"Useless Eaters?” Dr. Oz Demands Medicaid Recipients "Prove That They Matter"
Republicans can't help but regurgitate the old, dangerous ideas that judge human worth by economic value, rather than inherent dignity
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the so-called Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator under Brain-Worm-addled Bob Kennedy Jr. recently declared during an interview on Fox Business with the equally repugnant Larry Kudlow.
“Go out there, do entry-level jobs, get into the workforce, prove that you matter. Get agency into your own life,” he added. “It’s a much more enjoyable experience if you go through life thinking you are in control of your destiny and you will get better insurance at the same time.”
Honestly and seriously—how f*cking dare you, “Dr. Oz.” But, there Republicans go again, showing their utter disdain for the American people — and people in general.
Watch the clip, here:
Prove that you matter? You first, Republicans.
But who am I kidding? We all know selfishness and greed are at the core of their rot. Oz accidentally told the truth about who the Republicans are. In every Republican chest, beats the heart of fascism—and here’s yet another example. They can’t help revealing the ugliness of their souls at times. The time Rush Limbaugh said “some people were born to be slaves” comes to mind. It’s just who they are and how they think.
These “Christians" pretend to worship a Jesus who warned about hypocrisy, greed and commanded caring for the sick and poor. Yet, Republicans are saying “prove your worth or die.”
It echoes the vile "useless eater" ideology of the 20th-century Germans Republicans and their billionaire masters admire. The richest country on Earth should be better than kicking anyone off health care. We can afford to take care of everyone, but as Gandhi said, “there’s enough for everyone’s need, just not for everyone’s greed”
According to Republicans, some are simply not “worthy” of the expense needed to care for them because the rich need another “zero” on their bank account.
As my good friend Robyn Roxanne Kincaid from Headon.live says — forget cruelty, Republicans are a cult of sadism now. For all their feigned patriotism and christo-fascism masquerading as spirituality, they’re a party fueled by a rotting soul-sickness. They have gaping black hole of greed, selfishness and indifference where most parties have a governing philosophy. Like the rapacious billionaires they actually work for, there will never be enough stuff for them — and they couldn’t care less how much suffering they cause to obtain it.
The Majority of Medicaid Recipients Already Work
Republicans really believe push "work requirements" every time they grab power knowing that it leads to more stress, suffering and needless death.
The truth Republicans conveniently neglect to mention is that the majority of people on Medicaid are already working. Those who don't are usually too sick, disabled or caring for a sick or disabled family members to do so. Many Americans face burdens Republicans ignore. It’s that “compassionate conservatism” in action.
The point of these requirements isn't work. It's death. Work requirements strip coverage and people needlessly die from treatable conditions people like Dr. Oz only pretend to give a shit about when peddling some crackpot snake oil targeting desperate dupes who can’t afford health care, thanks to Republican policies.
Republicans Make the Measurably Worst Health System in the Developed World Worse
Let’s not forget, the United States stands alone as the only modern developed nation not to guarantee health care as a right of citizenship, not a privilege of wealth.
Here are some charts from the Commonwealth Fund to break it down:
If Republicans are successful in passing their bill of assaults against decency, dignity, democracy and humanity, it’s going to get worse.
The American “your-money-or-your-life” health non-system bankrupts millions, needlessly kills thousands, leaves millions out and consistently ranks dead last in all positive measures (quality, accessibility, affordability, outcomes, healthy lives) —but, it makes a few at the top very rich to deny other people access to affordable care – so Republicans say it’s the “best” system in the world and must be enabled.
An added bonus in their “Big, Ugly Abomination” is cries for “Medicare for all” will be mute if Republicans are successful destroying a health system that even comes close to trying to put health before the profit of a few.
People like Dr. Oz don’t have to worry about affording health care, and they’re seemingly unconcerned about the damage and destruction they’re inflicting on other human beings, so they will continue force this measurably worst, most-expensive system on us until health care, along with education, retirement security and other factors that define a decent life a providence of the wealthy— like in the system the founders fought a revolution to overthrow.
Oz also claims that the “unworthy” souls he is successful in stripping of health care will simply be able to “buy it on the exchange”. You know, the same Health Insurance Exchange Republicans have been attacking, dismantling and undermining for nearly two decades. One of the driving features of this abominable bill they’re trying to inflict on America are the catastrophically damaging cuts that will make it impossible for millions to afford care.
Republicans simply don’t care.
Party of Life? Voting Republican is a Vote for More Death
The fact is, every time Republicans are in power, the rates of needless deaths rise. This is true worldwide, whenever conservatives are governing.
Death by despair goes up, suicide rates climb and people die from curable diseases whose treatments they can’t afford. This is the inevitable outcome under Republican policies. In fact, all over the world, the rate of needless death goes up under conservative rule.
At some point, we have to face the fact that needless suffering and death is the Republican goal.
Republicans Want Us to Forget About the General Welfare
Another reason Republicans are destroying the social safety net is so Americans don’t start thinking we have any sort of obligation to each other.
If we guarantee health care as a right, the underlying message would be that we’re in this together. Republicans hate that. They need division. They desperation and the for-profit health system serves then perfectly.
Forget the General Welfare. The Republican zeitgeist is this: I got mine. Sucks to be you. They want anyone who works for a living one crisis from ruin. A desperate serf is a compliant serf. Grateful for crumbs.
Asking the sick, poor and vulnerable to justify their existence to the party that values only wealth and power is trap. These are people Republicans have deemed unworthy of life, much less consideration, for generations.
Make no mistake. With Republicans in charge, the body count will rise. It always does.
How much longer are we going to take it, people? How much longer?
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