As we all know, politicians say some pretty stupid things. But this has to be the stupidest thing I've heard in a while: British legislator Collin Brewer told a social worker, "Disabled children cost too much money and should be put down." Someone actually let those words come out of their mouth! Bloody hell -- as they say over there. What a horrible, cruel, bizarre thing to say.
That's about the worst thing you could possibly say about disabled kids. Congratulations, you big jerk! You found it. But surely we just took this out of context -- I mean, Brewer followed that up with "said no one in their right mind, ever!" Right? Well, I looked, and nope. He really is that big a jerk. When everyone freaked out, all he had to say was that he was trying to "provoke a response and debate the issue of service costs provision."
PROVOKE A WHAT? A response? Exactly what kind of a response was Brewer trying to provoke? Anger? Outrage? Calls for his resignation? Done! People are calling for his resignation -- and he's considering it. Meanwhile he's written an apology. Whatever! Oh people who Brewer represents, I'm so sorry this is your guy. I bet you can't wait to vote him out of office now.
I can't even imagine what he was trying to communicate with that statement. Was he riffing on English satirist Jonathan Swift and his "Modest Proposal"? (That's the 1729 essay proposing Ireland's hunger problems be solved through cannibalism, in case you didn't cover it in 12th-grade English.) Whatever point Brewer was trying to get across about health care costs and disabled children, he failed. Now all we can talk about is what an asshat he is.
What do you think about what Collin Brewer said?
Image via jpockele/Flickr
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Comments 72
my daughter has speech delay and spd and she's an intelligent loving 3 yr old he should be sentenced to work with special needs preschoolers i bet he'd change his tune
He needs TO GO. I have a very, very good friend who is paraplegic. She has very, very limited mobility but she gets around by herself in her motorized wheel chair. She has difficulty speaking but if you shut up and listen you can understand her just fine. She's a joy to be around. Also, she has 2 college degrees, is married, sings in 2 choirs and is actively saving an orphanage in Liberia from going under. Whenever I think I have it hard, and don't feel like trying, I think of her. The STRONGEST person I know. When she was a toddler her adoptive mother watched her birth mother throw her against the wall - a paraplegic baby. The adopted Mom (another good friend) is a DYNAMO. Within weeks she hade that little baby in her home and raised her with love. And look at all she's accomplished! I know a lot of whiney, healthy, individuals without a drop of her spunk and lust for life. This man is just awful.
Agree! This is disgusting! He should NOT have a job now. However, not working with disabled preschoolers, I would be afraid he would hurt them! What an asshole.
Jonathan Swift wasn't just talking about cannibalism. He was talking about eating babies, cause you know, they are too young to provide anything, and take the most resources. Plus, they're the most plump, and probably best tasting.
Just in case you weren't paying attention when they went over this in 9th grade.
(You didn't learn about satire until the12th grade? Really? Wow.)
What grade were you in when you learned about condescension, Caera?
How about we all accept financial responsiblity for our own families, including their health care and 'special needs' and then it won't matter what such a person thinks?