Republicans Devastate The Lives of 1.3 Million Americans as the Media Stays Silent

[babylonsister]

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/12/30/republicans-devastate-lives-1-3-million-americans-media-stays-silent.html

Republicans Devastate The Lives of 1.3 Million Americans as the Media Stays Silent
By: Rmuse
Monday, December, 30th, 2013, 12:14 pm


It is typical that when economically devastating events occur that affect big business and corporations it is front page news and dominates the 24/7 news cycle for days. However, if something happens that wreaks havoc on the population there is little notice in corporate-owned media because Republicans likely deliberately caused the damage. Over the weekend, another Republican assault on the people passed with hardly a mention despite well over a million Americans are slated to join 50 million Americans in the ranks of poverty. Of course, throughout all of 2013 Republican austerity decimated the people, so the lack of reporting on one more assault on the poor is likely business as usual and nothing to remark about. However, for the 1.3 million long-term unemployed who lost their benefits, and others approaching the end of their allotted time for regular benefits, the expiration date is an auspicious moment certain to cause more distress and despair that informs the causal effects of Republican economic policy.

snip//

There were ulterior motives for Republicans to reject extending unemployment benefits besides sending well over 1.3 million Americans into poverty. The Council of Economic Advisers estimated that not extending the benefits will kill an extra 240,000 jobs in 2014 that is reason enough for Republicans to reject helping the already unemployed; especially if they can add a quarter-of-a-million Americans to the ranks of the unemployed. If that is not damage enough, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and JP Morgan projected that not extending benefits will cut from 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points off GDP growth that has been a recurring theme and feature of Republican austerity throughout 2013.

snip//

Any American that does not believe Republicans are not working to drive more Americans into poverty did not see Paul Ryan’s poverty advisor tell noted economist Robert Reich that he did not “think there’s much reason to be concerned about” income inequality strangling the economic life out of 98% of the population and creating poverty. The man advising Ryan, renowned for his defense of makers versus takers, said the remedy for the widening income gap sending Americans into poverty is more tax cuts for the rich and corporations. The idea that Ryan has a poverty advisor who is a fierce advocate of supply side trickle-down economics at the Manhattan Institute is a sign he is advising Republicans how to retard economic growth, kill jobs, increase the number of Americans in poverty through tax cuts for the rich and not investing in creating jobs and growing the economy.

According to the last election and recent polls, the overwhelming majority of Americans disagree with Republicans’ and their Draconian cuts to reduce the deficit instead of increasing taxes on the richest Americans. All the Republican austerity measures over the past year have hampered real economic growth, sent more Americans into poverty, and killed well over a million jobs that increased the number of unemployed Americans.

Republicans ended 2013 exactly the way they started it and have already indicated they are not about to change course in 2014. Without their sequester, job killing cuts, and economy retarding austerity economics the 1.3 million unemployed Americans would likely have jobs, but like their promised $40 billion cuts to food stamps, threats to extract more cuts in the next debt ceiling crisis, and counsel to get more tax breaks for the rich, the economy and jobs are going to continue suffering if for nothing else than to increase the income gap creating a population living in poverty. Americans can depend on the corporate-owned media to continue keeping devastating economic news out of the public consciousness because there is a midterm election on the horizon. The media is not about to damage Republican’s electoral chances by telling Americans the reason they are in poverty, not finding good jobs, and losing their unemployment benefits is because Republicans in Congress successfully executed their economic agenda.

[spanone]

1. the media is really, really tired after bashing 'Obamacare' 24/7 for the last two months...

that's our liberal media

[Berlum]

2. "More more more more more tax breaks for the wealthy. Smirk." - Republicons

[Jester Messiah]

3. ..and meanwhile, we fight amongst ourselves. [nt]

[SCVDem]

4. My mind says middle class

My $100.00 bank balance says I'm delusional.

The Repukes have turned me into a 58 YO taker and I am pissed!

Tomorrow I check into welfare programs.

Just kill me already!

