---

 [ VOICES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  Joe Manchin Is NOT a Moderate Democrat!

THE EASTSIDER - I would not care about Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) except for the fact that he’s personally basking in the glory of screwing the entire United States as he plays around selling his vote. Two recent articles explain what he really is, and it ain’t pretty.

Written by Tony Butka.

December 15 2021

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

THE EASTSIDER - I would not care about Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) except for the fact that he’s personally basking in the glory of screwing the entire United States as he plays around selling his vote. Two recent articles explain what he really is, and it ain’t pretty.

The first article is by[ **Robert Reich**,](https://www.laprogressive.com/manchin-represents-monied-interests/?utm_source=LA+Progressive+NEW&utm_campaign=c34bd6427a-LAP+News+-+20+April+17+PC_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_61288e16ef-c34bd6427a-286925245&mc_cid=c34bd6427a&mc_eid=4bc2eccb78) and posted on the LA Progressive on 12/14.

He makes the establishment Democratic analysis:

“Why is Manchin so obstinate? I once thought he was trying to protect West Virginia’s coal mining industry and he worried that Build Back Better’s climate provisions would hasten its demise. But West Virginia’s coal industry employs only around [13,000 workers—less than 2 percent of the state’s ](https://www.wvnews.com/theet/opinion/editorials/the-data-is-clear-coal-remains-vital-to-west-virginia-and-the-u-s-for/article_e40e973f-548d-5de0-ba1d-f0b86c358ae0.html)[work force. Not even Manchin’s personal financial interests in coal would be much diminished if BBB’s climate measures were enacted.”](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/WVNA)

and

“West Virginians do not have particularly good health. Of all the data I’ve come across about West Virginia, what strikes me most is that a [quarter of West Virginians 65 and older have no natural teeth. That’s the highest rate of tooth loss of any state in America. Why is this? Because West Virginians can’t afford dental care. So they skip regular cleanings and exams, which are crucial for preventing infections and tooth loss.”](https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/senior/measure/teeth_extractions_sr/state/WV)

Reich’s conclusion is no surprise, and also has a simplistic takeaway - donors.:

“Which takes us back to the Manchin paradox. If nothing else explains Manchin’s delaying tactics on Build Back Better, what’s the real explanation? I think it’s Manchin’s campaign donors. According to campaign-finance tracking by Accountable. US, as of September Manchin had received more than [$1.5 million from corporations that are opposed to the Build Back Better bill (Sinema got nearly ](https://www.accountable.us/news/report-manchin-took-1-5m-from-corporate-interests-opposing-build-back-better-agenda/)[$1 million). That’s a big chunk of change for a senator from West Virginia, and it’s only likely to get larger over coming weeks as Manchin delays a vote”](https://www.accountable.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-10-Research-on-Sinema-Support-From-Corporate-Reconciliation-Opponents-FINAL.pdf)

His analysis would be a lot better if it didn’t apply to most of Congress - of either party.

**A Deeper Dive**

Hat tip to Jerri-Lynn Scofield and NakedCapitalism, for unpacking a two part Pittsburgh Post-Gazette expose - [Dirty Dollars: Trail of Deceit and Ruin.](https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/11/dirty-dollars-money-laundering-steel-and-toxins.html)

You can find [Part 1 here](https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/ukraine-money-laundering/), and [Part 2 here.](https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/dirty-dollars-2/)

 Here’s the bottom line;

### “Ukraine oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky's secret stake in the U.S. steel industry

The 58-year-old billionaire siphoned millions from a Ukraine bank and moved the money into the United States, U.S. prosecutors allege, where he and his partners purchased steel factories across the country. At one time, the partners owned 13 metals facilities, including Warren Steel in Ohio — one of the key targets of the U.S. Justice Department investigation”

and

**“2006:** Kolomoisky and partners prepare **Warren Steel** for opening and acquire both **Felman Production** in West Virginia and **Detroit Cold Rolling Steel** in Michigan for $20 million each.”

