Vote: Do we need another stimulus?
With unemployment rising and the economy showing few signs of recovery, some people are talking about the need for a new federal stimulus program.
Loading ...In the Washington Post, reporter Lori Montgomery explores the pros and cons.
And on “Good Morning America,” billionaire investor Warren Buffett weighed in on the issue Thursday, saying a second stimulus may be needed.
What do you think?
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101 comments Add your comment
Joel M. Koblentz
July 9th, 2009
11:14 am
Henry..
When will wise up and consider what we have failed to accomplish with the current nearly $900 Bil. stimulus bill.. The bill was rushed through Congress..admittedly,not one congessperson read the entire piece of this legislation, although it was the largest single spending bill in history..we were promised that the bill would create jobs soon by funding shovel-ready projects and today less than 10% of the money has been let with no discernable tangible results…no permanent jobs or retraing, etc. as promised. We, also, were promised, if passed, that unemployment would not rise above 8%..wrong again, now 9.5% and moving northward. And, we were promised transparency as to the projects fund..doesn’t exist..federal government says this is to complicated to truly track the spending and impact.. And, the pork that goes well beyond bridges to nowhere, to communities who didn’t ask for the funds currently, and to cities that are using funds released to them, not for projects, but rather to shore up their own financial inefficiiencies.
Are we willing to double down with our future with a government that gets in its own way and can’t carry out its promises to us as it “mortgages” our future?
I hope not!!!!
Government has yet to prove that whatever the intention of any major piece of spending legislation, that it can execute to deliver the expected result. What assurance do we, as citizens have, that a second stimulus will be managed any differently and will actually gain traction. NONE. NONE, and NONE!
reservoirDAWG
July 9th, 2009
2:15 pm
Joel summed it up. Big government=big problems.
Steve
July 9th, 2009
2:20 pm
No need for another stimulus package. All reports I’ve seen indicate that most of the money doled out in the first package has been held by the recipients. They need to put that money in use first before I’m ready to consider the possibility of any more $’s
Craig
July 10th, 2009
5:15 am
If increasing government spending to stimulate the economy works like the politicians say it does, then we never should have had a recession in the first place given the increased spending during the Bush years. If politicians truly want to stimulate the economy, let the private sector do the spending by letting them keep more of their money to do it with. We don’t need increased government spending. That only creates more deficits and does nothing for the economy.The only thing that has increased with the recent “stimulus” package is the amount of debt being saddled by politicians onto its citizens and an increase in the size and scope of the federal beuracracy.
cliff zeider
July 10th, 2009
6:08 am
Hey, I am all for the stimulus, like Buffett. I am old and don’t care about the future, just want some money to go to a BUFFETT. CZ
John
July 10th, 2009
6:23 am
Sure, do another one. After all, the first one was such a success. Look at all the jobs created and the rebounding economy. In reality, I’m leaving this wannabe banana republic as soon as I can unload my house to anyone.
Mitch
July 10th, 2009
6:26 am
Hell no! This one has not worked. Basic econ 101 should have (or even accounting 101) should have told everyone that fact. The admission of a second stimulus is evidence that even the people in charge know this is not working.
Since they have no other option than to trash their ideology, out of prideful political maneuvering, they will just spend us into oblivion and claim the whole way that this was just the mess they inherited.
The fact is very few of our representative represent us anymore. They have their careers, special interests and political shrewdness as their incentives, not the good of our nation even at the hurt of their party.
There must be massive turnover in the next election in both parties.
Shawny
July 10th, 2009
7:00 am
Govt = waste, pure and simple. If you want to dole out billions, and want that money to be spent and thus creating future jobs, give it directly to the taxpayers. That is a 100% success rate for every dollar spent, vs. the waste in govt trying to trickle down their spending to all of us.
Shame on me
July 10th, 2009
7:20 am
I created my own stimulus.i did like the goverment and borrowed money from peter to pay paul.Now i will be paying back that money for the rest of my life unless ofcorse i get a bail out.mite as well give it to me as to give to the big corperation crooks.You know that soup line looks longer today than it did yesterday.
