Certainly politicians are hypocrites. That's who they are and what they do. As a political scientist in this story about Gov. Mitch Daniels' flip-flop on federal stimulus funds says, "They've got their asterisk, but it's a flip-flop and it's convenient, and politicians always do the convenient thing. That's how they survive and prosper." Maybe that's why the Daniels administration is so reluctant to answer questions about Daniels in February joining the governors of 43 states and four territories in asking for an extension of the initial stimulus progeram's federal match for Medicaid, then appearing on "Fox News Sunday" this week to denounce the new stimulus bill going through Congress. But they at least need to come up with something better that this:
"The governor's position has always been the same. He doesn't agree with the administration's stimulus policies," said Jane Jankowski, Daniels' press secretary. "But if we get a check, we'll cash it."
I don't especially like the state lottery, for a lot of reasons. But I occasionally buy a ticket, and if I won, I'd keep the money. I don't agree with the speed limit in certain areas, but if I'm ticketed for exceeding it, I'll pay the fine. But I'm just an ordinary citizen trying to make my way through the rules they set for me. I'm not the guy running the state.
The "don't agree but go along position" is one I've criticized Mark Souder for when it comes to earmarks. He was much less pure than, say, Mike Pence, who is against the earmarks and has refused them. If you preach conservatism and fiscal restraint one day, then brag about the federal money you're hauling in for your constituents the next, you're just perpetuating the problem.
If you don't agree with the stimulus, maybe you take the money when it's offered, maybe you don't. But you certainly don't go out of the way to seek it, then denounce the whole concept.
Comments
Yep, I agree.