Paul Krugman- A War on the Poor [View all]
John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, has done some surprising things lately. First, he did an end run around his states Legislature controlled by his own party to proceed with the federally funded expansion of Medicaid that is an important piece of Obamacare. Then, defending his action, he let loose on his political allies, declaring, Im concerned about the fact there seems to be a war on the poor. That, if youre poor, somehow youre shiftless and lazy.
Obviously Mr. Kasich isnt the first to make this observation. But the fact that its coming from a Republican in good standing (although maybe not anymore), indeed someone who used to be known as a conservative firebrand, is telling. Republican hostility toward the poor and unfortunate has now reached such a fever pitch that the party doesnt really stand for anything else and only willfully blind observers can fail to see that reality.
The big question is why. But, first, lets talk a bit more about whats eating the right.
I still sometimes see pundits claiming that the Tea Party movement is basically driven by concerns about budget deficits. Thats delusional. Read the founding rant by Rick Santelli of CNBC: Theres nary a mention of deficits. Instead, its a tirade against the possibility that the government might help losers avoid foreclosure. Or read transcripts from Rush Limbaugh or other right-wing talk radio hosts. Theres not much about fiscal responsibility, but theres a lot about how the government is rewarding the lazy and undeserving.
Republicans in leadership positions try to modulate their language a bit, but its a matter more of tone than substance. Theyre still clearly passionate about making sure that the poor and unlucky get as little help as possible, that as Representative Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, put it the safety net is becoming a hammock that lulls able-bodied people to lives of dependency and complacency. And Mr. Ryans budget proposals involve savage cuts in safety-net programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/01/opinion/krugman-a-war-on-the-poor.html?hp&rref=opinion