I used to think rich conservative Republicans were just oblivious. Now I realize they are selfish and callous. To give themselves, friends and families trillions of dollars in tax cuts, they are taking “the opportunity of a lifetime” to deny health care to the poor and vulnerable. Apparently, only they are entitled to tax money. 

The strategy: Let’s cut Medicaid and force the lower classes into the private sector to buy coverage from our rich health insurance buddies. Let’s make the premiums look really cheap by not covering any basic health services. Let’s play up to our base by mandating that “those people” work for health care. Let’s never let facts get in the way. 

Fact: 10 percent of “those” Medicaid recipients are poor elderly and another 15 percent are blind or disabled. Well, let’s not mention old people because they vote; however, we can denounce the disabled as a bunch of fakers. 

Fact: 46 percent of “those” Medicaid recipients are children. Oh, don’t mention kids; deflect attention to adults. 

Fact: 29 percent are adults mostly in working families who make below the poverty level and can’t afford insurance. Well, keep preaching that if “those people” had more incentive they’d get a better-paying job. But, wait, we already sent those good-paying working-class jobs out of the country. 

Well, let’s exaggerate how proposed corporate tax cuts will create new good-paying jobs. But, wait, do they know trickle down only trickles money to us? No matter, they can do without stuff to pay for those premiums. Let them eat cake!

DEBORAH SIMAK
Oakland

First Published: April 28, 2017, 4:00 a.m.