.
It’s not all gloom and doom.
Only $100 billion of the $787 billion stimulus package passed nine months ago has actually been spent by the federal government so far, with another $90 billion of stimulus coming in the form of tax reductions, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported Monday evening. That leaves three quarters of the package — and its stimulative effects — yet to come.
…the CBO estimates that between 600,000 and 1.6 million people were employed in the third quarter of 2009 who otherwise would not have been. The spending and tax cuts raised the Gross Domestic Product by somewhere between 1.2 and 3.2 percent, it found, and reduced unemployment by 0.3 to 0.9 percent.
Public perception of how well the economy is doing is all going to come down to jobs. While some have criticized the job estimates directly resulting from the stimulus bill, the numbers might very well be an underestimate.
…the CBO’s thinking doesn’t take into account the possibility that the economy might have fallen off a cliff if the stimulus hadn’t been passed, with world markets panicking and employers continuing to eliminate jobs at an eye-popping pace.
In the meantime Paul Krugman is pushing for a “jobs bill”…
Yes, the recession is probably over in a technical sense, but that doesn’t mean that full employment is just around the corner. Historically, financial crises have typically been followed not just by severe recessions but by anemic recoveries; it’s usually years before unemployment declines to anything like normal levels. And all indications are that the aftermath of the latest financial crisis is following the usual script. The Federal Reserve, for example, expects unemployment, currently 10.2 percent, to stay above 8 percent — a number that would have been considered disastrous not long ago — until sometime in 2012.
So it’s time for an emergency jobs program.
[...]
…our best hope now is for a somewhat cheaper program [than the stimulus bill] that generates more jobs for the buck. Such a program should shy away from measures, like general tax cuts, that at best lead only indirectly to job creation, with many possible disconnects along the way. Instead, it should consist of measures that more or less directly save or add jobs.
The question becomes whether President Obama has the guts to pass a jobs bill which would involve an expenditure of a couple of hundred billion at a time when people are skeptical about any more spending by the feds. As usual, it’s less about what’s best for the country and more about what’s politically feasible.
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A million workers at the Census Bureau alone. Bureaucracy? Hm mm… need for people to count… It is kind of funny if you think about it. If it moves the economy then be it. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7… You think they will pay me for doing it from my laptop.
Great political move for Obama. He gets his election officials all the statistical data he needs and he does it during his presidency. I wonder if this would be considered “using government money to reach personal goals — as in winning an election…”
Sorry… just feel light and silly this morning and questioning my leaders’ intent.
@ME From Article I, section II of the US Constitution:
“Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.”
Maybe now you feel a little sillier for questioning your leader’s intent. Has every president who has had a census fall within his term been questioned so about it? I think only shit heads are questioning it.
Frances….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckwll076khs
Follow the instructions. Let me know when you’re finished.
I still think only shit heads are questioning the census.
And I still think only ignorant people resort to tawdry language.
TN, I think you should ignore the people that you think are ignorant.
@Frances
I was not questioning the census. Just government bureacracy. I have 3 women friends that work at the Census Bureau. Just questioning all the jobs that are opening up there. Wondering if it has anything to do with the White House attempting to get good stats this year. Not criticizing Obama. I think it is a brilliant move. I love Obama. I just watch him from the sidelines and enjoy what I see.
I don’t consider myself a “shit head” for questioning. The day we stop questioning, that day democracy will seize to exist.
ME, I don’t believe you. Sorry.
Census Bureau Employees=Government Employees=Union Employees=Increased Union Participants=More Union Dues=More Powerful Unions.
This formula can be repeated by dropping “Census Bureau” and replacing it with simply “Government”.
ME, don’t worry about it. All it takes around here to be placed in the “sh-t head” category is simply questioning liberal views or the cataclysmicaly inept “Obama”. I’ve been topping the list for a while.
I think it is interesting that instead of complaining about those 1 million workers hired for the Census Bureau, why aren’t we celebrating one million households who will now be able to buy food for their families, pay their rent or mortgage, get medical coverage, pay their taxes which helps to raise revenue for our government to help pay it’s bills, etc. Why is it that working for our government so that it can carry out it’s Constitutionally mandated functions is such a bad thing? Do we not remember that the government is….US!!!?
I am grateful at this time of the year that one million families will have heat and light and food and I hope a very wonderful Christmas and that they will get their health care needs met so that they will feel far more productive and actually be able to live life better! I am grateful that their government job will give them some stability in their lives at a rather scary time economically.
