Possible New GOP Coalitions

[Sbane]

The Pubs need to explain better, and make some course corrections both in policy and emphasis, to more effectively make the case that their policies long term are in the best interests of the poor - and that they really give a damn about the poor.  It is all about the best means, and minimizing the collateral damage, or getting to the same end, that all sides claim that they want, even if they don't really in practice all too often. So I agree, sort of, for once, with Mr. pbrower above.

On this one I am kind of stubborn. I refuse to cede little, if any, ground to the Dems on this one.

Refusing to raise taxes and cut loopholes for the rich while wanting to cut Medicaid does not help the poor, no matter how you market it.

[Sbane]

Sure, but I was focusing on the long term - you know, really improving the education of the poor rather than lip service, and money spent that does something other than improving teacher quality, improving long term economic growth, and so forth. Being indifferent or hostile to the social safety net, or seeming that way, with cuts in Medicaid that cannot reasonably be defended as somehow not entailing that the sick are not treated (because other means will be used, funding from somewhere else, reform of the system to avoid over treating, fraud and and so forth, certainly is not helpful.

Oh yeah, you know I agree with you about the schools but there is plenty else that the Republican party does and says that contradicts the interests of the poor.