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!

Stimulus Package?

The more I read the more confused I get about this Obama stimulus package. I thought he wanted to do big things with the infrastructure. Now I read that they might raise infrastructure projects to $40 billion, double what it originally was. So what is the other $800 billion to be spent on that will immediately stimulate the economy?

As far as I know there is nothing about mortgage relief, tax breaks, or any kind of reasonable loans starting up any time soon.

Could this entire stimulus be pork? How does that help the country?

Thus far I have not been impressed with the Obama Administration. Two of his cabinet choices have outstanding back tax issues, that they decided to resolve when nominated to be part of the cabinet. Let's face it, if they had been Republicans, Congress would have been all over them.

Obama says he has a plan to stimulate the economy, yet the more you try and learn, the murkier things get.

I am beginning to fear that we are headed into a Depression, unless Obama and the Congress can move quickly and effectively to head it off. Unfortunately, I just do not see the leadership we need presenting itself. Both Pelosi and Reid look like they are more interested in revenge and showing they have the power, rather than doing what is best for the country.

Time will tell, but I think we all better start thinking in terms of a Depression.

Do you agree? Is my thinking flawed?

Share your thoughts and ideas.

We are in this together, we can solve it together.

Its Common Sense!

The Senate and the Stimulus

I sent the following letter to my senators on Sunday February 1 in anticipation of the Senate debate on the $870 billion stimulus package. Please feel free to use all or part in writing to your own senators. We need some answers before they put the national debt out of sight



Dear Senator

I would appreciate if you could provide me a breakdown of just how the $870 billion stimulus package passed by the House and coming to the Senate is going to be spent.


From what I have seen even though a lot of money is being thrown out there, very little is going to do anything to get the economy moving.I want to know why at least half of the money is not earmarked for infrastructure projects.Let's repair the roads, bridges and tunnels across the country. That will offer plenty of employment, and construction workers will guarantee that grocery stores and other retailers stay open.

Little projects to study trout and the like are pork projects that need to be put aside. We need projects that are good for the country as a whole, not a private earmark for some senator or congressman.

All reports indicate that the Congress lost control of the first $700 billion stimulus package - allowing Wall Street and the Banks to do what ever they wanted - which meant paying bonuses but doing nothing for the economy. Where are the loan deals we were promised?

We do not want to see this second package go the same way.You in Congress are creating a debt that will be on our great grandchildren' shoulders. The least you can do is make sure that every penny is to put to the use of stimulating the economy.


We have heard a lot of talk but seen little action or responsibility.Its time you and the rest of Congress started being the guardians of our money.

The power is yours - think as an American first, not as a Democrat.Thank you for your attention.