Sarah Palin: Give the Money Back
Sarah Palin famously said in her Republican convention speech that she told Congress "thanks, but no thanks" for the Bridge to Nowhere. Now, this has been discredited in just about every media outlet in the country. During the Charlie Gibson interview, she didn't even deny that she in fact lobbied for the bridge when she was running for governor.
This, of course, has not stopped her from making the same claim dozens of times since it's been discredited. But what's even more interesting is that she apparently kept as much of the money as the federal government sent her. What happened to thanks, but no thanks?
Though the entire financing for the bridge did not pan out, the US government has set aside $73 million for the project. So far, a lot of money has been wasted building access roads to bridges that don't exist and never will. Of course, people get rich off these projects, so they don't give a damn where they lead as long as the money leads right back into their pockets.
So, I'd like to start a simple campaign called "Give the Money Back." If Sarah Palin is going to claim how much she dislikes earmarks -- despite the fact that she asked for over $250 million in earmarks this year for Alaska and asked for more earmarks per capita for Wasilla than any other city in the country -- let her prove it. Why doesn't she give back the $73 million set aside for this useless project?
Remember that's our money. Republicans love to talk about how it's the taxpayer's money and they know how to spend it better than the government. In this case, I agree. I certainly know how to spend it better than the Alaskan government. So, give it back.
Pass this message on. Demand that Sarah Palin give back our money. That $73 million is now sitting in the bank account to nowhere. It's time that it be returned to its rightful owners -- us!
Follow Cenk Uygur on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks
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Brilliant! This is the phrase that could sink Palin (and by extension, McCain).
This issue will not gain the traction it deserves until Media starts using the noun "liar" at every opportunity. An opportunity just missed by you, Cenk.
She can't give the money back. She spent it on the Road to nowhere (which ends at the water line where the BRIDGE was supposed to be). The construction crew got there and said, "Hey, where's the bridge?" I would be five bucks that if (IF) she becomes VP, that bridge will be one of the first things done. Because you remember, "Alaska First, Alaska Always". (Palin's favorite saying).
There is a petition that can be signed at this website.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/giveback/
Obama 08!
Please forward to the communications department of the Obama campaign.
Give the Money Back!
Give the Money Back!
Give the Money Back!
Love it. Has a good ring to it.
Tenth time's a charm? http://www.entertonement.com/clips/26298/Sarah-Palin/McCain%27s-VP/Bridge-to-Nowhere/Thanks-but-no-thanks
As usual, brilliant, Cenk. However, ReThugs don't think, i use the term loosely, this way. Socialism for the special interests and corporations is labeled "investments in America" and 'trickle down" economics whereas social programs are always labled as "socialism." Therefore, Sarah politely says "Thanks but no thanks" and I;ll just keep the "investments" in Alaska b/c it's good for business. See, us progressives just don't get it. Socialism is not socialism when you "invest" taxpayer money with the special interests and corporations on business to nowhere.
That's not a refund that we can believe in (forced smile set against lime-green backdrop)
Even if I were a republican I would be asking "where is the integrity in the McCain/Palin campaign?"
The answer is obvious, though.
Give. Volunteer. Vote. I do. www.barackobama.com
Cenk,
You're looking at this the wrong way. She not only can't give the money back, she has to ask for more, since those roads to nowhere will require annual maintenance!
Ah, the sweet smell of hypocrisy and hubris! How dare you attack a simple peasant girl just trying to get by in this male dominated world? To paraphrase John Cougar Mellencamp: “I was born with a small mind, all my friends have small minds, too!” Actually, the lyric should be “I was born with a small mind, all my friends have upper level administrative jobs in the Alaskan government.” Just doesn’t have that snappy, number one on the charts ring to it though.
Better late than never but I have my doubts mainly because it would start a trend. She'd also have to give back her per diem that she didn't deserve and who knows how much more.
YES GIVE THE MONEY BACK
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