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>Climate Change ($555B)...I used to be "lukewarm" when it came to CC...thought that it was a manufactured grab by environmentalists to create a low-growth economy built on Wind and Solar Power only...while there are still extreme elements who still believe in this "utopia", my rational/technical mind has been won over by scientific facts...CO2 is a greenhouse gas...the amount in our atmosphere is steadily increasing since the late 1800's from ~300ppm to 416ppm today...currently we add 25 - 35 Gigatons/yr of CO2 to what used to be on the order of 2400 GT in the mid 19th century (now ~3300 GT)...with the majority of those additions staying in the atmosphere for over 100 years...all because of fossil fuel burning...without a reduction in CO2 the global climatic effects will become more and more dramatic and rapid with frankly catastrophic impact on current civilization.

WCIF - the climate is global, and America and the EU can't tackle climate alone. If China and India aren't on board, it's all for naught. I'm not really into moral victories. I also know the earth has been both warmer and colder without people, so any impact we are having is negligible. Let's say human induced climate change is real. I'd much rather see us focusing on how to live with it than trying to stop it. For instance, I've long though we should be investing in waterways to serve as flood control and to move water to other parts of the country. Of course, then the EPA and environmentalists have to put up their hands, which makes climate change feel all that more political.

All of this calls for a drastic change in our Energy Strategy...you probably know how I feel about Nuclear Power, but I also believe that fossil fuels will be needed for unique and critical uses, while at the same time it would be foolish to not use Wind and Solar wherever it makes economic sense. These are big changes, and the Biden administration is NOT taking over the energy industry...it is using federal funds...in combination with private investment...to effect this change (e.g. Bill Gates, et al, plus Gov't funding to get a new GEN-IV Fast Reactor demonstration plant built in Wyoming)...a monumental shift like this is forward thinking and needs government "seed money"...the "market place" isn't there yet and we need to act NOW.

Pardon me, WestCoast, but you have to admit that it's unreasonable to close one's eyes and ears to scientific facts when it comes to evaluating the whole issue of Climate Change...please don't rely on your 'gut feelings' for decision making. It's not gut feelings. It's a cost/benefit approach, and the costs outweigh the benefits.

>Universal Pre-K ($400B)...Not sure why you focus on those with incomes near $300K, but the VAST majority of beneficiaries are closer to $40K...Pre-K is almost universal amongst affluent families, thus proving its value...this funding helps give ALL Americans a fair chance at an excellent education...which will then benefit the entire nation...call it "Enlightened Self-Interest". The article specifically notes tax savings for families up to $300K. Additionally, it won't do much of anything at all. It's no different the public education. Suburban, private and religious schools are head and shoulders above city schools. Do you really think universal pre-k is going to be some panacea for inner city and rural kids?

>Child Tax Credits ($200B)...Low Income families need this...simple as that...the expanding Income/Wealth Inequality in the U.S. right now is making it increasingly difficult for those families to function (see attached link). Here's an idea, don't have kids if you can't afford them or don't have the emotional and financial maturity to care for them.

>Paid Leave ($200B)...Virtually all developed nations provide such assistance...low-income families don't have the means to pay for outside assistance at critical times...these are hard working individuals who are often essential workers in our economy (witness their roles during the COVID pandemic)...more "Enlightened Self-Interest".

>Healthcare Spending ($165B)...a healthy nation is a productive nation...more focus on low income citizens who have a hard time paying for necessary care.

>Affordable Home Care ($150B)...you seem to acknowledge the need for this...when you're a low income family, no amount of planning will provide the needed funds.

>Affordable Housing ($150B)...you should see what the housing situation is like in the SF Bay Area...we need this...the "Free Market" isn't exactly helping here...otherwise we wouldn't be talking about it.
I lived in the bay for a long time. One of the issues in the bay has to do with rent control and restrictions. Every wonder why buildings in the marina and and wharf area are so short? It's because existing residents bitched about tall buildings blocking their views. Not in my backyard has never been more apparent in the bay area and the Atlantic Coast.

IMO the ever-widening Income/Wealth Gap we are experiencing is fundamental to much of the BBB Bill (with the exception of CC funding)...I'll re-introduce this topic in another thread. Paid leave, healthcare spending, affordable housing are tug at the heartstrings liberal wants. What you are choosing to overlooks is the impact these entitlements have on work ethic, contribution, etc. As I said earlier, I think there is a need for a social net, but not nearly as wide nor as deep as you'd like it to be.

We can talk about how to meld Libertarian perspectives into consensus legislation in a separate thread altogether...hopefully by clearly identifying areas of "Individual" and "Community" responsibilities.