Santorum, Welfare, and Black People

Rick Santorum - photo by Gage Skidmore

I’m going to say what most other people won’t say… When a white conservative thinks welfare, what skin color do they see? Rick Santorum told an audience in Iowa, “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better”.

This was in the context of talking about Medicaid expansion, reducing or eliminating welfare, and getting everybody to work. But why did Santorum single out black people when talking about welfare? Most welfare recipients are white.

 

As much as people avoid these kinds of issues and questions I think it’s important. If someone is looking to end welfare or other social safety nets what is their core motivation? Is prejudice playing a role? Is it simply a lack of understanding and lack of empathy?

dks

photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Election 2012Human Interest

#black people#conservative#Iowa#Medicaid#Republican#Rick Santorum#welfare