In this city where President Barack Obama championed a federal stimulus bill free of "earmarks" and "pork," some elected officials and citizens are questioning whether the first "shovel-ready" project here to be funded by the legislation – a $4.2 million resurfacing of a runway at the Elkhart Municipal Airport – meets that promise.
It's an argument being played out in various forms around the nation as the money from the $787 billion economic stimulus package that Obama signed on Feb. 19 begins trickling down to the local level. (Click here to read msnbc.com reporter Tom Curry's account of how the money is making its way to Elkhart.) It often wears partisan garb, but at its heart is the vexing question of how you define "pork" and "earmarks" -- terms commonly equated with hogs at the trough.
As Associated Press reporter Calvin Woodward explained in a Feb. 9 article titled "Obama has it both ways on pork," the Elkhart runway resurfacing and other projects that will benefit from the surge in federal spending are technically not earmarks. But that's not to say that they are pork-free.
"There are no 'earmarks,' as they are usually defined, inserted by lawmakers in the bill," he wrote. "Still, some of the projects bear the prime characteristics of pork tailored to benefit specific interests or to have thinly disguised links to local projects."
This Pro Publica article -- published on msnbc.com also before the legislation was finalized – also detailed numerous provisions and exemptions intended to benefit special interests or specific businesses or industries.
In Elkhart's case, the question boils down to whether the airport project benefits the few or the many.
There is no debate about whether the 6,500-foot runway needs resurfacing – it has visible cracks that are sprouting weeds. (Click here to read the Elkhart Truth's story on the airport resurfacing project.)
But there is plenty of discussion over the wisdom of spending federal money on it when the city with one of the nation's highest unemployment rates has so many other more-pressing needs. (Click here to read msnbc.com reporter Bill Dedman's piece on U.S. cities that resist recession and Elkhart's spiraling job loss problem.)
David Henke, one of three Republicans on Elkhart's nine-member Common Council, said he has two problems with the project.
"It's a little surprising to see stimulus money go to an airport that 99.9 percent of the citizens do not access," he said, referring to the fact that the airport is used by private and corporate aircraft and a few charter operations but has no commercial service. "The second point is that the stimulus should be used exclusively for long-term job reclamation. Repaving is going to help some contractors … but at the end of the day, once the project is done, the jobs are gone. It's not going to bring in new planes, it's not going to bring any new revenue."
Mayor Dick Moore, a Democrat who set the agenda for applications for stimulus funding, responds that such criticism misses the mark because the funds came from a $1.1 billion pool dedicated to airport renovation or maintenance and could not be used for other purposes.
"I guess we could've turned the money down, but we were at the top of the list because we already had filed with the FAA," he said. "… We would have eventually done it at great expense, with local dollars or by getting a grant and having to come up with matching funds."
He and Andy Jones, the airport's general manager, stress that the airport creates badly needed jobs throughout the city.
"Flying commercial eats up a lot of time for these executives; a lot of times it's really cheaper for them to be able to move in and out of where they do business quickly and efficiently," explained Jones.
Moore adds that while the airport's economic benefit to the city may be incalculable, it is not insubstantial when it leads to deals being finalized with local suppliers.
"When they fly away, what did they leave behind?" he wondered, musing about the departure of executives after such a meeting. "An order for the $3 million or $4 million?"
Beyond that, the mayor estimates that the runway repair alone will provide 250 short-term jobs, a number that strikes critics as too high but may not be far from the mark, according to Gene Yarkie, regional vice president with Rieth Riley Construction Co., Inc., which plans to bid on the project.
"A project like that seems quick and easy, but there are a lot of steps along the way that go into getting that to the runway or highway -- aggregates have to be mined, processed, trucked and then applied," he said. "A lot of jobs are created along the way."
Slowly boiling beneath the current debate about the runway project is a bigger question about the airport's net benefit to the city.
Henke, the city councilman, said the airport runs an annual deficit of $675,000 – an expense that is born by city taxpayers. That leads some to question whether Elkhart even needs an airport, especially since there is a regional airport just 15 minutes away in South Bend, which offers nonstop flights to Atlanta, New York and other big cities.
Henke said he does not count himself among them.
