(Ref: Webster) Stimulus ~ an action, influence, or agency, that produces a response in a living organism; anything that arouses to action or increased action.
Currently our new administration and Democrat controlled Congress is preparing to introduce a "new" stimulus package. Currently, this package is considered to be in the range of $825,000,000,000 ($825 Billion). However, most economists agree that by the time the final package is completed it will be in excess of one trillion dollars. Keep in mind, the political party in control wants to have this completed and approved within the next thirty days. This "stimulus package" is separate from the original package that was hurriedly passed and adopted within a few days during the campaign season. I have a problem of occurring this vast amount of debt on this short of a time schedule. Most of us have to consider and debate the pros and cons for a longer period than that when it comes to buying an appliance for our home. It is most interesting to consider where the funds from this $825 Billion dollars is going to be used to "stimulate" our economy. I have such a list of proposed "stimulus" expenditures in front of me.
$43 Billion for increased unemployment benefits. Though the stimulus package was designed to put people to work, not pay them not to work.
$39 Billion for expanded health care for the unemployed
$20 Billion to increase food stamps.
$41 Billion for school improvements
$15 Billion to increase Pell Grants by $500.00
$79 billion to help states offset education costs.
$4 Billion for more preventative health care programs.
$1.5 Billion for improvement in community health centers.
$20 Billion to computerize health care records
$87 billion for states to help pay Medicare costs.
$3 Billion to expand congested airports.
$1.5 Billion for better land and sea ports
The list does not get any better, I can see a lot of expenditures be utilized for social programs which will have very little effect on stimulating the economy. Where are the jobs that this program should be providing? Instead we expend the funds to encourage individuals not to work. The philosophy continues, "why should I work when I can make more money on welfare". The politicians talk about "volunteer service" and becoming involved within your community to make a difference. I have no problem with helping someone out when they need help, however my plan is simple. If you do not want to work and live off welfare, then you will work for your welfare check by doing community service projects at a fair wage scale. A days work for a days pay is a great philosophy to stimulate the economy.
Keep it in your thoughts that it was a campaign pledge by President Obama that he would "veto" any bill coming across his desk that has special "earmarks", commonly referred to as "pork". This "stimulus package" is littered with fat! For instance, $360 million dollars for planting grass in Washington D.C.. I assume in time this massive project would create jobs, someone has to cut all that grass.
This "stimulus package" is separate from the $700 billion stimulus package passed in October 2008 and of course is outside the perimeter of the Annual Budget that will be going before Congress within the next sixty days. A good number of projects, i.e. "smart power grid" being funded by this proposed stimulus package cannot be achieved within the next ten years.
I apologize to my grandchildren in advance, as the national debt service we are currently proposing will be your responsibility to retire.
