PolitiFact checked Goodlatte's claim and found it Half True on Friday. Sure, TJ in a letter in 1798 said that he supported a constitutional amendment to prohibit federal borrowing. But, like with much of what TJ believed at one point or another in his lifetime, he changed his mind or at least softened his stance on this issue.
As president he relied on public debt for the $15 million Louisiana Purchase in 1803. TJ supported public debt to fund the War of 1812, although he believed it should be paid off in a generation.
As one historian put it, "You pick the year – 1798, he's for an amendment [banning federal borrowing]. In 1813 he's saying it's OK to borrow, but you have to borrow within certain restrictions, but don't tie the hands of Congress by saying it's a rule."
If TJ was such an avid supporter of a balanced budget amendment in his day, he would've done more than mention it in a private letter to a friend.
PolitiFact says no way, George. "Even if you subtract about $1.75 billion in spending increases Allen aides say he was required to authorize, the general fund budget would have increased 20 percent under Allen's watch," PolitiFact found in its False rating. Not all of the factors were George's doing or in his control: inflation, population growth, and Medicaid costs among them.
But some budget items were because of his policies, such as $400 million in prison construction for his push to abolish parole and extend sentences, and $260 million set aside to help fund the end of the car tax for his successor, Jim Gilmore.
PolitiFact points out that if George claimed that he fought to curb spending rather than actually reigning in spending, that'd be more accurate. Not that George has a good history of choosing his words carefully, mind you.
These children fared worse in mental-function tests than those who were told to watch a PBS documentary or draw with crayons instead for the study. Lillard said parents shouldn't let their children watch such shows before school or when they need to be focused on something.
Nickelodeon is crabby about it. A spokesman said such a study is inherently flawed and that the show is meant for kids age 6-11, not 4-year-olds. (That's ageism, Nickelodeon!)
SpongeBob has become quite the controversial social activist for being a laughy fry cook who lives in a pineapple under the sea. The show got flak from Focus on the Family for being part of a pro-tolerance program, and the Fox and Friends screwballs said that a SpongeBob show on pollution and going green was "pushing a global warming agenda." This just in: Oceanographers are outraged that the show portrays talking wildlife and underwater fire!
Lillard said that SpongeBob shouldn't be singled out among other cartoons. But, really, it's no fair to pick on SpongeBob, who did no harm to anyone and only wants to karate chop with Sandy and go jellyfishing with Patrick. Doesn't he have enough problems working for a penny-pinching ex-sailor, protecting the Crabby Patty Secret Formula from a sadistic competitor, and trying to finally pass boating school? Leave SpongeBob alone, eggheads!
That's professor Angeline Lillard, UVa's resident Squidward, today's Worst Virginian in the World!
