Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the doyen of progressives and a defender of the 99 percenters, over the years, has never been hesitant in coming to the defense of the middle and working class.

Warren’s White House run, in the 2020 general election, had it not been for a few missteps, could easily have been the torchbearer for the Democrats.

Calling for “big structural change,” Warren, during her candidacy, rolled out many detailed policy proposals. She became known for the number and depth of her policy proposals.

On her campaign website, she detailed more than 45 plans for topics including health care, universal childcare, ending the opioid crisis, clean energy, climate change, foreign policy, reducing corporate influence at the Pentagon, and ending “Wall Street’s stranglehold on the economy.”

“Warren has a plan for that” became a meme and catchphrase of the campaign back then.

That said, for the 21st Century, healthcare, education, and the environment are all part of the traditional socio-economic infrastructure that require new and revolutionary thoughts, and actions of that of a Warren and other new progressive thinkers to make a difference on behalf of and in the interest of the masses.

For the most part, Warren has kept relatively quiet since her failed election bid; however, she continues to work assiduously behind the scenes.

The Democratic Senator has recently announced that she wants to lower the eligibility age — a priority also shared by her counterpart Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), as part of President Biden’s $1.8 trillion American Families Plan.

According to press reports, Warren said that she has laid out a plan for “lowering the age of Medicare, which by the way is on table right now and something we’re all talking about.”

“I would like to see us start out by lowering the age of Medicare down to 55,” she said.

By the way, the current age of eligibility is 65.

“I would also like to see us right now attack the cost of prescription drugs,” Warren added.

Now, except for the Dino — Joseph Manchin III, the senior United States senator from West Virginia, such a move would be low-hanging fruit for the Democrats as they currently control the Congress.

However, Manchin has already told the press that he is diametrically opposed to such a move.

“No, I’m not for it, period,” he said according to press reports.

That type of pushback is already a spoke in the wheel of Warren’s plan but certainly a glee for Republicans as they view Manchin as their boogeyman.

The truth is Democrats are like geldings without Manchin on board with their plans.

One does not know the type of gymnastics that must be played by the Democratic House and Senate leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to have their party members fall in line to pass their bills, but certainly, they could look to the Republicans for a dose of such medicine.

So, although the age for Medicare needs to be lowered and the program needs to be expanded to include dental, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and lower prescription drug prices, it won’t be easy to get it to pass by the Democrats, let alone the Republicans.

Also, let’s not forget the powerful interest groups like hospitals and drug companies that wield lots of power and maintain control over the politburo in Washington, who prefers the status quo — did someone say the swamp?

Yes, and I wish Warren luck with her plan but would not bet on it!

Yvad Billings, Readers Bureau, Contributor

Edited by Jesus Chan

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