It can't be repeated enough: Republican "Leadership" Hypocrisy and the Stimulus package

Editor's Note: I'm going to keep moving this to the top of the page because this message needs to be repeated constantly and continuously.

The stimulus package was a jobs-killing, budget-busting, socialist plot to destroy America, right?

That's what Rep. Kit Bond (R), Rep. Joe "You lie!" Wilson (R), Rep. John Linder (R), Pat Tiberi (R), Robert B. Aderholt (R), Lisa Murkowski (R), Sen. Robert Bennett (R), Sen. Mike Johanns (R), and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) said about it. They all screamed "socialism" and "big spending" during the stimulus debate.

Thanks to the CONSERVATIVE Washington Times, who filed an FOIA request to find requests from lawmakers to the USDA for stimulus funds, we now know how these folks really felt about the stimulus package....

Kit Bond (R) - In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Mr. Bond noted that one project applying to the USDA for stimulus money would "create jobs and ultimately spur economic opportunities."

Joe "You Lie!" Wilson (R) - "We know their endeavor will provide jobs and investment in one of the poorer sections of the Congressional District," he wrote to Mr. Vilsack in the Aug. 26, 2009, letter.

John Linder (R) - "The employment opportunities created by this program would be quickly utilized"

Pat Tiberi (R) - "While this project is intended to expand rural broadband in Alaska, I understand that the project could support businesses and jobs in communities across the country," Mr. Tiberi wrote, citing one such company in his district.

Robert B. Aderholt (R) - THREE DAYS after publicly slamming the Stimulus he said "Since the bill was passed and became law, the congressman wanted to help a local foundation receive some of the broadband money that otherwise would go to another state."

Lisa Murkowski (R) - "When constituents come to me asking for support in a competitive application process for funding for broadband expansion, I am happy to support their request. I will always fight to make sure my state gets its fair share of available federal dollars"

Robert Bennett (R) - TWO DAYS before issuing a criticism of the Stimulus package he said "I believe the addition of federal funds to these projects would maximize the stimulative effect of these projects on the local economy"

Mike Johanns (R) - "The proposed project would create 38 new jobs and bring broadband to eight hospitals, five colleges, 16 libraries and 161 K-12 schools"

Lamar Alexander (R) - "It is anticipated that the project will create over 200 jobs in the first year and at least another 40 new jobs in the following years."

They KNOW the Stimulus will be good for their districts/states, but they vote against it, and scream "SOCIALISM!"... then get behind closed doors and ask for cash.

A definitive pattern has arisen over the last year from the Republican Leadership in Congress:

1.) Oppose anything the Democrats or the President proposes
2.) When the people aren't looking, try to benefit from the thing they opposed because they know it's actually good policy.

They are opposing to oppose. They have no ideas and no solutions. They have one goal in mind: winning elections, even at the cost of the economy and jobs. This is the Republican "Leadership" in Congress, folks. And when they get power back, do you think they'll do a better job than they did with the economy last time? Of course not. Their only "solutions" are "cut taxes (for the rich)" and "deregulate the financial sector". That's why we're here right now. Remember that at the polls in November.

I gotta hand it to the Washington Times, they did their homework, for once, and weren't afraid to actually pursue a story where it made their power brokers look bad.

Here's a question for the new National Tea Party: Will you be funding opponents for all of these legislators? I mean, you aren't behind one party, so I would assume that you would want to make an example of these "tax and spend" Republicans, right?