Cost of Build Back Better Proposal: Close To $0, Cost of Catastrophic Climate Change: $551 Trillion
Right now, as I’ve highlighted briefly before, there’s a hot negotiation underway between almost every other Democrat in the House & Senate and two Democratic Senators — Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin. Republican Party politicians are non-existent in the negotiations*, and since the US Senate is split 50–50, with Vice President Kamala Harris as the deciding vote, we need 100% of Democratic senators onboard in order to pass anything. (Fun.)
The big push right now is to deliver on Biden’s agenda, what Biden promised and what ~99% of Democrats in office (if not 100%) made promises about when they ran for office. Why that’s something that needs to be negotiated within the party may seem like a mystery, but it appears to just come down to the financial interests of Sinema and Manchin. Though, there is some misleading handwaving and muttering going on about the US budget and economy that might confuse some passersby nonetheless. So, I wanted to take a moment to put a few things into perspective, and to also highlight what is actually in the Build Back Better proposal at the moment. (Also, though, let’s be frank — there’s much more on the line than just what’s in the proposal.)
Build Back Better … Over Next 10 Years
First of all, it should be noted that the “$3.5 trillion bill” most Democrats, Biden included, are pushing for is covering a 10-year period, so the actual annual cost is $350 billion. That us half of the annual cost of U.S. defense spending. One would think that the richest nation on Earth could find some money to spend on something other than the military, right?
So let me get this straight: we can afford to spend $700 billion a year on defense, but we can’t afford to spend $350 billion a year to defend ourselves against the climate crisis?
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 3, 2021
Even more poignantly, Bill McKibben (who I recently interviewed) highlighted that the “cost” to these investments is peanuts compared to the cost of unchecked climate change/catastrophe. It’s like saying, I don’t want to spend $1 to drive to work, so I’m just not going to work any more. Not intelligent.
When someone moans about $3.5 trillion spending over 10 years, perhaps remind them that the estimates for the cost of unchecked climate change top out at $551 trillion, which is more money than there is on earth at the moment.
— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) October 3, 2021
Give them a call now. Tell them we support the Biden agenda to build back better. pic.twitter.com/79PnZxBDDz
— Johnathan Ford⬅️ (@FordJohnathan5) October 5, 2021
But What’s In The Build Back Better Bill?
But I just fell into the same trap others in the media and politics have fallen into with this bill, focusing on the price tag of the bill rather than what’s in it. Let’s look at what 99% of Democrats are trying to get passed, what the majority of the American public has indicated it would like to see passed (large chunks of Republicans as well), and what two seemingly self-serving senators (plus the 50 on the Republican side) are blocking. Who better to explain it than a congressman who knows how to speak in plain English. But he can also start with some perspective on the price tag (I know, I know):
A brief thread to try and demystify the infrastructure convo in Washington, and hopefully correct some misconceptions:
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
2/ Also the cost is over 10 years. $3.5T is $350B/year against a ~$5T/yr federal budget and a $20T/yr economy.
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
4/ (b) Lowering prescription drug costs for seniors by allowing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceuticals (just like your private insurer and the VA already does)
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
6/ (d) Ensuring everyone has 12 weeks of family and medical leave so that you don’t have to choose between paying your rent and caring for a loved one.
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
8/ (f) Lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60. (Fact: cancer diagnoses spike at 65, not because cancer rates go up but because of how many people have gaps in health coverage until they become Medicare-eligible.)
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
So, let’s recap:
- modest but important funding to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, solar energy, and wind energy
- giving Medicare the ability to negotiate drug prices so that pharmaceutical companies don’t rip them off as much
- instituting a long-term version of the current child tax credit so that less wealthy families with young kids can afford food, housing, and a bare minimum quality of life in the richest nation on Earth (note: aside from the fact that this is just the moral thing to do, helping these families to have a basic foundation with regard to the necessities of life will make it more likely the kids will become productive members of society as they grow up)
- not nearly as much as Europeans get (after all, “we can’t afford” to have the nice things Europeans have), but some guaranteed time off for when people have medical or family needs to take care of
- dental and vision coverage for seniors on Medicare — because, you know, those are thing that old people may need help with, and we supposedly care for our neighbors in this country.
So, that’s some of the key stuff in this bill. You can see more here as well. How anyone can oppose this is beyond my moral comprehension. The level of selfishness and warped logic required to oppose those things are truly bewildering.
