Bernie Sanders reminds us what we lost when the “build back better” plan collapsed.

Build Back Better would have tackled several progressive priorities including implementing universal prekindergarten, creating a federal paid family leave program, expanding Medicaid coverage and lowering prescription drug costs.

The Hill

These aren’t far left policies, they are just ones that improve lives in nearly all other developed country economies. These were policies that would have helped get the U.S. back to average, mediocre level among its peers on many objectives metrics. Instead, the vast majority will continue to slip behind as a small upper class continues to suck in a greater share of the enormous wealth our country has built up over two centuries of relative peace, growth, and innovation (for many people, much of the time, obviously not for everyone all the time).

I think Biden’s first term legislative agenda is done. The Democrats would have lost seats in Congress in 2022 no matter what, and with minimal public credit for pulling the country out of its Covid tailspin and the inflation situation pinned on the administration, it might be a landslide. His priorities now should be dealing with the Ukraine situation and doing what he can to reduce international nuclear and climate risks. These issues could leave a positive legacy whether or not he ends up getting reelected in 2024. A lot can still happen between now and then.