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The GOP has released a list of specific spending programs that they have issues with in the stimulus package. While I don't agree with all of them, I do agree with some. I've listed them below, along with a link to the original CNN article.
The items that I agree should be removed, via CNN:
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.Total: $3.624 billion
Granted, these things are a bit of a drop in the overall bucket when you look at it in the grand scheme of the size and scope of this package - but there is also no need to fold a lot of this into this bill just for the sake of getting funding for certain projects.
But come on - some of these can't be that big of a deal, and the Democrats could buy some goodwill if they show a willingness to compromise on them.
3 comments:
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.
I hope you realize that this is essentially $160 for full time entry level job creation?
This isn't just paying volunteers at the local community center for their time. This program is paying for full time social service workers... who will be sorely needed in these times.
There are thousands of people who are graduating from college with out jobs. These positions are essentially paid internships.
I do realize that, and of the objections I listed, this is probably lowest on my list, as it is in part related to providing employment.
As I understand it, this money is an expansion of the AmeriCorps program. It has also swelled to $200 million in the Senate.
The money is allocated as such:
* $65 million for AmeriCorps State and National grants
* $65 million for AmeriCorps VISTA
* $13 million for research related to volunteer service
* $10 million for AmeriCorps NCCC
* $6 million for upgrades to information technology
* $1 million for State Commissions
* $40 million for the National Service Trust
I don't know what the National Service Trust is or what it does. I also don't know what is meant by "state and national grants," which comprises the same amount of money that is directed into the VISTA program, and six and a half times the amount directed into NCCC - both of which, per my understanding, are the actual volunteer wings of AmeriCorps.
While I do think there are very valid reasons to expand AmeriCorps, I'm not sure that I agree that it should be done in the context of this stimulus package - especially if it is creating partisan strife over how the money is allocated. Creating 16,000 "paid internships" or volunteer positions isn't the same thing as building permanent, long-lasting jobs. Can you contend that these internships ultimately impact the overall economy? Yes, you can. But is it the immediate jolt that we need, which is ultimately the purpose of this legislation? I don't know.
I reiterate that this is probably the point that the GOP raises that I agree with the least. I'd be curious to learn more about how AmeriCorps believes these finances will impact their operations, and how they feel it will help to boost the economy.
Great - A bigger government. Europe certainly proves that bigger government works. Permanent unemployment at 10% HERE WE COME!!!! I'm all for that change. *snickers*
How about rendition. Nice pickup on that one. Obama removes Gitmo but allows the practice of rendition to remain. Now that's some change we can believe in.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/4425135/Barack-Obama-to-allow-anti-terror-rendition-to-continue.html
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