Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Economic stimulus solution?

After reading an article in The Colorado Independent, it is obvious to me where hundreds of billions in stimulus money could be used to provide immediate economic relief, defer more home foreclosures and actually provide food for families' tables.

Factors in place:


State unemployment trust funds are already depleted and our economic crisis is predicted to last at least through 2010.

Unemployment payments could very easily double as layoffs escalate. We're talking as much as 30-50 billion per month.

The federal government has extended unemployment benefits to 20 weeks.

Unemployment benefits will not go into a savings account, it will be put right back in the economy for living expenses.

It meets the 3 "T" Formula for economic stimulus: timely, temporary and targeted.

No new social programs or oversight expenses are required, although the unemployment offices need more staffing.

Everyone knows exactly where the money will be spent.

The federal government is going to bail out states unemployment trust funds anyway!


Problems with this solution


The Stimulus money:

does not grow government.

does not create enough jobs.

does not allow for non-discresional spending.

is not the idea of a Democratic congressman.

does not benefit political contributors or special interest groups.

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Mark my words, if unemployment benefit shortfalls aren't addressed in this stimulus package, we will see at least one more stimulus/bailout package that will.

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