Who are the real welfare moochers?

Conservative politicians condemn the use of taxpayer money for the poor, disabled and seniors. They insist on being "fiscally conservative" and they'll even demonize the recipients of tax money as those who have locked themselves into a cycle of chronic dependency.

However, rarely do the politicians complain about the sum of taxpayer dollars being doled out to the most profitable corporations in the country. They pass no bills to stop all the tax incentives, tax loopholes, tax inversions nor stop the hoarding of corporate profits off-shore.

The number of hand-outs to corporations even at the state level is staggering. Many of the Republican governors are insistent that, in order to balance the budget, funds must be cut from education and programs for the most vulnerable. Case in point, look to Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder who diverted the lead-based water to Flint. Even our own Governor Rauner, who made cuts to public education, universities and those who depend on social services and health care just so he can destroy collective bargaining.

Boeing, based in Seattle with corporate headquarters in Chicago, was given the biggest corporate tax break in any state's history when Washington's Governor Jay Inslee signed this tax break into law in 2013 with the understanding that Boeing would build its 777X plane. After the tax benefits were secured, Boeing shipped thousands of jobs out of Washington state. Boeing continues to shed jobs as it reaps gains from a lower tax burden in a different state. The people of Washington have been forced to endure cuts to state healthcare programs and no benefits.

Remind me again, just who are the real welfare moochers who have locked themselves into a cycle of chronic dependency?

Joni Lindgren

Elgin