General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFederal Social Services Money
While it is important to note that millions of people- the sick, the poor, the elderly, the disabled- rely on Federal programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other social service programs- it should be pointed out to the Republicans that some very large corporations rely on these funds also, as well as many smaller businesses.
People who receive Federal Money spend most of it on rent, food, and meds. Landlords, Supermarkets, and Pharmacies get the lion's share of these monies. So in addition to supporting vulnerable people, these programs support businesses, which is all that most Republicans seem to care about- business and their own money.
Federally funded health insurance also pays for services at Hospitals, Clinics, and Medical Practices. It is estimated that 58% of all Hospital care is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. Hospitals already struggle with finances. A significant cut to Medicare and/or Medicaid would be a deathblow to Hospitals and American Health Care. Millions of employees- Doctors, Nurses, Allied Health Workers, Administration, and Support Staff all depend on these funds for their salaries and the operations cost for Hospitals and Clinics.
Also- the amount spent on drugs each year by Medicare and Medicaid is in the hundreds of billions. This money goes to many large corporations and helps to subsidize the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Private Health Care Industry. For example, CVS Aetna is a huge entity that provides pharmacy benefits to nearly 90 million members and has an annual revenue exceeding $245 Billion Dollars. Much of this revenue comes from government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Massive cuts to these programs would result in massive financial losses to these very large and very profitable corporations.
These are the sort of things that Republicans would seem to be concerned about-- Damage to the rich and the big corporations. The MAGA people are so stupid though that they do not realize that massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would be shooting a big part of corporate America in the foot. This in addition to being destructive to the Health Care Industry in general. If massive cuts to these programs go through, expect severe damage to the American Economy. Government spending supports the American Economy and massive cuts to that spending will ruin the economy. These people in the Trump Regime are frankly too stupid to understand this.
58Sunliner
(5,142 posts)Baron2024
(675 posts)When the economy flatlines due to massive cuts and tariffs, then maybe the public will understand how stupid and destructive Trump and MAGA are. If the tariffs Trump wants to do are established, expect an explosion of prices for essentials, including imported food like fruits and vegetables from Mexico. Food prices are going to explode. Massive government layoffs will blow up the unemployment rate and cuts to programs that corporate America relies on for profits (Medicare, Medicaid) will crater the economy.
biophile
(546 posts)Poor desperate people will work for peanuts. If they lose their home, it can be bought for peanuts. A cratered economy is just an opportunity for them. Its a win-win for those rich people standing behind drumpf during his inauguration.
There is that. But some people can not work at all, which is why there needs to be a social safety net. The Republicans would just want these people to die in the streets. But frankly if the economy really did crash, there could be massive financial losses to the rich. The Great Depression destroyed the fortunes of many rich people and companies. We could be headed for something like that. Millions of unemployed can not buy products or pay rent or their mortgages. There would be a lot of bad debt written off. Who is going to buy one of Elon's stupid Tesla cars when people can not afford to buy food or pay their mortgages? But you make a strong point. Thanks for commenting.
biophile
(546 posts)The medium rich will suffer as you mentioned if there was a huge financial crisis. But that handful of people standing behind him have all the money they would ever need without us buying anything or even if we all died.
I agree we definitely need a social safety net. It is terrible what they are doing to take it away. Thank you for your thoughtful input.
If there is a massive economic downturn, there could be a resultant political revolt against Trump and MAGA. Trump promised to bring the cost of groceries down. If his policies and tariffs result in the destruction of the economy, people are not going to be happy. They will want to change the government. So there is that possibility.
biophile
(546 posts)Not guaranteed at this point.
IbogaProject
(3,978 posts)They are all basically doped up enjoying a life of privlidge they basically sleptwalked into and are clueless about the real world.
These policies are going to be bad at the least.