Stimulate us

As a guy who used to love the political season and its sometimes shall we say, “interesting” debates and accusations, I have come to loathe the current crop of political ads at the state level. I like seeing how people react to hard questions or tough accusations… as long as the questions and accusations are sincere.

It seems the Democrats insinuate the Republicans are bordering on extreme fascism. The Republicans paint the Democrats as left of Stalin. Both sides are pretty putrid. But one genre of ad that really sticks in my craw this year is the type put out by the challengers banging on the incumbents for voting in favor of the federal stimulus money, health care reform or the bank bailout.
It’s not just the ads accusing the Democrats of ruining America by voting in favor of stimulus funds but it is as much the cowardly stance by some of those trying to pretend they didn’t really mean to vote on something most economists, conservative and liberal, say kept this country from tumbling into an economic Depression.
Stimulus? Bank bailout? While I wish I could say just screw it and let it all go to hell, I think those with knowledge on both sides of the aisle have said things would be a lot—a whole lot—worse if they hadn’t been passed. So I respect those who stand up and take responsibility for making a tough choice they knew would be used against them politically. And, if those on the defensive had any sense, they should be able to explain that decision to common sense voters and turn it into their favor. Instead, too many seem to try to portray themselves as Glenn Beck with a (D) behind their name on the ballot.

So here’s a shout out to this district’s Congressman John Salazar for standing up and not being afraid to tout some stimulus money that he voted for. And that stimulus money will have a long-term impact on this valley. Salazar stood up Tuesday and took some credit for helping to garner more than $1.8 million to help the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The money will go to a new research facility. It should bring in a few jobs next summer when it is being built. It should bring in a few of the brightest minds in the country for many years after that. They are stimulus funds that are stimulating us.

 “What we learn today will have profound implications for future generations,” commented RMBL executive director Ian Billick.
So these funds may even help us study our way out of some of the problems we are experiencing in this valley and around the world. Geez, maybe it is even money well spent for you, your children and your grandchildren and not just a bridge to nowhere. Right on.

Tax money being spent on jobs that could help the local economy. Public money being spent on science that could make the world a better place.
Heck yeah.
Government isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but sometimes, good things do come out of it.
I’m glad Salazar is willing to stand up and take some responsibility and some benefit for this action. If the people living here think it is bad to receive some valuable funds that help the local economy and assist world renowned scientists in their research in this valley, they may be crazier than those making the ads that make my head want to explode.
So here’s a nod to Salazar for bringing us something good from Washington. And for being man enough to admit that he actually voted for something that will make a difference.