( - promoted by Jay Stevens)
In an about face or should I say if it is in my district it is ok to spend money, Republicans want the state to spend freed up general fund money on pet projects in their districts claiming that the recovery act creates jobs. Yes, Republicans claiming the recovery act creates jobs. Last time I checked Government doesn't create jobs, businesses create jobs.
Now it might be confusing to someone, but Montana was in a unique situation when congress pass the recovery act - we had money. So, the legislature created a $20 million dollar grab bag of general fund money for local governments to spend. These are not federal recovery act dollars. Remember the rubber-tilled tennis courts in Bozeman was out of this free for all.
Now Republicans are all in a fuss over Schweitzer holding and saving the remaining $3.5 million until we have a better picture of the budget. It shouldn't make anyone blink, these are the same Republicans who said we have "too much in the bank" when the Governor vetoed some unnecessary spending.
No I mean the same Republicans who proclaim that spending is out of control. Here is Sen. Dave Lewis (R-Helena) who said "Everything has to be on the table." and "In the meantime, we just keep driving toward that steep drop-off." Republican leaders are also saying a special session is needed.
The latest pork project Republican to jump for the bacon was Sen. Jim Peterson. No one should be surprised by that -- Sen. Peterson has been living off the tax trough for some time.
Someone said it best, if you take the hypocrisy out of politics you won't have any politicians left. But you can't have it both ways - spend in my district, but cut the budget. Now I just wish reporters in Montana could pick up on this hypocrisy. |
