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Save the Bankers, Screw the Workers
On Meet the Press this morning, Louisiana governor and GOP rising star Bobby Jindal is standing by his decision to refuse to accept unemployment relief for Lousiana's laid off working men and women while demanding capital gains tax cuts for wealthy bankers and investors. That's the Republican party in a nut shell, isn't it? Tell working people to go to hell and give huge tax breaks to the plutocrats who largely caused the economic crisis we're in today.
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It's interesting though how firmly Arnold and Charlie Crist are rejecting that scorched earth mentality.
Can anyone explain to me why anyone should look to the state of Louisiana for direction on government? Don't they always compete with Mississippi on dead last for every measure of quality of life? Sheesh, even Illinois could teach them a lesson on how to combine corruption with the delivery of government services and a relatively decent economy.
Yeah, I really want my state to look more like Louisiana. Right.
February 22, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
The LA unemployment rate is only 5+% as opposed to the average of 7+# so he may be pretty safe in rejecting the unemployment funds. LA may be like TX and OK, which are not hurting as badly yet as some other states because of oil revenue and jobs.
February 22, 2009 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Grandstanding to make a paltry political point at the expense of those one has sworn to protect is pretty lame.
Shame on Jindal.
February 22, 2009 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yglisias had an interesting thought in addition to the grandstanding for 2012 Jindal might be employing a 'beggar my neighbor' strategy. That is he's hoping unemployed get the message that they are not welcome and take off for other states.
The idea seemed reasonable to me, it matches the republican party message to anyone who doesn't toe the party line.
February 22, 2009 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
We should remember, as well, how incensed the Repugs were at UAW wages and how they demanded concessions from those hourly workers but how fiercely they fought against pay caps for taxpayer-bailed-out CEOs paid millions.
February 22, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
No question, the Repub party is primarily a party for the wealthy, at the expense of everyone else. Without their support for racism, and narrow minded religiosity, they would be a perpetual small minority party. But, by including the latter two groups they gain lots of supporters who really should know better, but just can't give up their racism and narrow religiosity. Jindal is just playing to his party base.
February 22, 2009 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's right, hoppy. The Democratic party is NOT a party for the wealthy. Because there's NO rich Wall Streeters, or entertainers or hedge fund gurus that are Democrats. Oh no. Never.
February 22, 2009 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody else touched on this. It was pointed out on CNN or some such place that there is no way the LA legislature is going to let all that money go away.
Good Post though.
February 22, 2009 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink