Notable Quotable: James Madison on Abuse of Power

What a mess this country has gotten itself into.

Since its establishment in 1965, Medicaid has been a social benefit that ended hardships for millions of American families who were unable to afford costly health insurance premiums from private insurers.

Back then, our nation's values held that all Americans, including the poor, were worthy of contributing to the greater good. Falling on hard times through joblessness or illness was understood to be part of life. Safeguarding one's access to healthcare during such periods was considered economically beneficial to all. 

The belief was, you don't punish people for hitting a bump in the road. Whether a misfortune was due to an accident, a war injury, or being downsized as industries moved overseas, you help people get back on their feet.

Now, if the “One Big Beautiful Bill” becomes law, those applying for Medicaid will have to prove they were gainfully employed up to one month prior to filling out their application in order to qualify. 

Today, the vast majority of unemployed do not find a new job within a month or two of a job loss. Even those with college degrees struggle to find employment as more jobs are gobbled up by artificial intelligence. 

In politics, you inspire the public to get behind a very ugly bill by giving it a very pretty name. It's an old trick that works. Hence the name, One Big Beautiful Bill. The name should tell you it's anything but.

Americans understand that a 16 year-old boy confined to a wheelchair after a car accident may not have the strength or ability to work a minimum of 80 hours per month, let alone find an employer. But this ugly bill would force him to verify his work status every 6 months, proving he has 80 hours on the job or confirming he performed its mandated 80 hours of community service. If he can't prove it, his Medicaid claim will be denied.

How's that going to work?

When Iowa Senator, Joni Ernst, faced angry constituents in a town hall over their fears family members would die without Medicaid, she rolled her eyes and quipped, "We're all going to die." And Mitch McConnell was equally dismissive today when he said that people who are worried about Medicaid cuts will "Get over it."

This is what James Madison meant when he referred to the "gradual and silent encroachments of those in power."

This is not the America of our founding fathers. This is a rotten America that's run amok by the broken moral compass of marauding radicals in Congress who pretend to be leaders as they cheerfully, dismissively, and aggressively pillage the public purse to give more aid and comfort to their billionaire donors.

Nobody should support this bill. The wealthy don't need your support. You can stop this abuse of power by calling your Congressional leaders now.