A Penguin in the Orchard

Compassion Watch

Watch how this plays out this week as a measure of Republican compassion:

MSNBC First Read:

Also this week, as NBC’s Mike Viqueira reports, GOP House leaders will revisit the 2006 budget, putting a bill on the floor calling for a further 2% spending cut in non-combat discretionary spending and “at least” $50 billion in “savings” from mandatory spending. Much of the savings is slated to come out of Medicaid, student loan, and food stamp programs, Viq notes. If that doesn’t sound like a politically appetizing menu, given the rise in home heating costs and gasoline which will disproportionately affect the poor, it may not be to anyone else beyond the most conservative members of the House, either. Moreover, the wide net cast by an across-the-board cut is likely to snag other programs that are near and dear to members of both parties. Viq says that for now, the tentative plan is to have this measure on the floor on Thursday.

Medicaid, student loans and food stamp programs - straight to the heart of the poor. There is, of course, no mention of corporate welfare programs