The Stimulus: A political "feel good "game!

What does our government not know about how to stimulate the economy? Move quickly and provide stimulus to the sectors and people who need it, and can inject it immediately into our economy...and keep doing it for at least a year. One shot is not enough.

A political feel good package is not the answer, but, seems to be the norm for this Neocom bunch that can't think their way out of a paper bag, and work for the good of the nation! The American people witness this fiasco, and are disgusted with Republican hidden agendas and their war on the lower and middle classes.

The senate passed a stimulus package today (2.7.2008) that is nothing more than a band aide on a gushing financial and economic wound slowly bleeding our nation of its life. It is a "feel good" package , a political game to give the Republican rich and famous corporations meat and potatoes while the people who really need a meal get crumbs. Missing are several key Democratic recommendations.

The idea of giving a one-time rebate to people who make $150-$300 thousand a year is baffling. To consider they will immediately put it into the economy is wishful thinking. It would be good if higher rebates could go to the middle class who will immediately put it into the economy. Remember these checks will not be available until around April or May. We may be looking at July before the money starts to trickle into our economy. just in time for another shot of empty rhetoric. So much for immediate stimulus. By initially taking so long they may have defeated the purpose of the stimulus.

The final vote 58-41 was just short of the required number to move the bill forward to the final vote. Eight Republicans joined the Democrats against Republican leaders and Bush over their vocifeous objections to what they refer to a costly "add-0ns" in the package.

The Democrat senators skillfully painted the Republicans into a box with a take or leave it proposal. They summoned senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to Washington for the vote, showing solidarity behind their proposed plan. Senator John McCain was in Washington, but did not vote in support of veterans and seniors , which he is both. We clearly know where his heart lies, or is it that he lies from the heart.

The Republicans blocked the vote by one, but, it opened a fissure in the party indicating something is going to give. It is a fearful message to the Neocons. They might actually have to do a little something to benefit the country (instead of holding to their agenda of wealthy and corporations first) with rebates for a larger amount of the lower and middle class, seniors , disabled veterans, heating aid for the poor, food stamps and extended unemployment benefits. They must have choked at the thought.

However, Republican leaders were greatly concerned about defections, and exerted massive pressure on Republican senators not to support the Democratic plan. Typical bipartisian crap!

Stay tuned there will be more on this recession the Imperial Bush spins as an economic downturn.