Gah! The stupid, it BURNS!

[zanzjan]

Apparently the latest scary-scary see-this-is-what-you-get-for-electing-a-black-man-who-is-secretly-a-muslim-and-hates-America shit to come out of the badly flailing right wing is a gross misrepresentation of a small subsection of the Healthcare overhaul bill: Sec. 440.

Here's the text from the actual section of the bill (starting on pg. 837 for anyone playing along at home):
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SEC. 440. HOME VISITATION PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES EXPECTING CHILDREN.

(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to improve the well-being, health, and development of children by enabling the establishment and expansion of high quality programs providing voluntary[1] home visitation for families with young children and families expecting children.

(b) GRANT APPLICATION.—A State that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary for approval, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, an application for the grant that includes the following:

(1) DESCRIPTION OF HOME VISITATION PROGRAMS. —A description of the high quality programs of home visitation for families with young children and families expecting children that will be supported by a grant made to the State under this section, the outcomes the programs are intended to achieve, and the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the programs.

(2) RESULTS OF NEEDS ASSESSMENT. —The results of a statewide needs assessment that describes—
(A) the number, quality, and capacity of home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children in the State;
(B) the number and types of families who are receiving services under the programs;
(C) the sources and amount of funding provided to the programs;
(D) the gaps in home visitation in the State, including identification of communities that are in high need of the services; and
(E) training and technical assistance activities designed to achieve or support the goals of the programs.

(3) ASSURANCES. —Assurances from the State that—
(A) in supporting home visitation programs using funds provided under this section, the State shall identify and prioritize serving communities that are in high need of such services, especially communities with a high proportion of low-income families or a high incidence of child maltreatment;
(B) the State will reserve 5 percent of the grant funds for training and technical assistance to the home visitation programs using such funds;
(C) in supporting home visitation programs using funds provided under this section, the State will promote coordination and collaboration with other home visitation programs (including programs funded under title XIX) and with other child and family services, health services, income supports, and other related assistance;
(D) home visitation programs supported using such funds will, when appropriate, provide referrals to other programs serving children and families; and
(E) the State will comply with subsection 23 (i), and cooperate with any evaluation conducted under subsection (j).

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Now, any reasonable person would most likely interpret the above as clearly stating the intent to provide funds at the state level for the support of families, such that when a family with small children or children on the way feels like they need help, need some support, need some information and assistance, there's a program available that can provide that help. (Not that, y'know, there are a lot of families out there struggling, or with too little information or education to make good parenting decisions and who could maybe use some help.)[2]

However, this is being spun as -- wait for it, wait for it -- yes, OBAMA wants to send GOVERNMENT THUGS into the private homes of good, God-fearing Americans to indoctrinate their children (presumably in the evil ways of Islam and liberalism[3].) I assume, for practical reasons, these will have to be different thugs than those going around pulling the plug on Grandma and Grandpa because socialized medicine for everybody means OLD PEOPLE MUST DIE!

This is a war against women and children. This is a race war. This is a class war. This is all about keeping people down and so brainwashed by increasingly-ludicrous hype and spin that they're grateful to be saved from having health care, saved from having jobs, saved from having breathable air or food that's not slathered in toxins, saved from having to ever fire up a neuron and think for themselves because someone in charge will tell them what to think, when to rise up and what to say when they do. Because here and now they've been convinced to rally against trying to reduce the incidence of children being neglected and/or abused. Since when is that a controversial goal?

If people are really worried about thugs coming into their homes to indoctrinate themselves and their children, maybe they should turn Fox news THE FUCK OFF and go find an actual, non-partisan, facts-based news source. There still are a few out there.


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[1] emphasis mine.
[2] I never want to have to look at, much less compile, links like those again.
[3] "liberalism:" an obscure, radical political and social position that advocates, among many other crazy things, treating children with love, care, and respect.[4]
[4] and generally I feel that way towards my fellow human beings too, though right now I am Mightily Peeved at people who have been so obviously manipulated into loudly and rudely advocating against basic quality of life rights for other people (and sadly, themselves.)

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ETA: After this, whenever there's a news story about some poor kid neglected or beaten to death and everyone is asking, "How could this happen? Why wasn't there anyone to help them?", these people can proudly raise their hand, waving their little plastic American flag that makes them feel oh so proud, and say, "It was me! I personally helped that child have their opportunity to suffer and die!"

Comments

[jenwrites.livejournal.com]

Excuse me while I try not to gag.

BTW, your icon is made of win.

[zanzjan.livejournal.com]

On reflection, as I come down off the far side of my rant, I can't help but wonder if this is only a half-hearted attempt at undermining the Health Care Bill. After all, it seems a rather obvious omission from their usual tactics that the right wing isn't claiming that Obama's home-invading government thugs will all be gay.