Do Republicans not understand that small and medium size companies will benefit by the Stimulus?

[ThomWV]

It seems awfully odd to me that small and medium sized businesses aren't fully supporting the stimulus package. After all, every bit of the work that will follow from the package will be contracted out. That means new work for company owners, it mean profits where there would otherwise be neither. You'd think from all the Republican opposition that it was Government itself that was going do this work, that new Federal hires would abound. That doesn't appear to be the case at all. Oh, and just as a side point. If you look at it from a domestic business point of view the more diversified the package (meaning that far-fetched programs might be supported too) the better because it allows more companies to participate and profit from it.

[atreides1]

1. It's not a question of understanding

They just don't care!

[elleng]

2. Right,

they've got their mantra and they're sticking to it.

[NOW tense]

3. we could have 50% unemployment

and they would still be saying the same thing.

[Peacetrain]

4. In a word.. NO

[Still Sensible]

5. It's about ideology

the GOP spent decades in the wilderness once FDR's New Deal (and WWII) rescued the economy. Their supply side, laissez faire model was out of favor big time and they were the minority in Congress for what, to them, seemed like forever.

They spent the last half of the 20th century railing against what FDR and some of his successors had done... from Social Security to Medicare, it was all so against their ideology.

Their biggest nightmare is that this stimulus will somehow work and they will be faced with another extended period away from the levers of power.

[Jackpine Radical]

6. Small business has always done better under Democrats.

Universal health care alone would be a great boon to anyone wanting to start their own business. Somehow, though, the Republicans have small businessmen convinced that the Democrats are stealing from them, and the Republicans are better for them.

I am convinced that neither the corporate giants nor the Republicans whom they won are interested in creating a level playing field. Everything from the tax code to the health system is designed to give the big guys a strong advantage in the marketplace, and to eliminate upstart competition.

[OHdem10]

7. Gop do not believe in stimulus period. They sincerely believe

self-reliance. They are serious when they say Government
is the problem. Why anyone ever thought wasting time and
giving them an opening by "bi-partisanship"

They do not believe Conservatism has failed and brought
us to the brink. By only blaming Bush and not attacking
the GOP Policies(which GWB carried out) we have left
them a soapbox.

Their world view is an elite who have the freedom to make
and spend their own money. Taxation is coercian. It is up
to the citizens to individually fight their way into elite
status. The only reason they will give a tiny bit is their
way of not looking heartless. They see the 50s as a glorious
period. Until our party understands this and develops our
own philosophy and stand our ground, the GOP may win the fight.