Yes, it should come as no shock. Republicans who opposed the Stimulus did their best, after it passed, to get pieces of the action for their constituents. Some of them even lauded the job-creating aspects of the projects for which they sought funds. One of them even used the s-phrase: shovel-ready.
In the remaining weeks until Election Day, the Democrats need to shove the hypocrites' words down their throats.
The Center for Public Integrity has a story that clearly shows the Republicans who opposed the Stimulus Package are rank hypocrites.
According to Republican Representative Pete Sessions, the Stimulus bill was a wasteful "trillion dollar spending spree ... more about stimulating the government and rewarding political allies than growing the economy and creating jobs."
Once the bill had passed, however, Sessions lobbied Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for approval of $81 million in Stimulus funds for a “shovel-ready” commuter rail project. The Congressman's letter to Secretary LaHood suggested the project would create jobs... the exact opposite of the argument he made against the Stimulus before it passed.
“Carrollton’s project will create jobs, stimulate the economy, improve regional mobility and reduce pollution[.]”
When asked about the disparity, Sessions said that he did not see his “strong, principled objection to the bill to prevent me” as an impediment to trying to get for his district a share of the Stimulus funds.
He's not the only one. Michele Bachmann, Scott Brown, John McCain, Mitch McConnell,Mike Pence, and Rand Paul were also busy writing letters trying to get a share of the Stimulus pie after having very publicly opposed the legislation.
Many of you may remember scenes like this.
Without balloons or a band.
And this.
Hypocrites!