Brain-Jockey

Crunch Time: Stimulus 101

Written by Audrie Zettick on February 9, 2009

No matter where you stand on the economic stimulus package, check out this graphic in the Washington Post.  Highlights of these numbers pulled from the Congressional Budget Office package on the House-approved version:

• The Democrats claim one-third of the bill is tax cuts.  CBO says 22% is tax cuts.
• About 64% of the $819 billion House-approved bill would get into the economy in 19 months, well short of the 75% Obama wants.  That’s $294 BILLION that’s clearly not  “we-don’t-have-a-moment-to-spare” ideology.  

Doubling our national debt is my biggest worry now.  See what these economists say about the stim package.

Think for yourself (be a Brain-Jockey).  If you can, explain to me why all this “stuff” is in a package designed to be a quick fix to the economy AND why nearly doubling our national debt isn’t going to be harmful to our future.  How are we going to fund things we REALLY need and what are we going to do when private investment dries up due to excessive debt?

I reserve the right to deploy my Nerf© bat, should I disagree with any pro-stimulus argument made here.

Stimulated to Call

Written by Audrie Zettick on February 9, 2009

I’ve been spending the day trying to call Arlen Specter’s office to voice my opposition to the stimulus bill, which he supports.  Specter (my Senator) is one of 3 Republicans in the Senate who support the package. 

Can’t get through on any phone–even tried contacting his remote offices, such as the one in Erie.  No go.  Apparently the phones are burning–and I doubt it’s with calls of support.  Or maybe they are just out to lunch.  At 9 a.m.  And 11:00 a.m.  And 2:00 p.m.

Out to lunch?  Did you know that means inattentive?  If Specter votes “yes” I’d say he’s out to lunch on the will on his constituents.

(Be) Holden to the Status Quo

Written by Audrie Zettick on February 4, 2009

I thought the country (or at least the millions who voted for Barack Obama) threw the status quo out the window this past November.  But the same-old, same-old reigns in the U.S. Congress these past weeks, especially from my Congressman, Tim Holden (D, PA-17). 

At first, I had hope.  Let’s review:  

• No Time for the Status Quo.  By most accounts, these are the most challenging times since the Great Depression; it calls for us to support elected officials who are acting for the long term, greater good of our nation. 
• Fast, Focused and Finite. Widely-accepted, economic stimulus wisdom from Lawrence Summers. (Here for David Brooks’ insight).
• Tim Holden noted that the economy is in “the worst state that I can remember in my lifetime” and that  “the economy is in dire straits, and we need to show some leadership and do something here.”   

Except that “leadership” meant sticking with the status quo, old-style politics.

The Commonwealth of PA is among the states whose budgetary woes result in part from a history of old-style vote getting: putting something for everyone in appropriations bills, so we “get support.”  Holden and most of the Democrat Caucus did the same with the stimulus bill, H.R. 1. 

Holden’s justification:  “I don’t know how I’d vote against $1.8 billion coming to Pennsylvania.”  ……except he also said “I can’t direct money to go anywhere.”   

The result?  Not a stimulus package that is fast, focused and finite.  More like flabby, frenzied and flatulent. Apparently, my district isn’t the only one “Be Holden” to the status quo.