Another Opinion

Just received a comment on the last post, apparently from a Democrat who actually believes the stimulus bill is a stimulus bill, which is contrary to what most economists believe. It would really be nice if, before standing up for the bill, if folks would take the time to actually read it.

He is, of course, entitled to his opinion. But he is wrong on several levels. First, he believes the Republicans voted "party line" because all but three were opposed to it, but he does not believe the Democrats voted party lines when almost all of them voted for it. Seems like a double standard. It never ceases to amaze me when someone believes a Republican should act like a Democrat, or vice versa. This guy did not seem to have a problem when Democrats voted party lines when Republicans were in control. Or when they voted party lines on THIS stinker of a bill.

Furthermore, he seems to be of the misconception that Republicans opposed it because they are Republicans. Not so. They opposed it because it is the wrong solution according to Republican standards, which requires that a stimulus bill should actually stimulate something other than the pigs rushing to the trough, and we should be more respectful of taxpayer money and not use it for pork that is designed to buy votes.

Republicans also believe that Obama should honor his pledge of transparency, which is not happening. In fact, Obama promised that EVERY bill to be presented would first be posted, in its entirety, on the Internet White House site for 5 days, so the public can actually read it and comment on it BEFORE he signs it. That is not happening, either. He has yet to post anything at all.

It seems that the person who posted the comment, like most Democrats outside of the Beltway are not even aware that the Republicans put forth their own stimulus bill, which was 100% stimulus, 0% pork, and half the price tag of the Democrat version. They do not know about it because Pelosi and Reid would not even allow it to be discussed, and the liberal media conveniently forgot to mention it. So, Republicans are not opposed to stimulus. They are opposed to unnecessary pork being ushered in on fear.

Economists have no faith in the stimulus bill put forth by Congress, for several reasons. Not the least of which is speed. In order to constitute stimulus, the money must be injected quickly. But 80% of this pork laden bill will not even be pumped in until 2010 or after - probably long after the economy begins to recover on its own. So, just how does that "stimulate" the economy?

New cars for bureaucrats. New grass for the mall. A waterpark. A frisbee park. STD research. Free condoms. A hidden universal healthcare bill. A museum in Las Vegas to HONOR THE MOB - we don't need that under ANY circumstances. As an economist myself, I cannot for the life of me figure out how any of those things will stimulate the economy.

Several times our nation - usually under Democrat control - has attempted to spend our way out of tough times. It failed EVERY time. It failed when Japan tried it in the '90's. They now call that "The Lost Decade". Just look at your own family budget - if you are in over your head, do you think you can spend your way out of it? Of course not. That only makes things worse.

But here is what the poster missed in my blog earlier - that Pelosi, Reid, Frank and Obama are ambushing the Republicans who helped them push this travesty through. They made promises to Maine's senators, then immediately turned on them and broke those promises.

Maine residents should have a PROBLEM with that. Furthermore, we should have a problem with Pelosi, Reid and Frank trying to slip the Cash for Clunkers and other bills back in at the last minute, even after there had been agreement to let those things die.

It's one thing to have an opinion on a subject. But that opinion should be founded on research and facts, and not on party ideology.

The economy will recover, in spite of Obama's Doom & Gloom speeches. And it will recover in spite of any government intervention or screw ups. But this stimulus bill is apt to do more harm than good, and will cost our children and our grandchildren their future. What's worse: Pelosi, Reid and Obama are already saying this is only the first such bill - that they expect to push through a second one within months.

Not sure how you folks enjoy being saddled with Trillions in additional debt, but I certainly do not like it one little bit.

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