Tim Russert tips his hand.
I didn't get a chance to write about this at the time it happened, but I just had to get it done. If you ever had any doubts about Tim Russert's political leanings, it was given away in this exchange from August 27.
" MR. RUSSERT: So the money will get directly to the people, but when they get it they won’t be able to use it on tattoos or guns or condoms-to-go, as was evidenced with Katrina?
MR. PAULISON: I don’t have any control once we give people money. Normally, we put money—either give them a check or wire directly to their bank account. Once they get that money for, for issues the Congress has allowed us to give people money for, how they spend it is out of our control. You know, that’s an individual choice. So if they take that money, waste it on something else and don’t rebuild their home with it or don’t replace a car or don’t pay medical expenses, you know, that’s, that’s a personal decision they have to make. We simply give them the dollars they’re allowed under law, and then they should be spending it on what it’s given to them for, but we don’t have any control once we turn those dollars over to them.
MR. RUSSERT: But then the government has to house them, so how, how could that possibly be fair or responsible?
MR. PAULISON: Well, we don’t give rental assistance and also a housing, like a travel trailer or a mobile home. You get one or the other. If you get rental assistance, then you should be renting money with it, otherwise we’ll give you a travel, travel trailer or mobile home if we have the opportunity to do that.
George Stephanopolis, in an interview with Mike Brown (transcript not available online) on the same morning, tried to blame the government for the poor spending choices that recepients of Katrina relief dollars made.
Gentlemen....let me remind you of a simple fact of life in America today. Once you give someone cash, you can NOT control what the spend the money on! It is that simple and that, in a nutshell is the difference between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans will give you a dollar and tell you to spend it wisely and if you don't spend it wisely, will expect you to live with the consequences of your choice! Democrats will give you a dollar, tell you to spend it wisely and when you don't will make excuses as to why you didn't and then demand that the government force you to spend the money on whatever they feel is an appropriate use of the money!
I'm all for accountability, and if the circumstances warrant it, I hope that charges are filed against those who fraudently took Katrina relief money. However, the idea that government can tell you what you should spend your money on is ludicrious. It is also unconstitutional!
" MR. RUSSERT: So the money will get directly to the people, but when they get it they won’t be able to use it on tattoos or guns or condoms-to-go, as was evidenced with Katrina?
MR. PAULISON: I don’t have any control once we give people money. Normally, we put money—either give them a check or wire directly to their bank account. Once they get that money for, for issues the Congress has allowed us to give people money for, how they spend it is out of our control. You know, that’s an individual choice. So if they take that money, waste it on something else and don’t rebuild their home with it or don’t replace a car or don’t pay medical expenses, you know, that’s, that’s a personal decision they have to make. We simply give them the dollars they’re allowed under law, and then they should be spending it on what it’s given to them for, but we don’t have any control once we turn those dollars over to them.
MR. RUSSERT: But then the government has to house them, so how, how could that possibly be fair or responsible?
MR. PAULISON: Well, we don’t give rental assistance and also a housing, like a travel trailer or a mobile home. You get one or the other. If you get rental assistance, then you should be renting money with it, otherwise we’ll give you a travel, travel trailer or mobile home if we have the opportunity to do that.
George Stephanopolis, in an interview with Mike Brown (transcript not available online) on the same morning, tried to blame the government for the poor spending choices that recepients of Katrina relief dollars made.
Gentlemen....let me remind you of a simple fact of life in America today. Once you give someone cash, you can NOT control what the spend the money on! It is that simple and that, in a nutshell is the difference between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans will give you a dollar and tell you to spend it wisely and if you don't spend it wisely, will expect you to live with the consequences of your choice! Democrats will give you a dollar, tell you to spend it wisely and when you don't will make excuses as to why you didn't and then demand that the government force you to spend the money on whatever they feel is an appropriate use of the money!
I'm all for accountability, and if the circumstances warrant it, I hope that charges are filed against those who fraudently took Katrina relief money. However, the idea that government can tell you what you should spend your money on is ludicrious. It is also unconstitutional!
posted by The Lady Logician at
5:39 PM
5 Comments:
With all due respect, I don't see how Russert is showing any bias. He is only pointing out the flaws in giving Katrina victims debit cards worth $2,000.
By
Anonymous, at 12:05 PM
So you see no problem with him trying to push the government into say just how people should spend the money?
If that is the case, how about I come over to your house and start dictating how you will spend your money Doug.
By
The Lady Logician, at 5:39 PM
Once again, lady logician, your logic fails. I earn my money from my job. There is no reason the government should dictate how I will spend it. But when the government gives $2,000 grants to hurricane victims it is a different situation and it is perfectly legitimate to expect that the money will be spent appropriately. I don';t see the sense of the government giveing grants to Katrina victims and having some of the money spent on booze and drugs!
By
Anonymous, at 8:13 PM
But Doug - the DO dictact how you spend your money! EVERY DAY!!!! For the take 30% of your income every day and they spend it on what the deem to be worthy. They give you NO SAY in how that money is spent.
By
The Lady Logician, at 2:42 PM
Taxes are something that we all pay to keep the government operating. I don't like them either though. By the way, I do respect the fact that you engage in dialogue with me and I appreciate it.
By
Anonymous, at 10:48 AM
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