Can we talk about *actual* "waste, fraud, and abuse?"

It shouldn’t be controversial to say that the nature of existence should be having access to the opportunity to live.

Hello! You might notice things are a bit different around here now that I’ve made the leap from Mailchimp to Substack. This is a bit of an experiment for me, but so far, I’m happy with the seeming simplicity of the interface. I also love that it’s more interactive with a comments section, since I don’t want to write in a bubble. And since there are so many amazing Substacks that I already subscribe to, I wanted to join the party.

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"Waste, fraud, and abuse."

I am SO sick and tired of hearing this thrown around by this administration.

There has undoubtedly always been wasteful, fraudulent, and/or abusive government practices regardless of who has held power. That's an unfortunate reality.

But right now, these terms are being weaponized by an administration run by experts in actual waste, fraud, and abuse.

The policymakers who are doubling and tripling down on rooting out “waste, fraud, and abuse” act like they’re doing society a favor, but really, they’re using these words as a barely-disguised way of saying that certain lives simply don’t matter.

They claim Medicaid is a waste of federal resources, when what they really mean is that people who rely on programs like SNAP or Medicaid are unworthy of the basic supports necessary to survival.

They claim people are committing fraud, as if government benefits provide some kind of easy pathway to luxury living rather than the bare minimum.

They claim that abuse of social safety nets is rampant, though these programs are merely bandage “solutions” to fixing deeply flawed systems.

You know what’s wasteful? The time and money that would be lost to endless paperwork and bureaucracy if Medicaid work requirements are implemented.

You know what’s fraudulent? Pretty much every action taken by the current administration as they continue to defy truth.

You know what’s abusive? Wielding unchecked power to directly violate civil and human rights. We are literally trapped in an abusive relationship with the government as they seek to isolate, intimidate, control, and dehumanize—primarily without legal consent.

And there’s zero remorse. The gloves are off. Senator Joni Ernst summed up just how flippant and uncaring leadership actually is when her response to legitimate fears of people dying due to Medicaid cuts was: “we are all going to die.”

Of course death is the only certainty in life. But that’s not the sentiment behind what she was trying to convey.

It shouldn’t be controversial to say that the nature of existence should be having access to the opportunity to live.

And I won’t stop saying it.

What I'm Watching

I recently watched "Deaf President Now!" on Apple TV+. It is PHENOMENAL and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Excellent filmmaking, incredible story.

I already knew the basics of the story: in 1988, students at Gallaudet University, a Deaf school, successfully led a protest for a Deaf University president to be instated.

But the synopsis just cannot do justice to the absolute FIRE that watching this ignited in me. Right now, these are the stories we need to be witnessing. Revolution is necessary. Revolution is possible.

What do you recommend I watch next? Leave a comment and let me know!

Looking for past recommendations or critiques? As I mentioned above, with a paid subscription, you can access my full archive of newsletters since 2021, plus my list of what to watch for authentic disability representation.

Disability Around the Interwebs

The American Association of People with Disabilities created a Medicaid Defense hub with brand new resources that explain budget reconciliation and how it works, what is in the bill and how it would impact disabled Americans, and updated calls to action for you to call and write Congress.

Medicaid Work Requirements Are Cruel and Pointless

Republicans Can’t Hide Medicaid Cuts in a ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill

How The Entertainment Industry Is Responding To Trump’s Rollback On Diversity, Equity And Inclusion: “Let’s Just Say DEI Is Alive And Well”

‘I came out as autistic. Everyone said: That explains a lot’

One woman's fight to remove barriers for aspiring doctors with disabilities

Corporate America's retreat from DEI has eliminated thousands of jobs

The boy who came back: the near-death, and changed life, of my son Max (quite the read)

A P.I. tried to disprove my disability claim, and I got his files

How to Make a Living as a Writer (about chronic pain and work)

Let's Demystify Disability Together!

If you've ever wondered about the vibes and passion I aim to bring when I speak, check out the video below! You can see me in action, learn more about what drives my work, and get a preview of topics I love to talk about.

But here's the reality: I know DEI budgets are drying up. Even so, I continue to hope that companies and organizations won't succumb to the pressures of the government.

If budget allows, I'd love to join your community (either virtually or in-person) and support you in creating a safe space for open, honest conversation about a range of disability-related topics. Please reach out and let's make it happen!

Until next month, keep on wheelin’ on!

💖
-Emily