What are others opinions on this stimulus package? I have looked through a little of this bill and can't believe the amount of useless spending that is being included.

Things that surprised me.

1. 1 Billion for the government owned Amtrak that hasn't made a profit in 40 years.
2. 600 Million for new government vehicles
3. 150 Million for the Smithsonian
4. 81 Billion for Medicaid
5. 36 Billion for unemployment
6. 20 Billion for food stamps
7. 83 Billion earned income credits for people that don't pay any taxes in the first place.
8. $650 million for digital TV converter-box coupons

How does any of this stimulate the economy

At least they pulled the 200 million for birth control.

Isn't there a way to create more job opportunities rather than beefing up dependency ?

What are others opinions on this stimulus package? I have looked through a little of this bill and can't believe the amount of useless spending that is being included.

Things that surprised me.

1. 1 Billion for the government owned Amtrak that hasn't made a profit in 40 years. ( increases/retains jobs to put whatever measures they are implementing )
2. 600 Million for new government vehicles.( retains jobs by creating a large demand for vehicle )
3. 150 Million for the Smithsonian. ( Not sure on this one, but the Smith is pretty cool)
4. 81 Billion for Medicaid. ( need to know more about this one)
5. 36 Billion for unemployment. ( puts money into the hands of the recently unemployed who will likely spend 100% of it. )
6. 20 Billion for food stamps. ( again, puts money into the hands of the recently unemployed who will spend 100% of it)
7. 83 Billion earned income credits for people that don't pay any taxes in the first place. ( puts money into the hands of low income families who will spend 100% of it)
8. $650 million for digital TV converter-box coupons. ( give an incentive to the folks on unemployment to spend the earned income credit money on a digital converter box because they can no longer afford cable )

How does any of this stimulate the economy

At least they pulled the 200 million for birth control.

Most of those look like viable economic stimulus ideas.

Dogfish,

The problem is none of those create jobs for the unemployed. It only keeps them unemployed for longer. This plan needs to create long term job growth. All it is in it's current form is a band-aid to stop the bleeding while really fixing nothing.

A retained job is just as good as a job created.

How do you know Amtrack and automakers won't be able to hire anyone because of the stimulus money?

In regards to Amtrak, tax payer dollars are being wasted suppoting a company that hasn't made a profit in 40 years and have on numerous attempts tried to use tax payer money to outsource jobs overseas. Is that the type of business you want your tax money going to?

JoJo - You must have been searchin' Sean Hannity's website huh? That's the EXACT list he was whinin' about on his show last night.

Dogfish summed it up... to a T, IMO!

Tell me how many jobs are gonna be created by just sittin' around and complainin' about EVERYTHING that the Obama administration is trying to do to stave off another Great Depression?

You do know that the White House has an e-mail address... right? Why don't you send them YOUR plan to fix this mess? I'm sure they would appreciate all the help they can get.

Nope don't watch Hannity,

I never said they should do nothing. There are other ways to stimulate job growth. Rampent spending and growing government programs that contributed to this failing economy will only delay the inevitable. First and foremost tax cuts for those that contribute to society would be a good start. Rather than for those that don't pay any in the first place. Tax cuts for corporations that still manufacture products in this country would make them more profitable and in turn increase jobs. Manufacturing in this country needs to be ramped back up. Corporate taxes in this country are some of the highest in the world. It's no surprise that jobs are leaving the country at the rate they are.

I'm all for Amtrak.

Something my wife and I have recently discovered is train travel. It kicks ass.

A rare moment of agreement with AuntyM. Thought I should note it.

If you want a true stimulus program you need to look to where jobs are being lost and where new ones can be created. I see none of that in what was mentioned. Some of it could help, but none of it is directed in such a way that it guanantees it.
Want some ideas...
1. Rebates on trade-ins of cars of a certain age or milage. Double whammy be increasing sales and helping the enviroment. Not a tax credit since this takes to long to get back to the economy.

2. Government loans on energy retrofitting. Agian, a double whammy effect.

3. Government purchasing of bad loans and reducing interest or using homes for government programs. A huge problem is the increasing foreclosure rate. It reduces the value of existing inventory (less refinancing and dominoing effect), causes banks and investment companies to fail, can cause higher rental rates, can reduce tax revenue, and is crippling the financial and building sectors.

4. Loans to the states for infrastructure upgrades. I say loans because hopefully the states can decide better how to spend the money when there is some responsibility and direct decision making.

5. Loans and incentives to construction companies for redevelopment. Right now it is near impossible to get construction loans, no matter how good the project.

6. Tax or other incentives to increase domestic exports.

7. An increase in small business loans.

8. Tax credits for companies that are expanding or creating job growth.

9. tax credits and incentives for research and development and expansion in the domestic manufacturing field.

10. Money for actually undertaking restoration projects, such as finally removing the Elwa Dam or other eviromental projects. We need to spend money on upgrading our national park system more than we do on unemployment and food stamps.

11. If we want to spend money on Am-track, they need to use the money to just lower the existing rates and let the market take over. When it costs twice as much money to take the train as it does flying, most people will end up flying. Make it cheaper and you will see more young people and families traveling that way. I would love to be able to use the train but it just to expensive. Adding railway or infrastructure will just cause it to lose more money down the road. Not sure how much maintainace is needed, but it should be less of a problem percentage wise if we could double or triple use.

Just a few quick ideas in a couple of minutes by someone who really knows nothing.

Krijak,

There are community banks making loans on owner occupied commercial property all the time. Speculative stuff, not so much. Non-owner-occupied, depends on the market and end use. Office and retail space, forget it for now unless it is partially owner occupied.

Just like residential real estate now, there will be an overabundance of comercial rental space in the next 6 months. It will take a bit for that market to shake out. You can't just build it and hope "they" will come in this market.

Great time to use some cash to buy up some failing lots & projects if you have the cash and you can sit on it for a year or more.

Andy the banker - out.

I think JoJo is just looking for something to snivel about.

Shocked to see he found something.

Not really.

On page 14 of the stimulus bill is a part where Illinois won't get any money if Blago is governer of the state. I know that he shouldn't be governer(and isn't) but isn't that a dangerous way to try to force the change of a leader??

They do the same thing with Federal Highway funding to keep states' drinking ages at 21.

You are sadly mis-informed on this one. Due to tax code "incentives" approximately 2/3 of corporations pay no taxes at all in this country.

"Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."

Smoot-Hawley tariff act all over again - well, pretty close.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act

Anybody that defends this as purely an economic bailout has there blinders on.The democrats have control of this country.We voted them into office.They have the right to progress there agenda.just not under the guise of the economic bailout.The democrats better hope that this works.political suicide if it does not.I am losing confidence rapidly.

I just can't believe that our President hasn't hired Darcy Burner as a consultant in these matters (perhaps he has?).

She has a degree, you know........from Harvard.