The Stimulus and the Local Economy

Last evening I spoke to an acquaintance of mine who works for Maryland's State Highway Department. He explained to me that he is part of team putting the final touches on a couple of highway projects that will begin when the state receives its first $3 million infrastructure stimulus money. He is of the opinion that the money will help put people back to work and that it will get the economy moving.

On weekend he works in a convenience store and he told me that since October many of his regular customers had been in to say they were out of work and would no long be regulars.

His point is that if the money from the stimulus actually goes to workers on highway/bridge/tunnel/water work infrastructure projects and into factories and other building projects, then these are the workers who stop and buy gas and coffee etc at convenience stores. These are the people who go grocery shopping on Friday and Saturday, who may need to buy a new car or break down and get a HVD TV. With the right interest rate and loans from the banks they just may be able to buy a home, or at the very least continue paying the mortgage on their current home.

If the money from the stimulus actually goes to workers, then the economy can come back. The key is that the money needs to get in the hands of the people, not financial institutions who will only use it for their own interests or into special political pet projects that have no effect on the general good..

We all need to start monitoring the website Recovery.gov and make sure this money goes where it can do the most good - into the pockets of the American People.

Its Common Sense!