It would appear that the GOP is starting their bi-annual “make horrifically monstrous statements in public during an election cycle” push early this year. Hah! As if they ever stopped, even during off years.
You know, the news cycle being what it is, sometimes these headlines are a little sensationalist — a smidgeon exaggerated, if you will. Sometimes the reveal of what actually happened doesn’t quite live up to the headline. I am happy to report that in this case, holy shit that headline is not exaggerated in the slightest little way.
See that lady up there? That’s Dr. Annette Bosworth, running in the Republican primary for the soon-to-be open seat of the retiring Tim Johnson (D-S.D.). Just recently, she shared a Facebook post attempting to criticize the Food Stamp program (you know, the thing that helps keep millions of children and families from starving to death) for creating dependency, a favorite Republican refrain which, for reasons they cannot seem to get a grasp on, hasn’t really caught on with the American public. Here is the full, glorious account of what Dr. Bosworth actually said:
“The food stamp program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” the graphic reads. “They proudly report that they distribute free meals and food stamps to over 46 million people on an annual basis.”
“Meanwhile, the National Park Service, run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us ‘please do not feed the animals.’ Their stated reason for this policy being that … the animals will grow dependent on the handouts, and then they will never learn to take care of themselves,” the post continues. “This concludes today’s lesson. Any questions?”
See what I mean? No exaggeration necessary on that one. Here’s the image, lest you think I’m pulling out of context.
As alert reader hotfreypie points out, Dr. Bosworth almost lost her medical license once before. According to her website, this is because “Without restraint, powerful government bureaucrats unjustly attacked her. They tried to impose their will on her, threatening to take her medical license away.” According to the actual universe, though, this is because she apparently suffers from Adjustment Disorder, ADHD, Personality Disorder, and Histrionic and Narcissistic Traits, for which she was not receiving any treatment. In order to keep her license, she had to submit to treatment — although in politics, “narcissistic traits” is generally considered a necessary pre-requisite. Not that there’s anything wrong with suffering from any of those conditions, but if you’re suffering from all of them at once and not seeking treatment for them, it’s pretty reasonable that you shouldn’t be allowed to practice medicine until you decide to act like an adult and get some damn help.
Unfortunately, Bosworth is currently a distant third behind front-runners state Representative Stace Nelson and former South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds, so this is only likely to crush the political aspirations of a third-place primary finisher. Still, it’s important to remember that pretty much everyone who wants to cut the Food Stamps program thinks this shit, and that “fiscal responsibility” has essentially become a dog whistle for “let the fuckers starve” in modern American politics.
Image via AP.