John is sounding the fire alarms with the much ado about nothing (From Kelo-TV):

Senator John Thune says changes to contracting guidelines could result in favoritism to unionized construction contractors bidding on federally funded projects in South Dakota and other right-to-work states.

Thune says the billions of dollars for “shovel ready” projects make the stakes even more lucrative for bidders.

Jackass Number Two divx

He says he worries that recent changes in the awarding of federal contracts could create unfair conditions for potential bids from nonunion companies.

The South Dakota Republican says such companies should not lose out on contracts just because they’re not unionized.

He is right that the bids will ‘prefer’ union contractors but it is not a ‘requirement’. Besides, I would prefer union workers did the job anyway, they get paid fairly for their work and most times do better work and are more professional. Of course John would rather see $8 an hour illegals building are roads instead.

Have I mentioned that I thank God everyday that McCain and Gov. Moose Drool were not elected?

But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this:

We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.

Governor Jingle Balls had to put in his 2-Cents . .  . Yawn

But Democratic leaders in Congress rejected this approach. Instead of trusting us to make wise decisions with our own money,

You are kidding right? Blobby? Wise decisions?! Blaahahahahahahaha! You, Boner Boehner and Ironic Johnny Thune need to sit down and come up with a new strategy, seriously, I’m starting to feel sorry for you.

“Jodi, run and get me another box of tissues, the state doesn’t love us anymore.”

“We aren’t lacking road projects. We’re lacking dollars for those road projects and that’s what the stimulus bill could really do to help us,” Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson said. 

Gee, too bad you didn’t spend some of the record tax revenue over the past 6 years on those projects instead of building crap we didn’t need. And all of sudden Highway 100 is the project of the freaking century.

“That’s such an important roadway for us and this area. And we really need to get that road finished so we can develop on that east side,” said Mayor Munson. 

Develop the Eastside? How about filling some of these empty retail spaces we have now before building more. If Target wants a new road out there, have them pony up.

But Dave also cries to the Gargoyle Leader about not getting his dirty grubs on the money;

“I don’t think it’s going to create that many jobs,” Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson said of the state’s priority list. “To me, the stimulus program was to build infrastructure and create jobs.”

Over a month ago I addressed the council that we may not see much money in Sioux Falls from Mr. Stimulus Bill because of our low unemployment rates (don’t really need to create jobs in a place that doesn’t need any creation). At the time, I was talking out of my ass and figured I would be eating crow. Well guess what’s on the City Hall menu for lunch today.

I warned that borrowing money and paying for these projects up front gives the appearance in Washington that Sioux Falls is doing AOK and we don’t need Washington’s assistance. I also said that main purpose of the stimulus was to provide jobs where they are needed – that’s not in Sioux Falls.

“Quite honestly, we’re not sure what to make of all this,” he said. “If this is the whole plan,” Hanks added, “I’d be terribly disappointed. If you want to get people back to work, the best way is through the local level.”

Well guess what, Mayor Hanks, the rest of South Dakota is whole lot worse off economically then Rapid City or Sioux Falls. I commend Rounds for taking care of the entire state first before bowing to the two largest cities. Maybe Jodi can spare some of those tissues.

Mitch does his best, “I just ate a shit sandwich” face

This guy lies so much you’d think he was a Republican . . .

McConnell’s myth-making came during an appearance Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” (WMV and QT videos here.) There, he fired the first salvo against President Obama’s plan to end the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans who need it least. Claiming that “a vast majority of American small businesses pay taxes as individual taxpayers,” McConnell thundered:

“I don’t think raising taxes is a great idea, and when our good friends on the other side of the aisle say raising the taxes on the wealthy, what they are really talking about is small business.”

Of course, they’re not talking about small business. As CNN concluded in October, “fewer than 2% of small business owners would pay more under Obama’s plan.”