Republican Party economic policies similar to those which starved Irish says Famine book author

Of course Ryan wants to end Medicare. He wants to end the Department of Education and cut every social program that aids the poor. There can't be anyone who seriously contends otherwise. He lives in a world of pure ideology, untouched by reality's grubby mitts.

Curtisjohnson: I agree, but in addition there has been much fraud perpetrated within Medicare as well as other entitlement programs. I was involved in an investigation and most of the fraud came from foreign criminals and corruption living in the U.S.A. So much for our tight borders!

"There is no comparison between the "Classical Liberalism" of the 19th Century British Government and the Ryan REFORM PLAN." The whole thesis is flawed - the 19th Century british government never substantively followed classical liberal economic policies but was in substance remained a mercantile oligarcy which was carefully controlled. The only problem I have with Ryan's plan is the Medicare aspect since it ignores the fact that so many trillions have been stolen from it over the years. He should cut all federal housing and education subsidies (and eliminate Fannie, Freddie, HUD and the Department of Education) as well as the terror industry bureaucracies (Homeland Security, TSA, the Pentagon and secret service blackk budget) and Medicaid before touching Medicare or social security.

Republican tactics that brought us Ronald Reagan and the greatest business atmosphere in my memory, we were so busy we couldn't keep up with the orders and had to hire people.

Think this Kelly fella is spreading a load of blarney, cutting the GROWTH IN THE FUTURE, of the multi billion dollar budget is nothing like the Irish famine. The comparison is bizarre.

jamthecat: Wow, I guess you've read Ryan's budget plan? I assume you've also read the Obamacare bill? And you conclude: "If you actually care about human beings vote for Obama or Stein" (?) Obama supports abortion and the afterbirth killing of the live fetus. And, you write "Romney and Ryan are the spawn (sic) of the devil". Jamthecat. You are nuts!

A very interesting article. I'll have to start reading the Daily Beast. As for the Foxer's below, there are none so blind as those who refuse to open their eyes. Fox wouldn't know the truth if it bit them. Roger, LETS HAVE FUN WITH THE NEWS, Ailes has single-handedly reduced the IQ of half of the nation by 50 points. Great work Fox.

All you have to do is read Ryan's budget to see he's not serious about the deficit or the debt or anything except giving his rich buddies tax breaks while taking more assistance away from the poor. His plans would add 2.4 trillion dollars to the national debt over the next 10 years, according to the CBO and other groups who've analyzed his budget. And Romney's is no better. If you're a self-loathing fool who's self-destructive, vote for R&R. If you actually care about human beings, vote for Obama or Stein. Romney and Ryan are spawn of the devil.

Springfield9 writes about the "classic Liberalism" of the 19th century British government, A government which enslaved and terrorised millions all over the world.Springfield's attempt to minimize British terrorism is pathetic or stupid.

I hope most people have the knowledge and appreciation of the facts to know this headline and the bulk of the content of this article (aka, commercial for Obama)is a bunch of bull! Obama, his policies and his followers are creating a condition in the US that can be called economic slavery.

We should be clear on at least one thing, in fairness to all...the blackened fields of Ireland killed the "spalpeens" (landless laborers) the day they blackened...No heroics on the part of Trevelyan - and there were many - could have saved them...they lived at such a subsistence level they were dead with the non-existent harvest...those with some savings WERE saved by Trevelyan's relentless relief efforts...many a British doctor and minister died trying to save the poor during the initial bad harvests...British colonialism was not, by a long shot, all "laissez faire" and "ta hell with them"...Liverpool was inundated with the victims (ergo, Lennon and McCartney)...repeated bad harvests had Trevelyan, with Great Britain's politicians, throwing in the towel...to the sorrow of the Irish...America is not at Famine's door, so Kelly's analogy is decidedly strained...if Ryan's REFORM PLAN considers the victims of repeated unproductive (or productive) harvests, then he will be a notch above his British speechmakers.

This article is a biased piece of trash. There is no comparison between the "Classical Liberalism" of the 19th Century British Government and the Ryan REFORM PLAN. The plans to keep things solvent doesn't even effect those under 55 - the Trevelyan group starved everyone equally. John Kelly needs to go back to school for History and Economics.

but Kelly did say that Ryan " ... would end Medicare." Thay's not true.

John Kelly hasn't said that Paul Ryan's economic policies will lead to a famine or the deaths of tens of thousands - he said Ryan is "making the same economic mistakes that hurt his forefather in the Great Famine." That's an important distinction. That's not hyperbole. Kelly, a noted historican, has noticed that the 19 century British government speeches made in Parliament are almost word-for-word like Ryan’s own speeches about his Republican budget.

It seems like every time Irish Central posts something that's vaguely controversial there are comments by people who say that IC has gone to the dogs and they are cancelling their subscription. That's an exaggerated reaction. Having said that, it is also an exaggeration to compare the policies of Paul Ryan and his ilk - as lacking in human decency as they might be - to British colonial policies that needlessly led to the death of over a million Irish people. Let's include comparing things to the Great Hunger along with nazism, Stalinism and the Holocaust as hyperbole that is beyond the pale of productive discussion.