RIGHT FIGHT, WRONG PUNCH …
Let’s get a couple things out of the way up front: Mick Mulvaney is a genuine fiscal conservative rock star, and we support his efforts to try and force the U.S. Congress to offset its massive Hurricane Sandy disaster relief bill with spending cuts elsewhere in government. We also applaud Mulvaney’s willingness to stand tall against threats from “Republican” Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey – whose sabre-rattling on behalf of his state’s “fair share” of federal aid is contemptible.
Having said all that, Mulvaney hasn’t exactly distinguished himself in waging this fight – and given his acceptance of a federal disaster relief loan fifteen years ago, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be spearheading this debate.
To his credit, Mulvaney hasn’t hidden the fact that he took this loan. In fact the only reason anyone knows about it that Mulvaney insists on repeatedly referencing it in connection with this debate. Also to Mulvaney’s credit, the low-interest loan – for a flood which completely destroyed his business – was taken out with a second mortgage on his home (and paid off in less than eighteen months).
Justified or not, though – the loan means Mulvaney is open for attack on this issue.
Our real problem with Mulvaney’s handling of this debate? His contention that disaster relief is a core function of government.
“I do think this a proper and appropriate function of the government,” Mulvaney said during an appearance on CNN this week.
Really, Mick? We would commend to Mulvaney’s attention this exceptional column written by Howard Rich earlier this month – which explains why the federal government shouldn’t be in the disaster relief business at all (well, except for the deployment of National Guard units to safeguard lives and property).
Why not? Because like everything else government does, “disaster relief” winds up being an exercise in waste, inefficiency and corruption.
This website has devoted several rows of web servers to praising Mulvaney over the years … and we have no doubt we’ll be devoting several more rows in the years to come. But for him to endorse disaster relief as a core function government of government – particularly in $51 billion increments – is ludicrous.
The data (here and here) overwhelmingly suggests that it shouldn’t be.
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22 comments
Damn those must have been some expensive Christmas presents that Sic Willie bought this year. He sure is pumping Howie for more money to pay for them.
Yeh Ive seen whoring,
But damn this takes the cake
Constantly referring to some Right Wing Kook that no one except Fits pays any attention to!
I thought it was pretty funny myself. “Need I remind you what I just reposted of Howie’s infallible word?” After all, didn’t Mulvaney take Rich’s money?
Mick Mulvaney – Legislative Candidate (won)
West 14 & 18 LLC – $1000
Howard Rich – $1000
Ashborough Investors LLC – $1000
538-14 Realy LLC – $1000
123 LaSalle Associates – $1000
Bradford Management of New York – $1000
Spinksville LLC – $1000
Silver & Silver Properties – $1000
405 49 Associates – $1000
stophowardrichsc.blogspot.com/
Mulvaney needs to remember his place. He is a bought politician and should remain bought. Richie Rich didn’t pay good money to help someone get into office just to have them have a mind of their own, dammit!
Luckily Mulvaney has plenty of time to make up for his egregious transgression of promoting disaster relief as a core function of government, and even using it himself in his own time of need. “For all hath sinned and come short of the glory of Howie.” He just needs to be a giant hypocrite like most other congressmen and speak out and vote against shit he would more than willingly pursue for himself or his constituents.
FITS and Rich don’t want honest politicians, just obedient ones.
I disagree. While I agree that government should not be making property owners whole, I do think government has a role in safe guarding health, safety, and welfare. Shelters and emergency clean up come to mind.
The next time a Hugo slams into Charleston and plows through the middle of SC I think we should just call Howard Rich, and sit back and see what happens. We don’t need no stinkin disaster relief we got Daddy Warbucks. All we have to agree to do is shut down the public school system and he will fund all necessary relief efforts.
Maybe if a hurricane obliterated a few public schools Howie would show up professing the joys of school choice. “Let’s siphon money from rebuilding the schools so we can help a few upper-middle class families get a tax break for sending their kids to expensive private schools!”
There is a good article in the State today on how Howie tried to buy him some elections down here in SC. I figured there wouldn’t be a peep about it on here.
