Pass the stimulus: Republicans oppose needed aid at their peril
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It is quite startling that, despite reports Monday of 11 major U.S. companies cutting 75,000 jobs, Republicans in Congress are threatening to vote against President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package.
There has been no doubt in recent months that the economy was sliding downhill into an icy river. But if anyone wasn't sure about that, the separate announcements by powerhouse companies including Caterpillar, Home Depot, Sprint Nextel and Texas Instruments that they will be eliminating 75,000 jobs -- on top of the 2.6 million lost in 2008 -- made the reality of America's deepening recession very clear.
Mr. Obama is fully aware of the gravity of the situation. That's why the administration, supported by Democratic members of Congress, is pushing for rapid action on an $875 billion economic stimulus bill -- the aim of the president's meetings yesterday on Capitol Hill with House and Senate members.
Given the dire state of affairs, it should be easy for Republicans to accept Mr. Obama's invitation to support the package and share credit for the impact it will have in combating the recession. Instead, the Republican leadership, most visibly in the form of House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio, is sniping at the bill and maintaining that the GOP will work to change it.
No one wants Republicans to abdicate their role as the opposition and fail to influence the content of the bill. Yet the arguments they are making -- for example, that the bill should consist largely of tax cuts -- is astonishing.
For the good of the country and the survival of America's second party, it is time for Republican members of Congress to get behind the new president's effort.
The United States is in a mess, Mr. Obama is taking steps to attack the problem and the right position is to support the plan. Mr. Boehner and other Republicans look irresponsible doing otherwise.
First Published January 28, 2009 12:00 am
