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Don't Like the Stimulus? Don't Take the Cash

Opponents can be 'guinea pigs' for alternate plans: Begala

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 16, 2009 2:21 PM CST

(Newser) – Here’s a clear way for political leaders to oppose spending in the stimulus package: “refuse to take the money,” Paul Begala writes for CNN. Case in point: South Carolina’s governor, who opposes the plan, shouldn’t help his struggling state with federal cash. Instead, he can follow his own advice and revive the state economy through tax cuts and trade deals. “Something tells me Gov. Sanford won't take that gamble,” Begala writes.

“South Carolina is a ward of the federal government. It's been on welfare for years,” the Democratic strategist notes. Under “Bush-Sanford” tax-cutting theories, unemployment in the state has soared. If the governor accepts the money, “he's got about as much credibility on fiscal conservatism as A-Rod has on steroids,” Begala writes. Instead, his state could play “guinea pig”: If he’d rather continue Bush-era policies, “good luck to him.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford gestures as he fields questions during a news conference Wednesday Dec. 31, 2008, in Columbia, SC. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

Led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, center, lawmakers announce agreement on the $789 billion economic stimulus measure at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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If you think all that federal spending is damaging, there are easy ways to reduce it: Don't take federal money. - Paul Begala

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 19 comments

bacimom

Feb 23, 2009 2:45 AM CST

It's Cracker magic. Watch my lips, not my hands.

Doctor-Zaius

Feb 17, 2009 6:17 AM CST

And you know this because? I thought the Republican talking point of the day was nobody has read the bill? Yet all the Republicans seem to think they know what's in it? That's the point about talking points. Once you start peeling away the layers you find a true nugget of bullshit.

Guest

Feb 16, 2009 11:16 PM CST

What difference does it make, very little money is going to Republican states anyway, unless a "Dem Special Interest group is in that state" and even then it's not being spent to spur the economy.

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government spending • South Carolina • tax cuts • federal spending • economic stimulus package • Paul Begala • Mark Sanford • financial crisis

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Don't Like the Stimulus? Don't Take the Cash