The Stimulus Package Unleashed

[Gaspar]

You decide.  Will this do anything to help the nearly 2 trillion in corporate deficit we will have by the end of February?

Earmarks and pet projects galore. This is nothing but a porky budget bill.  President Obama can't allow this to happen.  This is only about half of it.  You can read the whole 600 page novel here http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/111_hr1_text.pdf


$44 million for construction, repair and improvements at US Department of Agriculture facilties

$209 million for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service facilities

$245 million for maintaining and modernizing the IT system of the Farm Service Agency

$175 million to buy and restore floodplain easements for flood prevention

$50 million for "Watershed Rehabilitation"

$1.1 billion for rural community facilities direct loans

$2 billion for rural business and industry guaranteed loans

$2.7 billion for rural water and waste dispoal direct loans

$22.1 billion for rural housing insurance fund loans

$2.8 billion for loans to spur rural broadband

$150 million for emergency food assistance

$50 million for regional economic development commissions

$1 billion for "Periodic Censuses and Programs"

$350 million for State Broadband Data and Development Grants

$1.8 billion for Rural Broadband Deployment Grants

$1 billion for Rural Wireless Deployment Grants

$650 million for Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program

$100 million for "Scientific and Technical Research and Services" at the National Institute of Standards And Technology

$30 million for necessary expenses of the "Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership"

$300 million for a competitive construction grant program for research science buildings

$400 million for "habitat restoration and mitigation activities" at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

$600 million for "accelerating satellite development and acquisition"

$140 million for "climate data modeling"

$3 billion for state and local law enforcement grants

$1 billion for "Community Oriented Policing Services"

$250 million for "accelerating the development of the tier 1 set of Earth science climate research missions recommended by the National Academies Decadal Survey."

$50 million for repairs to NASA facilities from storm damage

$300 million for "Major Research Insrumentation program" (science)

$200 million for "academic research facilities modernization"

$100 million for "Education and Human Resources"

$400 million for "Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction"

$4.5 billion to make military facilities more energy efficient

$1.5 billion for Army Operation and Maintenance fund

$624 million for Navy Operation and Maintenance

$128 million for Marine Corps Operation and Maintenance

$1.23 billion for Air Force Operation and Maintenance

$454 million to "Defense Health Program"

$110 million for Army Reserve Operation and Maintenance

$62 million for Navy Reserve Operation and Maintenance

$45 million for Marine Corps Reserve Operation and Maintenance

$14 million for Air Force Reserve Operation and Maintenance

$302 million for National Guard Operation and Maintenance

$29 million for Air National Guard Operation and Maintenance

$350 million for military energy research and development programs

$2 billion for Army Corps of Engineers "Construction"

$250 million for "Mississippi River and Tributaries"

$2.2 billion for Army Corps "Operation and Maintenance"

$25 million for an Army Corps "Regulatory Program"

$126 million for Interior Department "water reclamation and reuse projects"

$80 million for "rural water projects"

$18.5 billion for "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy" research in the Department of Energy. That money includes:

$2 billion for development of advanced batteries

$800 million of that is for biomass research and $400 million for geothermal technologies

$1 billion in grants to "institutional entities for energy sustainability and efficiency"

$6.2 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program

$3.5 billion for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants

$3.4 billion for state energy programs

$200 million for expenses to implement energy independence programs

$300 million for expenses to implement Energy efficient appliance rebate programs including the Energy Star program

$400 million for expenses to implement Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Infrastructure Grants to States and Local Governments

$1 billion for expenses necessary for advanced battery manufacturing

$4.5 billion to modernize the nation's electricity grid

$1 billion for the Advanced Battery Loan Guarantee Program

$2.4 billion to demonstrate "carbon capture and sequestration technologies"

$400 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency (Science)

$500 million for "Defense Environmental Cleanup"

$1 billion for construction and repair of border facilities and land ports of entry

$6 billion for energy efficiency projects on government buildings

$600 million to buy and lease government plug-in and alternative fuel vehicles

$426 million in small business loans

$100 million for "non-intrusive detection technology to be deployed at sea ports of entry

$150 million for repair and construction at land border ports of entry

$500 million for explosive detection systems for aviation security

$150 million for alteration or removal of obstructive bridges

$200 million for FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter program

$325 million for Interior Department road, bridge and trail repair projects

$300 million for road and bridge work in Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries

$1.7 billion for "critical deferred maintenance" in the National Park System

$200 million to revitalize the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

$100 million for National Park Service Centennial Challenge programs

$200 million for repair of U.S. Geological Survey facilities

$500 million for repair and replacement of schools, jails, roads, bridges, housing and more for Bureau of Indian Affairs

$800 million for Superfund programs

$200 million for leaking underground storage tank cleanup

$8.4 billion in "State and Tribal Assistance Grants"

$650 million in "Capital Improvement and Maintenance" at the Agriculture Dept.

