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March 22, 2009

A man and his dog

Governor Mark Sanford interprets Obama's intent in the real world.

Here's the background: Before the stimulus bill passed, I asked for states not to be bailed out. After it was signed into law, I said that a state bailout would create more problems than it solved, and that we shouldn't spend money we don't have. That debate was lost, so I looked for a reasonable middle ground. I asked the president for his support in using the $700 million to pay down state debt.

If we're going to spend money we don't have at the federal level, it becomes all the more important that our state balance sheet is in good order -- particularly if this is a protracted downturn. But many people do not realize that the stimulus money runs out in 24 months -- at which point South Carolina will be forced to find a new source of funding to sustain the new level of spending, or to make sharp cuts. Sure, I could kick the can down the road; in two years, I'll be safely out of office. But it would be irresponsible. [...]

Last week I reached out to the president, asking for a federal waiver from restrictions on stimulus money. I got a most unusual response. Before I even received an acknowledgment of the request from the White House, I got word that the Democratic National Committee was launching campaign-style TV attack-ads against me for making it.

Is this the new brand of politics we were promised? Instead of engaging with me and other governors on the merits of our dissent, I am to be attacked in television ads?

Yes, Gov. Sanford, you're starting to get the message. No matter how reasonable your argument, no matter how rational your reasons for not dropping to your knees in genuflection for the money Obama wants to strangle you with, any hesistation or question or dissent (oh, remember when dissent was patriotic?) will offend your betters; your betters don't give a rat's ass about your intentions. They'll impute evil motives to you -- The Rethuglican who wants to starve the children and elderly. Perception is reality.

Come on, Gov. Sanford, get with the program! This is Hope&Change(tm) and Fundamental Transformation of Amerika into a place where governors know their place. Frum and Noonan and Brooks and others know that to Get Along you have to Go Along (especially if you want to be invited on to Rachel Maddow's show or get quoted in the New York Times)

Don't you know, Gov Sanford, True-blue Republicans are the future, look how well McCain did ...

Posted by Darleen at March 22, 2009 08:29 PM

Comments

It's just so difficult to distinguish between the truth anymore. The United States Government has
turned against itself.
Is the article a ruse? After having AIG blasted in our faces for the last two weeks while the left hand was writing a stimulus plan with demon speed, it's hard to know the truth from fantasy anymore.
Is this another blindsider or is this Administration actually spiraling into the pits of hell? Will history prove the Obama Administration as the most anti-American, Anti-Moral and Anti-Human ever recorded.

Posted by: rhonda at March 22, 2009 10:48 PM

Yeah, I applaud this. We need more people who would deny unemployment money to out of work based upon high minded principles. Let them eat his high-mindedness!

I'm sure they appreciate it. Personally, as a person who longs for a more progressive government, the more we can make fools like this the face of the opposition, the better our chances. Go Gov!

Posted by: timb at March 23, 2009 08:08 AM

Yeah, I applaud this. We need more people who would deny unemployment money to out of work based upon high minded principles. Let them eat his high-mindedness!

Sure, timb, let's throw money at states and encourage them to add MORE people to the welfare rolls and then in 2 years, when the federal money runs out, the state can start paying 100% for their now higher priced entitlement.

What a brilliant idea!

Another fine example of progressive fiscal responsibility.

Posted by: Dave in SoCal at March 24, 2009 11:44 AM

I agree Dave, but you could speak louder and into the microphone?

Unemployment = welfare!!! Could you put that in a Republican plank somewhere?

Dear lord, the compassion of the conservative: if you give the unemployed unemployment benefits (usually between 50 and 60% of his "working" salary) he will try to live on the dole his whole life! Life must be beautiful on the dole!

Crafty middle class dupes...In the meantime to protect them from the morally corrupting power of paying their bills and keeping their homes, we need to save them from themselves! Once they are the street, they will recognize the wisdom of our invisible hand.

Yay, conservative orthodoxy! Let them eat my high-minded principles, because this recession isn't temporary and they will never go back to work.

Please, God, from their lips to the ears of the American people.

Posted by: timb at March 24, 2009 03:29 PM