What we are talking about with our budget bill is not a “wish list." These are the real, material needs of the American people. Maybe, just maybe, it's time Congress delivered for the working class, not just the billionaire class.
I need Senator Manchin to be a little more specific. When he talks about remaining a "compassionate and rewarding society," we must ask, what is a "compassionate and rewarding society" about?
Does that mean addressing the reality that 600,000 people in America are homeless? Does it mean dealing with the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality in this country? Does it mean dealing with the fact that one out of four Americans can't fill the prescriptions their doctors write because the price of drugs in this country is in some cases 10 times higher than in Canada and in other major countries?
When you've got the support of the majority of the American people, the Democratic House and Senate caucus, and when you've got the support of the president — this is not some 50-50 deal.
Two people cannot stand in the way of delivering for the working people of this country.
We have the real possibility of creating unprecedented public policy which stands up for working families, the elderly, the children, the sick, and the poor — and defeats the greed of powerful special interests and the billionaire class — but only if we fight for it.
There's a big disconnect between the corporate media and working people. Across America, people work 50-60 hours a week, can't afford child care, have no health care, and they turn on the TV and the media says 'everything is great!' because corporations are making record profits.
The vast majority of the American people want us to: - substantially lower prescription drug costs - expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing - expand home health care - make child care affordable - lead the world in the fight against climate change Let's get it done.
Look, the Republican Party has already been bought and paid for — they are not going to do anything to help working people. We know this. But I hope very much and I expect that the Democratic caucus will stand firm and will fight for the working class of this country.
