Bobby Jindal's Stimulus Hypocrisy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

video

Chris Hayes, Washington editor of The Nation, discusses Republican politicians' doublespeak on government spending with David Shuster on MSNBC's Countdown. Lousiana Governor Bobby Jindal was famous for wanting to refuse Obama's stimulus funds, despite the desperate need in a state still slowly recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Now he's running around the state getting kudos for distributing money, without mentioning the fact that that money is coming from the federal government. Hayes notes that this is a common phenomenon among Republican politicians, railing against government spending while at the same time taking the money--and the credit--to pump up support back home. "Conservative governance doesn't work," Hayes notes, and no state knows that better than Louisiana. --Sarah Jaffe

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090803/jindal_video

[alienlovechild 75]

When the feds are effectively corrupting government officials in all jurisdictions with government stimulus money, most politicians have little choice but to take the money. Around here, a lot of officials know the money is being spent on dubious projects but since everyone else is doing it why not? It's "free money" to make local officials look good and who cares if really does nothing except burden future generations.

The converse has also been true, if they don't take the money they get criticized so it's easier to go with the flow.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

When the feds are effectively corrupting government officials in all jurisdictions with government stimulus money, most politicians have little choice but to take the money. Around here, a lot of officials know the money is being spent on dubious projects but since everyone else is doing it why not? It's "free money" to make local officials look good and who cares if really does nothing except burden future generations.

The converse has also been true, if they don't take the money they get criticized so it's easier to go with the flow.

The photo ops and self promotion for giving money out that you vehemently rejected on ideological grounds shows you to be a pathetic hypocrite. Ain't no bones about it...and that's what many in the GOP have done.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Politicians shouldn't go for photo ops? Does the Socialists (Dems) not do the same thing?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Politicians shouldn't go for photo ops? Does the Socialists (Dems) not do the same thing?

A basic level of reading comprehension is required here. Please try again.

[BunzTheMagicSnail 2]

Politicians shouldn't go for photo ops? Does the Socialists (Dems) not do the same thing?

that's not the point

they lashed out on obama for the stimulus package and acted in a most self righteous manner but they are now taking the money

one poster has tried to argue that politicians have little choice

the op responded by stating if that's the case why are so many of them doing photos and taking credit for something they flat out rejected

if they were so against it they would quietly do what they have to do, not pose for photos and act like its all good

at least that's my understanding

and i would have to agree with the op

but such is the game of politics

it would happen if the tables were reversed

[BunzTheMagicSnail 2]

and bobby jindal has some nerve

i would love for him to explain how he was gonna grow the state's economy without massive govt spending

especially HIS state in the condition that it is

[Heracles 417]

When the feds are effectively corrupting government officials in all jurisdictions with government stimulus money, most politicians have little choice but to take the money. Around here, a lot of officials know the money is being spent on dubious projects but since everyone else is doing it why not? It's "free money" to make local officials look good and who cares if really does nothing except burden future generations.

The converse has also been true, if they don't take the money they get criticized so it's easier to go with the flow.

It's not free money dude. This is money that is supposed to go to rejuvenate communities. America has the crappiest roads in the developed world. Who is blocking spending money on America? republicans. That is disgraceful. Who does not want to spend money to upgrade the country's third world infrastructure and a joke of public transportation? republicans. On this issue the Democrats get it. Clearly republicans like to beat on about crappy government yet fail to realize that they are the source of crappy government.

This is what us conservatives have built over in Aus. We create jobs by investing in the country and on the people. The following picture doesn't even pan around to the entire city. Let alone if you see photos of the suburbs. In a country of 303 million, not one US city comes even close to Melbourne or Sydney.

Repubs need to take a trip to Aus. Then come back and tell me what you think of investing money in your community means. If someone was to invade the US they would have to bulldoze the cities as they are worthless and run down. Whereas, by means of heavy investment by governments, countries like Canada and more-so Australia have built phenomenal cities for everyone there to enjoy. Not pockets of wealthy areas surrounded by dirt poor residents and broken third world infrastructure.

Here is the new harbor they just built: