Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Bush budget to cut aid to Michigan



Well. This is a disturbing development.



We probably shouldn't take this personally, but when you look at it, it's really kind of hard not to.



WASHINGTON -- President Bush proposed on Monday a $2.9 trillion budget with cuts to social programs that critics say could deepen Michigan's economic and budget crises.



Under the plan, which would cover the 12 months beginning Oct. 1, Michigan would be one of four states to get a cut in funding for Medicaid, the joint state-federal health program for the poor.



If anything, we should be receiving more help from Washington. Instead, we take the biggest hit. What's up with that?



Under Bush's plan, Michigan would get about $5.16 billion in 2008 Medicaid funding, $173 million less than it expected to receive this year. That's a 3 percent cut, the largest for any state. The Medicaid program will account for about one-third of all state spending in Michigan this year.



"These are phenomenal cuts," said Sara Rosenbaum, a Medicaid expert at George Washington University. "This is a terrible situation for any state, much less for one whose economy has suffered the way Michigan has."



Officials are confused.



Neither state nor federal officials could explain why Michigan's Medicaid program would face the nation's largest cut, and there was some confusion among the state's congressional delegation about whether a state-by-state breakdown showing the cut, provided by the White House Office of Management and Budget, was accurate.



And George didn't stop there. Cities, education, home heating, economic development, all are under the knife. Why does Bush hate America?



Cities in Michigan and other states also would get less money for economic development grants, the state would get less for home heating aid to the poor, and funding for education programs such as special education would shrink.



Bush's plan would eliminate a federal program that helps manufacturers develop new technology and cut another program that provides aid to small manufacturers.



The answer is simple, really.



We get to pay so the rich can keep their tax cuts, and George can put all of our resources into his failed war.



This what you voted for, America?



The cuts in domestic programs are part of Bush's drive to increase military spending and make several tax cuts permanent while still balancing the federal budget by 2012. Democrats accused Bush of budget sleight-of-hand, claiming to put the nation on course to a balanced budget but failing to plan for future costs such as the Iraq war and tax law changes.



Bush is seeking $481 billion for the Department of Defense in 2009, an 11 percent increase over this year.



That doesn't include an estimated $142 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.



So, not only does the Bush budget hurt our country, he is fudging the numbers on it, too.



Worst. President. Ever.



What does it take to get fired around here? What more does he have to do before we stand up and say "enough"?



Chances are this will not get through in this form, but it is an indication of what the next two years will hold, unless we find the guts to throw these guys out of office now.



C'mon Congress. Stop this madness.



For more reading on the domestic cuts- hat tip to Zack at Pohlitics for pointing out this Booth article. Chilling stuff.