Perry's Obstructionist Antics Could Cost Texas Billions

[babylonsister]

E-mail I received; Dems in TX are not happy campers.



PERRY'S OBSTRUCTIONIST ANTICS COULD COST TEXAS BILLIONS

Threats to Reject Stimulus Funds Ring Partisan


(Austin, TX) - Texans have already seen Republican U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison and Republican Congressman Pete Sessions play politics instead of working to develop a bipartisan plan to rescue our economy. Now that the economic recovery plan has been signed into law by the President, Governor Rick Perry continues to put Texans in the crossfire of his partisanship by threatening to reject all or part of the benefits Texans would see from our federal tax dollars that would be used here under the plan.

"Governor Perry's obstructionist antics demonstrate he is more concerned with political recovery for the Republican Party than economic recovery for Texas," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. "If the Governor's political agenda allows our tax dollars to be shipped off to other states, 'Ripoff Rick' will cost Texans an important investment in job creation, schools, health care and transportation."

"Years of failed Republican economic policy got us into this mess, and now Rick Perry is threatening to reject real solutions to cleaning up the mess he himself helped create. That's not leadership - that's reckless partisanship," continued Richie.

Gov. Perry's partisan antics are at odds with the new direction our country is taking - the recovery plan is being welcomed by an overwhelming majority of our nation's governors - both Democrats and Republicans. If Gov. Perry rejects Texas' share of the federal aid, our state could lose as much as $27 billion to invest in infrastructure - funds that could create or save an estimated 269,000 jobs.

"Apparently, Rick Perry would rather Texans sit in traffic on his toll roads than have the funding to build new roads," added Richie. "He should be ashamed of his threats to ship hard-working Texans' tax dollars off to other states - but perhaps he's hoping the 39% of voters who supported his reelection won't mind becoming casualties of his obstructionism."

[elizfeelinggreat]

1. Showing his true colors

can only help at this point. Go ahead, republicans in Texas, bite off your nose to spite your face.

It's not just the Dems who will be unhappy - there are many, many republicans who will feel the sting of missing out on these funds. Let their whining begin, perhaps they will rethink their blind allegiance!

[Avalux]

2. This is making my blood boil.

If Perry chooses to not take the funds to help us Texans who need it, I will personally lead a march on the state capitol. I have nothing better to do now that I'm jobless. :mad:

[Lasher]

4. Never happen.

Not in a million years. This truth makes his whining even more egregious. He has no intention whatever of turning the money down.

[Javaman]

9. Exactly right. Plus, the governor of Texas is largely a ceremonial job.

the real power is with the LT Governor and the legislature.

all that moron can do is stamp his feet and act all indignant.

But like you said, in the end, he will take the money and take it gladly.

he's trying his best to be the sharpest tool in the repuke tool shed. Anything beyond dull, these days, is sharp to them. LOL

[Lasher]

11. Hmmm. I did not know the Texas Governor was relatively powerless.

Thanks.

:hi:

[Javaman]

19. it was set up that way, when the state first became a republic...

to much power was in the hands of the Mexican Governor or what ever the local authority was over this territory, before the Texas Revolution.

[babylonsister]

6. He's all bluster. He will take the money. He's trying to impress

rethugs imo.

[billyoc]

3. Another Republican political suicide bomber.

Flaming out on purpose for future considerations in the business community.

[babylonsister]

5. I don't understand why he'd be flaming out on purpose?

He has higher political aspirations. Dems are not amused, but rethugs might be. This is Texas, and we are in the minority. For the moment. I think he could be creating more Dems with his stupidity.

And that's okay!

[NoPasaran]

12. This has everything to do with the 2010 governor's race

Perry is concentrating on getting 100 percent support from his religious/conservative nutjob base to head off the primary challenge from Kay Bailey Hutchison.

[babylonsister]

15. But the more reasonable among his base might consider

his stance on this bill totally wrong, when he will more than likely cave anyway.

Texas is not in such dire straits as other states though, so his working base might like what he's dishing out. Teh stoopid never ends.

[NoPasaran]

16. I think he's writing off the reasonable vote to KBH

This is all red meat for the wackos, even though he's already caving.

