Mica and his quite natural-looking rug

Floridians don’t expect much from Rep. John Mica (R-Winter Park). After all, this is the guy who pitched a tantrum and stormed out of the room when he realized he couldn’t sit in the big chairman’s chair anymore. It was 2006 and the Democrats had taken control of the House, forcing Mica to forfeit the number one position on the Transportation Committee.

More recently, John risked losing his toupee on camera when he head-butted an ABC reporter at the Republican national convention. The guy had tried to ask Mica questions as he exited the big Tom DeLay lobbyist-funded soiree.

But even with low expectations for this jerk, I am appalled at the constituent email that arrived today.

As Congress embarks on its 111th session, I want to keep you posted on some of my activities and some of the current challenges we are attempting to address in Washington.

It was my honor to be elected for another two year term as the Republican Leader of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Note: Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) is the committee’s chair. Mica is only the ranking Republican. I don’t want you to be confused, although Mica might.

With a significant portion of the proposed economic stimulus package directed to job creation through infrastructure projects, our efforts continue to keep the measure from being a spending free-for-all. Currently transportation and infrastructure funding will be primarily limited to projects that can be “shovel ready” or under construction within 120 days.

Florida has submitted $6.9 billion in projects that fall into that category. However, only about $90 billion of the proposed $825 billion economic stimulus package is devoted to infrastructure. The transportation and infrastructure portion of the House stimulus proposal includes $30 billion for highway construction; $31 billion for federal and other public infrastructure; $19 billion for clean water, flood control and environmental restoration investments; and $10 billion for mass transit and rail.

It is estimated that every billion dollars in infrastructure spending creates between 28,000 and 30,000 jobs. Approximately 2.7 million jobs could be created with about one-tenth of the proposed package. Having been disappointed with both bailout measures, I believe my vote in opposition was appropriate.

Well I don’t. Job creation is indeed one — and only one — aspect of the economic recovery plan. For Mica, it ends there.

Additionally, I was pleased to name two new Republican Leaders* to vacant Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee leadership positions. Representative Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey will lead the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida will head the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee.

With a new Congress, a new Administration and significant challenges, I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get things moving. Please know as we begin this new year and Congressional session, I welcome hearing from you.

Mica seems to have missed the memo about post-partisanship. To him, the world is made up Ds and Rs, and you’re either with the Rs or you are to be hunted down and shot like the rotten traitor bastard you are.

This bully and jerk had very weak opposition from the Democrats in 2008, but 2010 is just around the corner and I sincerely hope we do better. John Mica’s Bush-era sentiments are indeed shovel-ready.

* Random capitalization is Mica’s