Nik
July 10th, 2009
8:10 am
Not unless we start seeing jobs created from the handout of the first stimulus. And if the second stimulus is put on the table, let the American voters decide on the outcome. I think it is ridiculous to keep giving money to big businesses who in turn give the money to their CEO’s as bonuses. Had the gov’t passed a much smaller stimulus bill and given that money to the American people, at least the effects would have been noticeable, as far as pumping the money back into the economy by making purchases.
NullOp
July 10th, 2009
8:27 am
Why on Gods-green-earth would we need another stimulus package? “Big Business” is well trained in the art of rationalizing self-serving ideas. Instead of funding programs that actually benefit the business, “Big Business” will fund a seminar in the Caribbean so “our managers will be Top Notch.” So, “NO, no more give-aways!”
LOLOLOL
July 10th, 2009
8:30 am
I figure since the government bailed out the banks I can put my credit card payments on hold. Let the government pay them for me I think. After all, its my money that the government is using. If I got to keep my money I would not have to charge on my credit card in the first place.
Conservative Values
July 10th, 2009
8:36 am
We didnt need the first one. It was all a farse to pay off the people that got Democrates elected or shall I say stole the election in parts of the country. Anyone remember ACORN who received a huge cut of the stimulus money?
Do any of you know what would have happened to this economy if the Republican tax incentives were used instead. You know, the year long tax holiday for taxpayers where we paid no income tax at all. Revenue would have gone through the roof and people would have been spending money. Companies would have expanded to keep up with the pace and jobs would have been created. Lowering the corporate tax burden to 10% would have invited the corporations currently outsoursing their work to come back home, creating jobs by the thousands and good paying ones at that. The economy would have been thriving by this time.
Stupid is as stuid does. Its a good saying and plenty of people need to dig into that statement a little bit. You vote stupid in and you will pay for stupid in everything you do. So will you kids and grandkids. What a shame…………….
Dee
July 10th, 2009
8:37 am
We don’t need another stimulus! We need another president!
Cher
July 10th, 2009
8:59 am
I am so angry that so many politically uneducated Americans voted for “change”…….without fully understanding what KIND of change was to come. Now, many of those voters are questioning their choice as the USA is spinning out of control. It’s a little late….I pray we can hold out before Obama, Pelosi, and friends destroy America as we know it!
Mrs. Godzilla
July 10th, 2009
9:00 am
Confidence is high!
drewmanc
July 10th, 2009
9:04 am
Are you people kidding me? No, you’re right. We’ve given it plenty of time — the economy should have turned around in six months, right? We should probably push for a tax cut. Who really needs government anyway. Police services? Fire? I’m good with what I have. I can use my gun and, thanks to the State, I can use my garden hose in case of fire.
Suga
July 10th, 2009
9:41 am
What I want to know, is when do I, a responsible tax paying citizen, get my bail out?
When do the responsible bill paying people of this country get ours? I get my butt out of bed every single morning, get my kids to school, then get to work. I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
The price of EVERYTHING has gone up, and I am forced to pay for it. Groceries are up, gas it up, heating/cooling the house is up, etc. But I have not had a raise in 5 years.
I don’t have any credit cards, I own a home I can afford, and drive an 11 year old car, with over 150,000 miles. I live within my means.
When do I get rewarded for my hard work? Why is it someone who has asthma or a bad back, can be on disability, and sit around on the taxpayer’s dime and get rewarded, but those hardworking people, like me, have my hard working money taken from me at gunpoint and given to the slacker with asthma who doesn’t want to work? What the hell?
Instead, I have a gun pointed at my head, and I’m forced to give more and more and more, until there is nothing left over for me.
When do I get the reward for being a hard working, responsible person?????????
