Would Jesus Like the House Republicans? They Would Probably Ridicule Someone Who Advocated For the Poor!

It seems that Jesus has answers for everything, according to many conservative Xtians--who don't think of Jesus when they support cutting/eliminating social programs that benefit the poor. Some religious leaders are running an ad arguing that the budget is not just about numbers but also about morality. Of course, it is! Choices we make reflect on our priorities and our values, and they affect human lives.

The House Republicans asked for more money for defense, which is higher than last year's. They want to eliminate foreign aid (sounds good, heh?) even if it's for fighting malaria, AIDS, etc. OK, we can't save non-American lives, but how about our own people, specifically, American children? Should we fund programs that clearly help the kind of people Jesus had in mind?

ThinkProgress notes that if House Republicans get their way, they would cut $210 million from Maternal and Health Block Grants, which give low-income mothers, pregnant women, and their children access to health care. They also want to cut $27 million from the Poison Control Center, essentially eliminating the program, even though poisoning primarily affects children under six years old.

If Jesus was around in the US today he would not be a friend to House Republicans. However, the feelings would be mutual! They would ridicule a thirtysomething unemployed man who preached progressive social and economic change!

How Coch Industries Influence Public Policy. Good for them, Bad for the rest of us.

From ThinkProgress, How Koch [pronounced, "Koke"] industries huge campaign donations and funding of anti-government/right wing groups has altered our politics and public policy for the worse. Is it a liberal view that big business changes the laws and regulations in its favor? We've been saying this for a long time, our democracy is turning into a plutocracy with the complicity of a great number of Americans who are impressed by slogans than by substance.

Here's an excerpt, (and the whole article here):


– In 1997, the EPA proposed strengthening rules governing air pollution, regulating particles from coal plants and industrial plants which cause tens of thousands of premature deaths a year. Again, because Koch’s factories were impacted by the regulations, Koch-funded front groups sprung into action. Koch’s Citizens for a Sound Economy front group ran ads claiming (Koch Industries created) particle pollution isn’t harmful. One ad featured a ”pediatrician” who says increased rates of asthma are not caused by the toxic particles, but rather by “dust mites, stuff like that.” Another ad from CSE claimed the EPA regulations would ban fireworks and backyard grills. ”Imagine that,” the ad stated, ”a new government regulation that takes away our freedom to, huh, celebrate our freedom.”

– Koch funneled large amounts of donations into electing George Bush in 2000 (even sending Koch-linked lobbyists to help disrupt the Florida recount). At the time, Koch Industries faced a 97-count federal indictment charging it with concealing illegal releases of 91 metric tons of benzene, known to cause leukemia, from its refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas. When Bush took office, his Justice Department dropped 88 of the charges and settled the case for a small amount of money.