"I'm not saying I'm anti-airport, but what I am saying is you've got to be smart about your investments," he said. "If you' own a lake cottage and you're behind on your payments, this is not a time to put an addition on."
How is your city, county or state spending its share of its stimulus funding? Do you agree with the priorities that have been set for the money? Do you even know where it's going? Have you tried to get information about where the stimulus money is going and been frustrated? Please share your thoughts or experiences in the comments section below.
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No, the money is not being used most effectively. Look at the pictures of the airport, no air traffic. Same thing here in Ocala. Money used for an airport control tower. No commercial service, only privately owned light aircraft, and relatively few of them. The money could be better spent somewhere else.
You think that paving runways is bad? My little town of 8,000 or so is asking for money to build a new high school football field!
The existing, perfectly good field, is at the old school location. That's not good enough for them. They want a field at the new location.......For cryin' out loud, They only use the field 4-5 Friday night home games a year unless they host a playoff game or two, and during the week we already bus them to the practice field located at one of the elementry schools.
If they're gonna ask for stimulus money I wished they'd have it go towards helping all the people who have been laid off in our own hard struck area. The chances are, if this gets pushed through, the folks building the new field are NOT gonna be from anywhere close to our town. Just like most of the companies that are hired to build the new school.
Bottom line. I dont want my tax money going to Minnesota to pay for snow making equipment or to a mayor in a town in Florida to help pay for fancy street lights (2 other stupid uses of our tax dollars I've heard about.) I'm pretty darn sure the people of those communities dont want their money building our school board's new football field!
It's ridiculous, and its not stimulating anything except for maybe the fat cats who lined the current administration's coffers.
Change I can live without............
The Republican dominated Legislature in my state is using $1 billion of the stimulus money to cut everybody's state income tax bill for the year. Imagine that - actually returning money to the taxpayers. The Dems are furious, of course. They want it to go for the usual liberal social causes.
I want to move to your state!!! Finally, someone is getting it right!!!!!!!
In my state, there's an article in the paper stating that " local artists are competing for about $1,700,000 in proposed arts stimulus funding."
About 70 artists have written application "letters of intent" to recieve this funding. The newspaper article states that " the letters of intent outlined $6,400,000 in arts projects that would employ young people, create new art, and upgrade facilities" ( I guess the money needed beyond the $1.7 million is to be provided by the state government ).
"Application deadline is May 11".
I think I'll fill out an application to an insane asylum if I ever come to believe that this expense should be part of a fereral "stimulus package".
You know, I saw an email recently (and yes, it was a joke but really stop and think about it)... There are roughly 500,000+ senior citizens that are working for one reason or another (mostly because they cannot survive on their paultry retirements now that the stock market has taken it's HUGE dive). Part of them had planned on retirement within the past year, but can't, or some were retired, but now that their monthly income has been cut (most in half) they have had to go out and get new jobs. Here is what you need to think about....
Say instead of putting money into that athletic field at the school that is really not necessary, you give each one of the Sr Citizens/retiree's half a million to a million dollars. The catch for them would be, they would have to retire (no part time work either), and they would have to each purchase at least 1 american made car, and if they rented or had apartments/condo's, they would have to each buy a house (doesn't matter the size or cost, new or pre-owned).
That would mean automatically 500,000+ real jobs out there (I know we need a bigger dent, but this is a start), houses would be moving again, which leads to other jobs opening up, which leads to that spark that is necessary, it means cars are selling, which means less plants being stopped, which means less people losing their jobs, which means more spending will begin again... Could even mean more hiring will happen in the auto industry.
Doesn't this sound much better then just putting money out there that can't be recouped in any way at all. This way you get sr's get to retire as planned and enjoy life (maybe spending a little more)... means the circle of earning and spending can rejuvinate in some way....
what money? 3 months ago they were in such a hurry to push thru 9 billion in pet projects that they didn't give anyone a chance to read it before a vote, but the money is still nowhere to be seen. maybe paying for michelle's shoes?
Agreed. Not every city needs an airport. In the old days airports didn't cost much, and now they do. Perhaps a good time to shut it down; or maybe convert it into a heliport if it's cheaper.
