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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Friday, July 17, 2009

My state's shame (Shame Jr.)

I'm sure you've seen that my governor, Rick Perry, has made a complete fool of himself, asking for a government loan to keep unemployment afloat after he made a really big political deal of refusing the stimulus money that would have done the exact same thing.

Perry initially refused the money because he was trying to score right wing points before what looks like a tough GOP reelection primary fight. So, now, instead of "free" stimulus money, my state will be on the hook to pay back a loan.

And, to top it all off, in an effort to mask coverage of this idiocy in state, Gov. Perry put together a hastily prepared news conference to declare a "state of emergency" over forest fire risks. The risk is real, but he chose today to push the other story off the top news slot.

I really do have some of the most hack-y representation in the country. Perry, Cornyn, Culberson....

posted by mikevotes at 2:59 PM

6 Comments:

  • The issue at hand was that the stimulus money came with "strings attached."

    This loan does no such things.

    Either way, it would have to be paid back; so I really don't know what your getting mad at. You get your money for your benefits, your children don't have to worry about having to pay for the additional benefits you don't deserve and everyone goes home happy.

    It's like the difference between GM and Ford.

    Of the two, you want to be like Ford, right?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:06 PM  

  • No. The stim money would not be paid back. I guess you're argument is that takingthe stim money would entail more unemployment expenditure, but that money would be going to the people of Texas, not back as interest.

    Plus, the change in the state federal unemployment policy is not forever. In 6 or 8 years, it will change again. It always has, and always will.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 10:24 PM  

  • Where, exactly, do you believe this money will be coming for? "The stim money would not be paid back." Where does the Federal Government get this magical money? Does it grow on trees? Think very critically about the economic implications for this money, this money will HAVE to be paid off. It's not debt that is just going to go away. You will pay it off. End of story.


    And no, I'm saying the "stim money" would entail 'only' more unemployment expenditure. I'm talking about child insurance that covers households 300% above the poverty line, cash for clunkers et al assorted programs no one wants to pay for in 7 or 8 years. Not merely some added unemployment benefits.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:43 AM  

  • On the bright side, Texas could be a democratically held state in 5 years or so.

    By Blogger Praguetwin, at 3:55 AM  

  • Ramblings, yeah.I wasn't too clear. Sorry.

    In debt terms, Texans are already on the hook for the stim money. Whether Perry took the money or not, the total national cost of the stim bill was a fixed amount. So, Texans are on the hook for their share of the stim spending whether Perry took all of it or not. What he did was guarantee that Texans' share of that appropriation went to other states.

    So, in one way, we'll be paying the interest on this money twice.

    Now, I could certainly be wrong on my math, I have not done it all out, but it's my perception that Perry did notdo this not on principle, but, instead, to appeal to a segment of voters before what could be a tough primary.

    And,I really don't want to spend days arguing about this, so accept my post as an explanation of my position, not as some attack on yours. If you still think I'm wrong, that's okay.

    I understand your position.

    .....

    Praguetwin. I think that window is a little short. I understand the demographics might be leaning that way, but this was a Dem wave year, and we're still looking at 55/45 in the presidential.

    We have a significantly unpopular gov, but nobody's talking about the general. The primary ios the only bet he'll be unseated.

    If trends continue, it could/will happen, but I think you're talking 20 years unless hispanics vote 90/10.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 6:25 AM  

  • Well, nice.

    Keep it real. ;)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:21 AM  

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