A lost opportunity — for Manchin and for us?
Manchin is not your iconic conservative Democrat, one who insists on paying for changes that promote social progress. Conservative, sure, in that he doesn’t want to spend money. But he’s pro status quo and he’s beholden to the energy business. He wants to preserve a few coal-field jobs but maybe there’s pay-back to the energy industry also.
One thing is obvious: He’s an opportunist, willing to exploit his current unique position as a critical Senate vote to impose his private agenda to thwart most fellow Democrats’, his president’s and the public’s will to “do something about climate change.”
He seemingly has known all along that he would not support President Biden’s climate change legislation (Manchin’s July budget memo to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer). But he’s remained silent until recently on this subject while giving comments to reporters on other subjects. By doing so, he has parlayed his impact on the Democratic-Biden agenda to its maximum.
The time for passage of the Democratic agenda is disappearing. His demands to trade his vote for the global warming budget at this late date could derail his party’s climate change agenda, but it will effectively scuttle our president’s Glasgow Climate Summit agenda.
Manchin’s demands are typical of a nihilistic Mitch McConnell — not those of a negotiating Democratic colleague. America can lead our world in its fight against global warming. But if funding disappears, Biden’s climate program disappears, and America’s leadership is destroyed. There is no one to replace America.
We see today’s intense hurricanes, increased immigration, mega forest fires, floods, drought, etc. These are but subtle preludes of catastrophic events our grandchildren will experience.
Manchin can distinguish himself by helping our president seize the moment in Glasgow. There are multitudinous solutions to the declining employment in the fossil energy field.
Think more broadly, Sen. Manchin, about all West Virginians, about the ramifications of climate change across America, about the health of our blue planet and what passage of Biden’s progressive agenda on the climate might signify to other nations at the Glasgow Climate Summit.
Robert Shumaker
Morgantown
The far-left doesn’t speak for the center
I was among the many who were inspired by the election of John Kennedy. The only day of school I missed during my 12 years of public schooling was the day after the 1960 election. I missed the Wednesday after the election because I had stayed up until 3 a.m. to see if Chicago Mayor Richard Dailey had stuffed sufficient ballots in the election box to secure Illinois for Kennedy. I have been a West Virginia Democrat for over 50 years.
In the Wednesday edition of The Dominion Post, I read where left-leaning faction of the Monongalia County Democratic Party (represented by the Democratic Executive Committee) sent a letter to fellow Democrat U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.
The letter suggested that Manchin was an obstructionist whose interest supported his corporate benefactors. The letter deplores Manchin’s efforts and suggests Manchin is purposely harming his constituents. The letter suggests that Manchin’s attitude and actions are reprehensible.
While I understand that there are many left-leaning Democrats in Morgantown, most West Virginia Democrats are either moderates or lean conservative. That is why the Morgantown area remains somewhat isolated from the seat of power and influence in West Virginia.
While Mon County Executive Committee Chair Shane Assadzandi, who has lived in West Virginia for all of seven years, may feel that he has a pulse on the voice of the people, my guess is that Joe Manchin, who has lived in the state for 72 years, has a better understanding of all the voters of West Virginia and not just the few West Virginia progressives.
Shane Assadzandi wanted to send Manchin a message; I will send Shane a message: On Thursday, I went to the county clerk’s office and changed my registration from Democrat to Republican. By the way, I will continue to vote for Joe Manchin.
Dennis Poluga
Morgantown