$850 million for "Wildland Fire Management"

$550 million for Indian Health facilties

$150 million for deferred maintenance at the Smithsonian museums

$50 million in grants to fund "arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn" through the National Endowment for the Arts

$1.2 billion in grants to states for youth summer jobs programs and other activities

$1 billion for states in dislocated worker employment and training activities

$500 million for the dislocated workers assistance national reserve

$80 million for the enforcement of worker protection laws and regulations related to infrastructure and unemployment insurance investments

$300 million for "construction, rehabilitation and acquisition of Job Corps Centers"

$250 million for public health centers

$1 billion for renovation and repair of health centers

$600 million for nurse, physician and dentist training

$462 million for renovation work at the Centers for Disease Control

$1.5 billion for "National Center for Research Resources"

$500 million for "Buildlings and Facilties" at the National Institutes of Health in suburban Washington, D.C.

$700 million for "comparative effectiveness research" on prescription drugs

$1 billion for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance

$2 billion in Child Care and Development Block Grants for states

$1 billion for Head Start programs

$1.1 billion for Early Head Start programs

$100 million for Social Security research programs

$200 million for "Aging Services Programs"

$2 billion for "Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology"

$430 million for public health/social services emergency funds

$2.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control for a variety of programs

$5.5 billion in targeted education grants

$5.5 billion in "education finance incentive grants"

$2 billion in "school improvement grants"


$13.6 billion for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

$250 million for statewide education data systems

$14 billion for school modernization, renovation and repair

$160 million for AmeriCorps grants

$400 million for the construction and costs to establish a new "National Computer Center" for the Social Security Administration

$500 million to improve processing of disability and retirement claims

$920 million for Army housing and child development centers

$350 million for Navy and Marine Corps housing and child development centers

$280 million in Air Force housing and child development centers

$3.75 billion in military hospital and surgery center construction

$140 million in Army National Guard construction projects

$70 million in Air National Guard construction projects

$100 million in Army Reserve construction projects

$30 million in Navy Reserve construction projects

$60 million in Air Force Reserve construction projects

$950 million for VA Medical Facilities

$50 million for repairs for military cemeteries

$120 million for a backup information management facility for the State Department

$98 million for National Cybersecurity Initiative

$3 billion for "Grants-in-Aid for Airports"

$300 million for Indian Reservation roads

$300 million for Amtrak capital needs

$800 million for national railroad assets or infrastructure repairs, upgrades

$5.4 billion in federal transit grants

$2 billion in infrastructure development for subways and commuter railways

$5 billion for public housing capital

$1 billion in competitive housing grants

$2.5 billion for energy efficiency upgrades in public housing

$500 million in Native American Housing Block Grants

$4.1 billion to help communities deal with foreclosed homes

$1.5 billion in homeless prevention activities

$79 billion in education funds for states

List compiled by Jamie Dupree.

[we vs us]

I'd be interested to hear what you think qualifies as pork in an $800 billion stimulus package.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by we vs us

I'd be interested to hear what you think qualifies as pork in an $800 billion stimulus package.

Don't get me wrong.  Some of these programs are really dandy, but they are all pets with little or no ability to stimulate private businesses or individuals to make a profit or to purchase and sell more goods and services.  

This is a budget bill not a stimulus package. It's full of old bureaucracies to fix up, and new bureaucracies to feed forever. Old failed businesses to prop up, and puts forth no requirements for how those businesses should change their failing ways.

We need in excess of a trillion dollar injection into the economy to put us back on fairly level ground and everything in this bill relates to long term programs that become yolks on the necks of the taxpayers once the initial funding is spent.

There is also very little immediate relief here.  Not nearly enough to make a difference once all of the new alligators are fed.

I may be wrong.  Perhaps long term burocratic spending will encourage businesses to build, hire, purchase, and produce.  I've never seen that.

Sure, the remodeling of a bureaucrat's office at the department of agriculture will employ some carpenters, engineers, architects and laborers, but once that is done, does the department of agriculture continue to produce a product or a service that will create new jobs and new industries?

