Bobby Jindal isn't anti-government anymore

[Ed Barrow]

The disaster along the Gulf Coast is one of the greatest environmental calamities ever witnessed. It is time for those responsible for stopping the uncontained flow of oil into our fragile eco-system -- whether it is BP, the Coast Guard or whomever -- to step up and take immediate action. My heart goes out to the people of Louisiana and the entire region who, after making great progress recovering from Hurricane Katrina, are now faced with trying to rebuild shattered lives once again.

Having said that, I found the pleas of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal a bit ironic as he demanded immediate and extensive federal action to address this oil spill. Not because I don't believe that Washington needs to do more. In fact, every state and every country should offer to send help to the Gulf Coast. But I couldn't help recalling an earlier speech that Jindal gave, in response to President Obama's State of the Union speech in 2009. In what has become widely mocked as the governor's failed inaugural appearance on the national stage, Jindal suggested that Democrats in Congress have misplaced "their hope in the federal government."

Stating that it was simply a "fundamental disagreement about the proper role of government," he suggested that Republicans were the ones who placed their faith in "the American people." He strongly opposed increased dependence on government, and suggested that the way to "strengthen our country is to restrain spending in Washington, to empower individuals and small businesses to grow our economy and to create jobs... You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline and personal responsibility."

Now, in the wake of this disaster, Jindal is calling for help from the National Guard, federal assistance for state fisherman, more booms, oil skimmers, vacuums and barges -- all presumably supplied by the federal government.

...

The myth perpetrated by governors (including one right here in Minnesota) and Tea Party members alike is that salvation will be found in dismantling "big government" and empowering average folks to control their own destinies. The problem with that thinking is easier to see now, when the government's failure to appropriately regulate offshore drilling or respond to an emergency is clearly visible.


http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/95066704.html?page=2&c=y

[William Z. Foster]

1. on the other hand...

A whole bunch of Democrats have taken up the anti-government torch...

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. Hopefully Mr. Screw Volcano Monitoring has finally stepped in it.

Somehow me thinks that earthquake, volcano and tornado monitoring are all still a waste of money, and the entire federal budget should be spent on cleaning up after the deregulated oil companies to ensure their continued profitability as "good for the region".

[tularetom]

3. Remember Reagan's "Nine scariest words in the English language"?

"I'm from the government and I'm here to help".

I'm guessing a lot of these assholes don't find it so scary anymore.

Of course, after the work has been done and the taxpayers of the US have spent a few brazillion dollars cleaning up the mess, they will once again bravely proclaim their independence from the federal government.

Why would anybody elect a governor who looks and talks like his testicles haven't descended yet?

[Tutankhamun]

4. This oil spill will wake a few people up to realize government's role in regulating

industry is actually important and useful. Unfortunately, the RW echo chamber will continue peddling the notion that greed will magically force companies to conscientously self-regulate in order to succeed with those ever-so-savvy American consumers.

[jaxx]

5. I wonder if he'll want that unemployment stimulus money now.

Jindal is a creep.

[Ned Bro]

6. We all hate a lot of things

Until we need them

[live love laugh]

7. REPUBLICANS aren't anti-gov't. when a Dem in the White House can be embarassed

by them for not doing the very same thing that they don't believe in doing--federal intervention. :crazy: