GOP lawmakers tout projects in the stimulus bill they opposed

[theeedude]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/62181.html

WASHINGTON ? Rep. John Mica was gushing after the House of Representatives voted Friday to pass the big stimulus plan.

"I applaud President Obama's recognition that high-speed rail should be part of America's future," the Florida Republican beamed in a press release.

Yet Mica had just joined every other GOP House member in voting against the $787.2 billion economic recovery plan.

Republicans echoed their party line over and over during the debate: "This bill is loaded with wasteful deficit spending on the majority's favorite government programs," as Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., put it.

But Mica wasn't alone in touting what he saw as the bill's virtues. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, also had nice things to say in a press release.

Young boasted that he "won a victory for the Alaska Native contracting program and other Alaska small business owners last night in H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."

If they are so against this bill, they should return the funds going to their districts.

 

[fskimospy]

Arlen Specter came out and said what everyone already knew. A lot of Republicans actually wanted this bill to pass, they just didn't want to be the ones voting for it. It was a purely political move from the start.

 

[theeedude]

Yep, bunch of cowards. Should have stripped funds going to Republican districts since they are so worried about the cost.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Yep, bunch of cowards. Should have stripped funds going to Republican districts since they are so worried about the cost.

We don't need to play that game though, let them act dumb and childish. If you believe this bill was the right thing to do as I do, it was the right thing to do for the whole country, not just the parts that agree with you.

 

[Fern]

Meh, in a bill this huge I'm sure there's at least something for everyone. But just because they like, say, 7% of a bill doesn't mean you should vote for it.

There are some things I like in the bill, but doesn't mean I've gotta like the (total) bill or the process and how rushed it was etc. Nor is there any reason to 'bad mouth' those portions I like.

But to the extent any Repub tries to take credit for any part of the bill, I think they are full of it.

Fern

 

[Genx87]

Yes it takes a coward to vote against a bill you like parts of but see as overall futile and full of waste. It takes a true hero like a weasel democrat to vote for a bill they dont like then piss and moan about it for years and blame the political climate for being forced to do so.

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Yes it takes a coward to vote against a bill you like parts of but see as overall futile and full of waste. It takes a true hero like a weasel democrat to vote for a bill they dont like then piss and moan about it for years and blame the political climate for being forced to do so.

naah it takes a yellabelly to do as Specter said.

Vote no on a bill because of the lock-step peer pressure that the GOP succums to year after year after fvcking year.

pathetic.

 

[Veramocor]

Originally posted by: Fern
Meh, in a bill this huge I'm sure there's at least something for everyone. But just because they like, say, 7% of a bill doesn't mean you should vote for it.

There are some things I like in the bill, but doesn't mean I've gotta like the (total) bill or the process and how rushed it was etc. Nor is there any reason to 'bad mouth' those portions I like.

But to the extent any Repub tries to take credit for any part of the bill, I think they are full of it.

Fern

Not for me. They took away the one thing I wanted. The 15,000 home house credit.

 

[chess9]

I think the Republicans were brilliant! If only the Dems had such balls!!!! Look, the Republicans are going to make the Dems take responsibility for this economy, even though much of it happened on Bush's watch. Three and a half more years of this economy and Americans will be voting for Mussolini's grand-son. Now there's a scary thought.

But, query, will Obama and the Dems in Congress ever get the balls to fight like this? No, they are a bunch of soft-bellied wimps. Obama is just too nice, and most of Congress is so worried about their own skin they'd vote for beer in every kitchen tap before they'd do something brave.

Please, quit whining about the Republicans. Whine about the XX chromosome Dems.

Some days it's very hard being a liberal Dem....

-Robert

 

[Zebo]

OP you need understand problem with bundling, almost every massive bill like this has parts some agree with and some disagree with, completely normal and a big problem with our political system and why all pass lots of pork all the time where compromise is defined by "throw everything you want and I'll throw everything I want in there" instead of working hard toward a compromise solution which involves any sacrifices.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: OrByte

Originally posted by: Genx87
Yes it takes a coward to vote against a bill you like parts of but see as overall futile and full of waste. It takes a true hero like a weasel democrat to vote for a bill they dont like then piss and moan about it for years and blame the political climate for being forced to do so.

naah it takes a yellabelly to do as Specter said.

