shovel ready?

I do not purport to be an economist of any stripe, so feel free to pass extremely critical judgment on the claims I make here based on whatever fiscal weaknesses they present.

That disclaimer being made, though, I must say that I think the stimulus plan put forth by the Obama Administration and passed by House Democrats yesterday is a steaming pile of shit. As an American taxpayer (nominally at least - I promise to make more money in the future, Uncle Sam) I am shocked at the way that this $8xx billion dollars are going to be spent. Here are the things that bug me, in descending order of outrageousness:

1) 21% of funds spent in 2009? Uhm, I am not sure if that is the most expedient way to stimulate an economy that seems to be heading at a rate faster than 9.81 m/s^2 down the proverbial shitter.

2) Only $59 billion in transportation/housing development? People were throwing around Eisenhower-era comparisons when this bill was first introduced. I thought we were supposed to be rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. Just about 7% (by my own math, based on the CBO report) of the stimulus is devoted to these kinds of projects, though.

3) Money for food stamps, Pell grants, and state education programs? Yes, I realize that we don't want states to cut out teachers from the schools and for struggling families to be without food. My objections arise from the perception that the Dems are just hooking up two of their big constituencies (teachers' unions and lower income folk) in the guise of stimulus. Tack on those increases for Pell grants, and you have yourself appropriations masquerading as an urgent financial rescue package.

4) Numerous other offenses to the sensibilities... such as the hundreds of millions being spent on re-sodding the National Mall. I am sure thats going to be a great and needed project (especaially after I saw all the pummeling that ground took for the inauguration), but is that going to really be the shot in the arm that the economy needs? Doubtful.

Now I would love to be proven wrong here. I want the economy to come out of the dumps as fast as possible. Soup lines, dust bowls, and those newsie hats are Depression-era relics that I want to remain as such - things of the past and not of the present. I am just not sure if pouring billions into questionable programs is the change, um excuse me, stimulus we need.

snow pictures

Today was day one of a supposed two and a half day snowstorm here in FroRo. With the giddiness of a small child upon hearing the news of the school closures, I went outside and snapped a few photos of the quaint snowy scenery. Enjoy!

What time is it? Who cares? Its certainly not time for school!

Its really coming down out there!

Look at that plow job! Looks like we won't be going to school again until the spring thaw!