# Great News! Some GOP Governors may turn down stimulus funds. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 19, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488 "2009-02-19T01:11:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/21 "2009-02-19T04:09:40Z")
Some [web media giant](http://www.theonion.com) needs to post a giant map showing all the congressional districts (appropriate red and blue colors) and proclaim the red districts will not be receiving any stimulus money. Anyone who takes issue with that need merely to contact their congressional representative who voted against the bill on their behalf. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/22 "2009-02-19T04:10:35Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Actually I do. Right to bare arms. That doesn’t mean what you think it does. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/23 "2009-02-19T04:19:45Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > That doesn’t mean what you think it does. Oops you’re right on that. It’s spelled [Right to bear arms](http://www.gearcrave.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/bt-secondamendment-gallery-835.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/24 "2009-02-19T04:38:05Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Oops you’re right on that. It’s spelled [Right to bear arms](http://www.gearcrave.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/bt-secondamendment-gallery-835.jpg). If you pay attention, you’ll find that I am usually right. And when there is no factual right or wrong answer, you’ll find that my opinions are at least as reasonable as yours most of the time. Yet I self-identify as right of center and often vote a split ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/25 "2009-02-19T05:28:47Z")
It would be nice if our fellow countrymen could show one another a little respect. This kind of attitude isn’t limited to the left or the right. Californians and New Yorkers are certainly as real American as anyone in the south or the mid-west. Likewise the people living in places like Florida, Alabama, and Texas deserve to be treated with a little respect as well. Odesio ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/26 "2009-02-19T05:29:57Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > If you pay attention, you’ll find that I am usually right. Spelling yes, but about republicans not so much. > [@](#): > > And when there is no factual right or wrong answer, you’ll find that my opinions are at least as reasonable as yours most of the time. When Republicans do something, reasoned out, with an honest and good intention for America, instead of just various nut ball fringes and rich people then the hate can die down. . > [@](#): > > Yet I self-identify as right of center and often vote a split ticket. I would have voted for McCain in 2000 had he made the ticket, and I wasn’t 7 months shy of voting age. My problems with Republicans come from seeing the last 8 years. They’ve done so much damage, and for what? Their false morality? The Bush family feud with Saddam? Cash give-a-ways to Haliburtan and Blackwater? Destroying environmental regulations? Gutting public schools? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/27 "2009-02-19T05:35:36Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > I would have voted for McCain in 2000 had he made the ticket, and I wasn’t 7 months shy of voting age. That explains a lot. You may speak to the big people again when you’re at least 30. No one wil take you seriously before then anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/28 "2009-02-19T05:45:24Z")
> [@IdahoMauleMan](#): > > I haven’t been to any of those states. But it sounds like you have. > > Can you share some of your experiences with the rest of us? What did you see and hear in each of those states? Can you explain their backwardness to the rest of us? > > Thanks in advance. Well, I lived in SW Louisiana, not among those Damn Yankees in Alexander and Shrevesport. I knew plenty of Cajuns, and none of them were stupid enough to pass up free money that would keep them in crawfish. As proof, I offer Edwin Edwards, a man who always knew where his next dollar was coming from. I also offer Senator John Breaux, who used to be my congressman, who gave an idiot flat tax proponent a math lesson on a radio call in show. I trust my former neighbors will send a message to this jerk in the next election. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/29 "2009-02-19T05:52:28Z")
> [@IdahoMauleMan](#): > > I haven’t been to any of those states. But it sounds like you have. > > Can you share some of your experiences with the rest of us? What did you see and hear in each of those states? Can you explain their backwardness to the rest of us? > > Thanks in advance. I have recently moved to South Carolina. Although, I’m very happy here and the people I’ve met are wonderful, there is much about the state that leaves a lot to be desired. Some data I found: SC Ranking on: #32-#50 - [Various measure of child well-being](http://www.everychildmatters.org/National/Resources/South-Carolina-Ranking.html) #51\* - [State Tobacco Prevention Programs funding](http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/2009/staterankings.pdf) (PDF; funding related to 1998 Tobacco Settlement. SC is also ranked 51st in [taxes collected from cigarettes](http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:FAUk-JK26TIJ:www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0097.pdf+south+carolina+state+ranking+health&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us).) #48 - [Various measures of American Health](http://www.americashealthrankings.org/2008/results.html) (aggregated; SC ranked as the [5th most obese state](http://calorielab.com/news/2008/07/02/fattest-states-2008/) for the second year in a row in 2008, up from 10 in 2005 and 8 in 2006) #49 - [Unemployment rate](http://www.bls.gov/web/laumstrk.htm) (seasonally adjusted as of Dec 2008 and ranked in order of lowest to highest; back in 2004 [SC ranked 4th in order of highest unemployment to lowest](http://www.census.gov/statab/ranks/rank25.html)) #13 - [Rates of violent crime](http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_vio_cri-crime-violent) (2006) #19 - [Rates of property crime](http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_pro_cri_tot-crime-property-total) (2006) #44 - [Livability index](http://www.statemaster.com/graph/lif_bes_sta_to_liv-lifestyle-best-states-to-live) \*including District of Columbia These are really bad and obviously need attention, but it’s not all doom and gloom. It was ranked #23 in 2007 by Forbes in its Best States for Business list (bad because it’s the 6th most lax regulatory state; good because, well, more business means more jobs, right?). You gotta look for a silver lining. Besides, the weather is nice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/30 "2009-02-19T06:07:21Z")
Perhaps these states just don’t want the Federal government insinuating itself even more into their daily lives. How many strings come with the stimulus money, anyway? Maybe they’re thinking of turning it down for the same reason Ford declined to take bailout money - once you accept a loan from Tony Soprano, it’s pretty hard to get him out of your life, y’know? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/31 "2009-02-19T06:41:28Z")
