Michelle Malkin » Of course: Swine flu is all the evil GOP’s fault!

Of course: Swine flu is all the evil GOP’s fault!

By Michelle Malkin • April 27, 2009 11:39 AM

Well, it didn’t take long for partisan Democrats to blame the swine flu outbreak on the Republican Party.

Here’s the line: Since House Republicans all opposed the trillion-dollar-porkulus, which included funding for pandemic preparations, it’s all. Our. Fault.

No, really:

When House Appropriations Committee chairman David Obey, the Wisconsin Democrat who has long championed investment in pandemic preparation, included roughly $900 million for that purpose in this year’s emergency stimulus bill, he was ridiculed by conservative operatives and congressional Republicans.

Obey and other advocates for the spending argued, correctly, that a pandemic hitting in the midst of an economic downturn could turn a recession into something far worse — with workers ordered to remain in their homes, workplaces shuttered to avoid the spread of disease, transportation systems grinding to a halt and demand for emergency services and public health interventions skyrocketing. Indeed, they suggested, pandemic preparation was essential to any responsible plan for renewing the U.S. economy.

But former White House political czar Karl Rove and key congressional Republicans — led by Maine Senator Susan Collins — aggressively attacked the notion that there was a connection between pandemic preparation and economic recovery.

Now, as the World Health Organization says a deadly swine flu outbreak that apparently began in Mexico but has spread to the United States has the potential to develop into a pandemic, Obey’s attempt to secure the money seems eerily prescient.

And his partisan attacks on his efforts seem not just creepy, but dangerous.

So any natural disaster or bio-catastrophe that comes along, for which fiscal conservatives refused to support funding for in an economic recovery package, will now be all. Our. Fault.

And President Obama can once again invoke his time-tested alibi: He inherited the problem.

Don Surber properly calls this ploy what it is: A distraction.

“President Barack Obama has not yet chosen a surgeon general or the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His choice to run the Food and Drug Administration awaits confirmation,” Politico reported.

In all, 19 positions and the secretary are empty desks.

Maybe if Obama did something more than preen and pat himself on the back for his first 100 days in office, we would actually have a government that did more than just blame Republicans for all the troubles of the world.

***

Pssst. GOP-bashers, meet CHARLES “Flu pandemic funding = pork” SCHUMER.

Posted in: Southern Border, fiscal stimulus

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#688402

On April 28th, 2009 at 3:00 am, SixDegrees said:

Actually, it looks as though Glen Beck, Alex Jones and the Ronulans were first out of the gate blaming the flu outbreak on government meddling. They have made claims that the flu was released at tea party rallies, for example. A visit to their various websites reveals a series of festering fever swamps filled with conspiracy theories and deep paranoia.

Clean your own house first. Those swamps need to be drained.
#688409

On April 28th, 2009 at 4:55 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

blaming the flu outbreak on government meddling. They have made claims that the flu was released at tea party rallies

Tea party rallies in Mexico? I hadn’t heard that.

A public health doctor is Arizona is rather bemused/upset the way this flu issue is handled. She stated that they ALWAYs track flu outbreaks and try to get ahead of them. This virus is different than past viruses but I guess they always are.
So wash your hands if you handle hogs or swim with swine. And if you just changed your car battery wash you hands BEFORE going to the bathroom.
#688411

On April 28th, 2009 at 5:20 am, graysonret said:

Obama was heard on the radio this morning, complaining that our science and research has dropped behind the rest of the world. Such is the reward for dumbing down our children. He wants to improve it. Mr. President, how about improving public schools to turn out science oriented students who can read? The only science they know today is texting, facebook, and global warming.
#688427

On April 28th, 2009 at 6:45 am, ajmontana said:

ArizonaNeanderthal said:
And if you just changed your car battery wash you hands BEFORE going to the bathroom.

lol AZ. yikes! That burned just sitting here having Java.
#688449

On April 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

Mr. President TEAR DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOW!

Please understand graysonret- it is not really important that our children read, write and understand math as long as they feel good about themselves, practice safe sex and learn how to beat the metal detector and drug screen.As far as school work goes perhaps we can outsource that too.

And yes ajmontana that is one of those ugly truths we have to experience and wish we hadn’t
#688477

On April 28th, 2009 at 9:14 am, MarkD said:

The Democrats could have given the money to pandemic funding instead of Acorn. That would have shown your life was more important than their votes.

The last time I looked, the Democrats controlled the House, Senate, and the Presidency. So try to blame the GOP.
#688495

On April 28th, 2009 at 9:41 am, John Deaux said:

On April 28th, 2009 at 3:00 am, SixDegrees said:
Actually, it looks as though Glen Beck, Alex Jones and the Ronulans were first out of the gate blaming the flu outbreak on government meddling. They have made claims that the flu was released at tea party rallies, for example. A visit to their various websites reveals a series of festering fever swamps filled with conspiracy theories and deep paranoia.

Funny, I heard a caller to his radio show state that they thought the alert would allow the Obama administration ban public gatherings so there could be no further tea parties, then Glenn Beck said it’s a little early to spout conspiracy theories.

That seems to be the opposite of your experience. Do you have a source for your contention or are you just a useless troll who doesn’t actually have any purpose here except to spread lies and insult others?
#688502

On April 28th, 2009 at 9:52 am, spaceycakes said:

I am being moderate today. I started drinking early.

Aw, man. And here I was counting on you, AZ!
#688505

On April 28th, 2009 at 9:56 am, sonofdy said:

That seems to be the opposite of your experience. Do you have a source for your contention or are you just a useless troll who doesn’t actually have any purpose here except to spread lies and insult others?

That would be a big yes to that. Probably got it from huffpo or the daily kos. Or heavy drug use, your pick.
#688506

On April 28th, 2009 at 9:56 am, spaceycakes said:

re: John Deaux & Rabbid Squirrel’s posts…

that’s some funny sh!te.

Shall we leave Monty Python, Animal House & 3 Stooges quotes behind & start responding in haiku?

I must, at this point, bring up my preference for the bawdy limerick…
#688510

On April 28th, 2009 at 10:00 am, spaceycakes said:

Ok, guys–I’m a bit of a dullard…

How does one make the little faces you often put in your posts (big-eyed face, blushing face, etc)?

I can only do this:
#689215

On April 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pm, graysonret said:

Amazing that 36,000 people die from the “flu” each year (’99, I believe, was 64,000), in the U.S.. We get some people sick from “swine flu” and the whole country panics! Truly amazing.
#689465

On April 28th, 2009 at 8:49 pm, Bogtrotter said:

I keep hearing all the pundits and talking heads wondering why the death toll from the outbreak is so much higher in Mexico. Please correct me if i am wrong, but I have always been told that if a Mexican citizen wants or needs medical care they have to pay up front. I can certainly see where that would contribute to a much higher death toll.