What happens when a United States Senator dares to state the obvious; that President Obama's economic policies are failing and a change of course is needed? Senator Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) found out fast when he called for an end to economic stimulus spending claiming it hasn't succeeded in boosting the economy and that it's adding to the deficit. In response, the White House on Tuesday released letters from four cabinet secretaries to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer outlining transportation, housing, Indian education and other projects in Arizona they said would be eliminated if Kyl gets his way. (source)

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Not content to publicly argue it's point of view so the American people can decide who is right, the administration chose to bully Arizona (and by example any other state whose elected representatives dare to speak against Obama policies). Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reached an amazing level of churlishness by writing in his letter to Governor Brewer that "If you prefer to forfeit the money we are making available to your state, as Senator Kyl suggests, please let me know." Insinuating that Senator Kyl was suggesting only Arizona's share of stimulus money be "forfeited" while the rest of the failing stimulus package go on as planned is not only disrespectful it is dead wrong.

Senator Kyl has urged the president to "consider whether the unallocated stimulus money could be put to better use." In other words, repeal the bill that is not working before it does any more long term damage and use those funds in a way that would actually help the American people. Perhaps significant tax breaks for job-creating small businesses instead of punitive taxes against them? How about not spending hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars on liberal pet projects that create no new jobs?

Glenn Hamer, the president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry weighed in on the issue by saying "It is one thing to joust with Senator Kyl over his position, but it is an entirely different matter for Cabinet secretaries to write letters to the chief executive of a state and threaten funding if support isn't provided." Threaten if support isn't provided. Isn't that the way government business is done in third world dictatorships?

And Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) backed up his colleague saying, "I strongly support the comments of Senator Kyl and call on the administration to retract its threat against the citizens of Arizona."

I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for that retraction. As more and more people question this administration's failing policies, I think we're headed toward many more threats if support isn't provided.