Did Rachel and Steve Benen discuss an idea that might work?

There are apparently quite a few right wingers who have proposed spending on projects for their districts that would create jobs.

Benen posted this: How about a Bachmann-inspired stimulus?

In public, Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann spends much of her time railing against government spending. In private, Bachmann spends quite a bit of time requesting government spending.

A Freedom of Information Act request filed by The Huffington Post with three separate federal agencies reveals that on at least 16 separate occasions, Bachmann petitioned the federal government for direct financial help or aid. A large chunk of those requests were for funds set aside through President Obama’s stimulus program, which Bachmann once labeled “fantasy economics.” Bachmann made two more of those requests to the Environmental Protection Agency, an institution that she has suggested she would eliminate if she were in the White House.

Taken as a whole, the letters underscore what Bachmann’s critics describe as a glaring distance between her campaign oratory and her actual conduct as a lawmaker. Combined with previous revelations that Bachmann personally relied on a federally subsidized home loan while her husband’s business benefited from Medicaid payments, it appears that one of the Tea Party’s most cherished members has demonstrated that the government does, in fact, play a constructive role — at least in her life and district.

~snip~

Here’s the pitch: have the White House take the several hundred letters GOP lawmakers have sent to the executive branch since 2009, asking for public investments, and let President Obama announce he’ll gladly fund all of the Republicans’ requests that have not yet been filled.

~snip~

So, how about it? If these Republican lawmakers have identified worthwhile projects in need of government spending, which they themselves insist will boost the economy, why not start spending the money GOP officials want to see spent?


http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_08/how_about_a_bachmanninspired_s031432.php#

Here is a link to the Sam Stein piece on Bachmann: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/10/michele-bachmann-stimulus_n_922851.html

Michelle Bachmann stimulus funds requests: http://www.publicintegrity.org/project_assets/2010/10/stimulus_letters/minnesota/transpo/MN%20-%20Bachmann.pdf

Jeff Sessions request for stimulus: http://www.publicintegrity.org/project_assets/2010/10/stimulus_letters/alabama/energy/Sessions%20Letter%20and%20Response%202.5.09.pdf

Jerry Moran request for stimulus: http://www.publicintegrity.org/project_assets/2010/10/stimulus_letters/kansas/energy/Moran%207.24.2009.pdf

This from last year:

MADDOW: STIMULUS HYPOCRISY IS A 'GIFT-WRAPPED OPPORTUNITY' FOR DEMS.... Arguably no one at the major media outlets has been as assertive on Republicans' stimulus hypocrisy as MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. Her segment on the matter last night, which included an interview with Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, is well worth watching.

"The stimulus has been a gift-wrapped opportunity for Democrats to show how Republicans have denounced Democratic legislation in Washington for political effect, and then admitted in their home districts that the legislation works. It shows not only that Democratic policies work -- and when push comes to shove, in their home districts, Republicans know it -- it also shows that Republicans care so little about policy that they're O.K. with holding totally nonsensically contradictory positions on important stuff."

After noting the dozens of Republican lawmakers who've sought stimulus aid to help the economy in their states and districts, Maddow added, "These Republicans are acknowledging, in writing, that the stimulus is good policy. That it works. Thus proving that they don't mean it when they denounce the stimulus as worthless."

~snip~

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_02/022449.php

So, last night Rachel and Steve suggested that the President move forward with every single one of the programs requested by Republicans for stimulus and job creation in their districts. Their thinking is that it would prove that the Republicans are lying when they denounce stimulus spending.

She has an interesting perspective on every issue.