Stimulate Me

About 10 months ago I ranted a bit about the so called stimulus package then President Bush threw together. I didn't then and still don't like the idea of just throwing money at the consumer's and expecting them to go on a spending spree. I think last year's package was more of a stroking of his ego to try to get his approval rating up and a stroking of his Republican/Conservative base to try and show them he could "give back" to the people and try to put up a dust cloud to block out the god-like image that was being cast upon Obama at the time. All of this was put together during the final stages of the Democratic Primary and took some of the focus away.

If you would like to view the entire text of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 please feel free. But allow me to just give you some highlights.

TITLE I--RECOVERY REBATES AND INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT

Sec. 101. 2008 recovery rebates for individuals.

Sec. 102. Temporary increase in limitations on expensing of certain depreciable business assets.

Sec. 103. Special allowance for certain property acquired during 2008.

TITLE II--HOUSING GSE AND FHA LOAN LIMITS

Sec. 201. Temporary conforming loan limit increase for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Sec. 202. Temporary loan limit increase for FHA.

TITLE III--EMERGENCY DESIGNATION

Sec. 301. Emergency designation.

TITLE I--RECOVERY REBATES AND INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT

What is says is pretty much, everyone gets a little bit of money, Fanny and Freddy get alot of money and we're gonna put a little bit aside just in case.

Fat lot of good any of this did anybody! What did you do with your $300, $600 or $1200? Did you even get a rebate? We all know what happened with Fanny and Freddy, cuz they went back to the well and pull some more out of Bush's ass later in the year. And what happened with the "Emergency Fund"? Where did that go?

I will never be a fan of throwing money at anything to make it better. To me that is a bourgeoisie attitude (hi dad!).

Now it is a new year, we have a new President and we still are in the throes of a "recession". No one is quite ready to call it a depression, it will be interesting 50 years down the road to read the history books and see how it is classified. Ok, back on subject, new year, new President and oh yeah looky here we have a new stimulus package.

Again, if you would like to read the entire text of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for your self you are more than welcomed. But please let me give you the gist:

DIVISION A--APPROPRIATION PROVISIONS

TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

TITLE II--AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

TITLE III--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND SCIENCE

TITLE IV--DEFENSE

TITLE V--ENERGY AND WATER

TITLE VI--FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

TITLE VII--HOMELAND SECURITY

TITLE VIII--INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT

TITLE IX--LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION

TITLE X--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

TITLE XI--DEPARTMENT OF STATE

TITLE XII--TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

TITLE XIII--STATE FISCAL STABILIZATION FUND

DIVISION B--OTHER PROVISIONS

TITLE I--TAX PROVISIONS

TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED WORKERS AND STRUGGLING FAMILIES

TITLE III--HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

TITLE IV--HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TITLE V--MEDICAID PROVISIONS

TITLE VI--BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS

TITLE VII--ENERGY

And my favorite part - There is a PURPOSE:

SEC. 3. PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES.

(a) Statement of Purposes- The purposes of this Act include the following:

(1) To preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery.

(2) To assist those most impacted by the recession.

(3) To provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health.

(4) To invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits.

(5) To stabilize State and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases.

I know this was long, but bear with me.

I can stand behind this stimulus package. Ya know why? Old Chinese Proverb says: "Give a Man a Fish, Feed Him For a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, Feed Him For a Lifetime"

Last year Bush gave me a fish (and not even a big ol sea bass, all I got was a tiny sardine), this year Obama may actually give me a job. Creating jobs and getting things done to boot? What a concept.