However, what do you do with the land when you shut down/convert an airport?
Drag strip?
I agree--drag strips. People will pay money to come race and to come watch. You need vendors to sell cokes and food; you need ticket takers; you need officials; you need tow truck drivers or push vehicles; gas stations in the area profit; local parts stores profit; and once the conversion is complete, it is self supporting--no more tax dollars going into it. Just my thoughts.
At first I thought the idea of a drag strip was stupid, but probably the most feasible and in the best interests of the community. Think about it, not only would the above mentioned occur, but if we time the opening of the strip with sponsorship from the Big 3, we could potentially bring about the resurgence of the Pony Wars and the resurrection of our Big 3! We got the Mustang, the Challenger, and now the Camaro!
That is a great Idea - for anybody to drag strip = Trust me I was in Hawaii = I use to race there and all you pay is 10 dollars per car to compete...Its a great investment and spent time to see people race each other....and it was safe.
when stapleton airport closed down in denver, they converted it to new houses and new developments, new businesses, it is really going strong out there.
they already had the roads there- the runaways-
i don't live in aurora/denver- but my understanding is that it is very nice over there.
Build a golf course of course. I mean what else could you do with a shut down airport.
The money is a complete waste and will put untold debt on our great grand-kids. They are spending 4 million dollars of the stimulus money for a Meriwether Lewis Visitor Center on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee. While this is a historic trail, it is a two lane 444 mile parkway that is lightly traveled. Other than special events at the visitor center, there is not enough traffic to justify 4 million dollars at this time. It will only create temporary construction jobs as when it is done, the jobs will be gone. This is ridiculous and the money should be spent on creating long term jobs or not spent at all and remove the debt from our future generations.
Don't forget, we have to maintian the building for years to come.
Hey, troubled, you won't mind giving us some proof for the statement you made, will you? The statement was: "While this is a historic trail, it is a two lane 444 mile parkway that is lightly traveled." Of course, you must have numbers to back up this claim of the "lightly traveled" parkway.
I live in Columbia, just a few miles from Lewis County where the "center" will be built, and I can tell you the news of this new construction reverberated through the entire region. This center is going to increase interest and bring MORE traffic and economic help to the entire area. Of course, that's a bad thing since the parkway is "lightly traveled."
I'm sure you're not opposed to an improvement like this, unless you have actual proof that the "lightly traveled" parkway is actually lightly traveled? It might interest you to know the straightest, most direct way to central Mississippi is on that "lightly traveled" parkway. The "lightly traveled" parkway is filled with motorists and motor-cyclists who enjoy its natural beauty each weekend. But, of course, you have proof the Natchez Trace is lightly traveled.
It is also helpful to note that the center will help our children learn more about the events of American history that happened in their backyard. Of course, children shouldn't benefit from a center like that because it's on a "lightly traveled" parkway.
And creating JOBS? Why, that's not good, even though the JOBS are temporary. The important word you used is JOBS. The construction of the center will create construction JOBS, will create JOBS for those needed to maintain and manage the center, JOBS for those who will be employed to help teach the history of the area. Of course, JOBS aren't what we need during the WORST recession in American history. Those JOBS certainly won't have an economic impact on Lewis County and the region, will they?
Your rant reminds me of a saying I once learned. "Remain silent and people may think you a fool. Speak and REMOVE ALL DOUBT."
hmm...... how exactly would the children benefit from anything being worked on? Come on now think about it honestly, do you guys really think we gonna be able to take the children where they can learn all that. Here in Oklahoma we have the cowboy hall of fame known by another name now and was cheap when I was younger, but now I am 30 to kids who is 8 and 3 and husband and I decided to take our children there and holy cow almost 100.00 just for four of us and that isnt including the space center and the extra stuff that cost more money. They are going to build all these buildings that are going to stay empty or it is gonna cost way to much to just stimulate the money they put in that building.
