And now, back to our regularly scheduled spending orgy
My syndicated column today pounds the drum again on the Generational Theft Act of 2009. As I noted two weeks ago, much of this crappiest crap sandwich ever wouldn’t even be spent until the catastrophe it’s supposed to cure is mostly over. Team Obama sent David Axelrod out yesterday to pooh-pooh the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis. But Democrat opposition to the bill is building. Some, like Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), want more government intrusion on behalf of home borrowers under water on their mortgages. But others, including Rep. Heath Shuler and Sen. Kent Conrad mentioned below, are starting to get queasy about the size, scope, and ineffectiveness of the deal.
Where are Republicans? Weakened and struggling to figure out how to be the party of opposition instead of the party of supplication.
***
And now, back to our regularly scheduled spending orgy
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009
“The time has come,” President Barack Obama told us in his inaugural address, “to set aside childish things.” He borrowed the line from Corinithians. With the Beltway bread-and-circus show over, President Obama will now get to work on borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars from you, your children, and your grandchildren for a doomed fiscal stimulus.
As President Obama basked in the inaugural glow, a dark cloud of reality moved in over the Democrats’ $825 trillion plan to rescue the economy. The Congressional Budget Office crunched the numbers and concluded that a huge bulk of the federal spending orgy wouldn’t actually kick in until the recession is waning – if not already over.
The CBO analysis showed that “less than half of the $30 billion in highway construction funds detailed by House Democrats would be released into the economy over the next four years” and “less than $4 billion in highway construction money would reach the economy by September 2010,” according to the Associated Press. And those are generous time estimates given the reality of molasses-slow bidding and contracting processes — bogged down by the usual weight of political wrangling, racial-bean-counting, and assorted union grievance-mongering.
Just $26 billion out of the $274 billion set aside in the package would reach the economy by the end of the year, the CBO found. That’s a mere 7 percent. Moreover, the AP summed up: “Just one in seven dollars of a huge $18.5 billion investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs would be spent within a year and a half.”
Like I said two weeks ago (“The Generational Theft Act of 2009,” Jan. 7, 2009): It’s the timing, stupid.
The other incontrovertible truth about this massive wealth transfer is that Washington cannot stop the inevitable lard-up. The original concept of spending on”roads and bridges” has morphed into spending on anything and everything that moves or can be moved. Every moocher in the marketplace wants his grubby paws on the money. And if his or her provision isn’t already written into the Democrats’ legislation, it will get slipped in under cover of night.
To wit: Public radio and public television — already funded with your money to the tune of some $400 million in direct federal handouts and tax deductions for contributions made by individual viewers, not to mention untold state grants and subsidies — are demanding a hugetastic chunk of the stimulus pie. That’s right: Government-supported NPR and PBS want even more of a bailout than they’ve lived off the last 40 years. According to Current.org, which covers public TV and radio, the two entities along with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting have petitioned Obama for $550 million in funding to help create more workers suckling on the public teat.
Watching TV is apparently critical to rescuing the American economy. Already stuffed into the Democrats’ package is a $650 million bailout – call it the Boob Tube boondoggle – to pay for $650 million worth of digital TV upgrade coupons in the wake of the official, government-mandated transition to digital television next month. Not to be left out, the National Endowment of the Arts is on the Santa stimulus list for an additional $50 million cash injection. Oh, and there’s an additional $50 million earmarked “to make up for a lack of philanthropic support for the arts.” A breakdown of the spending by House GOP minority leader John Boehner’s office found an additional $6 billion in buried stimulus treasure for colleges and $166 billion in direct aid to states looking for taxpayers to save them from their profligate spending.
A few conservative Democrats have started murmuring about this looming fiscal nightmare. North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler expressed concern about the porkification of the bill: “This can’t be a Christmas tree.” Senator Kent Conrad told Bloomberg News “his committee projects the plan will reduce the unemployment rate by ‘maybe’ 1 percent, or about half of the 3 million jobs Obama has said the plan would generate.”
Wake up, taxpayers: This nearly $1 trillion plan is nothing but future-mortgaging ornaments and tinsel boxed in self-delusion. It is time, as President Obama lectured us, to put away childish things – starting with this epic fail.
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Great column Michelle. But I think the Stupid Party is in the hand licking go along to get along mode.
I received a plea for money this morning from John Boehner. I unsubscribed and deleted the message.
To hell with the GOP.
The Joker?
Oh YES IT IS.
