This is how politics works in America. Politicians have always bought votes, nothing new there. This isn’t even a Republican-Democrat issue: both parties are guilty of payoffs, patronage, and largesse. But this is a good example of what the government can do through just one agency (Department of Labor) to buy a key battleground state. The problem is not that they do, but rather that they can do it.
Here are some excerpts from benefits flowing from the DOL to Ohio in 2012:
DOL provides grant to assist Ohio with storm recovery efforts
Monday, September 17, 2012, 8:30:00 AM
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $21,438,000 National Emergency Grant to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts in the wake of severe storms and straight-line winds that occurred in Ohio between June 29 and July 2. This grant will provide aid to affected communities across 37 counties throughout the state.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012, 10:30:00 AM
The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying former employees of the Feed Materials Production Center in Fernald, Ohio, about a new class of employees added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers also may be entitled to benefits.
To date, $150.5 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 1,243 Feed Materials Production Center claimants, while more than $8.3 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the new SEC or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the department’s Portsmouth Resource Center toll-free at 866-363-6993.
DOL provides grant supplement to continue storm cleanup efforts in southeastern Ohio
Friday, June 29, 2012, 9:00:00 AM
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $12,193,752 National Emergency Grant supplement that will fund nearly 1,400 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and floods that struck southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 12:30:00 PM
The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $7,733,360 National Emergency Grant increment that will continue funding approximately 700 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and floods that struck southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.
DOL provides grant increment to continue flood recovery efforts in southeastern Ohio
Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 12:00:00 PM
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5 million National Emergency Grant increment to continue providing temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers. They will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and floods in April and May 2011 that affected southeastern Ohio.
“The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money.”
― Alexis de Tocqueville
Democracy in America was a really great read that opened up my eyes to what was going on …
And he was correct in so many ways so its a very sad tale and there is no happy ending. There is only so much that can be given away — as we know — and we have now reached that point.
There are no longer any good solutions available to us and the best that can be hopped for is that those that are left have learned the hard lesson again and we get a couple hundred more good years.
Apparently the DOL has the functional equivalent of a giant slush fund to dole out political favors. Nice. Along with all the other cabinet secretaries with their own version, no doubt. Cronyism is alive and well.
Don’t forget to vote for evil (the lesser one of course). And don’t waste your vote by voting for any of those nasty third parties. If in doubt, watch TV. Go, America!