http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/stimulus/ en-us Sat, 2 Jan 2010 15:01:11 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419491/posts From January 2009 till passage, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow dedicated her program to the passage of the Economic Recovery Act, which she called over and over ‘the stimulus'. She gave us statistics on how bad the economy was, how urgent action was required and how that action must be government 'pork' project spending. She also explained how handing out money to the poor created the most jobs the fastest and it would give us the biggest bang for our buck, claimed that we would get $1.73 of stimulus for every tax dollar ($1.00) given away because the poor would spend each... Revival Conservative Blog w MSNBC Clips http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2419491/posts#comment Sat, 2 Jan 2010 15:01:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417261/posts The Bozeman City Commission authorized spending $49,140 in federal stimulus money on Monday to install new tennis courts at Bogert Park. The new courts are likely to be ready in June, Parks and Cemetery Department Superintendent Thom White said. The commission approved a contract with Dermco-LaVine Construction in Minneapolis for the courts during a noon meeting on Monday. The company will put in rubber-tiled courts at the park, located along South Church Avenue. White said the out-of-state company got the contract because there were no local companies that could do the work. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417261/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:43:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414440/posts President Obama met with a dozen small banks yesterday, urging them to keep lending. He did not have to tell that to this group — about 6500 mostly AAA rated, regional and community banks — who have been happily lending away. Its how they earn their money. The larger banks, on the other hand, are the ones who have cut back lending dramatically. This is especially true of the 10 biggest banks. Why? Its the rational thing to do. These banks STILL have to much debt, too little capital. They books are festooned with bad loans, which, thanks to our... The Big Picture http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414440/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:27:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414311/posts GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - The U.S. Air Force is aiming to spend up to $7 million annually through 2015 to spruce up roads where it transports personnel and equipment to Montana missile sites. Cascade County Road Supervisor Dave Sutton said the typical missile road maintenance programs only include applying new gravel every few years to roads leading to Malmstrom Air Force Base missile sites, the Great Falls Tribune reported. Helena Independent http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414311/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:39:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414158/posts Bailouts: Having spent more than $3 trillion on stimulus and bailouts so far, the government apparently can't be sure it's not being massively defrauded. So much for transparency and accountability. During the transition early this year, President Obama vowed to "restore the American people's trust in their government by making government more open and transparent." Yet, it's quite possible that this year's $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — also known as the "stimulus" — will turn into the largest fraud in history, and we'll never know. The reason: It's become impossible to verify why those who are getting... Investors.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414158/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:01:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412422/posts Christmas for adults is never quite the same as Christmas for the under 12-year-old set. Not that it's all bad if you are an adult, it's just that it takes a different form for adults. For kids it's all about the magic of Santa Claus. When you believe it all seems so wondrous. This blindly, uninformed reliance on mere belief is a perfect definition of the Democrat voter. As an adult, of course, a lot of what many of us see during Christmas are the mounting bills for gifts, growing credit card debt, and draining bank accounts. It always makes... Publius Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2412422/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:50:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412300/posts Apparently, the debate over the economy is over, and it's settled science that government spending stimulates growth. At least that's what President Obama wants you to believe. On CBS' "60 Minutes" on Dec. 13, he boasted, "What we now know, and every economist who's looked at it will acknowledge this, is that [the stimulus] helped us [stem] the panic and get the economy growing again." Mr. Obama's exaggerations are starting to sound a lot like Al Gore's claimed "consensus" about global warming - a formerly hot topic that has cooled down recently. Also on Dec. 13, Lawrence H. Summers, Mr.... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412300/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:51:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411996/posts An optimistic President Obama signed a massive economic stimulus bill in Denver this afternoon, enacting a law he has said is necessary to avoid catastrophe. …… it does mark the beginning of the end , the beginning of what we need to do to create jobs for Americans scrambling in the wake of layoffs; to provide relief for families worried they won't be able to pay next month's bills; and to set our economy on a firmer foundation, paving the way to long-term growth and prosperity." Obama took an optimistic tone today as he continued to navigate a fine line... abc news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411996/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:13:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411539/posts Lawmakers and U.S. automakers are peeved with Japan, which has launched a cash-for-clunkers program that doesn’t accept American-made cars. Under Japan’s program, consumers who trade in a car at least 13 years old can get a tax cut of up to $2,800 toward the purchase of a new car. But the program excludes imported vehicles from companies that have low sales in Japan. That covers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, according to the American Automotive Policy Council, which has pressed the Obama administration for action. U.S. producers are particularly irked since Japanese companies did well under the cash-for-clunkers program Congress... The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411539/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:57:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411408/posts 'WE CANNOT STEER THE ECONOMY.' 'GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IS CAUSING ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY.' 'GOVERNMENT IS PLAYING WITH FIRE,' SAYS TOP ECONOMIC PROFESSOR BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE. THE FREEDOM POST http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2411408/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:28:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411082/posts A new study has confirmed that Obama's "stimulus" spending is overwhelmingly targeting Democratic districts and being used as partisan constituent payoffs...while ignoring unemployment. The study, conducted by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Virginia, found that the porkulus funds have gone to Democrat districts almost twice as often as Republican districts. Now, as I have noted before, the worst economic disaster areas usually are run exclusively by Democrats and have been for decades. However, as Mercatus Center scholar Veronique de Rugy explains: "If the stimulus money was actually spent to create jobs, there would be more stimulus money... The Macon County Conservative Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411082/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:25:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411000/posts A pair of studies analyzing U.S. jobs and the effects of President Obama's American Reinvestment and Recovery Act suggest the so-called "stimulus" bill has boosted partisan interests far more than employment figures. White House projections in February claimed the $789 billion in spending would "create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years" and that over 90 percent of those jobs would be in the private sector. One year into the two-year projections, however, the studies show that not only has the money failed thus far to deliver on either of those promises, but it also has been... WND http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411000/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:26:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410467/posts Democratic Districts Won Twice as Much Stimulus as GOP Districts, Study Shows Democratic districts have received nearly twice as much stimulus money as Republican districts and the cash has been awarded without regard to how badly an area was suffering from job losses, according to a new study. Democratic districts have received nearly twice as much stimulus money as Republican districts and the cash has been awarded without regard to how badly an area was suffering from job losses, according to a new study. The Mercatus Center at George Mason University reviewed the distribution of $157 billion in stimulus dollars... FOX http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410467/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:25:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409941/posts And the total risk they pose to the taxpayer far exceeds that of the big banks. Fannie and Freddie, in the final days of the year, are even said to be negotiating with the Treasury about greatly expanding the money available to them. Though the four are not in all the same businesses, they were caught in one of the same traps: They sold mortgage guarantees — in some cases to each other. Now when homeowners default, as they are doing in record numbers, these companies are covering the losses. Essentially, taxpayer money to these companies is being used partly... The New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409941/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:01:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409736/posts WASHINGTON – Washington is moving to assist California and other cash-strapped states that face the prospect of raising taxes or cutting spending again in 2010 to balance their books. The House took the first step Wednesday evening, passing a $75 billion jobs bill that would help states pay for infrastructure projects and prevent more public employees from being laid off. Some are calling it Stimulus II, and the sequel would come as good news for 35 states that face budget gaps totaling $31.5 billion by the middle of next year. California is projecting the largest shortfall, at $6.3 billion, followed... Sac Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409736/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:12:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389945/posts The government watchdog overseeing economic stimulus spending says the White House was too quick to take credit for saving or creating 640,000 jobs. The White House trumpeted job figures released last month, saying they proved the administration is on track to save or create 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year. ABC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389945/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:30:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408000/posts On Sunday President Obama's top economic adviser, Larry Summers, said the "recession is over." But in the next breath he called for more government action to stimulate the economy, in particular the pace of hiring. As far as the administration is concerned, it is government stimulus that brought us this recovery. Now it seems to think it's just a matter of piling on even more government spending to generate job growth. In one sense we agree completely with Summers. The recession is over. In fact, the economy has been growing since June. This came as no surprise to us. "An... Forbes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408000/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:35:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407895/posts If You Thought The Economy Was Being Inflated By The Stimulus, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet Vincent FernandoDec. 