Limbaugh, Jr.

James Robinson, frequent contributer to the AGN and right wing-nut, has once again soiled the opinion page of our local newspaper with his lame corporatist ranting. The sheer simple-mindedness of his world view would be laughable if his team wasn't running the show right now. This piece from 10/21 is chock-full of dittohead blather. Let's break down some of his b.s. a line at a time:

"Live off less than you make, purchase health insurance and get a retirement plan." Living within your means is sound policy, but what Robinson (who is either a trust fund kid or lives in a hole) fails to realize is that many people do live within their means only to have everything turned on end by a layoff, an extended illness or even car repairs. And this notion of simply going out and getting health insurance and a retirement plan, as if they were grocery items, is ridiculous. Middle class people who get by just fine now would find it difficult, if not impossible, to pay for their own health insurance AND save money for retirement.

"If your health insurance is too expensive, consider not smoking and get off the couch and start exercising. It won't kill you; in fact, it probably will lengthen your life." The sheer ignorance of this statement is amazing. He obviously doesn't have kids. We probably take our kids to the doctor a dozen times a year because of sore throats and ear infections and all the other crud kids are prone to catch. Nor does he appear to have a family member with a ongoing medical condition like diabetes or cancer. Hey all you people with cancer and no insurance, get some exercise!

"If you don't have enough money, work harder and/or get a new skill that makes you more valuable." Here Robinson is once again shifting total blame for people's financial woes onto the individuals under the assumption that they are lazy, stupid and irresponsible. First off, going to school while working is expensive and difficult. Factor in a family to feed and it can be damn near impossible. Second, getting a degree or job training doesn't guarantee anything. Spending that time and money at school will prove useless if there isn't anything waiting for you at the end of it all.

"Realize that it's really difficult to raise five kids on $16,000 a year." Robinson frequently makes racist statements in his writings and apparently this comment is directed at the Reaganite "welfare queens" of our country, in other words single minority mothers with numerous children who conservatives think are draining our country dry.

Robinson's article drones on with much of the same nonsense. If he wants to turn over 100% of his well being to profit-minded corporate pirates he is more than welcome to do so. I imagine he'll wind up regretting it in end.