Centrist Pundits

Republicans have aired ads and made statements attacking the stimulus.  It is an easy target, as the economy isn’t feeling much better most days.  Never mind that Politifact is having most of Boehner’s statements rated as false or barely true, it’s a good sound bite, which is what a lot of politics is about these days.  Meanwhile, some Democrats are talking about a second stimulus to get more money out there.

Both parties are being stupid.

If this were a school, it wouldn’t be an F or an A, it would be an incomplete.  I know everyone wanted the stimulus money to move quickly.  “Shovel-ready projects” and all that, meaning projects that were good to go, including all site reviews and all that jazz, except for funding.  But the truth is billions of dollars don’t move quickly.  Only 10% of the stimulus money has moved so far.

When Republicans claim that it is already a failure, it is too early to say that.  If they want to make a legitimate claim, talk about how the stimulus is being disbursed slower than they would like.  Not as good a sound bite, but the advantage of being true.

When Democrats talk a second stimulus, it is too early to know if that is a good idea or not.  If the money hasn’t be sent out yet, then we don’t know if this is throwing away more money, or if the first money is going to handle what we need it to handle, or if the current stimulus is getting us a lot but needs a bit more… which is when you talk a second stimulus.  A “surge” if you want to use Republican-speak.

I get it when the people have unrealistic expectations, but the leaders should have a greater understanding of reality.  Of course, they probably do, and it probably has no bearing on their actions; the attempt to score points is what has bearing.

JC Economy, Political Parties commerce, stimulus