But we’re not done yet. The price tag is supposedly the concern.
How To Pay For The Build Back Better
Again, that make no sense on the surface considering that the annual federal budget is $5 trillion, meaning that $350 billion is a drop in the bucket, but there’s much more to note at all. This is not a check to an alien society on a foreign planet. The “cost” also comes with significant returns on the investment. In actuality, the economic benefit will easily surpass the cost. Here’s a partial explanation from Mr. Casten:
10/ (a) A big one is 4(b) above. Allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs lowers the cost of drugs that are purchased by the federal government for seniors. That saves a lot of patient and taxpayer money. It’s a win/win.
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
12/ (c) Setting the global minimum tax rate to 15% so as to stop the process of US companies using US roads, legal systems and courts but off-shoring profits to avoid having to pay for those services on which their revenue depends.
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
14/ (e) Sadly, it does not include provisions to eliminate existing fossil fuel subsidies. It should, but we couldn’t get that through. So rest assured, fossil lobby: you still don’t have to face up to the rough & tumble reality of market capitalism.
— Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 3, 2021
Difficult? No. Risky? No. Completely sensible and good for the United States? Yes!
This is simply about investing in the American people and taking care of our elderly rather than letting the 0.1% continuously explode their wealth to levels they can’t fathom and that don’t even change their lives in any notable way.
Remember, aside from 50 Republicans in the Senate (feel free to call their offices or the companies that fund them if any represent you), there are just two Democratic politicians blocking the above bill — Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Senator Joe Manchin. Contact them and let them know how you feel and how inclined you are to support them in the future. You have contact forms above, and here are the phone numbers:
Give them a call now. Tell them we support the Biden agenda to build back better. pic.twitter.com/79PnZxBDDz
— Johnathan Ford⬅️ (@FordJohnathan5) October 5, 2021
*Since they have become the party of do-nothing-but-cut-taxes-on-the-richest-of-the-rich robots and authoritarian, brainwashed seditionists (which are enabled by the former). I think the former outnumber the latter, but who knows these days? Look at the detailed history of the rise of Mussolini, Hitler, and other fascist authoritarians.
Featured photo by Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0 license)
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Days after teasing a major reveal at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, Kia has unveiled two unique and custom-built EV concepts designed for adventure off-road. During the unveiling, we got a look at a new spin on the ever-popular EV9 SUV called the “ADVNTR” and a rugged take on one of Kia’s new purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), the PV5, called “WKNDR.”
On October 30, Kia America posted a clandestine press release about an upcoming reveal at the annual SEMA show in Los Angeles. The first release featured a shadowy image of what appeared to be some off-road vehicle, with its recognizable Kia front fascia shining at the camera lens. The text read, “All roads lead to SEMA.”
We speculated that SEMA might be the event where Kia finally unveils the first of its two promised BEV pickup trucks. Since the headlamps closely resembled those of an EV9, we thought it could be the mule pickup we reported being tested in the US earlier this year. We were close.
Later that same day, Kia followed up with a second press release with the same title and quote but an image of a different off-road EV shining through the darkness, one that was much less recognizable.
Both releases had fine print stating that the vehicle in each image was a concept, so we curbed our expectations heading into this week’s 2024 SEMA show. This morning, Kia officially unveiled these two new off-road concept EVs, and they’re pretty cool looking. Have a gander at the EV9 ADVNTR and the PV5 WKNDR.
Kia unveils off-road concepts of its EV9 and PV5 EVs
According to the Korean automaker, designers from Kia Design Center America (KDCA) in Irvine, CA, imagined both off-road concepts. SEMA is usually a stage for OEMs to showcase concepts and accessories that are more rugged or heavy-duty.
Hence, the Kia team brought its A-game to Vegas with two new concept EVs that “intrinsically blend form and function into machines designed for responsible engagement with nature.”
The first is the EV9 ADVNTR, based on the three-row SUV that contributed to record sales for Kia in the US in October. Today, Kia shared that its off-road concept version of the EV9 is equipped with new custom front and rear facias, reinforced rocker panels, and rugged tires for more maneuverability in the elements.
Additionally, the EV9 ADVNTR can lift 3 inches higher than the standard 2025 SUV model and features a new roof rack that can haul luggage and hiking gear or support a roof-mounted tent.
