I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when I saw this clip from the Alaska State Legislature.
A committee was having a discussion about the abuse and murder of children, and Rep. David Easton somehow thought that bringing up the financial savings to the state from the death of the abused child was worth mentioning.
Seems a bit inappropriate. Even sociopathic. I am pretty sure that even the most fiscally conservative Alaskan is willing to chip in a few bucks to save the life of a child.
I couldn’t believe this until I’d seen the video and read several articles confirming it wasn’t overdubbed somehow.
— Jennifer Greenberg (@JennMGreenberg) February 22, 2023
Alaska Republican Rep. David Eastman says he thinks it could be an economic benefit to society when an abused child is murdered.
pic.twitter.com/9Ksjjblsrk
Not that it is relevant, but I am certain that some wag will point out that the Republican representative is from Wasilla, Sarah Palin’s hometown.
JUNEAU – Wasilla Republican Rep. David Eastman sparked outrage online after asking whether there could be economic benefits from the death of abused children.
Eastman asked a series of questions during a MondayHouse Judiciary Committee hearing on adverse childhood experiences — such as physical and sexual abuse on children or growing up in a household marred by domestic violence — and how they can negatively affect a person throughout their lives.
As part of the presentation, documents given to legislators estimated that when child abuse is fatal, it could cost the family and broader society $1.5 million in terms of trauma and what the child could potentially have earned over their lifetime.
Eastman said that he had heard an argument, on occasion, that when child abuse is fatal, it could economically benefit a society.
“It can be argued, periodically, that it’s actually a cost savings because that child is not going to need any of those government services that they might otherwise be entitled to receive and need based on growing up in this type of environment,” he said.
R&I – edited for length – TxPAT
