Joe Manchin’s Allegiance Is to Money Not Constituents

Sen. Joe Manchin is at the root of the obstruction preventing the man chosen by the people in November of 2020 from fulfilling his promises to the American people. He is from West Virginia, ran under the banner of the Democratic Party but has refused to serve the people of his state or the nation. Manchin recently chose Republican donations over voting for legislation to help his constituents.

The senator is one politician who proves that no argument disproves the allegation that the government of the United States of America is the most corrupt in the free world. Sadly, the truth is, the public hears about it less today because the Fourth Estate fails to do its job. They do not report every instance of criminal acts committed by elected officials.

Courtesy of PBS NewsHour (Flickr CC0)

The most egregious and harmful failure by the mainstream media began in June of 2015 when Donald Trump declared his intention to win the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. As they were in the beginning, Trump continues his meaningless rants to his supporters, composed of lies, attacks on patriotic Americans, and blatant racism.

However, the privileged journalists who followed him failed to expose Trump’s anti-American beliefs, although they gave him five times more coverage than all other candidates combined. Instead, they continue to provide him with a free pass, although he organized and directed the failed coup on Jan. 6, 2021, an act of pure treason.

Over the last 40 years, the government served special interests and ignored the needs of the American people. “Profit Before People” should be the sign above the entrance to the Capitol Building.

President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan would finally serve the needs and wishes of the majority. However, the Trump Party, led by Moscow Mitch McConnell, and other uncaring Congress members like Manchin, would be willing to bail out the nation’s largest banks and corporations, but not the American people. Right-wing politicians and Manchin lie to Americans when they preach about the national debt. Their genuine concern is their desire to continue receiving “kick-backs” from the nation’s wealthiest men, women, and corporations.

Manchin’s political action committee received 17 large donations in October and 19 in November to guarantee his continued obstruction to the president’s agenda.

Courtesy of Big Ed’s Photos (Flickr CC0)

He did not need much encouragement. Manchin is heavily invested in coal mining, and contrary to right-wing claims, there is no such thing as “clean coal.”

The West Virginia coal miners urged the senator to vote in favor of BBB. They need the benefits that would be available to them when the bill passes.

“We are disappointed that the bill will not pass,” Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, said in the statement on Monday. “We urge Senator Manchin to revisit his opposition to this legislation and work with his colleagues to pass something that will help keep coal miners working, and have a meaningful impact on our members, their families and their communities.”

No one expected Manchin to listen to his constituents. Unfortunately, he cares more about money than the people of his state, who are some of the poorest in our nation.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Sources:

CNBC: Corporate donations to Sen. Joe Manchin’s PAC surged as he fought President Biden’s agenda; by Brian Schwartz and Jacob Pramuk
CNN: Coal miners want Joe Manchin to reverse opposition to Build Back Better; by Matt Egan

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Big Ed’s Photos’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by Alexis Matsui Courtesy of PBS NewsHour’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Big Ed’s Photos’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License