Jess ThranksonDec 17, 2022
Qasim Rashid, Esq.

This holiday season remember that the cancelled child tax credit—which slashed childhood poverty by 30%—would've cost only $1.7T over the next decade, while the ever expanding Defense Budget will cost around $9T over the next decade.

Children are suffering and starving now because corporate bought politicians would rather buy bombs than bread.

Thank GOP & Manchin/Sinema for this cruelty & grotesquely misplaced priorities. A reminder that our standard must be justice above all—or we all suffer.

Dec 16, 2022 at 10:54pmWeb
Show threadScottinSoCal 🇺🇦 🕊 🏳‍🌈Dec 16, 2022
@QasimRashid And the Republican tax cuts for the wealthy will cost over $10T, while raising taxes on everyone else.
Show threadspydrbiteDec 16, 2022
@QasimRashid Important detail that seems to be glossed over by both sides is the $1.7T is over the next 10 years! Not all at once, not each year, but over the next 10 years. Maybe we need to spin it into the defense budget to protect those children falling into that 30% and get the attention they deserve.
Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 16, 2022
@spydrbite Right. I specifically say "$1.7T over the next decade."
Show threadspydrbiteDec 16, 2022
@QasimRashid Of course YOU did! You always include the important details, that's why I follow you on all the things.
Show threadKelleyDec 16, 2022
@QasimRashid they don’t bat an eye to pass the over bloated defense budget - like you said, bombs over bread. Meanwhile the pentagon keeps failing audits and can’t account for a huge chunk of change. Imagine what that money could’ve done for people struggling here. It’s sickening.
Show threadJonVanGDec 16, 2022
@QasimRashid I wonder if there is data on relationships (that may or may not exist) between child poverty and military enrollment. Reliance on the impoverished to fill the dwindling ranks seems like it would align itself well with these types of policy choices. May not be immediate, but extrapolate a little and it doesn’t seem too far off. I’m not a fan.
Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 16, 2022
@JonVanG Yes, ample data on this. Worth reading up. The military disproportionately recruits from low income Americans. "Poor men go to die in rich men's wars."
Show threadJonVanGDec 16, 2022
@QasimRashid I am just curious if enrollment numbers could be directly mapped to poverty-inducing politics. The data is out there, I’m just not the one to do the analysis (my plate already runneth over). My guess is that you could track/project future enrollment trends based on economic decisions that affect children today. Might not be any statistically significant signal, but I would be curious to see. Same with the inverse—social spending up and enrollment down…
Show threadLa NégresseDec 16, 2022

@QasimRashid
Practicing Muslims only observe Ramadan and celebrate Eid when in falls in December on the Gregorian calendar.

Manchin's descendants have no worries because all live off generational wealth stolen from West Virginia tax payers during his terms as governor and US Senator.

Sinema has no children and no debt thanks to selling her soul (and her arse) to corporate interests.

Show threadClaudia MilesDec 17, 2022
@QasimRashid Hi there! I am following you now on Mastodon! I finally got here. 🎉 @claudiamiles on the bird app and on Post.
Show threadFazeDec 17, 2022
@QasimRashid and Manchin loves to claim his reasons are based on be8ng fiscally responsible.
Show threadceleraDec 17, 2022
@QasimRashid Yet we give the military hundreds of billions more than they ask for.
Show threadfinsoxDec 17, 2022

@QasimRashid Remember that time when a global pandemic briefly forced our elected officials to show compassion?

Good times.

Show threadPhil RudolphDec 17, 2022
@QasimRashid this is true now and forever
Show threadGen X-WingDec 18, 2022
@QasimRashid @joepraska It’s not just the defense budget we should be upset about. There’s a lot of money going where it shouldn’t and won’t benefit society and especially not the weakest in society.