Senator McConnell -- Idiot of the Highest Order

From the Washington Post:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voiced skepticism today about the emerging economic stimulus plan, applying a brake to Democratic plans to quickly pass up to $850 billion in spending and tax cuts soon after President-elect Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration.

"As of right now, Americans are left with more questions than answers about this unprecedented government spending, and I believe the taxpayers deserve to know a lot more about where it will be spent before we consider passing it," McConnell said in a statement, which will be publicly issued later today.

Rant on:

Let me get this straight. A Senator who oversaw one of the largest expansions in government spending in history is now concerned about spending? According to the CBO, total government outlays under Bush and the Republican controlled Congress from 2001 -2006 increased from $1.8 trillion to $2.4 trillion -- that's an increase of 33%. At the same time -- again under Republican rule from 2001 to 2006 -- the total debt outstanding increased from $5,807,463,412,200.06 at the end of fiscal 2001 to $8,506,973,899,215.23. And now a man who helped to oversee this is complaining about spending? Excuse me?

A note to Senator McConnell. The equation for GDP is simple. Here it is

C+I+E+G = GDP.

In case you are confused, those are symbols. Let's explains those symbols for you.

C - consumer spending. This is now in the tank. Personal consumption expenditures are now negative year over year. Retailers just reported a terrible Christmas. In other words -- 70% of our economy is out of order right now.

I - Investment. This has been neutral for awhile. You may be familiar with the housing bubble? (Actually, you probably just became aware of it because you were probably saying the economy was sound until recently). Well - there was a housing bubble and it has crashed. As a result, total investment has been weak for some time now.

E = net exports. The US runs a mammoth trade deficit, so this ones out as well.

That leaves G -- as in government spending -- to pull us out of this mess. Unless of course you like depressions you dolt.

Comments

[bud812]

Oh yeah thank you Kentucky for sending your worst to Washington and subjecting us all to your backwards hillbilly thought processes! I vote for more federal dollars for Kentuckys education system!

[bud812]

From what i see these idiots get to Washington and become so self important that they say let them eat cake! I personally think someone should organize a march on Washington and we all go there to tell the obstructionists to do our bidding or face the mob! If we dont were going to get more of the same and then our grandchildren will get the bill.This country has lost its patriots we are all sheep waiting for our corrupt shepards to lead us to the slaughter!

[JohnLawrence]

The Republicans are gearing up to slow down, delay and obstruct Obama policy legislation in order to try and make Obama's Presidency ineffective. If he can't move rapidly and without obstruction, he will not be able to get anything meaningful accomplished and the status quo will prevail. See http://willblogforfood.typepad.com

[KCFreedom]

I'm glad someone blogged on this.

I saw the irony right away. That's what McConnell and his like just don't understand.

All that effort to block any oversight of Wall St. bailout money (the preceding deficit besides) but just have to keep track of all that stimulus money. The joke is on us.

[TJCole]

I you look up pusillanimous it says:....McConnell U.S. Senator from Kentucky...

[larry278]

Some of those who are commenting on this bolg don't understand what Bonddad is saying. It is possible that it's difficult to understand clearly written prose. Reading the comments on Bonddad's blogs can be, as was said once upon a time, informative.

[zakwouldhave]

Consumer spending is down. Lets hope when it goes back up its not all financed with high interest that boosts the credit card companies right back up.

[sonoffestus]

I just hope that Obama uses his bully pulpit to let the voting public know who is obstructing the attempted rescue of the country. Every week he needs to clearly and loudly announce BY NAME those in congress who are standing in the way and who are putting Party before country.

"Mitch McConnell has announce today that he does not want to help the country rebuild. Mitch does not care about America , nor the American people. I ask for your help, I ask the people of America to help me rebuild America. I ask all Americans to stand against M. McConnell, an enemy of the people , an enemy of America. I can not do this alone. Let your voice be heard. Thank You ", PE Obama.

[Fremon]

The Repos have always been able to double talk; speak with forked tongue; speak out of the corners of their mouths; take your pick. Starting with "bring honor and integrity" back to the White House, mushroom clouds, David Craig, real America, we don't torture, etc etc. On their watch spending was equivelent to driving up the economy and making them look as if they knew what they were doing. For those who think the nation will revert back to Republicans in four to eight years will learn. Obama may not get all reversed but will do enough to show that he can run a competent government which the Repos couldn't do. It will be costly, but jobs will come back slowly and we will have a better country. Not, perhaps, great but better.

[timnel]

So all of McConnell increase spending under his watch could not keep us from this mess now but more spending will rescue us who is really the idiot. This site used to have great solutions to problems but has now gone the Olberman route Republicans bad and evil Democrats are the saviors. Hopefully Obama engages Congress because that whole institution needs a make over

[radiojunkie]

let the country bleed until voters are ready to vote republican again. what a strategy.

[BBackSoon]

GOP = Make sure no meaningful change happens where Dems might get some credit for actually helping the majority of the people.

[robmagic]

yes it is true-the voters in this great (but backward and uneducated) state I reside in elected to vote against their own best interests and send this horrible man back to DC. I send my apologies to everyone. Maybe we can atone and at least send our other idiot Senator-Jim Bunning packing in his next re-election bid.

[catsmom]

I know how you feel. My senators are Lindsay Graham and Jim DeMint.

[jcorrington]

I can top that, mine are mccain and kyl!!

[jayhawk67]

Since no incumbent is likely to vote for term limits, why not take this approach: Every four years, the Senators/Congressmen will be subject to the voters of every state except where they reside. They will be given fifteen minutes on Leno, Letterman, et al, votes will be cast the same way as on American Idol and they have ten minutes to clean out their locker. Gee, what was in those brownies I just ate?

[BarryS]

Solution to this kind of madness [and the bridge to nowhere...]

No state can receive more federal funds that the national average +10%. End welfare for states who don't like to tax their own citizens, yet suck up funds from other states.

One quick drive across the USA will show you which states these are: [essentially] unpaved road, lack of traffic signs, poor infrastructure.

That is until you go to the poiticians' mansions.

[Fremon]

Mostly the south.

[Rule Of Law]

Oregon--no sales tax, best roads in the country, huge federal money recipient.

[marignymitch]

Bingo, Mr Stewart.

McConnell loves him some big zillionaires but Kentucky not so much. Still Kentucky finds him irresistable. Perhaps it's the wattle.

[RadCenter]

McConnell deserves the "Idiot of the Highest Order" title simply for demanding that every auto worker in the country be forced to work for non-union wages. This is not only un-American; it is detrimental to auto workers in his own state. After all, if you were an auto exec and you knew that workers in Michigan and Kentucky are both making the same wages, wouldn't you rather locate in Michigan, where you have a larger pool of experienced workers? McConnell has just forced Kentuckians into competition with better-trained workers in Detroit. If I were from Kentucky, I'd be demanding a recall election.

The rest of us do not want to be forced down to Kentucky living standards.