Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) has been a vocal critic of President Obama’s Recovery Act, which was enacted in early 2009 despite McClintock’s “no” vote. The northern California congressman even compared the program to the economic policies of the Soviet Union. “We know of many cases where massive government spending and borrowing has destroyed economies and brought down great nations – one need look no further than the old Soviet Union,” McClintock said.
However, McClintock was more than happy to celebrate a new stimulus-funded drug rehabilitation clinic in Grass Valley recently. Appearing with local officials, McClintock praised the construction of the Community Recovery Resources’ new Center for Hope, which is financed with a 40-year low interest $9,317,000 loan enabled by the stimulus program. “This is your victory,” McClintock told the crowd, shortly after appearing with a ceremonial shovel. View a picture, taken by reporter John Hart, at the event:
However, McClintock was more than happy to celebrate a new stimulus-funded drug rehabilitation clinic in Grass Valley recently. Appearing with local officials, McClintock praised the construction of the Community Recovery Resources’ new Center for Hope, which is financed with a 40-year low interest $9,317,000 loan enabled by the stimulus program. “This is your victory,” McClintock told the crowd, shortly after appearing with a ceremonial shovel. View a picture, taken by reporter John Hart, at the event:
Rep. McClintock (R-CA) breaking ground at a stimulus project. McClintock is third from the right, wearing a suit and tie.
As reporter Brian Hamilton noted, the project is expected to bring 400 construction jobs to the area.
This isn’t the first time McClintock has been caught as a stimulus hypocrite. Last year, California Watch reported that McClintock was among the many anti-stimulus members of Congress to quietly lobby the Obama administration for more funds. McClintock wrote at least five letters asking for money for transportation grants.
First, please get your facts straight: this project was NOT funded with stimulus funds, which the author would have known if he had actually read the USDA press release he referenced. Second, even if it had been funded with stimulus money, Congressman McClintock has been very clear: ARRA has cost every family in his district roughly $9,000 in future taxes and seriously damaged our economy and he has no hesitation in trying to salvage anything he can from this fiasco for the people of this district. This in no way implies that he believes the stimulus bill has been worthwhile. If that $9,000 per family had stayed in his district, a far greater number of worthy projects could have been funded through local revenues generated by a growing economy. Why can’t the Left grasp this?
ReplyDeleteBill George
Press Secretary
Tom McClintock
U.S. Representative, 4th District