Where the Economic Stimulus is Working
They don't think any money should be spent on economic "bottom up" stimulus, yet have no problem at all demanding more troops be sent to Afghanistan immediately. I wonder if they would support tax increases to fund additional troop levels. Gotta pay as we go, right guys? No of they wouldn't favor that - any amount of spending at all is OK if it's going to the Pentagon or military contractors.
What about spending some money to do things that actually do give real economic stimulus? If you build bombs, you employ some people, sure. But a bomb dropped does nothing but blow up. A bridge built or a high speed train or an alternative power source will give and give. That can be looked on not just as spending, but as an investment in the future too.As to the question "is the stimulus working?" Here are a couple of concrete examples.
I have a friend with two dump trucks. Back in midsummer, when he should have been going gonzo, both trucks were idle. He was close to losing at least one of them. Now both trucks are working on economic stimulus package funded road projects.
On an even closer level, the stimulus package contained provisions for Oregon to hire additional state employees to work at the Department of Human Services. My wife applied for and got one of those jobs. It's a permanent position, too. Once stimulus money is gone, the positions will be worked into the state system. Some jobs will go, but through attrition.
My wife is returning to the work force after spending time at home with our son, who is now 2 and a half. We came to the decision in late summer and she started working October 12th. Perfect timing, it turns out, as I was laid off two days ago. I have been in the cable utility business and it has been a roller coaster ride, going mostly down.
What does the stimulus mean to us? Well, we can keep our house, for starters. And for transportation, my wife is driving the car we got under the "Cash for Clunkers" plan. More evidence of economic stimulus working on the personal level.
And in another side event that would thrill Glenn Beck, my mostly non-political wife now is a member of SEIU. And yes, we did our health care enrollment online, and we now have a "Cadillac" health plan. And yes, just in case you're asking, I'm still in favor of universal health care for all.
What should we do with the economic stimulus plan? Increase it, but smartly. Make investments in infrastructure. Big projects that will yield dividends for decades. That's not robbing from our children, that's investing in their future.
And pay for it by rolling back not just the Bush tax cuts, but also the Reagan giveaways to the rich. Conservatives like to rant about so-called wealth redistribution. Truth is, it's been going on massively for years, from the bottom up. The recent bank crisis is a direct result of rules set about to encourage massive wealth transfer to the already rich. The money was taken from the bottom up, and that's where the economic stimulus needs to go to remedy the problem.
Published by Jeff Musall - Featured Contributor in Sports
Jeff Musall has a passion for writing, a knack for frank and informed expression, and a desire to engage the minds of readers. His work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and various online venues... View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentHay Jeff, Also sorry to hear about the job, and also congrats to the wife. I will add that if you do need a letter of recommendation, I would be more than happy to do the same. Best in the job search.
So sorry to hear about your job Jeff. And congrats to your lovely missus on her new job. I hope ya find something you enjoy soon. Really, I may love to argue and fuss wit ya, but I wish only the best and happiness for you, the missus and the cute little Musall man! Hang in there brother. Despite our differences, I feel for you and wish you nothing but health, happiness and success. Need a letter of recommendation? I can BS and tell an employer what a stand up dude you are! J/K man. Anything I can do to help, or let ya blow off steam, I am right here Bro.
Sorry about the job loss (I've been out of work for over a year), but thanks for your ongoing commentary.
Jeff, sorry about the job
Couldn't agree more about the big business, Mike
Sorry 'bout yer layoff, bro, but congrats to yer wife's new gig! As far as the stimulus package yielding the desired results, all I can think about is how many millions have disappeared without a trace, unaccounted for. I do agree that rebuilding our infrastructure is the best way to go, but again, this all begins and ends with big business. Somehow or another, there has to be a way to a) stop them from running to China and other cheap labor markets and b) stop the flood of ILLEGAL immigration; which is ALL big business' idea to bring cheap labor to jobs that cannot flee to cheap overseas havens (such as landscaping and construction). No, I don't have the answers, nor do I claim to, but if I have learned anything after 41 years, it is to at least ask the right questions. Good luck, you three; We have lived through 3 layoffs and 2 plant shut downs in 16 years;, y'all'll do just fine!
The plan is working, the Republican party is dying, and Beck and Limbaugh are lunatics.
Thanks Jesse, and in case anyone is wondering, there were hundreds of applicants, she still had to earn the job, even though it was stimulus funded...and the cable business is a great example of a lagging indicator - it just slowed down the last couple of months, as people who were hit elsewhere cut back...
Enjoy your editorials! Agree on many points...including healthcare.