The Promises to Coal Country Are Familiar, but Can Biden Deliver?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Kenwardjr Retweeted

You could write a book about this stuff. For now, this: Administration after administration has made big promises to coal communities, with too little to show for it. Now Biden is talking big, too, and residents are understandably skeptical:

Link to tweet

[matt819]

1. How about this for an idea

Stop promising stuff about coal country.

There are many other parts of the country that have suffered economically because of fundamental changes to the economy. The move away from manufacturing, stutter steps toward renewable energy, growing inequality, and so much more. Even in New England, you can drive through communities that have been decimated by the decline of manufacturing and the shrinking of the tax base, complete with shuttered commercial space and potholed town roads. Native American communities have confronted comparable challenges for well over a century. And then there are the southern states, which collectively sit at the bottom (or top, depending of the subject) of charts of just about anything that's being measured in the US - medical care, education, income, joblessness, poverty, etc.

Much of the responsibility lies with state governments (e.g., expansion of Medicaid). I think that's where the guidance must come from before the federal government starts doling out money for stuff.

I would argue that any plans for economic growth should take the form of the American Rescue Plan bill. Large-scale plans that affect the largest number of Americans. For example, I could see a massive infrastructure bill plan this role.

[modrepub]

2. Agree

I'd bet the loses in the IT sectors over the years as technology changed dwarfs the loses in the coal mining industry. You'll never hear about all the main-frame computer programers who lost their high paying job in the 90s once PCs and linked networks became all the rage.

My father was in that category. Suffered through several job loses until he finally gave up in his late 50s. Last jobs he had were delivering sandwiches. Eventually was able to fully retire and enjoy some good years once his military pension and SS finally kicked in.

Guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease or news coverage.