Rep. Issa Asks: ‘How Much Are Taxpayers Being Charged for Stimulus Propaganda Signs?’
Rep. Issa’s complaint, however, was not just the cost of these signs, but the political nature of the signs, which he called “propaganda”:
Perhaps the most overtly political guidance on stimulus advertising comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provided recipients a suggested sign template informing the public that projects have been “Funded By: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Barack Obama, President.”
Many states have stopped placing the signs after complaints about taxpayer funds being used to pay for signs rather than road repairs. However, according to Issa:
The Federal Highway Administration continues to “strongly encourage” stimulus recipients to use taxpayer money for stimulus signs. The impact of DOT pressure on recipients’ decisions whether or not to post signs advertising the use of stimulus funds on road projects is unclear but raises troubling questions about Administration pressure on state and local governments.
In addition, according to Issa, there is evidence HUD may early on have forced recipients of block grant program funds designated for Native Americans to sign contracts obligating them “to post these politicized signs as a prerequisite for receiving stimulus funds”:
Although this requirement was subsequently reversed, I am concerned that a federal agency could have ever imposed such a politicized quid pro quo on recipients of taxpayer dollars. Similarly, guidance from the Department of Commerce requires recipients to post signs bearing the “Primary Emblem” of the stimulus in order to identify the expenditure of taxpayer funds.
Rep. Issa points to Department of Commerce language which seems to require the use of the signs:
All projects which are funded by the Recovery Act shall display signage that features the Primary Emblem throughout the construction phase. The signage should be displayed in a prominent location on site.
Rep. Issa said Congress annually inserts language into appropriations bills which prohibits the use of money by federal agencies for “publicity and propaganda,” and has done so since 1952. Further, Issa said, the Government Accountability Office says the prohibition extends to “the use of appropriated funds solely for partisan purposes.”
According to Issa:
The American people understand that self-congratulatory stimulus signs are inherently political.
Issa points out that left-wing commentators have said Obama should do more to tout the AARA and should do so before the November elections.
Issa continues:
It ought to be bad enough that the stimulus has failed to deliver the promised economic growth at a price tag, with interest, that will well exceed $1 trillion. Adding insult to injury by wasting taxpayers’ money on self aggrandizing political propaganda is unacceptable.
(Photo credits: Rachel Jeffries [www.racheljeffriesphotography.com], Caroline Magnuson)
Rep. Issa forgot to ask one important question. Were the signs mandated to be produced by a company with union workers? That could push the price up easily!
The Fascist FDR had cute little signs everywhere. What would you expect from the Obama? Just wait until the ObamaKare clinic signs go up.
The reason most of the recovery funds haven’t been spent yet is so they can fund this stuff to basically buy more votes. Look we put you to work now vote for us. But after you vote you’re going back to the unemployment office and we’ll do with these funds as we choose.
Mark7thH, that’s the thing though. Unless one is an abject moron (I know, I know), I just don’t see how that will work to impress the “people.” With 10% unemployment, we are either directly affected, or know someone who is. These “we here in Washington are working for YOU” propaganda attempts are fooling less and less people. The Dems have taken the last 1-1/2 years and slit their own throats. There’s no way around it anymore.
As a former owner of a non-union manufacturing company, it is easy to expect these signs to be 18k gold, if a union idiot touched them.
mr. Issa would not have moaned and groaned if those signs were made in CA.
let’s get real
Miriam, you miss the point here.
Each state makes it’s own signs. So California pays somewhere between $550 and $1,950. Kansas $500 to $750. So why then, is the federal government paying $10,000 for a sign?
Moreover, why are we wasting millions of dollars on signs in the first place? These are not creating jobs, as most states have their own sign shops which do this sort of work every day. Issa’s point, and it’s a valid one, is that these signs are merest propaganda, designed to make people think Obama is helping them out.
It’s illegal Miriam and that should appall you if the waste of money doesn’t.
