Stimulus Funds Rejection By Local Officials Causing Controversy

MSNBC:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was supposed to create jobs by the millions, but Debra Morgan of North Platte, Neb., says it got her fired.

Morgan, a 17-year employee and former executive director of North Platte's housing authority, contends she's a victim of small-town politics. She says that against her advice the authority's commissioners rejected $588,000 in stimulus funds because of their anti-government principles, then threw her under the bus when they got caught in the glare of national publicity.

Read the whole story: MSNBC

Comments

[smartypants1984]

12:30 PM on 12/15/2009

Believe me, they want the money, they just don't want to accept it from the Obama administration. If it were being offered by any other (white) president, they would be lined up, hands outstretched with big happy grins on their faces. I grew up in a very rural area, and the dirty little secret of most of these places, is that most of the population receives some sort of government assistance, but these individuals will never admit it. When the checks arrive at the local post office, you should see everyone try to time their arrival so nobody else can see them get their check. It's ludicrous to witness, but that really is a big part of the problem.

[CalDemo]

11:46 AM on 12/15/2009

They could have done what repug governor Jindal did in Louisiana: decry the stimulus funds, make fun of the serious effort to restore jobs to the unemployed, take the money, then go around the state to make it look like he was handing out the grants with state funds. it may not be perfect. but at least it is unethical and constistant with repug morality.

[SoCalNick]

10:55 AM on 12/15/2009

SO just how will the desperado's turn THEIR refusal of Monies earmarked to help THEM avoid POVERTY into " Its all Obamas Fault"?

How many people talk AGAINST these funds and STILL use them and take credit for their existence?

How many OBAMA Haters would be HOMELESS and children STARVING on the streets if it weren't for the Unemployment extensions signed by Obama?

But they will NEVER Admit Obama did ANYTHING that helps them.

It will be very nice when we can speak above the 4 year old level again.

I doubt it will even happen in my lifetime, unless of course they manage to fix another election for yet another Dry Drunk D student ( or ANYONE else White )

That is all.

[traumabob]

09:49 AM on 12/15/2009

I admire anyone who is willing to die for their principles. But these guys are like cult leaders, in that they want everyone else to die with them.

[dieselis]

09:42 AM on 12/15/2009

I here by declare the Republican Party obsolete. They have used the facade of fiscal responsibility to garner power to have Social Programs for the very Rich. They have dumped our Nation into the abyss and now want to make President Obama the scapegoat. From Uncle Ronnie to George Bush JR. they've spend more money and simultaneously cut taxes to cater to the Rich. Obama is spending allot of money but it's placement will help everyday people not just the Rich. Though I'm sure the Rich won't be left out. All the substance the Rich have been given over the last 30yrs,what have they done for Our Country? They've moved jobs to China and other labor cheap countries. Banks and Wall Street through deregulation have bankrupted the Nation and taxpayers bailed them out only to be smacked in the face by not circulating money back to the public. Their mooning the taxpayer as we speak. If we reinstall the GOP to power,then we don't deserve freedom.liberty,fair wage or life as we once knew it. These Communistic Capitalist deserve to rule over us. The Federal Reserve runs this Country. In the ground I might add.

[Joe The Nerd Ferraro]

09:20 AM on 12/15/2009

this is from a facebook group looking for members....
___________________________________________________________
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169917060735

JANUARY 15 2010 - MARCH FOR CHANGE

AMERICANS NEED TO MARCH ON WASHINGTON IN NUMBERS HERETOFORE UNSEEN TO DEMONSTRATE OUR SUPPORT FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES WE STILL BELIEVE IN AND WANT TO SEE OUR PRESIDENT & REPRESENTATIVES FIGHT FOR.

We need to show our numbers, our vigor, and our commitment to REAL, SUBSTANTIVE, AND FUNDAMENTAL (not incremental) CHANGE in a way that will capture the national media's attention and call attention to our discontent. This astroturf, right-wing, TeaBag movement has been successful in creating the misperception that "Millions" of Americans are fed up with Gov't (specifically Obama).
________________________________________________________

this is a worthy group to join; even as the RW trolls try to attack this.

please re-post this on threads you think may want to see this.

[Liberal2]

12:51 PM on 12/15/2009

This is something I said is necessary to get action from Obama, DINOs, and rethugs.

But I *AM* fed up with Obama. The people in the bottom 90% of the US population need help today, not some mythical tomorrow when Obuma (sic) finally gets the bipartisanship he's looking for (by going more and more rightwing). Yes, he'll get that bipartisanhip with rethugs, all he has to do to get Congress to pass rightwing legislation (tax breaks for the wealthy, deregulation, more war, etc.).

[Joe The Nerd Ferraro]

01:05 PM on 12/15/2009

i am sorry you feel that way.

but remember we left the field in 2009.

[Leigh49]

07:34 AM on 12/15/2009

Why don't those commissioners address their families taking govt subsidy money for their own interests but not for their city and people? They need to answer for that.

