Word: draconianism
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...over the years, government has moved in to pick up the rejects: first the elderly, then the extremely poor. Since the rejects are of course the most expensive to insure, government is soon faced with a budget nightmare. Draconian cost-control measures follow. But because government can only attempt to control the costs of its own programs, the providers of care simply shift their costs onto the bills of privately insured patients. Faced with ever rising costs, the private insurers become more determined to shed the poorest and the sickest . . . and so the cycle goes...
Fear of an economic recession and painful cuts in services dissuaded voters from approving draconian cuts in present tax levels. In California, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah, they rejected initiatives that would limit spending or roll back taxes. A similar measure in Massachusetts would have cut the state budget by 8% by reducing fees to 1988 levels. The proposal was supported by the Republican candidate, William Weld, and opposed by Democrat John Silber, who warned of a "meltdown" of the state economy. In the end voters accepted Weld -- and rejected his tax rollback...
...change all that in 1949 by freeing women from the household, putting them to work in fields and factories and giving them the right to inherit property. Suddenly a girl could have positive economic value. Still, feudal tradition has resisted change in many regions, and the government's draconian one-child-per-couple population policy, begun in 1979, has inflamed age-old prejudices against females. Rural and minority families routinely lie, cheat or pay fines in order to try a second pregnancy in the hope of having a son. And female infanticide -- plus its modern variation, the misuse of amniocentesis...
...concerned that that ladder remains down and that we keep building it up," Clapprood continued. "We need to be good to one another. We can't cut off our noses because of fiscal troubles or our Draconian faces...
...years in the House, Pierce has gained plenty of experience attacking Democrats--but none running an extensive office or leading an effective legislative effort. In typical opposition tradition, his proposals are sketchy and draconian. Medicaid too expensive? Charge the poor for necessary medical services. Auto insurance premiums too high? Deregulate the industry and allow insurance firms to charge whatever they want. Welfare costing too much? Cut off employment and training benefits to aliens. Pierce has also earned low marks from environmental and women's groups...