What Are Your Priorities?

The following was posted on Lou's Myspace blog on 3/5/2008.

President Bush's budget has slashed Medicaid funding nationwide… not a big surprise, when you consider that Medicaid helps the poor rather than the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans so near and dear to the President.

According to the President, his new rules will slash $15 billion nationwide from Medicaid funding over the coming 5 years. Of course, the House Committee on Oversight estimates that figure at more like $50 billion. Whatever! What's $35 billion among friends when it only goes to provide medical services for poor people anyway?

The point is we are going to save some money at the expense of the poor. Good for us.

Colorado figures to lose $800 million during that five-year period. Denver Health Medical Center, which treats the urban poor of Denver, will lose $60 million per year, while the University of Colorado's teaching hospital will lose another $30 million plus. The State of Colorado does not have the ability to make up this deficit.

The $60 million hit to Denver represents 22 percent of their entire budget of $270 million per year for uninsured medical services. Perhaps this reduction really is part of Bush's plan to eliminate poverty. Perhaps we should just let the poor die for lack of medical services. Who knows, maybe even some of the ones dying as a result will turn out to be illegal aliens, and we will "kill two birds with one stone."

We have enough money to rebuild Iraq, yet we cannot provide health care for the poor of our own country. Interesting priorities. Yet, Bush and his conservative allies have complained loudly and repeatedly about the costs of entitlements. So why should we be surprised?

We have enough money to give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans, yet we cannot provide health care to the poor and the aged.

We have enough money. It's just a question of priorities. So tell me, America, what are your priorities?

In a distantly related matter, we have another clue as to President Bush's priorities. The EPA is stonewalling the US Supreme Court. In April, 2007, the Court ruled that the EPA was required to determine whether carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases posed a danger to public health. Mind you, this is the court led by President Bush's conservatives, including Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Alito, and the former President Bush's empty suit Thomas.

Nevertheless, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson essentially admitted to ignoring the Supreme Court's order. Last time I checked, Johnson reported to … ummm, yeah, that would be President Bush. Perhaps Bush is concerned that the EPA findings might have some negative economic impact on his buddies, all together now: the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans.

Here's the catch. Air pollution and global warming (if it exists) have a greater impact on … you guessed it, the poor and the aged. So, while the EPA diddles, we create more serious health problems for the poor and aged, and we cut back on the medical options available to them. All this takes place during one President's term in office. Furthermore, we do it all while we provide more money for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans. They get even richer. They benefit, and the poor lose.

We can see his priorities, America. What are your priorities?

© 2008 Lou

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