A tale of two Shelby’s
As I previously mentioned, Alabama’s senior senator, Richard C. Shelby, has taken what appears to be a principled stand against a federal bailout for automakers. Sayeth Sen. Shelby (emphasis mine):
“The financial straits that the Big Three find themselves is not the product of our current economic downturn, but instead is the legacy of the uncompetitive structure of its manufacturing and labor force. The financial situation facing the Big Three is not a national problem, but their problem. I do not support the use of U.S taxpayer dollars to reward the mismanagement of Detroit-based auto manufacturers in such a way that allows them to continue and compound their ongoing mistakes.”
“… not a national problem …” It is quite interesting that Shelby would choose that particular justification for opposing the bailout. Let’s take a look at just a few of the numerous pork projects that Shelby has secured for Alabama:
- A parking deck in Tuscaloosa
- Catfish genome research
- A senior center in Argo
- Buses in Gadsden
- A street named after Bear Bryant
What do these, and many other such projects, have in common? THEY ARE NOT FEDERAL CONCERNS. A senior center in Argo is Argo’s problem. Maybe even Alabama’s problem. But it is not the federal government’s problem.
I’m glad Shelby has seen the light and has come to the conclusion that the federal government should avoid spending hard earned tax dollars on state, local, and private concerns. I look forward to him applying his new found logic to pork barrel spending. I also look forward to riding on a flying pig.
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Shelby has been good at changing directions when he knows the wind direction is constant. However, I don’t look for him to recognize “vital intrastructure funding” as pork.
Shelby definitely knows how to gauge the political winds. You’ll notice he didn’t contribute a dime of his approx. $13 million campaign war chest to GOP candidates this cycle. Was he wary of wasting his money on losing candidates or did he think standing on the sidelines would curry favor with the certain Democrat majority?
Or does he need it to scare off any possible challenger? Roger Bedford has been active of late as well as the great hope-hype Ron Sparks.
There is a reason he was known as “Quicksilver” in his Alabama Senate days!
I think the article missed the message. Look at the two key phrases he uses to describe problem, “not a national problem” and “Detroit-based auto manufacturers”. this allows him to vote against the bail out, while pushing for more auto industry expansion in Alabama. I’ve heard that the plants in the south operate with a profit. I can’t confirm that because I don’t care enough to look it up.
Shame on Detroit! Move to Alabama!
Makes sense to me.
Way to call Sen. Shelby out on this, Brian. If you think the Bridge to Nowhere was bad, just look at some of the projects Alabama’s senior Senator has brought home.