There is already a great diary up about Jindal's flat out lie of the evils of bureaucrats, but I wanted to look at a different angle. How does this guy have the audacity to use Katrina as an example of how the federal government fails people??? When it is the very concepts he brings up later in his speech that cause a piss poor federal response to begin with. Furthermore, what should the role of our government be?
Here is the thing. I am not a believer that government can solve all problems, and I understand the pulse that the GOP is trying to reach these days...But there are certain things that our government is needed for (such as disaster responses and fighting off depressions). These (in my mind) crucial roles of government are crippled when people spouting the same rhetoric as Bobby Jindal are in charge. For God sakes Bobby, go back to at least bashing the extension of unemployment benefits or something.
I am torn on watching the GOP continue their implosion. On one side I love it, but on the other I want them to just deal with the fact that this is one of those times that Government needs to intervene in a big way, and actually come to the table as constructive adults. I believe what we are facing is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and to continue bashing the role of Government and offer tax-cuts as your only solution is akin to the manslaughter of our country.
My case in point - Let's compare two similar parts of President Obama's and Governor Jindal's speeches.
Here is Obama's view on the role of government, from the CNN Transcript:
I reject the view that says our problems will simply take care of themselves, that says government has no role in laying the foundation for our common prosperity, for history tells a different story.
History reminds us that, at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas.
In the midst of civil war, we laid railroad tracks from one coast to another that spurred commerce and industry.
From the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution came a system of public high schools that prepared our citizens for a new age.
In the wake of war and depression, the GI Bill sent a generation to college and created the largest middle-class in history.
And a twilight struggle for freedom led to a nation of highways, an American on the moon, and an explosion of technology that still shapes our world.
In each case, government didn't supplant private enterprise; it catalyzed private enterprise. It created the conditions for thousands of entrepreneurs and new businesses to adapt and to thrive.
And now Bobby Jindal's view, from the CNN Transcript:
In all these areas, Republicans want to work with President Obama. We appreciate his message of hope, but sometimes it seems we look for hope in different places. Democratic leaders in Washington -- they place their hope in the federal government. We place our hope in you, the American people. In the end, it comes down to an honest and fundamental disagreement about the proper role of government. We oppose the National Democratic view that says the way to strengthen our country is to increase dependence on government. We believe the way to strengthen our country is to restrain spending in Washington, to empower individuals and small businesses to grow our economy and to create jobs.
In recent years, these distinctions in philosophy became less clear -- our party got away from its principles. You elected Republicans to champion limited government, fiscal discipline and personal responsibility. Instead, Republicans went along with earmarks and big government spending in Washington. Republicans lost your trust -- and rightly so.
Unfortunately, Gov. Jindal did not decide to share with us any examples of why a smaller government role would work, nor any real solutions on how to empower individuals and small businesses. All we got was the implication that tax cuts would have saved more people trapped in New Orleans. And that's the milder form of anti-government rhetoric out there. Some conservatives are openly discussing declaring war against the tyrannical federal government.
What do you think the role of government should be in our lives?