To John, when was the last time you were out there. It may have a little more traffic on the weekend, but during the week, I have traveled the parkway for 50 miles at a time and I have been lucky to see 10 cars. In addition, I have no problem with the center being built if local tax dollars was being used, but why should it be built with federal tax dollars when the impact is short term and will benefit few people. I understand it may provide a short term boost to the local economy, but, is it needed enough to make our grand children pay for it. And as for the children, are you telling me there is no other way for them to learn about history. And your telling me that this center is going to generate enough traffic to justify the expense. Get Real, This is just one example of the numerous wasteful projects our grand children will be paying for.
The bottom line, it is not something taxpayers from all around the country should be paying for. We need jobs that will produce long term and add to the GDP, not to the cost of government. It is the same for most of the other projects they are spending this stimulus money on. The piper will have to be paid and the cost to our future is too great.
Dear MistyDawn, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum is a jewel for Oklahoma City. The FREE parking and $10.00 for adult fee, $4.50 for chidren (6-12), and under 5 FREE, (that would be $24.50 for your family of 4) is more than reasonable for a family spending a day together at one of the premier museums in the region. My daughter, age 6 this year, I will have to painfully pay the $4.50 next visit, have enjoyed the art museum, gardens, and western exhibits . She might even begin to appreciate some things in life besides the Hanna Montana movie ($7.50 per child by the way). Thank you Oklahoma City, for using our tax money to increase the educational opportunities for our children, culturally diverse destinations for our family, and economical retreats for everyone passing through our state. I would also suggest the Oklahoma Museum of Art, The National Memorial, and Oklahoma City Zoo. Please continue to spend our tax money wisely on things that benefit everyone.
Well thank goodness we borrowed money from foreign investors to pave a runway for a airport that doesn't have commercial flights. If we're going to pave anything, it should be highways, freeways or better yet put in some high speed trains.
Our city will hire a 70K a year guy to study energy conservation by the city? Heck yeah...thats stimulating the economy...go Winston Salem NC...
How do we pay for this guy or gal with staff...when the stimulus is gone?
Best and the brightest....like Jack Black says..." those that cant DO..govern...those that cant govern...become NON PROFITS"
LMAO you taxes are going to pay him!
These small-town local airports are a big fat waste of money - they don't create anything but headaches for the people that live anywhere near them. My small town has an airport, that most wish would just go away. It is nothing more than a playground for the super wealthy, and it does not increase local business (that's a lie propagated by airport proponents). This local airport is also notorious for ignoring the concers and complaints from residents who are sick of jet and light aircraft noise/fumes/training/etc... Pilots perform "touch-and-go's" all hours in the name of training. Will small airports come in handy in case of natural disaster? Sure, if they too survive the nartural disaster. There is a very strong small airport lobby that teaches local airports how to steamroll over local citizens who complain or question what's going on at the airport. And unfortunately, the FAA almost always sides with the airport when citizens complain. In closing, I believe the FAA needs to be more open to local citizen's concerns and not just rubber stamp and approve any airport expansion regardless of impact to local residents. All small airports should have mandatory fly-friendly procedures and noise-abatement policies in place to protect locals from the wealthy and their noisy/polluting toys.
Well put Casual. It's too bad more of the small towns don't take the approach Mayor Dailey did in Chicago with Meigs Field. Meigs was a small airport for corporate private jets that was there for the conveinence of corporate fat cat exec's, at a large cost to the taxpayers annually to keep it maintained and open. Dailey sent in bulldozers and plowed up the runways and has turned the area into a park. We should not be spending taxpayer money just to benefit the very few, and airports do just that.
I am not sure, but I believe that the funds are going to pet projects in my state, rather than to helping the economy. Additionally I believe that the funds are being used to raise costs (building TOLL ROADS) rather than to accomadate the actual needs of the people: i.e. better schools, better health care, clean water etc. Toll roads are not necessary when schools are failing, when people cannot be medically treated due to cost, when kids remain hungry, when water is limited and dirty, etc.
I think it's pretty sad that states along with corporations are getting cash transfusions to stimulate the economy when the average american citizen isn't getting any kind of a break. It's pretty bad when states decide to fund 'pork barrel' projects and deny healthcare, shelter, funding for schools and feeding the hungry.
I find it rather unsettling that corporate America can still give out bonus packages for their employees (after they've received American Taxpayer Bailout funds) who can still afford great health care and a place to live while my neighbors are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and going hungry so their children can eat at least once a day.
