Saying No: Why Would a Governor Spurn a Stimulus?

[Peikko 1,575]

Good stuff!

Link

Few U.S. politicians enjoy fiscal grandstanding more than South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford....So it's hardly surprising that Sanford, now chairman of the Republican Governors Association, is one of the loudest voices in opposition to President Obama's $787 billion federal stimulus package. In fact, for Sanford it wasn't enough to declare this week that he'd reject a quarter of South Carolina's $2.8 billion share of the funds unless he could use it to pare down the state's debt. On Thursday he even felt compelled to liken the stimulus to the hyper-inflationary policies of Zimbabwe's longtime leader, Robert Mugabe.

...Even fellow conservative Republicans in South Carolina were troubled by Sanford's Zimbabwe remarks, including 29-year veteran state senator and finance committee chairman Hugh Leatherman. "That was one of the most asinine comments any elected official could make," Leatherman, 78, told TIME. "I'm as conservative a person as ever walked the planet, but I also consider myself a compassionate person who tries to make sure our people are taken care of. Our people are hurting, and I'm going to fight as hard as I can to get as much of that federal money into this state as I can."

[spookyturtle 9,465]

And people wonder why the Republican party is falling apart at the seams. They don't care about the country, just their own warped agenda.

[caybee 21]

Good stuff!

Link

Few U.S. politicians enjoy fiscal grandstanding more than South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford....So it's hardly surprising that Sanford, now chairman of the Republican Governors Association, is one of the loudest voices in opposition to President Obama's $787 billion federal stimulus package. In fact, for Sanford it wasn't enough to declare this week that he'd reject a quarter of South Carolina's $2.8 billion share of the funds unless he could use it to pare down the state's debt. On Thursday he even felt compelled to liken the stimulus to the hyper-inflationary policies of Zimbabwe's longtime leader, Robert Mugabe.

...Even fellow conservative Republicans in South Carolina were troubled by Sanford's Zimbabwe remarks, including 29-year veteran state senator and finance committee chairman Hugh Leatherman. "That was one of the most asinine comments any elected official could make," Leatherman, 78, told TIME. "I'm as conservative a person as ever walked the planet, but I also consider myself a compassionate person who tries to make sure our people are taken care of. Our people are hurting, and I'm going to fight as hard as I can to get as much of that federal money into this state as I can."

That's my guvnuh 10.8% statewide unemployment as of January and hitting closer to home every day, and this clown wants to play games. I can't imagine he thinks it'll get him closer to the GOP nomination in 2012.

[Otto 83]

Texas' Governor rejected $500M worth mainly because it would not just extend unemployment benefits (length of time) but also make part time employees eligible... (Protecting small business' - got a point there...)

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The money doesn't come without strings; it also creates mandatory programs and dependencies that would exist long after the funding for them is gone. Someone has to show concern for the country's long term fiscal health since most DC pols certainly aren't.

Edited March 13, 2009 by Barza Woman

[lucyrich 20]

He's been listening to Rush too long. For him, it's more important to see Obama fail than to see anyone succeed.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

The money doesn't come without strings; it also creates mandatory programs and dependencies that would exist long after the funding for them is gone.

exactly.

Analogue to it: I can remember a colleague (we were on a project for same end-client--through different companies) being offered a loan to buy his first car by his boss--who asked me to take him to Cumming to look at a Corsica (with 4-banger). When I took him to a dealer and he found a car for similar price (Jetta) which he liked better, his boss would not give him the money unless he bought the Corsica.

Someone has to show concern for the country's long term fiscal health since most DC pols certainly aren't.

He's been listening to Rush too long. For him, it's more important to see Obama fail than to see anyone succeed.

Why do you assume all Republicans listen to Limbaugh--instead of giving them credit/blame for their own mindset, right or wrong?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The money doesn't come without strings; it also creates mandatory programs and dependencies that would exist long after the funding for them is gone. Someone has to show concern for the country's long term fiscal health since most DC pols certainly aren't.

Why don't you go to Washington and straighten them out? You know how to solve all the worlds problems, give it a shot.

[I'm Gone 60]

Because once you take money from the Federal government you are their b*tch.

[truffles 2]

The money doesn't come without strings; it also creates mandatory programs and dependencies that would exist long after the funding for them is gone. Someone has to show concern for the country's long term fiscal health since most DC pols certainly aren't.

Why don't you go to Washington and straighten them out? You know how to solve all the worlds problems, give it a shot.

To be fair - it is a valid point...when the banks got their bailout it came with conditions - I understand some banks declined the offer too. Your response above doesn't actually address the comment made by Barza - telling someone to go to Washington to sort out the problems could equally be applied to yourself - why dont you go to Washington?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

The money doesn't come without strings; it also creates mandatory programs and dependencies that would exist long after the funding for them is gone. Someone has to show concern for the country's long term fiscal health since most DC pols certainly aren't.

Why don't you go to Washington and straighten them out? You know how to solve all the worlds problems, give it a shot.

To be fair - it is a valid point...when the banks got their bailout it came with conditions - I understand some banks declined the offer too. Your response above doesn't actually address the comment made by Barza - telling someone to go to Washington to sort out the problems could equally be applied to yourself - why dont you go to Washington?

Because I don't claim to be a know it all and criticize everyone for what they do.

[britty 1]

For all those that believe the stimulus handouts should be gratefully accepted, how do you suppose the programs that form part of the conditions of acceptance will be funded in the near future when the money finally runs out? Another stimulus package perhaps?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

For all those that believe the stimulus handouts should be gratefully accepted, how do you suppose the programs that form part of the conditions of acceptance will be funded in the near future when the money finally runs out? Another stimulus package perhaps?

Maybe.

[britty 1]

For all those that believe the stimulus handouts should be gratefully accepted, how do you suppose the programs that form part of the conditions of acceptance will be funded in the near future when the money finally runs out? Another stimulus package perhaps?

Maybe.

Which is why it is being refused. Mystery solved. Next topic purleeze.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Sheep just stay sheep no matter what.