By Manifesto Joe
Lesson of the day from Rick "Governor Goodhair" Perry: We mustn't accept federal stimulus money to help the unemployed -- that's godless socialism. But $11 million to help repair the Governor's Mansion in Austin -- that's civic pride. Any questions, class?
Well, to be honest, it's actually our Legislature's idea. This is from an Associated Press story that ran in papers Friday:
Top budget negotiators said Thursday that a House-Senate committee agreed on the expenditure late Wednesday.
The mansion was set on fire in June by an arsonist who has not been caught. About $10 million in state tax money will also be spent on a renovation, which is expected to cost about $20 million, officials said.
... Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle released a short statement late Thursday: "We are continuing to work with lawmakers on the budget."
... Since the mansion burned, Perry's family has been living in a rented three-story, limestone home with a heated pool, an outdoor cabana and a guest house. The state is paying about $9,900 monthly in rent.
But wait, class -- there's more. The story pointed out that Perry has "railed against federal bailouts and the free-spending, power-hungry ways of Washington."
As usual, the Republican animal talks fiscal responsibility, just so long as YOU are the chump who has to be responsible. As power-lunch partners, these types will tip light for their share and leave you to pick up the check.
Meanwhile, as taxpayer money is ponied up to repair his digs and pay his exorbitant rent, Governor Goodhair stands firm in his decision not to accept hundreds of millions in federal stimulus money to extend benefits for Texas' unemployed. As Texas' chief executive goes for a dip in his heated pool, how many Texans' homes are in the foreclosure process?
And that, class, is our lesson for today in fiscal responsibility, Republican-style.
Manifesto Joe Is An Underground Writer Living In Texas.
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5 comments:
Yep. Republican fiscal responsibility means average folks, tighten your belts and do without; corporate America and the wealthy, step right up and help yourself, boys! You know, Manifesto Joe, the Repub wing nuts are getting so wacko and contradictory, it's an absolute miracle ANY of 'em are still left in public office! Their priorities are clearly NOT most of the country's priorities!
re:
>>>it's an absolute miracle ANY
>>>of 'em are still left in public
>>>office!
And yet we underestimate them at our peril. Remember, the Dems have a long history of blowing it.
The Dems should have won the White House in 2000 and 2004 by landslides (true, the GOP stole both elections---but the Repukes couldn't have done this had they been landslides, instead of squeakers).
The GOP can only find success if the majority of Americans are misinformed and ignorant---which makes it a miracle that the GOP doesn't win every election.
Tens of millions of Americans still believe Saddam was behind 9/11.
$20 million for repairs? Maybe they should get bids from legitimate contractors instead of their politically connected cronies. ....oh, never mind.
I truly don't understand the governors who are refusing stimulus money on the grounds that it's a waste of taxpayer's money. The money's appropriated, the bonds sold, and the taxpayer's already on the hook to repay the debt. So, why not take the money?
The answer, I think, is that they're grandstanding. They're putting on a show of fiscal discipline ... which is laughable, given that Bush spent like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Those of us in the middle repudiated the Republicans because they've basically abandoned all of the sane positions they ever held, and have doubled down on the barking-mad crazy ones.
Ah well, at least it's good street theater.
"Those of us in the middle repudiated the Republicans because they've basically abandoned all of the sane positions they ever held, and have doubled down on the barking-mad crazy ones."
Which positions specifically are you referring to?
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