Jubilee wrote:Rockindeano wrote:Here is the first paragraph from that WSJ article:
We've looked it over, and even we can't quite believe it. There's $1 billion for Amtrak, the federal railroad that hasn't turned a profit in 40 years; $2 billion for child-care subsidies; $50 million for that great engine of job creation, the National Endowment for the Arts; $400 million for global-warming research and another $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects.
Even we? You mean the far leaning righties at the WSJ? Go fuck yourselves.
I don't see a penny wasted in any of those programs.
1 Billion for Amtrak. Currently they receive 750 million. What is a 250 million raise going to hurt? You folks have short memories. 6 months ago, people couldn't drive anywhere without mortgaging their homes for gas. Amtrak if given a chance is the prime example of what program can really help out in America's oil crisis. And as for turning a profit? The writer of this article should do his or her homework-No rail system in the world turns a profit. And if not for countless airport and traffic controller subsidies from Uncle Sam, not a single airline would be close to turning a profit. In fact, this last year Amtrak did much better than any airline save Southwest. By the way, does any interstate highway in the land turn a profit?
2 -Billion for child care. Tell me how that is a bad thing? I want to hear especially from the republicans here who are adamantly against abortion. The point being that once born, the GOP turns it's back on people. Child care is never a bad subsidy.
3- $50 million National Endowment for the Arts. I am shocked that any here would bitch about this. The Arts are so important, and 50 million is a lost penny. Arts people. For Christs sake, you are on a music forum! Without Arts, we might not have our next Steve Perry, Mr Big or gasp, Arnel Pineda.
4- $400 million for global-warming research. Another worthwhile investment. We need to learn to live greener, might as well take this opportunity to do it right, and pay people along the way. It's going to happen folks, and frankly needs to happen- the need to live off other fuel sources than oil; wind, solar and hydro. Studying better ways is not money wasted.
5- $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects.- Absolutely needed.
Are all these Democratic ideals and principals? Yep. They won, and they are in charge. Deal with it. Start writing Sarah some checks, so she can get ready to change us back to pure fucking misery.
The first time I read this I thought you were kidding, but you're dead serious, aren't you?!? I don't even know where to begin...
1 - Amtrak has been missmanaged from the start. With the exception of the eastern corridor, Amtrak really doesn't even serve most of the country. Unless they're going to use this infusion to start laying new tracks to serve new markets, I don't see the cost benefit.
2 - Billion for child care? Seriously. That's part of raising kids. No place for government intervention.
3 - 50b for National Endowment for the Arts. Sorry, let the artsy-fartsy crowd buy their own pink tights. How much does it really cost to create a jar full of urine with various things suspended in it?
4 - 400m on global warming research? Here, I'll help you out on this one. In the summer it gets hot. Sometimes really hot. In the winter, it gets cold. Sometimes really cold. The planet is 4 billion years old. At times the planet has been covered in ice, at other times there has been very little glaciation. All of human existence has occured between these two extremes. Cleaner air is a good thing, but let's not start thinking we can control things we have no control over. Keep your money. That one's on me.
5 - What?!?
And as for these so called "shovel-ready" projects - don't you believe it. By the time they go through the process of deciding how much money to allocate to which project, going through the bidding process, and the unions trying to get their piece of the action, these projects won't be off the ground for at least a year - and they'll already be over budget.
Woooo. That was a mouth full. End of rant.... carry on...
You're right on. $200M for seeding the capital mall, $450M to give to third-world countries to help with family planning. Global warming research? Please. All of this pork is nothing but social interest project funding that has nothing at all to do with stimulating anything. As for the public works projects, OK, those are well-intended and in many cases needed but, by the time any of the money hits the streets we will be on the other end of the recession. But, I suppose something has to be done to instill a bit of confidence. However, there are a lot of other things that could stimulate the economy much faster. We are about to embark upon the biggest increase of government in our history and that doesn't smell like capitalism to me.
There are those on this board who clearly feel that Bush was, by far, the worst president in history and that Obama is the best we've ever had. Well, history will play that out but, I see a lot of the "same" from Obama including breaking some of his campaign promises. I.E. Appointing lobyists, as an example. He's only been in office for a week. I'm optimistic but, let's see.
After biting my tongue for a spell, I retorted "Please tell that to the construction workers who built your million dollar home, or the car mechanic that keeps your mercedes going all the time, or the nanny that takes care of your child for you while your away."
