GOP ATTACKS ON INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ALREADY UNDERWAY…. I really wish I could understand the way John Boehner’s mind works.
House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio Monday criticized President Barack Obama’s proposal to boost infrastructure investment as more stimulus spending doomed to fail.
“As the American people, facing near double-digit unemployment, mark Labor Day by asking, where are the jobs, the White House has chosen to double-down on more of the same failed ‘stimulus’ spending,” Boehner said in a prepared statement.
Republicans have targeted an unemployment rate that continues to hover above 9 percent despite last year’s economic stimulus plan. “If we’ve learned anything from the past 18 months, it’s that we can’t spend our way to prosperity,” Boehner said.
Now, I realize that Boehner’s depth of policy knowledge is frighteningly limited, and that the poll-tested buzz words of his press releases might resonate, even if the conservative Ohioan doesn’t understand what he’s saying.
But it’d be fascinating to see Boehner think this through. Indeed, he’s already shown some inkling of thought on the subject — a year ago, when the stimulus boosted construction projects in Ohio, Boehner said the money was responsible for creating “much-needed jobs.”
Is it really so hard for him to comprehend the notion of creating a lot more “much-needed jobs”?
Even GOP leaders should be able to get this. By investing in infrastructure — roads, rail, airports — it pumps money into the economy, spurs a variety of industries, and does work Americans need to have done anyway. Infrastructure spending not only hires people to do the work, it helps with manufacturing, materials, and transport, and once the projects are done, the rebuilt and improved transportation networks help improve commerce.
The problem with Boehner’s response isn’t just that it’s dumb — though it is — the problem is its transparent superficiality. Spending is bad … because it’s spending … which is bad.
There’s just no thought here. It’s knee-jerk conservatism, opposing effective ideas because the guy recommending them has a “D” after his name.
I’m well aware of the fact that Boehner is likely to be the House Speaker next year, but the last time I saw an adult this incapable of a leadership role was Jan. 21, 2001.
