Eight months after President Obama signed a stimulus package worth $787 billion, less than half the funds have been spent and nearly half of Americans want the remainder to be repealed. Of course, that hasn't stopped the mainstream media from pushing for more.
Recall that before the first bill was even signed, Reuters hailed a statement from billionaire George Soros warning that it wouldn't be enough. In July, NewYork Times columnist Paul Krugman called the bill "inadequate" and bemoaned fiscal conservatives for their "bittter and unrelenting" skepticism.
Now, despite unemployment approaching double digits, the federal deficit exploding, and rumors flying that the world is dumping its dollars, liberal newpapers have unabashasedly increased their call for more "stimulus."
An October 6 article from the NY Times first provided some revisionist history to advance the fiscally-challenged cause:
The stimulus was never intended to be a put-shovels-in-the-hands-of-people-on-relief type of New Deal public works program: it was, rather, a combination of tax cuts, aid to states and money for infrastructure projects that would be put out for bid to private contractors and take time to get going.
Those of us with functioning memories know that President Obama did sell the stimulus as a "shovel ready" program. But no matter to the Times.
Aside from that detail, what came next in the article was the real jaw dropper:
They also knew that the size of the final package - which was whittled down in part to ensure its passage in Congress - was not big enough to completely offset the projected drop in the nation's economic output, which administration officials believed at the time would perform at $2 trillion below its capacity over the next two years.
Yes, according to the Times, an effective stimulus package would have pumped $2 trillion into the economy. Considering that the entire national debt currently stands around $12 trillion, that much spending would increase it tremendously.
Regardless, the Washington Post continued the drumbeat the very next day:
But this has been such a profound, job-destroying recession that even $787 billion wasn't sufficient. And changes made to secure some bipartisan support in the Senate last February rendered the stimulus less effective than it might have been...The White House is in the position of defending the stimulus and urging that we do more.
And don't look now, but Congress appears to be working on doing more. The AP noted on October 8 that politicians are trying to craft a new stimulus without actually calling it a stimulus.
Not to worry, for with media that are clearly enthusiastic about more spending, President Obama should have no problem finding support for the new measure irrespective of the name it's given.
After all, to today's so-called journalists, a stimulus by any other name would smell as sweet.
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Con man: "Would you like to
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:29 ET by Chris NormanCon man: "Would you like to donate money to help orphans?"
Victim: "Hey, I donated money to your fund last week!"
Conman" "Yeah, but this time it really will go to the orphans"
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Shuck and Jive act
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:40 ET by 10ksnookerThe whole Democrat party is one never ending shuck and jive act. Lie cheat and steal is all the Democrats know.
Here is Obama's theme song ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVjITlgqlHo performed by the BeeGees.
Isnt a third stimulus
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:38 ET by oscar97Remember the 1500 buck checks last year. Then the 787 stimulus bill was actually the second, so the next one will be the third.
TARP was the Second
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:41 ET by 10ksnookerThis will be the fourth waste of money ...
Slavery by debt so large it can never be repaid, it's still slavery. Rev Wright's get whitey plan.
The only stimulus that will
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:53 ET by mattmThe only stimulus that will work* is one that repeals the previous ones.
*If "work" means it will improve the economy. But if "work" means throwing this country into economic chaos, thereby providing the rationale for more neo-fascist power grabbing by the government, then it just may "work."
yeah
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 15:23 ET by w2448hcI agree
Congressman said: Obama has something to hide! : http://www.70news.com/2009/10/04/breaking-news-c
The NYT article is another
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 13:59 ET by BKeyserThe NYT article is another strawman-
- no, that's what it has been thus far. They can only say this as they look back over the last eight months and review what has actually been spent and how. I don't recall them saying this in January.
What it will be -which is why there is a call for a second stimulus even though only what? less than a quarter of the 787B has been spent- is an election fund for democrats next year as many dems face a tough re-election bid. Money will be dolled out to Democratic governors to be distributed in districts with struggling Dem candidates, and union-workforce projects to bolster democrats in the mid-term election.
This was never about economic stimulus.
Exactly. The stimulus plan
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 14:05 ET by TenebrousExactly. The stimulus plan is just another form of welfare, distributed as necessary to consolidate Democrat power.
