Huffpost - America's Incredible Shrinking Safety Net

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/03/americas-incredible-shrin_n_668506.html
Arthur Delaney

America's Incredible Shrinking Safety Net
First Posted: 08- 3-10 12:52 PM

President Obama's 2009 stimulus bill expanded federal aid for people affected by the worst recession since the Great Depression, but congressional heartburn over deficit spending has prompted a campaign to reduce the deficit impact of further spending almost entirely through slashing the safety net.

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats hope to pass a bill that, to offset the cost of $16 billion in Medicaid assistance for states and $10 billion to prevent teacher layoffs, will cut $6.7 billion in future food stamp funding. The cut is the latest in a series of drop-in-the-bucket efforts to avoid adding to a federal budget deficit expected to top $1.4 trillion this year.

The first cuts came in May, when Democratic leaders hoping to move a broad domestic aid package in the House of Representatives, bowed to deficit demands and dropped $24 billion in state Medicaid assistance and $7.7 billion in subsidies for laid-off workers to maintain their health insurance via the COBRA program. "It's obscene," said Rep. David Obey (D-Wisc.).

House Democrats also shortened the extension of unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless by one month, saving roughly $6 billion

(more at link)

Truly sickening. Reducing the deficit on the backs of the poor, unemployed, sick and hungry.

[mmonk]

1. The rich must not sacrifice. They have bought congress for that right.

The poor can eat cake.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. As I have said many times, there is nothing preventing the poor

from buying their own politicians and getting their own interests protected. It's the American way.

[EC]

4. And how would you suggest we get the money to

compete...even if a million of us threw in money it wouldn't even come near what the uber rich can throw at them...we are no threat...

[Jackpine Radical]

6. I made that remark in the same spirit as Anatole France

when he said, "The ... majestic equality of the law...forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.

[Winterblues]

3. Republican Victory.....MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Shrink government until you can drown it in the bathtub. Don't touch Defense Money though in fact increase it....That is where Republicans make most of their money..

[raouldukelives]

5. I'd like to blame it all on the Repugs

But sometimes it feels like it's been a 30 year bipartisan effort to get us here.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Amazing what those Republicans can accomplish

with minorities in both Houses and an opposition President.

God help us if they ever actually get back in power!