Gov Sanford Explains Stimulus Standoff

[tajitj]

30 minunte interview with a local TV station.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlhLwV51WxI

It is being reported that he "caved" and took the bailout money. He was always going to take it, all he wanted to do was pay down some of South Carolinas debt with $700 million of it, or 10%.

Of course the left wing nuts are running with this, hundreds of comments on HuffPost trashing him.

Just listen to Sanford explain himself, he makes alot of sense.

[hugolp]

I have allways thought that not taking the stimulus money is stupid. If you are paying taxes (directly or through the infaltion tax) at least get some of it back.

[RSLudlum]

I have allways thought that not taking the stimulus money is stupid. If you are paying taxes (directly or through the infaltion tax) at least get some of it back.


Seems like Sanford was trying to take the same stance Governor Ely of Mass. did back in the 30's but of course many people today are so reliant on the government and debt there is probably no chance that something like this could happen now.



In another example, under Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt, Illinois lobbied effectively and won $55,443,721 under the first federal welfare grant while Massachusetts received zero federal dollars. Without federal money for welfare needs, Massachusetts valiantly raised its own funds to secure what Illinois extracted from Washington. The Boston Civic Symphony repeatedly gave concerts to benefit the jobless. City officials and teachers raised money and took pay cuts. Massachusetts Governor Joseph Ely believed that no state should receive federal aid and that private charity was the best charity; that federal relief ruined both taxpayers and those in need. "Whatever the justification for relief," Ely said, "the fact remains that the way in which it has been used makes it the greatest political asset on the practical side of party politics ever held by an administration." Ely added that "millions of men and women . . . have come to believe almost that there is no hope for them except upon a government payroll."


http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/commentary/do-we-need-new-new-deal

[Cowlesy]

I have allways thought that not taking the stimulus money is stupid. If you are paying taxes (directly or through the infaltion tax) at least get some of it back.

I think the problem is that when you take the money, the Federal Governments gets to exert all sorts of goals and controls over your economy, resulting in an increase in the controlled economy.

[Bradley in DC]

I think the problem is that when you take the money, the Federal Governments gets to exert all sorts of goals and controls over your economy, resulting in an increase in the controlled economy.

That, and I think in some cases, the additional federal money would trigger higher state spending for matching or something.

[silverhawks]

Of course the left wing nuts are running with this, hundreds of comments on HuffPost trashing him.

I dont go near HuffPo any more, the ignorance over there is overwhelming. It's a cult of personality in full swing.

Sanford never made an issue of taking the money, just that he was going to use it wisely, instead of running up more debt for his state.

Thinking back, Lindsay Gramm has been pushing socialism (http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE51H7C120090218) - or something like it - since this bailout debacle started.

Got to say, I like the way that Sanford puts it - if you won the lottery, would you manage it wisely, or spend every dime?

[ItsTime]

That, and I think in some cases, the additional federal money would trigger higher state spending for matching or something.

Most of the projects will go unfunded by the fed after they build them. So it will place an extra burden on already bankrupt states.

[hugolp]

Seems like Sanford was trying to take the same stance Governor Ely of Mass. did back in the 30's but of course many people today are so reliant on the government and debt there is probably no chance that something like this could happen now.


I think the problem is that when you take the money, the Federal Governments gets to exert all sorts of goals and controls over your economy, resulting in an increase in the controlled economy.

I guess goverment money (wich it steals from peaple) is never free.