The GOP-led House of Representatives has blocked Planned Parenthood and Americorps from federal funding. PBS and NPR are also on the chopping block. The Tea Party, who is supposedly against big government, is supporting the way big government is trying to overthrow unions in Wisconsin.
Uh, are you kidding me?! America has gone loco.
Unions are the reason we have weekends and paid overtime and vacation. They're the reason for pension plans. Like your breaks? Thank a union. We NEED unions. Want to know what happens when we don't have unions? Take a look at Wal-Mart. They've paid hundreds of millions of dollars in lawsuits filed by employees who all had to work in unsafe conditions for long hours. That's not all they do either. If you even talk about forming a union you're either fired or put at an isolated position. There are a few good documentaries on Wal-Mart that I've seen, if you're interested, one is Wal-Mart: The High Price of Low Costs.
(I have to admit to being a hypocrite when it comes to Wal-Mart. They're terrible, but I'm in college, without a job or income, and Wal-mart is cheaper than Marten's, campus stores or Giant Eagle. It's the truth. I feel terrible, but what am I supposed to do? Giant Eagle was almost on campus, but they moved it farther away last year. So, not only is their food more expensive, but I have to waste gas to get there?! Sorry. Wal-Mart it is.)
But anyway, this post is about the GOP, not Wal-Mart. There are a million different things that could be done to cut costs, like slashing the pay of the millionaire senators and representatives. But that will never happen. They could spend less on wars and military operation, but that will never happen. Nope, they would rather cut spending on programs dedicated to helping low-income families and providing information and educational programming to the masses.
Check this out: The list of 70 spending cuts the GOP is hoping to make. It should make you livid.
According to that link from the Wall Street Journal, the GOP wanted to cut the EPA's funding by 1.6 billion dollars. Community health care services would also take a big hit, along with cleaner energy initiatives. Scientific and medical research (like National Institute of Health) was heavily reduced. Even things like state and local law enforcement were targeted. Instead of cutting back department of defense funding, which sucks up the largest amount of money, they targeted organizations and funds meant to help people.
It's been said that the right is launching a full-on attack on women. Whether you abhor abortion or not, we NEED Planned Parenthood. Cutting its funding is ridiculous. They provide services like free STD testing, cancer screenings, prenatal care and educational services. Families need to be planned, and that's why they were here. But the house of reps decided that they didn't care about families. If you're as pissed as I am, it takes two seconds to fill out this form to send open letters to both reps that voted for the bill and senators that still have a hope of crushing the bill. The decision sparked some of the best political rhetoric I've encountered. Here's the two that caught my attention. This is Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI):
I just don't understand trying to get rid of Planned Parenthood. Largely, the GOP wants to eradicate abortion. Okay, but, they want to make it as hard as possible for poor families and poor mothers to be able to get help to raise their children, and to have prenatal care. It's ludicrous.
One of the more shocking speakers against the bill was Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) after these words from the ever-crazy Chris Smith who sites a lot of numbers and examples he doesn't care to explain. I'll probably rip his video apart in another post. I don't have time to deal with his craziness right now. But anyway, this is what Speier said in response to Smith:
Obviously, I agree that we need to cut the spending. China pretty much owns the U.S. through loans. But we're cutting it in the wrong places. Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Reduce military spending. I know we need a strong military and I totally support the troops, but this war has been going on for too damn long and it's costing this country a whole lot of money. Cutting funding to build government buildings is on their 70 list. Lets see more things like that.
I mentioned in another post that I know little to nothing about the economy. That's true. But I know about people. I know about growing up in a bad neighborhood where limited resources are available. I know several people that had children at a young age. Largely, the last programs that should be cut are that the GOP wants to get rid of the fastest. Low income families need help. The environment needs help. Local policemen need help. We need clean energy and we need medical and scientific research. I'm pissed. You should be too. The senate still needs to vote on these things, but it still makes me angry that the GOP is trying very hard to cut all of these programs that we need to have. It's just not the right direction for this country.
Not related, but there will probably be small Pittsburgh Penguins-related posts at the end of my larger posts. Sometimes I just need to rant. I have a frighteningly large emotional attachment to hockey. So here's my two cents on the Pens:
They traded Gogo. I like him. I didn't love him, but I liked him. I guess he had it coming though. We got two new guys, both from the Dallas Stars. Their names are James Neil (left wing) and Matt Niskanen (defenseman). Let's hope it was worth it. I'm also really happy Staalsy is okay after getting a puck to the face in yesterday's game. He's able to come back to play tonight. AND Cookie is free, which makes me happy.
We play the Caps tonight.
I may cry if we lose. Pens, my mental well-being is at stake. That Blackhawks game was too close. Fleury was awesome, but I was so angry with TK and Bylsma for even picking TK for the shootout....but I'd be willing to forgive them both for a win tonight. Gahhh...I can't stand Ovechkin and his massive ego. He must lose.
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