The Ryan Selection & The Shape of the Election

The Ryan Selection & The Shape of the Election by MSW.  MGB: Responding in reverse order:

Ryan and other Catholic libertarians and liberals alike need to come to grips with the fact that Catholic Social Social Teaching demands a kind of libertarian socialism, with social safety nets replaced by something better, rather than gutted to force people to enter the workforce for low wage jobs or stay on welfare unless disability keeps them there (and even they need rehabilitative care to be empowered to work if possible).

The social welfare program that needs to be highlighted is not Medicare but Medicaid.  Block granting this program will affect seniors now - not the future seniors who are now 55 or younger.  Given state budget constraints, the cuts to Medicaid in the legislation will turn most nursing homes into Hell holes or simply force more families to care for their loved ones who need more skilled care, often keeping one spouse (usually the female) out of the workforce. While that may raise male wages, it won't nearly be enough to offset income losses.  The real problem is not health costs at all, but health prices, and forcing people to pay more won't fix that if for profit hospitals and drug companies operate in a monopolistic market.  Only regulation as a public utility will do that (or single payer).  Neither Romney nor Ryan will go for either solution.

Resisting the criminalization of abortion is not supporting an intrinsic evil, especially since abortion was not made legal by an act of legislation, but by the action of the Court. Even if Presidents or Churches tried to direct justices or potential justices to overturn Roe, that would simply force them to recuse themselves - especially if Lori or Wuerl tried to direct their votes using denial of Communion as a tool to do so.  If the Church can't lay down the law - the drive to appoint someone based on these conditions is equally flawed (and potentially seditious if discipline is used to force Catholic politicians or voters).  What is of more concern is whether Mitt Romney still gets any dividends from Stericycle.  Bain sold their shares, but we need to see his complete tax records to see if he is getting a dividend (and has any voting power).  If so, then Romney is directly cooperating with abortions by owning a firm that does so.  If he is getting blood money, this is much worse than differing from the opinion of bishops on how to decrease abortion.  Indeed, the bishops need to be careful about associating with the National Right to Life Committee, which is clearly an adjunct to the Republican Party and has an interest in keeping passions high and solutions absent in order for the issue to remain electorally and financially useful.