Perry is gambling that the wingnut vote in the primary will be larger than the moderates and independents (who I thing voted for Strayhorn in 2006) plus Democratic crossovers who'll go with Kay. My opinion is that lack of a credible Democrat running for governor will encourage crossovers, which will help Hutchison. Of course, then we'll end up with her as governor. Still, that seems like a better prospect to me than Goodhair becoming Governor For Life and owing it all to the Talibornagain.

[babylonsister]

17. I have this impression that both

Goodhair and Cornyn are just plain stupid. Maybe it's their lack of a personality, but they both seem similar to me. Cornyn is definitely dumb, not that sure about Perry, but gawd, this is Texas, home of Molly and Ann. Are there no male politicians with a spine and character?

[billyoc]

14. I can only think that he's giving up on politics and thinking about future business ties.

:shrug:

[mod mom]

7. If these GOP Governors think turning down stimulus will not make them liable to assist

in paying it off, they need to be reminded that it was the cost of the Iraq War compliments their asshole in chief that helped precipitate our dire financial state in the first place.

[madrchsod]

8. more money for everyone else! .....

he`ll take the money....

[WolverineDG]

10. Oh the Rep guv primary is gonna be fuuuuunnnnnn

I've heard from some Rs in my circle of friends & they're not happy about this either, so expect that 39% to go lower....

In the meantime, I'm stocking up on :popcorn:

dg

[Thrill]

13. Good to see someone in there state stand up. Where are the Democrats in LA?

[LynneSin]

18. I think the stimulus money to the states should be "All or Nothing"

Either you want to help the people of your state or try to maintain your idiotic 'republican creditials'.

We could put that money in escrow and setup a system that would allow individuals to petition for help directly. Then when the voters of the state dump his sorry ass the new governor can petition for the money to be released.

[blogslut]

20. Perry was posing

He accepted the stimulus $$$. Here's his letter to president Obama, as provided by http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=CF89734DCA58B0F928480D94F8A04E17?diaryId=8088">Burnt Orange Report:

President Barack Obama
The White House

Dear Mr. President:

I'm writing you today in response to stipulations set forth in H.R. 1, the $787 billion stimulus package you signed into law yesterday. As you know, I have been vocal in my opposition to this legislation because I believe there are better ways to reinvigorate our economy and believe H.R. 1 will burden future generations with unprecedented levels of debt.

Throughout the years, Texas taxpayers have sent substantially more dollars to Washington than we receive on issues ranging from transportation to border security and hurricane relief. As I have during the debate on H.R. 1, should Congress pass stimulus legislation using Texas tax dollars, I would work to ensure our citizens receive their fair share.

On behalf of the people of Texas, please allow this letter to certify that we will accept the funds in H.R. 1 and use them to promote economic growth and create jobs in a fiscally responsible manner that is in the best interest of Texas taxpayers. I remain opposed to using these funds to expand existing government programs, burdening the state with ongoing expenditures long after the funding has dried up.

I continue to believe the best way to stimulate the economy is the approach we are taking here in Texas. As a result of low taxes, controlled government spending and a predictable regulatory climate, nearly 80 percent of all jobs created in the United States were created in Texas; the vast majority of these were private sector jobs. Just last week, Texas was ranked the top exporting state in the nation for the seventh year in a row.

It was a pleasure meting you in Philadelphia, and I appreciate your concern for the Texans displaced by Hurricane Ike. While we differ on solutions to the ongoing economic crisis facing our country, I believe we both share a desire to see our great nation endure as a beacon of freedom and economic vitality to the world.

Sincerely,
Rick Perry
Governor

[indepat]

21. Proud to have kicked this rebuke of Gov. Perry to the greatest page: if only more Dems could so

eloquently excoriate the whole of 'pukes and their agenda, the quicker this nation could be ridded of the large part of the virulently malevolent 'puke cancer on our society. :P

[Javaman]

22. And so it goes, asshole perry takes the money after complaining about it.

just goes on to highlight just how much of a colossal jerk off he really is.

Read my comments up thread. asshole perry had no power in denying the money from the stimulus. The legislature torn him a new one in the back room. he quickly fell into line.

yet another paper tiger repuke. Like them all. LOL