When a grant is exhausted, it usually leads to requests for another grant.  More suckling from a dry tit.

I don't doubt that some of these programs are fine investments in the future of the country, but that's not the purpose of this bill.  This is like planning a birthday party while bleeding to death!

Can we focus on the bleeding and then worry about serving campaign promises?

[Gaspar]

It's done and we're in trouble.  $1.2 trillion over a decade.  The largest spending bill ever passed.  

A few tiny stimulus nuggets strategically placed, but no immediate stimulus, and no permanent job creation.

Jobless claims report will be released today, and will cancel the pitiful job creation claims of this huge spending bill.

They could have issued a bill that would work,  it would have been so easy.  But no.  Selfish democrats and stupid weak republicans.  Now we get to learn a lesson.

[cannon_fodder]

+1 Gaspar.

I heard on CNN this morning that of the ~ $1,000,000,000,000.00 only $150B is being spent on infrastructure.  The bulk appears to be to improve government facilities or just to increase the budget of agencies with no specific goal in mind.

I'd rather just send a check for $3,000 to every American.  This will turn into a pork fight to see who "gets theirs" between states, industries, and agendas.  I want to read the bill more fully, but it doesn't look good and few talking heads think it is the correct direction.

Trouble!  SPEND $1 TRILLION NOW!  

Worked out well the last time we just through money at the financial crisis.  The banks are fixed.  The auto industry is fixed.  The mortgage industry is fixed.  Yep.

[tim huntzinger]

So what? Big deal!

Would someone PLEASE contact Sullivan and Inhofe and ask them for the list of projects they requested be funded? PLEASE??

Inhofe was chair of the committee that produced the Highway Spending Bill - which blew all records for earmarks out of the water and lead to national disgust from the GOP grassroots - and the GOP's subsequent demise.  Sullivan requested $45M in bailout money for Great Plains.  NOW they see the light?

These shovel-ready projects are exactly the kind of make-work projects the GOP has championed for years.  In fact, THESE earmarks have 'Made in the USA' clauses which the GOP spending measures did not have.  It is not perfect but politics is all about horse-trading and give-and-take.  The era of get-nothing done is over - until 2010.

[cannon_fodder]

Tim, did you read the posts?

Only $150 Billion of the TRILLION dollars is going to the shovel ready projects.  That's what we are complaining about.  And I believe we both expressed plenty of disappointed with both parties.

If we are going to spend cash, may as well buy something with it.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Tim, did you read the posts?

Only $150 Billion of the TRILLION dollars is going to the shovel ready projects.  That's what we are complaining about.  And I believe we both expressed plenty of disappointed with both parties.

If we are going to spend cash, may as well buy something with it.

Which of the projects above are 'shovel-ready' in your opinion and which are not? Do you know? No. You are just a poser.

Do you read? Do you? Can you actually read? Can you put together sentences and words? Can you understand these letters and words? Do you comprehend English? Ha ha! Just busting!

[waterboy]

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. We do nothing and all the experts predict...disaster. We do what the new Democratic House has proposed as inspired by the same experts....disaster. We do what the Republican leadership proposes whose leadership including Limbaugh and Boehner are self professed experts....nothing happens which yields...disaster.

Which poison, the fast acting or the slow?

[Nik]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

It's done and we're in trouble.  $1.2 trillion over a decade.  The largest spending bill ever passed.  

It's not done yet. The Senate will surely modify it.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Which of the projects above are 'shovel-ready' in your opinion and which are not? Do you know? No. You are just a poser.

My source was Lou Dobbs from CNN:
http://loudobbs.tv.cnn.com/

I don't think he is a right wing pundit and has explicitly said his team has read the entire bill.  A task I have not attempted and most people who will actually vote on the measure never will.  I am posing as someone who is relying on someone else's analysis.  

The notion that we are improving national infrastructure and creating jobs or encouraging development and small business is a farce.  We are just spending money.  It will have some ancillary job creation benefits of course - but ultimately will not help the economy.  The projects for roads, rails, ports, power, and the like WILL ultimately help the economy.  Otherwise it's just your hated "trickle down" effect of throwing money into the system.

FURTHERMORE, there is $1,000,000,000,000.00 being spent here.  Don't rush it.  The economy is suffering and will be suffering next week.  Calm down, lets get this right.

[we vs us]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Which of the projects above are 'shovel-ready' in your opinion and which are not? Do you know? No. You are just a poser.

