Tom Corbett Hates Poor People

Why is it that rethuglican elected officials hate poor people? It seems as though Tom Corbett, who usually scurries away from television cameras like a cockroach when the lights come on, has begun a war on Pennsylvania’s poor.

Republican Gov. Tom Corbett has announced a major assault on the food stamp program that feeds 1.8 million Pennsylvanians, including 439,245 in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfareannounced that on May 1, people under 60 with more than $2,000 in savings or other assets will be barred from receiving food stamps. People over 60 would have a $3,250 cap.

Two thousand dollars in assets? That could be a beat-up 1979 Ford Pinto, that some underpaid, fast food worker with 3 kids uses to get to and from work everyday, driving 15 miles round-trip. And because they’re only making minimum wage, using every penny they have for rent and other essentials, they have to rely on the food stamp program to feed their family. But because they own that piece of crap car, and it’s worth, let’s say, $1500, and they also own a television, they have more than $2000 in assets. So, no more food for you!

Of course, Corbett and the other teabaggers who were elected in 2010 claim that they’re really trying to cut down on waste, fraud, and abuse. Bullshit! Cut programs for those who need them the most so you can give your rich buddies and your corporate masters tax breaks.

I guess there’s a good reason why AP Ticker named Corbett his piggie of the week.