|
|
Published October 14, 2009 08:15 pm - With everything else going on, there is a relatively quiet debate ongoing in Washington about whether the economy needs more stimuli from the federal government. In our view, it does not.
In Our View: Stay away from another stimulus
With everything else going on, there is a relatively quiet debate ongoing in Washington about whether the economy needs more stimuli from the federal government. In our view, it does not.
Congressional Democrats, according to an Associated Press report from last week, are working on another list of relief efforts, including the expansion of a tax credit for first-time homebuyers, creating a new credit for companies that create jobs and extending subsidies to cover health insurance for laid-off workers under COBRA.
The government has already committed $787 billion to stimulate the economy and only about a half of it has been spent. And the jury is still out on the effectiveness of that stimulus package.
Unemployment is at 9.8 percent now, but we don’t know what it would have been without the first stimulus package. Interest rates are at an extraordinarily low level, but we also don’t know if those have spurred near-term investment or if they affect inflation.
Our deficit for 2009 is now estimated to be $1.4 trillion, with similarly large amounts in the near future without further stimulus from the government.
No doubt that the government has pumped a huge amount of money into the economy. In doing so, the government has radically increased the national debt.
The only thing that seems readily apparent is that our children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren will be faced with the burden of debt we are laying on them. We can’t pay for it in our lifetime, that’s for sure.
Even lawmakers who are pushing for more stimulation efforts know that there is going to be resistance. According to the AP report, all those proposals are being sought separately, because together, it looks like a stimulus package. And they don’t want to call it that.
We haven’t even mentioned health care reform, a cap and trade program and other looming financial problems. The president and Congress must take a deep breath and wait a while to see what happens economically before launching us further into an unknowable financial future that already looks very grim.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED
for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1999 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE
Delegance, Michelin tires, Northstar, vinyl top, loaded, $3900/or offer. (417)850-0731....>MORE
YAMAHA PSR-GX76
76 key keyboard, new in box, sustain petal and music stand, paid $324, sell for $175. 417-434-0925...>MORE
2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT
loaded, 1 owner, 94,000 miles, nice. (417)385-7755...>MORE
2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
FORD, 1997 F150
V8, automatic, extended cab, high miles, $2600. (417)214-0145....>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2005 FORD FOCUS
4 cylinder, 5 speed, 134,000 miles, $3495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
See all ads |
|
3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO
to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double...>MORE
See all ads |
|
MALTESE PUPPIES
2 gorgeous AKC males, 8 weeks on 11/30, all shots/vaccines, $200 each. 417-325-4340 ...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
ANTIQUES FOR SALE
blue sette $350 2 lamps $75 coffee table $35 2 half side tables $35 2 mauve 60's chairs $225 will e-mail photos. 417-673...>MORE
GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!
1000 thread 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets, all sizes, 10 colors, $35/set. (417)782-6639....>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
I WANT TO BUY
6’ t-post, 5’ wire. Call for details. (417)396-1339...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|