If I steal a loaf of bread to feed my family I go to jail. If Corporate America steals that same loaf, they get Taxpayer dollars. If the state takes away your affordable health care, they get American Taxpayer dollars for their own pet projects.
Once the average American Taxpayer is squeezed until he/she no longer has work or a place to live, who's going to fund all these special projects?
MB Crandell
Do you realize that the only thing that government was created for was public protection and basic infrastructure? We shouldn't be spending money on higher education, and technically not even lower education which has become babysitting. It is now an entitlement, just like welfare, food stamps, medicare, etc.
Name one thing that you don't receive via 18 wheels. Even if you get something from rail, barge, or air, you ultimately get it via highways. Spend it all there!
Sorry if I offend but I belive that once age 18 is reached and the child is finished in basic lower education(completed grade 12 or GED) the state/or federal governments should not be supporting them.
I am 20, I worked my ass off in school while taking out a lot of debt and finished top of my class. After afew weeks of looking for a job in the countries most densely populated state I am working a job with full health, dental, vision, 401k(if I would even want to put my money into someone elses investment care...BLAH) and 47k a year before taxes(not including the money I make from investing in the down market)
I feel that MOST(not all but most) people that are looking for a job and complaining that they cant find one arent looking hard enough or are not willing to work @!$%#ty jobs or jobs that entail hard work until a job more suiting to them comes along.
(if you are in the construction industry I am not talking about you not trying hard enough I know the construction industry got hit because the other industries failed)
Stupid plan, borrow money you can't repay to stimulate an economy that will fix itself if left alone. How about the government just goes back to basics and gets the heck OUT of our everyday lives.
I don't know you but are you a leading economist? Because many of the people who understand the economy best think the stimulus is too small
Oh, is that the same "experts" who we keep reading about that say gosh, we thought such and such and indicator was going to go down when it goes up or vice versa...those EXPERTS?
Some people also think welfare payments are too small or that Uncle Sam can actually afford universal health care. As Margaret Thather said, at some point you run out of other people's money to spend.
Thats not in the OBOTS plan. 50% of this money is a waste of our tax dollars. The guy that mentioned the drag strip has the best ideal. At least it would generate some income and draw interest .
Close the airport. There won't be many airplanes in the future; they use too much fuel. Convert the airport to a farm so food does not have to be transported hundreds of miles.
I really believed the high fuel prices not so long ago would change our society, but apparently we are going to continue down the same path.
But if we turn it into a farm wont the government just pay the farmer not to grow crops to help price fix our agricultural products?
Yes, the economy will fix itself.....after we let AIG fail, let the automakers fail and take back the houses purchased by "people who couldn't afford them". Oh, were some of the jobs previously held by these "people who spent more than they could afford" sent to India or China in dubbyah's quest for globalization? this from a "man", i.e. dubbyah, who never in his life had to even so much as wonder where his next dollar was coming from as he lived nicely off of the family trust controlled by papa bush, i.e. h.w. The last thirty years have seen a government growing and growing and spending and spending and now that we have a president who is trying to strengthen the middle class, all we hear from the right is how this is a "waste". As a member of the middle class, I am tired of subsidizing the extremely wealthy. As a traveler, I know that no country will survive without the middle class. The "debt to our children" was placed by bush/cheney for their personal oil war.
Your name says it all and you're comment proves it.
this is directed to the person who has bought the b.s. being pushed on us by the "stateist"!!! thats right, always blame the one before. how long can you keep blaming the one before you?? at what point will the "stateist" take responsibility for what is happening now and the "big government" the are trying to push on us??????
I agree 10.1 It is Idiots like confused that has not one stinking clue as to what has happened in this once great country.
I know, how dare someone have a different opinion or a different point of view. I mean really, how stupid can you be............ Not like this country was founded on different ideas. Not like there are several stipulations in the constitution to protect and foster different ideas. Yep, we should all listen to your ideas, they are the best.....
I agree. You are very confused in Colorado! Pull you head out of the dirt and read between the lines. It may be tough...the media has blinded and brain washed you...but we all belive in you. Come on you can do it, confused!
