# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/41 "2009-02-19T13:53:23Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > 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. The attitude may be present on the left, but it’s a hell of a lot more common on the right. There was only one campaign talking about ‘real America’ and ‘pro-America towns’ in 2008. ---
**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, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/42 "2009-02-19T14:14:25Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > The attitude may be present on the left, but it’s a hell of a lot more common on the right. There was only one campaign talking about ‘real America’ and ‘pro-America towns’ in 2008. If that makes you feel better about this conversation then more power to you. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/43 "2009-02-19T14:31:02Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > The attitude may be present on the left, but it’s a hell of a lot more common on the right. There was only one campaign talking about ‘real America’ and ‘pro-America towns’ in 2008. Nope, there were two. The one campaign on the left that tried that shit got roundly bumped out. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/44 "2009-02-19T14:58:08Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Nope. Things here will be bad and continue to stay worse. They’ll be even worse here, and people like Haley Barbour can point and say “He look, I done told’d you I was right. Now pass that bottle of gin.” > > -Joe Good gawd, **Joe** , didn’t Haley go to Ole Miss? They drink whiskey up there, not gin, honey. Now, if he went to State, he might drink anything, up to and including shoe polish strained through a piece of bread. 😉 (that is a joke, don’t take me seriously) Thanks, **Kimstu** , for point out what I came in here to say - read TFA, people. These governors are doing nothing but grandstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/45 "2009-02-19T15:02:45Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > 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. > > 🙂 … leading to the election of a whole bunch of Congresscritters whose only goal is to funnel as much money as possible to their own districts. Good plan. ---
**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, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/46 "2009-02-19T15:08:10Z")
> [@Yossarian](#): > > 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!) I think the cigarette tax should’ve been raised even higher and I can’t believe that it’s taken this long for an alcohol sales tax (I’m certainly doing my share to help fund the Commonwealth too…civic responsibility and all that). ---
**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, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/47 "2009-02-19T15:10:41Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > 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. I guess it cuts both ways. I really believe that Beshear is an intellectual but I worry that his dryness may hurt him in '11. I couldn’t agree more about Fletcher. And he surrounded himself with some truly despicable people. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/48 "2009-02-19T16:32:43Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > … leading to the election of a whole bunch of Congresscritters whose only goal is to funnel as much money as possible to their own districts. Good plan. … isn’t that their job description _now_? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/49 "2009-02-19T16:37:59Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > … isn’t that their job description _now_? 🙂 Yes, but at least now they take time out of their busy pork-barrel-filling schedules to rail against Congressional pork. If people vote out all the elected officials who aren’t desperately trying to get a piece of the action, they won’t even bother doing _that._ ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/50 "2009-02-19T17:01:49Z")
In all sincerity, I entirely support Republican leaders who won’t take the money from the stimulus package (or “stimulus” package if you prefer). It’s consistent with their stated beliefs, it’s governing with the consent of the governed, and so on. The federal government usually operates at this level: they provide funds where and when funds are wanted — for instance, for highways — and they ask for things back (such as carpool lanes). What I don’t particularly care about is hearing what leaders **say** about taking the money. Take it, or don’t, at the peril of your next election. Don’t blather on about it. To me, hypocrisy is the greater sin. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/51 "2009-02-19T18:11:35Z")
Republican Governors turning down Federal relief…I’ll believe it when I see it, then I’ll see them voted out of office. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/52 "2009-02-19T18:41:20Z")
So California is nearly bankrupt and a GOP governor can’t get\*\* ONE \*\*more Republican vote to pass the budget. […in addition to the layoffs, the state planned to halt all remaining public works projects, which would throw nearly 92,000 construction workers out of work. Tax refunds already have been delayed because the state has no money to pay them… Despite the warnings of impending fiscal calamity, most rank-and-file Republicans have refused to agree to higher taxes. Republican lawmakers blamed Democrats for years of overspending. “You’re not going to go back to the people’s pocketbooks to fuel that spending,” said state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Temecula.]([http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090217/ap\_on\_re\_us/california\_budget](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090217/ap_on_re_us/california_budget)) Are they really picking up the fiddle while Rome burns here? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/53 "2009-02-19T18:51:29Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > then I’ll see them voted out of office. Dammit **Sitnam** , now you’ve _given away the plot!!!_ Who’s going to take this stupid shit seriously now? ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/54 "2009-02-19T18:59:41Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Are they really picking up the fiddle while Rome burns here? No, They realized that when you’re in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.Rome’s bene burning for a long while now. Until or unless someone finally sorts out the budget, it’s just throwing good money after bad. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/55 "2009-02-19T19:06:11Z")
[Everyone Has Their Price – Grandstanding GOP Governors Are Taking The Stimulus Money](http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/everyone-has-their-price----grandstanding-gop-governors-are-taking-the-stimulus-money.php) Coming from Republicans as it did, is anyone surprised that it was _all a lie_? ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/56 "2009-02-19T19:07:03Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > How many strings come with the stimulus money, anyway? 30 posts in, someone has a clue. This is exactly what Texas Gov. Rick Perry has objected to. I’m not informed enough to know whether the extra spending Texas would have to do to get (some of) the federal money would be a good idea, but this is hardly a “philosophical” ground as the moron who wrote the OP made it out to be. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/57 "2009-02-19T19:50:34Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Fletcher, on the other hand, was Sarah Palin minus the substance and the tits. Or Martha Layne Collins. Minus both. But how many of us remember her? ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/58 "2009-02-19T20:11:02Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > 30 posts in, someone has a clue. This is exactly what Texas Gov. Rick Perry has objected to. That may be what he is objecting to _now._ What were his objections to the stimulus bill before? Don’t get me wrong, I would consider it laudable if he stuck to his “stimulus bill = bad” story. But you can understand my cynicism, can’t you? The Republican opposition has so far gone like this: R: Stimulus bill is bad! Needs tax cuts! D: Okay, we’ll add tax cuts. R: Stimulus bill is bad! Too expensive! D: Okay, we’ll cut some spending out. R: Stimulus bill is bad! We won’t vote for it anyway. D: Okay, we’ll pass it without you. R: Stimulus bill is bad! We won’t take the money. Not bipartisan enough! Too many strings attached! Objecting to the attached strings is a principled reason to object to the bill. Why is that _only now_ the reason not to support it? Why wasn’t that the cry all along? ---
**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, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/59 "2009-02-19T21:55:48Z")
> [@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. Ahh. When I’m 30 I can use ad homin attacks based on age, without having to argue my points at all? Cool! ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488/60 "2009-02-19T22:22:01Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > Why wasn’t that the cry all along? Because now they didn’t _find_ the weapons of mass destruction, and need _another_ excuse for kicking up a fracas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-news-some-gop-governors-may-turn-down-stimulus-funds/486488.md?page=4)