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely
Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the christmas night
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, with faithful leaves unchanging
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, with faithful leaves unchanging
Your boughs are green, in sommers glow and do not fade in winters snow
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, with faithful leaves unchanging
Each year you bring to me delight, meaning in the christmas night
Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, of all the trees most lovely
Good morning Michelle;
Great column as usual.
If the feds actually spend all the money they’ve been talking about, the only possible outcome is hyper inflation. Inflation will over time, allow the government to balance it’s books at the cost to destroying the private sector.
God, I fear for this country.
MM,
Not your best by a long shot.
Are you writing for blog or for newspaper? How does a newspaper have links to your previous posts and other links? Words like crap,idiot etc do nothing to show you for the intelligent woman you are.
You can do much much better.
For clarification please:
When did the CBO say the recession would be over and did they mention the coming deep long worldwide depression? or did they skip over that part?
Michelle, in your second paragraph I think you meant $825 billion, not trillion. Although, it may reach that eventually.
I live in New Jersey. Our Governor and legislators are giddy and salivating knowing they will be getting billions from the federal government to fix all the problems they created. Time to bring back tar and feathering.
Oh please . . . words like “crap” and “idiot” are extraordinary definitive and when used for emphasis can be very appropriate. Furthermore, contrary to your assertion, their occasional use in no way defines the intellect of the writer.
I think it’s obvious to anyone with a basic knowledge of the different economics models that the money supply can’t expand unless the private sector takes risk. Government borrowing can never expand the money pie. It can only divide the money and distribute it. Using the government as the arbitrator of capital, not only invites corruption, but will do nothing to stimulate spending. The free market, THAT IS TRANSPARENT, is the only long term stabilizer.
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICE HOLDERS?
What a great way for the Dems to buy their way to victory next election season. My only hope is that the effect (huge inflation, high unemployment rates, bankrupt government) of giving away all this taxpayer money is felt before the next election season so they can’t pin it on anybody else but themselves.
In a nutshell – the libs do not care if this helps stimulate the economy. This is all about expanding the reach and power of the federal government as well as buying votes for the future. Again, this is not about stimulating the economy. The way to stimulate the economy is well known, tested, and easy to do. Cut tax rates. That is all they need to do.
Once you accept the truth about this “stimulus” package, it is easy to see why they include all this garbage in it.
The majority of the American people believe (at least for now) not only that the Federal government can solve their problems but that the Federal government is the provider of first resort. Gone is self-reliance and personal responsibility – welcome to the New Age under Obama!
And the Republican Party disagrees only in degree, not in the basic principles and premises of the argument.
Perhaps if we stop calling it a stimulus bill – where there is no stimulus – and start calling it a spending bill – which it is – we’ll get more mileage and stop this thing.
Congrats, America, this is the “change” you wanted so badly. Now bend over and grab your ankles!
The only way people will respond to economic change, is to involve them directly. A national sales tax will do that. Most people have no idea how much of their pay check is used to run this government. A national sales tax would involve them on a daily basis. That is why I’m an advocate for the ‘FAIR TAX”.
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer
I’m afraid most of the population is brain dead when it come to the understanding of economics. I believe people simply what to live an unfettered life, but are to lazy to investigate the real causes of their financial problems. That is why we now have a socialist president. They just want a CHANGE.
This spending bill is a politicians dream. The ability to fund those pork barrel projects they know the general public doesn’t want and see them for what they are. It’s just buying more votes in their district. John Murtha was a good example. Without all the pork, he never would have been re-elected.
Unfettered access to the government trough – Pure nirvana for our elected and appointed officials. Now we can continue studying how cows feel when given a shower or the mating habits of dust mites while floating in a beam of sunlight through a pane of glass. Oh the possibilities.
HEY!
Leave my dust mites alone./sarc
Very nice piece. We must keep the politicians feet to the fire – this must be stopped.
I’m getting involved with the state polictical scene….with a candidate who wants to cut spending.
It’s the only way out of this mess.
PS – Atlas Shrugged is a really fun read right now….if you’ve read it in the past and don’t remember the details, I recommend it. I feel like I’m reading a description of things 5 years in the future.
YUP!!!
They just shut down the war crimes trials of the guys who gave you 9/11.
Any guess as to which state gets to host the 250 + hardened terrorists??? I don’t know yet but it better the F^&*K not be mine.
Well, if this isn’t a quintessential liberal tactic: Avoid the substance of the message and go for an ad hominem attack. Usually practiced when one doesn’t have a reasoned and thoughtful response to the original message. But it certainly displays for the world to see the shallowness on the part of the responder.
fixed it for you.
#21 sonofdy
They have 57 states to choose from, so your odds are pretty good.
