I’ll believe it when California gets more money because our governor isn’t attempting to run for Senate or the Presidency.
BATON ROUGE, La. — A handful of Republican governors are considering turning down some money from the federal stimulus package, a move opponents say puts conservative ideology ahead of the needs of constituents struggling with record foreclosures and soaring unemployment.
Though none has outright rejected the money available for education, health care and infrastructure, the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho have all questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will even help the economy.
“My concern is there’s going to be commitments attached to it that are a mile long,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who considered rejecting some of the money but decided Wednesday to accept it. “We need the freedom to pick and choose. And we need the freedom to say ‘No thanks.’”
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the No. 3 House Democrat, said the governors _ some of whom are said to be eyeing White House bids in 2012 _ are putting their own interests first.
“No community or constituent should be denied recovery assistance due to their governor’s political ideology or political aspirations,” Clyburn said Wednesday.
Ah. Got it. After eight years of taking money that dictated things like “don’t teach about reproductive rights” or “Evolution shmevolution,” now you’re getting queasy about strings attached.
You guys are the awesomest.
Really, Governor of Louisiana, who still has a city partially submerged because the last administration dropped more balls than Madonna on a Saturday night? You’re really not going to take money because you’re afraid of the strings?
Really, Sarah Palin? You don’t need the money to shoot more wolves, or wood chip more Turkeys or whatever it is you do up there?
Here. Let me look into my crystal ball and tell you what will happen. After much soul searching, this gang of moralizers will realize that the needs of their people will force you to swallow this bitter pill. Then, you’ll either shut up about it, or you’ll waste tax payer dollars fighting some of the rules to make yourself feel better about it. But oh, will hands be wrung. Many sleepless nights that didn’t happen will be referred to.
But in the end, you will be weasels. Hypocrites. Opportunists. Jerks. And if not, if you do “stand your moral high ground” and don’t take this money, you’ll be applauded by some of the mouths on the right… and that will somehow make you deaf to the needs of your constituents.
So I say go for it! Let your roads crumble, let your hospitals whither, let your people get hungry, need opportunity and move somewhere that understands their families needs are more important than you’re particular political ideology.
Split that money up between California, Michigan and New York – three states that are currently getting punched in the wallet by the economy. I know Michael Steele doesn’t consider government work jobs, but California just lost 10K of those this week, and I’m sure those people feel differently.
(FYI: I, personally, don’t think “Mouth Peace of a political party” ever did anything to create wealth or make a widget that helps or does anything, but he seems to think differently. Jesus, even the idiot who created the “Snuggie” has contributed more to the economy than Michael Steele has.)
Don’t take the money. Seriously. Let it go to other states who need it, want it, understand it’s importance, and aren’t living in the 1850s or in fear.
And in two or four years, when you’re out of work like 7, 8 or 9% of your population, and you ask yourself why, look back at this moment and go “Oh. Right. I put me first.” I will salute you, just like the people in your state.
But it’ll be a one finger salute – the kind that you’ll get when you drive past somebody who could have benefited from this package… but didn’t… because you SUCK.
