Republicans Who Love Corporate Welfare
It's just silly to talk about Republicans as the party of small government.
As I've said, the Republican party is just the party of somewhat less ginormous government than the Democrats -- especially when they can direct government subsidies to the hands held out in their districts.
From the WSJ, here are some Republicans trying to yank funding toward their neighborhood Solyndras:
Some Republicans are teaming up with Democrats to save the subsidies for wind, solar, nuclear and advanced coal projects that are in their own backyards.Republicans Joe Barton and Michael Burgess of Texas and Phil Gingrey of Georgia have defended this politicized venture capital operation.
...The program began in the late, not-so-great days of the Bush Administration. Since March 2009, DOE has received $47 billion in loan guarantee authority, and three of the first five companies receiving guarantees have already gone belly up, including Abound Solar, Beacon Power and Solyndra.
Bloomberg reports that half the solar companies that have received loan guarantees have gone bankrupt. Renewable energy deserves every chance to compete in the open marketplace backed by private investors. But DOE's taxpayer bet on alternative energy is looking steadily worse over time, as abundant natural gas for electricity generation is making renewable energy less competitive even with subsidies.
Oh, and for those of you who want to believe in the notion of Democrats as "progressives," Obama has kept the drug war going and has been terrible for civil liberties and Bill Clinton signed the odious Defense Of Marriage Act -- or as I called it today, the Defense Of Discrimination Act.
The one thing both Democrats and Republicans have very much in common: Both sell out HARD.
Interesting that no one has commented here yet. I'm so tired of the endless blabbering about how Republicans are the party of small government. You're right: They're not. They just have different pets.
MonicaP at July 19, 2012 11:25 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/07/republicans-who.html#comment-3268358">comment from MonicaPPerhaps people are finding themselves "J'accuse-d" correctly in this post.
And love this:
Amy Alkon at July 19, 2012 11:34 AM
Actually, it looks to me like they sell out quite easily...
Cousin Dave at July 19, 2012 11:51 AM
And yet, both Democrats and Republicans are absolutely consistent on one message.
"If you don't vote for us, it will *literally* be the end of America."
Never give money or time to anyone that gives you that message. Consider voting for the most viable third party candidate instead.
jerry at July 19, 2012 12:41 PM
I've noticed Amy that since you switched server companies the rate at which new item appear on your blog is a little odd.
Last night at around 10pm MST in az the nly stories up fr to day were the junk file and the one on the gay marrige suit. it was the same around 10 this morning.
I've also noticed sometimes, thuogh very very rarly, that a item you post very late or very early which originaly show up under the next days date will sometimes shift backwards a day, including a change to the url
lujlp at July 19, 2012 2:23 PM
My point being I refresh the posts I'm looking at once every hour or so so as to not fall to ar behind any conversation, but I didnt see this item appear on the main board until abut an hour ago.
Might be my ISP but I dnt dont know
lujlp at July 19, 2012 2:26 PM
There is an old anecdote that explains the difference.
Mark Twain was asked why he, a Southerner, supported the Republican Party. "Well. because I believe the Democrats would steal a hot stove. (long draw on cigar) Of course, so would Republicans, but they'd have the sense to wear gloves."
John A at July 19, 2012 2:30 PM
The purpose of government is to extract every dime it can from the populace. The purpose of the populace is to tell the government to go to hell.
Jim P. at July 19, 2012 8:02 PM
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