Republican's Hyper-/Hypo-critical outrage about government spending

[Proud Liberal Dem]

:rant:

I know that GOP hypocrisy is not alien to anybody whom has been following politics for any length of time, however their current strategy for winning back the hearts and minds of the American public seems to be lambasting Obama and the Democrats at every turn for what they perceive as excessive government spending. Conservative "Blue Dog" Dems like Evan Bayh have also signaled their desire to join in on the Republican's jihad. However, after a steady drumbeat of such blatant hypocrisy, as well as last night's horrendous press conference- during which Obama was confronted with right wing meme after right wing meme about the deficit disguised as "questions" I simply cannot help but wonder WHERE THE HELL WERE THESE PEOPLE DURING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS OF BUSH'S (P)RESIDENCY???? Were they in a f*****g coma or something?????
I don't remember people like Bobby Jindal or Evan Bayh out there leading the charge to rein in Bush's deficit spending for tax cuts after tax cuts. I don't remember anybody raising hell about the opaque off-the-books funding of our invasion/occupation of Iraq (didn't they actually end up moving some money from counter terrorism budget to invading Iraq in the first place?). I don't recall hearing about any Republican other than Jim Leach (R-Iowa) being upset about the waste, graft, and corruption involved with the "reconstruction" of Iraq. All the while, of course, everything else on the domestic side became more and more underfunded and our infrastructure, schools, etc. have been collapsing, people have been losing their pensions and ability to afford decent health insurance (if they are able to afford any at all), and gas prices skyrocketed last summer to previously unimaginable heights.
All this and now, suddenly, Obama comes along and wants to spend money on things that are going to benefit everybody in this country in the long run and NOW the Republicans and "Blue Dogs" are suddenly so very CONCERNED about the deficit? Sure, money for an unnecessary (and IMHO illegal) war/occupation and more tax cuts for millionaires-for-life but money for schools, health care, renewable energy? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
The hypocrisy is getting neck-deep and I'm thoroughly disgusted with it.

[Uben]

1. 8 yrs of neglect

When you fail to invest inthe things that are most important for 8 yrs, it takes some serious spending to get us back up to snuff. And, when you spend the money that should have been used on these issues on a war of choice, this is what you get. i am sick and tired of having to follow each republican administration with a period of spending and reconstruction because these greedy bastards want nothing but me, me, me!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. I believe that it is hardly a coincidence either

Whenever they're in power, the Republicans essentially fritter away our tax money through tax cuts to the wealthy, no-bid contracts, WARS OF CHOICE, and other frivolous non-essential things- all of which balloons the federal deficit (with little or no shrieks or howls of opposition or outrage from the right-wing/Republicans or "Blue Dog" Dems) leaving the next Democratic administration effectively "hobbled" and responsible for cleaning up their mess of the prior (mis-)administration- which usually means that they have to pretty much "tone down" if not give up their plans to spend more money on useful domestic proposals (i.e. healthcare reform, alternative energy, etc.) altogether. What also usually happens (like it is now) is that Democratic administrations suddenly come under INTENSE pressure by so-called "Deficit Hawks" (primarily Republicans and "Blue Dog" Dems) to CONTINUE to hack away at critical domestic programs, as well as look at "reforming" entitlement programs. I'm heartened to see Obama not fall into this trap (so far) and to push ahead with his focus on our domestic priorities-seeing the forest for the trees if you will- but the way Republicans keep our government from doing anything *gasp* useful or helpful for its citizens anything but unintentional. Thomas Franks wrote an excellent book called "The Wrecking Crew," which carefully details how Republicans PURPOSELY (mis-)manage government so as to prevent government from doing anything to help us. I consider it a MUST READ (or listen- depending on your preference) for all DUers!

[SKKY]

3. They doth protest too much!

The Bard said it best.