[Cha]

5. What unholy shit do they care? Did you see the Chart for

the political gasbag shows? As if we didn't know already.. but, here it is in red and blue..



http://gawker.com/this-chart-shows-why-sunday-talk-shows-suck-1491625630

Scurrilous http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4250786

Mahalo babylonsistah!

[napkinz]

6. the media are also SILENT on this NATIONAL STORY!!! --->

This should be a NATIONAL story!


The Medicaid gap hits home in red states

Joan McCarter
Dec 9, 2013

The politically motivated decision by Republican governors to refuse the Medicaid expansion money offered under the Affordable Care Act is now being felt every day by people seeking health insurance, and the people trying to help them. It's the dark cloud surrounding the silver lining of a functioning HeatlhCare.gov, and the masses of people now flocking to sign up.

Navigators are forced to tell more and more people that they probably won't be able to get covered because their states, all of which had a GOP-controlled legislative chamber or governor, have refused to expand Medicaid. Lynne Thorp, who is overseeing the University of South Florida's navigator program in that state, told TPM that about one in four people who contact her team fall into that Medicaid gap.

"Those are hardest phone calls because it doesn't make any sense to them," Thorp said. "We have to explain that they fall into this gap where this program can't assist them." ...

Florida and Texas lead the nation in uninsured. The two states also lead the nation in dollars lost by their refusal to expand. Now they'll lead the nation in people really pissed off when they realize that the only reason they can't get health coverage is because they are represented by assholes.

Yes, Obamacare and Medicaid expansion will be campaign issues in 2014 and 2016.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/09/1261429/-The-Medicaid-gap-hits-home-in-red-nbsp-states#

[babylonsister]

8. I've been reading that, and it's awful.

What's weird is I signed up today, in GA, and got the max in subsidies; my insurance costs $0.

I work part-time and make very little, obviously. Never thought that would be to my benefit. So I wonder what straits people have to be in not to get anything?

AND I would qualify for Medicaid if it were available.

[YOHABLO]

12. But because of good ole fired up "christian'' gov Nathan Deal, no Medicaid expansion for the state.

There are still plenty who fall through the gap because of this. I for one. I am thinking about moving to another state .. seriously.

[Dorn]

7. We are all long term unemployed

First they cut teachers pay, and I didn't speak out because I am not a teacher.

Then they refused to raise the minimum wage, and I didn't speak out because I make more then the minimum wage.

Then the unfunded higher education and raised tuition, and I didn't speak out because I have a degree.

Then they came for the auto workers , and I didn't speak out because I don't work in an auto plant.

Then they came for the unemployed, and I didn't speak out because I have a job.

Next they will come for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Demo_Chris]

9. You are angry the media isn't attacking the GOP for a bill Obama praised?

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/193811-obama-praises-congress-on-budget-nominees

[mbperrin]

15. Of course he didn't actually praise that part of the bill. From your own link:

When they come back to work in 2014, Obama urged lawmakers to extend unemployment insurance.

“For many people who are still looking for work, unemployment insurance is a lifeline that can make the difference between temporary hardship or lasting catastrophe,” he said. “Instead of punishing these families who can least afford it – especially now – Congress should first restore that lifeline immediately, then put their entire focus on creating more good jobs that pay good wages.”

[Boomerproud]

10. I give up.

n/t

[sheshe2]

11. I hate the GOP more than I can say.

They are destroying us, and they do not care!!!

[2naSalit]

13. Oh they care

only for themselves and their overlords who write the bills that they pass so that we get screwed and they look like wall street banksters smirking at we fools. What they care about is getting what they are after, personal wealth and power, and if it means we starve and die in the streets... oh well.

[tsuki]

14. Watching TV "news" anchors, I am beginning to doubt evolution.

[L0oniX]

16. The media can be the enemy of democracy at times ...more than not.

[indepat]

17. Causing devastation in the lives of millions while doing the bidding of the uber-wealthy and

large corporations is perhaps what 'pukes do best and relish most.