As we continue to plod our way through this recession our political leaders, Republicans mostly but far too many democrats as well, say that this is the time to make some “tough decisions.” People who make “tough decisions” portray themselves as the only adults in the room, far removed from the starry-eyed idealist who must be dragged into reality. “Tough deciders” are very serious people.®
There have been quite a few “tough decisions” of late. The food-stamp program is being cut when it’s needed most. Federal and state governments have been gutted to the point where they now provide evidence for Republicans that government itself doesn’t work.
Although Republicans are understandably reluctant to talk about it, in the unlikely event that the ACA “Obamacare” gets repealed, I imagine that there will be more “tough decisions” to be made about preexisting conditions and dropped coverage for the sick.
“Tough decisions” have been destroying our educational system for some time now. Starving schools of funds happens virtually everywhere. “Tough decisions” keep teachers’ salaries low while the angry public—over what, I’m not sure—decide it’s time to “get tough” with unions.
They also want to make some “tough decisions” about social security and Medicaid. My own governor here in Iowa just made the “tough decision” of refusing to accept federal funds for Medicaid expansion. That decision means that 150,000 people will go without health insurance. That must have been a particularly “tough” decision. His proposed budget earlier this year called for $700 million in cuts, which would have meant unemployment for hundreds of state workers in an already horrible economy. That must have been a really “tough decision” too.
“Tough decisions” have become so ubiquitous that I’m starting to suspect that they aren’t really all that “tough” at all. They’re cruel and much more reflexive than reflective.