I celebrate that they will be making an effort to count all of us so that each state will get their appropriate amount of federal assistance so that social programs and safety nets for the neediest among us can be met a bit more easily. I am grateful that they will also get an opportunity for increasing their income through being able to pay down their debt and perhaps even getting to do some careful investing for their futures or putting some away for retirement.
I am grateful that there is a government that can offer this to some of us in this country. I, myself, would love to get a goverment job! Think of the benefits package, the financial security I could get. I am unemployed and have disabilities. I could really use such help. Let’s be glad for those that were able to get such income. Not begrudge them for finding a way to become more financially stable in uncertain times.
But Melody, you’re a Democrat. You celebrate and are happy when people do well, and even more so when Government has a place in making that happen.
Now if you were a Conservative, of course this would cause you pain because you probably think that it “could” have cost you an extra dime in your taxes or that heaven forbid someone got a step up that up that you might not have gotten!
I agree with Melody but ‘ME’ sees a conspiracy. For f-ck sake! There are one million people WITH jobs because of this & this is bad WHY? It’s better to be positive than to try to link evil in every single thing the President is trying to do. I can’t believe there’s a debate over 1 million people having jobs in America! You’d throw Obama under the bus even if he held hands with the rest of the world, worked out our differences, sang Kumbaya with Putin, Palin, Rush, Glenn Beck & Cheney (I taste throw up in my mouth)while ending nuclear threats forever, sending all bombs through the Stargate toward the Wraith home-world.
And then, you’d say, “What about ACORRNNN?” Talk about clueless! :-(
-Anomaly-
No conspiracy. Just questioning. I love the fact jobs are opening up. I love Obama if my assumption is true. I am actually a democrat that questions it all. Sorry if anyone was offended to the point of calling me a shithead or worse. I must not be communicating clearly…
Thank God then, that I’m not a Conservative! Actually, I’m studying the religions of the world as I have been for over 10 years and right now I’m studying Buddhism and Taoism. It is most fascinating! They believe that we are all one and that when we wish each other well, we both benefit from that. They are committed to seeking each other’s best benefit and they believe that it makes the whole world better! I like that concept! I guess it’s like Obama said, “a rising tide lifts all boats!” I am all for that rising tide! I want all of us to do better and I want less of my own ego. Especially if my ego stands in the way of this world becoming a better place! Happy holidays everyone!
My goodness, we have taken leave of our “census” today. (I know, lame attempt at humor). I would agree with TN that the language is uneccessary. Strangely, I would also disagree with Krugman that we should spend more money on more stimulus. The fact that such a small portion of the dollars have gone out, and that they have had at minimum a nominal effect in arresting the recession, that we should let the plan work. Several senators from both the right and the left have proposed ideas for an “infrastructure bank” that would have the dual effect of facilitating needed work and creating jobs. It represents a long-term view of economic developement that has real potential. Recognize that the American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that up to $2 trillion worth of work needs to be done on decaying arteries in our nation. Arteries that are the backbone of business. It would involve taxes…but, business owners and managers recognize scale advantages, and only the government (our government, that we vote in) has the scale to raise the capital efficiently.
Points well taken, Michael! When we as a people, through our unity in government, decide to get things done, there is no more effective way to get national goals accomplished. Things like decaying roadways, bridges, schools, homes, and tragic events like Katrina and the tsunami in Sri Lanka show us that this world needs to pull together to get things done. We are all one. Whether it is crisis at home or disaster overseas, we show us at our best when we use our unity as a nation to take care of it.
Still not buying it ME, sorry. What you implied is that somehow having the Census fall during his presidency meant that he was using it for unethical means. I interpreted that as your questioning his ethics and that somehow he planned to exploit the Census for personal gain. That’s wing-nut talk, to put it bluntly.
And for what it’s worth, I should have said, “I think people like Michelle Bachmann are shitheads.”
Its a shame that people cannot agree to disagree without name calling or personal attacks.
ME, do you agree or disagree with Michelle Bachmann? Just curious.
BTW, this is a test.
Hey Frances, I’ll take your test. I don’t agree with everything Bachmann says, but I don’t totally discredit her existence the way over reactive whack jobs do.
Now, are you an “over reactive whack job”?
BTW, that’s MY test for you!
TN, when did you stop beating your wife? Er SO?
