For once, I am firmly in Nancy Pelosi's corner. Of course an economic stimulus program should include family planning funds. And God, how I hate th
January 27, 2009

For once, I am firmly in Nancy Pelosi's corner. Of course an economic stimulus program should include family planning funds.

And God, how I hate these cynical Republicans - and the spineless Democrats who roll over for them. Only someone who's never been poor is breathtakingly stupid enough to believe that birth control doesn't have an immediate effect on the economic health of a family - or someone who's cynical enough to draw a line in the sand over something he doesn't believe anyway - like John Boehner.

What, an additional wage earner has no economic impact on a family? Or have we suddenly awakened in a world where free daycare, diapers and formula abound?

What makes me so furious is, we don't need the Republicans to pass this package, anyway. Why, oh why are we knuckling under to the people who have already demonstrated their utter indifference to the poor - and their economic incompetence? We voted for Democrats because we didn't want to see important legislative decisions based on right-wing memes:

Call Waxman's office and give him an earful:

DC: 202-225-3976

CA offices:

323-651-1040

818-878-7400

310-652-3095

And contact President Obama by email here, or call:

Comments:

202-456-1111

Switchboard:

202-456-1414

WASHINGTON – House Democrats are likely to jettison family planning funds for the low-income from an $825 billion economic stimulus bill, officials said late Monday, following a personal appeal from President Barack Obama at a time the administration is courting Republican critics of the legislation.

Several officials said a final decision was expected on Tuesday, coinciding with Obama's scheduled visit to the Capitol for separate meetings with House and Senate Republicans.

The provision has emerged as a point of contention among Republicans, who criticize it as an example of wasteful spending that would neither create jobs nor otherwise improve the economy.

Under the provision, states no longer would be required to obtain federal permission to offer family planning services — including contraceptives — under Medicaid, the health program for the low-income.

Democrats considered the politically-potent change as congressional budget experts estimated it would take slightly longer for the overall legislation to achieve an impact on the economy than the administration projects.

Oh look, now Obama is throwing mortgage modifications under the same bus!

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