I grew up in a rural community, began my career as an organizer in small towns, and now lead one of the largest efforts to rebuild pro-democracy, pro-worker civic capacity in rural America. So I can speak with some authority when I say that President Biden, somewhat surprisingly, has ushered in a new economic paradigm that can radically transform the lives of rural people and build a more politically and economically secure future for all Americans.

He calls his agenda “Bidenomics,” a term that will be hotly debated in the months ahead. But what does it mean? And what’s its significance for rural people?

In simplest terms, Bidenomics arguably is the most significant departure in 40 years from the “free market revolution” that rose to dominance in the 1980s — a dramatic alteration to our country’s economic trajectory.

The combination of executive and congressional action since Biden took office — from the American Rescue Plan, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to the CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act and key executive action promoting competition and protecting workers — presents greater potential for revitalizing rural communities than anything since the New Deal. These were huge steps in the right direction, and yet rural people are still struggling. The updated Rural Policy Action Report offers a continued roadmap for how to help rural communities, protect the environment and core freedoms, and renew shared prosperity across geographic divides.

  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    1 year ago

    If you were already a PMC with a bunch of invested cash and property, you’ll be happy to know that the 80-year-old insurance industry flak turned bagman for the Obama administration turned white savior for the liberal establishment is going to be propping those inflated asset prices up one more business cycle.

    But if you’re watching Congress go into another round of cut-backs on domestic services, privatization of education and health care, ramping up of the national security state, and war-mongering abroad while the President rubber stamps it all… well… maybe just shut up and Vote Blue No Matter Who because the alternative to the Kyrsten Sinema Senate will be even worse.