Any time Joe Biden introduces a piece of legislation, he exposes his glaring blindspot. He does so with the hope of bipartisan support. Republicans have repeatedly made it abundantly clear that they have zero interest in doing anything that would create positive numbers for Biden, no matter the views of a majority of Americans.
When President Biden took office, he declared he was going to usher in a new era of bipartisanship that was largely absent during the previous administration. Republicans had other ideas. Instead, Mitch McConnell stated he is “100 percent” opposed to the Biden agenda. Like he tried with President Obama, McConnell wants to make Biden a one-term president.
Yet, any time Biden hints he might go it alone, on such things as the Infrastructure Act, Republicans are quick to whine that he is reneging on his promise to be bipartisan. Means of overcoming Republican roadblocks, namely abandoning the filibuster, have been met with opposition from two members of his own party, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema.
When the suggestion of harsher gun control, in the face of the attacks in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX sparked public outrage, McConnell initiated bipartisan talks to address the issue. The hopes of a possible solution were quickly dashed as measures presented to the House Judiciary Committee resulted in partisan shouting matches, with one lawmaker committing the tone deaf act of actually loading his weapon as he joined the committee meeting via Zoom.
In his address to the nation, President Biden adopted a harsher tone, demanding a ban on assault weapons and stronger Red Flag laws aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers. Despite his tougher rhetoric, he also offered alternative solutions aimed once again getting bipartisan support.
When will you learn, Joe?
And it’s not just Republicans who are out to stymie the Biden agenda. Big business certainly has an interest in seeing Joe fail. After the lean years of the pandemic, big business is experiencing huge profits as they drive the inflation rate to a 40 year high. Corporate CEOs have made no secret that they prefer the pro-business environment favored by Republicans. Government regulations and unions cut into their profits. So, they would certainly benefit from a change in leadership.
It’s entirely possible that supply chain issues and even the baby formula shortage are efforts at sabotaging the Biden administration?
As the midterms approach, President Biden has precious little time to right the ship. Otherwise, he will face an even more hostile Republican Congress that will do everything in its power to promote a right wing ruler…even if it’s Donald Trump.