To much pork?
The GOP released a list of they call “wasteful provisions” in the Obama stimulus package [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]. It is clear that the GOP does not see the big picture when it considers some of these things as wasteful. Some of the items they have listed I can agree with but a few really catch my attention:
$400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s
So the cost of treating these preventable diseases is far less than the $400 million investment? Think about it – if we cannot prevent people from contacting these diseases, we’re just going to pay for their treatment later when they all show up in county hospitals seeking help.
$75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”
Do we really need to debate this? I guess the Tobacco lobby is very strong in the GOP. Science has proven over and over again all the health related issues caused by smoking. Why is this wasteful???
$500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
I am simply without words on this. The GOP does not want to prevent another Katrina disaster???
$1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs
Um… I thought we wanted to create jobs.
Yes, how short sighted can the awful cold-hearted GOP be….I mean its only money right? Everyone is entitled to a side of bacon. Hmm so lets review….the bill at hand is a what? Stimulus bill! What is it supposed to do? Jump-start the economy! How? By creating jobs, investment opportunities, and softening the pain for millions hurt by this extreme downturn! So far…so good…and like all good intentions – it paves the road to hell.
So poor Democrats are only trying to help and those cold GOP bastards are getting in the way! Well let’s examine some of the examples you cited as unfairly picked on by those right wing brutes.
“$400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.” Would this be classified as an infrastructure improvement? Or perhaps it will create jobs – I mean think of all doctors out of work! While this sounds noble would not such a request be part of a BUDGET BILL?
“$75 million for ‘smoking cessation activities’.” Yes those pesky tobacco lobbies got to the GOP for sure. Again, how would this be classified, infrastructure improvement, job creation, or helping the unemployed? While I agree this is a matter of health, such a request is a matter of a budget bill.
Flood reduction, moneys for libraries and schools, more pay for FBI agents, covering Census budget shortfalls….etc Are these really, really going to stimulate the economy? On top of it all there is a BUY AMERICAN clause in this bill too? Is there any intelligence in Washington? Look this up “PROTECTIONISM” it’s a big nono when you are in a GLOBAL RECESSION to put up trade barriers. Such a move 80 years ago prolonged the Great Depression!!! NO ECONOMIST would condone such a boneheaded move to destroy what is left of the economy!!!
A quick break here to allow people to pull their heads out…..
THIS IS A STIMULUS PACKAGE NOT A BUDGET BILL!!!!!!!! Somehow I foolishly thought that the Democrats were a little smarter, given what has been happening, would be able to turn it into their advantage but the smell of bacon is too great to ignore.
So here we are in trouble, in debt, and being told that, “$1.2 billion for ‘youth activities,’ including youth summer job programs.” will help average distressed homeowning Americans. I guess Democrats are conceding to Ex VP Cheney’s point that “deficits don’t matter.” Cause obviously a trillion deficit will little impact doesn’t seem to scare any of the members of the so-called “party of change.”
This is not intended as a partisan rant, Republicans put us in this predicament; it is a plea that our leaders must be smarter about what is at stake. Sell me on how that list of pork will help our economy and I will support it, otherwise, think this through, this is a global recession hitting many nations especially those we have to borrow from, if a trillion dollars foolishly spent does not start our economy….then what will come will be an economic disaster that will be unparalled in modern history.
Change indeed!
so true J dogg so true the GOP are a bunch of idiotic people showing them something good is like showing a retard how to laugh without hitting themselves
Republiturds and Democraps…blah blah blah…..true debate on issues is tooo boring – name calling is fun and one doesnt have to think too deeply about it.
BTW I wouldnt be so hard on Democrats I am sure they can laugh without hitting themselves.
This behavior is more of a result of our last administration. Think about it – we were “un-American” or we were “waffling”. Look at how Rush acts on his show and he speaks about Democrats. Rush is the face of the Republican party. Do you expect Dems to just shut up and take it?