Following President’s Obama ambitious outline of national priorities, the Republican response was delivered by Kenneth the Page - I mean Bobby Jindal. In a stiff response delivered following a “something up my butt” walk up to the camera, Kenneth, I mean Bobby, made sure to touch on the important issues of the day - like don’t you think taxes are still too high and the left still thinks America sucks.
In a response so disjoint from the President’s actual speech it seemed to have been recorded last week, Jindal clearly showed that people can’t trust the government because you know Bush fucked up Katrina. He failed to mention that Bush fucked up the war too, but we still have to trust the government to take care of national defense. Or maybe we shouldn’t. The power of Jesus and the Magic of Capitalism will vanquish our enemies for us, Miss Lemon - I mean America.
Thanks to Sadly, No! for the follow through
But let the main point be crystal clear, we can never trust the government to allow us to save our own friends from drownding, without getting insurance companies invloved. Yeah, I don’t really get it either. Anyhow, let’s buy up all the guns in the county and retreat to our bomb shelters. Oh wait, no. He advocated more tax cuts. Shunning the old adage - fool me once shame on . . . shame on you . . . you can’t be fooled again - he retreated back to the old pool of solution on the right that has been drained out to the only popular solution left - paying off voters with tax cuts. I can’t wait for more from Kenneth, er Bobby later.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal surveyed the sea of rising unemployment in his state and from a top his ivory tower extended a large middle finger in their general direction. The thought bubble over his head read, “I see you suffering and I just don’t give a rats ass.” But the words from his press release read:
The Governor said the state will not use a portion of the stimulus package that requires the state to change its law to expand unemployment insurance (UI) coverage to qualify for up to $32.8 million of the federal stimulus funding because it ultimately would result in a tax increase on Louisiana businesses. Qualifying for the $32.8 million provision is a precondition for being considered for another $65.6 million of federal unemployment insurance funds in the federal package, which would also require permanent changes to Louisiana law and additional annual spending.
He further adds that:
According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), based on claims filed during 2008, the $32.8 million would run out in under three years and from that point on, the state would be required to pass along the cost of more than $12 million a year for supporting this expansion of benefits to Louisiana businesses.
So Bobby wants to turn down nearly $100 million dollars for the unemployed in Louisiana because in three years it could cost $12 million dollars a year to continue this expansion.
Or Bobby could take the money and give it to the unemployed, thereby propping up private spending in his state for three years. After which, if he deems it too expensive the benefits can return to their previous size and not require any increase in state taxes.
But instead Bobby’s turning down $100 million because in three years it could cost him $12 million. Isn’t that a bit like turning down a bequeathment because you have to pay taxes on it? Seems to me that Bobby is just looking to make some headlines, and has succeeded. It’s good to see that there are still Republicans out there that are fiscally conservative enough to reject $100 million out of a possible $3 to 4 billion dollars in federal assistance (or 2 percent-ish). And conservative enough to make sure it’s the most down trodden that pay the heaviest price. It really does seem like a fresh face with fresh answers. Against stem cell research, pro-life without exceptions, loves the PATRIOT Act, and always thinks tax cuts are the first and only solution. Seems like the new GOP to me.
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