The Republicans came out with a list of the "waste" in the stimulus bill. Are they serious? Some of the things seem like they might actually be wasteful. Most of the list is a joke. Lets start with the most absurd claim of "waste" the 2010 census. Its a CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT. What do they want the Democrats to do, shred the Constitution? I know Bush did that for 8 years but even Republicans don't like him anymore so I'm not really sure what the issue is.
How about that 448 million for the Dep't of Homeland Security HQ? Thats waste? Now, that might seem pretty high at first. However, think about it for a moment. How big is this building going to be? My guess is enormous. It will probably have to have office space, bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, conference rooms and so on for thousands. Not only that, but perhaps more expensively, it will have to have the technology to support these people...and this won't be ordinary technology. We're talking completely secure computers and internet. Huge monitors and complex programs allowing a conference room full of people to see real time troop movements half way around the world. Its not surprising this is going to be expensive. Also, since when are Republicans against security spending?
Alright, I'll give them the tax breaks for Hollywood to buy film. Also, the 2 billion for the clean power plant...unless of course its going to produce enough power that the inefficiency is worth paying more for. Thats it though.
They take issue with money for firefighters, computers in community colleges and screening for\preventing the spread of STDs. Yes, very wasteful, god knows we overpay the men who run into burning buildings to save lifes, give lower income people too much access to computers and need to spread STDs further. That money for inspecting canals and preventing floods, what are they thinking? Katrina proved we have that covered. How dare the Senate make federal buildings green? Reducing substance abuse, horrid. Giving the coast guard access to ships they need, offensive. Paying the FBI, a joke, (we've got terrorism whipped I'm sure...which is why no Republican talked about national security in 2008 or will talk about it in 2010).
If the Republicans want to come out against national security, energy independence and firefighters then I hope they stick to it throughout the election cycle. When they don't, because they are obviously just putting out a ridiculous list so that they can then have the soundbite of Democrats are wasting 'x' billions, I hope Democrats crucify them for it. Democrats shouldn't let a Republican turn around without hearing about how they came out against the above issues. Don't be fooled, I promise you that even those items where they claim the spending is excessive they will add the whole amount, not just the excess, into their calculation of pork barrel spending. Seriously though, how do they justify THE CENSUS. I'd really like to hear that logic.\
Madison
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Hey Madison -
Just to help with some factual support for your post:
The new DHS headquarters is rumored to be the old St. Elizabeth asylum grounds. There are over 60 brick buildings on the site that are historic and so are being remodeled to serve this new purpose. Additionally, it looks like a couple new buildings are being planned on the campus as well. But, you try remodeling 60 historic landmarks for less than what the Stimulus bill included. It's hard work.
My only issue with the spending is I am not sure it should have been in a STIMULUS bill - pretty sure that money could have been spent in the DHS approps or some other vehicle.
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