Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester said he applauds a unique use of federal stimulus money by the state to help the unemployed in Perry County get back to work despite objections from U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn that the money is not being put to good use.

“I would think Mrs. Blackburn would be supportive of a stimulus package that is putting to work people in Perry County, which she represents in Congress,” Forrester said. “Instead of grandstanding and trying to score cheap political points in Washington, Mrs. Blackburn needs to focus on problems in her district.

“She ought to ask any of the families struggling in her district if they appreciate a program that helps them get back to work, or if they appreciate new roads and bridges or other projects that would bring more jobs to the area. “

Unemployment in Perry County had risen above 27 percent after its biggest plant, an auto parts manufacturer, closed and moved its jobs to Mexico.

To offset that blow to the county’s economy, the state decided to spend part of its share of $5 billion in federal stimulus money earmarked for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to subsidize new jobs in the county. Last month’s unemployment rate in Perry County dropped to 22.1 percent.

Blackburn recently criticized in an editorial she penned the economic stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this year.

“Americans,” she wrote, “have every right to ask, ‘Where are the jobs?’ After pushing ourselves to the fiscal brink, the employment boom we were promised under this plan has not materialized.

“Congress has no right for more debt to be piled on the backs of our grandchildren or for more tax dollars to attempt a third time what has already failed twice. Unsustainable deficit spending isn’t a balm for unemployment; it is a cancer on our economy,” Blackburn continued.

Forrester noted that it has been less than six months since the stimulus package was approved by Congress.

“I agree with Mrs. Blackburn that we should be fiscally responsible in our policies and programs,” he said. “We all should live within our means. That’s why Congress had to do something to jumpstart the economy.

“Instead of always being against something, Mrs. Blackburn should be working for something, like working closely with the president, other members of Congress and Gov. Bredesen to ensure we move this economy forward and get people back to work,“ Forrester added.

UPDATE: Dr. Greg Rabidoux, Democratic candidate for the 7th District house seat, responds to Rep. Blackburn’s out-of-touch statements:

I applaud TNDP Chair Chip Forrester’s comments calling upon Congressman Blackburn to not simply always be against anything and everything but to be for something. Especially, when that something has already made an immediate and positive impact for the hard-working men and women of the 7th District of Tennessee and holds the potential for even greater help to the future. She also has loudly asked, “Where are the Jobs?” Well, if Blackburn spent as much time working on behalf of those struggling to survive these tough economic times in her district as she has simply bashing every effort to find solutions, then she might notice the answer is “Right here in Tennessee.”

In Perry County alone, so hard hit by the closing of its largest manufacturing plant, federal stimulus money subsidized the creation of new jobs there which cut the unemployment rate by 3%, yet, despite such evidence to the contrary in her own district, Blackburn continues to attack the federal stimulus and to claim that it is not being put to good use. The real question to be asked is coming from her own constituents who are asking “What is Marsha Blackburn doing to bring needed jobs back home to Tennessee?” and the answer can’t be that she is content to simply criticize and say “No!” to every effort to help struggling Tennesseans in these tough times.

Blackburn’s unwillingness or inability to work with our president, other members of Congress and our Governor seems to further demonstrate just how disconnected she has become with the day to day challenges so many of us in her District face. This is not a simple matter of partisan politics, it is about being ready, willing and able to reach across the aisle and do what is best for those right here in the 7th district of Tennessee. We have a right to expect more informed and effective leadership from those who claim to serve our needs in Congress. I look forward to debating these and other important issues facing our nation and state with Ms. Blackburn in the coming months and appreciate her stated willingness to defend her record during this campaign.

Dr. Greg Rabidoux