continue to be taken advantage of by the corporations who fund our elected officials campaigns.
Yes this needs change
This is right on and, though political corruption has always existed, I feel it is reaching an "unsustainable" level. Something catastrophic will occur in our societal system that will precipitate either our demise or a radical change in our society. This seems to be what happens historically.
I agree with your comment. It feels as if our society is in terminal decline.
And the great tragedy is this decline is policy-driven failure.
Completely, this is what happens when special interests buy a country and the citizens who perpetually foot the bill for the privileged are left out. French (Russian, Chinese, etc.) revolution all over again.
The opposition has no policies, they have only hate, anger, and dogma. It is not policy-driven, it is ideology-driven which is far worse.
Very and, frighteningly, true.
This corruption needs to be called out loudly. Democrats need to stop pussy footing around and get things done. Enough of Joe Manchin holding the party hostage.
Manchin has replaced Biden. He is the new Trump. Why can’t the Dems become more aggressive and pragmatic? Why can’t he be sanctioned? Right before our very eyes, Manchin has become the Trump of our party. By 2024, we will no longer be a Democracy. The Dems have it all and and are handing it over to the Fascists immoral Republicans by not taking charge.
Completely correct: the Democratic Party is a joke that does not even function. What better way to destroy this republic than have the only viable opposition - being so because the dems helped rig the system so that ONLY repubs and dems are ever viable candidates - be incapable of doing a single thing?
Um, Manchin is still better than most if not all of the Republicans. He’s definitely not Trump. Even if we pass the bills Manchin’s way, that will be way better than nothing. These are popular bills and absolutely the most important thing is for Dems to stay in power as long as possible.
Need to get rid of these munchkin types. Seeing perhaps a sea change through a movement to hold the line against the Wall Street Democrats, causing people to vote in what are being called “progressive democrats”, voting in real life Change that might make for dignified life and save the earth for our descendants
How do the Dems have it all? How do they take charge with equal numbers in the Senate?
VP harris has the tie-breaking vote.
Thanks for bringing that gem up. Good thinking.
I could be wrong, but I believe because the vice-president who is president of the Senate is a Democrat. She can break any tie vote should any arise.
I agree but that is not truly a majority that can get anything done. Manchin should step up but unfortunately that can't be depended upon.
Well, we can see how nothing is getting done.
Joe Manchin is as corrupt and immoral a politician as you can get, and his sleaziness has certainly oozed onto his daughter, Heather Bresch, who was instrumental in hiking Epi-pen and most recently sold out W. Virginia middle class workers, whose company was moved overseas; in both cases she made millions.
I sincerely hope someone challenges him when he's up for reelection.
He certainly appears to reek of corruption! But until we can get the lobbyists banned we will always have this! A very sad commentary on our elected officials.
What a selfish SOB. Corrupt individuals like Manchin, eventually choke on foul air. To not support such a dynamic bill to improve our country in so many GOOD ways, is truly unconscionable .
What's the matter with so-called moderate Republicans? Where is Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkawski? Why are they so stonewalled by the likes of Mitch McConnell?
It would be great if senators and representatives were not allowed to vote on bills when their vote (yes or no) would benefit them or their family members. Maybe, call it the conflict of interest rule. But then how may congresspeople would still be eligible to vote?
None
Manchin just screwed everyone over, to put it bluntly. He is a menace to democracy, a selfish narci$$i$t, a 5th columnist who dares to call himself a Democrat. He cares absolutely nothing for the people of his state and for the general welfare of the country. He is anathema.
I’m a little surprised he hasn’t flipped and become a Republican, thus giving the GOP a 51-49 majority and among other things, making Mitch McConnell majority leader, again. Yeah, I’m full of happy thoughts today!
He won't flip because he would just be one in the majority of 51 Republicans and last on board. He has much more power with the Democratic caucus than he would were he to switch.
Manchin is correct. We do need to elect more liberals- starting with a massively funded primary opponent to Joe Manchin in WV. Let him know that, should he defeat the primary opponent, we will help to fund his Republican opponent.
Though I’m as opposed to Manchin’s politics as anyone on this list, let’s not lose sight of the fact that, contrary to Manchin, not one Republican supported Biden’s pandemic relief programs. In turn, adding insult to injury, Republicans took credit in their respective States for the pandemic relief they had opposed and now have filibustered a bill intended simply to avoid defaulting on debt partially incurred from allocating those pandemic relief funds.
re my remark a few week ago - ALWAYS Follow The Money. Manchin is corrupted
Joe Manchin doesn't care about the people of West Virginia. He's there for the money and if he votes for the BBB bill he will lose millions. Joe Manchin is a piece of shit like all wealthy people in the Republican Party.