My source was Lou Dobbs from CNN:
http://loudobbs.tv.cnn.com/

I don't think he is a right wing pundit and has explicitly said his team has read the entire bill.  A task I have not attempted and most people who will actually vote on the measure never will.  I am posing as someone who is relying on someone else's analysis.  

The notion that we are improving national infrastructure and creating jobs or encouraging development and small business is a farce.  We are just spending money.  It will have some ancillary job creation benefits of course - but ultimately will not help the economy.  The projects for roads, rails, ports, power, and the like WILL ultimately help the economy.  Otherwise it's just your hated "trickle down" effect of throwing money into the system.

FURTHERMORE, there is $1,000,000,000,000.00 being spent here.  Don't rush it.  The economy is suffering and will be suffering next week.  Calm down, lets get this right.

It's actually approx. $825 billion.  Not sure where the trillion number is coming from.

[tim huntzinger]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

quote:Originally posted by tim huntzinger
Which of the projects above are 'shovel-ready' in your opinion and which are not? Do you know? No. You are just a poser.

My source was Lou Dobbs from CNN:
http://loudobbs.tv.cnn.com/

I don't think he is a right wing pundit and has explicitly said his team has read the entire bill.  A task I have not attempted and most people who will actually vote on the measure never will.  I am posing as someone who is relying on someone else's analysis.  

So you do not know what you are really talking about, just going with the flow. OK.  Just wanted to be sure.  Do not get all condo-sending with me about my indignation at ya'lls phoney 'outrage' when in truth you have no earthly idea really what is going on either.

Can you read? Do you g-e-t i-t n-o-w?  Ha ha ha!

Someone want to produce a list of shovel-ready projects the GOP Commissioners and Councilors and State Reps submitted? Huh? Any takers?

[Gaspar]

CF,
Don't even read it.  It will make you angry.  I've gone through a whole bottle of Pepsid, and my stomach is still in a knot.

P. 41: $572 million to The Coast Guard  for "Acquisition, Construction, & Improvements" creating 1,235 new jobs (each job costs $460,000).

P. 23: $200 million for Dep. of Defense to acquire alternative energy vehicles.  Page 32: $1.5 billion (with a "B") for a "carbon-capturing contest"

P. 45: "$25,000,000 is for recreation maintenance, especially for rehabilitation of off-road vehicle routes, and $20,000,000 is for trail maintenance and restoration."

P. 60: $400 million for HIV and chlamydia testing.

$600 million more for the federal government to buy new cars.

$252 billion is for income-transfer payments.





Good Lord, even if you do the math directly from Obama's speech on Wednesday.  We've lost 2.8 million jobs.  Obama claims this will create 3million jobs.  That means the cost is 400,000 per job.  I would estimate that this will not create a single job because it offers little or no relief, so as it creates short term labor agreements, private companies will continue to lay off at a faster rate than the public/government sector can employ.

At least we know exactly who owns this bill.

I wished him well and said I would give Obama a chance, but it didn't take long for for him to prove his mettle.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

CF,
Don't even read it.  It will make you angry.  I've gone through a whole bottle of Pepsid, and my stomach is still in a knot.

P. 41: $572 million to The Coast Guard  for "Acquisition, Construction, & Improvements" creating 1,235 new jobs (each job costs $460,000).

P. 23: $200 million for Dep. of Defense to acquire alternative energy vehicles.  Page 32: $1.5 billion (with a "B") for a "carbon-capturing contest"

P. 45: "$25,000,000 is for recreation maintenance, especially for rehabilitation of off-road vehicle routes, and $20,000,000 is for trail maintenance and restoration."

P. 60: $400 million for HIV and chlamydia testing.

$600 million more for the federal government to buy new cars.

$252 billion is for income-transfer payments.





Good Lord, even if you do the math directly from Obama's speech on Wednesday.  We've lost 2.8 million jobs.  Obama claims this will create 3million jobs.  That means the cost is 400,000 per job.  I would estimate that this will not create a single job because it offers little or no relief, so as it creates short term labor agreements, private companies will continue to lay off at a faster rate than the public/government sector can employ.

At least we know exactly who owns this bill.

I wished him well and said I would give Obama a chance, but it didn't take long for for him to prove his mettle.

Good work Gaspar. BTW, the jobless numbers are out and it's not good. Obama's fault? After all,  if we elected him, we would not have to worry about gas and mortgage payments any more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI