The Angry White Guy

Congressman ED Whitfield (R-KY) is my congressman, and it would seem he has ventured into the ugly, ugly waters of being a RINO along with 15 other Republicans on their recent vote for H.R. 1105 the Omnibus Appropriations Act for 2009. He and Bono, Brown-Waite, Cao, Capito, Castle, Dent, Emerson, Gerlach, LoBiondo, McHugh, Miller (MI), Murphy, Reichert, Upton and Young (AK) all voted with the Democrats to thrust us further onto debt with a $410 Billion spending bill loaded with over 9000 earmarks. This hot on the heels of the $4 trillion budget Obama in introducing today.

So aside from trying to buy votes why did Whitfield vote for this bill?

Well here is his official press release …

U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) secured more than $360 million in federal funds for projects throughout the First Congressional District which will create new jobs and provide a needed boost to local economies.

“During tough economic times, the money awarded to these projects throughout the First Congressional District will help to revitalize local economies and create new jobs,” Whitfield said. “Federal funding for local projects is absolutely critical to maintaining and growing our local communities. While there are a number of other projects in the First Congressional District I was hopeful would receive funding, I am pleased that so many Kentuckians will benefit from the money our area receives.”

Whitfield supported, and the House passed, H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act for 2009. This bill will provide funding for the majority of the federal government through September 30, 2009.

Included in the bill is more than $360 million for projects and organizations throughout the First Congressional District. Whitfield specifically requested funding for a number of these initiatives. Below are some of the projects which will receive money from the legislation:

• $999,075 for Medical Monitoring in Paducah for Paducah Gaseous Diffusion workers

• $190,000 to purchase books, equipment, and update technology at the new Livingston County library center

• $109,194,000 Olmstead Lock and Dam (also requested by Senator Mitch McConnell)

• $116,446,000 for Paducah Plant Clean-up (also requested by Senator Mitch McConnell)

• $237,500 for the Fulton Transit Authority

In addition, the DUF-6 facility in Paducah is slated to receive $33,000,000.

Every year, Congress is supposed to pass twelve individual spending bills to fund separate departments of the government. When Congress is unable to produce separate bills by the beginning of the fiscal year, it will roll many of the separate appropriations bills into one omnibus spending bill.

Since the enactment of the 1974 Congressional Budget Act which implemented this process, Congress has only enacted all of the regular appropriations bills by the start of the fiscal year four times. Whitfield has been critical of this practice, and typically does not support omnibus appropriations bills, but in this case the Congressman said he “felt compelled to support the measure because it would deliver hundreds of millions of dollars into the First Congressional District for desperately needed projects.”

The bill will now be considered by the Senate and, upon approval, sent to the President to be signed into law.

Tough economic times Congressman? This is a reason for spending like a drunken sailor? This is a reason for turning your back on the majority of the voters and members of your party? This is vote buying and that’s all it is. Who do you think you are fooling? I’m not buying it.

$999,075 for Medical Monitoring in Paducah, KY for Paducah Gaseous Diffusion workers, hey I hope they have good health, but I don’t see this as a responsibility of the taxpayer. It’s private company and they can pony that up themselves.

$116,446,000 for Paducah Plant Clean-up … excuse me $116.6 million to clean up, clean up what? Did the taxpayer make the mess? I think the plant can clean it up. (Note: I believe this is USEC I’m asking the Congressman’s office for a more exacting answers, I’m still awaiting a response as I asked for a ANSWER and not a talking point.)

DUF-6 facility in Paducah, KY is slated to receive $33,000,000 … DUF, DUF doesn’t that sound sweet? DUF so what the hell is DUF, well it’s “Depleted Uranium Facility” doesn’t sound so great now does it? But again, I think this is a private company and I think they can get their own damn money, if I’m paying for it I’d be being getting a check from them.

Whitfield sold his vote for less than 1/10 of 1% of the porked up omnibus spending bill. Who would have known he could be bought so cheap.

I’ll be watching you Congressman, I’ll be watching you closer than ever and I will report, publicize every wrong move you make that is not in the interest of the taxpayer. There are a lot of people in these district willing to take your job, I would advise you to start listing to them. Big Government and BIG spending is not the road to recovery.

More about these RINO’s here.

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