Michelle – you’ve put rounds on target again with your article…this isn’t a stimulus package or a spending bill…it’s a Triple Decker Crap Sandwich with chunks of Congressional pork in it. Those n Congress that have anything resembling common sense (I can probably count them on one hand) needs to stand up, and shut this down now, before it’s too late for all of us.
#25
Good luck with that, washington DC has gone all hopey changey and will do whatever the one says.
I 100% agree with you FamilyMan. In fact, I believe that income tax is against the law and should be repealed. Why should I pay taxes because I work when someone who lives off the government pays nothing? I understand the real cause of my financial problems: 33% of my check going to people on welfare. I paid over $60,000 in taxes last year to support our do nothing government, and yesterday I get a call telling me that I’m getting a 15% pay cut because I work in the oil industry, and there is a great fear among all of us about what Obama is going to do to the economy. So, I’m like, thanks, wonderful government for the people and by the people for taking 1/3 of my hard earned cash, giving it to irresponsible loosers, and then causing me to get a pay cut.
At this point, I’m seriously considering other alternatives of where to live besides the good ole U.S. of A.
I’ve said this before, her and other sites…if things don’t start to turn around in the first 100 days, the people that voted for Barry will start having “buyer’s remorse”…and his approval number will start going down like the Titanic. Who will he have to blame for things..Bush??? He’ll start blaming Congress for hot passing “his” agenda???
Just watch…it will happen…Carter, version 2.0
This reads like a family which has handed over their budget to their pre-teen children. There should be a law that the elected officials can be held libel for their vote. In other words dear Congressman, if it is not good for the country (versus a group or individual) you had best not vote on it. And, sirs, you are being watched.
So who her is willing for thier state to take the gitmo terrorists?
Show of hands please.
her = here
Dire times lie ahead and it is very likely that the Republic will not survive. The government already controls a major portion of the nations production capability and it won’t be long before they assume complete control of the banks. Government control of the production capability and ownership of the financial systems creates nothing less that a Marxist/communist state. We’ve been betrayed by those falsely professing a desire for freedom and liberty and completely infiltrated by those desiring total, mind numbing socialism. The “United States of America” is gone and will never be revived. Blame is hard to place because a slight majority of the voters in this country chose this condition by supporting the perpetrators of this quiet yet bold political coup.
It’s time to change the motto — because isn’t that really how Obama won the election (ask any Democrat what change was and they were able to define it in their own way, because Obama himself refused to offer any specifics).
Back to changing the motto… we need to start defining Obama by what he is: A Tax and Spend Liberal.
Let us begin to define him in the simplest terms (that have worked to win elections). The media was able to define Palin. It’s time the alternative media, like this site and other conservative sites, begin to start defining Obama. No more “Crap Sandwich.” No more “Generational Theft Act.” Both sound like either sour grapes or, in the the case of “Crap Sandwich,” just crude. Plus, they don’t ring or stick with the public.
Let’s just get back to calling him A Tax and Spend Liberal. It’s true. It takes away the moniker of change – since it’s a return to the past. And, the public will be able to wrap their arms around it. In fact, it worked so well in the past, that the Liberals sought to change their name to Progressives, to get away from the label.
Anyway, just a thought….
I’ll take them all moose hunting deep into the Idaho wilderness. DEEP DEEP WILDERNESS where the only law is MY LAW!!!!!!
Its too late. Great Britain is already hinting at Bankruptcy. I certainly have no intention of paying off these debts. The Ponzi scheme has been exposed.
Look for a Nuevo Dollar soon.
Patronedheart – I hear you.
I keep on asking myself…what about, Australia???
I’ve accepted the “safety net” of socialism lite this country has kept since the 60′s…but socialism-to the max?
I don’t know – I don’t think it’s fair to my children to make them spend the rest of their lives under such conditions.
To me, it is the great paradox – the politicians that want to spend the most are bringing to the fore the system that will kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
I think you are right. No doubt Bush and Obama are puppets dancing to the same puppet master. Bush betrayed Conservatives and Republicans. The Banks will soon be wholely owned by the government, and will practically be the only employer in town. However the chaos does not end there. I am a big believer in chaos theory and one can not predict how things will reorder themselves. We could end up with a New Republic.
wayiwalk: I have an out for my family if it gets too messy. New Zealand.
Fiji looks good, but the problem is, if the U.S. goes down, so does the whole world.
FIX IT HERE.
This ain’t funny.
I was in a meeting yesterday morning and the discussion was about having projects ready so the money can be spent quickly. Otherwise, the prevailing attitude was that we might get in a spot of trouble if we are seen as “slow to spend.”
