President Joe Biden’s administration seems to rely heavily on optics rather than practical solutions. One such episode was Biden’s recent travel to Wisconsin for his first visit since he withdrew from the presidential race. The staged publicity sought to bring attention to his government’s funds allocation for manufacturing and infrastructure.
In an attempt to sell his agenda, Biden announced a whopping $7.3 billion investment for the rural electrification of America—labelling this the most substantial venture since the 1930s. A minority perspective would view this as transformative, but the question still stands: how will this truly impact the lives of everyday Americans?
Remarkably, in this grandiose display of generosity, Biden described the rural power investment plan as “transformative.” However, the out of touch comparison to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal compels the fact that such ambitions often fail to fully materialize.
The Dairyland Power Cooperative was highlighted; it is bound to receive $580 million to experiment with solar power, wind power, and energy storage, all in Wisconsin. Those critical of the plan argue against the financial management and the true long-term benefits of these green energy projects.
In his address, Biden drew attention to the Apalachee High School shootings in Georgia, leveraging tragedy to push his agenda further, an act that isn’t commended universally. He criticized gun violence in the United States, voicing his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.
Biden’s discourse regarding the AR-style assault rifle showcased a fake surprise around their accessibility, despite his presidency offering little to change such norms. As though the soundbite wasn’t sufficiently shocking, his flippant comment regarding deers and Kevlar vests begged questions of his genuine concern.
Unsurprisingly, Biden’s remedy for gun violence revolved around so-called common sense gun control, an end to immunity for gun manufacturers, and ensuring guns are securely locked away at home. Yet, many raise concerns about such approaches infringing on constitutional rights.
Far from being universally accepted, Biden maintained that such measures would prevent communities from experiencing further tragedy, emphasizing that his administration has alternatives to the current approach that plagues American communities.
Biden arrived at La Crosse Regional Airport close to mid-afternoon, where he received a typical political greeting from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, and Westby Mayor Danny Helgerson. The photogenic moment culminated in Godlewski snapping a selfie with the group.
Being tediously on brand, the surroundings were adorned with signs of support and a sporadic presence of onlookers. A group of horse riders observingly took to the hills nearby, likely pondering the true sincerity of the president’s visit to their rural neighborhood.
Unsurprisingly, the president’s appearance was set against a backdrop of solar panels—a quintessential symbolic representation of his green energy agenda. All part of a larger campaign to advertise the administration’s designs for rural electrification in Wisconsin and beyond.
This infusion of funding, hoisted from the New ERA program of the Inflation Reduction Act, was presented as a significant boost to the quieter corners of America. However, cynics may note that such lofty promises have been made before, often underestimating the complexities of their successful implementation.
Milwaukee has received attention in recent times due to its politically-charged atmosphere, but little Westby took the national spotlight because of Biden’s visit. The timing and choice of location left many questioning whether this was more about politics than actual concern for the rural populace.
While visiting this modest city with a population of barely over 2,300 people, two short months since his earlier campaign visit, Biden seemed more focused on spreading his message than hearing the concerns of the community.
Despite the image Biden’s team projected, many inhabitants of Westby still remember Donald Trump’s recent stop at a town hall in nearby La Crosse—and hold contrasting feelings and thoughts about Biden’s motivations and his approach towards the nation’s so-called ‘heartland’.
Biden’s Hollow Promise and Theatrics in Rural Electrification Plan appeared first on Real News Now.
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