Are you ready for this? The Republicans on the House Rules Committee just voted to advance a budget resolution that’s basically a big ol’ gift to the rich, and a kick in the teeth to low-income Americans – because, you know, helping the wealthy is clearly a priority (who needs food or healthcare, anyway?).
But, I mean, who needs Medicaid or food assistance when you can have tax cuts for billionaires, right? I guess that’s just the Republican way of showing they care – by taking away critical benefits from the people who need them most. And, as Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) so eloquently put it, “My common-sense amendments would have supported these two key programs that feed hungry children and care for sick Americans” – but, of course, those amendments were rejected, because who needs common sense when you have an agenda to push?
And, by the way, have you seen the analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities? It’s like a big ol’ warning sign that says “Hey, Republicans, your plan is going to hurt a lot of people!” But, you know, who cares about 36 million Americans losing health coverage when you can give tax breaks to the wealthy? I mean, it’s not like they’re going to be affected by reduced incomes or anything… oh wait, they will be.
But, hey, at least the Economic Policy Institute is on top of it, pointing out that the proposed Medicaid cuts would “reduce incomes for the bottom 40% more than extending the [Trump tax cuts] would boost them” – because, you know, that’s exactly what we need, more wealth inequality. And, as Josh Bivens from EPI so aptly put it, “Strikingly, this is true even as the full $880 billion in Medicaid cuts would only pay for about 20% of the total cost of the [Tax Cuts and Jobs Act]” – yeah, because that’s a great use of our tax dollars, subsidizing the wealthy.
And, let’s be real, this whole thing is just a big gift to Donald Trump’s billionaire donors – because, you know, they need more money. I mean, who needs healthcare or food assistance when you can have tax cuts for the wealthy? It’s all about priorities, people! And, as Tony Carrk from Accountable.US so eloquently put it, “The bill House Republicans are bringing forward tomorrow is a gift to Trump’s billionaire donors paid for by hard-working Americans who are already feeling the heat from high prices in Donald Trump’s America” – yeah, because that’s exactly what we need, more income inequality.
But, hey, at least some people are speaking out against this terrible budget resolution. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) is saying she won’t vote for it, because, you know, she actually cares about working families. And, as she so aptly put it, “I will not vote for a budget that gives tax breaks to billionaires and cuts critical programs for working families—including healthcare and education” – yeah, because that’s exactly what we need, more tax cuts for the wealthy.
And, finally, let’s just take a moment to appreciate the hypocrisy of it all. I mean, Republicans are always talking about how they care about the little guy, but then they go and propose a budget that’s just a big ol’ gift to the wealthy. It’s like, come on, guys, at least be honest about it. You’re not fooling anyone with your tax cuts and budget cuts. Just own up to it and say, “Hey, we’re Republicans, and we care about the wealthy, not the poor” – because, you know, that’s exactly what it looks like.
But, hey, what do I know? I’m just a frustrated citizen who’s tired of watching politicians prioritize the wealthy over the poor. Maybe I’m just crazy, and this budget resolution is actually a great idea. But, somehow, I doubt it. And, if you’re as fed up as I am, you can contact your representative and tell them to vote against this terrible budget resolution.
And, one more thing, if you want to learn more about the impact of this budget resolution, you can check out the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website, or read the analysis by the Economic Policy Institute – because, you know, facts matter.