Not Quite an Anti-Poverty Campaign

Not Quite an Anti-Poverty Campaign

The Republican leadership- both in DC and nationally- has never really championed the war on poverty. Now, however, the GOP is engaging in a series of legislative actions that directly undermine the very federal programs that help support the poorest Americans.
For example, new Speaker John Boehner wants to cut funds for Social Security and Medicare. He has already defunded Planned Parenthood. Governors across America including, most notably, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, are attempting to cripple unions, especially public employee unions. The House has already campaigned to end the 2009 health care reforms that are vital to America's working families.
Working class Americans rely on these programs and have, for some, for more than 80 years. Ending these funds could be devastating to thousands of families.
If there's anything the government is supposed to do, it is help Americans who cannot support themselves. Yet, the House Republicans are trying to defund this very basic function of government in America.
And with that as the goal, these actions are not at all unexpected. There have been month-long rumblings about shutting down the federal government from seemingly mainstream conservatives. Ending these vital programs is only a first step towards that end.
Beyond that, its is clear that the GOP's targets are social programs (see: Planned Parenthood, Medicare), not economic excess. Look at Wisconsin's anti-union politics. Considering that the unions have already conceded the financial points of Walker's plan, how would the economy benefit from ending collective bargaining or strikes? Republicans across the country were elected on a platform of economic recovery. It is time for them to deliver on that platform and leave social programs alone.