Charleston’s Bailout Boondoggling
Earlier today we reported on the City of Columbia, S.C. (a.k.a. the “face of the recession”) requesting $250 million worth of federal bailout money for municipal projects.
Despite the fact that this play money technically doesn’t exist, City officials say these government projects will create an estimated 2,700 jobs – but nearly all of those would be in temporary construction work, not permanent high-paying, high-tech positions.
Well, it turns out that Columbia’s bailout boondoggling doesn’t hold a candle to the O-bailoutmania that has gripped the Holy City of Charleston, S.C.
Despite having 100,000 fewer residents in its greater metropolitan area, Mayor Joe Riley and his political machine is requesting an astounding four times as much bailout money as Columbia – and once again nearly all of it is going to questionable government projects as well as here today, gone tomorrow construction jobs.
You can look at Charleston’s $1,067,369,928 worth of bailout requests by clicking here.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again … with over $10 trillion in debt and another $10 trillion already pledged to “economic rescue” efforts, somebody’s got to stop this insanity before it gets out of hand …
Comments
By A. Citizen on January 16th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8 — wtf do we investigate:
Charleston SC CDBG Police Substation @ Mattress Factory $495,000 8
what is this?!?
By Rick on January 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Why can’t Joe Riley just borrow some of Glenn O’Connell’s Hunley money? It about the same amount, isn’t it? Oh, that’s North Charleston, not Charleston. My mistake.
By James on January 16th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I am embarassed to say that my city’s Mayor would even consider a request for these projects. What an embarassment!
By James the Foot Soldier on January 16th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
And who in their right mind thinks South Carolina – the red state to end all red states – is going to wind up with anything more than the few crumbs that fall from the plates of those living in the bastions of the new economy: Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, New Yawk, and Pennsylvania?
My guess is Clyburn gets his bridge and another driving range that someone in his family can run.
Spratt ought to haul in oogles of money for Rock Hill with the proviso the contracts are let to North Carolina firms.
By Catherine on January 16th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
There just are no words for this. And I agree with James, with the addition that once the administration starts down this list and sees all the garbage, they won’t even make it to any other projects. I doubt Clyburn will even get his bridge.
Please tell me someone, somewhere, gets to officially send a list for the state and not in 100,000 pieces for every little municipality. SC has so much need, so few leaders with sense.
By justsaynotojoe on January 16th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
The published list is a smoke screen. Little Joe really plans to use the BILLION to complete his conquest of all the Sea Islands. His sights are now on Hilton Head.
By Philip Branton on January 17th, 2009 at 12:40 am
VERY Disturbing….!!!
….and Shameful….
By James the Foot Solier on January 17th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Eeegads NO, not Hilton Head, anywhere but Hilton Head.