Obama’s Pitch: Stimulate Or Else
President Barack Obama turned in his hope slogan for the fear hammer today. In his editorial this morning at the Washington Post he wrote:
If it’s so important to get the “stimulus” package passed, why does so much of the 10 year plan focus so little on economic stimulation?
We think he is arguing for the stimulus, but the word doesn’t appear once in the column. Instead he talks about “jump starting” the economy and computerizing health care records. Instead of reassuring “stimulus” detractors by proving that the bill will actually improve the economy (the Congressional Budget Office has now declared that the country would be better off with no “stimulus” package than the one he’s pushing), he caricatures detractors and repeats well worn mantras:
If we don’t pass this “stimulus” bill, President Obama predicts:
“…more people lose their jobs, their savings and their homes.”
“…this recession might linger for years.”
“Our economy will lose 5 million more jobs.”
“Unemployment will approach double digits.”
“Our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse.”
“…our health-care costs still rise faster than inflation.”
“Our dependence on foreign oil still threatens our economy and our security.”
“Our children still study in schools that put them at a disadvantage.”
“…tragic consequences when our bridges crumble and our levees fail.”
“…more than 8 million Americans at risk of losing their coverage.”
“…computerize the health-care records of every American…saving…countless lives in the process.”
That’s a bleak vision of the future. It’s incredible that we’ve waited so long to write a “stimulus” bill that can save countless lives and protect us from irreversible recession. Are we so foolish not to recognize what is going on here? This isn’t a economic package anymore, it’s the “Democratic Party Bail Out of 2009.” Look at the promises he’s got riding on the back of a economic crisis:
“…we will create or save more than 3 million jobs over the next two years.”
“…provide immediate tax relief to 95 percent of American workers.”
“…ignite spending by businesses and consumers alike.”
“…protect health insurance for the more than 8 million Americans.”
“…computerize the health-care records of every American within five years.”
“…making 2 million homes and 75 percent of federal buildings more energy-efficient.”
“…double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy within three years.”
“…upgrading 10,000 schools with state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries and labs.”
“…training our teachers in math and science.”
“…bringing the dream of a college education within reach for millions of Americans.”
“…rebuilding aging roads, bridges and levees.”
“…designing a smart electrical grid.”
“…connecting every corner of the country to the information superhighway.”
But Obama declined to mention the other “investments” in the Porkulus Bill:
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.
• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
I think I finally understand what President Obama is telling us. If we’re ever going to rise above Washington’s bad habits and support ideas instead of ideology, we need to spend billions of dollars on programs and priorities that Democrats can’t get funding for except by hiding them within ’stimulus’ bills during times of crisis. Disgraceful. Predictable.
MORE: National review Online offers “Fifty De-Stimulating Facts
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Stumble It!
One Response to “Obama’s Pitch: Stimulate Or Else”
February 18th, 2009 at 6:40 am
I think we all should step back and let our President do his job now. In the past, the rich have been getting richer and the middle class(which there is not one now)has been getting poorer. I am proud to be an American and I am very proud of our country and it’s leader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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