House Republicans are dragging their feet all over the Senate stimulus package.

They’ve come up with their list of wasteful provisions, according to CNN.

But many of these provisions would not only help stimulate the economy. They’d also address some pressing public health, environmental, infrastructure, and educational needs.

For instance, on public health, Republicans are opposing $100 million that would go toward reducing the hazards of lead paint. What? They want more kids to die?

And Republicans are opposing $400 million for the CDC to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Not like those are a problem!

Republicans are also opposing $25 million for tribal drug and alcohol abuse programs, and $75 million for anti-smoking programs. Addiction is evidently not a Republican concern.

On the environment, they’re opposing $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees, and $200 million for alternative energy vehicles at military installations, and $6 billion to turn federal buildings green, and $850 million for Amtrak. But who needs to get off of fossil fuels, anyway?

On the infrastructure, which is collapsing all around us, the Republicans had the chutzpah to oppose $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas and $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. They’ve forgotten about Katrina already? They’re also against $125 million for improving the Washington sewer system, as though there isn’t enough raw sewage seeping out of the Capitol.

On education, they’re opposing $200 million for public computer centers

at community colleges. God forbid that poor students get to join the Internet Age.

And even though youth unemployment is likely to be extremely high this summer, they’re opposing $1.2 billion for young people, including some summer jobs programs.

Republicans can call all of this “pork” if they want to.

But it all looks kosher to me.

And their opposition to it is not only economically foolish, it’s cruel, and class-based, and woefully shortsighted.