I was hoping Mitch Daniels might be the first governor to just say no to the federal government, but it looks like that honor goes to Time Pawlenty:
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty Tuesday ordered all state agencies to not to submit applications to any health care funding from the federal government related to the health care overhaul.
Any applications must be either required by law or approved by the governor's office.
Yes, Daniels is right that states not getting the extra funding will be "donor states," but the madness has to stop somewhere. Somebody has to be first. Too bad he didn't step up.
Comments
Leo - I agree with you on this subject. I am getting very tired of supposed conservative Republican officials saying one thing and then doing the exact opposite! Is that maybe why three of the four incumbents in DC that lost in their primaries this year have been Republicans?
Weeks ago, at the Monday morning Conservative Breakfast Club, one of our Allen County Commissioners was bragging about spending time in DC to insure that she got "our share" of the slop from the Federal Hog Trough. And then she claims to be a fiscal conservative - HOGWASH!!
John:
It seems to be more addictive than CRACK to these politicos...
Once they take a "taste", they NEVER look back.
They onyl expect MORE.
And then...the FEDS have got 'em all by the short hairs.
Well said.
I think Daniels did the right thing. He's in a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation. I don't think it's inconsistent of him, either, to take the money if it's there to take. Sometimes you have to be pragmatic.