Vote no on a bill because of the lock-step peer pressure that the GOP succums to year after year after fvcking year.

pathetic.

Lock step you mean like Dems voting for bill due to peer pressure. Not near as pathetic as a one eyed man.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Veramocor

Originally posted by: Fern
Meh, in a bill this huge I'm sure there's at least something for everyone. But just because they like, say, 7% of a bill doesn't mean you should vote for it.

There are some things I like in the bill, but doesn't mean I've gotta like the (total) bill or the process and how rushed it was etc. Nor is there any reason to 'bad mouth' those portions I like.

But to the extent any Repub tries to take credit for any part of the bill, I think they are full of it.

Fern

Not for me. They took away the one thing I wanted. The 15,000 home house credit.

They took out the $15,000 non-refundable tax credit and made it a $8,000 refundable tax credit. My fiance and I are closing on February 27 and we'll take whatever we can get

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: chess9
I think the Republicans were brilliant! If only the Dems had such balls!!!! Look, the Republicans are going to make the Dems take responsibility for this economy, even though much of it happened on Bush's watch. Three and a half more years of this economy and Americans will be voting for Mussolini's grand-son. Now there's a scary thought.

But, query, will Obama and the Dems in Congress ever get the balls to fight like this? No, they are a bunch of soft-bellied wimps. Obama is just too nice, and most of Congress is so worried about their own skin they'd vote for beer in every kitchen tap before they'd do something brave.

Please, quit whining about the Republicans. Whine about the XX chromosome Dems.

Some days it's very hard being a liberal Dem....

-Robert

I don't think you'll have to worry about elections if things get as bad as some economist are talking. Might want to get a warm sleeping bag(s) and some ammo, just in case. Obviously I don't know but I like prior proper planning which includes taking in all expert opinion and hedging...just ordered $1000 worth of lose silver so I have some change to conduct transactions - should need arise. Got $20 liberty coins for the big stuff.

BTW Robert remember those two Mc Mansions I sold them, one for a 75K loss and was happy about it

 

[GroundedSailor]

I would like to make a special mention of the Gov of S Carolina. He is against the stimulus on principal, but I'd like to see him say no to the benefits that will come to S Carolina with the bill.

What's the word? Hypocrite?

 

[Thump553]

Originally posted by: chess9
I think the Republicans were brilliant! If only the Dems had such balls!!!! Look, the Republicans are going to make the Dems take responsibility for this economy, even though much of it happened on Bush's watch. Three and a half more years of this economy and Americans will be voting for Mussolini's grand-son. Now there's a scary thought.

But, query, will Obama and the Dems in Congress ever get the balls to fight like this? No, they are a bunch of soft-bellied wimps. Obama is just too nice, and most of Congress is so worried about their own skin they'd vote for beer in every kitchen tap before they'd do something brave.

Please, quit whining about the Republicans. Whine about the XX chromosome Dems.

Some days it's very hard being a liberal Dem....

-Robert

I disagree. The GOP came across petty, small minded and without any platform for where they want to take the country. Their show was about as effective as when they shut down the federal government under Clinton. And we all know how much that backfired on the GOP.

 

[Farang]

I don't see why people even bother debating the stimulus at this point. Nobody is ever going to be proven right, both will always say 'See it didn't work' or 'Things would have been a lot worse' or 'Things were going to turn around anyway' or 'It was responsible for the turnaround.'

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: Zebo
OP you need understand problem with bundling, almost every massive bill like this has parts some agree with and some disagree with, completely normal and a big problem with our political system and why all pass lots of pork all the time where compromise is defined by "throw everything you want and I'll throw everything I want in there" instead of working hard toward a compromise solution which involves any sacrifices.

John Kerry was for it before he was against it.
Barack Obama voted "present".

