Protesters urge Sanford to ‘take the money’

[Are_grits_groceries]

More than 1,000 teachers, college students and others converged on the State House Wednesday with a message for Gov. Mark Sanford: Take the $700 million in federal stimulus money.

Without it, an estimated 1,700 teachers, like Lisa Matthews, could lose their jobs, according to the state Department of Education.

Estimates by some Democratic lawmakers put the job loss number in the 3,000 to 4,000 range.
<snip>
The rally, organized by the S.C. Progressive Network, the South Carolina Education Association and other organizations, also attracted dozens of Democratic lawmakers, who emphasized that if South Carolina doesn’t take the money, it will go to other states and South Carolina taxpayers still will be on the hook to pay the money back.

Earlier, Senate Finance chairman Hugh Leatherman told senators the state’s money would be disbursed to other states, including $18 million to North Carolina and $20 million to Georgia.

“Since we’re going to have to pay it back, we should get our fair share,” said Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Marlboro, yelling over the crowd. “I’ve never seen an issue galvanize people and pull together people like this one has, and I’ve been here for 18 years. Democrats and Republicans, black and white, rural and urban, wealthy and poor. He should take the money.”
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/735653.html

It's a start!

[BlooInBloo]

1. Gawd I hope they keep close track of stimulus effect in individual states...

So we can compare/contrast what happens in states that don't take it, versus states that do.

[WCGreen]

2. Jesus, they are even marginalizing themselves in the reddest of states...

So their publicity stunt is going to cost their states jobs.

Hm-mm, that's just reckless...

We, meaning demorats, could gain some more ground in the GOP dwindling "safe" areas.

[saltpoint]

3. This particular governor would do himself a favor by growing up a bit.

He's not the only red guv in a red state making a flashy, look-at-me, "principled" stand against "liberal" or "socialist" stimulus money, and also not alone in missing the point entirely.

People in his state, and in others, are suffering. They face job loss and home foreclosures and losses of choices for their kids.

If Michael Steele can tear himself away from his Frank Sinatra music collection, he might convene a summit of recalcitrant, ego-maniacal GOP governors who think they're doing the Puke brand good by grandstanding against money real Americans need.

[raccoon]

4. Kick. nt