Republicans Can't Cut Spending Either

Politico has the story of how some of those in Congress that bemoan wasteful government spending vehemently oppose cuts to programs that directly affect their districts or states.

I realize that this should be a shock to no one, but it is an important point nonetheless. It is particularly troubling when Republicans, who pride themselves on being the party of fiscal discipline, simultaneously chastise the Obama administration for profligacy and for cutting a program whose value begins and ends at the borders of their congressional district.

Here is Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) on cuts to the C-17 program, cuts endorsed by the Bush-appointed Secretary of Defense:

I have tried very hard to not be parochial in my approach to budgeting, but it’s awfully hard in this economy to look down my nose at the thousands of people that are employed in St. Louis building the C-17

Not an endorsement of the cuts, but an understandable and thoughtful response to a tough situation.

Now here's Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, on proposed cuts to the space program:

I happen to believe that human space flight should be one of the things that we are doing,...It’s not just that it’s in Houston, but I think it’s very positive.

You may or may not be aware that Cornyn is a rock-ribbed establishment Republican and is the guy responsible for getting Republicans elected to the Senate. His early meddling in the Florida Senate race earned him the ire of conservatives and may come back to haunt him.

My first reaction to reading Cornyn's quote above was, just how stupid does he think we are? Now, though, I'm beginning to wonder just how stupid he is.

Look, Houston, we have a problem. We spend too much. On everything. We need to spend less. One of the ways that we can do this is by not sending a man to the moon anytime in the next ten years. I'm sorry you won't get an upgraded shiny new control room, but we just can't afford it right now.

If Republicans can't stand up and say this, who will?