Ring a bell?

 

[First]

Pretty much anyone savvy knew this was a political move, both parties are guilty of it. Both guilty of ideological hackery. Though clearly the bill is the superior alternative to doing nothing, and Repubs are going to have to reorganize and reinvent themselves (i.e. become more progressive) when the economy inevitably starts showing signs of life within the next 1-2 years, because it won't look good for them when Americans realize Repubs were wrong to fight it. Once it's clear that a direct infusion of money can indeed make a world of difference economically, regardless of it's from the government or Jesus Christ himself, we're going to see a different GOP.

 

[theeedude]

Republicans are for small government, just not in their district

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Fern
Meh, in a bill this huge I'm sure there's at least something for everyone. But just because they like, say, 7% of a bill doesn't mean you should vote for it.

There are some things I like in the bill, but doesn't mean I've gotta like the (total) bill or the process and how rushed it was etc. Nor is there any reason to 'bad mouth' those portions I like.

But to the extent any Repub tries to take credit for any part of the bill, I think they are full of it.

Fern

This.

 

[chess9]

Originally posted by: Thump553

Originally posted by: chess9
I think the Republicans were brilliant! If only the Dems had such balls!!!! Look, the Republicans are going to make the Dems take responsibility for this economy, even though much of it happened on Bush's watch. Three and a half more years of this economy and Americans will be voting for Mussolini's grand-son. Now there's a scary thought.

But, query, will Obama and the Dems in Congress ever get the balls to fight like this? No, they are a bunch of soft-bellied wimps. Obama is just too nice, and most of Congress is so worried about their own skin they'd vote for beer in every kitchen tap before they'd do something brave.

Please, quit whining about the Republicans. Whine about the XX chromosome Dems.

Some days it's very hard being a liberal Dem....

-Robert

I disagree. The GOP came across petty, small minded and without any platform for where they want to take the country. Their show was about as effective as when they shut down the federal government under Clinton. And we all know how much that backfired on the GOP.

Thump: They are an increasingly conservative and increasingly minority party, so they must appeal now to their base to stay viable. The Republicans aren't on life support, but they are in a fight for their lives. Their tactic WAS petty, but it was also ballsy. Only time will tell if this approach will help them pull off a Gingrich style reversal of fortunes.

They might call it UnBushing America.

-Robert

 

[boomerang]

All I know is that I'm too old to have to concern myself with where the money is coming from. You young guys, your children and grandchildren have inherited a financial burden of monumental proportions.

Good luck with that. Of course, that will only be a concern if this 'plan' actually works.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor
I would like to make a special mention of the Gov of S Carolina. He is against the stimulus on principal, but I'd like to see him say no to the benefits that will come to S Carolina with the bill.

What's the word? Hypocrite?

Gov Pawlenty of Minn was on the Tube railing against the legislation. It was pointed out that Minnesota didn't have to take the cash.

He flinched :laugh: and will, of course, take the loot - - - Minnesota is facing a projected budget deficit of more than $5.27 billion over the next two and a half years.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor
I would like to make a special mention of the Gov of S Carolina. He is against the stimulus on principal, but I'd like to see him say no to the benefits that will come to S Carolina with the bill.

What's the word? Hypocrite?

What's hypocritical about that? One can oppose the passing of such a monstrosity, but once it has passed it's the citizens of his state that are going to be paying for it so they might as well take their share.

I oppose the most non-use taxes, but as long as I'm paying them I'll take whatever I can from government. Nothing hypocritical about that, unless you're a bitter, partisan, Democrat fool.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor
I would like to make a special mention of the Gov of S Carolina. He is against the stimulus on principal, but I'd like to see him say no to the benefits that will come to S Carolina with the bill.

What's the word? Hypocrite?

Gov Pawlenty of Minn was on the Tube railing against the legislation. It was pointed out that Minnesota didn't have to take the cash.

He flinched :laugh: and will, of course, take the loot - - - Minnesota is facing a projected budget deficit of more than $5.27 billion over the next two and a half years.

Ditto, fool.