Colorado is not confused. NAFTA, along with many other programs touting the wonders of globalization, destroyed the American Dream for millions of Americans. Right wing, left wing.. it's the same bird. Americans have been injected with foreign goods and easy credit. Now that the nation is bloated and sick with distraction, down to the physical condition of its citizens, the ruling class will have little difficulty bleeding it dry. Our own Hilary Clinton is a member of the Fabian Society. Their emblem is a wolf wearing the skin of a sheep. They are employing a slow, steady approach to the death of this nation.
Additionally, for the record, the term "statist"can be very dangerous. It is a word that is being redefined on a very large scale as of late. Please understand the history and reality of the language you choose to represent your thoughts. Also understand that your thoughts are equally manipulated by the people who feed you these "amazing" terms.
It simply will not do to slam differing opinions by insulting the *people* who speak them. That is a mark of fascism, not intelligence.
Too many pet projects affecting to few communities. Had high hopes for Obama but now I see he is putting us more in debt with jobs that are not perminate jobs and his plan for paying for this debt and his new health care plan is simply find new way to tax big business. As if that is going to create more jobs or prevent these businesses from going elsewhere. Common sense should tell anyone that if your going to increase government you have to increase taxes somewhere. Yes, George Bush created a big debt, no excuse for it. I would say some of that was unavoidable with 9-11 and a major storm Katrina which created lots of government aid. Still, Obama comes in and justify's even more debt so as to save this country from recession or worse a depression. The problem is borrowing money from places like China to do this makes our country even more indebted to not so nice countries. For me I would have rather had a little more pain and a lot less debt. Believe me the pain is going to come around anyway.
Stimulus monies within the State of New York are clearly earmarked for the select few and will not benefit the majority. The overwhelming majority of political figures on every level of State and local government are solely concerned with self-interest as oppose to quality needs and concerns of their constituents clear examples of this type of behavior has been incorporated into the Obama Administration as it is maintained within Bronx County, City and State of New York. To expect anything from existing legislative bodies inclusive of the Senate, Assembly and Borough Presidents least of all from the Mayor would be totally ludicrous and in many instances based on nepotism and other forms of favoritism. Simply put, State government simply is a façade, guise, an empty shell filled with more of that which has been received from Washington, empty rhetoric without the least regard for the low and lower echelon middle class constituent seeking to survive unless you are an illegal immigrant than all services are out for your benefit. The proposed MTA fare increase and service cuts along with riders forced to ride refrigerated cattle cars known as subways is a prime example of the ineptitude surrounding State, City and local government within the State of New York that is most probably prevalent throughout these splintered and questionable united states.
The Federal Government thinks we are still back in the 1930's with FDR when over 90% of the population was uneducated and worked in the agriculture or construction industries.
Those have all been taken over by illegal alien labor for decades now. These jobs will employ one fat contractor, a couple of engineers and a boatload of illegal aliens. The illegals are there so the fat contractor puts every nickel possible into his personal pocket.
How do these idiots figure this puts middle class taxpayers back to work?
Our county (Douglas County, GA) is using the funds to purchase a vehicle for government employees to drive, and banking some for future purchase of rideshare (vanpool) vehicles. Now, how on earth is any of that going to stimulate the economy. Americans need to DEMAND that the money be used wisely on the local, state and federal levels AND ONLY ON PROJECTS THAT WILL SOMEHOW STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. At least some of the other projects I see here have a temporary construction facet that, even temporarily, will put some people to work. Purchasing county vehicles? Now let's figure out how that is going to stimulate the economy. As has been said, we are saddling our children and grandchildren with enormous debt. It is our responsibility to make sure money is spent wisely.
Hi Katie, as a fairly new resident of Douglasville, I was wondering how practical the Rideshare(vanpool) program really is? When I see the vans they are parked in various retail parking lots, and when I do see them on the road thay are usually empty(except the driver of course). Occasionally there are 1 or 2 passengers. Haven't done any research, but superficially it seems to be a waste. Now they are trying to dump more of our money into it for a small fraction of the population?
