Apparently the memo's gone out to all repubs that it's time to

[Cerridwen]

tie this country into financial knots. We have the current financial crisis that the "stimulus bill" is supposed to address.

I've just read 2 reports in which 2 states' repub congresses have stopped movement on budgetary concerns; CA and KS.

Several governors have come out and said or implied they will not accept money from the "stimulus bill." How long until those states make the same moves as CA and KS? Perhaps they won't. Perhaps they're just threatening to do what CA and KS are actively doing.

Which state will go next? They are playing chicken with our financial health. In some cases, not just our *financial* health.

BTW, if anyone ever wonders again if you can put a stop to something, such as a war, by cutting off the purse strings; take a look at what's happening now.

I swear to {insert whatever here}, the repubs currently in control of their party will have a civil war regardless of the costs.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

1. It's bluster. State legislatures can request stimulus funds should the governor fail to do so.

[Cerridwen]

4. Of course it is. The timing of it is...interesting.

What is "everybody" jockeying for?

Though I think Californians might be less inclined to think it's just bluster at this point.

KS repubs seem to have backed off.

[tridim]

2. Republicans NEVER turn down money

They will all take the stimulus money regardless of what they're saying now.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. They don't know how to deal with legal money, though.

[Cerridwen]

9. Which is why it's so noticeable.

Just the usual policial shenanigans? When I start having this much "sand" thrown in my face, I start to wonder what's happening behind the scenes.

Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. Not like there's much we can do about it. But, I'd love to see that talking points memo that went out.

[Hello_Kitty]

3. Is there a list of which states are saying no?

[Cerridwen]

5. Link to DU thread about them.

link to RedEarth's thread some of which is snipped below.


• Sarah Palin of Alaska said the state is ready to accept the money for construction projects, but she is sharply critical of other spending on social programs. One could say something about a bridge, but it's too easy.

• Bobby Jindal of Louisiana says he is applying some serious scrutiny: "We'll have to review each program, each new dollar to make sure that we understand what are the conditions, what are the strings and see whether it's beneficial for Louisiana to use those dollars."

• Haley Barbour of Mississippi started some political fireworks back home when he said he might refuse some of the money, declaring that "there may be some things that we'd be better off not to take." His office is now discussing the package internally, before they make a further comment.

• Rick Perry of Texas previously co-authored an op-ed piece with Sanford in the Wall St. Journal, standing with him against the bill. But now Perry says he's examining the money to see how much he'll take, depending on the strings attached: "We need the freedom to pick and choose."

Also up in the air is Jan Brewer, the new Republican governor of Arizona. Brewer's self-proclaimed "stimulus" package was actually composed of spending cuts, and thus far she has not yet formally requested the money.

[Shakespeare]

7. And I bet every one of them takes every single penny their state is offered.

Let's hope THAT gets as much coverage as their little public piss & moanfest.

[Cerridwen]

10. See my post in the thread I linked above.

It'll make for some more fun political theater.

[Hello_Kitty]

15. Thanks!

[stillcool]

8. Good for them..

People should get what they voted for.

[Cerridwen]

11. And for those who didn't vote for them?

I mean, unless you think many on this board voted for what we've just dealt with, and continue to deal with based, in no small part, on these last 8 years.

[stillcool]

18. If the majority of the population..

of a state votes for the republican brand of policies, shouldn't they get them?

[Cerridwen]

19. The question was, do those who didn't vote for those policies

deserve them?

As an example, I asked if those of us who did not support the repubs in the past 2 elections, deserve the results of their policies.

[stillcool]

20. In your own state? Why wouldn't you?

I'd love to know how many emails and phone calls these governors are getting. I'd guess not many.

[xchrom]

12. recommend -- it will be up to dems to make what political hay there is

to make from the republick party and it's intentions to damage the citizens.

[Cerridwen]

13. I hope they do it.

They're being given the tools - so far.

[xchrom]

14. one would hope -- i can only make so many phone calls -- write so many letter to the editor --

at some point the dems MUST take their political future into their hands.

[wryter2000]

16. What you said.

BTW, if anyone ever wonders again if you can put a stop to something, such as a war, by cutting off the purse strings; take a look at what's happening now.

The Rs honestly don't care about anything but their own power. It's as if they're a different species.

[Cerridwen]

17. It's as if they're a different species.

We used to joke about that. I'm starting to wonder if there's any truth in it.

What a strange time to live.