A few days ago, I called for a minimum education requirement for finance reporters in the media. Perhaps I need to issue a similar call for congresscritters. From an Orlando Sentinel blog:
A week ago, [Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL)] sent out a press release about the economic-stimulus package pending in Congress. She said the package shouldn’t give $600-per-person checks to residents of Puerto Rico and Guam.
“I do not believe American taxpayer funds should be sent to foreign citizens who do not pay taxes,” Brown-Waite said.
Since then, outraged Puerto Ricans—U.S. citizens since 1917—and Guamanians—citizens since 1950—have demanded an apology.