Yes, that is right “Something for everyone and everything. Even trees get 3 billion for “Tree Equity” whatever that is, but our trees will not be left out. There’s also $5 billion for environmental and “climate justice” for disadvantaged communities. Wow even communities can now get justice. Also, an additional $1.4 billion for climate change research. Seems someone important (Biden) said the science was settled but a little money here and there never hurt a science project.
Nowhere in this massive legislation is the meaning of “equity” or “justice” defined. Someone said for the trees it would be a mass planting program in cities that can gain the most significant health, economic and climate benefits by increasing the tree canopy. Somehow that will give equity and justice to the trees and they sure will enjoy the new freedom.
The legislation would add billions of dollars in climate change funding, starting with the “Civilian Climate Corps,” which would get at least $7.5 billion. This new organization, which President Biden has placed at the top of his climate must do list, would employ thousands of young people to carry out conservation and climate change-related projects on public lands.
$1 billion to turn government facilities into “high-performance green buildings.” The nice thing about all of this is that nothing gets left out. Even buildings get Equity and Justice. Democrats have also pushed for $12 billion to buy electric cars and related infrastructure for the federal fleet, at least $7 billion of which would go toward upgrading the U.S. Postal Service to electric vehicles. The General Services Administration, would get $1 billion to also convert its facilities into “high-performance green buildings.”
With all the spending could unions be far behind? No unions will not be forgotten, one provision would give a deduction of up to $250 for dues paid to a labor organization. That should help maintain union membership throughout the country and the political contributions coming in. Unions also get $5 million to implement electronic voting systems for union elections.
Race and gender-based spending is also included in the 2,465 pages and 444,311-word bill. The bill would give $25 million to nonprofit organizations to develop “anti-discrimination and bias training” for the health care sector, and another $15 million for national resource centers “focused on providing services for older individuals who are under-served due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Do not think schools have been left out. A small program with $198 million in funding for “school leadership programs.” The program is not defined but it was explained that the money would be dedicated to school principals for development and training programs. Wonder what that is all about, but when you’re throwing money at a wall just see what sticks.
We do not want to forgot those that have just come across our border. $2.8 billion to increase the capacity of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to efficiently process applications and to reduce case-processing backlogs. Those changes, which would give lawful permanent residence to certain entrants into the United States.
This is just the small stuff. Of course, the legislation would add billions of dollars to everything. So where are all the other trillions going, no one knows all of it and that is by design.
Is there any hope of stopping the 3.5 trillion bill? Some estimates now put the package at about 5.5 trillion. So far Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va, and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., have been the most vocal democrats in opposition. Manchin told Politico on Thursday, “What’s the need? There is no timeline. I want to understand it,” while representatives for Sinema told the same outlet, we need to study and understand where the money goes and what it accomplishes.
Rep. Grothman, R-Wis., said Saturday that “I could cry looking at this thing… it’s just so different from what our forefathers envisioned when they founded this country.” That is the point and the President said it is “zero cost.” Maybe he does not “There is no free lunch?” If it passes our kids and grandkids will find out the cost. You might consider dropping a note to your representative in Washington.
I’m just guessing but I think “tree equity” means that trees are planted based on the color of their bark. “Climate justice” probably means that everyone gets an equal amount of summer and winter whether they live at the North Pole or along the Equator. Again I’m just guessing.
I thought that tree equity was the Hight of the tree or maybe the color of the fruit. But I do agree with your Climate Justice. Also I was thinking of forming a Union of Concerned Citizens so we could get the $250 for dues paid and a slice of the $5 million so I could get a new computer.
In this thing they call “Tree Equity” would they consider Evergreens to be privileged? Asking for a Maple.
Excellent point Teri. Everyone knows this country was founded on the principles of “Green” privilege and systemic deciduous racism.
Wow Mike! Did you forget the $2 trillion tax cut for billionaires? You know, the one that the GOP will not pay for. Did you object to that? Of course not. You actually believe if Jeff Bexos pays zero tax, it will be good for you. Please explain as it has been shown that trickle down has never worked.
You also complain about people sitting at home instead of working. Did it occur to you that the lack of affordable child care might be the main reason? Breaking the poverty cycle requires education yet you oppose any free college or trade schools.
You also bad mouth unions but it was trade unions after WWII that gave us the middle class. I find it incredible that you blue collar types actually think that Trump cares about you. I read a great meme today – Trump hates the people who love him the most.
You also hate the idea that we need much better health care. Instead of wasting money on endless wars, use it to expand Medicare to include dental, eye care, and home health care which will allow seniors to stay in their homes.
You will never change Mike. Helping the poor and funding needed infrastructure improvements are not worth your money. Instead, you and your buddies refuse to work for the common good and only care for the money in your pocket.
David,
We need an overhaul in our health care system PERIOD. When the VA sends someone with a bad shoulder they believe is due to inflammation of the tendons and ligaments to physical therapy BEFORE they send them for an MRI to know for sure…something is wrong.
Why not confirm the diagnosis first? Then treatment that WILL work, rather than might, can be explored. Why would you guess first, prescribe a treatment that will only aggravate the issue you guessed at, then order the MRI after 6 weeks of PT? Seems a bit backward to me. They also “Don’t think” it’s Carpal Tunnel, “We THINK” it’s something else so we’ll just do this.” Even though there are conclusive tests to determine Carpal Tunnel.
Do you have any idea how many BILLIONS we pay in Medicare and Medicaid fraud each year? We, the consumer, cover those costs.
With the insurance companies setting protocol for what is medically necessary for you or me…why would ANYONE continue to trust our healthcare system?
Insurance companies aren’t scientifically trained in anything. I thought all you left thinking individuals like to follow the science. Yet you’re asking for more of the same old crap the insurance companies have been giving you. And now you’re willing to accept FOR EVERYBODY, it seems, mandates on our own healthcare choices, overstepping personal boundaries. That’s is the definition of insanity to me.
Hey Mike. I think you’re making some headway with Mr Petrillo. This is his first post that I can remember where he didn’t call you a racist. One small step for mankind.
Mike has the Cliven Bundy Humanitarian Award wrapped up for life. Were you here for the Bundy insurrection? Cliven and Mike share the same opinion about black single mothers who just live of welfare while sitting on their front porches eating chocolates and cashing welfare checks. I challenged Mike several years ago to go find one able bodied person who was sitting at home collecting government benefits. To date, he has not found one person. If you read Mike’s columns, he has a tendency to repeat the same topic over and over. The number one topic is that minorities are lazy and live off the sweat of hard workers like Mike. Pure crap.
On another topic, the GOP refused to fund the efforts to help the Afghans who fled their country. The GOP is not really into charity.
I stand corrected