‘Socialism’ and guns are ways to distract voters from McConnell’s record
Barb Ellerbrook (National Federation of Republican Women) was given an entire column (“Kentuckians are not sorry for McConnell’s leadership,” to defend Mitch McConnell, but despite 36 years of a legislative track record, all she’s left with is scare tactics about Democrats, like “socialism” and “doing away with the 2nd Amendment.” I guess she’s been informing herself about the Democratic platform by watching Mitch McConnell’s attack ads.
In her long, poorly informed column she asserts that most Kentuckians are not “accepting of Obamacare” while failing to mention that rolling back the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) which Mitch McConnell is desperate to do, will throw millions off their health insurance. In Kentucky, implementation of the ACA cut the uninsured rate by more than half (14% to 6%). Thirty-four percent of all Kentuckians under 65 have a pre-existing condition which could force them to lose their health care if Mitch had won his vote to repeal the ACA, or if the Trump administration wins in the Supreme Court on Nov. 10.
That’s right, as Mitch ignores his own talking points from four years ago and forces a vote on a nominee to the Supreme Court while an election is underway, that same Court will be hearing a case to throw out the ACA the week after the election. The nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, has publicly written about how the ACA is unconstitutional, so not a lot of tea leaves are required to figure out how she’ll come down on the issue. Got black lung, or any of the other chronic ailments that are so prevalent in Kentucky? Go ahead and vote for Mitch — but don’t say you weren’t warned.
As to the idea of socialism, I guess she must mean Social Security? Don’t worry there, because Mitch has made it clear he can’t wait for the next opportunity to cut back on “entitlements.” I’ll give you good odds that opportunity will present itself in an upcoming reckoning with the trillions spent in coronavirus relief. If the specter of socialism is so disturbing, I suppose Barb is comforted by Mitch’s plans. With 21 percent of Kentuckians reliant upon Social Security, it’s unlikely many of those folks will support those efforts. But go ahead, and vote for Mitch - I’m sure we can make do with smaller and smaller checks, right Kentucky?
Oh, and the Democrats’ efforts to “do away” with the Second Amendment? Utter nonsense. The most aggressive effort for expanded gun safety legislation that is backed by Democratic leaders is a bill to establish universal background checks, in order to keep guns out of clearly dangerous hands. But you don’t have to worry about that popular measure ever seeing the light of day — it’s been buried in Mitch’s graveyard since the bipartisan legislation landed on his desk.
Meanwhile, Mitch uses cover from folks like Barb to block legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, secure our elections from foreign interference, and take action to help those struggling with the impacts of the coronavirus economic fallout. In a time of incredible need, Mitch only has time for confirming judges, and recommends our cities and states deal with this crisis by declaring bankruptcy. That’s what this election is about – anyone who’s trying to scare you with socialism and imagined threats to the Second Amendment just wants to distract you from the fact that Mitch has spent 36 years standing up for corporations and the rich, and done nothing for us. It’s time for a change.
Aaron Viles has spent over two decades working to advance environmental and progressive policies. He is currently co-host of the #MoscowMitchMonday podcast/livestream.