First, consider the quotation from the article reference:
"Arizona Republican Suggests “Sterilizing Women As A Condition For Receiving Food Stamps.”
Written by Alex Stevan, May 29th, 2016
The former far-right lawmaker who helped push Arizona’s “papers please” immigration law has resigned as a top official with the state GOP after making comments about sterilizing poor women. The state Democratic Party recently highlighted comments made by Russell Pearce, a former state senator, on his radio show. Discussing the state’s public assistance programs, Pearce declared: “You put me in charge of Medicaid, the first thing I’d do is get Norplant, birth-control implants, or tubal ligations…Then we’ll test recipients for drugs and alcohol, and if you want to [reproduce] or use drugs or alcohol, then get a job.”
http://politicops.com/arizona-republican-suggests-sterilizing-women-condition-receiving-food-stamps/
Context: Attack on Medicaid recipients
Presumption of guilt:
- Medicaid recipients are guilty of something
- Medicaid recipients have no right to bear children or to even try
- Medicaid recipients are probably on drugs or addicted to alcohol
Conclusion: If you aren't self-sustainable, then you should not engage in sex or use or abuse alcohol and drugs.
Given that, what is right or wrong in leading the charge with these ideas as did Republican conservatives in the state of Arizona?
It isn't a matter of political correctness for a responsible leader of a political party and a public official of any kind at any level in the American political system to espouse a hateful attitude toward members of the citizenry. Hate manifests in how one defines a problem, the facts of the matter, and how the problem is presented for public consumption.
Lacking the conscience to this properly, and when accompanied by willful neglect or incompetence to express ideas, undermines a political representatives credibility. The instance of Russell Pearce is not unlike that of Donald Trump, the official candidate of the Republican Party as I will demonstrate in the conclusion.
More details: Who is Russell K. Pearce?
Forced sterilization advocate
"Russell K. Pearce (born June 23, 1947) is an American politician and Republican former member of the Arizona State Senate. He rose to national prominence as the primary sponsor of Arizona SB1070, a controversial anti-illegal alien measure that was signed into law in 2010. He was elected President of the Arizona Senate when the Senate began its current term in January 2011, but then suffered a dramatic reversal of fortune when he was ousted in a November 2011 recall election, the first legislator in Arizona history to be so removed from office.[1] He served as Vice-Chair of the Arizona GOP, but in September 2014, he resigned the position after controversy over his recommendation of forced sterilization of poor women on Medicaid.[2]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Pearce
If you dig a little deeper, you might want to ask a psychologist to cast light on Russell's personality and situation? He was raised in impoverishment in a home where his father was an alcoholic. Neighbors offered food and assistance, but his mother was too proud to accept handouts. Russell may have been smart enough to pursue his desire to become a medical doctor, but he settled for being a law enforcement officer. He had incidents of spousal abuse. He was an aggressive police officer in a community with lots of immigrants and many who are illegal. He always worked a government job, which is ironic, but not uncommon among Republican incumbents.
In the course of his life and public duty, Russell witnessed many problems in the impoverished ranks of his community, and lacking any evidence of proper qualifications and credentials in dealing with social problems, his hate for circumstances appear to have manifested in a doctrine of aggressive, if not violent control of the situation. His aggression made him popular among like-minded Arizonans whose intellect was on par with their representative.
Enter Donald Trump comparison
Donald Trump lived and developed from a life of privilege. He has never served in elected office, and aside from making charitable contributions for tax purposes or noble behavior, has worked as a successful entrepreneur at arms-length from government.
Trump's constituents include the small population of ultra-wealthy Americans. He needed to expand his universe of supporters to appeal to a larger audience to gain the nomination of his party and to have a chance at winning a national election. He purposely chose to appeal to desperate white persons who are hanging onto the rung of the middle class where right-wing religious views and conservative social views are harbored among bigotry and hate.
Embracing aggressive hateful-sounding ideas is a political strategy.
“Being Hated Is Donald Trump's Campaign Strategy -- And It's Working
William Arruda CONTRIBUTOR
In a previous post, “Why Donald Trump Loves To Be Hated,” I shared how he has built his personal brand on being provocative and attracting scorn. Well, the man who loves to be hated is getting his wish, and it’s helping him in his presidential bid. When he announced his candidacy at Trump Tower in New York City, Trump made derogatory comments about Mexican immigrants – calling them rapists and drug dealers.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2015/07/02/being-hated-is-donald-trumps-campaign-strategy-and-its-working/#713ec2b279d1
Russell Pearce, a former state senator
Donald Trump, the hate strategy
Who are not to love; who do you want to hate?
ReplyDelete"“By Population
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide health coverage to more than 31 million children, including half of all low-income children in the U.S. The federal government sets minimum guidelines for Medicaid eligibility but states can choose to expand coverage beyond the minimum threshold. In addition, all States have expanded coverage for children through the Children's Health Insurance Program. CMS has extensive efforts underway, supported by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), to work with States and other stakeholders to find and enroll uninsured children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, through the Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge. More information is available in the CHIP section or on the Children's page.
Children
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program provide health coverage to more than 31 million children, including half of all low-income children. Extensive outreach is being done to enroll eligible children in coverage in the Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge. The federal government sets minimum guidelines for Medicaid eligibility but states can choose to expand coverage beyond the minimum threshold. For more information is available in the CHIP section or on the Children's page.
Non-Disabled Adults
Medicaid provides health coverage to 11 million non-elderly low-income parents, other caretaker relatives, pregnant women, and other non-disabled adults. States provide coverage to parents/caretaker relatives who are in mandatory eligibility groups and optional eligibility groups. More information is available on the Non-Disabled Adults page.
Pregnant Women
Medicaid plays a key role in child and maternal health, financing 40% of all births in the United States. Medicaid coverage for pregnant women includes prenatal care through the pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and for 60 days postpartum as well as other pregnancy-related care. More information is available on the Pregnant Women page.
Individuals with Disabilities
Medicaid provides health coverage to over 8.8 million non-elderly individuals with disabilities, including people who are working or who want to work. Federal statute provides for both mandatory and optional coverage for people with disabilities. More information is available on the Individuals with Disabilities page.
Seniors &Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees
Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 4.6 million low-income seniors, nearly all of whom are also enrolled in Medicare. Medicaid also provides coverage to 3.7 million people with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare. More information is available on the Seniors & Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees page.”
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid-chip-program-information/by-population/by-population.html