POV: Stimulus Objections

The way I see it, some of the fussing about the Democrat’s stimulus bill is appropriate.  However, I see how other points can be made for stimulating the economy.  Republicans have objected to several little inserts into the bill.  I though pork was going away.  Anyway,  some of what they object to have little to do with stimulating the economy and looks like typical Democrat public funding.  On the other hand, some of the inclusions could be good for the economy.  Let’s take a look:

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient. I agree here but not with the reasoning Repubs are stating.  Continuing to justify the use of fossil fuels when there are other clean methods is foolish.    Besides, ask those folks living near that dam that collapsed containing coal plant sludge that was cleaned from plant emissions how clean “Clean Coal is.  Whoops, I almost overlooked the state in which this project is located.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film. I Pay 8 bucks a ticket to see a movie and these guys gross millions on films and now the government wants to get into the movie business.  Agree with GOP

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. Not much stimulation here, just more liberal agenda handouts.

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). Build it in the US with US labor and Parts, go for it.  People are working

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. US Labor force at work again, however, one wonders if this government department is even worth a new out house. 

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. See previous, however, buy American and lots of furniture factory workers are working.

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. Ford, GM or the other company would appreciate this.  But to overpay a Union worker to build these would only net about 100 cars.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s. Are you kidding.  We can make all kinds of “Stimulate” jokes with this.  Agreed with the GOP, eliminate this porking.

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs. Now we know how much rural waste costs.  Strike this please

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system. Putting people to work again.  Is this the DC version of Washington?  If so, they’re going to need about 3 times that much to handle the sewer that is generated in DC.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. Are they buying relics or building or upkeeping.  One puts legal Americans to work and made in America materials to good use, the other, doesn’t.

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion. No Way.  I’ve never believed those population signs and numbers can always be manipulated where needed.  Agreed with GOP.

• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.” Haven’t we wasted enough on weak willed people.  If they choose to die by smoking, so be it.  Remember the waste of tobacco settlement money,  75 million is a drop in the bucket but it still flushes the same.  Agreed with the GOP.  We can’t govern stupidity. 

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges. I have to think about this…

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI. What happened to that salary freeze.  Now, if we’re hiring new agents and employees, maybe I can accept this. 

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction. See my comment on the smoking program above.

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. How about printing more flood maps that show that if you build here, your house will flood.  When are we going to quit trying to tame mother nature.

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas. Throwing more tax dollars away in New Orleans.

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings. Are we spending 6 Bil on legal US labor and materials?  if so, go for it.

• $500 million for state and local fire stations. That 500 mil would build what, 100 fire stations? What’s a state fire station?  Agreed with the GOP, strike it.  Too many unknowns. 

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands. Screw the USFS.  I get so sick of smelling prescribed burns, lousy timber management and forest rangers sleeping on the job.

• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs. What’s wrong with putting lazy kids to work.  It’s a well known fact that kids have no concept of saving so the minute the check is cashed, they’re out buying booze and video games.   Good for America!

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland. The last 3 fall under that “Green Building” thing above.

• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service. Oxymoron’s don’t qualify for tax dollars.  However government morons do.  I would be OK with this if they weren’t called “paid volunteers”.  Just call them more government morons and I approve.  At least they’re “working” and doing the public a service.

• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. Do we really even need this department?  Remove this please!

• $850 million for Amtrak. To do what?  Refurbish rails and tunnels.  I see lots of workers improving an energy efficient and recently growing mode of transportation.  Besides, I like trains. 

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint. Shouldn’t be here as part of a stimulus package.

• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies. Agreed.  Get it out.

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.Get em a DELL and I guess this is OK.  Now if DELL could find a way to build all those PC’s somewhere other than China and not at Union wages. 

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations. I thought we already did this earlier.  My thoughts are the same as previously stated above.