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StumbleSUN EDITORIAL:
Suddenly vigilant
They slumbered through Iraq waste, but Republicans now wide-eyed over stimulus bill
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 | 2:08 a.m.
Nearly unanimous opposition by congressional Republicans to the stimulus bill did not stop it from passing and being signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama.
Riding on its success is nothing less than a turnaround in the plunging national economy, a turnaround that could, over time, help trigger a recovery.
Success of the bill, of course, could also jeopardize Republicans’ chances in the 2010 midterm elections. That could explain why they are suddenly energized about accountability.
House Republicans are setting up what they are calling a “stimulus watch program,” which calls upon citizens and activist groups to report any spending they think is wasteful. There is little doubt such reports, accurate or not, will find their way into the talking points of conservative TV and radio talk-show hosts and be used to taint all of the spending.
House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said he and his Republican colleagues are “concerned about the potential for abuse of taxpayer funds” and that they will “remain vigilant in our oversight efforts.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., wrote to federal agencies about the stimulus bill, asking whether they are “implementing any initiative to preemptively combat waste, fraud and abuse.”
Now, we are the last to be critical of oversight. The more the better. But we have to note the political overtones here. Why, during the Bush administration, didn’t the Republicans establish an “Iraq spending watch program”?
Why did they not invite American troops and civilian workers over there to report their observations of waste? Why didn’t they ensure that federal agencies were undertaking preemptive initiatives to ensure accountability? Had they done so, and with the same alarmist fanfare they are now creating over emergency domestic spending, perhaps their stance on the stimulus bill would not appear so politically motivated.
Untold billions were wasted in Iraq with no outcry from congressional Republicans. Now, with a bill that spends money at home amid multiple layers of transparency and accountability, the Republicans are on the hunt for any hint of abuse. Go figure.
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The editorial asks: Why, during the Bush administration, didn't the Republicans establish an "Iraq spending watch program"?
The answer: Follow the money. The Grand Ole Plutocracy party spares no expense when it comes to aiding the already wealthy; spending to benefit the middle class, however, bothers them no end.
The way the Republicans flooded money to the banks with no accountability is very telling af that attitude.
So the LV Sun is belittling "...setting up what they are calling a "stimulus watch program," which calls upon citizens and activist groups to report any spending they think is wasteful."
Having set in motion spending $789 billion in redistribution spending, $275 in entitlement housing, and the $350 billion phase II TARP bank bailout, plus the off the books FED activities - now the LV Sun wants to cut of the whistleblowers, inspector generals, and watchdogs groups.
In Iraq about $100 billion was spent over 7 years on the development program like schools. We got weekly reports on any failures. Thats why the LV Sun has report Iraq failures for the last 7 years.
Now we are being told to shut up about $1,500 billion in the next 18 months.
Well now LV Sun apparently you don't protest the 17,000 troops that are now being sent to Afganistan by the Obamination. Hmmmmmm this must be for free. A fool is still another fool and by another name it is still a fool. This describes the Sun exactly.
I don't think you read the article thoroughly..the LV Sun is not disputing, nor "belittling" as you say; the author is questioning why there was little Republican oversight to spending in the past when now they are demanding it. The author clearly states that spending oversight is a GOOD thing. Knee jerk reactions are not a good thing. Healthy skepticism and researching facts are.
There was no demand by the LV Sun for citzens to watch Obama spend our money
LVsundog;
So very well spoken and to the eternal heart of the matter..."with no regard to the middle-class"..My only issue is in the word.."Plutocracy"..during the Bushtard-oppression years....I would offer the more correct term as an...."Oligarchy"..(familial-oriented -basis)..In any event;linguistlly speaking or otherwise ,this past federal regime is/was a clear and present danger to the.."state"...and should be dealt with accordingly...I bet these masters of clownery and eventual worldwide collapse are appreciative of the fact that they commited these unforgiveable sins unto the republic in an .."indifferent"..nation populated mainlly by purposelly uneducated .."Sheeple"..?
Oh, so NOW the republicans are suddenly 'worried' about the abuse of taxpayers funds? Where was all their concern was the bailout was handed over to the banks with no real guidelines in place, ya know, when AIG got their bailout and promptly threw a 50,000 party? Where was the repubican concern then?
axsk8fan, I think it is called selective memory.
Geezelouise, I think you are absolutely right! Imagine having a party on OUR tax dollars and we weren't even invited - Party Poopers!
The current tax cheat sec. of Treasury was one of the main players in Bush Tarp I.