2.6 Paul Ryan Finally Gets His Way

"The War on the Poor: Donald Trump's win opens the door to Paul Ryan's vision for America"

1. What are the reasons given that suggest that Trump will likely follow Ryan's legislative agenda instead of Ryan following Trump's?

Trump is pretty unpopular with both parties in Congress, so he isn't able to tell Republicans in Congress what he wants them to do. He has to listen to them to keep them on his side.

2. What is the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities?

It is a research institute that conducts analyses on government policies and programs over budget and taxes to help ensure that policymakers consider the needs of low-income families. 

3. What Lyndon Johnson programs are likely to be cut significantly?

Food stamps (1964) and Medicaid (1965). 

4. What happened to welfare in the 1990s that will likely happen to these programs?

In 1996, Bill Clinton signed a bill, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, that blocked granting welfare.

5. If states have freedom to make decisions in spending for these programs, what are they most likely to do?

They will probably never implement a program anywhere near as generous or comprehensive as the ones they have now under federal law. 

6. Why does Paul Ryan's plan advocate for allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines?

Ryan plans for selling across state lines to prevent states from enacting stricter regulations.

7. What would be the effect of funding Medicaid through block grants?

This would cut the program's budget by about a third, using the saved money to give to states for their other specific projects. The number of uninsured would rise to 40 million, taking away coverage from people who are in need of it such as the disabled. 

8. What are the two areas the article claims are the things Paul Ryan does not want to cut?

His 2014 poverty plan and 2016 Better Way plan for poverty will not see their budgets cut; instead they will be reformed with opportunity grants, allowing states to receive lump of money and test ways of repackaging welfare benefits.

9. Ryan wants to cut spending for all sorts of programs, but where does he want to increase federal spending?

Defense and retirement spending 

10. According to the article, what was the impact of poverty-fighting programs implemented in the 1960s?

Poverty fell by 40%

11. Who would benefit most from Paul Ryan's tax plan?

Only the top 1%

12. What does he want to do to Social Security & Medicare (programs in which ALL people use)?

He wants to privatize Social Security and Medicare.