Stimulus Bill- Yay or Nay?

[allison1887]

I am a BIG NAY! I would like to see what everyone else says about this.
A lot of the money from this bill has nothing to do w/ improving the economy!!!!!!!

[puakinikini]

I am neither yay or nay at this point - I need to learn more about it - my chaotic life is getting in the way of me keeping up on this issue. But, I do have to say, that we have to do something. I heard on the radio this morning that unemployment went up last week and now a record number of people are collecting unemployment (since they started keeping records on this - which I forget the year). I am very worried about my own and DHs employment, as well as our friends and family. My heart breaks when I read about members here that are out of work or their DH got laid off. We really need a plan to stimulate the economy - I am not saying that this is it - just that we need something badly.

[Jenn8702]

I have not read/heard all about it. What I have heard, I have to say NAY! 330 million for STD prevention programs??? I thought this was supposed to go for infrastructure and yet, only 5% is being handed out for that purpose. From the little I have heard, it's ALOT of pork.

[angiebg]

NAY

[beth119]

YAY!

Its not perfect, and to expect such a large bill to be perfect and satisfy everyone is insane.

BUT....It is needed. There aren't a lot of choices anymore...

[searcher]

I would have to say nah! until I see something in writing as to what is included in this bill. Has anyone seen anything to know what is in the bill or is what you know just what you have heard from news broadcasts?

[beth119]

I have not read/heard all about it. What I have heard, I have to say NAY! 330 million for STD prevention programs??? I thought this was supposed to go for infrastructure and yet, only 5% is being handed out for that purpose. From the little I have heard, it's ALOT of pork.

"Nearly 30 percent is devoted to unemployment benefits, food stamps and fiscal aid to states so that they don’t have to cut services, raise taxes and lay off employees and contractors. Evidence is overwhelming that such spending yields the biggest return for every dollar spent...

One of those vulnerable areas, states’ education budgets, is the main target of another $79 billion. The money would help to prevent lapses in early childhood education, which often cannot be made up later...

The measure devotes $145 billion to Mr. Obama’s “Making Work Pay” tax credit for the next two years. The credit, up to $500 per worker, would be more effective as stimulus if the cutoff for eligibility were lower. The richer the recipient, the more likely it is that the money would be saved, not spent. ...

It contains $62 billion on infrastructure spending for highways, mass transit and school buildings, and tens of billions more for other projects..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/opinion/29thu1.html

[GJohnson39]

I wish the politicians would stop acting like politicians - trying to get their pet projects in without regard to the underlying problem. Infrastructure projects will be important, but how many out of work auto workers, IT people, bookkepers, retail employees, etc. will these projects (and STD prevention programs, etc.) employ? I wish our elected officials would SLOW down and really look at who is losing jobs and find ways to help them, rather than just throwing money around. We all know what frugal and careful spenders our representatives are!

[beth119]

I wish the politicians would stop acting like politicians - trying to get their pet projects in without regard to the underlying problem. Infrastructure projects will be important, but how many out of work auto workers, IT people, bookkepers, retail employees, etc. will these projects (and STD prevention programs, etc.) employ? I wish our elected officials would SLOW down and really look at who is losing jobs and find ways to help them, rather than just throwing money around. We all know what frugal and careful spenders our representatives are!

Maybe when the employees of the infrastructure projects (construction, legal, materials, etc...) have $$ from working, they will be able to get a new car. Then the auto worker has a job, and he can buy a book. Then the book keeper has some $$ and can go out to eat. The the waitress will be making some $$ and can shop at Target. Then the middle manager who WOULD have been laid off can stay and buy a new car. ANd so the circle goes...

OUr reps are greedy and wastful. I know my districs is...

[whatsfree4me]

Here is a little breakdown of where the money will go.

Highlights of economic stimulus plan - Yahoo! Finance