Sunday, February 22, 2009

Analysis: Will the governors do their part (federalism) to make the stimulus package work, or will they reject it because it's politically unsettling?

Read the article at this link!

11 comments:

Addie said...

I'm thinking that the overall tone of the article makes it seem as though the governors are not going to do their part. The quoted governors seemed to be apprehensive about taking the money and tentative about the overall success.

I don't think they're going to do their part.

Ryan K said...

I think there will be a sharp contrast between what the governors do. Since this package was largely a democratic package with little support from republicans, I think the republican governors will be immature and not take the money. Or at least not use it wisely. On the other hand democratic governors will embrace it. I think this will lead to a difference of economic states in parts of the country and ultimately lead to the package being unsuccessful. I personally believe it will only work if everyone does what they need to.

P.S. It is awesome Earth, Wind, and Fire are playing at the dinner.

Mr. Bretzmann said...

Republican is a proper noun and should be capitalized. Democrat is a proper noun and should be capitalized.

Even so, is it good or bad politics to not take the money? Crist and Arnold in favor of taking it. Jindal and Sanford against it. All Republicans.

Democratic governors say, "Hey constituents, here's a bunch of money and btw don't forget to vote for Dems that got you this money."

GOP governors say, "We are standing on principle and they are trying to spend our children's money."

Who is correct politically? Who makes a more salient point politically? Analyze...

Sergeant K. said...

I agree with Ryan. I believe this bill will create a sharp contrast between Republican and Democratic governors acrossed the nation. My hope is that the GOP will use the money wisely and cause any potential dilemas in their respective elections

Alli B said...

I think the majority of the governors will accept the stimulus money given to them. Many states need the money and have a lot of good programs that the money can be invested into. The Republicans should be able to stand by their principles, but they should also consider what effect not accepting the stimulus package will have on their state.

Jessie R said...

I think that the governors will realize that the money is needed to help better there state. Some Republican governers ae against it for selfish reasons, but I believe most will realize that if the money isn't taken, then it will be political suicide for them. I think most of the governers will take the money in order to help better their states, and hopefully better the whole economy.

nathanl said...

Mr. Bretzmann makes an excellent point. The Republicans aren't necessarily the bad guys here. If all Republican governors had refused the money as a group, that would have been shameful partisanship. But it's just some of them refusing the money, at the risk of their careers, then maybe it's possible they really are doing what they feel is right. Then again, all of the governors accepting the money (from both parties) could just be doing it to appease their constituents. It's too early to read the motivations of the governors.

mevanoff said...

Well if some governors decide to not take the money because they don't think it will work how can they be at fault? Also, how could the governors make this work? Even if they all comply this plan could fail like the old stimulus package. Hooray for Federalism and Socialism working together to wreck a great republic.

MattC said...

I believe the GOP governors will initially reject stimulus money of grounds of political ideology. They're not called politicians without reason though, as they will, no doubt, slime there way to receive the full stimulus after they rant to their local journalist about how awful it is. They will effectively say one things while doing another. It really is what makes America great, and confusing.

Now that the stimulus is approved, I really am looking forward to some very exciting overhaul; how about solar farms, or a new countrywide fast rail system.

Ryan K said...

After Obama's speech I'm much more confident the governors will do their part. I was rather impressed by his speech because he actually got the GOP members in the chamber to stand up and clap for many of the things he said. I also was impressed because it was a much more positive speech than his past ones. That is the kind of speech he needs to give because the American consumer mainly needs confidence right now. I think that the governors hopefully saw this and now hopefully understand this enough to do their part.

TylerDL said...

I feel that the Republican governers should spend the money that they are given very wisely. it would be a big mistake to just blow it off. The money is going to get spent one way or another so they should put it to a good, responsible use.