GOP ideals say don’t take easy loans
Texas Governor Rick Perry
Some Republican governors are considering whether they will take easy loans from the Obama administration.
After all the clamouring about the disastrous economy and passing the economic stimulus package, it looks as though some GOP members would rather stick to party ideals instead of using government money to aid their states.
Opposing arguments
Leaders who oppose the idea of refusing aid say the move puts conservative ideology ahead of states’ needs. With so many residents facing foreclosures and unemployment, opponents say the governors should take the easy loans and put them to good use.
Governors on the fence
No one has officially rejected the money. However, the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho are questioning whether the stimulus package will even work. Some are considering whether they will be agreeing to too much if they take the money.
Texas governor wavers
“My concern is there’s going to be commitments attached to it that are a mile long,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who considered rejecting some of the money but decided Wednesday to accept it. “We need the freedom to pick and choose. And we need the freedom to say ‘No thanks.’”
Pure politics?
James Clyburn
Some Democrats are assuming the worst: that Republicans will eschew the needs of the public to further their own political careers.
U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the No. 3 House Democrat, said the governors — some of whom are said to be eyeing White House bids in 2012 — are putting their own interests first. according to the Associated Press. “No community or constituent should be denied recovery assistance due to their governor’s political ideology or political aspirations,” Clyburn said Wednesday.
Governors could be outvoted
Even if some governors do decide to turn down the stimulus money, they may be overridden. The economic stimulus bill says that lawmakers can use the easy loans from the government even if governors reject the money.
I have always admired the ability of Republicans to run a far more fiscally conscious programs, but the fact is that things need to be done to correct the situation that may not be able to be resolved by the free market. The citizens of some of these states should not suffer due to the personal agenda of others.
Honestly, at this point it appears to be a matter of pride and prejudice. First off, it strikes me that not one House Republican voted for Obama’s economic stimulus package. What in the world did they have in mind? Secondly, they should lay aside their caviars and really examine what’s going on around them. Families, businesses and almost everyone in general are in desperate need of financial relief. I’m sure there are GOP members who actually have their head screwed on right but are probably afraid of losing their “precious” title in this Gang of Arrogance.
But, Franrose, the answer is not to give money–with lots of strings attached–but to give incentives and tax breaks to let people and businesses keep more of their money in the first place.