Back                                                          The Economy:

Here I go again: I'm not a economist, nor an accountant (I have trouble keeping my check book updated) but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to infuse the economy with purchasing power by mailing everybody a check for a small amount of money, just like it didn't make sense to give the richest people in the country a huge tax break.

Let's face facts: One - the money will probably go to pay off bills or worse yet be used to buy something made overseas. Two - it will cause an even greater increase in the national debt, a greater trade deficit and increased interest to pay on the national debt. So far very little economic stimulus.

People, we have a looming problem. Our infrastructure needs updates and repairs. Bridges are crumbling: roads can't move the traffic fast enough; We have power outages; Gas lines haven't been inspected for years; Our rail lines are outdated. (Japan and Europe have bullet trains.) We're still living in the 20th century and on and on and on. What about our dams, (We saw what happened to New Orleans during Katrina when the dikes failed.)

If we need to put people to work, why not put them to work by doing what we are going to have to do in the end anyway. Fix the infrastructure. During the great depression F. D. R. used just that and with the T.V.A. and other federal programs put America back to work and in the end created a source of power (Electricity) that we are still using today.

Just imagine how much oil we could save, and how much less pollution we would be putting in the air, if we updated our rail systems. (Bullet trains to Miami from N.Y. or Chicago to L.A.) Wouldn't that help with the congestion at the Airports or save on fuel used by driving. O.K. So you say we don't use trains but wouldn't you, if they could get you where you wanted to go (at almost the same speed as flying.) cheaper and with less hassle.

How about Green energy. Refitting government buildings to save energy. i.e. Solar panels on the roofs, better insulation, etc. that plus giving tax breaks for people who refit their homes, would create jobs that would by demand have to stay right here in our own country.

It would cost us in the short term (But so would a giveaway.) but in the long term it would not only accomplish what we have to do but by making it cheaper to move about and ship products (Which could bring down the final cost.) would save in the long run. It would lessen the need for imported energy and maybe save lives. (How many died because of the failed dikes in New Orleans or in the bridge collapse in Minneapolis)

It would stimulate the economy by creating purchasing power. Someone with an extra $300 to $600 won't really do it but someone with a good job and study income would. Let's start using our heads.

Now let's take a good look at the Bush & Republican tax cuts. We were told that tax cuts would stimulate the economy, (Something that Ronald Regan also promised us, before George Bush senior had to cut them. {I can remember the down turn in the economy before Regan left office}).

It's been over six years since the congress has passed the Bush tax cuts. Six years of slow job growth, with very little growth in wages. Because of the resulting national debt, the dollar has reached a six year low, causing inflation.

PS. So much for tax cuts as a economic stimulus.