Trying to see Barrack Obama as Tony Soprano. Gotta say, not working for me… ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/32 "2009-02-19T07:15:18Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Perhaps these states just don’t want the Federal government insinuating itself even more into their daily lives. Well, we’ll see. If there are truly one or more **states** that don’t want all or some part of the stimulus money, they have the option of turning it down. However, if a state **governor** wants to turn down stimulus funds over the objections of his/her constituents, it appears from the OP’s link that s/he doesn’t have that option: > [@](#): > > U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the No. 3 House Democrat, said the governors — some of whom are said to be eyeing White House bids in 2012 — are putting their own interests first. […] > > In fact, governors who reject some of the stimulus aid may find themselves overridden by their own legislatures because of language Clyburn included in the bill that allows lawmakers to accept the federal money even if their governors object. Anybody else read that and think “_Clev-ER_, Clyburn!!!”? What Rep. Clyburn has done with this cute little provision in the bill is to ensure that the state legislators have to put their own tallywhackers (or girl-part equivalents) on the line, instead of just sheltering behind the governor’s decision. If state legislators follow the governor’s lead and vote against taking the money, they have to answer to their own constituents, most of whom are probably in favor of taking it. If the state legislators refuse to support the governor and overrule his/her choice, then s/he comes across as an impractical grandstander who isn’t responsive to the needs of constituents. If the legislators in question are Democrats, the contrast strengthens their position, and if they’re Republicans, it weakens their position by setting them at odds with their fellow-Republican governor. For heaven’s sake, it’s almost as though Democrats have learned how to be competent at political maneuvering again. What happened? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Walking\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/90ced4/32.png) [@The\_Walking\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Walking_Dude)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/33 "2009-02-19T07:15:51Z")
I won’t say that refusing the money is a good idea. As an LSU student that is looking at some pretty severe budget cuts without this money I think it would pretty damn stupid of Jindal to refuse the money. That said, not only do I think he will take the money(this is quite possibly just a political ploy for him to make his opinions heard on a national level) but Louisiana actually doesn’t need it as badly as many other states. Don’t get me wrong, we are still at the bottom of the barrel in the U.S. in a lot of categories, but we are actually getting better while most other states are faltering. Not to say that won’t change, but we are doing pretty well right now. [Louisiana one of only three states to gain jobs in December](http://blog.nola.com/tpmoney/2009/01/louisiana_one_of_only_three_st.html) ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/34 "2009-02-19T07:47:51Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > At least until they come closer to being net contributors rather than net moochers. Can someone provide a cite for a state-by-state breakdown of this? I know I’ve seen one (along the lines of "for every $1 a state contributes, it receives $X back in federal funding), but my google-fu is weak on this. Whatever their reasons, this is a good thing IMHO. If those who don’t take the money can get by successfully, more power to them. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/35 "2009-02-19T07:54:50Z")
> [@Digital\_Stimulus](#): > > Can someone provide a cite for a state-by-state breakdown of this? > [@Squink](#): > > Historically, those states have all [gotten more than their share](http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Publications/What-is-Came-to-Your-State-in-2005.html#table1) of federal dollars. Whoops! Thanks **Squink** – I totally overlooked it. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/36 "2009-02-19T11:16:05Z")
Rants, (and counter-rants), belong in [The BBQ Pit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=5). ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/37 "2009-02-19T12:18:40Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > That explains a lot. You may speak to the big people again when you’re at least 30. No one wil take you seriously before then anyway. As one of the big people you can take seriously, and now that we’re in the pit, let me simply say, fuck you, you ageist, bigoty douche. Now we all must struggle to not use your shinning example to confirm our bias that southerners are ignorant and republicans are hypocrites. Good job, fuck ass. ---
**Author:** ![Buford\_was\_no\_angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Buford\_was\_no\_angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buford_was_no_angel)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/38 "2009-02-19T12:45:50Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Kentucky isn’t on that list at all. We elected a Democrat this time around, and he’ll be on that stimulus cash like country ham on a biscuit. > > (Of course, the guy he replaced was a Republican who would have been right at home among this pack of jackasses, and who would have pulled just such a stunt. He was under indictment when he ran for re-election, and he still only lost 60-40.) You’re right about both Beshear wanting our cut of the stimulus cash and that Fletcher would’ve grandstanded like Jindal and Palin and those others. But I think the only reason Fletcher did as well as he did is because Beshear wasn’t a particularly strong candidate. The man has less charisma than any Kentucky governor I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/39 "2009-02-19T13:11:44Z")
And kudos to Beshear for getting the taxes raised on cigarettes. (Alcohol, too, but I won’t complain… indeed, I’ll be glad to do my part to help fund the Commonwealth!) ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/40 "2009-02-19T13:21:42Z")
> [@Buford\_was\_no\_angel](#): > > You’re right about both Beshear wanting our cut of the stimulus cash and that Fletcher would’ve grandstanded like Jindal and Palin and those others. But I think the only reason Fletcher did as well as he did is because Beshear wasn’t a particularly strong candidate. The man has less charisma than any Kentucky governor I can remember. True, but charisma is an overrated trait in a Governor. It’s kind of nice to have to stop and think for a minute before I remember who the Governor is. Fletcher, on the other hand, was Sarah Palin minus the substance and the tits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488.md?page=3)