Let’s hope the economy shows up the doomsayers by Spring.
But that won’t stop the dumptrucks full of cash from rolling out.
Agreed, wayiwalk. However, my wife has done extensive research on Australia, and has discovered it is extemely expensive to live there, but probably well worth it.
It really makes me angry, though, that I’ve come to the point where I think I have to move because things are so bad. Instead, I think I should make the libtard creeps find another country to ruin because this is MY America, not theirs! What we need is less talk and more action from people with the stones to put up a resistance to these ba$!ard$.
Terrific article, MM, and two great points!
Didn’t anyone learn the lesson taught by the efficient rapidity of which California rebuilt its highway system after the ’89 Quake, once they sidestepped (although temporarily) hiring quotas and EEO mandates?
And as for PBS, why on earth is the government still funding that bloodsucking monstrosity? The History Channel, Natgeo, TLC, Discovery and numerous other educational stations are available everywhere – even in the remote hills and hollows of eastern KY – and broadcast much better and informative programming for kids and adults alike.
Time for PBS to join the real world and earn their own upkeep by going commercial!
People – As soothing as it may be to imagine fleeing somewhere else, in reality, there IS nowhere else to go. We need to fix it here. Besides, I don’t like the idea of giving up my country, paid for with the blood and tears of my ancestors to a bunch of spoiled little brats who want mommy to fix everything. We stay – make them leave.
Why not send a check to everyone for…lets say 250,000.00 each to spend as they see fit. Our leaders should not get to spend our money, we should. Now I am only talking about those of us who paid taxes. The rest can have hmmmmm maybe 500.00.
But,but,but..the Pres. has such wonderful intentions, that makes up for it, right?
You mean the get government out of our lives and our business road map drawn out for us all those many years ago, really works?
Shoka!
This ‘stimulus bill’ will have the same amount of stimulus on the economy as my grandma pole-dancing would have on me.
Bad image of the day!
Dude, that’s like prison sex wrong…ANYONE HAVE SOME BRAIN BLEACH TO SPARE ME!!!!
Fiji just had a military coup and looks to be getting into a political fight with New Zealand.
New Zealand is actualy looking for alot of immigrants based on what they call the brain drain. The problem is high taxes. But if you need to stash you family somewhere while things get “sorted out” here, its not a bad choice.
The picture of the 3 pigs chowing down is a good analogy of what will happen after they are well fattened up. BACON!
***
The wonderful magic Obama lovefest is over. The American people will get the hangover soon–we are the pigs!
***
John Bibb
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/i7121.htm
Long term shortage list for New Zealand.
Having an Australian in the extended family, I can tell you, you’re assumption(s) is/are essentially correct.
The tax rates are much higher overall but all the barometers of well-being (education, mortality, health care, etc) rank above the USA and are often some of the highest in the world.
The downside is, they don’t just ‘let anybody in’ (unlike the US). You have to basically be invited in (eg. you can’t just buy your way in; in the way that certain provisions of US and Canadian immigration policy allow). It is not easy to get official permission to immigrate there permanently.
Can’t you just hide out in the bush and live off emus and snakes if they come looking?
Chap – Oh, I suppose it is possible, but I’m not going to find out!
Report back and let us all know, would ya please?
I hear emu tastes like chicken.
I call it the Patronage Package. There’s a job, or at least a paycheck, in there for ever Acorn or La Raza loser in America.
I guess, but anybody who has been there would look at you like you were insane for suggesting it. In some places they build thier houses underground it is so hot. In the rain forests, leeches drop on you from the trees, and don’t get me started on the 25 foot long aggressive crocodilies….
Check out New Zealand instead They are begging for professionals of all kinds.
sonofdy – Don’t forget about the snakes!
Usually small, often in trees, and nearly always VERY poisonous. Yikes! Eeeeew!
The most aggresive things in the New Zealand bush (aside from wild boars) and the fantails in the north and the keas in the south. Both birds.
I hear there has been a real drain in guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk talent there over the past couple years.
Wow! I could have gotten through the day without that visual!
It should be relatively easy to move to NZ or Australia for a couple of years if you are young and healthy. But salaries are relatively low compared to most major US urban centers. I would take a HUGE cut in pay and PPP if I moved from DC to NZ or Australia.
Wrong, the hippie crowd have actualy increased in number. They need people to run wire, fix toliets, nurses, doctors, programmers, you know, productive people. Like I said, a great place to stash your family if worst comes to worst in this country.
As long as my student loan people couldn’t track me down, I would be okay with this.