Let’s drill down on this: Natural disasters are not a core function of government. Events like Pearl Harbor are.
A major epidemic would not be a core function of government, UNLESS it was a form of germ warfare?
The point is that we are all part of a system. Bang up one part of it and bruising pops up elsewhere.
Dammit, Mulvaney! You aren’t being Howard Rich’s bitch enough!
Would be nice if we had a governor who stood up for our interests. Imagine that for a minute.
Whether you put quotes around his party affiliation or not, his state comes first. Imagine that?
Mr. Mulvaney’s stand tall-ish position: he voted no, but “a proper and appropriate function of the government,” means he will come running with his hand out if we suffer another disaster. None of these duds are a match for Christie. If they had an ounce of Christie’s decisiveness, they would be worth re-election. Sadly, what Christie said about Congress is 100% correct.
You said, “Mulvaney’s willingness to stand tall…”. Did you do that on purpose for shits and giggles? You do realize he’s a fucking midget, don’t you? He’s about as tall as Chris Christie is wide. He may be willing, but he’s certainly not able.
Headline says wagered, not waged.
Interesting freudian slip.
FITS STFU…You are what’s known as a BUTT Monkey (see Laura Ingraham)….
You are always w/ the guy until the inevitable BUTT (if it’s a distinguished Republican)…
Bottom line: The GOP ain’t EVER gone please you F&*#in liberal Idiots…
A$$-holes like FITS are always claiming: “I’d support the Republicans if they’d just agree to Obama’s spending”….or “I’d Support the GOP if they’ll raise the debt Ceiling just one time”…
You ALWAYS Badger Republicans to do it for Public opinion…then you join the Democrats in Bashing the GOP when the Democrat plan you begged them to support Crashes and burns, as it Always does…
So STFU…or did I say that already…Liberals like FITS ain’t gone ever like a Republican…
I might support one if he or she wasn’t a bible thumping, misogynistic, flat earth hypoctite.
….. did you mean to say “hypocoristic”
Lol…only if they’re fucking each other…I mean, yes!
You EFFIN Brain DEAD Imbeciles…It was a LOAN…that He PAID BACK…
Anyone w/ even HALF a Brain Knows that these Leftwing Good-for-Nothing Liberals in NJ and NYC want a freakin’ HAND OUT…
FITS is a G.D. Liar to even be playing this Bull-$#!* game..
Who else wants to bet that Mulvaney did not respond to FITS’ Blackmail request to purchace a positive story on FITS…
FITS is so bought and paid for…he makes John Edwards look like Husband of the year…
He makes Eric Holder look honest..and Joe Biden look Smart…
So you’re good with turning down the funding when the next Hugo wipes us out? Because the half-wits who make up our congressional delegation will be just like the slick douchebags in Mississippi…pandering for the cash. Hypocrites.
Wake up.
A loan ain’t federal funding you @$$=wipe…
PS: We got a pittance for Hugo compared to this money grad…same w/ other GOP Voting states…
The Republicans MUST Block these theives…
Mick is an asshole to pick on these hard hit people. If these were South Caolinians, he would be all over that disaster money like white on rice.
He is another GOP legislator carrying water for the Koch brothers.
What an asshole.
If disasters arent a core function of government..
then who is going to clear the roads…repair them…replace the washed out bridges…fix the water and sewage systems…pick up the mountains of garbage and haul the garbage somewhere.
Who deals with the rampant disease that can start spreading thanks to no sanitation and pools of standing water breeding mosquitos and flies.
These kinds of assinine philosophies are written by people who clearly have never lived through a real disater.
In their world, a real disater is constituted by losing cable and internet for more than 2 hours.
Oh yea…such inconvenient realities about what government actually does just get ignored in the libertarian world of no taxes and no services.
Howie, what you fail to understand is that the private sector could do all that better. If you are on your rooftop in the middle of a flood, a private business could send a boat with a salesman to negotiate the price of your removal. There may even be multiple boats and helicopters competing for your dollars. So long as you have dollars.