[1differentdrummer]

05:48 AM on 12/15/2009

Have you ever been to North Platte? To steal a John Denver line, I spent a week there one day. Actually, I've spent several weeks there on several days because I had to. The highlights of the year are the crane migrations, and they are beautiful. The other fifty weeks North Platte is only shelter from ice storms and blizzards or a place to buy gas.

[mergina]

02:31 AM on 12/15/2009

Obamas political career is toast.

[1differentdrummer]

05:35 AM on 12/15/2009

Where does that leave the US? Should we have a dazzling duo like John and Sarahahaha? Or winners like the rest of the GORPs? We are headed for the dark ages if your post is anywhere near accurate. The GORPs ignored the 9/11 warnings, squandered a surplus and created wars. Under them the economy cratered, millions were bankrupted by medical bills while the wealthy got tax cuts. What a record to stand on. Now they are about as useful to us as a wrench jammed into the machinery.

[Leigh49]

07:24 AM on 12/15/2009

BS.

[research]

01:23 AM on 12/15/2009

Yeah, but they BEG for war dollars.

[LeftRight]

09:49 AM on 12/15/2009

Ain't THAT the truth! They made such a HUGE deal about Obama agreeing to the DoD's request for only 22 more F-22s, because the company that makes them has production lines in almost every state!!!

[PWM]

10:05 AM on 12/15/2009

Also the fact the F-22 is a joke. A jet that cannot fly in bad weather.

[soldiergirl]

11:54 PM on 12/14/2009

Only sheer stupidy would drive community leaders to turn down anything that would be good for their community for no other reason than for the sake of politics. Not taking the money only frees the money up to go to some other community that will take it and put it to good use.

[TruEngineHearing]

07:01 AM on 12/15/2009

Exactly.

[foxbat]

09:59 AM on 12/15/2009

Very true and, in this economy, the bigger competitor for any locale/state is not overseas, but the locale/state right next door ... most probably the one who's using the money right now.

[engchina]

11:05 PM on 12/14/2009

As part of the Chinese 4 trillion yuan stimulous package.
22 Chinese cities are now building or expanding subway train service.
Another 8000KM of High speed intercity rail rail is also being added.
In america in an effort to join the 21st century, Congress gave the okay to carry guns on 40 year old AMTRAK trains.
Thank you congress.
EngChina.

[NHGranite]

11:18 PM on 12/14/2009

We're headed right down the slide from first world country to 2nd world; can 3rd world status be far behind?

[LeftRight]

09:50 AM on 12/15/2009

In many ways we're already into the 3rd world.... I think that we're headed for the hertofore unknown 4th world!

[PWM]

10:06 AM on 12/15/2009

If one looks at our average life expentancy and infant mortality rates, we are third world.

[gakabani]

09:27 PM on 12/14/2009

Obama said during his presidential campaign

"Change you can count with"

As he said, so I am starting to "count" my pennies and dimes.

[Viper]

09:50 PM on 12/14/2009

taxes are lower now than Under BUSH... your point?

Regards

[jinxed]

10:40 PM on 12/14/2009

Please don't overwhelm this poor soul with truth, he's having too much fun in fantasy land.

[SensibleJoe]

10:33 PM on 12/14/2009

Actually, he said "Change you can count *on*," not "*with*," gakabani. You either weren't paying attention or are intentionally distorting his words. No points for your poor attempt at being clever in your partisan propaganda.

[CrzyRussell]

09:18 PM on 12/14/2009

It is a foolish thing to hire or start ongoing activities with stimulus funds. Stimulus funds are one time and are nonrenewable. Soooo, if you hire a cop, expand transit service or build and open a community center you will have to try to find the money to maintain the service that is being provided. And THAT is easier said than done.

[Viper]

09:31 PM on 12/14/2009

True, but the idea is that recessions dont last forever and to make it less deep and less damaging to people and their communities. Local communties w/o the aid would raise taxes... which would have offset the tax cuts in the stimulus plan which were designed also for a shorttem pump. More teahers, police, firemen laid off and city untility workers means more foreclosed homes, further loss of property taxes and thequickening of a downward spiral.

Infra structure expenses are costs we were going to have to pay anyway and give the most bang for the buck( read up on mulitplier effects). America has been spending half as much on its infrastructure for 30 years compared to the rest of the world and its crumbling...


An economy is like a pump.. it has to be primed from time to time. Under BUSH the conomy became so bad it lot its prime.

No real solution comes until we end trade deficts.. which is a trillion i nwealth we lose every year.

Regards

[CrzyRussell]

09:51 PM on 12/14/2009

One time projects are good. But anything with ongoing expenses, for at least the next two years, are not sustainable. It is too bad the stimulus was rushed through congress. Had the time been taken to write it well it would have worked better.

And they still haven't done anything for main street yet.

[ParacelsusTheophrastus]

08:38 PM on 12/14/2009

They should be like my mayor. He used public funds to complain about the bailout and the stimulus while asking for federal money for an airport.