Then they are doomed without quick and merciless action.
Hmmm….notice lawyers aren’t mentioned…
The biggest issue for people here might actualy be that none of your electronic devices would work down there and niether would you dvd’s and vcr tapes. Not to mention the drive on the correct side of the road.
No electronic devices, dvds AND overrun with hippies? Why not just join a commune?
Nope, no lawyers on this list
Oh and the NZ military is looking for any honorably discharged vets from the us military.
Seriously. You don’t even have to give up your retirement pay from the US military.
Gearing up for the siege on Mordor?
Gearing up for quick and merciless action.
What happened to the call that since drilling wouldn’t happen for 5 years we shouldn’t do it (never mind it wouldn’t have cost the government anything).
Now we are looking at at least 2 years for the congress to spend money it doesn’t have to save the economy it has little control over.
They just need to stop spending money, let the free markets work, prosecute criminality, and let bad businesses fail. . . newer better businesses will take their place I guarantee it.
Ha, who you be suprised to know that “mordor” in New Zealand is just outside the biggest army base in the country?
ironic you would say that. New Zealands entire active army amounts to a medium infantry brigade.
I hate the unfair FAIR TAX. It is double taxation. Those of us who have paid income tax all our lives will once again have to pay 30 percent sales tax on everything (home, rent, etc). You should call it the senior impoverishment tax.
Or just the threat of a grandma pole dance would be more than enough to stimulate you the (bleep) out of Dodge.
This may be something everyone but me has read, but helps put these outrageous dollar amounts in perspective: one million seconds equals about 11 days; a billion seconds equals about 32 years and a trillion seconds equals about 32,000 years!
Our seconds and dollars are ticking away.
Michelle,
Please tell me this is a typo?
Where is lgm with his:
…”the polls say people want this stimulus package so it will work” line?
A typo, for now.
Sarah Palin is a grandma.
Washington DC: A wholly-owned subsidary of al-Qaeda, Inc.
Why send planes when one’s sworn enemy has its own homegrown Congress to execute the very destruction one seeks?
OK, everyone not of age, cover their ears… this is your one warning…
Last week I was watching a comedian’s routine on the telly (i think Dane Cook?)
Im paraphrasing but he was saying “Think of everything you and your girlfriend do…. just remember, your grandmother used to do the same thing with your grandfather”
——
I personally witnessed a mom tell her middle aged son “You think you were a one-time accident? Really? Thats what you thought all these years?…. No, your father and I were just two teenagers who really really liked sex”
And at this they will also fail, because one cannot oppose something with which one agrees.
The only way the Republican Party has a chance of survival is by shedding the liberals within its ranks – and you know THAT’s not going to happen.
Not before Hell freezes over, anyway.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Fact check:
In paragraph 2 of the column, the figure is “825 trillion”
but in the last paragraph, the figure is “nearly 1 trillion”
Should paragraph 2 read “825 billion?”
I agree,Patronheart…I’ve had enough myself.I’m looking for alternatives now.
If the government sent a check for $3000 to every American citizen, the boost to the economy would be immediate.
Of course, based on the effect of the last stimulus check, I would expect the cost of gasoline to immediately jump to $24 a gallon. Funny how that works.
Khyris: The bill isn’t done yet.
Oh good news. Obama is talking about doubling the TARP fund.
Thats right DOUBLING it.
sonofdy,
Since Obama took office, the Dow has gone up over 100 points.
Since it is officially on his watch and the buck stops with him, does this mean you are willing to declare his administration a success (at least economically)?
TARP link. AKA CS3.0, the return of the overspenders.
chap. Yesterday it went down 300 plus points. Today it went up 200 plus points. Its still down 100.
Besides his spending hasn’t hit yet.
At 12 oclock, it was 8122. It now stands at 8228.
Obama has officially and unilaterally caused a 1.28% growth in the Dow. In one day. The man truly is a Messiah.
My apologies. One and a half days of course.
All hail the Messiah!
(1.28% people! So how much interest are YOU getting on YOUR checking account?)
I think this means that we can expect the Dow to be at around 17-18,000 by the end of the year.
They make drugs for your type of dementia!
Actually, using the miracle of a compound interest calculator, I have determined that the Dow (assuming a 1.28% growth every 1.5 business days) should be around 60,000 by the end of the year (someone can check me on that).
I will go out on a limb here right now and promise that to you. If on December 31, 2009 the Dow is not 60,000, I will consider the Obama presidency a failure.
Why wait until after the christmas rush?
lol… doesn’t he wish.
It’s gone nowhere since he took the oath.