Mike
July 10th, 2009
9:51 am
The only stimulus that could actually work is to have a federal tax holiday, letting everyone take home their paycheck with no federal withholdings for several months, and of course no tax liabilities for that come next April. This would put money and power back into the hands of those who actually can stimulate the economy…the American consumers.
Nik
July 10th, 2009
9:55 am
ok Suga…tell us how you really feel
I totally agree. I’m appalled at the way things have turned out.
This is why people have these “disabilities”…they are tired and stressed out with the way things are going
JASon
July 10th, 2009
10:00 am
Aren’t elected officials supposed to act according to their constituents? Nobody I have met has ever supported any stimulus. Clearly no one here supports any stimulus. So why did they pass it? Yet we are taught to believe that we live in this great country with such great leaders…
Atlanta Native
July 10th, 2009
10:10 am
If a stimulus must go through, then send equal per capita shares to each tax-payer. Not citizens and illegals, but actual taxpayers. With over $1000.00 in their hands, we will see some results as 80% blow it and the others save or pay down bills. The banks will get the money through trickle-up economics.
It’s funny. but I have decided to stop trying to pay off my creditors. I figure once the Congress and our President finish their spending orgy, the resulting inflation will reduce the actual amount I owe.
The reason for this insanity is that there has not been a true liberal in the executive office since Carter. Clinton and Bush were big spenders, but now the liberals in Congress finally have a leader who has no veto pen (sort of like Bush’s first 6 and 1/2 years when he lost his).
Barry's Twin
July 10th, 2009
10:29 am
I just read someone say “Confidence is High”,WWWWWWWWWWWWWWhat????????? Maybe for drink the kool-aid sheep that is the spend to you drop liberals. If Govnmnt spending was the answer, then based on the previous 3 admin we should have a trillion dollar surplus,not the other way around!!!!
Ray
July 10th, 2009
10:33 am
Suggest you put the existing bailout in the hands of the taxpayers. We don’t need another bailout and furthermore, we can’t afford one!
Barry's Twin
July 10th, 2009
10:42 am
Atlanta Native-For the 1st time I heard a economist say the same thing on national tv. It’s a no brainer,but as we all know the Govnmnt has a history of knowing how to spend OUR money more effectively than we do.
Emily
July 10th, 2009
11:53 am
Where are the libs on this blog? Oh wait…too much to admit the stimulus is a crock? Usually they come out of the wood work on these blogs! We cant spend our way to prosperity! Too bad thats not common sense for OBAMA. One Big Ass Mistake America
Emily
July 10th, 2009
12:02 pm
Man thats not cool! My last post got yanked! I just want to now where all the liberals are on this blog? Guess its too much to admit the first stimulus package didnt work! Heck no we dont need a second one! We cant spend our way into prosperity. But thats the lack of common sense from the those running the Country. WAY TO GO AMERICA!! Go OBAMA!
Emily
July 10th, 2009
12:03 pm
Ooops, nevermind…its still there. hehehe
Ray-Ray
July 10th, 2009
12:04 pm
You cannot get out of debt by spending more!
Mark
July 10th, 2009
12:04 pm
The democrats and their front man Obama have only paid out a third of the first, so called, stimulus. They could not care less about our slumping economy. It is all about political payoffs and vote buying.
Not only do they not need a second “stimulus”, but we should snatch back what is left of the first one.
The ONLY true stimulus would be huge reductions in income and capital gains taxes. Tax cuts ALWAYS result in more government revenue because they really do stimulate the ecomony. The democrats know this to be true, but claim the opposite because a strong economy does not advance their agenda.
Randy
July 10th, 2009
12:06 pm
Boo hoo crybabies. Obama is your president, now deal with it!
Randy
July 10th, 2009
12:07 pm
Emily, at least Obama is not a QUITTER like that moron Sarah lady
AJ
July 10th, 2009
12:07 pm
UP WITH HOPE AMD DOWN WITH DOPE, WAIT WHAT WAS THIS ABOUT? OH YEAH SAY NO!!! TO ANOTHER ECONOMIC STIMULUS.
THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY AJ
AJ
July 10th, 2009
12:09 pm
RANDY YOUR OPINION IS WORTHLESS SO SHUT IT
angry
July 10th, 2009
12:17 pm
Don’t worry Randy, we are going to “deasl with it”. We are going to kick the sorry-a** liberals out of the Congress and your idiot president Obama is going to be a one termer. His approval ratings are in the toilet, and like Carter, he will be such an object of ridicule for the last couple of years of his so-called presidency he not only will be neutered, but will be lucky if he can get an invitation to speak at a local Rotary club…yes, Randy, we the taxpayers of this country are going to “deal with it”. Just watch.
Emily
July 10th, 2009
12:20 pm
Randy, Talk about morons, you and your lib friends are the brainwashed morons that voted for him. Sarah has nothing to do with it. I think its so funny how you guys get on here and thats the most intelligent thing you can come up with. lol. Go curl up with your teddy bear and blanket and save a tree somewhere.
alvin seville
July 10th, 2009
12:23 pm
No Randy he you’r president i voted for McCain…..and in 2012 be sarah palin next President of Usa…..however no quote me
MB
July 10th, 2009
12:23 pm
I wish we could just keep our tax dollars but the politicians will play that as only rewarding the rich and the sheep will be up in arms. It wouldnt be fair to let people who actually work to build this country’s economy keep their money and not just hand out a check to the dead weight of our society.
Randy
July 10th, 2009
12:27 pm
Emily I voted for Bob Barr because I am no longer a Republican. Tired of the Gay stuff, the hypocrisy, and the say one thing do another thing crap. The Republican party is in shambles and you know it. Deal with it.
kj
July 10th, 2009
12:27 pm
It’s early for the left to be commenting, most haven’t gotten out of bed yet.
Randy
July 10th, 2009
12:28 pm
Republicans hate gays, but they like gay sex…. Puzzling to me.
Randy
July 10th, 2009
12:29 pm
Republicans talk about family values, and then sleep around with skank whores. Yeah, quite a great party you have there, lmao
Go Libertarian!
matt
July 10th, 2009
12:29 pm
I would love to meet someone with an IQ over about the 90 range who would support a second stimulus… or the first stimulus. Wall street is your new ruler, and they do not know how to produce a thing- only trade play money around.
Suga
July 10th, 2009
12:29 pm
I just read in Neal Boortz’s column, that after the $750Billion bank bail out, there’s $250billion left over. Do you think we taxpayers will get that back? Oh hell no. The tax cheat Tim Guitner says it needs to stay in a reserve account……..RIGHT…..
Still waiting
July 10th, 2009
12:29 pm
On the actual, legal, stamped, notorized birth certificate.
Joan
July 10th, 2009
12:29 pm
Warren Buffett says we need another stimulus. Well he has lost about 1/3 of his money this last year. I guess what he thinks doesn’t really matter anymore. We need to get these opinions to our congressman and tell them their jobs are on the line.
Watch What You Wish For
July 10th, 2009
12:32 pm
Hey Randy, I am very aware of all the Democrates that have had affairs and those that actually left their affairs die in cars after driving drunk so I really would not go there. The Democrates are way worse and neither party has a right to be proud. Only Democrates keep it quiet and out of the news when its one of theirs. Let it be a Republican and its front page news. Best keep your mouth shut about this one.
Go watch ACORN for awhile and learn something.
momof3edeval
July 10th, 2009
12:33 pm
After reading this blog, I am just comforted in knowing that there are people still out there with a brain! Tired of the bleeding hearts!
deee
July 10th, 2009
12:34 pm
There is no need for continuous stimulus when everybody is still sufferring and there seems to be no relief in sight.
bushwacker
July 10th, 2009
12:36 pm
No more stimulus unless they give the money to us “the citizens” so we can go out and spend it rather than give to corporations who are using it for trips and bonuses!!