Recently, while I was speaking at a conference in Gary, Indiana on the plight of African-American workers, a co-panelist talked about how Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels had eliminated bargaining rights for state workers on his first day on the job.
Very interesting. Governor Matt Blunt had done a similar act here in Missouri. It shouldn’t take long to understand that the Republicans have an agenda that they are implementing with warp speed and with devastating outcomes for the most vulnerable citizens n the elderly, the poor, the disabled and children.
In Missouri, Governor Blunt is proposing that Medicaid eligibility be reduced to 30 percent of the federal poverty level. In simple terms, this means that a family of three would have to make $392 a month.
Take a moment to think about this n $392 a month! Those who are supporting this shift probably waste that much a week in recreation and social activities. The proposed Medicaid budget shifts costs to healthcare providers, employers and individuals, and we know that most healthcare providers and employers don’t plan on shouldering that burden.
Such a draconian measure would have a negative, rippling effect not just on struggling families but on Missouri’s economy. The proposed Medicaid eligibility and service cuts will deny Missouri more than $379 million in federal Medicaid funds. The state would lose about 9460 jobs and $689 million in economic activity. The costs of uninsured citizens would greatly increase (it was $305 million in 2001).
For many families, quitting their jobs would be the answer to being eligible for health benefits. That’s right; people would have to choose between being a productive, working citizen and getting their prescriptions.
These kinds of anti-human policies and laws are necessary in order to divert dollars to the war machine. The cost of the Iraq endless war is already $150 billion, with Bush asking for another $87 billion. Since the pot of income taxes will not grow fast enough, the next best thing is to slash the budgets of social services and health.
To add insult to injury, after citizens have to endure such disregard of their lives and struggle to make ends meet, there won’t even be a decent mental health budget to deal with the subsequent emotional and mental issues that are sure to emerge.
In Caleefornyah, Gov. Arnold “The Terminator” Schwarzeneger has flipped the script by redefining “special interest” groups. He predicted that these groups will be coming to his doorstep trying to jockey for funds and power. These groups aren’t the traditional corporate giants, like the energy and pharmaceutical industries. Schwarzeneger has dubbed organizations that represent the elderly, the disabled, black folks, immigrants and so on as “special interests.”
People, there’s some evil stuff going on and we better wake up.
Closer to home, real people and real organizations are mobilizing to reverse the budget proposals that will be detrimental. In some way, these proposals will impact all of us. If you don’t want fools and greedy thieves determining your family’s future, contact your state representative or senator and let him or her know that you want a people-centered government. Make sure your voice is heard before the May 6 deadline for the state budget.