Frances, I have been observing your writing over several topics on Mario’s site and I’ve been trying to use a journalistic perspective as my standard along with the rules I have learned from English classes over the years. One thing troubles me. Whenever confronted with direct information on a topic, you do two things that trouble me. 1. You jump off tangent to make implications about things not said by the other person. 2. You resort to name calling and personal attacks and put downs. This shows me something and it troubles me because I don’t think you are totally aware of it or you would correct it. It doesn’t make you look too good to be jumping to conclusions about things that weren’t even said or implied by others and when you name call and do personal attacks, it makes you look small. I know you would not really like to be doing this if you were more aware of it, so I’m going to assume that now that I have tried to help you be more aware of it, that you will work a bit on it and show us the really great person you truly are who can stick to facts and intelligent opinions based on fact and not resort to such smallness that is not really part of who you are! Thanks for considering this.
Well now Frances, since YOU bring it up, one of my most steadfastly held convictions and principles is that you do not put your hands on a woman or a child in an aggressive manner.
Were I married to you, or if you were my child, it might test my resolve. ;-)
Tenn., that last message was really uncalled for. That is a personal attack of the worst kind. I am a survivor of domestic violence and I can tell you that that kind of statement is way out of line! No woman deserves to hear something like that.
Melody, I appreciate your taking the time to put your thoughts down on this issue. If what you say is true, then I shall take my leave and wish you well.
Ignore my last comment, except for the part where I appreciated Melody’s taking the time to put her thoughts down on this issue and wish her well. I’ve looked over my recent comments and cannot agree with her.
My last comment to TN was in reference to a common logical fallacy wherein a debater tries to trip up his opponent. I believe TN’s last two comments were made in jest.
Melody, so Frances insinuating that I “beat my wife” is “In Line”??
Put my two statements together. One is who I am. The other is a joking comment elicited by a stupid inference. It’s not a “personal attack” or any kind of attack. It is a flip response to a dumb question. Noted by a wink and a grin.
You’re a bright lady. I’m sure you can recognize the difference.
It’s nice to note that we can write or say anything we wish, no matter how hurtful or demeaning. All we have to do is add a “wink and a grin” and it’ll all be fine.
TN, Aren’t you familiar with that old saw? Be honest. ;)
laurie, you can’t possibly be serious?
First, why should it be acceptable on ANY level for Frances to make the inference that I beat my wife? And after she has done so, am I to dignify such an ignorant remark by trying to make some defense that in fact, I do not beat my wife?
Or should I simply allow such stupidity to go unchallenged, leaving the impression she could be right?
I did what I thought was the best considering the fact that she had once again completely hijacked a thread and turned into her personal little vendetta.
I answered her with a flip and humorous remark. And added a smile and a wink so even the most comprehension challenged would understand it was a flip remark. If I over estimated your abilities, I apologize, therefore:
LAURIED, IT WAS A FLIP RESPONSE TO A DUMB QUESTION.
(Of course, I guess I could take the blame for initially derailing the thread by suggesting she wash her mouth with soap. I should have understood most of you are humorless when it comes to non liberal humor.)
Frances, sigh….friggin’….sigh……What old saw?
Right on, Laurie! Tenn., one of the marks of a high caliber man is that he NEVER makes remarks about being “tempted” to beat a woman because he feels “she asked for it” or that her behavior or remarks in his mind “justify” talking to her like that. That kind of remark is considered “verbal assault” in case you were not aware. For women who have been abused before, just hearing that kind of remark can bring on flashbacks and deep feelings of terror. Please keep that in mind for future reference. And yes, I am in that category of those who do have flashbacks and terror from that type of remark. Please think this through less flippantly. As a favor to those who you have hurt with this comment. Just as I didn’t like Frances doing personal attacks on you, I don’t like you making such personal derogatory comments about women either.
TN, the old saw, “So tell me Mr. Smith, when did you stop beating your wife?” It’s called a loaded question. Like the one you asked me and I thought you were joking.
Your question: “Now, are you an ‘over reactive whack job’?” Would have required me to either admit that I’m an over reactive whack job or explain that I don’t totally discredit MB’s existence. So the whole comment is just plain loaded and brought the classic example to my mind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loaded_question
The version referenced there is “Are you still beating your wife?”
And no, I don’t think you beat your significant other. Sorry for the confusion. Seriously.
Melody, so did your deep seated conscious do back flips when Frances inferred that I beat my wife?
Can’t have it both ways Melody. If it’s okay for you to insinuate I beat my wife, man up and take it if I make fun of you for saying it.
If you see my response to Frances insinuation as a “personal derogatory comment(s) about women…” I can only say I strongly disagree with your characterization.
