Rooney Doesn’t Get It

Here’s one Johan might like: our hometown hero (and alumnus of my high school alma mater) Florida GOP Representative Tom Rooney unveiled his “jobs plan” last week. Congressional Republicans are coming under increasing pressure to respond to Obama’s American Jobs Act. Don’t forget, that’s the plan that will create 1.9 million jobs and has been largely endorsed by independent economists and the American people. Senate Republicans have successfully blocked it, while House Republicans won’t even bring it up for a vote. Rooney has offered his  “Restore America Act” to assure my fellow Floridians that he’s working on a jobs plan too. And what’s his economic cure-all? Tax breaks for billionaires, more Wall Street gambling, and risky drilling off of the Florida coast.

Not this again.

To me, the most frustrating part is that Rooney’s plan regurgitates my least favorite GOP reverie: we must cut regulation to get businesses hiring. Once again, Republicans ignore the underlying issue. Businesses are struggling right now because of weak sales and a lack of demand for their goods and services, not some nebulous Obama-induced regulatory paranoia. Republicans like Rooney love to target everything from restrictions on mercury levels to lead paint production laws. You know, exactly the kind job-murdering red tape that has resulted in a poor economy. Never mind Bush era follies and the financial crisis, lead paint regulation is to blame. Why is it that Republicans have pushed the same unproven deregulatory zeal for years? It makes my head hurt.

We’ll talk about this, Perry’s flat tax plan (yuck), and more on Thursday’s show.  Johan has cut and run this week. He’ll be out of town. Not to worry though, a certain former WUPR editor and conservative fan favorite will be taking his place. Tune in Thursday at 6:30 CST!