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    Tuesday
    Dec202005

    They Just Want to Decrease the Surplus Population

    Scrooge2.jpgQuote:  "I don't know what the poor, the elderly, the disabled, or our foster children have done to Republicans to deserve this… just a few days before Christmas." Congressman Charles Rangel

    Figure of Speechaporia, the figure of doubt.

    The Scrooges in Congress snuck back to their districts after passing a nasty budget package in the wee hours.  They saved a half of one percent of federal spending by slashing Medicare, Medicaid, and student loans while keeping subsidies for drug companies.

    Rangel uses an aporia (Greek for "at a loss"), a figure of real or pretended doubt.  In his case, we suppose it's pretended.

    Snappy Answer:  "The Republicans have nothing against the poor.  They're just clearing the way for more tax cuts."

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