Hmmmm.......Rideshare (vanpool) I was thinking if people don't have a job....then where do we need to catch a rideshare (vanpool) too. Great job Douglas county Ga. maybe us dumb rednecks in Walton County GA. could learn a few things from your city officials.!!!!
Carpool........... What for??.........Where are we going with those new fancy vans......THERE ARE NO JOBS...... Well Spent douglas County Yours truly Walton County maybe us rednecks up here could learn a few things from ya city officials Yeee haaaawww
Let's have more tea parties. They just don't get it in Washington. We need to vote all members of congress out of office in 2010.
The $800 million stimulus monies will be used to replinish funds for social programs, school building upgrades and minor road and utility repairs. Its federal government helping local government agencies only with no major benefit going to the private sector or the tax payer. The limited repair work on roads and utilities will be performed by government agencies and their affiliated contractors.
It is amazing that we get more in our paychecks then the health insurers seeing that we have more money, raise our copays and rates, local govt. raises our taxes, credit companies raise their rates and our stimulus money is gonnnnnnnne!!!!!!
president dident give @!$%# he just told the fed to print more money and make the money you were getting worth closer and closer than a continental every day. And if a credit company wants too big of a %age to let you borrow their money than dont borrow it.
STAGFLATION IS GONNA BE AWESOME THANKS OBAMA AND DEMS!! ^_^
The stimulus bill is a failure. Yes we had to pass it, where is the outrage by the press. It cost a fortune to hand the money out. It cost 500,000 a job. Sounds to me like this is nothing but a bill to keep the special interest groups happy who voted for obama. Why doesn't our press question this 3.5 trillion dollar budget. When they ask the president about this he is so vague and no one questions his understanding of the process. Does someone else pull the strings in the government but when I hear him speak he says the same old thing and he doesn't make sense. Of course the man really never held a job!!!
Why? who the heck knows they still can't find the guys birth certificate. And seeing the American Justice Foundation has uncovred this little talked about fact. There seems to be a barrage of lawyers and such after the A.J.F now to shut them up.
Someone else pulling the strings? Sure is and has been for many years huh? The string pullers sit in thier lounges placeing hedge bets agaisnt whats goin on. Its a game they play with us.
Who knows why? I think if any of us that do spoke about it we'd be on the watch list.
we still don't have money to patch our St. Im told when asked for patch work...!!!!!
There going to build "round-about" intersections. Now thats money well lost and wasted.
I looked up what my town was spending this money on and couldn't believe it. They listed a senior center that is halfway already built and a fire station that they have already moved into. Our tax money already paid for it.
What stimulus money. I work for a small town and we can not get any money.
Your Correct I live in small town and we can not get funding for clean water, according to the city theres no funding bs.
In our state, our fantastic governor has pledged our stimulus money for winterizing the housing of low income people. The people who will receive this benefit live in subsidized housing, receive public assistance ,and receive heating and energy assistance.
It's doing absolutely NOTHING for people who work hard for a living and have to worry about their jobs being here tomorrow. It rewards people who don't work and don't pay taxes (because in our state, you are tax exempt if your income comes from welfare).
This makes sense how?
Idaho is not making good use of the stimulus funds. Our governor and legislature are planning to put a lot of it in a "rainy day" fund instead of adequately funding education. Our class sizes are huge, districts are declaring financial emergency, teachers are being let go, hiring is frozen--but let's pack money away in case times get worse in the future. As if this is not a "rainy day."
Jennifer, your comments could be said for Oregon as well, we are in the exact same position here with a rainy day fund that is not being used to help our schools which are in the same position as yours. It is so sad that our children have to be the ones negatively effected not only with their education but with the burden future debt.
Here in IL the mayor of Chgo won't even tell us were the money is to be spent, it's none of our business. Some say it's all going to be spent on getting the 2016 olympics. Big deal who cares about the olympics in Chgo, we can't afford the cost. Reports are coming out that the mayor is going to buy new buses again. The last batch came from Europe and were dumped because of defects (good deal) and new police SUV's. But no mention of creating new jobs, just spending on unneccesary things that only the bigwigs here want not what the people need. Our unemployment in IL hit an all time high of 9.1% and they're worried about the 2016 olympics. Can you say nuts.