The Issue: Democrats’ response to Sen. Joe Manchin’s refusal to vote for the “Build Back Better” bill.
Sen. Joe Manchin is prepared to take the heat while continuing to represent the best interests of his constituents and the people of America (“Dem bullies,” Dec. 21).
Manchin is a man for our time, who stands tall — while the arrogant, snotty, vulgar comments of the Squad only serve to show us all how unworthy they are to play any role in today’s America.
Mort Grossman
Plainview
Manchin was lambasted for his attempt to starve off the ridiculous spending spree of the current president.
I applaud Manchin for his steadfast resolve and not moving on his position, even in the midst of overwhelming pressure.
Providing the most criticism were two members of the Squad. Are these individuals even aware of what the word “budget” means?
Joe Marco
Hatsboro, Pa.
Manchin has shown his party that he is an independent thinker and will not follow the leader off an economic cliff. Good for him.
Now he should take the next step and move across the aisle to show those who would bully him that he has alternatives to them.
Ken Chorzewski
New Rochelle
The members of Congress on the liberal left and their sycophantic media lackeys have heaped abuse, contempt and vitriol on Sen. Manchin for his refusal to vote for the massive spending bill. Their reactions and hypocrisy are over the top, yet predictable.
These are the same people who preach to us about inclusivity and a democracy where all voices are heard and about how checks and balances are necessary for democracy to function.
Manchin represents a tie-breaker vote because so many members of Congress were elected by citizens who disagree with the liberal left’s utopian view. Our democracy is functioning as it should because his vote is a check and balance.
Manchin is a dinosaur — a rare surviving breed of politician who votes according to the views of those who elected him, rather than preaching to them how they should think or feel.
Saul Ash
Massapequa
We can all be grateful to Manchin for putting up a roadblock to the reckless profligacy of Build Back Better.
If only we had a similar number of like-minded GOP senators during the four years of record deficit spending under the previous administration.
The only difference between former President Donald Trump’s $8 trillion in “upstream socialism” and Biden’s $2 trillion plan for “downstream socialism” is which constituency got to feed at the trough.
If we had spent only half of this aforementioned money that was put on the nation’s credit card the last five years on actual infrastructure, we would be the envy of the world.
Ken Byrnes
Hackensack, NJ
Kudos to Manchin for standing up to fellow Democrats and not voting for this pork-laden bill.
It’s refreshing to see someone in Washington following his principles and acting in the best interests of the American people.
Chris Tripoulas
Manhattan
We should not be surprised by the attacks on brave Sen. Manchin for not caving in to the Marxists in his party and refusing to back the ridiculous “Build Back Broke” bill.
This bill would go a long way to making us more dependent on government.
We have a great country and system of government. Let’s not let these frauds destroy this.
Saul Mishaan
Brooklyn
I give Manchin credit for standing up against the socialist Democrats, including Sen. Chuck Schumer.
The Congressional Budget Office itself says the bill would boost the federal deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade.
I, for one, do not want to burden my grandchildren and great grandchildren with this surmountable amount of debt.
Kim Cody
Whitestone
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