In addition to the EV9 ADVNTR, Kia unveiled an off-road concept version of its new PV5 called the WKNDR. The PV5 is a middle-of-the-pack BEV in Kia’s latest ‘Purpose Beyond Vehicle’ lineup, which debuted at CES 2024.
While the standard PV5 was designed for commercial operations and last-mile deliveries, the Kia design team decided to take it off-road with the new WKNDR concept. This BEV van has been lifted and rigged with some hefty off-road tires, but like its predecessor, the interior of the PV5 WKNDR is what truly stands out.
Kia describes the off-road concept van as a “Swiss Army Knife on wheels,” offering a modular cabin that can be customized to an owner’s wants and needs. The conceptual design features a first-of-its-kind storage solution called the “Gear Head” feature that delivers off-board, sheltered storage space for equipment when the vehicle is stationary, maximizing interior space while providing owners with easy access to all their belongings.
Thanks to its modularity, Kia shared that the off-road van’s “Gear Head” space can also be converted into a mobile pantry for those foodies who want to assemble an array of cuisine while parked out in nature, or anywhere for that matter.
Kia also shared that its team designed the PV5 WKNDR to be self-sufficient as an off-road BEV. It features solar panels and hydro turbine wheels that can recharge the vehicle’s batteries and power other components, like an onboard compressor.
Since these remain mere concepts, we don’t have any performance specs for the Kia EV9 ADVNTR or PV5 WKNDR, nor can we confirm that either model will reach bonafide production for sale. However, Kia is thinking beyond its current lineup and is at least flirting with the idea of delivering some new models that would compete against the likes of Ford, Rivian, and recent reveals from VW Group’s Scout Motors.
At the very least, we may see some of these features and design elements in Kia’s upcoming BEV pickups. For now, however, these off-road EV concepts are an exciting exercise in design that once again shows how innovative and creative Hyundai Motor Group is across virtually all BEV segments.
We hope to see more concrete unveilings from the Korean automaker soon.
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With big discounts and lower-priced models hitting the market, electric vehicles are getting more and more affordable. Here are the EVs you can drive off in this November with lease prices under $300 a month.
EVs for lease for under $300 a month November 2024
New models like the Honda Prologue and Chevy Blazer, Equinox, and Silverado EVs are rolling out nationwide, giving buyers more options than ever.
According to Cox Automotive, over 100,000 EVs were sold in the US in September, the sixth straight month topping the 100K mark. Electric vehicles accounted for 9% of the US auto market, its highest to date.
The average transaction price (ATP) for new EVs was $56,328, but drastically higher incentives bring prices on par with or even under many comparable gas cars.
For example, the Honda Prologue electric SUV is available to lease for as low as $295 per month, including the down payment. That’s cheaper than a Honda Civic at $376 per month.
The Honda Prologue is one of the best EVs to lease this November. Here are the other models worth considering this month.
| Lease From | Term (months) |
Due at Signing | Effective rate per month (including upfront fees) |
|
| 2024 Nissan LEAF | $109 | 36 | $2,529 | $179 |
| 2024 Kia Niro EV | $169 | 24 | $3,999 | $336 |
| 2024 Kia EV6 | $179 | 24 | $3,999 | $346 |
| 2024 VinFast VF 8 | $199 | 36 | $894 | $244 |
| 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 | $159 | 24 | $3,999 | $326 |
| 2024 Honda Prologue | $259 | 36 | $1,299 | $295 |
According to online auto research firm CarsDirect, the Nissan LEAF retained the title of the cheapest EV you can lease in November listed at just $109 per month in Colorado.
With $2,529 due at signing, the effective monthly rate is just $179. However, the deal only includes state incentives, not offered elsewhere.
Kia’s Niro EV and EV6 are two of the best EV lease options this month, with monthly rates of $169 and $179.
After a recent price cut, the EV6 is offered at its lowest monthly rate since hitting the market. That’s for the Light Long-Range model with up to 310 miles of range.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 remains a top lease option in November, with the updated 2025 model set for deliveries later this year. With lease prices starting at just $159 per month, Hyundai is offering its best-selling electric SUV at closeout prices.
Honda factors in a $1,000 conquest or loyalty offer in the lease deal. However, for a $48,000 electric SUV, the Prologue is still a steal.
Although not under $300, the Subaru Solterra is also worth considering at just $329 per month with no money down.
Ready to find your new EV? We can help you get started. Check out our links below to find the best deals on popular electric models in your area.
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