Star Trek's Takei Locks Phasers On Kyrsten Sinema
Actor has been well-known in recent years as LGBTQ activist, social media influencer
As the world continues to mourn the death of celebrated Star Trek co-star Nichelle Nichols, who passed away over the weekend at age 89, a fellow castmate is proving that activism among the cast of the sci-fi phenomenon didn't die with her.
George Takei — who in recent years has become as well-known for being an out celebrity gay man and the Twitter account from which he's built an almost second career as an LGBTQ activist and social media influencer — is heading into partisan Democratic politics at warp speed.
Specifically, he's issued a potent political warning to Sen Kyrsten Sinema, the Arizona Democrat who — along with fellow Democratic Sen Joe Manchin of West Virginia — has thwarted most of President Biden's domestic agenda.
However, just within the last week, Manchin has announced a deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for major new budget legislation.
The new bill would, among other things, direct Medicare for the first time to negotiate lower drug prices, offer about a 40-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to combat climate change and raise taxes on corporations — many of which now are paying zero federal taxes.
Sinema, however, has not signalled whether she's onboard.
Because this legislation would proceed under the Senate's “budget reconciliation” process, Republicans will be unable to filibuster it.
However, with just a 50-vote majority — and Vice President Kamala Harris's tie-breaking vote — Schumer will need the votes of all 50 Senate Democrats to get the bill over the finish line to Biden's desk for his signature.
That's where Takei is applying public political pressure to push Sinema to support the deal.
“If Sen. Kyrsten Sinema blocks the climate and healthcare bill in order to protect corporations from pay 15% minimum taxes, I will devote my time and platform to supporting her primary opponent in 2024. And I will ask others here with large followings to join me,” Takei tweeted to his 3.4 million followers.
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