If you would reread my comment, Tenn., I said I didn’t approve of her attacks on you either! Please note that! I also didn’t “characterize” you, I simply made note of your comment and told you what I thought of the comment and what a high caliber man has in the way of behavior. If you are a high caliber man, then you have nothing to worry about or feel guilty about! Also, keep in mind that even good people sometimes make mistakes. When they do, they can just apologize for the mistake and move on, resolving not to do that mistake again. I think the Dalai Lama said it well that there are four magic phrases, and I think this list is as close as I can remember it. 1. I’m sorry. 2. I apologize. 3. What can I do to make amends? 4. I do care about you. It’s amazing what these four phrases can do to make things work better between people!
Melody, just a couple points and I’ll move on from this overly debated subject.
I didn’t attack Frances. I made a comment which me and a couple of million other people would have understood and taken in the context it was said. A joke.
Please note, my disagreement was with your “characterization” that my “comment” was ….. I didn’t feel you were characterizing me and I didn’t infer you were.
If I made a mistake, I would apologize.
And I think it would take far more than 4 trite little sayings to make things work better between Frances and I.
I’m thinking more a personality-ectomy for one or both of us. (Hey laurie!! That’s a JOKE!!!)
Michelle Bachmann is still a shit-head.
And you still need someone with a smile and a wink to wash your mouth out with soap.
(Okay, I’m afraid to use a smiley so please understand I’m joking.)
“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
(I’ll save you the trouble. Yes I’m guilty sometimes.)
And yet Michelle Bachmann’s shit-headedness does not diminish.
Tenn., sometimes we use jokes to cover up what we are too afraid to let be said seriously as we know people would then have good reason to criticize what we said. Sometimes jokes just aren’t funny. Sometimes we need to see that a poor excuse for a joke just isn’t worth saying. I have several books in my library about a topic called Emotional Abuse. In the books it mentions one way to abuse people is to use jokes to make scathing remarks at people and then try to avoid responsibility for what is said, “Oh, I was just joking! Can’t you take a joke?” This is considered by psychologists as a form of emotional abuse. It is not the best of behaviors. Just thought you should know about this.
I still think Michelle Bachmann is hot.
@Tommy: She’s hot IF you like a woman with eyes that look like dice rolling around in her head. :roll: She’s a nut & looks the part. Sorry… (Anomaly)
Melody, and sometimes, I guess a joke can be just that. A joke. Sometimes we over analyze and just think too much.
I got in so much trouble over such a harmless remark, I’m scared to death now to “jokingly” tell Tommy I wouldn’t kick her (Michelle) out of bed. But then again, since she’s a conservative maybe I can get away with it?? ;-) ;-)
(Please don’t try to analyze that. I know it’s a sexist remark. But it’s not said maliciously.)
And Chester can be judgmental because he’s adorable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov-1S8Xxd94
Apparently, you don’t learn concepts quickly, Tenn. Such a sad thing. NO woman deserves comments (even jokingly) which give the image of doing violence or aggressive action toward a woman, no matter her political beliefs or party affiliation. I may not agree with Michelle Bachmann’s political views, but I will never, ever countenance words which speak of doing physical harm or aggression to her or any other woman. On this I am consistent! Also, no “sexist remark” is ever said without malicious feeling because the very definition of sexism includes malice in the existence of sexism! Just as racism contains malice towards blacks, sexism contains malice towards women. Thank about that, please, Tenn.
Melody, you obviously have far too much time on your hands.
Interesting that I notice you seem to have no defense of your behavior in your response. I will take that as an admission of your recognition that you were out of line as I get the feeling that apologizing doesn’t come easy to you. Wish there was a desire on your part to make amends but I guess it’s one step at a time.
Melody – Have you read “Anthem” by Ayn Rand? You would fit into that society really well.
Melody, I did nothing wrong. I see no need nor do I have any desire to apologize.
There is nothing to make amends for.
That figures, coming from you, Tenn.!
An intervention would be a good thing just about now. Wish people would stop the personal attacks. Personal attacks are totally unnecessary to discuss such a sensitive topic as politics, which is very volatile all by itself.
What is that song that hippies sing around the campfire? I know it, but I can’t spell it….OK, hooked on phonics time…Koombayyah. Whatever. Perhaps Mr. King, “Why can’t we all, just get along?” I do enjoy this group and this blog…so much so that I have spent more time posting here than I have on my blog project. Perhaps we might all concede that it is difficult to know intent from a space such as this? Humans, after all, need contact and body language and vocal tone. Perhaps we could also concede that jokes are made in bad taste, sometimes on purpose and sometimes on accident. We might call attention to it without reciprocating the hurt. I do beleive that there is a difference TN, between repressive political correctness and the acknowledgement the some jokes have outlived there usefulness. It is worth a thought anyway. And yes Tommy, Rep. Bachman is attractive, at least physically.