Stimulus boast all doubletalk

I just received an e-mail from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers announcing with enthusiastic excitement the federal Transportation Department’s granting of the state of Washington’s request for federal financial assistance, to the tune of $35 million. McMorris Rodgers’ e-mail gushed about her “long-standing support” of the freeway project and complained that prior federal contributions (under the prior Republican administration) had been a mere pittance of $18 million. She implied that she had been instrumental in obtaining these funds for our district.

Nowhere in her happy announcement did she disclose that these funds came from the federal stimulus bill, which she voted AGAINST.

Just as President Obama observed, some Republicans want to milk the politics out of both sides of the issue, bragging to their tea party financial supporters about their opposition to his administration’s efforts to stimulate the economy and create jobs but showing up at the stimulus bill projects’ ribbon-cutting ceremonies in their districts to take credit for something they opposed in Washington. It is this kind of rankly dishonest partisanship that has turned off so many voters.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers should be ashamed of herself.

Jay Leipham

Spokane