(UnitedVoice.com) – Throughout 2021, Democrats tried selling their radical Build Back Better semi-socialist and climate change proposals as popular with Americans. For six months, they wasted the country’s time and tax dollars fighting to fundamentally transform America’s economy, culture, and government. In the end, an evenly divided Senate and a battle between two Democratic Moderates and the 48 other Democrats killed President Joe Biden’s hopes of fulfilling former President Barack Obama’s dream.
During the debate, left-wing Democrats argued the Build Back Better act was highly popular and would force inflation to lower. Their reasoning defied common sense and basic economic principles. On Wednesday, January 26, a new POLITICO-Harvard study examined whether the public agreed with Democrats that Build Back Better would help the country and benefit themselves and their families. How voters answered the questions might be a massive shock and blow to Democrats. Yet, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) was correct all along, and in the process of pushing back against the Left, he might have saved America.
Did Manchin Align With Voter Views About Build Back Better?
For months, Sen. Manchin argued inflation was too high, the cost of Build Back Better was too much, and many of the left-wing proposals were unacceptable. The West Virginia Senator explained he wasn’t for expanding the social welfare state and emphatically stated the government couldn’t afford to expand Social Security and Medicare. So, why would he vote to expand and add big government programs?
Manchin continually said West Virginia voters were opposed to the measure. He repeatedly stated as long as he couldn’t explain it to them so they could receive it, he wouldn’t vote for the controversial legislation Democrats were attempting to pass without GOP support using the reconciliation budget process.
It appears Manchin’s intuition was correct all along. According to the POLITICO-Harvard study, researchers did a deep dive into voter sentiment around the bill. Ultimately, it challenges the Left’s assertions and helps explain why independents are bailing on the Democratic Party.
So, let’s dive in ourselves and look at a few specifics in the study.
Research Shows Voters Didn’t Feel Democrats Were Solving the Real Problems
While inflation skyrocketed from the summer and into the present, voters weren’t sure Democrats focused on solving the crisis facing America. Instead, they tried passing a controversial social engineering and climate change program.
Americans didn’t buy the Left’s arguments or their proposals.
The POLITICO-Harvard survey found voters were skeptical of any benefits of the Build Back Better proposal. While 59% liked the idea of passing universal pre-K and 53% approved of four weeks of paid leave, that’s where the good news ends for Democrats.
Let’s look at how voters responded to Build Back Better:
- 4 in 10 said it would increase inflation.
- Less than 50% believed the proposal would reduce prescription drug prices.
- Only 1 in 3 believe BBB would help the country.
- Less than 1 in 4 thought it would help their families.
- Less than 1 in 4 said throwing money at the Democrat’s solutions to climate change would make a difference while harming the economy.
- Less than 1 in 4 agreed an extension of the Child Tax Credit would help the country.
Here is the most damaging statistic: only 30% of the public would be disappointed if Congress didn’t enact Build Back Better.
Democratic strategists are flabbergasted at the numbers. They truly believed Americans backed their plans. As with most polls since August, independents are running from leftist policies, leaving only partisan Democrats to support the agenda. Only 20% of independents said that Build Back Better would benefit themselves or their families.
So, it appears Manchin saved America from a massive headache. However, he may not have saved the party from voter ire for overreaching and pushing to change America. Voters didn’t sanction the transformation of America in 2020, and they certainly didn’t give Democrats a mandate. Still, Biden is fighting for his agenda.
And Democrats wonder why the polls are so bad.
All they need to do is watch the disastrous replay of 2021.
Don Purdum, Independent Political Analyst
Copyright 2022, UnitedVoice.com