Regarding how all of this ties in to one Senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, here’s how:

“When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stepped in years later to push [tough restrictions on the factory — after workers were found to have been exposed to emissions — the operators of the West Virginia facility turned to some of the most powerful members of Congress to fend off regulators and keep the doors open.](https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-07/documents/ferroalloys-reconsideration-proposal-factsheet.pdf)

West Virginia senators Joe Manchin and Shelly Moore Capito were among the lawmakers helping Felman Production steel factory fend off regulators and foreign competitors at the same time factory owner Ihor Kolomosky was allegedly orchestrating a scheme to steal millions from a Ukraine bank and plow the money into U.S. steel mills. There’s no indication the lawmakers knew of alleged crimes, but flags had been raised repeatedly by public officials over efforts by the company to conceal the ownership structure of the factory and a lack of audited financial records to show the facility’s sources of income.” ...

“Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito joined other lawmakers in firing off a letter to the agency in 2015, saying the plant in their home state and another in Ohio could shut down if they were forced to install expensive equipment and submit to testing under a strict deadline.

"It would be extremely disappointing if the companies were forced to stop operating," the letter read.”

**The Takeaway**

There you have it. The only reason Manchin’s a Democrat is that he’s in his glory as the key vote in the Senate that the Dems have to have. He’s in heaven. If he became a Republican, he’d just be another politician that has to kiss Trump’s ass and do as he says ‘or else’, or else meaning getting beat up in a primary by a Trumpster.

As to any moral compass, or core belief in democratic institutions, get real. That’s the real Joe Manchin. He’s just another politician in a symbiotic relationship with the big time donors that own him.

*(Tony Butka is an Eastside community activist, who has served on a neighborhood council, has a background in government and is a contributor to CityWatch.)*

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 First Name

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/34/065h-34e1b43b.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

### [Reminder to the Red States, Turnabout is Fair Play](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Indiana has been pounded by rains that resulted in widespread flooding. While the rain was still comi…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/75/064a-75d5dbb3.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

### [Your Boss Owns Your Workday—Not Your Brain](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

THE NEURAL WORKPLACE - California must protect workers before workplace surveillance crosses the final frontier: the hu…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/93/064k-9302351b.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33205:biden-family-grift-vs-trump-family-grift-lets-do-the-numbers&catid=9)

### [Biden Family Grift vs. Trump Family Grift: Let’s Do the Numbers](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33205:biden-family-grift-vs-trump-family-grift-lets-do-the-numbers&catid=9)

GRIFTING IN THE DAYLIGHT - Most people recognize that Donald Trump and his kids are stealing from us with both hands ev…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fe/064i-febc3c1a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

### [All Talk, No Action: Nithya Raman’s Reckoning](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Nithya Raman lost the homelessness gavel, and the most damaging verdict didn’t come from Republicans…

---

##  [ VOICES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065n.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33214:wars-inequality-and-poverty-no-longer-confined-to-faraway-places&catid=375)### [Wars, Inequality, And Poverty No Longer Confined To Faraway Places](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33214:wars-inequality-and-poverty-no-longer-confined-to-faraway-places&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065j.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33222:wheres-the-outrage-for-californias-disenfranchised-voters&catid=375)### [Where’s the Outrage for California’s Disenfranchised Voters?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33222:wheres-the-outrage-for-californias-disenfranchised-voters&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/064m4.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33191:finding-weaknesses-in-the-evidence-behind-criminal-charges&catid=375)### [Finding Weaknesses in the Evidence Behind Criminal Charges](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33191:finding-weaknesses-in-the-evidence-behind-criminal-charges&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/058n.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33085:la-city-councils-shameful-ploy-it-buries-meeting-intent-in-a-cluttered-amendment&catid=375)### [LA City Council’s Shameful Ploy: It Buries Meeting Intent in a Cluttered Amendment](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33085:la-city-councils-shameful-ploy-it-buries-meeting-intent-in-a-cluttered-amendment&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060i.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33128:section-214-grants-a-foreign-nation-access-to-the-american-military-juggernaut&catid=375)### [Section 214 Grants a Foreign Nation Access to the American Military Juggernaut](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33128:section-214-grants-a-foreign-nation-access-to-the-american-military-juggernaut&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>