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Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Charles Payne on Beck just
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 16:59 ET by BKeyserCharles Payne on Beck just displayed a graph depicting my exact point on when the majority of the spending from Porkulus I will roll out- Qtr 3, 2010.
He also made the point that this is really just wealth distribution, which I was not astute enough to recognize. But its pretty simple really, taxpayers pay in, Unions, Welfare, and Food stamps reap the benefits.
Payne on Beck
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 17:42 ET by Sergeant ROCKHa Ha Ha! I saw that too!
The sad thing is that there's a good possibility that many will be duped by the temporary boost in the economy and vote accordingly. That's in addition to the 80 votes per AKORN registered voter - real and imaginary.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Groundwork for their own defeat
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 14:03 ET by Kingfish17When Obama and the Dems passed the Porkulus bill in early February they laid the groundwork for their defeat in 2010 and 2012. They were so greedy to "get what was rightfully theirs" that they really didn't even try to hide the money grab.
"I've sentenced boys younger then you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it, but I felt I owed it to them." Judge Smails
Admiting
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 14:29 ET by Jerry MackNow they are admiting that the porkulus bill ia a failure. Well lotta-da! Their answer! Spend more money.
Excuse me?
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 14:58 ET by Patriot IIThe "media" is calling for more stimulus funds? Who in hell cares what the lying media calls for? If they called for "truth" in the media, now that would be newsworthy!!!
~The media
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 15:20 ET by choselife3xCalled for Obama to be elected. Remind me, how'd that last election turn out?
If no one cared what the lying media calls for this site wouldn't exist. So what was your point, again?
Kossacks hate me. And yes, it does feel good.
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 15:05 ET by jessieHI was wondering when Soros would come back into the soap opera.
~Excellent!
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 15:30 ET by choselife3xLove the links, may steal the Boston one. I'm glad to see an NB article addressing the shaky state of the dollar. And it doesn't mention any MSNBC hosts. I don't even have cable and I'm tired of seeing those people's faces.
I'm going to do a lamprey now..
Thank you for alerting me to this, Candance!
;-)
Kossacks hate me. And yes, it does feel good.
It will never be enough
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 15:40 ET by general companyThey will ask for our money until we remove them from power.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Ask?
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 18:30 ET by BlondeSteal, commandeer, expropriate, tax, hijack, rob.....well, you get my drift.
I hope he fails, too.
General
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 15:44 ET by srqvetUnderstand. What galls me is they are not "asking" or even "listening" but are "ordering" the spending of our money.
We don't have the money for Porkulus II
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 16:05 ET by R D HelmWe don't have the money for Porkulus I, either. We are essentially bankrupt as it is, and probably not too terribly far away from the total disintegration of our monetary system.
If these out-of-control congress-critters try to do this to us again, we need to return to Washington, only this time with pitchforks and torches.
Hell, me might need to just go ahead and do that, anyway.
-Dave
They are complicit
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 16:44 ET by richb313They are complicit in destroying this economy and this country. These high cost no benifit programs are destroying the dollar and by that destroying this country. The "media" will finally get thier wish and the United States, with the "medias" direct support and colusion will finally do what no external enemy has been able to accomplish and that is reduce our stature and effectiveness.
You know I am so sick of these guys if they don't like this country or what it stands for then move. Go to France, go to Chavez land, go any where but here.
~Someone finally said it
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 16:50 ET by choselife3x"The stimulus is what's toxic -- we're poisoning ourselves and the global economy with it."
I hope people sit up and take notice.
Kossacks hate me. And yes, it does feel good.
Nice screen cap.
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 17:34 ET by BlondeA couple of more piglets may be in order, however.
I hope he fails, too.
Maybe, just maybe, enough
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 18:38 ET by Free StinkerMaybe, just maybe, enough people will protest in front of media outlets this weekend to get their attention during the "can you hear us now protests"
The MSM is totally out of control
"President Obama is learning on the job and it shows." --Boris Epshteyn
Not the media
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 18:44 ET by jon_torlinIt's the government that's out of control. That's the bigger danger.
Snowe proved that.
-Jon
this weekend
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 18:56 ET by Candance MooreI'll be at the Richmond NBC protest with bells on.
These loser newspapers and
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 20:36 ET by RR GOPThese loser newspapers and networks are definitely hoping that Ozero sends some cash their way.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.