In The Name of The Deficit…

A close vote is expected on the Republican bill to cut $39 billion in spending on programs like Medicaid and student loans. The bill was developed in the name of shoring up the party’s deficit-slaying reputation, after years of a spend-and-borrow approach to governing.

Mind you, I think we can find $39 billion over 5 years in spending cuts on things other than items for the poor and college students. But my real beef with this bill is how shameless the Republicans are in promoting it as helping the deficit, even as they have passed a companion bill giving away $70 billion in tax cuts for corporations and investors.

So, in total, the Republicans are increasing the deficit, and are shamelessly going on record favoring a redistributive process where benefits for the poor and working class are stripped away to give more money to the rich and well-off.

Smart electioneering, folks!