Patrick
Miriam.. Issa could be as corrupt as any socialist or liberal out there… but he is exposing corrupt socialist propoganda that is costing $190 million or more. On the other hand he may not be the least bit liberal in his own spending record. You should check.
I don’t think this type of spending is considered wasteful by socialists AT ALL. It’s just keeping the pump primed for the next piece of their work. And… it never ends.
I wish I had gotten the contract to make those signs. Sheesh, I could have employed some people (part time until the stimulus money ran out). I could have retired on that, I betcha.
I hate those signs. I get mad every time I see one because I know who paid for the stupid things. Democrat campaign billboards. Sheesh. Is it November yet?
Miriam Rove — you are one stupid, brain-dead liberal…. I have read your posts for the last time… why don’t you just shut up and get a passport and permanent visa to Russia, Red China or North Korea. Don’t come back.
Jim Baker is on to something. Propoganda, and that’s what these signs are, especially when it’s blatant in this way, usually just POs folks. I think it’s an American trait that they can spot BS and it gnaws at them, unlike Europeans who just say, “Oh well, that’s just how it is.” These signs will backfire on the O’s administration. Now, before you say it, how come The One’s BS wasn’t spotted? It was but, just a tad late. I know for sure, it’s gnawin’ at ya’ now.
I can see November from my house!
Speaking of wasteful signs . . . check out this humorous cartoon at http://drawfortruth.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/consistently-unacceptable/on the warning signs the Federal government put up in Arizona.
Rep. Issa is one man who is always on the job! Wish we had a lot more like him, it could make a big difference in our country. If this guy ever decides to make a run for the presidency, here’s one vote!
The Chicago Way strikes again.
The first thing I noticed when I moved to Chicago was everything the city did had to have the mayor’s name on it. As political propoganda it isn’t all that effective. Indeed, looking at one termers Bilandic, Byrne and Sawyer it may have helped the voters know who to blame for a city that wasn’t working.
You forgot Washington.
I still luv Jane Byrne–the only politician to get elected because of a snowstorm!
While I may have thought he was a failure, Washington was reelected. Bilandic, Byrne and Sawyer were not.
#8 Lorretta: why do you say this?
Is this going to be the liberal victim’s “your unfairly picking on me” thread, now?
I believe Lorreta is questioning your intellectual acumen,shocking. Are you related to poor citizen?
Reminds me of the $50 hammer and $500 toilet seat scandals back in the day. Seems nothing’s changed.
Thank god! Somebody is right on target. The number of these pointless signs I see just driving around Dayton is unbelieveable. What a boondoggle just to try and make the Obama adminsitration look worthwhile. This is another example of taxpayers being abused by a self-seving President.
Issa anyone really surprised by this? Chicago thugs have taken over Washington, they are making sure their friends are rewarded by the absolutely NECCeSSARY Billion dollar spending packge that our first POST RACIAL POTUS had to put into effect. I’d say he made the most of ‘never let(ting) a good crisis go to waste’. Nothing that is happening now is a surprise, just fills me with sadness and makes me wonder whether we can get our country back.
If you will all remember, the bulk of the stimulus plan was withheld so that it’s funding would be this summer and fall, heading into this years election. The uninformed that don’t read this type of stuff will see Obummer’s plan as a success and continue to buy the drival that the democrats care ab0out the little guy.
I am sorely disgusted y what the repubs did in power and even more disgusted and disheartened by the gang of thieves. I truly fear for our country.
Congressman Issa; Keep up the good work.
The Propaganda president and his never ending campaign. Remember the big propaganda ordeal with the Arts Council or whatever it’s called? The white house actually held conference calls instructing everyone to make all their “art” as propaganda to promote barry’s agenda, and gave them their agenda list to work from. It’s so socialist/communist, (not to even mention their other great trait, the Chicago way). This is the most disgusting and corrupt president in the history of this country. I hope he ends up in prison for life…ASAP! It is downright repulsive.
How long before we see giant portraits of Obama, painted on walls nationwide, ala Chairman Mao and Sadam Hussein.