This might be old news for some of you, but do people realize how idiotic the language of the stimulus package must be? And how poorly the execution and checks on the allocation of funding must have been established to have Vice President Joe Biden warning local officials not to spend on stupid ideas?
"So guys, no swimming pools, no tennis courts, no golf courses, no Frisbee parks," Biden said, even if officials can document that the project will create jobs quickly, generate revenue and keep people working over the longer term.
“The answer is: No. No. No,” he said. “It’s got to pass the smell test folks.”
Then he gave the warning some teeth.
“Because of the rules, the president and I can’t stop you from doing some things. But I’ll show up in your city and say, ‘This is a stupid idea,’” Biden warned, drawing laughs.
Yes, the idea of Biden ridiculing local government officials as a primary barrier to corruption, waste and "stupid" ideas gives me a lot of confidence in the leadership and execution abilities of Congress and the Obama Administration.
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