It seems incredible that the possibly (hopefully) worst economic disaster in our lifetimes is being discussed, dissected and promulgated upon by the average layman across the country.

Folks who otherwise would be the first to admit that they have no background or education in economics feel compelled or competent to expand on the qualities of the economic bill being formulated. Do they indeed have the answer that seems to be eluding everyone else? Then please inform the proper powers.

Equally amazing is that our congress, which is populated mostly by lawyers, is formulating a vastly important rescue effort which is essentially beyond their educational experience.

Would it not have made the best sense to have formed a coalition of the best and brightest economic brains in America to attempt the correct solution?

After all it was mostly politicians that got us into this mess.

I'm just happy they didn't cut my Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator.

That won't get them votes so the politicians don't give a crap.

The democrats are loading it up with all the pork they have dreamed about for years. They are using this to offer up all sorts of gifts to special interests and to a few well-heeled constituents which will result in them collecting lots of "gifts" that will hopefully get them re-elected. They postpone much of this "emergency" spending bill for enough years so that when it comes time to run for re-election they can claim that there hasn't been enough time for the benefits to trickle down while knowing that the plan wasn't in effect long enough to cause any damages either. Damages which may lead to republicans regaining the house/senate.

The republicans want a plan that they can complain about, yet they don't want to succeed in having a successful stimulus plan because that would ensure a democrat majority for years. They are looking in their self-interest so they can get control and start raking in the special interest bribes donations.


You are correct. Every aspect should be looked on by a large team of economists. Look at each item if it is expected to boost the economy than pencil it in for further examination. If it is something "good" and "righteous" yet won't help the economy then it needs to be eliminated.

As most of us know, spending your way out of adversity doesn't work. It didn't work for FDR and even made it worse.

My gut feeling as a non-economist is to start by lowering taxes on individuals - perhaps as a tax holiday which is part of the plan, greatly lower taxes on small businesses who employ the bulk of Americans. Add to that those parts of the plan which are expected to create jobs and to reduce the trade deficit (without resorting to protectionism/high tariffs/trade wars).

lowering taxes will give the individuals more money to spend and will allow businesses to expand and to hire more people. More people working, more people spending = more revenue.

Part of the point in my previous comment includes myself as not really qualified to discuss the potential ramifications of the package.

I would not rush to total judgement on what is worthy and what is not. This is not your average disaster and I believe it will take more than the usual attempts to solve the many problems.

However, lowering taxes is certainly not more than just one small portion of the solution. A lower tax rate doesn't help anyone who has lost his/her job and is no longer paying taxes anyway. A $20 a week tax break does not mean that the worker will rush out and spend that stipend.
Putting some cash in the hands of the unemployed is almost a certainty to be spent quickly, but again is only one small part of a very complicated potential solution.

The huge tax break bequeathed by the last President didn't create more jobs and has contributed considerably to the economic problem we now have. Unfortunately America's large corporations seem to be solely bottom line oriented. A tax break no longer translates into more jobs or higher pay for workers. It becomes bonuses and increased dividends for stockholders. If profits don't increase on a consistant yearly basis work is outsourced, plants are moved to countries with lower salaried workers or jobs are eliminated to help the current bottom line. It may well become worse in America and other countries that have higher salaried workers. In the coming years it will be more and more unnecessary to actually live in the same country that your employer does. It one of our problems now and it will become worse.

I am a fan of capitalism but we certainly need to change the current rules. We need more informed thinking if we are going to emerge from this mess.