Today’s news is all about money: the budget, the stock market, drastic cuts in education and environment funding, tariffs, and even drops in Tesla sales. Yesterday saw another major drop in the stock market, now more than 10% lower than a month ago. Add to that the constant uncertainty in Washington on a daily basis, and you’ve got a mess.
What will happen today in Washington? Will there be compromise, which is essential to the art of governing, or will there be a government shutdown? And, for the politicians in the room, who gets blamed? The Republican budget proposal reduces nondefense spending by $13 billion.
The House passed a budget resolution 217-215 to cut $2 trillion from the budget, but if you look at the resolution, all the numbers are blank. What’s on the chopping block? Medicaid, for sure. Lots of fraud. Got to get all those quadriplegics to work!
Prayer for the Day
Bewildered by the actions of our elected leaders,
We ask why is there such disregard for the poor and sick;
Afflicted by careless acts of selfishness against the Earth,
We wonder how we can recover from the damage done.
Save us from our false pride that admits no wrong,
And teach us humility and reconciliation
In the name of the One who is our guide,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
With hindsight, we did not appreciate the nature of what the administration was going to be like. I do believe they are hurting their stated objectives of peace and prosperity.
A banker requesting anonymity to the Wall Street Journal
On behalf of the hospitals, nurses, doctors and those who care for and serve the needs of the 72 million patients that rely on Medicaid, we urge you to consider the implications of hinging the budget reconciliation bill’s fate on removing health care access for millions of our nation's patients.
Rick Pollock, American Hospital Association
Rise up, O Lord, confront them, overthrow them!
By your sword deliver my life from the wicked
From mortals – by your hand, O Lord –
From mortals whose portion in life is in this world.
Psalm 17: 13-14