15, 2009, 6:41 AM Think the economy is being inflated by economic stimulus right now? Well if that's the case, then get ready for a ride over the next two years.The majority of Obama's stimulus hasn't even been spent yet. Thus the support won't disappear any time soon, and actually could accelerate. There's still another 70% to go. Slate: Since it was passed in February 2009, only $237.6 billion (30 percent) of the $787 billion package has entered the economy. The tax... The Business Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407895/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:43:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2407451/posts Stimulus Funds University…Retirements? Bethany Stotts, December 14, 2009 Bethany Stotts Over $43 million in federal stimulus funds will be spent on outgoing Iowa state university employees, reports the Press Citizen today. University officials claim these monies—directed toward the retiring or those who already took early retirements—will “save jobs” in the end. Gunnar Olson reports: More than $43 million of federal stimulus money meant to save or create jobs is being spent on salaries and benefits for outgoing employees by Iowa’s three state universities. The University of Iowa has directed $33.4 million in stimulus money to the salaries of employees taking... AIA-FL Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2407451/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:14:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407319/posts The Obama administration makes plenty of noise about its risible “saved or created” accounting for jobs, but how much of Porkulus goes to ending jobs? In Iowa, over $43 million in stimulus funds will pay the salaries of outgoing professors in three universities: More than $43 million of federal stimulus money meant to save or create jobs is being spent on salaries and benefits for outgoing employees by Iowa’s three state universities. The University of Iowa has directed $33.4 million in stimulus money to the salaries of employees taking early retirement or otherwise leaving the university by June 30. Iowa... Hotair http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407319/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:48:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407282/posts President Obama is calling on the financial industry to help dig the economy out of the pit the White House says it helped create, as the president and bank executives headed into a potentially tense meeting Monday morning. President Obama is calling on the financial industry to help dig the economy out of the pit the White House says it helped create, as the president and bank executives headed into a potentially tense meeting Monday morning. The president set the tone for the meeting in an interview broadcast the night before in which he called Wall Street bankers "fat cats"... FOX NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407282/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:55:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407051/posts High speed rail is a glamorous idea -- it's fun to imagine a train streaking through the cornfields from Chicago to St. Louis in four hours. Less glamorous are some of the fixes that need to be made to Chicago's notoriously slow freight rail system. Talk about projects like "signalize interlocking" and "grade separation," and eyes glaze over. But the promise of faster passenger rail is inextricably linked to the down-and-dirty business of freight. To make passenger and commuter trains move faster, you have to get the boxcars out of the way. And to do that, there needs to be... Chicago Sun-Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407051/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:59:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406785/posts Call it a stimulus, paying off a debt, but it's time to call it a work in progress. If the Federal Government is going to prop up the richest of the rich, isn't it time to add up the losses that Blacks have incurred during their time in America? Supporters of slave reparations argue that there is no equal opportunity for African Americans nor has there ever been. Systematic discrimination deprived African Americans of equal chances and deserved justice and parity. The clear lack of parity is seen in the recent instances of bailouts for the rich and distain for... The Final Call http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406785/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:14:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406292/posts ~SNIP~Congress passed a sizable fiscal stimulus. Yet things turned out worse than the White House expected. The unemployment rate is now 10 percent — a full percentage point above what the administration economists said would occur without any stimulus. To be sure, there are some positive signs, like reduced credit spreads, gross domestic product growth and diminishing job losses. But the recovery is not yet as robust as the president and his economic team had originally hoped. So what to do now? The administration seems most intent on staying the course, although in a speech Tuesday, the president showed interest... nytimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406292/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:08:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406501/posts HARTFORD — - The state's congressional delegation is pressuring Gov. M. Jodi Rell to get financing back on schedule for the Hartford-to-Springfield high-speed train system. Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Christopher Dodd advised Rell late Friday to quickly push through funding for engineering and surveying. Unless that work is done soon, they said, Connecticut might lose its shot at $80 million in federal funding this winter — and perhaps hundreds of millions later. "Put simply, a failure to authorize state funding for this preliminary work will jeopardize the state's ability to receive federal funding for this critical project," said a letter... The Hartford Courant http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406501/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:52:44 GMT