Stimulating hypocrisy
Published Wed, Jan 28 2009 11:48 AM
Does everyone remember the outrage over the $1.2 million that Merrill Lynch spent to upgrade its executive offices? How about the outrage over that $50 million corporate jet for CITI? You know, the one — the one that CITI had ordered quite some time back, and ended up canceling the order because they got money from T.A.R.P.
While spending “public” funds for that sort of thing on “private” enterprise might seem outrageous, just remember the size of the “stimulus” spending our government engaged in last year. Merrill Lynch's “outrageous” spending on decor rather than loans amounted to less than a millionth of the money our Congress and President extorted from the taxpayer. And, of course, since government is involved in this, there's no limit to the hypocrisy involved either.
Here's another lu-lu: Congress wants to spend $600 million more for the federal government to buy new cars. Uncle Sam already spends $3 billion a year on its fleet of 600,000 vehicles. Congress also wants to spend $7 billion for modernizing federal buildings and facilities. The Smithsonian is targeted to receive $150 million; we love the Smithsonian, too, but this is a job creator?
So, the very same government that is outraged over T.A.R.P. recipients spending money on refurbished office spaces and transport is going to spend huge amounts of money on refurbished office spaces and transport.
The hypocrisy is just stimulating.
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Stanford Matthews responded with:
 | Earmarks, aka pork royale, poorman's pork, aka amendments and backroom deals e.g., you vote for mine and I'll vote for yours like kids playin' doctor and POLS express their feigned dismay that American voters do not approve.
There must again have been intense interest in records of the votes today as the roll call records at house.gov were too busy to accept all requests, including my first attempts. Only when the public reaches their tipping point do POLS pay attention and even then they screw up have the time or more.
In view of the 2006 midterms, the 2008 general and the shamnesty defeat of 2007/08 do I see evidence in politically rapid succession that the American public may be trending toward more and effective participation in public affairs.
If true that should give those of us who address the issues regularly incentive to continue with some optimism that help is on the way.
Then again...... |
David responded with:
 | Earmarks for condoms, now that's "stimulating"... ;-) |
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