by Matthew S Harrison

Created on: February 19, 2009

Stimulus, Porkulus, Spendulus.....Call it what you will. As a business man, and as a once proud American, I call it the death of democracy.

This bill is simple. It is an attempt (and a very good one) by the Obama Administration and the Democrats in Congress to once and for all turn America into a once-was. This bill has no chance of stimulating any growth. With consumer confidence as low as it is-mostly due to Obama, Pelosi, and Reid talking down the economy, the paltry $12 a week each American will gain from the tax breaks means diddly. In fact, it will do the opposite, because it is so small. Parents will buy their kids an ice cream cone with it-since dinner and a movie, or a day at the bowling alley can't be bought with twelve bucks. Buying candy, ice cream, toiletries, or some smokes does not an economy stimulate.

Furthermore, the spending this bill entails is merely a way for the Dems to pay back long held debts to those who have elected them for decades. That said, giving billions to states will do one thing-pay their bills. Will that create jobs? No! Because paying the bills for services and or goods already rendered will only balance books. It won't get the people hired back who lost their jobs. It won't bring those suppliers out of Chapter 11. And it certainly won't make the states who require loans whole again. In fact, it will make those states beholden to the Gov for decades to come.

A case in point are the "Big 3"-Chrysler, Ford, and GM. After getting billions in loans just weeks ago, they are now back asking for more than ever. While they are doing that, the UAW(the union that represents those who build cars for the Big 3) are striking, or considering strikes in many of their plants. The first loan the Big 3 took merely put free money in the hands of the unions, while the companies themselves floundered further, refused to really cut back spending, and continued to throw away your money-my money-America's money. Watch that same thing happen with all fourty of the states who have approached the Treasury Department, hat in one hand, other outstretched for a handout.

After those considerations, one must think about the infrastructure projects. For those of you who have never tried to build something, there is a little speed bump called an "Environmental Impact Study". Generally to put the first shovel in the dirt for a large project, lets say a new highway, the EIS takes about 36 months-yes 36 months! It also costs millions, and in some cases hundreds

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